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My name is Beta 1...
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I'm standing in the middle of street. There are weird carriages everywhere, and there is noise. A lot of noise. But the weirdest thing were not the carriages, or the noises. It was the feeling of being home. I knew this wasn't 1857. I don't know how, but I just knew.
"Can I help you, miss?" A man in a black uniform looks at me.
"Forgive me, sir. I am looking for-" What? Home? I don't have a home any more. The hub? Boss won't be there... But I have to go somewhere... "I am looking for St. Mary's, in Whitechapel."
"St. Mary's? That church was demolished years ago. There is a park now, though."
"A park? Oh, of course, the park..." No need to rouse suspicion over a church that doesn't exist anymore. But hopefully the hub will still be there. "Can you tell me how to get there?"
"Sure thing, ma'am. Just walk down this road, and then go left. Then take the second right, and you're there."
"Thank you, sir."
I walk to the park and head to the graveside. I walk over to the tallest gravestone, and pick a key out of the back. It takes some work, because from what I can gather it's not been used in at least three years. I look at the key ring. Two sets of keys, something grey and fluffy, and an address label.
314 Black Church LaneThat had to be close, right?
I look down at my dress. Still blue, still full of lace, still incredibly impractical. But because I can't change into my brother's breeches, it'll have to do. I leave the park, and start looking for things I recognise. I do, and it doesn't take long before I am on the front step of 314 Black Church lane. I walk up the steps to the front door, and open 4 locks. The door swings open, and I step inside, holding my breath.
"Anyone 'ere?" My voice sounds weird in the empty hallway. I hear something fall, and then hurried footsteps on the first floor landing.
"Who're you? 'ow did you get in 'ere? And what the 'ell you wearing?" The boy looks as if he hasn't had a proper haircut in years, and he could really use a razor.
"Used a key." I look at him. "Where's Boss?"
"'xcuse me?"
"Where is Boss?" I ask again, a bit annoyed.
"Dunno what you're talking 'bout."
I sigh, and start reciting. "O, call not me to justify the wrong
That thy unkindness lays upon my heart;
Wound me not with thine eye but with thy tongue;
Use power with power and slay me not by art."
"Tell me thou lovest elsewhere, but in my sight,
Dear heart, forbear to glance thine eye aside:
What need'st thou wound with cunning when thy might
Is more than my o'er-press'd defense can bide? Where did you learn that?" The boy looks at me with renewed interest.
"Where is Boss?"
"Who are you, again?"
"My name is Beta 1. And you are?"
"Kappa 3. Boss isn't here." Kappa 3 hurries down the stairs. "But really, what are you wearing?"
I look down at my dress.
"I don't think it's appropriate for you to ask that."
"I don't think you have a say about what's appropriate. Because you're not the Beta 1 that left this morning."
"Let go of me this instant." Kappa 3 had grabbed hold of my arm.
"Make me." He murmurs in a low voice. I have to fight the urge to roll my eyes. Why must I be wearing a corset and hoop skirt? I pull him close to me and knee him in the unmentionables. Or at least I try, because my skirts prevent me from actually reaching the unmentionables.
"All right, all right..." Kappa 3 releases me. "Come on." He turns and starts walking towards what I can only assume is the kitchen. When he realises I'm not following him he turns towards me. "Come on, I won't bite... hard."
He laughs at his own joke and continues down the hall. When we go through the door I realise it's not a kitchen. It's a dressing room.
"You might want to change into something from this century..." Kappa 3 says as he rifles through one of the wardrobes. "Lemme guess. 33 23 34?"
My measurements... He knew my measurements by looking. I didn't even know my measurements!
"I- I guess..." I stammer. Kappa 3 just nods.
"Here. Try this on." He hands me some clothes and looks at me expectantly. I look as expectantly back at him. "Oh, sorry... Most of the girls here don't even care any more if I'm-. Guess you're- Forget it. I'll just go."
"Is there a maid that can help me?" I ask in a very small voice before he can leave the room.
"A- a maid? No. I don't think so... Why? Doesn't it have a zipper on the back?"
"A what?"
"A zipper? You don't know what a zipper is?" Kappa 3 looks at me as if I just sprouted another head or three extra arms.
"I apologize if I have offended you." I say hastily. "I think I'll manage without a maid. Thank you."
