The grail of clockwork and death

Chapter II

With tired, heavy eyes -emphasized by the dark bags underneath- Dakoda stares vacantly out of the large window to her right at the few natural hills which she was lucky enough to have inherited with her property. Absentmindedly, she pushes her food around her plate with her fork, letting out a hollow sigh she turns away from the scenery out the window and faces the excessively large dining table.

"Menachem, would you please bring me the morning paper?" She requests with a soft-spoken and empty voice.

"Affirmative, Lady Cipher, Shall you be wanting more tea also?" The Mechanical maid enquirers. Looking down to the plate of eggs benedict in front of her Dakoda frowns. She pushes the plate away and shakes her head

"No, I haven't the appetite at the moment," She utters softly with a yawn. Menachem curtly nods then turning sharply she exits the room. Moments later the automaton maid returns with the morning news paper, placing it down onto the table in front of Dakoda, she picks up the plate of barely eaten eggs and Once again leaves Dakoda alone in the mildly warm room. staring down at the paper in front of her, Dakoda attempts to focus of the words which had currently all blurred together as her mind processes what she had been doing. With a groan she lays her head down on her arms as she is perched at the mahogany table.

"perhaps, I must sleep a little longer tonight," she yawns, sitting up she pulls a pair of spectacles out of the breast pocket of her chocolate brown bodice, sliding the thin metal frames onto her face she once again looks down at the paper in front of her. With a huff she rolls her eyes and then removes the frail spectacles, placing them down on the tabletop next to her she picks up the paper and stares at it.

With a determined hum she observes the headline."Body found!" intrigued and slightly fearful of what this possibly could mean Dakoda reads on, 'at exactly eight last night the the body of a so far unidentified man was found in the back alley of Herringford st, the victim was strung up from one of the over head steam pipes and it is suspected that they had intended on killing them self.' She reads. Placing the paper back down on the table she stares vacantly down at it.

"Menachem, ready the carriage. We are going to the Damarcus estate," She instructs, hearing no reply Dakoda turns in her seat to look behind her, biting her lip and pressing her nails into her skin she lets out and exaggerated groan as she realizes the maid had not yet returned from taking her plate back to the kitchen, in a fit of panic Dakoda pushes the paper of the table and in a rather un-ladylike fashion abruptly stands, the heavy wooden chair being pushed slightly by her as she stumbles away from it. she begins to pace the room her breaths becoming more frequent and irregular. Tears prick at her eyes as her gaze frantically scours the room around her. she backs into the very corner of the large room, caught in between a large vase of decorative flowers and an antique grandfather clock she presses her back to the red wallpapered wall and slides down it. her skirts bunching around her as she brings her legs up to her chest hugging them to her, she scrunches her eyes shut as her breathing starts to become difficult.

Dakoda hears the door of the dining room open and voices rush towards her, but they all sound as though they were talking to her while she was submerged in water, her whole body is shaking as she hyperventilates in the corner, making herself as small as possible. she feels a hand gently grab her shoulder and pull her into warmth.

"Shh, Its OK. everything is going to be alright, my dear," One of the voices tells her. Dakoda allows the hot tears to fall freely from her puffy, bloodshot, ivory green eyes as she slowly opens them. The world around her a blur from the cascading tears she hiccups as she locks her gaze onto the figure crouched next to her. With another small hiccup and sob the person timidly reaches out to lay a hand on Dakodas cheek, they use their thumb to carefully wipe the tears from her eyes.

"V...Virgil? you're... your not dead?" she sobs quietly

"No, my dear, I am very much alive, you know my estate no-where near the same direction as Herringford street," Virgil states calmly as he pulls her into his embrace moving the hand which he had placed on Dakodas cheek, moving it to her hair as he hugs her.

"I promise you, my dear, that I would never be as cruel as to prematurely cause my own death," Virgil whispers into her ear. Dakodas breathing begins to even out as she calms down, she leans into Virgil's warmth

"Do not make a promise of which you can not keep, my dear," Dakoda sniffles pushing herself away from Virgil. She uses the palm of her hand to wipe away the remnants of her tears.

"Whatever do you mean by that, my dear?” Virgil queries, narrowing her eyes and standing up Dakoda huffs.

“What I mean, Virgil is that you can not promise me something like that! One does not control their death unless it is by one's own hand! How can you promise me that you will not die? For all I had known reading that article It could have very well been you!” she hisses at him, her heels clicking against the wooden floor every now and then as she paces in circles around the room. She runs her slender hands through her hair, the once immaculately pinned strands catching on her nails and pulling free and causing a disarrayed birds nest of hair.

“Lady Cipher, Perhaps you should take a seat and calm down,” Menachem offers pulling a chair out for Dakoda to sit in, spinning on her heel Dakoda glares at her mechanical maid

“I AM CALM!” She snarls slamming her foot down. The sound of paper crumpling soon follows, her gaze snapping down to the newspaper under her foot she sighs.

