[FL] Learning the Rules (MPC, SFW, Genfic)

[wallwalker]

Title: Learning the Rules
Fandom: Fallen London
Rating: T (no explicit or violent content)
Length: 200 words
Summary: Some of the customs of the Neath work to a player's advantage.
Notes: This is from the point of view of my current main OC, Lt. Markov. He's becoming quite a player of the Great Game, almost against his will. I'm still trying to get used to his voice and to research enough about his nationality and time period to make sense of writing about him.
Originally written for fan_flashworks.

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The Neath has its own customs. You have grown used to them.

People pass by without looking up; it’s not so different from the surface, except that they seem to be avoiding more than just the gaze of others. It’s the sight of the sky, you think... or rather the sight of where the sky should be. It’s comforting to you, to have something between you and the void; you would look at the sky above and feel like you would fall into it, up and up until you could not even see the ground. But most of them don’t agree. They’d rather believe that the sky might still be there, if only they looked up at just the right time.

It is just as well. If people do not look up, they miss the messages passed there. Spies and shadows use the superstitious customs to their advantage, and so do you.

You’ve learned the most basic rules of the Game quickly. But every step reminds you to be more careful. You have allies in deeper places, but even they won’t be able to save you if you cross the wrong player. Not all customs here work to your advantage.