Ties That Bind Chapter 7

Cara led Francoeur to the butchers, he looked around at their surroundings as they went, other than the language and minute differences everything was the same as Paris. The cars, people, clothing, stores, streets, it all looked like Paris, it was different, he couldn’t deny it, but it was familiar and that was a comfort.

_@_@_@_@_@

Cara led him into the butchers and he pulled up his scarf to give himself a sense of security before Cara stopped in front of the butcher.

He looked up and smirked, slamming his knife into the wood beside his cutting table and set his hands on the edge, leaning on it and winked at Cara.

“Here fer yer mother’s life blood, eh?” he began.

Cara quickly put the 3 pennies onto the counter, her face flat along with her tone.

“One bucket please.” She droned.

The man continued to smile before looking towards his spit bucket and made a shot towards it, adding another chew filled squirt to its already disgusting contents. He then reached forward and wrapped his red-stained fingers around the pennies and put them in his dirty apron pocket, pushing the crimson liquid with his foot towards Cara at the same time.

“Enjoy now, y’ ‘ear?” he smirked, winking towards Cara again.

Cara bent and picked up the bucket, pouring its contents into her own before thanking him and turning to leave.

“Come back any time, darlin’.” He teased, his tone suggestive.

_@_@_@_@_@

Francoeur felt Cara’s arm shiver, he could tell by the man’s tone he was flirting with her, but by her stiff manner and shudders he could tell the feeling was not reciprocated. He did not know why but that thought made him feel better, he guessed it was because he was just happy she would not associate with such a foul character.

Cara led him down an alley and they hid in the shadows before she handed over the bucket.

“Drink up.” She said.

Francoeur assumed she meant to eat and he did, tipping the bucket enough for him to sip it without spilling. After so many tries from earlier days he finally drank it without spilling a drop and when he was done he grinned towards her, feeling achieved. Her nose was wrinkled slightly as she watched him, still getting used to his diet but nodded when he showed her the empty bucket.
She began to stand but Francoeur felt an urge and stood rapidly and reached a hand towards her, smiling at her optimistically. She blinked and looked at his hand before slowly taking it and he lifted her up, helping her stand then turning his side towards her and held the crook of his arm towards her, picking up the bucket with the other hand.

_@_@_@_@_@

Cara stared at his arm and took it, she assumed he was being polite and wished to hurry back to the safety of her room. His mannerism reminded her of her father, such a fine tailored fellow, he had taught her so much when she was little, one was to know the difference between a simple act of politeness and a gesture of suggestiveness. Francoeur had been in the polite zone for some time now, sometimes moving out of it with his…curious nature, nothing suggestive.

Cara looked at him, he looked and smiled at her, he purred lightly and she couldn’t help but feel delighted just to see him smile. She would have stared at him longer had not she noticed they were nearing the entrance to the alley and she watched as he pulled his scarf up, giving her one last look at his glowing eyes before they disappeared from view.

_@_@_@_@_@

The rest of the walk had been silent, Cara couldn’t stop thinking about his gestures, sure he was being polite but something about him seemed different. Originally he would act like a big child, just naturally nice and polite to an extent, no fancy stuff, nothing children aren’t trained to do. But Francoeur, lately he had been acting out, the touching of her face and the cuddling were just things of a developing child, but he had been doing more, now he acted like a gentleman, like a human.

Cara put him in the room and went to clean the bucket; previous experience told her if she didn’t clean it the stink would make her clean it. She put it in the wash basin and turned on the faucet, she rinsed out the bucket, swishing its contents around and around as it filled with water. She looked down and frowned, she had forgotten to remove her gloves. Setting down the bucket she turned off the water and took off her gloves, unlacing the leather straps and slipping them off, setting them aside and she continued to wash the bucket. She turned off the faucet and was about to dump its contents when a prickling feeling up the back of her neck told her she was being watched, she spun around and came face to face with Mitch, he did not look happy.

“You gotta be careful, Cara, you ain’t alone in this house ya know.” He growled, pointing at her gloves.

She looked over and only then did she realize they were covered in blood, and in full view for anyone just passing by in the kitchen. She mentally cursed herself and looked at Mitch with a thankful gaze.

Mitch seemed to soften and sighed.

“Be careful, anybody knew about Frank…who knows what’ll happen.” He sighed.
`
She nodded before she realized his real reason for being there, he was holding out a newspaper to her, its headline clear as day.