“What would you expect of me? Had it have been you strung up by the neck, or laying in a puddle of your blood?” she asks Virgil quietly, her hand carefully patting her chest where her locket would be, she bends down and picks up the paper throwing it down on the table.

“I would expect you to move on with your life, you are a smart, independent woman. Though many others will not like that, my dear, I believe that it is to your benefit, if on the odd chance I am to die I want you to continue on as you are, running your business and caring for your servants” Virgil says, glancing at Menachem as he sits down in the chair which the maid had pulled out for Dakoda.

“I’m afraid, my dear, that I could not do that, I have thought through situations quite like this many a time. No matter what I try to convince myself or others around me. I think we both know what the true outcome would be were it to come down to it,” Dakoda sighs, she walks over to the large window once again looking out over the hills. A large cloud of smog rolls over the estate causing the atmosphere to darken slightly for a moment, as the cloud passes so does the brief bout of darkness.

“I know that you would never do that, Dakoda, I have faith in you. It is time you got some faith in yourself,” Virgil says.

“You know full well that I have not had faith in anything since their death, I lost faith in humanity, in Scotland Yard and in myself that day and I must say I’m afraid that I do not don't see it returning to me at any time in the future, Virgil,” Dakoda mutters with a soft undertone of annoyance in her voice, shaking his head in what seemed to be disappointment Virgil give Dakoda a kind and reassuring smile.

“You will come around someday, my dear, I’m sure of it, it may be difficult at times but I know that you are a strong woman, there is nothing in this world which you will not be able to do one you put your mind to it, within the limitations of society of course,” Virgil declares, with an eye roll and half smile Dakoda moves away from the window and begins to pace the room once again.

“If I were strong-minded I Would not be this apprehensive all the time. I would not have such a racing mind. Tell me, Virgil, If I am so strong-minded then why are my thoughts so broken?” she rants while pacing around. She pauses in front of the window and uses the reflection on the glass panes to fix up her hair and pin the disheveled strands back into place.

“Unfortunately, my dear, I can not answer that, but I can tell you that In my eyes it makes you stronger, Any other person in this city would most probably be sent off to the institute had they the misfortune to be placed in a situation like this which you are in,” Virgil utters with a calm voice.

“I was Put into the blasted Institute, Virgil, and it is a fate I would not even wish upon my worst enemies, those dreadful doctors are of no help to anyone,” Dakoda sneers with emphasising the fact with an undertone of spite. With a soft click the door to the dining hall opens, timidly with her head down and shoulders tense the young maid Audrey shuffles in twisting her hands nervously in front of her and dragging her feet slightly.

“Audrey, You bring news?” Dakoda queries with a mild interest. tilting her head slightly to the right,

“ the man, the one tha' 'ey found dead,” the young maid mutters shyly her thick accent dropping slightly as her voice wavers. Rolling his eyes Virgil spins around in the seat to ace the girl only a few years younger than him.

“Yes what about the poor beggar, Spit it out child!” he harshly demands, glaring at him a Dakoda lightly smacks Virgil over the head.

“Don’t be so rude you numpty t**t, Audrey, what is it that you wish to inform me?” Dakoda enquiries with a small nod to indicate that the young girl may continue talking.

“The man tha' they found, He was Earl Daron Humphrey, from down near where you live Lord damarcus,” Audrey says now almost fully dropping her false accent.

“Lord Humphrey? But… What on earth was he doing in a back alley on Herringford street? And what would ever push a bloke like himself to end his life like this? It just does not make sense,” Dakoda murmurs returning to her pacing, her eyebrows furrowing and knitting together in thought and confusion.

“Lord Humphrey, was he not one of the few people close with your father, my dear?” Virgil utters, once again halting in her pacing Dakoda gives Virgil a hesitant look,

“Yes, Lord Humphrey did work with my father, I would call it a friendship had my father not been so opposed to having such deterrences and let downs as friendships.” she quietly agrees. She looks down and bites the inside of her lip ever so slightly.

“You don’t think... Could this… possibly mean that he knew something? about mothers and fathers death? Do you think perhaps... he knew what really happened?” Dakoda whispers her breathing picking up in pace as her thoughts run wild.

“Now slow down, Dakoda, do not overthink this, I am sure there is a reasonable explanation for it all, Just calm down, sit down and take a moment to relax and forget about this conundrum, I'm sure they will put more information about it into the news paper if they deem it necessary,” Virgil assures her. glancing around the room Dakoda lets out a sigh and complies with Virgil's wishes pulling out the seat next to him and slumping down into it.

“How long has it been? Seven? Eight years? Since that dreadful night? It feels like history is repeating itself but I haven't a clue why? This was a suicide, and by hanging! they… mother and father were murdered in cold blood, stabbed,” Dakoda sighs laying her head down on the table top using her arms as a pillow.

