A/N: Thank you Nenoka and pinkrollingstone for the reviews :3
Chapter 3
I bolted upright covered in a sheet of sweat. The tunic that I was draped in clung to me like a second skin. My eyes wildly scanned the unfamiliar surroundings. A woman came into view with a worried expression. She opened her mouth to say something but my ears heard nothing as her lips moved. The woman grabbed my shoulders to force me back yet I resisted her efforts. Suddenly the world became black again as I fell back losing conscious.
The Void was the same when I had returned. I was only awake for a moment before blacking out. There was a sudden pang of pain in my chest but it was gone before I could tell what it was. For some reason I felt weaker than before as if I was battling a fever of some sort. Without warning the Void became dark and someone pushed me off the island that I stood on. I shut my eyes hoping for the impact to come soon but none came. When I had opened my eyes I saw that I was in a garden. It was beautiful, filled with various plant species. I bent over reaching for a rose.
"What a beautiful garden father!" A girl gasped from the veranda. Her sudden outburst caused me to prick my finger on the flower. I let out a hiss and stuck the bleeding appendage in my mouth. When I looked up, I couldn't believe my eyes. That girl was me! I don't remember this! It has to be a dream, it just has to be!
"Of course only the best for my little girl," The man replied with a smile as he placed a hand on the child's head. He playfully ruffled her hair causing her to burst out into a fit of giggles. I watched the two interact for a while before they moved to a gazebo located to the left of me. The man sat down on one of the chairs with his daughter sitting across from him. A servant came out with a tray of ice tea. My mouth began to water at the sight. Ice tea was my favorite drink during the summertime as a kid. But, this scene was all wrong. I remember distinctly that Slackjaw and I would steal some ice tea from the merchant at the market.
"This ice tea is the best!" She exclaimed gulping down the drink as if she was suffering from dehydration. The girl set the glass down and gave her father a happy smile. He chuckled taking sips of the ice tea. Suddenly the scene flashed and the two were no longer there. The sun was no longer shining as it hid behind thick snow clouds. Curiously I entered the home through the double doors. There was no one inside as I made my way around the house. I stopped at the entrance of the drawing room. It was dark and foreboding. A large ornate fireplace was lit on the far side of the room. Next to the hearth was a stately wingback chair. I silently crept inside the room. Despite the warmth that radiated from the fire, I felt a chill sweep over my body. Just as I was about to reach the chair, the front door suddenly opened. From the other side of the wall I could hear a few people enter.
"Oh it's so cold!" A girl shouted.
"Well, it is winter after all." A man replied.
"Ah, Lord Cromwell, Lady Cromwell and Lord Banks I have stoked the fire in the drawing room." Another man said in a more dignified tone. I could only assume that was a butler. "Please, right this way…" I quickly moved out of sight just as the small group made their way into the room.
"I must say, this is a fine estate you have here." An unknown man said with wonder. He glanced around the room taking in all the various details and designs. This man must be Lord Banks that the butler had greeted. There was nothing spectacular to describe about this man other than the expensive attire that he wore. Though, I did notice the frazzled state that he was in despite trying his best to hide it. His fingers were chewed raw, while his wrists had faint pink scars that told stories of attempted suicide. The man ignored the chair he was offered, opting to stand in front of the fireplace instead.
"Thank you Horatio, my grandfather built it with his bare hands." Lord Cromwell replied taking a seat in the large wingback. His daughter sat on the ottoman beside him. She neatly folded her hands in her lap and listened intently to the exchange between her father and Lord Banks. Moments later a maid wheeled in a cart with piping hot tea and small cakes. She came to a stop in front of the trio and proceeded to pour each person a cup of tea. The Lady Cromwell's eyes lit up when she spotted her favorite dessert. It was a sponge cake with an apple glaze drizzled over it. The maid was quick to pick up on the girl's desire and served her a ladylike portion of the cake. Both men denied any cakes that were offered to them. Lord Horatio Banks took a small sip from his cup while eyeing the maid from the corner of his eyes. It was subtle enough to go unnoticed by the patrons of the room. Once the maid was finished, she left the cart in the room in case the masters wanted more tea.