Kappa 3 shakes his head, and leaves. As soon as he is gone I start rummage through the drawers, searching for a pair of scissors. The moment I find one it doesn't take long to work my way out of my dress. I'm standing in my shift looking at the clothes Kappa had handed to me. Pantaloons and a shirt that looks way to small.
"Is there a reason I'm dressed like a boy?" I ask Kappa 3 as I step out of the room.
"Is there a reason you're acting weird?" Kappa 3 shoots back at me.
"Can you give me an indication when Boss will be here?"
Kappa 3 starts leading me towards another room. This time it is the kitchen, and Kappa 3 starts rummaging.
"I dunno. Can be a few hours. Why do you want to talk to Boss?" He asks as he sets down a cup of tea in front of me.
"I don't think I have to explain myself to you, Kappa 3. Remember your place."
"Fine... Whatever..."
Kappa 3 retrieves a strange square box from his pocket, and fumbles with it. A few moments later he looks up and smiles at me.
“Boss is coming.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I just texted him that we’ve got a visitor. Boss likes to meet visitors, especially when those visitors claim to be ranked.”
I had no idea what texted was, but I didn't want to inconvenience Kappa 3 by asking him to explain himself.
"When will Boss be-" I start asking before a bell stops me. Kappa grabs the box again and looks at it.
"Now." He grunts as he stands to open the door. I wait in the kitchen with my cup of tea raised to take a sip, when I hear Kappa 3's hushed voice.
"I swear, it aint the same one. It aint the one I gave a bed last night!"
"Be quiet." Another voice replies, and I stop drinking. "I'll figure this out."
I have only a moment's notice before I can put down my cup and stand up straight. And all I can do is stare at the person walking in front of Kappa 3, because when the kitchen door had opened and Boss walked in. The Boss. The same Boss that gave me orders to fix a problem mere 24h ago... That was when I fainted.
Mod
Mod
When I open my eyes I'm laying on a bed. It's soft, but I force myself to get up, which goes slightly uncomfortable because I'm still wearing a corset. I slowly make my way out of the bedroom, and down the hall.
"Oh, good. You're awake."
I turn, and see Kappa 3 standing at the bottom of the stairs looking up at me.
"Boss fancies a chat." He continues. "You're to meet him in the kitchen at once."
"What are you doing here?" Boss doesn't look angry or upset, but something in Boss' voice set me off.
"What is here?"
"Here is 314 Black Church Lane, but you already knew that."
"OK. Let me rephrase that. When is here?"
Boss smiles. "Now that is an excellent question. Because you, dear Beta 1, are from 1857. And the year is, as you might have guessed from the clothes you're wearing no longer 1857. The year is -"
Of course, that was the exact moment the door bell rang, and a horde of people stormed into the kitchen.
"Yo Boss! You're back! So good to see you! I wanted to talk to you, but Delta 1 wouldn't let me." A blond haired boy with his trousers too low nearly bounced of the ceiling when he came into the kitchen Boss.
"Shut up, Delta 3." Another boy smacks the blond haired boy on the back of his head. "Don't you see that Boss has a guest?" His attention snaps to Boss. "Who's this?"
"This is Beta 1." I say with a growl. "Show some respect."
"Beta 1, we'll continue this later. Delta 3, go find your meds because you clearly haven't taken them today. And the rest of you, go do some paperwork or something. Delta 1, my office, unless somebody has something with really priority?"
Nobody talks for a while, and they start to disperse until a small girl raises her hand.
"What is it, Klara?" Boss asks.
"The fulls have crossed into crescent territory." Klara says, lowering her hand.
"They what?" Boss say, and then swears colourfully. He grabs a box out of his pocket and wiggles his thumb on it. Then he puts it to his ear, and starts talking.
"John? Can you meet me at the pub? Fifteen minutes." Boss stops talking. I want to ask so many questions, but before I can Boss start again. "Yeah... The Beggar. Bring Ione. Great. See you."
Boss hangs up.
"So?" Klara asks.
"Klara, I need you back out. Find me a new that is up for a chat."
Klara nods and leaves. Then Boss looks at me. "You're coming with me. And the rest of you," Boss turns to the people standing both in the kitchen and in the hallways, "Kappa 3 can show you rooms to stay. You're not to leave unless I say so. Delta 3, that means you. Beta 1, let's go."
---
"John." The man in front of me extends his hand to me, and I shake it just like I saw Boss do just moments ago.
"Jaz." I say, following Boss' instructions not to mention my real name or rank. Just say Jaz. It can be a diminutive for many names. Boss had said.
