Diamond tries to remove the wrappings from her arms, only to find that they were practically melted into her skin. She tried pulling them off, only to have it result in scabs the size of her pinky nail. Only when Veera comes in to call to her for a bath does Diamond find out that the wrappings are enchanted; courtesy of Kiara.
Veera explains on how the wrappings can so easily come undone while in battle and require the most delicate of hands and mass of time to keep them presentable. Not to mention they can be hot in summers, and bitterly cold with the weather in Skyrim. Veera explains how Kiara made the wrappings thermal controlled, so that in summer it is cool, and in winter regions, holds in heat. Also it's what creates the wrappings to go black when she goes into stealth.
Veera quickly heals Diamond's scabs and escorts her down the hall. Despite Malick's sour attitude, Diamond had to admit, there are some things about the Faceless' headquarters that have its perks.
One being the steaming warm bath that awaits her in an elegantly designed bathroom. The nine-foot-wide granite tub protrudes out from whole wall, a long window stretching up high towards the ceiling where a tiered crystal chandelier sparkles. Outside, the window is overlooking the mountains beyond. It's three steps up to the tub, three steps down to the bottom. Veera's added a small bag of dried flowers that perfumes the air.
"I'll give you some privacy. When you're done, there's a towel and you can just leave the room." She instructs.
"Thanks." Diamond says over her shoulder. She doesn't bother asking about how to remove the wrappings, assuming somehow they'll be easier to remove now that Diamond has the intention of bathing.
As she assumed, with a shrug, she removes them and casts them aside on an ecru vanity, along with her shift. She undoes her braid and lets her hair fall to her shoulders, massaging her scalp. Looking in the oval mirror, Diamond tries to ignore the spots left by her scabs and steps up to the tub. She sighs as she steps deeper until she's up to her neck in suds. The water wafts off a scent of lavender and Diamond rests her head back on a neck pillow.
This isn't so bad, she thinks. For the first time since her arrival, since Astrid notified Diamond of the existence of the Faceless, Diamond allows herself to think about what it would be like to be an official member of The Faceless.
They've managed to spread their influence throughout Skyrim in a matter of days. They've slandered the name of the Brotherhood, and they claim to fight for a good cause. And people seem to believe them.
Fighting for the rights of women in Skyrim, Diamond remembers Malick saying. With how they treat women in this land, it's disgusting.
We give voice to women. We protect them from rape and violence. And if we're too late, we offer them recompense. Veer had said.
Diamond has overheard through Eloira how woman are talking about the Faceless. How they feel safer with them hiding in the shadows. How they now feel like they can walk the streets at night without worrying about getting violated by drunkards or bandits, or even their own guards. Honestly, there's something to be said about the Faceless, if they make citizens feel safer than their own guards.
Diamond would argue how their cause is true, but the approach is insufficient. But then again, they kill to avenge women who've bene violated and even avenge the wives and spouses of men. The Brotherhood kills for people who hold jealousy, rage, anger, resentment, greed.
Not to mention without their wrappings and masks, they're, decent people. People with stories; and unlike in the Brotherhood, they're genuine stories. Veera was forced after her family was murdered for resistance. Eloira was a prostitute who was 'rescued' into the faction, Malick was the one who saved her. All their deeds are good, yet, they're an assassination group.
Perhaps the spillage of blood is the only way to make Skyrim's inhabitants understand anything.
Another thing that picks Diamond's attention, is that they don't seem to worship or follow and form of daedra or god. Diamond always assumed that any faction follows some form of deity for inspiration.
The Brotherhood has Sithis. The Guild has Nocturnal. Even the Companions have Hircine, the god of the hunt. Diamond can't think of any daedra or god that could fit with the Faceless, but then again, perhaps thriving without a deity is what makes them even more
She suddenly plashes the water with her palm, disgusted and disappointed in herself for even thinking that the Faceless tops the Brotherhood. No matter what anyone else thinks, the Brotherhood still shines bright. Having no deity makes them weak.
Aggravated, Diamond sinks down into the water, beneath its skin, letting it block out the sounds around her. It's quiet here, the outside noise muffled and distorted by the water around her. Diamond pretends she's in a cocoon, asleep, the world passing her by, and when she wakes, all of this will have been a bad dream.
The water's cooling by the time Diamond finally decides to shampoo her hair and attack her skin with soap. She scrubs until her skin is pink and tingling. Stepping out, she dries herself off and pulls on a silk nightgown. She looks to her wrappings, and before she reaches for them, Diamond decides against it. Loving the feeling of her skin free and touchable, allowed to breathe.
Diamond leaves the bathroom and takes the twenty-foot trek back to her room.