"Lady Cromwell, did you enjoy the tour of my factory this afternoon?" Lord Banks inquired with a sideways smile. He turned to her fully to get a better look at her.
"May I speak plainly?" She queried setting her teacup on the tiny saucer in her hand. The man gave her a curt nod to continue. "It was absolutely fowl. Those women were treated like machines!" Lady Cromwell abruptly stood up. Her eyes were swimming with disgust and disdain. The girl's lips curled in bitter contempt.
"Anne!" Lord Cromwell exclaimed with a scowl. He needn't say more with that look he was giving her.
"It's alright I was the one that asked for her honest opinion." Lord Banks said holding up a hand. "It's true that my factory has rather poor working conditions, but what do I care as long as I'm making a profit." He loosened his collar with his free hand. "How else am I supposed to compete with the Pendleton and Boyle families?"
"You can start by being the first to improve working conditions!" Lady Cromwell shouted slamming her teacup and saucer on the cart that was left beside her.
"Anne! I demand that you cease this madness!" Lord Cromwell boomed getting to his feet.
"I will not!" She bit back clenching her fists. "You Mister Banks are despicable!" Anne spun on her heel and stormed out of the room. Lord Cromwell let out a sigh as he messaged the bridge of his nose.
"That girl, I swear will get in big trouble with that mouth of hers one of these days…" He muttered under his breath.
"She's certainly a spirited lass isn't she?" Lord Banks chuckled lightheartedly. He glanced at the now seated man.
"Yes, she's growing up so fast." He said looking up at Horatio. "She'll be twelve in a few months…"
I stood in the shadows surprised about what I had just heard. The girl's name is Anne, but she looks like me! Is it possible that I have a twin sister? All these years of not knowing; I could have had a better life with these people. I would have been a part of the aristocracy of Dunwall; attending galas and balls.
"Bastard twins separated at birth." The Outsider said casually as he lay sprawled out on the fainting couch. "How delicious…" He took a bite of an apple that he had in his hand. At that moment I wasn't sure about that last statement. Was he referring to the apple or the situation or merely both? It was too far from the truth. The Outsider had a sick sense of pleasure.
"This can't be true," I said out of disbelief as I approached him.
"Hm, denial is not something you can afford." He said cryptically looking to the doorway. I followed his gaze to see a man that I had never seen enter. He had medium length black hair and equally dark eyes. This man was certainly not from this vision. But those clothes seemed oddly familiar. I swear by the Leviathan that I've met him before. The man walked up to the Outsider and me with a dark look. He was obviously not too pleased to be here. Well, that makes two of us. What was the Outsider plotting? "Ah, Corvo you've finally made it and just in time for the gala!" Once the Outsider had said that, our surroundings had changed and we were in a ballroom full of well dressed individuals.
"Lady Cromwell, I must say that this gala is magnificent." A young man said approaching the now teenaged Anne. He looked to be only a few years older than her. The girl blushed slightly as she hid behind her fan.
"It was a lot of work and I'm absolutely exhausted!" She cried fanning herself. "I'm a total wreck!"
"You look sublime to me milady," He said taking her free hand and kissing the backside of it.
"How saccharine," The Outsider said with false sentiments.
"Leviathan, why are we here?" The man asked with narrowed eyes. I swiveled my head to get a better look at him as he stood beside me. My eyes trailed to his left hand with the mark that was glowing. That was when I realized that this man was the masked man!
"You don't sound so pleased about this." He replied with a shrug, "But what do I care? I control your fates and do as I please with you." With a smirk he disappeared into the throngs of people.
"Don't question his motives." I said placing a hand on his shoulder. "It's obvious that you're new to all this."
"Then what makes you the expert on the Outsider?" He scoffed shrugging off my touch.
