Chains of Silver Lace: A Pandora Hearts Fanfiction

Chapter Five: Dawn

Chapter Five: Dawn

A Few Decades Ago...

Sharon Rainsworth was seated at a table, sipping tea as she read one of her beloved novels. As the heavy wooden door creaked open, a man in a Pandora uniform bowed to her.

"Miss Sharon, you have a guest. Our newest member of Pandora, Lady Anne Graylace, is here to see you," He explained. Sharon set her book down and stood up, nodding to him. He held the door open as a woman with long black hair and kind blue eyes walked into the room. Her natural movements were so fluid it was as if she was gliding, not walking. Her uniform had the Graylace crest stitched onto the left arm. The woman, Anne, bowed as the man shut the door and left. She walked over to Sharon with a bright smile and suddenly, the two were laughing with their arms around each other.

"Anne! Wonderful to see you!"

"Hello Sharon! I brought you a new novel. It's one of those ones you are so fond of," She teased, handing Sharon the book when the hug ended.

"Thank you so much!" Sharon exclaimed, looking at it excitedly. Then a knock echoed through the room. Glancing at the window, Sharon sighed. Anne's eyes went wide. A man with white hair covering on eye was knocking on the wind and waving. His visible eye was red. He had a smile on his face that looked almost dangerous. Sharon opened the window for him and he crawled in, sprawling across the table and swinging his legs in the air as he popped small candies into his mouth. Anne laughed.

"Anne, this is my dear friend Xerxes Break. Break, this is Anne Graylace. Her family has long been a friend to the Rainsworth household and she recently became a member of Pandora," Sharon introduced them cheerfully.

Anne smiled at Break, watching as he sat up and stared at her, "A pleasure to meet you, Xerxes Break."

He waved a hand nonchalantly, "Break is fine. Graylace... the mysterious aristocratic family that produced Cecil Graylace, yes?"

She nodded, "Yes. I've been told he was quite well known thanks to his father's memoirs having been published as well as his personal actions..."

Sharon and Break nodded as Sharon invited Anne to sit at the table with her. Anne obliged.

"So, Miss Graylace, why did you come to Pandora?" Break questioned, unsure about the power he felt emanating from this woman.

"Aside from wanting to learn more about Abyss and deal with illegal contracts, my chain suggested it to me," She confessed, watching as Sharon furrowed her brows.

"Your chain suggested it?" She confirmed, a bit confused. Anne smiled.

"The Graylace family has always held a contract with a chain, Fate, who enjoys spending time in a human form. I want to learn more about Abyss and study it but Fate also insisted I look into Pandora," She explained. Break looked interested.

"And why do you want to learn about Abyss?" He asked, ignoring the fact Fate had appeared behind Anne. She seemed to know he was out as she turned to look at the chain with a sigh  before answering.

"Cecil Graylace was my father. I was at Sablier with him the day that he died. What about the both of you? I'm sure there is some reason you came here... if it is not impolite of me to ask," Anne said softly, ignoring Break as he started crunching on the candies again.

Fate leaned against the chair she was seated in, placing his hat on her head with a smile, "Please do share with her. Sharon Rainsworth. Xerxes Break. I know all about you both. Granted, Anne made it clear that unless the information is required, I am not to tell her anything about someone that isn't already common knowledge. A shame, really, that she's so polite. We could have some much fun together," He teased. Break narrowed his gaze slightly, still eating candies.

Sharon and Break did share their reasons with Anne to a certain degree, although it was clear they were intrigued and confused by her connection to Sablier. They didn't push for information, however, as Fate's cruel smile suggested that was a foolish idea.

At first, as Anne worked with Pandora, she spent most of her time with Sharon. Many questioned why someone like Anne, whose family historically had no connection to Pandora, would join as she had. Some tried to befriend her for political reasons, some were rude and mistrustful. Anne, however, didn't seem bothered. She either spent time with Sharon or alone with her chain. Eventually, she began to spend time with Sharon and Break, but rarely found herself alone with Xerxes. The few times she did, the conversations were pleasant yet brief. Fate made more and more appearances, walking down the halls next to her and greeting people like old friends. His behavior when he had met Sharon and Break gradually changed. He would sit and drink tea with them, laugh at their jokes, and even crack some himself. It wasn't until she had been a part of Pandora for two years that Fate truly began to act like himself.

Two years and one month into her relationship with Pandora, she was walking down the hall when someone in a rush bumped into Break. The papers he had been holding scattered, falling to the ground. As she helped him gather them back up, she quietly asked, "Break, what is your favorite snack?"

He answered, giving her his usual smile before thanking her and going on his way. The next time she ate with Break and Sharon, she brought his snack to share. That evening, Fate lingered with Sharon after Anne had left.

"Miss Sharon, do you sense what I sense?"

"I believe so," She stated, placing a hand over her heart. "You know our destinies, don't you? May I know how this plays out?" She asked.

Fate shook his head with a sly smile, "I can't tell you, that wouldn't be any fun. Just be aware, Miss Sharon, I'm always watching... I'll tell you if anything interesting happens."

The two laughed, Fate smiling as he bowed to her and left the room. He playful smile turned into a sadistic grin as he walked back to Anne's room, holding back maniacal laughter.

"And interesting it certainly will be..."