With a fiery blaze burning in her chest, she yanks open the drawer to the dresser and find her Brotherhood uniform entombed at the very bottom of the drawer. The purple seems to have faded, enough to make a pale magenta. It'll have to do.
Even if Diamond admits that she like having Veer nearby, even though she only does it because of her orders from Zusa, most of the time it didn't feel a part of her orders. Perhaps she just enjoys the company of someone who respects her out of her skill, not age.
Pushing away the thought and nagging feeling of guilt, Diamond pulls on her Brotherhood uniform, and while feeling unwashed against her body, she sighs, and feels her lips automatically contort into a smile so wide, it mimics a grimace. She lets out a manic giggle as she pulls on her gloves and boots before stepping in front of the mirror. Diamond proudly smiles at herself as she pulls her hair into a tight ponytail. Watching her pink tips braise over her shoulder, Diamond laughs still.
She pulls on her cowl and drapes the hood far over her head, concealing her eyes.
She can do this. She's an assassin.
Diamond snatches the enchanted dagger Eloira gave her, and tucks it into her belt. She said the dagger has magical properties that allow it to slice through the thickest armor and draw a river of blood from even the slightest cut. Every member is obligated to have one, next to their own weapon of choice. At the last second, reasoning wither herself that it's entirely essential for her escape, Diamond grabs the dark purple cloak and clasps it about her shoulders.
Slipping through the ajar door of her bedchambers, Diamond finds the hallways dark. Whether or not this is a god thing is left to be questioned.
Don't think too much. Just move. She thinks to herself.
Diamond takes off down the hallway, her feet muffled by the thick runner carpet that seem to stretch all the way to the exit. If Diamond remembers correctly, if you just keep straight instead of going left and right to the rooms, the hallways leads straight from front door to back door. Her cloak flapping behind her, Diamond halts, ducking behind a mannequin bearing the bloodied clothes of a Forsworn.
She's near Zusa's 'trophy room' Veera once quoted during their tour of the mansion. This wasn't far from the front door. Or perhaps the back door would be wiser.
Don't overthink!
Diamond checks perimeter and dashes again. She's made it to the grand foyer, icy shafts of moonlight pouring in through the windows that replace the walls. For shadowy assassins, they sure love their light. Despite Diamond's instincts, she steps out into the open and basks in the moonlight; fully out stretches her arm out to her sides and feels like screaming in happiness.
One step closer.
"It's not safe to hide beyond the perimeter of the estate." A voice says behind her. Diamond flinches, fingers tightening around her dagger.
"Why is that, Malick?" Diamond asks. Even though Diamond has seen all their faces, she's learned to identify all the Faceless by their voices. It was either that or look like a fool for constantly asking the name of whomever she was speaking to. Malick's being the easiest given his gender difference.
She whirls around to find Malick, crouched atop the stairs, his hands gripping the banister portion between his ankles. Squat atop the banister like the way Diamond has seen Libby do on tree branches before ambushing a caravan. His now fully-covered face stares back at her. At least, Diamond thinks he's staring at her. The moonlight reflects off the thin white cloth, making it impossible to peer through it. How any of the Faceless members can see at all still baffles her.
"Something might happen to you." Malick says. He stands, then pushes off the banister, flips forward a couple times in place before dropping down the full ten-foot height and landing smoothly with one leg bent the other stretched out to the side. "Something unfortunate."
So graceful, even for a man. He slowly rises to stand, no weapon drawn.
"I appreciate your concern." Diamond says in a steady tone. "But I can take on bandits and any lowlife that dares challenge me."
With his face fully covered, Diamond can't help but now treat this like a predator and prey skit. With his eyes covered, she can't read his intention or his emotions. He's now unpredictable. And Diamond now realizes that's what they were betting on.
Another point to the Faceless.
"You act as if I speak of threats beyond the gates of the estate. It's Zusa who might do something unfortunate should she fear you attempting to flee."
Diamond swallows, and she stares turns her back to him, facing the door in hopes of keeping the strange man from reading her reaction.
"Why would she think I'd be fleeting? I made a deal with her. And as a Brotherhood, I always honor my deals."
At this, Malick lets out a laugh. It's so rough, so sudden, that Diamond jumps.
"Yes, yes. Of course. Your Brotherhood pack. That is why you remain here, fighting for yourself while they sit in their burrow, unscathed of your absence. That is why you lower your gaze when you talk about how they treat you. Astrid may be a fool, Diamond, but do not treat me as such, nor my sisters."
Diamond feels her neck turn red. That's the first time he's ever called her by her name. Even when they fought before she headed to the ruins, even when she was forced to stay here, he's never said her name once. Until now. The fact sends a tingle of happiness through her chest, like the small pinch of static.
