//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: Introductions // Story: Dishonored: A Ruined and Drowning World // by Kleptoshark //------------------------------// Emily backed off to look at her handiwork. She had scrawled the symbol onto the bricked doorway, just like the Outsider had asked. She noticed she had a bit of pastel smudged on her fingertips. She wiped them off on her dress, creating a black smear on the white lace. She then went to find the instructions for turning on the contraption centred on the small doorway. Being careful not to step on Piero’s sleeping form, Emily reached for the blueprints arranged neatly on his desk, sifting through them until she found the instructions. Using the blueprints, Emily found the lever for turning on the iron mechanism, and pulled. A series of nozzles mounted on the machine fired a steady stream of chemically modified whale oil at the doorfram. Emily panicked when she saw the viscous fluid turning an orange colour, meaning that it was on the verge of explosion. However, the wall seemed to buckle, becoming fluid and collapsing inward. Emily stared, eyes wide, as two small creatures emerged from the shimmering rift, which faded back into brick as they came passed through it. Emily was sure she recognised one of the creatures that came through: It was the pony she had sketched. To be certain, Twilight and Spike had no idea what to expect when they passed through the Outsider’s rift. They gawked in wonder at the fantastic machines and metallic surroundings around them. It was a moment before they noticed the two creatures near the back of the room. Both of them were clothed from their necks to their feet in practical garments, with only their dexterous hands and heads showing. The older of the two seemed to have just been sleeping, and walked towards them whilst securing a pair of spectacles over his eyes. Twilight thought this would be a good time to introduce herself. “Hi, I’m-” The human brushed past her, seeming more interested in the partially melted brick wall that had once been the portal they came through. “Fascinating.” He breathed to no one in particular. He turned back to the other human, who Twilight assumed was a filly- or, not exactly a filly. Whatever a young female human is called. “Emily, I’m not sure what you did, but this…” he gestured to the wall, “Is... absolutely amazing. I was certain that if I tried it with these current calibrations, it would have caused a disaster. But I see that I should’ve been more confident.” The tall, male human finally seemed to notice Twilight and Spike, he sank to one knee so he would be more level with them, adjusting his spectacles. He placed a hand against his chest. “I am Piero Joplin. I believe my invention was responsible for bringing you here. Let me just say that it is an honor to be able to speak with you.” Most would be surprised at the possibility of an outer-dimensional creature speaking the same language as themselves, but Piero was a Natural Philosopher: he had already calculated the probability of an other-dimensional species speaking the same language as them. Taking into account the inherent similarities their dimensions would need in order for such a bridge to even exist, the chances of a similar or even identical language was a definite probability. “Hello,” the purple unicorn started again, “I’m Twilight Sparkle.” “Charmed.” Piero motioned to the young female human, who had come closer now. “May I introduce to you, Emily Kaldwin: Empress.” Spike gave Emily a skeptical look. “Really?” A less mature girl in Emily’s position may have pouted, or said something petty. But Emily merely gave a small giggle, fully understanding the dragon’s disbelief. “It’s a long story.” The young girl said light-heartedly. Then her face turned to a more curious expression, she addressed Twilight, “You’re… a unicorn, right?” Twilight nodded. “And you’re a human?” the purple unicorn responded. Emily smiled and nodded. Twilight noticed that her assistant was getting antsy. The dragon gave a small huff, frustrated at being ignored. “Right, I nearly forgot. This is my assistant, Spike. He’s a dragon.” Spike crossed his arms over his chest with an almost too-cheery smile. “Go on, say it.” He thought, “Tell me ‘You’re awfully small for a dragon.’ I dare you.” To his immense surprise, Emily merely curtsied. “It’s nice to meet you.” She said innocently. Spike began to take a liking to the empress. A puzzled expression appeared on Piero’s face, he picked up a clockwork timepiece on his desk, which confirmed that this entire encounter was taking place in the dead of night. Despite the excitement of the situation, he disliked the fact that this was all taking place in his workshop. The inventor considered his workshop to be his own inner sanctum: It was the place where he organised his thoughts, where he could be alone to unlock the secrets of the universe. If people wanted to sit around and socialize, then they could use the Tower’s tea room. He spoke up. “This is an unprecedented breakthrough, although I’m certain that there will be time for a proper