The problem with Facsimile was that it gave me a face, not a life.
For one hour, I could walk around House Vellmore looking like Felix. I could wear his uniform, use his badge, and pass through places where an unfamiliar face would attract attention. But the moment someone asked me a question that required knowledge of his daily routine, I was gambling. I could imitate his appearance, but I couldn’t imitate his memories, his voice, or the little habits that made him recognisable to the people around him.
So far, I had managed to make it work. I kept my conversations short, avoided anyone who knew Felix particularly well, and made sure the real man was somewhere he wouldn’t be found while I wore his face. It was an inconvenient arrangement, but it had allowed me to enter the estate and learn more than I could have from the street.
It was also becoming increasingly clear that an hour wasn’t enough.
I had already spent most of today’s allowance moving between the buildings and observing the guards. I needed more time, preferably time that didn’t come with a countdown hanging over my head. Getting hired was the obvious solution. A guard could move through the estate without having to invent an excuse every time he entered a new building, and he wouldn’t have to leave just because an hour had passed.
The difficulty was getting someone to hire me.
I was crossing the courtyard when I heard two men speaking near the guardhouse. I slowed without stopping, keeping my attention on the path ahead.
"Then find someone," one of them said. "We’re short another man, and I don’t intend to keep rearranging the shifts to cover it."
"I’ve already asked around."
"Ask again. I need someone reliable."
I continued walking, but their conversation stayed with me. An opening. Not a particularly large one, but an opening all the same.
The man giving the instructions was someone I’d seen several times during my visits. He appeared to oversee the guards stationed around the estate, or at least had enough authority to organise their duties. I didn’t know his name yet, but I knew he was the sort of person I needed to speak to.
I waited until the other guard had left before approaching him.
"Sir?"
He glanced up from the papers in his hands. "What is it, Felix?"
I gave him the brief nod I’d seen the real Felix use before. "I heard you’re looking for another guard."
His expression shifted slightly. "You heard correctly. Why?"
"I have a cousin looking for work. He’s been trying to find something steady, and I thought he might be suitable."
The man studied me for a moment. I kept my expression neutral, resisting the urge to fill the silence. The fewer details I volunteered, the fewer opportunities I gave him to ask questions I couldn’t answer.
"Your cousin?" he repeated.
"Yes, sir."
"Does he have experience?"
"Some." I paused, then added, "He’s willing to learn, and he can follow instructions."
That was hardly an impressive recommendation, but I wasn’t about to invent a decorated military career for myself. I needed a position, not a promotion.
The man tapped the edge of his papers against the desk. "Can he report here tomorrow?"
"If you’ll allow it, I can bring him today."
"Today?"
"He’s nearby."
He considered that before giving a short nod. "Fine. Bring him to me. I’ll speak with him and decide whether he’s worth keeping."
"Thank you, sir."
"And Felix?"
I stopped.
"Don’t recommend someone who’ll give me trouble. I have enough of that already."
"I understand."
He returned to his papers, apparently satisfied with the conversation. I walked away at an ordinary pace, though I could already feel the plan taking shape in my head.
It was almost embarrassingly simple.
I had spent days trying to find a way into House Vellmore, and the solution might be to ask for a job.
Of course, getting the position was only the first part. I still had to make sure the real Felix didn’t ruin it.
I couldn’t simply walk out of the estate and return as myself. The guards at the entrance would notice that Felix had left alone and that an unfamiliar man was now asking to see the same supervisor. I needed to make the transition look natural.
Fortunately, I had already prepared for that possibility.
The real Felix was still unconscious in the secluded room where I’d left him. I’d made certain he was breathing and had placed him somewhere he wouldn’t be discovered by someone passing through the area. I didn’t particularly enjoy knocking people out, but I had no intention of letting him wander around while I was wearing his face. One unexpected encounter would be enough to expose the entire arrangement.
I checked the time. I still had a little of my hour left.
