A/N: So after a hiatus of about three months I'm finally back. Yay!
My latest chap is, unfortunately, one of those dreaded exposition-heavy chaps. My apologies in advance for that.
Also, I have an important announcement posted at the end of this chap regarding this fic - I ask that you look it over when you have a chance.
That said, I wish to thank PikovajaDama, CertainUncertainty, countess z, High Mage Lady Hawkmoon, Sierrapeyton, Anime Borat, Tacitus Shadowrunner, and DeadSoul248 for the encouragement, PMs, and chats that keep me going.
...
UPDATE: this chapter was been updated March 3, 2019
Favors
Chapter 6
Finally, a Clue
The Second Day of the Fourth Month, the Month of Rain, 1837
The Tailors' District, southeastern corner
Afternoon
…
…
"We'll be there soon, right quick," Etiennette announced as she led the others through the side-alleys and backstreets of the District.
Adrienne nodded as she followed along, glancing at the tall buildings and the stifling, tight corridors. Most of the windows were shut tight and only occasionally could she see movement inside: a flicker of light, a flutter of a drape, or a guarded stare from a dark figure hidden inside.
"Best fing be ta nae go pokin' inna others' bidness," Erin said as she tried to keep pace with the taller girls. "Folks jus' be doin' they fings and such. Leave'em be, they be leavin' you be, geddit?"
"Y-yes," Adrienne answered as she was ushered along.
She glanced over her shoulder to look to Rollo, the short man who had rescued her from the Merry Boyz, bringing up the rear of the little parade. The criminal was glancing about in front and behind the group, one hand on a pistol, the other on the pommel of one of his numerous throwing knives. He noticed her looking at him and grinned quickly.
"S'alright, lass, no fuss," he said. "As the ladies here say, it's a short trip if yer mindin' yourself. I'm jus' taggin' along ta see that ya make it alright."
She returned his smile and seemed about to say something when Erin grabbed her arm.
"That place there?" Erin pointed to a dark building with several boarded up windows and weeds growing along some cracks around its borders. "Mesh plant house. Stay away. The addicted be dangerous."
They passed a large open drain with its iron grate pulled away and bent to the side. A stream of oily water trailing out of it and into a large steel-lined gutter that wound out of sight to the southwest.
"That water, ye nae be drinkin' less ye wanna be sick and end up Weepin'," the Morley girl warned. As if to punctuate her statement, the body of a dead rat floated by just then.
Adrienne grimaced.
"But if ye needta duck out quick that drain be leadin' ye ta Covington Lane near Tiller's Alehouse." The redheaded girl smirked. "Jus' be careful nae ta swallow any o' the water, like I says."
Adrienne nodded again, trying to take in all the new information at once.
"Don't worry," Etiennette interjected with a smile. "We're almost there."
"Need ta show 'er our stream first, we do," Erin said, taking Adrienne's hand and leading her to the right side of the path. "Jus' down 'ere."
"It's not our stream, Erin."
"Sure 'tis," the Morley girl replied. "Marked it plain, I did."
The courtesan gave a resigned sigh as the short redhead took their guest down to a wrought iron fence along a ten foot drop-off. Beyond it, a short distance away was a large cobblestone area. A few feet further and the cobblestones gave way to natural stone and dirt. Past that a wide, seemingly natural, stream cut its way across Orriden Road. The stream came from around a bend to the northeast, and trailed off behind some low shrubs to the southwest.
Erin pointed to a small wooden sign with poorly-written, faded letters on it.
Adrienne squinted at it. "EB & EM Stream, Dunwall?"
"EB, Erin Brannigan," Erin jabbed a thumb at herself, then indicated to her taller blonde companion. "EM, Etiennette Mersel."
She pointed past the shrubbery to the west.
"A small pool's over there, it is," she announced with a smile. "Cool, clean water. Fun fer dippin' when it be gettin' too warm."
She then indicated two tall posts pressed into the ground in the opposite direction to the east. Each of the posts had pegs of various lengths sprouting from them at odd intervals. The pair had several hack marks of no discernable pattern cut into them.
"That be where Addie practices when 'e visits 'ere," she said with a quick grin. "Ye can be watchin' 'im from the south-side window onna second floor of Ma's place."
"Yer gettin' sticky-eyed, again," Rollo groused scornfully. "We ain't sightseein'."
Erin balled up her fists and was about to retort when Etinnette spoke.
"We're here!"
