A/N This is basically the story of what went on in the years Resa and Dustfinger knew each other before Inkheart began. (Because you gotta admit, there was something going on there. ;-)) Um, anyway, my first Inkheart fic, obviously, since I'm fairly new to the fandom, so I hope I've got everyone in character and such. I know the first chapter isn't terribly interesting, but it does get better. Reviews are loved! Oh, and by the way, I HAVE NOT READ INKDEATH yet. I hope to get it next weeked, but in the meantime please try not to spoil me!! :-)
Disclaimer: I don't own Inkheart. If I did, we'd have more Dustfinger/Resa moments. Because I love Roxane, but come on. Talk about tension and cuteness between these two. I also have to say that I can't take credit for the title of this fic. It's a line from "Dark Blue" by Jack's Mannequin. Great song, check it out.
Dustfinger crept silently into the old red church where Darius, that idiotic stutterer, was reading aloud for Capricorn from Inkheart. Dustfinger's ticket to get home. Everyone's attention was focused on the reader, making it easy for Dustfinger slip inside and duck behind the alter to watch. Darius was apparently reading out Capricorn's maidservants. It made Dustfinger sick, watching him pull the women from their home into this disgusting world. The one thing Silvertongue had going for him was at least he had gotten Dustfinger here in one piece, whereas most of the poor maids that Darius was bringing out were disfigured, or crippled in some way.
Dustfinger eyed the book in Darius's shaking hand, almost hungrily, and reviewed his steps. 1) Get the book. 2) Find Silvertongue. 3) Make Silvertongue read him home. He wasn't about to trust his fate with Darius's clumsy reading. Okay. Simple plan, Dustfinger. Good. Now we'll see if you have the courage to go through with it.
Darius was reading another woman out of the book. Her long golden hair shone very slightly through the darkness and her blue eyes glanced around in confusion. Even in the dim light, Dustfinger could see that she was beautiful. He squinted, trying to see her better. Something about her was so familiar. Did he know her from the old days? Was she a friend of Roxane's?
The woman's lips were moving rapidly. No sound was coming out. She had been muted in her transition from world to world, poor girl. Dustfinger knew only too well the confusion she must be going through. He saw Capricorn nod his head to Basta, who grabbed the woman by the arm and dragged her to the door to follow the rest of the maids to their quarters.
Dustfinger was torn. He glanced from the woman, to the book, and back again. There will be other chances to get the book, he told himself sensibly. In fact, it would be much less dangerous to take it later, after it had been put away. Providing he could find it. Maybe one of the maids would tell him. Maybe not. But why did the woman look so familiar? Maybe she could give him news of everyone he'd left back home. Cloud-Dancer, the Black Prince...Brianna, Rosanna...Roxane. He had to know. With one last glance around him, he darted after Basta and the woman.
He crept down the gloomy streets of Capricorn's village quietly, close enough to hear Basta's voice but not close enough to be caught. Why was he doing this? Why was he going on such a foolish trip just to find out the identity of a woman he might not even know? Such a coward, Dustfinger, he berated himself, and increased his pace.
"Come along, pretty one," Basta crooned. "Your new quarters are this way....now, stop trying to get away, little pigeon, or I'll introduce you to my knife!" He drew it and waved it in the woman's face. "Wouldn't want to ruin that pretty face..."
The woman stopped pulling against him and allowed Basta to lead her through the maidservants' quarters, Dustfinger several steps behind. Basta reached the end of the hallway, opened a door and pushed the woman inside. "Make yourself at home," he sneered before slamming it shut. Dustfinger flattened himself against the wall, trying to blend in with the shadows as Basta walked past, twirling his knife. Then Dustfinger dashed down the hall and knocked on the woman's door.
The blue-eyed woman opened the door and started at the sight of him. Dustfinger's hand automatically went to the scars on his face. He knew how shocking they were to those not accustomed to seeing them. "Sorry to bother you, er.... ma'am," he muttered, eyes downcast. "I wanted to see if you were all right. I know Basta is a bit less-than-comforting." His lips twitched upward slightly.
The woman gave him a small smile back and motioned for him to come in. Dustfinger entered awkwardly, looking around. It was a typical maidservant's room - small, one bed, plain stone walls with a few shelves, a creaky wooden chair. The blonde woman was the only occupant. Dustfinger sat down in the chair and looked up at her. "I understand how hard it is being plucked out of your world like that," he said abruptly. "I was brought here against my will too. I thought we might be able to help each other out, you know... " He trailed off. The woman smiled sadly and touched her lips. Dustfinger remembered. "You're mute." She nodded. Dustfinger looked away awkwardly, then back. "My name's Dustfinger," he blurted.
The woman's eyes lit up in recognition at his name and she extended her hand. Dustfinger shook it. Her lips formed a word. Dustfinger watched closely while she repeated herself a few times, then understood. "Resa? Is that your name - Resa?" She nodded. Dustfinger smiled. "Have we met before, Resa? You look very familiar to me." Resa shook her head, eyebrows furrowed. "No? I never saw you at home, maybe?"
She shook her head again, lips moving, and a look of frustration crossed her face at her inability to speak. "Where did you live back in our world? Well, you must've worked at Capricorn's palace, I suppose. Did you ever come out into the village? Maybe I saw you there, when I was - " He reached into his pocket and struck a match. He watched it burn for a few moments, running his fingers through the flame, then put it out. Resa laughed, a high, clear, giggle, but shook her head. Dustfinger shrugged. "Maybe I'm just slowly losing my mind. This world does things to a man." Resa laughed again. He liked the sound; he couldn't help smiling back at her.
Footsteps sounded in the hallway. Dustfinger held his breath and waited for the footsteps to pass, hoping against hope that Basta would not open the door, Basta and his stupid knife. He heard the footsteps retreat down the hallway and let out a sigh of relief. "I'm sorry - I shouldn't be here - " He stood up, Resa blinking at him in confusion. "I have to go, there's something I need to get!" He grasped her by the shoulders. "I'll come back and see you, all right?" Lying, Dustfinger? "I mean - I'll try. Good luck!" He darted out the door, leaving Resa on her own.
A/N Thanks for reading! I'll have another chapter very soon.