Hello again lovelies! so. Prosncons1 asked it I could write a bit about what things were like when Arthur was working for Gerard (or the master) and how things lead up to his escape. I started writing it as a one shot... but as you can see.. it's going to be a bit longer. I'm not anticipating it being as long as gestohlene Prinzessin, (oh god please don't be -.-' I have other fics to write...) but it's going to be a prequel! (well... i just said i couldn't so a sequel... ) this is my first time writing strictly from Arthur's POV. I'm also thinking it'll probably get updated a little slower... near the end daily updates killed me. but I don't think I'm capable of making it only once a week, so we'll see!
anyway I'm rambling. enjoy! let me know what you think of chapter one ^.^
Arthur pulled the car into the discreetly placed garage along the side of the vast property. He could make the walk. Hell, after being crouched into that god awful position so long, he needed it. The beep of the alarm being set bounced within the walls as he reached the door, he almost pulled it open until an echoing scuttle caught his ear. His head twitched the the side and he smiled. A rabbit had found its way in. "Hey there lad, how did you get yourself in here? Shall we get you out then?" He moved to grabbed the furry animal and the only sound that could be heard was the critters nails across the cement floor. Arthur's footsteps didn't register at all.
The man was like a ghost when he moved. You only heard him if he meant for you too, and it was very rare that he did. He shifted the furry bundle in his arms securely with a small smile "Right then, let's get you somewhere with food" He stepped outside with the creature leaning against his chest. It didn't stir until he reached the edge of the trees, kneeling down the release the poor thing back to the wild "Off you go then. Stay away from the house now…" he stood with a sigh as the white fluff of tail disappeared into the foliage.
Arthur dusted off the front of his well tailored dark grey suit, brushing away bits of rabbit fur as he went before sticking his hands in his pockets. His head was held high, confidence mixing perfectly with disinterest as his eyes scanned the path ahead of him. He reached the wall of the main house, it was littered with shrubs. He had argued it was stupid to place so many hiding spots… "You're still being too loud Alistair. I think they heard you breathing inside" he said without stopping.
"yer talkin pish" came the irritated call. "There's no way ye heard tha'" His brother jogged to catch up, lighting a smoke as he went.
Arthur smirked "Maybe if you gave those things up you'd do better"
Alistair scoffed and held the pack for him "Right, yer one to talk"
Arthur took the offered cigarette leaning over the lighter that was offered next. he took a drag and puffed it out before turning the sly smirk to his brother "Ahh, but you don't hear me do you?" Arthur chuckled as Alistair rolled his eyes and muttered something about him being a show off.
They stopped at the front steps, stamping out the last of the glowing sticks before heading inside. Arthur nodded a farewell to his brother as he walked towards the office. Suddenly his ears prickled at the clumsy thumping noise coming up behind him and he smiled. Arthur turned just in time to scoop the small child who had appeared behind him. "Well hello there little master, and are you giving my sister a good chase?" The small white haired toddler burbled nonsense, flashing him a smile and a giggle before pressing his chubby cheek against Arthur's shoulder and pulling at his tie.
"Gilbert! Where on earth have you gotten off to know you scamp?" came the heavily accented voice from the hall
"I have him right here Lisa" Arthur called. He smiled down at the the boy who was now sucking his own thumb noisily, The red eyes still looking up at him.
Lisa came around the corner with a sigh "I turn my head for one second and that child is off like a shot! He's going to make me go grey well before my time!" Arthur shook his head with a good natured smile and shifted the toddler back to his sister. "You be good for Lisa now. Don't go starting trouble" he said very sternly, then smiled and tapped the child's nose.
"Lisa, I believe I made myself clear about keeping that child out from underfoot." came the cold voice echoing down from the stairs. Arthur sighed, smile dropping from his face.
"Sorry sir" muttered Lisa ducking her head and readjusting Gilbert to her hip.
Gilbert babbled some more and pointed to the tall man now coming down the stairs. "Vati!" exclaimed the tiny boy. Most fathers would smile at the acknowledgement, But for this man?
Gerard Beilschmidt wasn't a warm man by any account. He was stern, disciplined, he did things most men would wouldn't stomach considering, all without a moment of hesitation. All of this information should have lead to a fairly easy to predict reaction when his first born came into the world with albinism. But somehow Arthur had still expected a bit more humanity when it came to his flesh and blood. Instead the man had stood outside the room his wife had delivered in and yelled about the child not being his. No child of his would be such an abomination. It had taken several DNA tests, begging and time for him to not simply ship the boy away, however he showed very little in the way of familiarity to him.
Gerard simply slid his cold calculating eyes to the boy, and air of annoyance filling them and continued past, as if he hadn't made a peep. He continued to the floor, turning towards the hall that lead to his office. "Arthur" came the curt call and like a trained dog, Arthur nodded to his sister and turned to follow the man and his guards, Falling in step seamlessly.
Sitting in the chair across the desk from his boss. Arthur leaned back, His long legs crossed lazily in front of him, completely at ease in the room with two armed men standing watch. Usually Gerard kept one on him, but the man was smart. Smart and paranoid. With someone as lethal as Arthur in the room, it was best to make sure you're as well protected as possible.
"Is it done?" he said simply, eyeing paperwork in front of him, signing things with purpose.
"Would I be here if it wasn't?" came the reply with a small smirk. He had been working here for years, his talent picked out after he was 'dismissed with disgrace from her majesty's service'. Arthur had never been one to pass up a deal when offered, nor did he have a weak stomach. perhaps not as unfeeling as the man before him, but put a dollar sign big enough on it, and he could usually be swayed. This seemed like the easy choice when you consider the other was prison.
His jobs had started out small, and quite frankly boring. 'scramble this computer' 'we need five minutes of dead air on this camera. It was almost mind numbingly easy for him. Luckily it didn't take Gerard long to see his potential. as his jobs increased in difficulty and questionability, so did the paychecks.
"Any problems?"
"never are"
Gerard hummed in acknowledgement. "I have nothing else for you at the moment, the money is on the table by the door. I trust you can see yourself out" the cold concentration of the man hadn't lifted at all from his work. He wasn't very big on conversation, but that suited Arthur just fine.
He stood from his seat, adjusting his suit "Yes, I think I can manage" he turned placing one hand in his pocket walking towards the door. Pausing he pocketed the envelope giving security a wink before passing them back into the hall.
The grand entrance was empty and silent, all the souls in the house working in other rooms. He crossed the space heading for the front door, aiming to head back to his car. A smirk lit his face, for nothing save his own amusement, he let his footsteps echo through the room before the dry click of the door shutting cut them off.