The courtesan gestured to a large, two-story wooden dwelling that may have once been a small stables now converted into a boarding house. The second floor was extended and widened, apparently to accommodate a larger living space. The entrance was on the western side, facing Winchcoch Lane, with a large painted sign that read: Ma Nettles' Hostel. The north side butted up close to a small store named Strobe Clothery. The south end of the building extended all the way to the edge of the ten foot drop-off that was Orriden Road below, the EB & EM Stream gurgling cheerfully alongside and had two large windows, one for each floor. Set between the windows was an odd pulley system, with a large bucket used to catch the water from the stream below.
As they neared, Erin's paused and breathed in the air, a wide smile upon her face.
"Cor, Ma be makin' her mutton soup!" she said gleefully then inhaled again. "And there be fresh biscuits, too!" She made off at a trot to the boarding house. "C'mon!"
Rollo just shook his head. "May not be use fer much else, but when it comes ta sniffing out food, that girl is part wolfhound."
The trio tried to keep up with the errant Morley girl as she disappeared into the large edifice. She was already out of sight by the time they reached the entryway leading to a small foyer. To the left was a large open section set up as a dining area with long tables and several benches. To the rear of the foyer, on the east end, was a stairway leading up to the second floor. Just to the right of the stairs was a door leading out the back, behind the building. To the right of the entry, along the south wall, was a doorway opening into a kitchen from which emanated a delicious aroma and the sounds of a woman berating someone.
"Whatcha think ya doin' girlie?" a gruff voice demanded. "Get out of my kitchen!"
Etiennette sighed once as she made a beeline for the door, the others following suit. The kitchen beyond appeared to be the perfect example of organized chaos: a large stove was crammed along the southern wall, worn cabinets fitted on the eastern wall housed cooking supplies set up in no appreciative order, barrels of flour and one of yeast were stacked lopsided in the back corner, bottles of oil and vinegar were hidden behind a partially closed cabinet door, and pots, pans and cooking utensils were precariously arranged on some unsteady shelving just to the left of the entry.
In the middle of the room, next to a free-standing butcher's block was an older woman, about five-and-a-half feet tall and solidly built. Her hair, tied back in a practical bun, was equal parts brown and grey, and her features had a stern, no nonsense look to them. She was currently threatening Erin with a large wooden spoon.
"Jus' seein' whatcha got cookin' is all, Ma," the smaller girl said, trying to bypass the older woman to get to a large steaming pot set upon the stove. "We be bringin' someone new fer the Boss."
She indicated Adrienne standing with the others in the doorway. The older woman glanced over for a moment and Erin used the distraction to snatch up two fresh biscuits from a metal tray set upon the butcher's block.
"Ow ow! Crap!" Erin shifted the hot pastries from one hand to the other, blowing on her burned fingertips. She dashed towards the front entrance, her ill-gotten gains in hand. "Make a hole!"
The others quickly got moved aside as the older woman snarled and grabbed another hot biscuit off the tray.
"Erin, you brat!" she yelled as she hurled the item at the fleeing girl.
The Morley girl turned just in time to see the incoming biscuit, shifted and caught it out of the air.
"Thanks, Ma!" she cried back with a laugh before she turned and escaped through the entryway and up the steps to the second floor, her heavy shoes clumping all the way.
"Damn girl, be the cause of all my grey I swears," the woman muttered in exasperation, then her attention focused on her other guests. "Now then, who are you?" she asked the newcomer.
"Uh," the dark-haired girl started then offered an awkward curtsy. "Adrienne Deschamps. I was sent by Mr. Dartley. He said you may have room for me? Thank you for taking the time to see me."
The older woman paused and then a low smile crept upon her face.
"Well now, a right proper one we have here," she began and placed the spoon on the stove. She wiped her hands quickly upon her apron and looked at Etiennette. "She's as polite as you, Sweet Netty, which is a good thing; don't think I handle 'nother such as the brat." She glanced at the ceiling above to punctuate her meaning.
Etiennette giggled quietly as the woman refocused her attention on Adrienne.
"Right then, I'll give it to ya straight," she said, the stern look returning. "Name's Ma Nettles and this is my place. Not James' nor Tuddleston's nor Erin's despite the way that brat behaves. Mine. The first week's rent here is free, per the accord with James. After that, it's five coin a week, four if ya help out around the place. Dishes, launderin', whatnot."
She nodded to the stove.
"Food's ten coin a week, in advance mind you. Fer that ya get two meals a day. Breakfast and supper. If you help Mr. Jasper in the garden out back then I'll knock off two coin a week. You bring anything else in ta help, say tins of whale meat and the like, and I'll knock off even more."
The girl blinked.
