Part Deux

Honks, whistles and shots filled the dusty air. Brick buildings lined cobbled streets caked with grime and dirt. The captain and her crew stepped off the creaky wooden landing, noses covered. The airship maintenance fields were not located in the cleanest parts of London, but were stationed in the east amidst large, industrious buildings no one cared to lay eyes on everyday. Jezebel sent her men to work and walked down the shaky, crooked stairs to the street, her first officer not three steps behind her.

"We need more water," she said. Miles made a note on a worn-out pad. "And probably flour and yeast."

He made another little note.

" 'Want to be out of here within two days," the captain continued.

Miles, about to scribble the note, stopped and looked up. "No shore leave?" He asked meekly.

"No time, and London isn't the best place for it anyhow."

"Not the best?" Miles snorted. "London's the perfect port for shore leave!"

Jezebel stopped and turned. She gave her officer a look and he sighed. "That was ten years ago, Jez. I'm sure he's forgotten about that by now."

"He never forgets things like -that-, Miles. D'you remember when we 'bumped' into each other in Bohemia?"

Bennett gave his captain a wearied, pleading look. Jezebel sighed, turned and started walking.

"Fine. Two days. That's all."

"Thank you much, Captain!" He jotted down the number joyously.

The pair had taken no more than two steps forward when a whistle came from behind them.

"Jezebel! Miles! How nice it is to see you lot again, here in my neighborhood."

Jez winced, turned a glare on her first and slowly faced their caller. She grimaced. Strolling up to the pair was a portly man in a dusty, frayed silk waistcoat and holey top hat. He stroked his greying beard, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.

"Hullo, Smudge," the Captain said. "How you been lately?"

"You know I hate that name, Miss Harris."

"And you know I hate -that- name, Mr. Blottis."

The oily man smirked. "I'd like to have a talk with you, Jezebel. If you and your little second don't mind, of course." He gestured to them in a half bow. Jez and Miles exchanged a look and reluctantly fell into step beside Blottis. The dealer's entourage took their places behind the pirates.

"So what brings you back to London?" He asked. "I thought you'd have learned your lesson."

"I guess I just thought I'd drop by and see how you were doing, old friend," the Captain smirked. "You know, see how business was these days."

"Oh, fine, fine," Blottis replied. "Been a bit slow, with all these new laws put into place by the damned new chief of police. Makes my job a lot 'arder, you see."

They turned a corner onto a narrow alleyway. The buildings blocked out the smoggy sky, casting deep shadows over the little group. Blottis led them further in, down a flight of cracking stairs and through an unmarked and unpainted door. Jezebel sighed, knowing where Blottis was taking them. The group stepped through the front room and into an ill-lit back office. Smudge tossed his hat onto the coat rack and took a seat in a torn dark leather chair behind his cluttered desk.

"Please," he said, "why don't you two have a seat?"

"I'd prefer to stand," Jez replied. "Been lying around for days, you see."

"Yes, I saw just how much 'lyin' around' you've been doing on that sad excuse for a dirigible." Blottis opened a box, offered Miles a cigar, shrugged when the man didn't take one and lit one up himself. "Pretty bad damage you've got there, eh? Need any... help with that?"

"No, thanks. We'd rather not have anymore rats crawlin' about," Jez retorted.

"Clever, Miss Harris. That wasn't just any little scrape you were in, was it?" Smudge took a long puff of his cigar. The smoked filled the already dank air quickly. Bennett wrinkled his nose. "From what I 'ear you had a tussle with Black's crew. I'm a little surprised you made it out still floatin'."

"Do you really think that little of me, Smudge? Give me more credit than that." Jezebel fiddled with the hourglass on Blottis' desk. "I can hold my own just fine against Black and his ships."

"You bettah watch yourself, little girl," the dealer replied, talking with his cigar between his lips. "You get on his bad side and you won't be able to pay me back."

"So you still remembered that, eh?" She tipped the hourglass over, its sand creating a new mound.

"I'm not gonna forget anytime soon, Jezebel. You owe me big, and I want it soon."

The Captain of the Jewel put both hands on the desk. "Don't you get all threatening with me, Timothy Blottis. I've done more for you than any other client has."

"Ah, that you have, Jezebel. That you have... but it's still not enough." Blottis leaned back in his chair, a smile playing on his chapped lips.

"What do you want, Blottis? Give it to me straight."

He smirked, yellow teeth showing behind his cigar. "Well, for starters you still owe me ten k."

Jezebel stood up straight. "Next cargo we get, you take your share."

"I don't want cargo, Miss Harris. I want coin." Blottis stood as well, tipping his cigar into a full tray.

"I can't get you that much in gold and you know it."

"Well then," he smirked. "Perhaps we can figure out a different form of payment... if you're so sure."

The Captain shuddered. "No deal," she sighed. "You'll get it in coin."

"That's more like it." Blottis took his seat and leaned back. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a lot of clients to see today."

Miles followed his Captain out. They were flanked by two of Blottis' bodyguards until they reached the main street. Jezebel gritted her teeth and marched toward the maintenance yard.

"I told you we shouldn't have come here, Miles."

"I know, I know," he let out a breath. "My apologies. It could've gone worse, though."

"Sure it could've. You could be dead and I could be another little Smudgy concubine."

Bennett laughed. He reached her Jez's hand and gave it a little squeeze. "We always get out of tough situations. This one's no different."

Jezebel squeezed back, but pulled her hand away quickly. "But it is different, Miles. It's ten thousand dollars different"