Black Out Chapter 12: Force, a dishonored fanfic

Chapter Twelve: Force

"Force is a word with many concepts, synonyms, and various meaning. Yet, force can be as unforgiving and unknowable as a hurricane or as simple as a few right words or a single meaningful stare. It covers a wide variety of options, it's quite a versatile use of language."

The Outsider –

The smoke stacks were all over the city, easily visible in the distance as pillars over the city's skyline billowing clouds of various colors into the dark horizon. Smog hung over the suburban area like a plague, even from a distance in the evening there was a dark streak that rose over the area into the sky. It was unmistakable approaching from the sea. I had looked at most of the Isles in my time, but seeing the color of the horizon at sunset contrasting so completely with the obsidian column of Driscol certainly stood out more from this view than it did within the void.

Driscol was a cold, dour place and I couldn't argue with Emily's muttered complaint that it reminded her of the colorlessness of the void. It wasn't the northern most city in the Isles, situated in just the right area between the snowy areas of Tyvia and Morley and the warmer south to often have miserable weather. The snow wasn't uncommon many months of the year and never enough to shut down the highly industrial center. No, there was just enough of the frigid precipitation to be pushed to the sides of the roads, against buildings, or piled in unused corners of lots. The many factories let out soot and ash that mixed or covered the flakes either just after or even when they fell. Thus, much of the ground was discolored either black or shades of grey.

I didn't have to worry much about the humans approaching me. Though I could tell some wished to speak more than a greeting most of the crew was too busy preparing with us finally being within sight of our goal. While I did have the lenses that Sokolov had crafted, it seemed most of the humans still sensed something amiss about me. Many sent me several glances over their shoulders as they worked, as if nervous I might attack them when they weren't looking. Others didn't seem to want to look at me at all. A few outright had a hard time not staring, as if trying to figure out what was different about me. Simply looking human hadn't made me one of them, they all had some idea that I was far from normal.

Then, a lot of them weren't sure how to react. From Emily's description, most of them had little faith in me having any capability in my position after I spent the majority of the trip sick in my quarters letting her wander freely. The truth of my absence couldn't be known and in the end the opinions meant little to me, I only considered it because I knew it meant something to her. My presenting a strong front helped give off the image that the Empire had security, all more political than I would prefer it. Apparently once we arrived we would be greeted by the Duke of Driscol and his family and I needed to accompany her to a social event in her name before we could consider chasing the false seamstress the ritual required.

It wasn't what I would prefer but I knew it was important to her, that she wanted to accomplish this while simultaneously keeping any sort of face as her countries leader. It was what I'd agreed to, so I would have done it without our interlude that afternoon, but I would be lying if I were try to tell myself I didn't want to be close to her, particularly for the short time I still possessed this form.

"Beggin' yer parden highness' the capt'n be askin fer ya." The thick accent of the boy placed him from somewhere in the country…likely originating from the center of the isles. Despite speaking to Emily he was looking at me, he was one of the ones that stared openly. He was still quite young, only recently 10. Barely old to have a job here but small enough to help with the cannons in an attack. He worked on the boat to make money for his sisters back home, the girls took advantage of his good nature and would for years to come while he struggled at sea. Though his lot was better than some others, he had an honest enough crew around him. I didn't mention anything to him about his family, it wasn't my place. Instead I touched Emily's shoulder when she didn't reply. She'd let herself get lost in her concerns as we approached.

"Your highness, we should reply to the Captain's summons before we arrive." I remarked politely. While I hadn't played the role of a servant in a very long time I knew the part from years of watching quite well.

"Of course," Emily nodded and headed toward the cabin in question with me just behind. The boy seemed relieved to get away from us when the Empress simply went to do as asked. No one any the wiser that she'd missed the first request. I stood to the side and the back, looking over the books on one of the captain's shelves so the pair could speak. The Captain though glanced past Emily all the same to look at me.

"Highness." He did have the state of mind to address Emily first. "I see you are finally feeling well enough to be on your feet Mister Wigmund. I'm glad for it, we'll be to the city soon."

I only nodded to the well-wishes.

"Captain, you had something you wished to speak to me about?" Emily spoke seriously and with little emotion in her voice, polite but cool. The way she often was in political discussions with the council. She managed to earn the man's attention back from me but he was one of the glance givers, occasionally his eyes would dart to me even while he spoke to her.