introduction in the morning.” He said, accenting the last word, “I can only assume tomorrow will be an exciting day.” Emily seemed thoughtful for a moment, rubbing her chin. “They can stay with me.” She offered. Twilight had no idea what she was getting in to, but she accepted anyways. As they made their way to the door Piero merely stretched out again, and curled up on his folded jacket again. As soon as they opened the door to exit, they encountered another human wearing a faded grey-blue overcoat, leaning on the banister. He turned toward them with an expression of surprise. “Emily,” he said in surprise, “you’re up a bit late, aren’t you?” “Corvo!” Emily exclaimed, normally she would be comforted by the calm, collected bodyguard. Yet she could imagine an awkward encounter trying to explain herself to Corvo. ‘Oh hey, these strange creatures just came out of a one of Piero’s machines. I’m not even sure why they’re here, or if they’re a threat, but I was wondering if they could spend the night in my room?’ Corvo must have seen something in her eyes, because he merely gave an understanding smile. “I'm sure there’ll be time for explanations in the morning.” He said in an empathic tone. Emily hadn’t known, but Corvo had been watching her since she left her room. The Outsider had calmly revealed his plan to the Lord Protector hours earlier, explaining in detail the part Emily would play. The ex-assassin knew better than to try and rebel against the plans of the deity who had given him the means of getting his old life back in the first place, and instead monitored her from afar, making sure she came to no harm. Besides, this purple equine and her reptilian assistant looked less than harmless. He merely escorted them back to Emily’s room, although many of the guards on night duty stared at the odd creatures following them. Twilight thought of herself as being in a human version of Canterlot Palace, the calm and collected feel of the building’s ceramic tiles and high ceiling gave a regal feeling to the hallways. Yet everything had a more… practical feeling to it. The walls were made of finely carved wooden slats inlaid with metal, as opposed to marble slabs, and it seemed as if the hallways of the building weren’t made with the intention of impressing visitors- it simply did so with a refined, casual air. Rarity would have loved this place. They stopped in front of a finely carved wooden door, inlaid with brass. Corvo opened it, and bowed. Twilight and Spike timidly stepped inside, and Emily paused as she passed her bodyguard. “Thanks.” She said quietly. Corvo merely closed his eyes and gave a respectful nod, allowing Emily to enter her room before closing the door behind her. Corvo turned to notice a pair of City Watch guards, discussing in hushed tones and repeatedly looking back at the door to the Empress’s chambers. They quickly went back to their patrol rounds as the Lord Protector approached, not wanting him to think that they weren't taking their duties seriously. The ex-assassin leaned against the finely carved banister leading upstairs. He scratched the stubble of his cheeks with one hand, while thinking on what he had seen. “Just watch,” He assured himself, “by tomorrow morning, there won’t be a single person in Dunwall Tower who hasn’t heard about this.” *** Inside of the empress’s chambers, sleep was elusive to the pair of Equestrians. Emily had gazed, eyes wide, as Twilight had explained what a ‘sleepover’ was, and had agreed to set up the comforter between the wardrobe, the bed, and several other pieces of furniture , making a small tent in the spacious cream-coloured room. They were all exhausted, and Emily had already dozed off. Twilight and Spike were sitting in the darkness, pretending to be asleep. “Hey.” Twilight whispered. “What?” Spike whispered back. “…Thanks, for coming with me.” Twilight whispered, she was glad to have her assistant in this strange place with her. “Heh, you didn’t think I’d let you run off alone, did’ya?” Spike couldn’t see it, but Twilight smiled in the darkness. Spike piped up again. “So, what do you think of the humans? They seem nice enough.” He whispered. “I don’t trust the bodyguard.” Twilight whispered. “He’s just being protective.” Spike assured her. Twilight fell silent. Spike hadn’t seen the mark Corvo bore on the back of his hand. What connection did the bodyguard have to the Outsider? She intended to find the mysterious human and ask him about it later. Spike took the silence as a cue to continue. “By the way, when are we going home?” he whispered, “Not that I don’t like it here, but everyone back in Equestria is gonna worry about us.” Twilight spent a moment to consider this. “Apparently, we came through because of that big machine on this end.” Twilight recalled, “We should be able to go back through the same way.” “Okay.” Spike turned over, apparently satisfied with the answer. Twilight stayed awake, still thinking about her friends back in Equestria. She eventually decided to push such thoughts to the back of her mind, and did her best to get some sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day.