Chapter 20: Preparation
Emily woke up smelling ambergris. That made sense because her face was currently buried in the Outsider's chest. His arms were wrapped around her; her right hand was grasping his upper left arm. Their legs were intertwined, and from the way he was breathing, Emily guessed the Outsider was still asleep. With care she slowly pulled away, trying not to disturb him; she wanted to see what he looked like when asleep.
His pale face was relaxed, his mouth slightly open. The dark circles under his eyes were more noticeable when his deep black eyes were closed. Emily leaned on her elbow, propping her head up as she drank him in. The patterns on his body that she first noticed when he was freed from those strange chains stood out like elegant, moon-pale scars, curling up his arms from his palm up to his shoulders. She traced one on his right arm, up from the hand resting at her waist all the way up to the straps of his undershirt.
The Outsider was quite a beautiful man.
She was jolted out of her reverie by a faint but unmistakable banging at the safe room door. The Outsider's eyes opened slowly like a contented cat, and he smiled at her.
"It seems your maid is looking for you Emily," he said, his voice husky with sleep. Emily groaned and flopped down, provoking a laugh from her bedmate.
"As nice as it would be to stay here, I would rather not have poor Betty summon the Tower Guard to comb the grounds in search of you." He crept towards her and kissed her on the neck. A giggle escaped from her, and together they sat up.
"Very well then," she said primly. "You better show up for breakfast."
He smiled and kissed her again. Emily returned the kiss, and climbed out of bed. The banging on the door continued as she ran up the stairs, and finally opened the door with her ring.
The look of utter relief on Betty's face made Emily feel somewhat badly for frightening the poor thing.
"Praise be, you are safe!" she cried. Emily gave her a sheepish smile and closed the door behind her.
"I am sorry for making you worry," she apologized. The maid waved it off.
"I am glad I thought of the safe room, or I was going to call the guard to look for you! Now, I've laid out your daily outfit, but you will need to change into something a little more high-fashion for tonight's ball."
Emily froze for a second. "Fuck," she mentally cursed. She had forgotten all about the ball the Boyles were hosting for Dunwall's notables. Betty did not seem to notice her momentary personal crisis, and kept on talking.
"I have personally selected three outfits that you were fitted for before the whole Delilah mess," she gestured to the aforementioned trio, displayed on tailor's dummies. "You can inform me of your choice when I come back up with your breakfast."
Emily offered Betty a brief smile before she headed to the bathroom to prep herself and then get dressed. She stared at the outfits- the first was a red and black affair with high-waisted pants and a short four-buttoned waistcoat. The second was green and crème, with a high collar and sleeves that ended at her elbow. The last… the last was different.
"Have you decided yet Empress?" Betty's return with breakfast startled her out of her thoughts.
"Not yet," Emily replied apologetically. "Would it be possible for me to tell you after breakfast?"
The maid smiled as she placed the cart laden with platters and teapots by her breakfast table and bowed. "Take as much time as you need. Enjoy breakfast!"
Betty left, and Emily and went about setting the table. The Outsider-dressed in his normal outfit- appeared a moment later, holding a beeping Eulalia in his hands.
"She was looking for you," his tone was somewhat scolding.
Emily put down a teacup and immediately reached out to take the fluffy… red Eulalia from his hands. Eulalia eagerly jumped into hers.
"What the fuck!" the bird cheeped, somehow looking annoyed.
"I am sorry Eulalia," she apologized. The bird beeped, and the color of her feathers shifted from sparkling red to the blue Emily saw all yesterday. She took wing and landed on the breakfast table, looking at her expectantly. Emily took an extra tea plate, put an assortment of berries and cereals on it, and placed it before Eulalia.
"I see Betty already has you thinking about tonight's event," The Outsider said, looking at the three outfits.
"A wise decision, considering I had forgotten all about it," Emily replied as she took a seat and served herself some tea. The Outsider sat down and took the bowl of oatmeal for himself; somehow, it was the only food she had seen him eat with any dignity.
"Will you come?" she asked idly as she helped herself to some toast.
He blinked. "Considering I have not been invited, I do not think so."
"You could come as one of my Royal Protectors," she proposed.
The Outsider choked, and quickly cleared his throat with a thump to his chest. She watched him, concerned.
"Emily," he looked half amused, and half like he just ate bloodflies. "The last time I got into a fight I was knocked out seconds after it started. I cannot fight, and nobody would ever believe you if you said I could."
She waved him off. "You are able to project an intimidating aura, which is half a guard's job."
