onewhoturns | [Dishonored: fae AU] Iron & Gold: 2. An Offer (emsider) 1/4*

A/N Oct 2018: Hey, it’s another little snippet of the fae au. My posted stuff on AO3 and FFnet and a preview on ko-fi of the next section. (*cough cough* leave a comment *cough cough*)

Story Title: Iron & Gold
Chapter Title: An Offer
Chapter Part: 1/4
Story Part: 5/?
Pairing: Emily/Outsider (emsider)
Word count: 753
Rating: PG (higher rating later chapters)
Summary: Ever since she was a child Emily had been cautioned: beware the fae. She’d heard the typical warnings – faerie rings, wishing wells, mysterious lights in the darkness. But they were just cautionary tales... [A Dishonored fae AU]
start here (prelude), previously (1-3), next part (2-2)

Emily stared out into the dark. She wasn’t sure how, but she knew he was there. Waiting for her. If she looked hard enough, perhaps she could spot that glint of gold-

"Your Majesty."

Warm brown eyes snapped in surprise to the servant now bowing low before her, offering out a platter of bite-sized morsels. Emily frowned, lifting the pale plaster mask to her eyes once more. So much for keeping her 'true face hidden.' It was of no use, anyway. For all she'd wanted to take the stranger's advice, to bring the customs of the people to the nobles' Feast, at least the idea of losing track of who she was was entirely impossible. Even with a wreath of white flowers in place of a crown, the palace had adamantly refused her wish for a simpler garment. She'd convinced them to forgo gaudy jewels or gold, but still her dress twinkled with beaded flowers. She gathered her white cloak around her, hiding the flash of glass beads, as though it might make the servant forget her identity. Picking out a slice of gilded apple she popped it between her lips, and daintily took a small marzipan rose with a slight bob of thanks.

Sending another tentative glance out toward the distant tree line, Emily sighed and turned on a silk-slippered toe. After a carefully planned campaign of attrition, she'd managed to convince the chamberlain to allow for less formal customs. The bonfire that sparked into the night sky was small, but at least it was present, sitting between the high table and the wide expanse that served as a dance floor. Musicians had been brought it to play lively tunes that had even some older nobles smiling and kicking up their heels in a dance. One of the fountains of the garden area had been filled with wine. Emily padded quietly around the outer edge of the floor, watching the grins and bursts of laughter from the partygoers, and smiled. Overall, it felt at least moderately acceptable for a fae offering.

She turned her head slightly, feeling a cool autumn breeze rustling delicate sprigs of baby's breath in her dark hair. She heard... something. Like... Like wind through an open hallway -- not quite a whistle and not quite a roar, but something hollow and resonant.

The hedge maze had long been a part of the palace. When she was young she was terrified of it, the high walls seeming to hem her in. Once she hit her teenage years, she relished a chance to lead an unsuspecting guard in to get lost as she navigated her way expertly. Now, as she turned toward it, she already knew what she’d see.

He didn’t wear a mask, like most of her guests, but his eyes were covered with a thick ashy stripe of coal-like pigment, making golden eyes stand out all the more. He looked as he had that first night. Almost entirely human. Just the shine of his gaze making her skin crawl - not unpleasantly. Again, clad all in black, this time shrouded in sharp feathers that picked up hints of blue and bronze in the light from the moon and the fire. There was something too beautiful about him.

He held out a hand to her, silent again, though his brows lifted in invitation.

Emily looked back to the rest of the party. Her father was at the high table. Blinded by the light of the bonfire. Her gaze returned to the stranger. She knew this maze. For all she went stocking-less, it wasn’t like some will-o-the-wisp was taking her through an unfamiliar forest. She’d spent years learning every twist, turn, and dead end. And he was there. Or, it seemed he would be. Offering a hand instead of a fleeting shadow to follow. She wouldn’t get lost.

With one final glance to the party, a quick pat at her pockets to ensure the loose berries and salt that filled them, she surreptitiously shifted her cloak, turning it inside out so the dark forest green might help her sneak away. He didn’t run off, didn’t pull away as she approached tentatively, instead lifting his lips in a smile. ...It wasn’t a kind smile, not exactly.

Clutching her cloak at her breast with one hand, she slipped the other into his, and stepped into the maze. All that was left, as she followed him away, was a white plaster mask tossed to the ground, painted warm tones in the light of the fire.