A few hours after Sai and Noxee met, Francine kept the Boys busy to pack and prepare for the pilgrimage - to distract them from tonight's happenings and Saiwa's betrayal. Jack felt bad for chasing after Saiwa even though he knew he was so afraid of werewolves, but in his wolf, he almost solely acted on his instincts - he had to protect his pack. He really shouldn't have shifted in his wolf to be able to eat even more of these delicious cakes. . . Poor Jeb was barely responsive and mostly unaware of what was going on around him. Jack even had to help him in the shower and getting his clothes on. He'd packed the boxes with the potions and cures for Jack to sell on his pilgrimage mechanically and it was painful to watch him, so broken he was. Eventually they went out to care for the horses. Jack hugged Lunatic: "I'm going to miss you, pal."

Lunatic: 'He's taking good care of me.' Valerian: 'I will.' And it seemed Francine already became friends with Malfoy, the cock with the fiery eyes, and Skully, who even left his safe dungeon to say goodbye. Skully: "All that hugging and cuddling is sweet and such, but don't you forget the ferry is leaving soon!" Francine: "Alright Boys, let's go! I really hope I didn't forget anything." Jack: "Ah, don't you worry. You can send parcels to each harbor I'm currently staying for me to pick up." And then he turned to Lunatic: "So, you're fine with staying here eventually? Positive I'm not going to see you in the butcher's display when I come back?" Lunatic's eyes widened, he didn't want Valerian to think he was afraid of him: 'Hush!' Jack laughed. At least this was going smoothly.

The little rascals set up a party after Francine, Jeb and Jack left for the harbor. Only Saiwa's Little Goat was missing.

Skully played 'Let the music play' from Shannon:

'He tried pretending a dance is just a dance but I see He's dancing his way back to me Guess he's discovered we are truly lovers Magic from the very start 'Cause love just kept me grooving And he felt me moving And even though we danced apart So we started dancing and love put us into the groove As soon as we started to move As soon as we started to move Love said

Let the music play He won't get away Just keep the groove and then he'll come back to you again (let it play) Let the music play He won't get away This groove he can't ignore he won't leave you anymore (no, no, no)'

Lunatic wondered: 'You think there is hope for Saiwa and Jeb?' Skully was utterly sure: 'There always is.'

It was time for Jack to leave, the ferry would arrive soon. He just hoped Francine and Jeb would be ok. Jack tried to reassure Francine: "I'll do my very best to sell your goods and send you money, now that Jeffrey is gone for good, maybe you can take over his stand?" Francine: "Ah, I'm too old for that, I'm sure one of the younger ones here will take it over and pay better than Jeffrey - I'm going to have a keen eye on them, that's for sure."

At the harbor, Francine insisted to buy Jack's ticket, after all he's done - and would do - to help them. Jeb just stood there, staring across the vast ocean - an ocean as vast and deep as his pain. . .

Francine took Jack aside and handed him two tickets. At first Jack thought the other one was for his way back, but Francine had other plans: "Take him with you. It will break him if he has to remain here, in the house where he met Saiwa. Sleep in the bed he shared with him. A pilgrimage is just what he needs. And - a friend." Jack: "But how are we supposed to leave all on your own? We'll die worrying!" Francine laughed: "Oh come on. Jeffrey's gone and I still have friends here, new and old. Glen, Skully and Malfoy. And before anyone sets foot again on our land, Lunatic and Valerian will stomp them into the ground." Jack: "Just like last night?" Francine: "Sai put them asleep, like all of us. I will take better precautions from now on. I've learned my share, believe me."

And that's how Jack and Jeb started their pilgrimage.

Behind the Scenes

Right after logging in I got greeted with this. He's so cute <3