"So, it's ten for the food right away, then?" She placed her hands near her belt where a beltpouch would normally be. "I don't have any-"
"Naw," the woman said with a quick shake of her head. "James took care of the first week of that as well. But ya may wanta look fer somethin' ta get a few coins ta ya name."
"O-okay," the girl said with a pensive nod. "I don't really know anyone around here. If I may ask, what would you suggest?"
The woman harrumphed. "Anything that'll bring in the coin; I won't judge. All of my fifty-one years have been spent in this city and I seen it all. Stealin', foragin'," she glanced Adrienne over. "You're a pretty lass; there's other ways if ya please."
"Harlotry?" A disparaging look crossed the girl's face. She glanced at the others, her eyes pleading.
Etiennette stepped up and looked the girl square in the face.
"Don't worry if you decide to stay a courtesan. There's no madame to worry about and no one but yourself that gets the coin. You can't bring the gents here but there are places about that you can usually rent for only a coin or two a day. The rest is all yours."
"B-but, I was hoping to not have to. Especially after the Merry Boyz."
"Here now," Rollo began with a scowl in Ma's direction before looking back at the girl. "Ya don't needta do anythin' ya don't want. There're different jobs open."
"My apologies, lass," Ma said. "I wasn't tryin' ta make ya uncomfortable, or force anything upon you. Lemme speak ta Mr. Strobe next door. I think he has positions available, if you want."
The girl nodded quickly, her eye downcast.
"Hey, hey," the woman said quietly as she moved forward. She gently took the girl's chin with her hand, lifting her face up. "I may be a brusque, ornery hag, but I'm not an unfair one. We'll work something out, I promise." A quick smile followed and then she winked. "If I can put up with Erin, I can put up with anything."
The Twenty-fourth Day of the Fourth Month, the Month of Rain, 1837
The Tailors' District, southeastern corner
Twenty-two days later
Early morning
…
Mother,
I'm sorry it's taken so long for me to write you. So much has happened these last three weeks, but all for the better. The evil circumstances I had found myself in are long over and my new situation is going quite well.
The brave men who came to my aid have seen fit to arrange decent accommodations for me. I rarely see them though, as their daily affairs keep them quite busy. I've yet to thank them properly, especially the sweet gentleman, Mr. Rollo Septner, who has shown me such kindness and patience.
The proprietress, Ma Nettle, once frightened me, I admit. However, as gruff as she appears, she is a very warm lady who cares for each of us as if we were her own. I help out around the hostel, and the skills you taught me have become very useful. I assist with mending and the washing, and keeping the place clean. I've also managed to get a position at the clothier next to us, and have begun saving up some coin. When I have enough I will send you some to help with the farm.
I've befriended Mr. Jasper, a funny man in his mid-forties who tends the garden here at the hostel and helps with repairs. He acts very much as a domestic butler and likes to dress as proper as he can, but invariably gets his nice clothes all dirty. He makes light of it though and is a joy to be around. He even has a pet rat that he trained; a white one with pink eyes that goes by the name of Shivers.
Finally, my dearest friends, Erin and Etiennette who have become like sisters and are always there to share their time with me. I will tell you more of them when I write next time, but just know your daughter is safe and well cared for.
All my love,
Adrienne
…
A sudden disturbance caused Adrienne to look up from her writing.
"Oi, ye be comin' or nae?" Erin asked from the doorway. "Ma's porridge be fresh, and there're even jams and biscuits!" The tiny redhead nodded enthusiastically as a wide grin split her face.
"I'll be right there," she replied. "I just need to set my letter aside so the ink dries properly."
"Yer loss," her friend grumbled then she winked. "If the jam be gone when ye get there, I dinna wanna be gettin' scolded."
"Erin Brannigan!" Adrienne called out as she pushed away from the small desk in her room. "Don't you dare!"
The Morley girl chuckled then bolted down the hall as the older girl chased after her, giggling. Their laughter echoed through the upper floor and foyer as they ran to the top of the stairs and then bounded down them.
"Here now!" Ma yelled from the kitchen. "None of that!"
The girls ignored her calls and ran into the dining area, almost colliding with Mr. Jasper and Etiennette.
"Oh, please do be careful," the thin man said in a heavy voice that belied his appearance. "That's not the proper way for young ladies to behave."
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Adrienne said as she caught her breath. "Erin was threatening to eat all of the jam again."
Complete innocence shown on the short redhead's face.
"Wot? Me?"
"Yes you, ya brat," Ma groused as she brought in a large wooden tray holding their breakfast. She quickly doled out the bowls, and clay mugs holding fresh milk. "Eat up quickly, before Erin steals it all."