The supervisor was occupied when I returned to the guardhouse. I approached the entrance and caught the attention of one of the men stationed nearby.
"Is the captain still inside?"
The guard glanced at me. "Why?"
"He asked me to bring someone in. My cousin."
The man looked past me towards the courtyard. "Then go get him."
"That’s the plan."
I stepped away from the guardhouse and made my way towards the quieter side of the estate. Once I was certain nobody was watching, I opened the System and selected Facsimile.
The familiar sensation passed over my body. My shoulders narrowed, my jaw changed, and the face I’d been wearing disappeared. A moment later, I was looking at myself again.
I took a breath and straightened my clothes.
There was something strangely satisfying about seeing my own face after spending so much time borrowing someone else’s. I adjusted my collar, checked that nothing was out of place, and walked back towards the entrance.
The guard looked up as I approached.
"You’re the cousin?"
"That’s right. Joseph."
He glanced towards the guardhouse. "Felix said you were coming."
"He did."
"Wait here."
He disappeared inside, returning a moment later with the man I’d spoken to earlier.
"This him?" the supervisor asked.
"Yes, sir," the guard replied.
The supervisor looked me over. His eyes moved from my face to my clothes, then settled on my hands.
"Joseph, is it?"
"Yes, sir."
"Felix tells me you’re looking for work."
"I am."
"Have you served as a guard before?"
"Not in a house like this."
"That’s not what I asked."
I met his gaze. "I’ve done security work before, but I’m not going to pretend I know how everything operates here. I’ll learn your procedures and follow them."
He seemed to consider that answer. I had expected more questions, perhaps about where I’d worked or who could vouch for me, but he didn’t immediately press the matter.
"Can you use a sword?"
"Well enough to be useful."
"That’s another answer that tells me very little."
"I’d be happy to demonstrate."
For the first time, the man looked mildly amused.
"At least you have some confidence."
He turned and gestured for me to follow. We entered the guardhouse, where a narrow table had been pushed against one wall. A few papers lay scattered across it, alongside a ledger and several pieces of equipment. He pulled out a chair and sat down.
"House Vellmore doesn’t need someone who thinks wearing a uniform makes him important. You’ll follow orders, keep to your assigned duties, and report anything unusual. If you cause trouble, you’ll be dismissed. If you steal, you’ll be dealt with accordingly. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good. We’ll see how you manage."
He asked me a few more questions about my previous work and where I was staying. I kept my answers straightforward, giving him enough information to satisfy his curiosity without building an elaborate history that would eventually become difficult to maintain. He wasn’t particularly interested in my life outside the estate. What mattered to him was whether I could stand watch and follow instructions.
Eventually, he closed the ledger.
"I’ll have you start with the next available shift. You’ll be assigned alongside one of the senior guards until you’ve learned the routine. Don’t wander around the manor, and don’t enter any rooms you’re not authorised to enter."
"I understand."
"Report here tomorrow morning. Someone will show you where you’re expected to be."
I nodded. "Thank you for the opportunity."
He waved a hand, already looking towards the papers on his desk. "Don’t thank me yet. You haven’t done anything."
I stepped outside, keeping my expression composed until I was clear of the guardhouse.
I had a position.
It wasn’t an impressive one, and it certainly didn’t give me unrestricted access to the estate, but it was considerably better than standing outside the gates or spending an hour pretending to be someone else. I would have a reason to be there every day, a uniform of my own, and an opportunity to learn the routines of the household without constantly worrying about Facsimile running out.
More importantly, I had managed to get inside without drawing attention to myself.
Now I only needed to make sure Felix didn’t accidentally expose me.
I returned to the place where I’d left him and checked that he was still unconscious. He hadn’t moved. After making certain he was breathing normally, I left him where he was and made my way out of the estate.
Tomorrow, I would return as Joseph.
For the first time since I started investigating House Vellmore, I wouldn’t have to pretend to be someone else just to get through the front gate.