But as for her feelings towards the Brotherhood, is she really that terrible at hiding how she felt? Or are the Faceless just that good at reading people? Seeing his masked face, that aura of danger that settles around Malik as comfortably as the dark purple cloak she wears, Diamond dares hope it is the latter. She tries to decide how to continue their conversation, it at all. Zusa is his employer. Yet he seems to speak only with contempt for her . . .
"Forgive me then," Diamond says. "Sometimes we must share a contract for reasons other than bonding."
"Such as?" Malick takes toed-steps closer, approaching Diamond like prey.
But Diamond isn't going to run.
"Power. Reputation. Respect."
"If you think Astrid gives you any of that, then you are as big a fool as she. Go back to bed, Diamond. I'd hate to see you punished needlessly."
Malick reaches out, grabbing her arm. Diamond refuses, instead pulling away and glaring.
"I'm no fool either!" Diamond says. "What else can I do? My mistress will have be banished, blaming me for treason and mutiny thank to you damn feminists! I was close to earning her respect, but now what am I? Nothing more than traitor who turned her back because she's ungrateful and so easily swoon! I know Astrid will probably never see me worth of the emblem of the Brotherhood, but I will spend the rest of my days proving her wrong!"
Malick stands there, his arm still holding her. Diamond meets his unseen stare, not caring anymore, not willing to keep up the act. She is alone, damn it, this is supposed to be her tiny sliver of hope.
Slowly the wrapped fingers release her.
"Diamond . . ." Malick starts to say, then pauses. "What if . . . what if I were not in Zusa's employ?"
Diamond swallows, remaining silent.
"What I," Malick continues, turning slightly away from here. "What if the only reason we serve her is because of falsehoods she's embedded in our minds."
"Falsehoods? You men she's not out to preach the rights of women?"
"Her cause may be true, but the woman is a lie. She only cares about reputations and presentation."
Diamond thinks. It is, unusual how all the Faceless are incredibly attractive. Their stories may be true, yet Zusa is using them for all the wrongs reasons. If she wants to extend the cause, she needs to be accepting of all, yet she only take those of incredible beauty. She only wants the pretty women to have it better. Those who aren't that of her stature of her allure might as well die in a ditch. Perhaps that's what she'll do once her influence has seeped permanently into Skyrim. It's hypocritical, Diamond realizes piecing it together.
She shakes her head.
"Even in know not to mess with Zusa, Malick. Those who run away from her, they die."
"What if Zusa was no longer alive?"
Diamond grips her dagger with white knuckles. "No. No that is suicide. Go back to sleep if that's the best plan you have. I'm leaving."
Malick turns to her fully again, his cloak rustling as it folds around him, hiding his muscular form.
"She's already influenced you," he says, just before leaving. "Remember there are two types of mercenaries. There are those who work for coin, and those who think for themselves."
"And which are you?"
"I am the best of the best, Diamond."
She waits until Malick is at the top of the stairs, then runs. Her cloak flaps and flutter behind her and her feet sloth through the mud leftover from a shower easily enough. The mud splashes across her calves and stomach. No turning back, she thinks as she rushes along the other side. Everyone wants the Brotherhood dead, wanted her to pledge her allegiance to a new faction she has no interest of. Enough is enough. She'd rather risk the wilds, rather go to a guard and throw herself at their feet and beg for mercy, muddy uniform and all.
Diamond looks back once, sees Malick watching from atop the hill, and swears.
Whatever distance she's made suddenly seems irrelevant. Her legs pump as she flies across the grasslands, but she's already tried fleeting them once. The Faceless are bizarre creatures, impossibly fast. Her only hope would be to lose him, but how? All around are grass and gently sloped hill. There are no trees, no buildings, no real way to hide.
Her teeth clenched, she chokes down a scream.
Why did she have to remain? Why did he have to lurk and watch and ruin whatever hope she has of escape?
Barely visible in the distance she sees a river, and she wonders if she might be able to use its current to float away. Its waters will be ice, though, and she wonders if she can endure it for any length of time. Her feet, caked with mud, already are turning numb. Her breath burns in her lungs, and she runs and runs, but it doesn't matter. Hands touch her shoulders, a foot slips beneath hers, and then she tumbles. Diamond rolls along the grass, which is wet and loose from proximity of the river.
Malick follows, collapsing atop her as she sinks into the cold ground.
"Why?!" Diamond nearly screams at Malick. "Why couldn't you just let me go?!"
Malick grabs her shoulders and twists, forcing Diamond to look at him as pins her to the ground. As Diamond watches, he tears off the thin white cloth to reveal his piercing sapphire blue eyes.