The girls took what they wanted then Mr. Jasper filled his own bowl with hot porridge and retired to the kitchen to eat with Ma.
The three girls ate quietly for a moment then Erin, as she retrieved her third bowlful, blurted out a question.
"So, ye got yeself a sweetie or nae?" she asked Adrienne.
The other two looked surprised and Etiennette leaned forward.
"It's not polite to ask about others' affairs."
"Jus' a question is all," Erin retorted as she finished her food. "Nae gonna do any 'arm knowin', now is it?"
"That's not the point."
Adrienne recovered and then laughed quietly.
"It's fine," she said to Etiennette then turned to Erin. "No, I haven't a sweetie. Not here. Nor when I worked at Lord Candrege's estate." She paused to consider a moment. "Not even back home."
"Be a shame. Ye pretty nuff."
"Oh, thank you," she said with an embarrassed downward glance, not used to such compliments. After a moment she looked back up. "And, uh, you? Have a sweetie yourself?"
"Nae at the moment," the short girl admitted with a sigh. "Sometimes 'spectin' the lads ta be more noticin', y'know? But they be 'ard inna 'ead." She leaned back, propped her feet on the table, then she winked. "S'okay, I ken wait. Ain't got nowhere ta go."
"Erin, get your shoes off the table," Etiennette whispered. "Before Ma sees you."
The Morley girl grumbled but did as she was bade.
"Anyone in particular you're waiting for?" Adrienne asked with mock innocence, then glanced at Etiennette with a slight smirk.
"Maybe," Erin replied with a sly grin. "Come 'round 'e will, you'll see."
"Ugh, not this again," Etiennette said as she rolled her eyes. "I don't think Ademar even suspects you like him, though everyone else seems to know. You should just say something rather than go on about it so."
"Yeah," the Morley girl said, looking thoughtful. After a moment she sighed dreamily. "Everything else is right perfect 'bout 'im, but 'e dinna seem very bright sometimes."
Adrienne leaned forward, a mirthful look upon her face.
"He is handsome though, isn't he?"
"I know," Erin agreed with a wide grin. "Ken ye imagine what it'd be like fer'im ta hold ye close?" She closed her eyes then hugged herself. "He be so strong, arms wrapped 'round, keepin' ye nice and safe. Nae a care fer anythin' else. He bathes regular too and always smells fresh."
Etiennette cocked an eyebrow.
"You go around smelling him?"
Erin's eyes popped open.
"Wot?" She blinked. "I, er, wot'd I say?"
Adrienne chuckled innocently at her friend's discomfort. After a moment she turned to the blonde girl.
"And what about you? You have anyone, if I may ask?"
Etiennette grew quiet.
"Aye, she be havin' 'er own lad," Erin admitted, a knowing look upon her face. "Dinna think I be figurin' it out, but I did."
The other two girls looked at her.
"Oh?"
"Yep. But nae be sayin' anythin' since the gormless boffin come back."
"I'm sorry, what?"
"Vivianna, I mean."
"Oh."
They were quiet for a bit, then Etiennette broke the silence.
"No, you're right. Very, uh, perceptive, I think is the word." She chuckled quietly to herself. "I try to not think about it, but he does fascinate me sometimes."
"Hah!" the short girl laughed as she kicked her legs out. "Called it, I did. Know a thing or two, I do."
"Yes, well, let's keep that our little secret, shall we?"
"Secret? Why ye nae be tellin'im?"
"He's busy a lot actually." Her voice grew meeker. "And there's other reasons."
"Like wot?"
"He's very refined you see, and I'm-" She looked embarrassed as she glanced down at herself. "Well, I'm just this."
"Cor, ye better'n most, I say," Erin replied with a firm nod. "Wishin' I was half as beautiful as you, I do. The boss'd be lucky ta have ye, even if'n 'e's pinin' fer that numpty prim."
"I'm sorry, the boss? You mean James?"
"Yep."
"Oh no no. Not James." Etiennette chuckled again. "I mean he's handsome and all, but it's Albert I like. He's so proper and I find that fascinating."
A stunned look crossed the face of the Morlish girl.
"Um, wot?"
"Albert? Mr. Tuddleston?"
"Mr. Fancy Tuddles? O'er the boss? Pullin' me leg are ye?"
"No, Erin, I was being serious. What's wrong with that?"
The stunned look was replaced by confusion.
"Wrong? Wot'll ye do with'im?"
"Do? I don't understand."
"I mean 'e's all-" the short girl made exaggerated circular gestures with her arms. "I mean how ye gonna, y'know do stuff?"
"Do stuff?" The courtesan's eyes narrowed. "I don't think that's important."