"Yes. I will not be able to linger around Driscol while you deal with your political matters. There is another job I can take on involving whaling and with so many whalers that left the coast it'll be worth a fair amount. I'm sure you understand." He said in a cheerful way. I was curious to find that he had a few books on poetry on his shelf…next to others more nautical in nature, fishing, whaling, and so on.

"No, I am afraid I don't understand Captain." Emily's voice had gone a degree colder, so I looked back to their exchange. "Are you trying to tell me the crown did not properly compensate you for my escort not just to and from Driscol but other places along the coast. "It is why craftsman were afforded to your ship for improvements over several days before we left."

"Yes, you were quite generous, but you know the scriptures highness. No man can afford to be sitting idle when there is work to be done." The man's smile had faded slightly but was still there. "Besides, your highness, you can afford to get another ship. Perhaps not with all the same finery, but it'll get you home all the same."

He had planned this from the beginning. To take the offered security upgrades and the first half of his payment for this job…then to simply leave the Empress and her escort since it was small. The entire reason Emily was forced to get a non-military ship was because so many of the forces around Dunwall had defected during or after the coup. It was insecure to take any of the few military ships left and leave, particularly on short notice. Instead they'd chosen someone who had once been military. I had to admit Mikael Aderson was shrewd…for all his greed he didn't swindle his crew. If a scene was caused they would support him.

"You will drop me off at the docks and wait as we agreed or you'll never be welcome in another Dunwall port again. It is very disappointing that you feel you would get away with this." Emily seemed to have concluded that he'd planned it as well, but lacked the knowledge I did as to the details of his crew.

"He doesn't plan to drop us off at the city." I remarked before the Captain could speak and his eyes returned to me, smirking just a bit like a man whose riddle had been solved.

"For a man who spent the trip only in his quarters I have to say your Royal Protector is quite perceptive. Don't worry, we won't drop you too far from the city but I couldn't have you calling the guards on me." The Captain said with the same cheerful expression. He was enjoying this. He didn't have much fondness for Dunwall…not anymore. He didn't dislike Emily per say, but this was also his own little revenge…making her look bad by being unable to even properly arrive to a city.

Emily slammed her hands on his desk, her temper no longer controlled at his threat. "Do you think I'll let you get away with this? That you won't be punished? What will your crew think if you lead them all into being wanted by the state?"

"I expect you'll try, but you have bigger fish to fry than me highness." The Captain stated with the same knowing smile. "You and your small group can't take on my whole crew and you'll find they trust me more than they'll be threatened by you."

I could tell she was angry, that she wanted to knock him out or hurt him, but that wouldn't help her position. The crew was probably already preparing for it, they had to have known this was the plan after all. Perhaps more of the glances my way had to do with my perceived position than my lack of humanity than I first thought. I laughed aloud, drawing both to look at me. It was too funny, all of this. I shouldn't get involved after all, normally I wouldn't…and Emily had known me well enough to not glance at me once during the conversation.

"…Artemus." She hesitated a moment before using the name she'd picked for me. It was hard for her to adjust from calling me the Outsider. She shook her head subtly but I ignored it.

"What sort of Royal Protector would I be if I allowed this?" I replied. "I can see Corvo up in arms should I not step up."

"Attacking me won't do any good so I do hope your amusement is based in something else." The Captain's smile had faltered nonetheless at my open humor. "You don't even carry your weapon on you and I'm trained in combat."

"Yes, I know well that you've trained in the special naval units Barnaby." I remarked, using a codename that the man hadn't heard in likely a decade or more. His smile faded completely and he instead glanced between me and Emily, searching for information on her face but finding little. To her credit, she managed not to look confused or surprised by my interjection. "I know a lot about you…your life growing up in the very city we're heading toward. You didn't like it in Driscol though, you headed for Dunwall on a boat when you were less than a decade, determined to find yourself something better than the fisherman's son."

"Whatever this is…I'm no.." He began to interrupt but his eyes widened as Emily leveled a sword at his throat, he even seemed as though he might challenge her resolve but she left a mark along his neck he didn't expect. It was thin but enough to quiet him.

"Let my Royal Protector continue." Emily stated. She looked back at me, a pillar of neutrality though I knew she was probably curious where I was going.

"It wasn't easy of course, you did odd jobs for a long time here and there, learning about the sea, about boats. You entered the navy young, younger than you were legally able but lying has never bothered you." I stated as I walked closer to the man's desk, not needing to look at him to know I'd frightened him. "You were loyal enough and had integrity about the actions of the military. Until shady members of the brass made your life difficult. You'd been in the wrong place at the wrong time, and your career ended early despite all you'd done."

