At six in the evening, at Passenger Pier No. 3 in Indo Port.
Jane, dressed in a black robe and hat with a fine-mesh black veil hiding her face, carried her luggage down the gangway of the Seagull, a passenger ship powered by both engine and sail.
Behind her came a snow-white lion with a multicolored mane.
To everyone else, he was just a little orange cat bounding along.
It was already November 21, and darkness had long since fallen over Indo by six. Many passengers disembarking lit lanterns or headed into the inns and bars outside the pier.
But darkness was no problem for a Sequence 6 Beyonder of the God of Death Pathway. Jane casually summoned a local "little darling" who had drowned at sea.
After some "friendly" conversation, the spirit happily became her guide and led her to the spot outside the pier where she had arranged to meet Abner.
Jane looked around and soon fixed her gaze on a gentleman leaning against a carriage.
She did not recognize his face, but the way he looked at her, his familiar smile, and the Copper Whistle in his hand told her he was Abner.
The gentleman had clearly spotted her too. He smiled faintly and opened the carriage door.
Jane met his eyes, then climbed into the carriage with the lion.
The gentleman was indeed Abner. After telling the coachman to return to the club, he entered the carriage as well and sat opposite Jane.
"Abner, I feel like I have to get to know you all over again every time we meet." Looking at his unfamiliar face, Jane sealed off their surroundings with Spiritual Lock and teased him with a smile.
"A gentleman said something similar to me a few days ago," Abner replied with a smile,