"If 'e's on top of ye then pbbbt!" Erin made a smashing motion with her hands. "He'd squish ye like a grape."
"Erin!"
Adrienne cupped a hand over her mouth so as not to let out a squeak of laughter.
"Or if 'e's onna bottom, well then ye'd tumble right off."
"Erin, that's enough!" The courtesan glared at her smaller companion. "That's extremely rude!"
"Wait, I dinna mean to be soundin' like that."
"It doesn't matter," she replied, her arms crossed in frustration. "I shouldn't have said anything. Just sit still."
Silence hung in the air. After a moment Etiennette grabbed up her clay mug and scowled at Erin. Finally, it was Adrienne who spoke.
"I know you're upset, but truly I feel very happy to be here." She nodded with a smile. "Despite all that happened, my luck has turned. I'm not in so dire a place anymore. I just knew the Azure Bloom was a sign of better things."
Etiennette glanced over at her.
"Azure Bloom?"
"Yes," the dark-haired girl said. "I was," she hesitated. "Well, when I was delivered to the Merry Boyz, I saw a picture, quite faded, on the inside of a crate. That's how Madame Dent sent me to the Merry Boyz. Shipped on a barge. Inside a crate."
Erin gasped in surprise as the dark-haired girl continued.
"There were enough holes for air and such, and it must have been an older crate, because they reused an old lid. Had the stamp of a business on it. Azure Bloom."
She smiled wistfully.
"Such a pretty picture, even though it had faded with time. A single blue rose upon a background of silver and there was-"
-criish-
The sound of the clay mug shattering upon the floor startled her. She looked over and saw Etiennette, eyes wide and shock upon her face. Even as she watched, the color seemed to drain from the courtesan.
"What?" She became worried and glanced to Erin who seemed equally surprised. "What'd I say?"
"Ma!" the girl from Morley called out. "Mr. Jasper!"
"Erin, what did I say?" she asked, concern upon her face.
"Probably the most important thing any o' us coulda said." The redhead leaned forward with a serious look. "Ye be needin' ta talk ta the boss, quick as ye ken."
In was an hour before dusk when Otto finally arrived at the Undertakers' hideout, an anxious Ademar in tow. They joined the rest of the group that had been gathered.
"Found'im," the boy said quickly.
"I came as quick as I could, Master James," the ex-Overseer said in way of apology as he closed the shop's door behind him. "Is it true? Someone has seen the mark?"
Standing behind the counter, James nodded and looked down at Adrienne who sat in front of him. In her hands she held the unfolded paper with a blue rose upon a silver field.
"Again, just to be sure," the navy man said. His voice was calm, but his eyes seemed apprehensive. "This is the symbol you saw on the crate?"
"Yes, sir," the girl said with a quick nod. "On my life."
"And the name of this company?" Tuddleston asked. "You say it was Azure Bloom?"
"Yes, sir," she agreed then added, "Azure Bloom Outfitters was the full name I believe, though the last word was faded moreso than the rest."
"Azure Bloom Outfitters," James repeated as he leaned back. "Finally, a clue. And from the one person I failed to ask."
"Well, what'll we do now?" Rollo interjected. "The lass said she was on a barge. Never saw the people who did the transporting. So other than some voices, she can't tell us who we need to go after."
The navy man pondered the situation for a moment then glanced at Adrienne again.
"She may not know, but Lucretia Dent does." His eyes narrowed. "I think it's time we paid Madame Dent a visit."
"She has a good amount of men at her beck and call," Rollo warned. "She won't be easy to talk to."
"Agreed. We must use caution on this." James shook his head. "As much as I want to simply barge right in, we need to be as prepared as possible."
He turned to Otto.
"I need you to go out again."
"Always ready, sir," the boy returned. "What do need, sir? Where shall I go?"
"To Gulldove Road," the navy man replied.
The boy's eyes widened in surprise and just a hint of fear.
"You mean…?"
"Yes, we need to do this right. I need you to leave a message for… the Tyvian."
Rollo chuckled darkly.
"About damn time."
A/N: To everyone following and reading this fic, I wanted to let you know that there will be a change next chapter:
AFTER THIS CHAPTER, THE RATING WILL CHANGE TO M!
I've tried to keep the rating to a 'T' but for the story I wish to tell, I unfortunately must raise the rating to 'M'. There are a few reasons behind this decision, and they will appear on the summary when the next chap comes out.
If, for some reason, this changes your mind about continuing to follow this fic, then I completely understand. I wish to thank everyone who has read, followed, or even glanced at my work. I truly appreciate everyone for doing so.
Thank you. :)