I sat on the edge of his desk, offering a smile at his slight twitch at me perching myself there. I reached up as I continued, slowly taking out one of the lenses.

"O…Artemus." Emily nearly gave away the surprise a moment too soon. Her voice having grown nervous at my motion. I kept that eye closed, continuing to summarize the man's intentions. "You do fairly honest jobs much of the time…more than most in your shoes would. Still, when the opportunity to punish Jessamine's daughter, the daughter of the woman that allowed your unjust forced retirement to come along…it was too much to pass up. You couldn't help yourself, you wouldn't kill her just show her your dishonor."

"That is incorrect Mikael Aderson, I know everything I need to about you." I leveled him with a silent stare, allowing him to see my eyes for what they were. To glimpse just a tiny fraction of the void within, to see me for my true self if only for a short time before I closed them again, not yet turning away to replace the lenses. "Now, I expect you'll finish your contract to the letter with no further complications?"

Emily –

I was livid. How dare this man, who was so decorated by the military, turn on me like this. Was no one in this entire land trustworthy? I wanted to pull him out to his crew by his hair and gut him…but I couldn't do that. It wouldn't help me get a ship, or the crew to run it. What could I say to get him to remain? Threats seemed to mean nothing, and I couldn't afford to pay him more. He didn't even seem interested in more money, he hadn't asked for any.

Then the Outsider laughed, I blinked unexpectedly at the change in his mood. I hadn't said anything to him during the exchange. I didn't want him to fight my battles for me, even if we were something else to each other now, I planned to hold my country with my own hands. I wasn't going to expect or ask for his help even if father had demanded it. Still, I had rarely seen him express more than a smile in reply to those things that entertained him. Was there something wrong with him? Was he feeling feint?

"…Artemus." I stated after nearly making a mistake. I was having a hard time calling him anything but Outsider despite having made up his cover myself. I shook my head lightly once, knowing he'd notice it. Whatever was happening I didn't want him to step in every time I was in danger…

""What sort of Royal Protector would I be if I allowed this?" He replied to me with shrug. "I can see Corvo up in arms should I not step up."

"Attacking me won't do any god so I do hope your amusement is based in something else." The Captain answered the Outsider's remark but he didn't have the same bravdo he had a moment ago. "You don't even carry your weapon on you and I'm trained in combat."

"Yes, I know well that you've trained with the special naval units Barnaby." The Outsider spoke, the slightly sinister whimsy edging into a slight echo in his voice. I doubted I was just hearing it because I had before, somehow his actions had bled over into his tone. The Captain looked at me, seeming confused a moment, but the smile had been wiped off his face. The Outsider started listed facts about the mans life, where he grew up, how he'd come to be in the Dunwall.

"Whatever this is…I'm no.." He began to interrupt but his eyes widened as I set my sword at his throat. Even then he seemed ready to speak again but I cut lightly along his neck, showing the men weren't the only people in the room trained in the use of a blade. The thin line of red that appeared he pressed his hand into, surprised at my willingness to harm him.

"Let my Royal Protector continue." I ordered, glancing back to the Outsider. Whatever he'd started, he may as well get on with it now. I would look worse if I didn't arrive in the city, and while I hadn't asked or wanted his help I would try to appreciate it all the same.

The Outsider's story continued as he walked up to sit on the man's desk. Talking about the Captain's history in the military, how he'd started as a stand-up individual but other corrupt members had ruined his career.

"O…Artemus." I nearly said it again. I had to improve that, make it more natural to call him the fake name. I was nervous but he didn't even look at me. He continued to speak to the man. How he'd blamed mother, and wanted to punish me in her stead. How many people felt the same? How much done by people other than me was still put on my head with the crown? When I saw the Outsider taking out one of the lenses I interjected.

"If you kill me you'll never make if off the ship alive. Besides, what do you know? You're what? Barely twenty and just some random guard she picked up? You've been the royal protector for five minutes. You don't know anything about this, or about me." He hissed at the Outsider, all composure from before gone. I didn't threaten the man with my blade again, instead putting it away. I knew the Outsider could be more than intimidating when he wished it without me having to do anything.

"That is incorrect Mikael Aderson, I know everything I need to about you." The Outsider stated, opening his eyes. I still found them beautiful…timeless…but the Captain had blanched. His body shivering as the Outsider continued a moment later after having closed his eyes again. "Now, I expect you'll finish your contract to the letter with no further complications?"