"Nice to meet you, Jaz. I'm Ione." The girl smiles at me and shakes my hand. Her hand is noticeable cold.
"So where're you from, Jaz?" John asks.
"Around." I reply, as Boss orders 3 beer and a tea.
"What's wrong, Jamie? You never order me beer." Ione asks. I am confused to whom she is talking until Boss answers.
"Some of your people have crossed into crescent territory."
John swears, but Ione just nods. "I knew it... Maeleachlainn seemed awfully smug the other day. Now we know why. Ho-"
But before she can ask her question our drinks arrive, and she shuts up. I get a cup of hot water and a square filled with what I hope are tea leaves.
"Just put it in." Boss mutters to me when I look at the square. I do, and I look up to see both John and Ione adding something bright scarlet to their beers when the serving maid leaves.
"What did you put in?" I ask. Ione looks at me, with a smile.
"Ashley, I think. Who do you have, John?"
"Carter." John says, smiling aswell.
"It's blood." Boss explains to me. "We can't have them sucking on the help, now can we."
"Blood?" I ask confused. "But, that would mean-"
"That we're vamps?" John laughs aloud. "Yeah, but we're usually called fulls when in public. Helps with the cover up, you know. But Jamie, we'll take care of it. And in the mean time, you can explain how Jaz ended up here. Because the 19th century isn't exactly around."
"What gave it away?" Boss asks.
"Her posture is to straight and therefore I'm assuming she's wearing a corset, she hasn't got a clue what to do with the tea bag, and she hasn't uttered a single word the entire time we sat here except to ask us about our blood. Usually your companions are a bit more chatty than that."
Boss sighs. "I don't know how, but I can guess."
"Who?" Ione asks, the same moment as John says "What?"
"Moon." Boss says. Both Ione and John look like they're going to choke on something.
You updated??? I didn't know!
Soooo good!!!!
Soooo good!!!!
Mod
Mod
Maj wrote: "No you won't :3"
Oh, yes I will!
In fact, you updated! Grrrr, I love and hate you so much XD
BTW, go onto JKS, we need you right now!
Oh, yes I will!
In fact, you updated! Grrrr, I love and hate you so much XD
BTW, go onto JKS, we need you right now!
Mod
What part of "I'm not telling" don't you get? :P
It's dark. Dark is good. It's also raining. Rain is also good, even though I'll get soaked. When it's raining people tend to stay inside. Which mean people won't rat you out to the coppers.
"You're late." Omega 5 says as he opens the door and takes my hat. "Boss is waiting. You really shouldn-" Then he cuts off, remembering his place. He quickly mutters an apology. I'm a Beta, he's an Omega. I'm ranked higher than he is, so he should show me some level of respect. Not as much as he should show Boss, but still...
I walk through the small hallway to the kitchen.
Oh, great I think, as I see Beta 5 and Gamma 1 huddled together. I walk over to them, and mutter. "You really shouldn't huddle this obvious. You know the consequences..."
They disperse as quickly as rats fleeing a sinking ship. Beta 5 mutters a quick thanks, as I make my way over to Boss.
"You're late." Boss grunts when I take a seat.
"You're grumpy."
"Well, it's not sunshine and rainbows in here."
"Why do you need me?" I ask, annoyed.
"Got a problem, ain't we?" Boss says mockingly.
"What kind problem?"
"Moon kind."
"Where?"
"Criple Gate."
"How many?"
"Dead?" Boss asks. I nod. "3, that we know off..."
"Great..." I mutter. "What does Scotland Yard say?"
"Nothing, which bothers me."
"I'll find something. Can I go?"
Boss nods, and I take my leave. I grab some bread out of the cupboard, and head towards to front door.
"How's the weather?" I ask, when Omega 5 notices me and gives me my hat back.
"Same, sir."
"Good."
I step outside, and keep my head down. My coat is still wet, so I walk quickly. I know I should've taken the rooftops, but I'm wearing the good clothes... A small voice disturbs my thoughts.
"Spare a coin, sir?"
I look at the boy, and raise my eyebrow. He cringes.
"I think you 'ave the wrong person."
"I'm sorry, sir. Ain't ment anything with it, sir." The boy scatters, and I continue walking towards Criple Gate.
"I started wondering were I put my good coat. And then I noticed a pair of pantaloons were also missing." The voice makes me stop, groan, and turn.
"Hello, brother."