“I know It must be difficult, my dear, and I know I could never begin to comprehend how horrible it must be, but you must Try to move on, I am not saying forget what happened because that will solve nothing. but move on from the pain and grief, before it swallows you alive” Virgil quips with a soft-spoken voice, standing up he holds a hand out for her

“I fear to tell you that it already has, my dear, but you are correct, the past is in the past and if I am to continue living in the grief of the tragedy then I shall never again be happy,” Dakoda utters taking Virgil’s hand and standing up.

“Shall we go for a walk around the estate, my dear, it might calm your nerves?” Virgil suggests. With a small sigh and a timid nod, Dakoda turns to address the two maids,

“Audrey, Menachem, I expect the manor to be spotless by the time I return and have Ezekiel start on preparing plans for my Birthday luncheon, I suppose we shall be hosting a party this year,” she instructs the servants, muttering the last part more to herself than anyone else in the room, Virgil grins at her as the start to walk to the door

“You will celebrate this year?” he asks her with the tone of an excited child, Dakoda glances at him from out the corner of her eye and then rolls her eyes at the antics of her childish betrothed.

“Only because of your ranting on about my well being and the fact that I need to stop moping in the past have finally gotten to me,” she huffs with a smirk of humor.

______

Once Dakoda had donned her walking attire -an emerald green bustle skirt and bodice with a dark leather corset highlighted with a brown silk sun hat decorated by brass buckles and dark leather boots.- and She had collected her walking cane and parasol, the two left the confinements and comfort of Dakoda’s manor to walk the serene trail in the woods at the back of the estate. The autumn leaves crunching under the boots of Virgil and Dakoda as the smell of the recently trimmed grass graces the two.

“You are ever so lucky to have inherited this land, my dear, I would dare to say it is quite likely the most beautiful spot of land in the entire city,” Virgil hums as he peacefully walks by Dakoda’s side, his arm intertwined with hers as she nods in agreement,

“Yes, and Thankfully, we seem to be the only people in this god forsaken town who think that the natural beauty of this world far more aesthetically admirable than anything that man could ever make,” Dakoda sighs contently

They walk side by side through the woods until they come across a small creek, with a fond laugh Dakoda breaks away from virgil and runs to the small gentle stream of water, the crystal clean water framed on either side with vivid forest green shrubbery, wildflowers and an assortment of ferns and mosses, the stunning beauty of the small water causes the young couple to smile at each other,

“My, it has been an age since we walked this path, I had almost completely forgotten about how utterly gorgeous and peaceful it was out hear, It reminds me of our childhood. Before Mother and Father were killed, before everything crumpled and the innocence of youth was stolen from me,” Dakoda murmurs sadly gazing into the water, Virgil places a hand under her chin and gently moves her head to face his,

“One day, my love, I promise that we will be happy,” he whispers looking deeply into her eyes with full admiration. He pulls a small royal purple velvet box from his coats pocket and grins impishly,

“I know it is both very much late and very much unnecessary, my love, but I did finally buy you the perfect ring, if you would do me the honor of accepting?” Virgil says opening the box. Inside on a quaint little bed of satin is nestled a delicate looking gold ring, decorated with a decent sized emerald intricately crafted to be shaped like a rose and on either side two onyx stones embedded in small brass clockwork gears.

“Oh my goodness, Virgil, It’s beautiful!” Dakoda says inspecting the ring. With a proud grin, Virgil picks the ring up out of the box and takes Dakoda’s hand in his, sliding the ring onto her slender finger as she smiles at him.

“I love it,” she whispers bringing her hand up to observe how the gemstones shine in the small beams of sun miraculously shining through the canopy of the trees and the smog which was almost constantly above London.

Walking a little further they follow the stream to a small opening in the woods, a single willow tree hangs over a small pond which connects to the creak, in the water a few wild ducks sit quietly, some mechanical and live fish swim peacefully and a small lotus flower blooms surrounded by a few lily pads. Underneath the willow was an old oak bench which although had been ignored and forgotten for years was in decent condition with only a few vine-like plants growing up the metal legs and along the back of the seat.

“It is exactly how I remember it, As though it were straight out of one of the fairytale books mother use to read to me,” Dakoda hums closing her eyes and taking in the serenity as she sits at the bench Virgil by her side.

Her thumb brushing over the ring as she leans into Virgil,

“Thank heaven no rumours have spread of how often you are here, my dear,” Dakoda chuckles as a brief ray of sunlight spreads over the small woodland opening.

With a content sigh Dakoda kicks her boots off and removes her stockings stands, lifting her skirts to prevent them from getting wet, she walks over to the pond and carefully dipping her toes in she laughs with a slight shiver,

“Cold?” Virgil chuckles joining her, she nods.