He raised an eyebrow. "As myself, yes. As Owen, no." He returned to eating his oatmeal.
Emily pouted for a bit as she ate her toast. Eulalia was happily pecking at her breakfast.
"It sounds as if you do not want to go," Emily said playfully.
The Outsider gave her an equally playful smile. "I would be happy to go if it would not spark so much gossip and questions you do not have an answer to."
She sipped her tea, and then affected an expression of offense. "Why Lady Boyle, of course he is my lover! What does he do? He offers me advice and gives me pretty birds."
The Outsider tried to hide his smile behind his hand. "As delightful as it would be to scandalize the aristocracy and Abbey, it would be best not to do so."
Emily leaned back in her chair with a sigh. "As much as I want to reject your advice and throw caution to the wind, it would be best if I wait at least a few months more to rock the boat. It's such a pity; I was hoping to hear your opinions on the guests."
"I can share them after you tell me all about the party when you return," he offered a small smile before a serious look took over his face. "Pavel Chopin is expected to attend, and I do not want to be in the same building as him."
That snapped Emily out of her childish displeasure. She slowly leaned forward, worried. "He sounds dangerous," she said hesitantly.
"Chopin is skilled at combating the magic of the Void," the Outsider said, helping himself to a plantain. "He has made a music box that is capable of interrupting rituals and magics, and has a habit of playing it to himself often. If he starts playing it, brace yourself as you might feel pain. Chopin is little zealous, but not an unreasonable man."
Emily nodded, and tried not to wince as he ate the plantain- peel and all. Eulalia finished her breakfast and flew over to the trio of outfits, perching on the first one and warbling. An idea entered Emily's head.
"If you cannot be around to make the ball more enjoyable, perhaps you can help me choose an outfit for the ball," she proposed.
The Outsider raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "I would have to see them on you first."
Emily smiled, and went to relieve the first mannequin of its clothes.
The Oracular Order of Dunwall held their breath as High Overseer Pavel Chopin was introduced to Elanor, the embodiment of a star, a Keeper of Time and Singer of the Ancient Music. Gathered in their cloister, Greta found herself holding hands with Bernice and Marzia, the latter shaking with fright, tears falling down her face.
High Overseer Chopin's tanned face was a mask of polite interest, his eyes chips of ice as he regarded Elanor. Elanor was explaining what she was, giving the same talk about the Void and Energy she had given them back in the month of Nets.
"… I am the representative of the light magic, the last breath of the Energy that birthed all."
She finished with a brilliant smile. The High Overseer did not look impressed or swayed. Instead he took a small music box out of his pocket and began to play it.
Greta recognized the strange grinding noises, so prevalent during the Rat Plague fifteen years ago. It was hard to forget the reverberating sounds, and instead of bringing her ease as it once did it instead deepened the already bottomless pit of anxiety. She tightened her grip on her friends' hands, trying to will some calm back into her bones.
Elanor regarded the box for a couple moments, listening to the melody. And then, she began to sing. It was high, sweet, and harmonious with the hollow grinding of the music box. It was so beautiful that the whole room gasped upon hearing the first note. Greta felt the breath leave her lungs, and tears fall down her face. High Overseer Chopin faltered in playing the box, his jaw slack and cheeks wet. Elanor gently took the box and continued to play. She sang a few more bars of that song of unspeakable beauty before stopping, and handing the instrument back to the stunned High Overseer.
"Your music box is very well made!" she complimented. "Though if I understand human hearing correctly, I can imagine that it sounds rather frightful."
Chopin pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his cheeks. "Nothing created of the Void would respond so purely to the music," he declared. "I thank you for coming to my Sisters and blessing them."
Elanor curtsied. "I could no longer stand aside and watch people suffer," she said humbly, her head lowered.
"Please stand," he offered. Elanor rose, a calm look on her dark face.
"I have been invited to attend a party this evening, hosted by the great Lady Boyle. I would like to invite you to accompany me to it," High Overseer Chopin continued. "You may also choose two Sisters to join us."
Greta let out a sigh of relief. She and her Sisters were safe; none will be burned as heretics. Things had worked out better than expected.
"Sister Greta Manderly, Sister Marzia Cabrini," Elanor's voice rang out across the cloister. "I would be honored if you could join us."
She and Marzia stood, and replied with their assent. It was a simple ball, what could go wrong?
AN:
I would like to thank all you readers for enjoying so far! The next chapter might be a week late as I am graduating next weekend and will be very very busy. Your support means a lot, and I hope you continue to enjoy this story!