Jynx travels to Darkside to meet up with the Savanite slave Staccato at the point where he (as "Shikouju") had arranged to meet to perform a special "job". In the run-down pub that serves as a meeting place, Jynx is assaulted by a couple of Skreeks, but takes advantage of his agility and superior night vision to deal with them. He then meets with Staccato, and realizes that she still thinks he's Shikouju, and that she's planning on going on with the hit job. Jynx plays along, hoping to get more information about his grandmother, Lady Martinette.

When they alight upon the rooftop of the target's house and go inside, Jynx figures out that this place is just too familiar … In fact, it's his own house! He catches Staccato heading into Eve's bedroom, and apparently attacking the kitten in bed. Jynx attacks Staccato, and five fuff'nars (who had been sleeping in Eve's bed) are roused and attack as well. In the ensuing confusion, Jynx manages to clobber Staccato into unconsciousness, Jynx's parents come to investigate, and Eve climbs in through the window, having gone outside to retrieve a doll she'd forgotten. (Eve had taken the fuff'nars into her room, thinking they would be scared of the storm. Apparently she gets along with fuff'nars a lot better than everyone else.)

Dominic (Jynx's father) indicates that Staccato is the same slave that was aboard the air ship where a previous assassination attempt had been made against him. Before Jynx has an opportunity to question Staccato further, though, three assassins break in through the window and make off with the slave – warning Jynx not to enter Darkside again. Some neighbors come up to help, and Jynx – frustrated by his setback – heads off, planning to get a disguise to use to head into Darkside, still determined to find the whereabouts of his grandmother.