FRIENDS OF MONSTER PLEAD ITS INNOCENCE

She blinked in shock before taking it, reading the article, it told about how four people from Paris are coming to Manhattan to speak on the professor’s behalf and plead his innocence along with a few witnesses of the Titanic sinking. She frowned; the professor was to hold a trial when the four were to arrive. A plea went out from the one named Lucille for Francoeur to be cared for by those who found him, followed by a reward posting from the local police. Cara could tell by just the amount that the police were not fixing to return him to Paris and the idea gave her shudders.

Cara looked up at Mitch before looking down and handing him back the paper, turning and dumping the bucket and turning back on the water, throwing her gloves in roughly to show her rage at the posting.

“We both know he’s not a monster, he’s done no harm and nobody has claimed he has done any.” She growled.

Mitch nodded and looked at the paper, frowning.

"The case for this professor guy is not lookin too well, and with no real proof of Frank bein a nice fella all odds are stacked against him, those bulls will flay him alive." he said reading.

Cara frowned, thinking for a moment as she worked the blood out of her gloves then she emptied the bucket and squeezed out the water.

"What if we proved it?" she said.

Mitch looked up and frowned.

"Wha' ya say?" he asked confused.

Cara turned and nodded towards him.

"We can prove Frank is not a monster, we can prove he's...domesticated, no better, he's civilized." she said, an excited smile forming.

Mitch scowled, thinking for a moment before shaking his head.

"How in bloody hell are you gonna convince New York that a giant flea is really a copacetic Mac?"

Cara grinned.

“Remember the last report we got on Frank while he was in Paris?” she said, grinning.

Mitch blinked and thought for a moment then broke into a wide smile.

“You clever gal.”

"I think it's time we get Francoeur into the spot light, this time without all the theatrics.” She smirked.

_@_@_@_@_@

For days Cara and Mitch prepared, Cara pulled out her old sewing kit and got to work making her elaborate costume. Mitch went out, seeking information concerning Frank and soon met up with some nice characters, giving information in return before he went back to Cara, the plan set.

The day the boat arrived with the Professor’s comrades Cara’s plan was ready, that morning she sent Mitch to the boatyard with a note, hoping it would meet its recipient. Once Mitch confirmed the note had been delivered Cara took Frank and led him down the stairs, clad in a middle class dress of an elderly woman. Cara had used old white curtains she had found to make it, having worked hours on cleaning, cutting, stitching, and pressing it finally looked appropriate. The floral designed fabric from an old sofa provided a much better looking shawl than her sheets had, Cara took one of her father’s old coats and stitched it to make one for the costume. The scarf hung around Francoeur’s neck and a pair of her father’s old gloves finished off the disguise, Cara found no shoes she had could fit him and she hadn’t the information to make a pair.

Once the disguise was given its last minute touches Cara led Francoeur out of the door, leading him to Mitch’s car and put him inside, squeezing in next him and waiting as Mitch got in and started the engine. She and Mitch were dressed in clothes she had found in her father's old wardrobes, she being dressed in her hand me downs from his mother.

“Onto the courthouse!” Mitch whooped, grinning at Francoeur and Cara before taking off.

_@_@_@_@_@

When the hairy man named Mitch whooped Francoeur looked at Cara and made an inquiring chirp, wondering what was happening.

Cara gave him an assuring pat on the arm, speaking soothing words, Frank understood only few of her words, but when she mentioned his friend’s names he felt excited. Cara calmed him down and said one word over and over, patting his arm in rhythm to the word, he guessed she was telling him to remain calm but he felt ready to leap out of the cab. A serious look on her face told him this would not be a very bonny event; the emotions he was receiving from Mitch and Cara reminded him of another event and wondered if it would have similar results.

_@_@_@_@_@

Mitch parked near the courthouse and all three friends got out, Mitch and Cara walked on either side of Frank and looked around cautiously. People from all around were filing in to watch the case, reporters and higher class people made the majority and Cara assumed they were early enough to beat the main crowd. She and Mitch carefully moved through the traffic and entered the courtroom where the Professor was to be tried and took their seats near the back. Mitch took out a flask and opened it before handing it to Francoeur, nodding at him then watching as he drank from it, once he finished Mitch put it back in his coat.

"That shold keep 'im full for now." he smirked.

Cara rolled her eyes and found the coppery scent did not affect her anymore and smiled at Frank. They sat there for over a half hour, waiting for the proceedings to start, Frank was becoming agitated and shifted in the dress when a strong male voice boomed.