"I've had this mark since I was about twelve." I said sadly staring at my own left hand. "He saved my life, gave me a new beginning…By the way, I never caught your name." When I looked up I saw that the man had turned away with a sinister look. The shadows casted over his face made him look dramatic in the light. I could barely make out his eyes from the darkness that clouded them. Letting out a sigh, I moved away from him. Though, he suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me back. If I hadn't recovered from the sudden gesture, I would have rammed straight into him. I stared up at him with mild shock. He merely returned my gaze with torpor before dragging me onto the dance floor. I took a few steps back when he finally released my wrist. He also took a few steps back. Several other couples surrounded us including Anne and her suitor. Just as the music began we both took a deep bow. Automatically I offered my hand to him. He took it without hesitation and the two of began to dance to the music.
"Corvo Attano," He breathed in my ear when we came to the part of the dance were we had to be close in proximity.
"That name, you were the one to be executed a month ago." I replied with a raised brow as we sidestepped another couple. "The Outsider saved you too." He remained silent at my assumption.
"What is your real name?" He queried looking me in the eyes.
"Alice Cromwell," I said as the dance finally came to an end. A strange fog crept along the floor and soon clouded my vision. I no longer felt Corvo's grip on my hand as I was pulled back by unknown hands. It wasn't long when my world became black once more.
My eyes slowly fluttered open to reveal an unfamiliar ceiling. Carefully, I sat up only to be forced back into a lying position. My eyes met those of a familiar green eyed inventor. He gave me a small relieved smile as he took a seat on the bed that I was in. I opened my mouth to say something but Piero shushed me.
"Easy there, the anesthesia that I gave you makes your mouth numb." Piero said adjusting his small glasses. "It was no easy deal sewing you up." He then glanced over his shoulder at something. The look on his face was a strange one. "Corvo here has been at your side since he brought you in. He seemed rather protective of you, but I guess that it's in his nature being the former Lord Protector and all…" I tried my best to smile at the older man's ramblings. He was still the same after all these years. "Ah, my lovely assistant has returned."
"Stop calling me that, I'm not your assistant." The woman scoffed rolling her eyes as she stood at the foot of the bed. She then looked to me startled. "Oh, you're awake. I'll heat up some soup for you." The woman turned and left. Once she was gone, Piero turned his attention back to me.
"That was Callista," He said with a cheeky grin, "She's such a tease." If I wasn't so cotton mouthed I would have given him my true opinion about her. I knew for a fact from her actions and response to him, she had no interest in him. Though, love was cruel and blind. It wasn't long before Callista returned with a tray that had two bowls of soup on it. I could see the steam steadily rise from the hot substance. Piero helped me up into a sitting position so that I could eat. The woman set the tray on my lap before taking up the second bowl of soup. She went over to where Corvo was sleeping and placed the bowl on the small table beside him. A fond smile creased her features for a short moment before she returned to her stoic demeanor.
"Thank…you…" I said hoarsely while taking tiny sips of my soup. It was surprisingly delightful.
"You're welcome I hope you have a speedy recovery." Callista said with a small smile before leaving. From the look she gave me, it wasn't often that she heard those words. Yet, who am I to judge from my state? All I knew was that she could have forced it for the sake of being polite.
"I'll be right back. I need to tell Havelock that you're up." Piero said getting to his feet. "Oh and don't worry nobody here knows who you are." I gave him a relieved nod before he left. When I finished my soup I moved the tray off me. With curiosity I looked over to Corvo who was still fast asleep. I shoved the sheets off me so that I could get up. It took me a moment to sum up the strength to stand. Once I had gotten to my feet I slowly staggered over to the slumbering man. I wonder how he knew that I'd be at the Lady Luck Pub that evening. He looked so peaceful while he slept unlike his waking self that seemed to have this permanent dark look on his face. I reached out and ran my fingers through his raven tresses. His hair was so soft. I continued to stroke his hair until he caught my wrist and held it tightly. I bit back a cry of pain at the sheer pressure he was applying. Corvo let go of me when he realized who was caressing him. He abruptly got to his feet and lifted me up with little effort. Dumbly I let him return me to the bed. There was something mesmerizing about him that I couldn't place my finger on. For that brief moment in his arms I felt safe. Without saying a word he returned to his chair and began to consume the soup that was set beside him. I wonder if he remembers the dance that we shared in the Void. Who am I kidding, it was all another ploy set by the Outsider. That sick bastard.