"Hello, sister." Thomas says. "You shouldn't be here. It's not proper for a lady to be out on her own, let alone in breeches."
"Oh, well." I laugh. "You know me. I hate those corsets. And I can't climb in hoop skirts...."
"You shouldn't be here." Thomas says again, a bit more strict. "You must go home, sister. You shouldn't be here."
"Let me be. I've got work to do." I start to turn, but Thomas grabs my hand.
"I know you've got work to do, but not tonight and not tomorrow night either." When I glare at him he exhales. "It's your débutante ball, something you're required to attend."
Shite. I had totally forgotten about my social agenda. Tomorrow is my 16th birthday, and I am supposed to attend a débutante ball held in my honor, with the main purpose of finding a suitor. Finding a husband... I don't want a husband. Or at least not yet, because the moment I say "I do." I lose my job at the organisation. I'll lose my status as Beta 1. I lose everything.
"Go home, Thomas." I mutter. "I've got a job to do."
"Yes." Thomas agrees. "Your job is to be pretty and available. Now, dear sister, you are neither, if I dare say."
"Look, if you want a chat with the Devil 'imself you're welcome to join me." I hiss at him. "But if you're not... I'm safer without you, and we're drawing in an audience."
Thomas turns around and sees some of the street-rats hunch back in the alleyway. I signal one to come closer.
"You know who I am?" I ask him. He nods gingerly. "Good. You know where to go then. Tell 'im I'm can't work tonight. Don't even think 'bout asking coin."
He hurries away to Boss' house. I look at Thomas again.
"Let's go."
--
I wince as my corset gets laced even tighter. This is ridiculous. I'm supposed to solve a problem for Boss, but here I am playing dress-up. I will be wearing a cobalt blue dress tonight, and it has lace everywhere. My hair has been curled for the occasion, and styled in a way that makes me feel like a poodle. Oh, well... Anything for the show. My mother has lent me one of her chokers, black with sapphires. It's really ugly.
I walk down the main stairs, and everyone is looking at me. My brother is waiting for me as I reach the bottom step. I take his arm, and he leads me towards the ballroom. I'm required to dance with him first. Well, it's supposed to be Father, but he's in Scotland so Thomas is the man of the house. Lucky me.
We dance a waltz, and a lot of people join in. It's weird, spending my night in society. I usually spend my nights in Whitechapel, doing something for Boss or helping another Beta with one issue or another. I look at the crowd, the men who are not dancing and the chaperones who're making sure the ladies stay proper. I gasp. Thomas looks at me, asking silent questions. I smile at him. No need to worry him. When the waltz is over, I thank Thomas for the dance, and head towards my mother. A voice stops me in my tracks.
"You're supposed to be working on a case." The roughness of his voice shocks me. Is he insane? Approaching me in public.
"What are you doing here?" I hiss through a smile. I know people will be staring, so I have to keep up the pretends.
"What are you doing here?" He smiles back.
"It's my party, didn't you know? As of today I'm eligible."
"You're not eligible. You don't belong here."
"And you do?" I walk away, and head to the gardens. I know I'm supposed to dance with every eligible man tonight, but after him I'm going to need some time alone. Or as alone as a young lady can be nowadays.
"Are you feeling well, miss?" I look up. A little girl is looking up at me. "You don't look so good. You've gone white as a ghost."
"I have?" My hand touches my cheeks. "I suppose I have."
"Come, a walk would do you good." I don't know why, but I follow the girl. She can't be older than 12, but here she is walking with me.
"Who are you?" I ask, but the girl just laughs and grabs my hand
"Come."
"Where are we going?"
Another laugh. She leads me to a maze. "Come on, let's play!"
"I really shouldn't-" I start saying, but the girl won't let me leave.
"Come." She says again, a little bit sturdier. She leads me to the middle of the maze. It looks like a fire is burning there, only it is too white to be a fire. Too bright.
"What's that?"
A smile, but no answer.
"Who are you?" I ask again.
Again no answer, but she grabs my hand inching closer to the light. I try to pull back but the girl is strong, too strong for a 12 year old. I am close to the light now. Too close. I can feel the winds pulling at me, and I try to brace myself but the girl lets me go and gives me a push into the light. Before I know what's happening I am falling. Or flying, whichever makes me feel better about this. I'm not falling long, and the landing is soft, like I stepped through the light. But the joy of the soft landing doesn't stay long, because when I look around I realise I am no longer in the London I know. And the date is no longer June 13, 1857.