"All rise for the Judge." he boomed.

The whole congregation stood and Cara watched as the elderly Judge walked to his seat and sat down, he looked tired from old age but still carried an air of dignity.

“You may be seated.” He said

Everybody sat and the court commenced, the Judge read the proceedings.

“The accused shall stand and be read the charges.” The Judge said, glancing at the Professor as he stood.

Francoeur stirred but Cara held him down, patting his arm and whispering calm to him, stilling him and they continued to watch.

“You have been accused of illegal experimentation, the endangering of the lives of the people and for bringing illegal cargo to another country, what do you plead?” he asked.

“No’ geelty, yur h’onor.” The Professor said, Charles sitting beside him.

“Francoeur eez no’ an experemunt misour, eez size eez due to moi chemecals but he eez not my experiment, ee iz mon ami, also Francoeur eez no danger to zhe public, he is tame and quite civilized, as for illegal cargo ee wuz not cargo, ee was un passenger.” He said, his accent strong but he was still understood.

Cara heard multiple outcries and she turned her head to look as multiple people stood, immediately one woman from the front stood, looking angry as the man beside her tried to pull her back down. She gave cold glares to the people, hushing them despite her angelic face then smiled at the Professor before sitting.

Again Francoeur stirred, stronger this time and Cara was forced to get Mitch’s attention to get him to stay still.

“Shhh, calm mama, just watch.” She murmured, patting his arm and hoping he wasn’t drawing too much attention.

“The defendant shall call witnesses.” The Judge said, seeming unmoved by the outcries but looked at the woman and gave her an appreciative look.

“Miss Lucille.” He said.

The woman who had stood before stood again and walked to the stand, sitting and nodding as a man stood beside her, Cara assumed he was an interpreter.

The Judge turned to Lucille and spoke, calmly and without any biased actions.

“How do you know of the monster?” the Judge asked.

The interpreter spoke to her, Cara strained to understand but Lucille’s reaction was clear, she looked surprised then smiled at the Judge, her eyes fierce.

“Il’n’monstre pas, misour.” She stated, as if it were a matter of fact.

Francoeur stirred again but only to lean forward, he patted Cara’s leg excitedly and she patted back to assure him.

The interpreter turned to the Judge before speaking.

“She said ‘He is not a monster’” he said.

“Il est tres gentile, mon ami.” She said with an explaining one.

“He is gentle, my friend.”

Lucille continued to speak with the aid of the interpreter, explaining how she had found Francoeur in an alley, afraid at first until he sang, she earned many mocking laughs from the singing part. She glared at the audience, not missing a beat as she spoke, she told about how he performed with her and how she set up the false death scene to give him peace only for it to backfire. She explained the chase to his assumed death and how he had only shrunk and was restored then how his career was continued and how he was asked to go to America for exploration.

“,et il tres literate.” She said smiling.

“He is also literate.” The interpreter said.

“Moi instructe.” She said, pointing at herself.

“I taught him.” The interpreter explained.

When she was done the Judge looked thoughtful before looking at the opposing side.

“Does the Plaintiff have anything to say?” the Judge asked.

The attorney on the Plaintiff side stood, he looked cold and reminded Cara of a snake. He walked to Lucille a smile on his wry face and he looked down on her, much like a predator to the prey, had it not been for her defiant gaze.

“Miss Lucille, exactly WHAT does your monster consume to meet his daily needs?” he asked, smiling.

The interpreter spoke to her, translating before Lucille looked annoyed before smiling cunningly and spoke to him then turned to the interpreter.

“He is not a monster, but he does consume animal byproducts.” He said, frowning.

“Would you specify those products?” the attorney asked, smiling.

The interpreter interpreted it and Lucille spoke after a moment, looking at the interpreter when she was done.

The interpreter frowned before speaking.

“He drinks the hemoglobin of cows, pigs, and a few other farm animals I buy from the market.” He said.

The attorney only seemed to grin wider.

“So you are saying he drinks blood.” He said calmly.

The interpreter interpreted and Lucille looked at the attorney before nodding.

“Oui.”

The interpreter nodded.

“Yes.” He said.

The audience murmured and Lucille spoke quickly, the interpreter listened before speaking.

“He is a flea, the Professor was working on mixture to help,” he said then listened as she spoke again.

“he was designing a concoction to change his diet and to allow him free speech, which was interrupted when the Titanic crashed.” He said, frowning as he interpreted as she spoke.

The attorney smiled and looked towards the Professor.

