--because there's just not enough Ruse fanfic! Fandom: Ruse/to be revealed. Of course, I own nothing. 'Added Dimensions' Prologue by Kitty Wisdom () The flash of light stung her eyes a moment, but Emma was soon back on her feet, chasing after her partner. "Simon! Simon, wait!" "Pardon?" The man in front of her asked, stopping short. She nearly ran into him, a tall, gaunt figure. Emma noticed that, not only was she following someone who was not Simon, she was no longer in the city streets of Partington, but in the forest somewhere. "You're not--" "No, madam, indeed I am not. It appears that we both have the wrong man, or in my case, the wrong woman. I don't suppose you know anything of the gentleman who was following me earlier?" "I'm afraid not. And you do not know anything of the gentleman I was following?" "Simon? Not a clue, madam." "But you could help me, couldn't you? After all, you know him, so--" "I'm afraid that I do not." "But you-- You at least know _of_ him..." "Haven't the faintest." He raised his eyebrows loftily and started to turn away. "But you--" "All I know is that the man's name is Simon, and that you have some attatchment to the fellow." "Well, I'd hardly call it an attatchment. He's my-- partner." "And the two of you are in a profession of no small danger, I take it. I can't see another reason for a well-dressed lady of a respectable class to be out at night with a man she is not in love with. So there is danger involved!" "I suppose there is." She sighed, with a minute shrug. "There always tends to be with Simon." "I will help you. Seeing as how this is _not_ where I was a minute ago, I have undoubtedly lost what _I_ was looking for. So I shall help you locate yours, and then I shall find my way home, and start over again in my business." He nodded precisely. "Now. Where did you last see this Simon fellow?" ***** "Keep up, Emma!" "Emma?" "I dare say!" Simon Archard stopped short, and another man bumped into him in the dark. "Whatever has happened to the girl?" "Girl? What? I'm afraid I have no idea what you're-- Oh!" "What?" Simon asked the stranger impatiently. The man was well-dressed enough, a head shorter than himself, and of sturdy build. He had a neatly trimmed mustache, and despite the lump in his coat pocket which Simon knew to be a small revolver, the man seemed to be a nice sort of person with no business running through the streets of Partington at night packing a revolver. Except that he was no longer in the street, he was in the woods, and he had no idea how he could have come there. The last thing he remembered before the sudden change of scenery was a blinding white flash... "Sorry to have disturbed you, sir... I thought I was following someone else. Somewhere else." "Perhaps you were." Simon mused. "I was most certainly being followed by someone else, and I know I wasn't here..." "Who? If you don't mind my asking, of course... Emma, did you say?" "Yes, yes. Blonde woman, fits the standard definitions of beauty, rather mouthy thing." "Haven't seen anyone around here except you, but I'll help you find her. I'm sure you must be somewhat distressed, misplacing your-- er, what is she to you?" "Hm? My assistant, she's my assistant. I don't love the girl, no." "I hadn't meant to imply that--" "But it's what you thought." Simon said testily. "Well, I suppose the first thing we should do is mark where we are. We will want to be able to find this place, and while I have excellent directional sense, I would hate for you to get lost and die of exposure should we be split apart somehow." "Well, I--" The man sputtered. "Not to insult you." Simon clarified. "I only meant, it's a dangerous business, neither of us having the slightest idea where we are, how we got here, and where we can find civilisation. Besides, we know nothing of what nights are like in this region, and about how many gargoyles are present." "Gargoyles?" "Yes, gargoyles. They're everywhere, after all, and rather unpleasant." "I don't suppose you're delirious... Perhaps you've been feverish?" "Doctor, if you wish to take my temperature, you shall find that I am not feverish. However, if you do not know what I mean by gargoyles, than perhaps I should be taking yours." Archard snapped. One thing, both men knew for certain. It would be an interesting journey, wherever it took them.