"Because I would have you face this." Malick says. "You will not run. Running gets you a knife in the back. But a Brotherhood pawn stands tall, dagger in hand."
"And dies stabbed in the chest." Diamond says, feeling tears slide down the sides of her face.
"Never. No matter what happens, no matter who your master is or what your mane becomes, I will not allow it."
Diamond stares at him, mouth agape in shock. For a moment, the mixture of emotions becomes overwhelming and her vision is blurry with tears, obscuring those beautiful eyes. But it rewards her with his soft, wrapped fingers brushing against her cheeks. Diamond realizes he is still pinning her to the ground, and feels a lump in her throat, and she tries to swallow it down.
"Why," she asks. "Why would you do that for me?"
Malick stands, the offers her a hand.
"The lies of others have twisted you, treated you as a piece in a game, or a stair step to mount themselves higher up. I understand this far more than you can understand, Diamond. But it will not repeat itself, not this time. Not when I have the strength to prevent it."
It takes all her strength, but Diamond reaches out and accepts his hand. Pulled back to her feet, her knees give way and she collapses into Malick's chest. He grips her biceps hard, but it's only for a second as she feels him slip his arm underneath her knees and her feet are lifted from the ground. The pressure gone is a relief alone.
What does this mean? What does it change?
"Come," Malick says, his one arm reaches all the way around her shoulders, so he still holds her hand. "Back to the house before they notice your absence."
Diamond remain silent, daring in her heart to trust the strange man. Upon their reaching the mansion, Diamond notices another Faceless, probably Eloria, notice her muddy Brotherhood uniof0rm, but says nothing. She normally might've asked questions, but Malick's presence stills her tongue.
Towards her bedchambers they go, Malick with no apparent desire to leave Diamond. Diamond hopes to change clothes before Veera sees her, but instead they find her putting clothes away in her Diamond's dresser.
She looks to them and quirks an eyebrow, noticing the mud and the tearing of her clothes. Diamond thinks for an answer, but is not given time.
"She slipped near the stream," Malick says. "But don't worry, she is strong as ever." Eyes still uncovered, he looks to Diamond. "Isn't she?"
"Yes." Diamond says, praying it is true, but not willing to believe it.
Not yet.
Veera leaves without asking questions, or perhaps without care. Diamond feels Malick set her on the bed and pull down her hood. With mud smeared on her cheek, Diamond can't look him in the eyes with his clean white cloth and contrasting blue eyes. Her hair still in ponytail, she looks down and away.
"So this is what you look like?" Malick asks, but it was observant it sounds more like he's stating a fact.
Diamond nods.
"I almost forgot."
Despite the white cloth, Diamond could tell he was smiling. Without wanting him to do it himself and making her feel like a child, Diamond folds her ponytail and unzips her armor from behind. Malick has gone over to the vanity where a beautifully decorated bowl and pitcher are, pouring warm water and dipping a white rag into the water.
Diamond quickly changes into the silk nightgown and lets her hair fall over her shoulders. She drapes the muddy uniform over the end board of the bed and sits with her legs pressed together, hands in lap.
Malick wrenches out the rag before walking back over. Without consent, he takes Diamond's chin and behinds to clean a small cut near her temple. Doused in mud Diamond didn't notice it until he takes the rag away and once corner is dotted with red specks.
"You can't seem to keep it clean, can you?" Malick says.
"Hmph, now that's funny." Diamond mumbles with a shy smile.
Malick adjusts his cloak, cinching it tighter about his body. Diamond catches sight of a long dirk tucked into his belt, the sides of its hilt painted red. The blade cures up and down like the waves of the ocean, and she shudders at the thought of its piercing her flesh.
It shocks her more that Malick was armed, and didn't even bother to pull it out.
After his gently pats and rubs, Malick son scrubs Diamond's cheeks, dipping the rag repeatedly into the water, causing it to turn pink and grey.
"That should do you good until morning." He says, finally taking the bowl and dumping it out the window.
Diamond pulls her hair into a low ponytail and sighs.
"Everything will be fine." he says.
"Easy for you to say."
"It's not. You're far more valuable to her than me. Though I don't see how."
Diamond looks up and finds him kneeling in front of her. With her sitting on the edge of the bed, he's only lower than her by an inch.
Ignoring her warming cheeks, Diamond sniffs, wipes her face and smoothes down her hair.
"Do I look like I've been crying?" she says.
"Hmm." Malick leans in close, narrowing his eyes like he's inspecting her face. A smile tugs at the corners of his moth. Even close, so they would be breathing the same air – if Diamond could remember how to breathe.
No, Diamond." He says. "You look tough as nails."