“Yes, just a little, but it is also very refreshing,” she says walking further into the water so that it reaches just above her ankles, a few of the small golden fish swim around her feet gently brushing against her skin every now and then.

“Oh how I missed this, I don’t think I had even realized just how much I had missed this,” she laughs splashing the water slightly towards Virgil, the fish scatter at the sudden motion and Dakoda giggles with a childish tone.

“I shall have to have Menachem and Audrey clean up the place, perhaps I should hire a gardener, have an Aviary built around and have exotic birds imported in,” She jokes exiting the water and brushing her skirts back down to cover her feet.

“I do think that It would be beneficial to you to do so, my dear, even now you must be at least twice as happy as usual, perhaps if you were to bring in more wildlife and clean the area up a bit you might even become more confident with yourself,” Virgil smiles. Looking over her shoulder at him Dakoda smirks.

“Trust you to bring up the dreadful state of my mind at a time like this, while I am not thinking of it, What do you expect for me to do now that you have reminded me of what had previously been taking up my thoughts?” she sarcastically scoffs.

“Ah, my mistake, I must ask you do not bring that topic up now, We would not want to ruin the moment,” Virgil sighs. Dakoda smirks as she sits back down on the bench, pulling her skirts up slightly to access her feet and put her stockings and boots back on.

“Blasted skirts always getting in the way,” She mutters, causing Virgil to kneel down and assist her

“I must admit, I am rather curious about the situation, why would Lord Humphrey force the pain of his death upon his family,” Dakoda utters as Virgil tightens the laces of her boots. She pauses as he ties them and then once again stands to brush her skirts down.

“It just does not make sense,”she says looking to Virgil who raises an eyebrow at her

“Or… it does not make sense in my mind at least. I will admit to not being an active member of this little… community… but I knew well enough that he was not Unhappy with his life, or with anything, he was rather cheerful about everything actually, so why do what has been done?” she continues. With a slow nod Virgil's brows knit together.

“When you explain it like that, my dear, It is rather strange, perhaps… perhaps he merely hid his true feelings behind a facade of cheer and joy?” Virgil suggests

“I suppose that would make a little sense, but we are only human surely if that were so he would have slipped up at least once, shown his true colours to the public eye just one, by accident, I mean…. Heaven knows what I am like, Everyone knows that I am off my rockers,” Dakoda declares with dramatic hand gestures as she reverts to her quickly forming habit of pacing.

Virgil rolls his eyes and takes her hand in his causing her to come to a stand still.

“We have been out for a long while now, perhaps it is time to return to the manor and have a small luncheon,” Virgil proposes offering Dakoda a small smile.

“Shortly, but first I must get this off my mind or I shall never be content,” Dakoda says, ignoring the small groan of irritants she slips her hand out of his and returns to her pacing.

“They say he hung himself, But never is there an explanation of how he would have tied the rope, nor of what he would have stood on before… jumping,” she says tapping her index fingers knuckle against her lip in thought. “The pipes are far to high up for him to have been able to just throw the rope over them, and a rope strong enough to hold a man of his size up would have to be rather thick, it would be heavy and thick, unless a cable was used in replacement, cable would not need to be as thick but would still be heavy… he would need a crate or a surface of some form to use as a ladder or step stool to get up to the pipe, tie the rope and then put the noose around his neck.” Dakoda rants frantically waving her hands around in wild gestures as she mimics tying a noose on one of the thick willow branches which hung low near the wooden bench.

“Should I be concerned at how detailed your explanations of noose tying are, my dear, am I in need of calling Doctor Gregson again?” Virgil asks her with concern and interest.

“You would not dare, that man is Incompetent to the fullest and he has no clue what he is saying, so long as it is cause to gain him a profit he does not care for anyone,” Dakoda scoffs,

“You do have quite a valid point though, Dakoda, perhaps they forgot to mention it, or did not think it important to write of in the paper, we can not for sure know if there truly was not a valid means of Lord Humphrey tying the noose and I suppose knowing the yard we may never know,” Virgil says lending a hand to assist Dakoda down off of the bench which she was still stood on.

With a scoff and irritated growl, she brushes off her hands and straightens her bodice and corset.

“That is because those men at Scotland yard are Just as incompetent and obtuse as the Doctors at that blasted instituted. None of them knows what they are saying, talk through holes in their head. Patronizing my claims just because I am a woman, utter nonsense,” she grumbles picking up her parasol and cane from off the ground next to the bench.

“Come along, now that it is on my mind I am getting a little peckish, a good luncheon will surely make up for that which I did not eat at breakfast time.” Dakoda assets as she begins to walk away from the pond, the smog blocking any sun which had given it the fairy tail glow causing it to look just as dull as if the two had walked though in the afternoon rather than morning.