A month or so before The Hare arrived back at the HQ of MCI.
Jack Pumpkinhead's Place, The Emerald City. Oz
Her slow, sweet, soulful jazz number came to a close. The patrons erupted in a standing ovation and Jack got up from the piano, to hold her red evening glove covered hand aloft. 'Ladies and gentlemen, munchkins and assorted creatures ... give it up for the marvelous, the beautiful, sensational and sensuous ... Miss Jessicaaaaa!'
Her set done, Jessica moved towards the bar, ignoring offers of drinks and companionship from the club's patrons. All she wanted was a single malt and to be left alone.
'J J J Jessica, I L L L Love youuuu,' came a metallic voice accompanied by a clanking and bursts of steam.
She paused momentarily. 'Go home to your wife Tik-Tok. You've had too many of Jack's oiltinnis,' she told the dumpy mustachioed clockwork man.
'B B But J J Jessica, she d d doesn't understand m m m me. T t t turn my key baby!'
Jessica walked on, her leggy strides leaving him behind, the fabric of her slitted red evening dress swishing against her long legs. Tik-Tok contented himself with gazing at her bottom and moved off when he saw a human figure intercept her.
'Jessica Ra ...'
'It's Bunny,' she cut the strange man off, already slightly annoyed. He was quite handsome though and dressed in a dapper but formal manner that she found pleasing, so for some reason she didn't cut this one off and even explained herself. 'I remarried but we were only together less than a year. My 2nd husband preferred to spend all his time palling around with his buddy Elmer.'
'I know the one,' replied the stranger. 'But weren't they rivals? The gentleman, Fudd, repeatedly attempted to hunt your husband if I'm not mistaken.'
'Yeah but he never did,' Jessica stated dryly. 'Somehow he always let B get close enough to kiss him though. Mockingly he claimed but I happen to know there was more to it than that. He liked me to dress up for him, did you know that?'
'Well, a woman as charming and ... bountiful as yourself, I'm sure I'm not surprised,' returned the man in the dark frock coat.
Jessica shook her head, sending a cascade of wavy red hair from side to side. The man found himself thinking of that old advert from the mortal realm he rather liked. The Timotei girl.
'Yeah but it was WHAT he wanted me to dress up as. Either a black duck or in hunter's gear ... male hunting gear! I ... I don't know why I told you all that!'
The dark haired man had the courtesy to look embarrassed. 'I must apologize Mrs Bunny.'
'Miss if you please.'
'Ah, well then Miss Bunny. I am most regretful but I do have a certain charm that is part of my character ... I'm sure you know how it is for us. Women feel compelled to share.'
Jessica looked deeply at him. 'You're a literature type, aren't you? Not a local either ... older I think.'
'Ah yes indeed, my vintage is indeed older in origin and older still in backstory. I am presently situated in Myth Vegas.'
'Hold on buster, if you're offering me a gig there, the answer is a resounding no. My ex boyfriend is there and ...' Jessica suddenly got another of her flashbacks - she saw the hole in the ground with the shovel by it and ... she shuddered.
'I am well aware of The Hare. If you'll pardon me for saying Miss Bunny, you do appear to have a particular type.'
'Don't mention that bastard's name,' Jessica growled. 'I wouldn't go anywhere near him for a bag of gold.'
'What about a golden apple?'
'Pardon?'
'Please don't be alarmed Miss Bunny. I have a certain ... reflective friend, who is privy to all manner of information. Would it surprise you to know that your activities in Asgard with The Hare did not go unnoticed?'
Jessica said nothing. She took a moment to delve into her crimson purse and taking out her red lipstick, she began to touch up her ruby red lips. 'Hold this a second, she told him as she stepped into a shadowed alcove with a mirror. He followed her into the dark that was illuminated only by the lights around the mirror and took the purse which was still open.
Jessica slipped her hand inside and pulled out a small gun. 'Now, I think we can dispense with the threats and you can tell me who you are.'
He held the purse in his left hand while holding his right up placatingly. 'Please, you misunderstand. I merely want to inform you about the way you were both duped. '
'Explain.'
'Very well. You supposedly received a golden apple of immortality stolen by the Eagle that perches atop the world tree and stolen in turn from him and delivered to The Hare by the messenger Ratatoskyr. The plan was to blame the theft on the Eagle's hated rival the dragon who lives at the bottom of the world tree, right?'
'Uh ... yes.'
'Would it surprise you to know that Loki keeps a dozen apples like it in his palace and that the Eagle had never heard of any golden apple, let alone stolen it? We verified all the information - no double theft and nobody blamed anything on the dragon. The only one with any knowledge was the giant squirrel rat and he disappeared into the branches when we questioned him.'
'Who's we? How did you even know about all this?'
'I told you, my friend sees things ... he saw this and we looked into it. We know Loki faked the apple heist and he's playing a deeper game but we're not sure what, except it involves something potentially very bad. He had two visions - one very vague thing about impending disaster and a second which indicates the Greek Pantheon of Gods are involved or at least that's how he interprets a scene of Loki playing on the magic harp of Orpheus, also known as a lyre and Loki is the master of lies!'
Jessica frowned. 'If this is true I'll want proofs and you still haven't named yourself or your friend.'
'Oh I think you'll have heard of my friend Miss Bunny and his name alone will tell you we are on the up and up and deadly serious about needing your help. I am Grey ... Dorian Grey.'
'Never heard of you. Who's this famous friend of yours?' Her gun was still pointed squarely at Dorian's chest.
'Ask him yourself. He's right behind you.'
Jessica grinned. 'You think I'm fresh off the bus. Only thing behind me is a mirror!'
'Yes, but I prefer to go by Magic,' came a deep voice, which startled her. 'The Magic Mirror to be precise.'
She spun around and sure enough a cloudly face had formed in the mirror. 'How did you ...'
The face inclined slightly. 'It is my gift. Wherever there be a mirror, if it is not protected by wards of magic, I may appear there. It is, I must say, a handy trick. But now Jessica Bunny, I must know ... will you work with us to discover the nature of the threat and how The Hare fits into the Trickster's plans?'
Her gun lowered, Jessica took back her purse and switched the weapon for a pack of cigarettes. She removed one, along with a bic lighter and lit it. Dorian and the mirror waited while she took several deep drags before replying.
'Somebody's played me for a fool. I don't like that. Besides I'm getting pretty tired of the nightclub scene so it's time for a change. Yeah I'm in. Where do we start?'