The Diaries of an Enigmatic Manipulator
A League of Extraordinary Gentlemen fanfiction
Disclaimer: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen comic and the LXG movie I do not own. My own characters, and any aspect of the story that involves or is changed by them I recall my own.
England, June 1899
Today was quite…interesting. Like any other day, I was alone in my chambers, writing intently, when I heard faintly a knock at the door downstairs. Not wanting to be perceptibly heard, I closed my journal with mind, lay my fountain pen on the side, and got up from my beautifully velvet chair. Nearly tipping my toes across the wooden floor boards, I came to the door that led to the top of the staircase, opened it carefully and slowly, and peered down to the door.
The knock came again. This time, more hastily. As if there was a time limit to speaking with me.
Sprinting down the stairs in only a few swift motions, I had come to be at the bottom of the staircase with caution. I must say, I was hugging the wall ever so desperately. I peered around the wall to the door, only to hear another knock. I was…frightened, for lack of a better term. What I was afraid of I cannot say…perhaps I was weary of being taken again?
I felt like I could almost see through the blasted thing—my instincts told me the person behind the building's door was harmless. And yet, I had a strange feeling for this introduction…
Trusting my subconscious persuasions, I creaked open the door—only to find a meek, but seemingly commanding man and his…could I have labeled trainee?
"Good evening Ms. Blair.", he had said.
My mind automatically switched to caution. How had he known my name? What else did he know of my nature?
"May we enter the premises?" he continued.
The question had caught me off guard. Instead of giving me the time to deliver a reply, the two men simply entered my home. How dare them!
"Forgive my intrusion, Ms. Blair…but we come as representatives of Her Majesty's British Government."
Oh dear…the Government? How, and in what way, had I done harm to an assemblage such as that? I know, of course, I have had my faults with certain communities of doctors and the occasional scientist, but a member of the Government? In what possible way had I caused them to enter my home on such short notice? The feeling was so…terribly guarded! If they had made any uncertain moves then, I could almost swear I would have sprinted away right then and there! And yet, my curiosity had succeeded me to remain calm…in which I can now almost thank.
"Allow me to introduce myself," the docile but authoritative man started as the other looked out upon the streets of London, right to left, then closed the door. Their actions were becoming more and more disbelieving to my watch. I was ready to dash for it.
"My name is M, and this here is Mr. Sanderson Reed…"
I did not dare to glace at the orange haired, well dressed, suspicious looking man known as Mr. Reed. My eyes had not been taken off his superior…and, might I add, they have not yet done so…
"Why M…?" I almost whispered, continuously read to assail when required. His expressional response was sly…confident, almost.
"Identification surely, something I'm sure…you know much about." was his reply. And so, I realized, he knew much more about my recognition than realized. And when, in my opinion, one knows about your classification enough, then one knows enough to understand. And so, I let my guard down…but slightly.
"Yes…" I said. "Why then, M, have you come to me?" I felt no need to address Mr. Reed. It was M who was of importance…not his…adolescent of inferiority.
"Surely your reputation is not clearly…untainted, however it is noticeable."
"Yes, I recall."
"We are searching for a team…of unique individuals…"
"Searching for a team in order to do what?"
"…to contest the danger which now poses against the world."
I sauntered to the right a bit. "What threat?"
Were they…asking for my partaking in the situation?
"There is great unrest…"
"Yes. If you require seeking a team of individuals to combat a threat against the world, I would assume there is great unrest." I snapped. "What, exactly, is the great unrest regarding?"
"Ms. Blair, please. War is arising…"
"With everyone…?" It was hard to imagine a war composed of every nation striking at its neighbors and allies…having no one at its side…
"Precisely; a world war..."
"And you believe a team of individuals may stop this threat? My apologies, M, but how may someone such as myself help stop a war concerning billions of people—"
"The threat which arises this combat will be further discussed at a meeting…within the quarters of London's British Museum with the entire team, at best hope. Now if you agree to act as much as attend this meeting—"
"And what, may I ask, is being offered in return for my contribution?"
M chuckled, which made me stiffen slightly. I was weak upon my toes—being required to help prevent a world war was not in particular a part of my repute.
"I thought you would ask that."
Had he now?
"Freedom…"
My mind…fell at ease, but replied dazed at the same time.
"Pardon…?"
"Freedom…from all the doctors, the scientists, the individuals whom once thought it best to take you down, and deplete your discoveries…"
"And how do you, sir, have the right to give me such a thing as that?"
"Let's just say…the world will never be the same once having a taste of your share."
The way he said that…the way he had said that sentence…made me quite the uneasy one standing in the room. But he would not get me so quickly.
"I'm still not convinced."
M sighed. Mr. Reed continued to simply stand next to his superior, simply…just…there…as if he was a token of service if needed, and nothing more. It was a bother to me.
Before M could start again, I cut him off unintended.
"But why me…?" I whispered, more to myself than him. I simply could not believe that one such as myself was needed for such a situation! What did I hold that was needed so dearly?
"Please, Ms. Blair…"
"Fine..." I stated. "I've been in need of an adventure. But do I not have the right to back out at any time I wish?"
"I would supply as much." he replied, tranquil now.
I was not sure why, of me…of all people, simply said 'yes' to a situation such as this. I have long hidden away from the world, but not long enough to be desperate in getting myself into a powder-keg-of-an-organization. Is it natural for me to want the glory of being a hero, known to save the world from war? Is it natural for me to be brave, and trust a strange man like M? I did not trust M, I can say that much, nor did I trust Mr. Sanderson Reed. However, just because I did not trust them, does not mean I do not like them. I myself can never be trusted—therefore, trust shall never lead to disliking.
As M bid me good luck to a safe trip (for I insisted I would walk—the Museum was only a few blocks away from my residence), promised a further explanation at the meeting, and walked out the door with Mr. Reed at his tail, I just simply stood there; broad with awestruck.
