Decided last minute that this is going to be a collection of onside Outsider/Corvo fics. Maybe in the end Corvo will warm up to the Outsider, but I don't know; I'm trying to take a realistic approach to their relationship...

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Lady Boyle's party had been boring to say the least. As the Lord Protector, Corvo had attended numerous parties with the Empress, Jessamine. She had always insisted he be present with her. They would often drink and laugh at the haughty attitude of the aristocrats and poke fun at them subtly. Often, later in the evening, Jessamine and Corvo would share small meaningful touches; nothing too scandalous, just a touch on the arm or so. He felt so out of place now without the Empress' presence. It wasn't right.

Corvo took sips of his drink to pass time and convince the other partygoers that he was there for the same reason they were. The most exciting part of the party was dueling Montgomery Shaw. Corvo had no intention to kill the man, so he shot him with a sleeping dart instead. He had also made small talk with some of the Lady Boyles and to a Mrs. White who wore a moth mask. White had told Corvo to fetch her a drink if he could, and he did intend to. He grabbed an empty glass next to him and filled it with alcohol. He made his way back to the library in the mansion. He found White looking at some of the books on the shelves with utter disinterest. Corvo approached her and offered her the drink. She thanked him and told him some information about the Boyles, and placed names to mask colors. Corvo thanked her with a gentle kiss on the hand; she giggled and left the room.

A hand was placed on his shoulder and Corvo turned to see who it was. He was met with a mask that was divided into a smiling sun and a weeping crescent moon.

"Evening, Corvo," Corvo could hardly believe it himself; there was only one person he knew with that voice. He continued to stare at the masked man. "Outsider," Corvo greeted back. What a turn of events in such a sort amount of time. It was baffling to say the least.

"Why are you here?" Corvo questioned him out of sheer curiosity.

"I came here to offer you an easier solution to your current problem."

"What problem is that?"

"You know better than I Corvo. You know that names of each Lady Boyle, but you do not know which is the mistress. I can tell you who you are looking for." It was a generous offer, but nothing came that easy not for something like this.

"What's the catch? I don't take you for the generous type." The Outsider laughed at that statement. It was true; he did want something in return. "I want you to dance with me, nothing more, nothing less." When he extended his hand to Corvo, it became apparent that it was not a joke. Corvo scoffed at the gesture.

"You can't be serious."

"Oh, but I am."

"Why?" It was a simple question, but it was also vague. There were many answers that could supply it.

"I am looking for entertainment. Things get boring in the void." It was a loaded answer, and there was more to it than Corvo could see. However, If Corvo truly knew how deep the Outsider's interest for him went, he would immediately decline the offer. "Two men dancing is a very abstract thing to see, wouldn't you say? It could potentially draw unnecessary attention; attention that I don't need." Corvo turned to walk away. The Outsider was thankful for the mask, or else Corvo would see the anger on his face.

The Outsider grabbed Corvo's arm and dragged him back. He spun the man around and began to dance with him ignoring Corvo's struggle.

"It's no longer an offer. Your choice does not matter."

"My choice doesn't seem to matter a lot." The Outsider ignored the comment the man made. "Your target tonight is Waverly Boyle. She is the one dressed in black. She has a feeling that you are coming, so it is foolish for her and her sisters to host this party. You humans do not seem to think things through very much." Still angry about being forced to dance, Corvo remained silent. The Outsider continued to speak his mind.

"Some unfortunate events are coming your way, Corvo. Why is it that you keep on fighting? Why not start a new life with Emily? You could escape with her tonight and leave the Loyalists behind. Forget about revenge. Even if you do kill or stop these men, what good would it do you?" It wouldn't make a difference. The pain from the betrayal was still there. If Corvo did get revenge, he couldn't bring Jessamine back. Jessamine. They used to dance at these events. Corvo pushed the Outsider away.

"Thank you for the information. I have to go now." Black eyes watched the man leave the library in search for Waverly Boyle. Humans were confusing things. Their emotions were fragile. There was a small chance Corvo would have a change in heart. The Outsider could only wait. He remembered what Corvo said about not having a choice; this time the decision would rest with him.