Warning: Dishonored and it's characters are the property of Bethesda Softworks.(If you've played the game you should recognize them)
My character's are mine, and mine alone.
Chapter 3:
"Tarot is late." Piero said as he stared at the grandfather clock which said ten o'five, "I thought you said he could ascend Dunwall Tower in ten minutes."
"I did," Corvo replied looking very relaxed, "I also said 'climb' and 'completely undetected', it takes longer to get from the dining hall to your workshop, than it does to go from the aqua duct to the top of Dunwall Tower as quickly and stealthily as one can. So relax, Piero, he'll be here."
Moments, and a glass of whiskey, later, Tarot arrived at Piero's workshop. When he opened the door, he found Corvo and Piero waiting, Piero was just about to pour a second glass of whiskey. "Ah, there you are, Tarot." Piero said, "I had begun to feel as though you had forgotten."
"Forgive my tardiness, Lord Engineer," Tarot apologized, "I had duties to preform."
"Escort duty," Corvo said with a smile, "Who was it?"
"Callista and Lux." Tarot replied, a dreamy expression slapped across his face.
"If you two are quite finished," Piero broke in, "I would rather like to retire sometime tonight! I have to give a lecture on mechanical theory at the academy in the morning."
"We'll talk more some other time." Corvo said, "I'm sorry, Piero, continue."
From what Tarot could tell, Piero was making some final adjustments to something. "Now, Tarot, you are Corvo's apprentice," he said, sounding much calmer, "yet you carry the tools of a guardsman. As Lord Engineer, I find this rather unfair, even insulting, do you agree?"
"Well, sir, I-"
"Damn it, Tarot," Piero broke him off, "you can stop with the pleasantries, just give me a simple 'yes' or 'no'. Do you agree that it is even a little unfair?"
"YES." Tarot shouted. Corvo smiled.
"Good, now relax, I am not going to stab you," Piero said, "I'm rather fond of the idea of seeing my first child being born." Piero stepped aside from the workbench, and gestured for Tarot to go to it. On the workbench, was a custom wheel-lock pistol, a crossbow, and a folding sword. He noticed that all three were similar to Corvo's. "Corvo requested that I craft these for you a month and a half ago." Tarot couldn't believe his eyes.
"Now that you're going on missions alone, Piero and I figured you'd need something more discreet than that city watch sword," Corvo said, "Piero also thought it in good judgment, for you to carry ranged weapons." Tarot was amazed, he dawned his new equipment, the custom holsters easily dispersing the weight.
"You can come to me at anytime if you need any upgrades," Piero stated with a smile, "how ever you will need to pay for them as Corvo did before you."
"Understood," Tarot was beaming, "Thank you, Master. Thank you, Lord Engineer!"
"Not at all," Corvo said, "you've earned them. Have a good evening, Tarot." With that Tarot bowed and left.
Tarot waited until he had reached his room to take a closer look at his new equipment. He removed the sword from the holster on his belt. It's so much lighter than the watch sword! Tarot thought. He gave the handle a squeeze, upon release the sword spun open, he caught it as the handle came together. The telescopic blade extended quickly enough to allow near instantaneous use, and quiet enough to draw it without anyone knowing you're there. Tarot was about to try out the crossbow, when he heard the clock in the hall announce that it was ten forty-five. Crap, he thought, I almost forgot about my meeting with Lux. Tarot put the pistol in it's holster, and set it and the crossbow on his bed, leaving the sword closed and holstered on his belt.
Tarot arrived at the door of Lux's room. A dulled chime from inside could be heard, signaling eleven o'clock. His hand shook as he raised it to knock, Tarot took a deep breath to steady himself. Take it easy, Tarot. he thought, You can do this; Knock, Talk, and Leave. Very simple. He knocked.
"Lady Tenebrosi," he said, "you wished to see me." He heard the lock release.
"Please, come in." Lux said as she let him in. When Tarot walked in, he heard the door close and lock behind him. Tarot spun around to find Lux still in the room with him.
"Why did you just lock the door?" He asked, now feeling even more nervous.
"So we won't be disturbed." she said, a grin forming across her face. "I want to tell something that Lord Largitati will be proposing to the Empress." Lux walked over to the desk. In the light of the oil lamp, Tarot saw her wearing a simple, if semi-transparent, black night gown. As she dimmed the lamp, he could feel himself blushing like crazy. "Would you like to hear what it is?"
As Tarot stood there, nodding like an idiot, his imagination came up with some possibilities; (A) She wants to have sex with me. (B) The Dignitary will put a gun in his mouth, pull the trigger, and let physics do the rest. ( C) All of the above.
"I thought so, good." she said, she stood beside him, their eyes locked, "The Dignitary is going to propose that I stay as an ambassador." Tarot was speechless, but his thoughts weren't. WHAT! He yelled in thought. "Anyway," Lux said as she moved closer, closing the distance between them, "I wanted you to be the first to know." She reach behind his head, and kissed him passionately. Lux guided Tarot out of the room, he shook off the shock so he could speak properly.
"Well, will that be all, Lady Tenebrosi?" he asked. Lux nodded, giggling.
"Yes, Lord Calvariam, that will be all." she said, closing and locking the door behind him. "Goodnight." Tarot heard her whisper. As Tarot walked down the hall, he knew sleep tonight would be literally impossible.
After breakfast, the Empress, Callista, Dignitary Largitati, Petra, and Lux were gathered in the Empress's study. The papers had been drawn up, and signed. The documents stated that Gristol would continue to trade goods and/or resources with Serkonos, and Lady Lux Tenebrosi would stay in Dunwall as an ambassador and representative of Serkonos. Empress Kaldwin and Dignitary Largitati shook hands in agreement after the new trade agreement was signed.
"Dignitary Largitati," the Empress said, "I'm glad we could come to an agreement, and it was an honor to have you."
"Likewise, Empress Kaldwin," the Dignitary said in his stuck up manner, "If there is nothing more, I would like to get to the docks as soon as possible."
"Certainly, Corvo." she said.
Corvo stepped forward. "This way, my lord." he said as he escorted the Dignitary and his bodyguard, Petra, out of the room.
"Mother, can I go to lunch with Tarot?" Callista asked, hanging off of Tarot's arm.
"Oh, may I join you?" Lux asked, "I'd really like to see more of Dunwall, maybe even visit a few shops."
"I don't see why not," the Empress said, "Tarot, I want you to keep an eye on them."
"I would be my pleasure, Empress Kaldwin." he said, Why me! His thoughts cried out.