"No…no…I'll do anything you want." The Captain made a ward across his chest many did in hopes of keeping away bad spirits. "You…" He looked at me, then the Outsider, then at me again. "You…are…your highness I apologize for my grave insults…I didn't mean…"

"Don't." I interrupted him. Pursing my lips in displeasure at the spooked way he jumped to sniveling. "Just do what you were asked to, and don't mention my Royal Protector to anyone, then you'll have nothing to worry about."

"Yes, yes your highness thank you…I…" He went silent, looking at the Outsider. Though he had already put back in his lenses and walked back to the mans bookshelf, as though the whole encounter had never happened. "I will make sure everything is to your liking…I appreciate this chance. I'll make sure we're heading to Driscol now."

He almost fell out of his chair getting up from the desk, then stumbled a few times on his way out of the office. I sighed, rubbing my temples at the headache I felt forming. Had I just let him break a man so I could save face?

"He'll be fine after a while." The Outsider remarked, as if he could read my thoughts. "He'll listen all the same. I expect he'll be a dedicated hand after this."

"You didn't have to get involved." I stated in near deadpan. "You could have broken him."

"It seemed unlikely with what I knew." The Outsider answered, picking one of the books off the shelf and holding it in his arm as though he were at some grand library picking out casual research. "Besides, what good will it do the country if you appear weak now? This tour may have been a cover, but it is still important to your people. There needs to at least be the appearance of a united front yes?"

"I know…" I sighed at his reassurances. "Still, I don't want you to always step in for me."

"I won't always be here to, allow me my short indulgences." His voice was softer as he got close to me, his browsing complete. Did he know it would assuage my temper if he spoke so gently? He had to but I didn't mind this time.

"All right…thank you." I said, smiling a bit as he settled his free hand on my waist. I had such a complicated reaction to his touch. I loathed and loved how easy it was to ignore the trouble of the ship and the near political disaster just because he was close.

"My pleasure, my empress." He purred, leaning down to capture my lips and I didn't stop him. On the contrary, I curled my fingers into his hair after a moment to deepen the embrace. His hair was soft, almost like the long-haired rabbit I'd had as a pet when I was a child. His hand meanwhile traced up my side, as if reverently hesitating despite a desire to do more. I thought about moaning in protest when he backed away but instead furrowed my brow at him.

"The boat has altered course, we're heading toward Driscol again. We should each be prepared to depart." He pointed out, his voice perfectly proper despite the fact I'd tousled his hair in our short embrace. Why did he have to be right all the time? Why did he kiss me like that then simply stop? It wasn't fair that he looked so unconcerned when I was tempted to ignore appearances for more time with him…

Still, I was an Empress. The Empress. I straightened my jacket and nodded toward the mirror in the Captain's office. "You'll want to fix your hair."

"Only so you may disorganize it later." He murmured, offering another light peck…though without moving and in the short motion his hair was already fixed. That was so unfair.

"Really? You couldn't have granted me that as a power?" I asked, a bit jealous despite myself.

He grinned. "I don't believe it would be particularly useful for you."

"Say that to my maids on my bad mornings." I answered lightly, heading for the door as I schooled my expression. We were going to meet the duke and his family after all, for as much as I adored these moments that let me forget for a time my responsibilities I refused to let them get in the way of me doing my job. I would improve this country, and this was a good step no matter if it was also to help the Outsider return. That was my job now was it not? Forget only two…I needed to kill as many birds as possible with one stone. Somehow, with the Outsider following me out to the deck of the boat, I didn't feel as nervous as I normally would at a public appearance. I had no reason to.

End Chapter

There is more to the Outsider acting on people and using his powers (or even just showing who he is in this chapters case) than just that he cares about Emily. Reasons that will eventually unfold but I wanted to mention in case people thought his continued involvement OOC. I also feel I may alter the opening comments/chapter title sometime. The quote seems weak compared to some of the others : (. I was happy I got to throw the word dishonored into the fic, little things.

-Aura

To my reviewers:

Aelitalyoko – Heh, that's how I feel about this couple in general. They are adorbs.

The Whispering Sage – LOL, I still have some plans for sure. Just a matter of juggling working on this and school papers.

Tigerfur – The quotes? I'm making them up as I go honestly, trying to think what either Emily or the Outsider, or possibly a third party (but mostly the Outsider) might say about a topic.

Guest – Thanks. I try and am happy if I get a hit instead of striking out XD