“So illegal experimentation.” He said coldly.

“Non, I know zhe requirements, eet was zhe reason I came to America, to get zhe chemicals I needed, to help a friend.” He replied, he remained calm.

The crowd murmured and people were discussing when the Judge called for order.

Cara noticed Lucille’s gaze had settled on her with Frank and Mitch, Cara winked at her and nodded her head towards Frank then winked again. Lucille’s eyes widened and she smiled but remained calm and looked at Frank then made a small wave.

_@_@_@_@_@

Francoeur was so excited, seeing Lucille here almost made him jump out of his seat but Cara and Mitch’s restraining arms kept him from doing so and he had to settle for making a wave back.

Lucille smiled and he looked at Cara and pulled his scarf down enough to show he was grinning before she pulled it back up, smiling back.

“I think it’s time for phase two.” She whispered to Mitch, winking at him.

Mitch nodded as the attorney continued to question Lucille.

“How do you know your ‘friend’ is not a female, ready to lay eggs and harm our society?” he asked.

The interpreter blushed and spoke.

“Then perhaps I should call you a female since you exhibit the same signs as he.” He said, blushing at the remark.

The audience laughed as Lucille smirked at the attorney.

_@_@_@_@_@

Cara looked at Lucille as Mitch coughed, first three coughs then a grunt then another two coughs and sat back. Cara remained calm as several people began to stand, first it was a woman, holding a small child in her arms and two other children stood beside her along with a man. One of the guards noticed and requested she sit but she refused, when the guard was heading towards them more people began to stand, many were women and a couple of men, all of them refused to sit and leave. Lastly Cara stood with Mitch, holding onto Frank and smiled as the audience looked at them in confusion.

“’e is nought a munstor, ee is a friend.” The woman said.

“’e rescued mah wee leetle Helga, cared fer’er until’e returned ‘er ta meh.” She said, and Irish accent as strong as her voice.

“’es a sweet singer!” the girl chipped in.

“Sang a sweet sohng ta make us feehl betta wheen th’ sheep wuz sinkin’ ”she said.

“It’s true, I understood enough to know he was singing for us to be strong.” And English woman said.

“He was mysterious, we all knew that, never saw him without his mask but he was always curtious, bowing and being kind, he helped me and many others when we needed to board the boat.” She finished.

“I saw him with the girl, didn’t let her go until he found her mother.” A young sailor said.

Many other people piped in, a female cook told about how he visited her kitchens and how he was kind and knew his manners. A woman told about how he had given uup his own coat to help his friend, the monkey, when he fell into the water. Others spoke and were accounted for when a reporter stood and spoke.

“Well if this creature is so curtious why did he leave his friend behin when he was shot?” the reporter asked.

“I told him to.” The Professor said.

“If he stayed I doubt zhey wood have beane as courteous to heem as zhey were to moi.” He said calmly, smiling at all the people who supported him then at Cara and his eyes widened slightly before he swiftly regained his control.

The Judge listened as each person spoke and  seemed to take each person’s statement into consideration then looked towards Cara. She Mitch and Frank being the last to speak he seemed to wait a moment for them to speak before he decided to start for them.

“And how is it this ‘Francoeur’ affected your lives?” he asked.

Cara and Mitch smiled at one another before she spoke.

“Because Frank is a kind hearted fellow that I had the pleasure of meeting and caring for.” She said.

Simultaneously she and Mitch took Frank’s hood and lowered it, revealing his face and he purred sweetly, smiling at the Judge.

The crowd gasped and many people stood to get a better view.

“Francoeur!” the man who had sat next to Lucille cried, standing, Cara noticed he was extremely skinny and had the giggest hair she had ever seen on a male.

Lucille stood and the Professor stood, Charles turning and grinning, tipping his hat at Francoeur.

Francoeur chirped and smiled at Cara then at Lucille, happy and excited.

The attorney looked surprised but relaxed and seemed calm, accepting his defeat with poise.

The Judge cleared his throat and the attention of the crowd turned to him.

“Since mister Francoeur poses no threat to society, clearly shown compassion and civility and was not directly created by the Professors influence he is cleared of all charges, case dismissed.” He said, banging his gavel and stood, exiting the room, with a smile on his face.

Cara grinned and looked at Frank, who smiled down at her.

“Your friend is free, and so are you, Frank, or should I call you Francoeur?” she said smiling.

He chirped and purred, smiling as she called him by his real name before leading her to meet his friends.