section7mfu | The ABC Affair 2019- U is for Unicorn

The next morning Napoleon, Illya, April and Mark brought some chairs out into the courtyard of the field office. It was sunny and warm and the streets were quiet now that Mardi Gras was officially over, still in bars all over the city people were still celebrating. The police were being kept busy, needless to say.

“This is nice,”Napoleon said. “Shame we don’t have anything like it back in New York.

“Well there is Central Park,” Mark said.

“Here they have City Park which is actually larger than Central Park,”Illya said. He raised his arms above his head in a long stretch. He still needed to sit on a soft pillow because of his stitched up derriere, but soon it wouldn’t be necessary.

“And don’t forget the riverboat Natchez,” Napoleon said. “It was pretty amazing even though we weren’t on it very long.”

“Well New York has the Staten Island Ferry,” Mark said.

“Still no comparison,” Napoleon smiled.

“Wow, parks, riverboats, parades, floats, balls...sound like you really had the grand tour of the city,” April laughed. She was holding a mint julep in her hand.

“And you were quite the belle of the ball,” Solo nodded.

“Why thank you, shame I can’t keep that dress. Though really, when would I get a chance to wear it again. It was more suitable to this place.”

“I for one will be glad to get back to New York, Illya said.”Though we have taken quite a few sights here including a rather...creepy cemetery, I for one will be glad to get back home. I have some experiments in my lab that have left unattended.”

“Illya darling, you need to get out more and enjoy life. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”

“April, who is Jack?” Illya pretended not to be familiar with the proverb.

“You’re pulling my leg?” She stared at him.

“Miss Dancer, I am nowhere near you so how might I be pulling your leg?”

“Illya!”

He began to laugh, and did she as well when she realized he was joking.

“April, using the phrase ‘all work and no play makes...Illya a dull boy; are you suggesting that that without time off from work, I will become both bored and boring?”

“Luv, I think you’ve put your foot in your mouth on that one,” Mark laughed.

“I suppose I have. Sorry darling.”

“No apology necessary,”Illya smiled. “I do not mind remaining here a little longer as there are more sights to see and restaurants to explore.”

“Here it comes,” Napoleon laughed, pointing at his partner. “I knew food would eventually become part of the conversation.”

“Yes speaking of which, I am hungry. Would anyone care to join me for lunch?”

Napoleon, April and Mark responded at the same time.”You’re always hungry!”

“Yes, I am. Is there a problem with that. Are none of you hungry as well?”

“Well, darling, I suppose we are. Anyplace you’d suggest?”

“There is a wonderful place off the beaten track owned by a woman named Fanchon DuBois. She serves the most marvelous bouillabaisse.”

“Really? What’s the name of the place?” April asked.

Napoleon and Illya suddenly looked at each other, realizing they never bothered to check the name of the place.

“Ummm, we don’t know,” Solo blushed.

“Well then how can you blokes find it?” Mark asked.

“Trust us, we know exactly where it is.”

Illya spoke to Kripke in whispers and for some reason he picked up the unicorn mask he’d worn previously, it was simply left to one side until now.

This time the agents took a taxi to the place and when they saw the name on the hand painted marquis over the door, Solo, Dancer and Slate all laughed. Illya wasn’t surprised as he’d asked Kripke about the place and he knew the name.

It read, “The Purple Unicorn. Great music and food!”

As they walked inside, they were greeting by Frachon and her son Henri.

“Bonjour Madame DuBois,” Illya smiled as he gave a little bow.

“Ah Monsieur Illya you survived my medical attention I see!”

Napoleon greeted her with a click of the heels and kiss to the back of her hand. “We returned to thank you for your help, and we’ve brought friends to sample your cooking. This is April and Mark.”

After all the greetings were done Illya produced something he’d hidden behind his back. It was the unicorn mask he’d worn to disguise himself during Mardi Gras.

“A small gift for you, to grace your premises. Et voila!”

“C’est magnifique, merci merci beaucoup!”

“Tell me Frachon, how did you come up with the name ‘The Purple Unicorn?”

“Oh I have my son Henri to thank for that. It was the name of his favorite book when he was a bebe. I thought it would be different.”

“Interesting,” Napoleon and the others eyed each other but none had the heart to tell her of the ‘Purple Unicorn’ club in New York… not that it really mattered.