As dusk settled over London, David alighted the carriage he rode on and made his way through the narrow, cobbled streets toward Professor Fitzwilliam's quarters, blending into the city's foggy haze. He had only a faint idea of how he might convince this professor to take a chance on him. Fitzwilliam who is Essex's long-time friend was cautious, and given the increasing whispers surrounding Essex, it was likely he'd be wary of anyone new approaching him with questions.
But David had no other option. He couldn't afford to approach Essex's fortress unprepared, especially if En Sabah Nur was inside. He knocked twice at the professor's door, and after a tense pause, it creaked open to reveal an elderly man with sharp eyes, framed by a storm of white hair. Fitzwilliam's gaze darted from David's face to the cloak he wore, assessing him silently.
"Good evening, Professor Fitzwilliam. I'm David Howlett, I'm here to ask for a favor from you," David said in a low voice, his words chosen carefully. "I wanted to meet your friend Mr. Essex in order to invest in his brilliant research but its been really hard to get an appointment with him nowadays. My sources tells me that you're the go to person in case this happens. I hope you can make the arrangements for this to happen?"
Fitzwilliam's face remained stoic, but David could sense his curiosity and concern. After a moment, the professor stepped back, motioning for him to enter. "Keep your voice down," Fitzwilliam said, ushering David into a cluttered room filled with stacks of books, strange artifacts, and a lab bench covered with vials of dark liquids.
Once inside, David got straight to the point. "Essex has locked himself up in his mansion this past few weeks, it seems he invited someone very important to London. I believe he will be glad to know that someone is willing to invest in his research again. After he's been shunned by the scientific community due to his 'unethical' research, his obsession only grew unhindered."
Fitzwilliam's brow furrowed as he studied David once more. "Wait... Howlett! Are you perchance related to the Howlett who improved the design of the steam engine?" Fitzwilliam asked with a bright gleam in his eyes.
"In fact, I was probably the one you read in that paper. I only got credited for it really, its the engineers I hired that did all the work. Well, money talks. I have more than I will ever need in several lifetimes." David said with an annoying sad look of the rich who didn't know what to do with money.
"Hahaha, you don't have to be so modest. What can engineers even do without guidance. This meeting, I will try my best. How about I bring you over early in the morning and you can discuss this investment with him over breakfast?" The old professor looked enthusiastic about this meeting. Naturally, David couldn't hold back his smile as well.
"That would be lovely," David replied.
Fitzwilliam's face grew elated at David's curt response. "I hope you enjoy the taste of tea." He walked over with a tray, a cup of hot tea, milk, and cookies. "This is all I can offer you, please pardon my inability as a host."
David shook his head. "No its fine. I'm the one who came unannounced anyway. You'll have to forgive me, I travelled from afar to get here. His research intrigues and resonates with me... A world without weakness! Isn't that wonderful?" He repeated Essex's slogan in his research paper with excitement.
The two talked for a long time to talk about David's science projects much to Fitzwilliam's insistence. "I would love to see this new engine. If not for these old bones I'd travel with you to this new city of yours. By the way, you see... It kind of slipped my mind but Nathaniel is holding a lecture tomorrow evening, an event for his colleagues and… shall we say, sympathizers. If you're that interested in his work, you can attend this lecture. I'm sure he'd be delighted to invite his future investor."
David raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Is that so? Then you can expect my presence in this lecture." He took a sip of tea before putting it down on the saucer. "Lovely tea Mr. Fitzwilliam. Its getting late so I'll make myself scarce, I apologize for the disturbance."
"Not at all young David, your presence is much appreciated by this old man. I'll see you out." Fitzwilliam escorted David to the door with a smile.
David gave the professor a courteous nod and stepped out into the cool London evening, slipping back into the fog-laden streets. He was satisfied with his initial exchange, but his mind was already racing ahead. Fitzwilliam was indeed the key, and now he had a way in. All he needed was patience for tomorrow's meeting.
As he moved through the damp streets, his senses remained on high alert. Every shadow seemed to shift, every distant sound caught his attention. He could feel the city's tension as if it were alive—restless, eager, hiding secrets behind darkened windows and locked doors. En Sabah Nur's presence loomed in his mind, a silent and dangerous pulse that seemed to echo through the air.
'Tomorrow, then,' he thought, his lips curling in a smirk. 'Let's see just how far Essex's ambitions reach and if the 'great one' himself is all he's made out to be.'
***
A note from Fitzwilliam arrived in the morning, in the note Fitzwilliam apologized and informed him that his meeting with Essex has been moved to after the lecture so David had the entire time to explore the streets of London himself.
The streets of London are a vibrant yet tumultuous blend of the old and the new, reflecting a city in the midst of rapid transformation. Cobblestones paved the narrow thoroughfares, worn smooth by the incessant passage of horse-drawn carriages, which clattered noisily as they jostled for space. The air was thick with the mingled scents of coal smoke, street food, and the more unsavory odors from the river Thames, which flowed sluggishly nearby. In short, its noisy and dirty.
As David made his way through the bustling streets, he navigated through a sea of people. Merchants shouted their wares from wooden stalls, hawking everything from fresh produce to handcrafted goods.
'No wonder Providence's wares are selling like hotcake, this is just too backward.'
Street urchins darted between the legs of well-dressed gentlemen in top hats and ladies in elaborate gowns, all adorned with the latest fashions. The clamor of voices rose and fell like the tide, punctuated by the distant clang of church bells and the rhythmic sound of the workers' hammers echoing from nearby construction sites. 'You can add smelly to that previous list. Maybe I should organize a tour in the future, so that the people can see what's happening outside Providence.' David is close to gaging when an idea struck him.
Alongside the main thoroughfares, darker alleys led to hidden corners where the scent of brewing ale spilled from taverns, filled with patrons seeking refuge from the chaotic world outside. In these places, the chatter of working-class men and women intertwined with laughter and the clinking of glasses, creating a sense of camaraderie amid the harsh realities of life in the city.
Yet, the streets were not without their shadows. The stark divide between wealth and poverty was evident in the stark contrasts of the neighborhoods. While the affluent frequented fashionable shops and grand ballrooms, the impoverished huddled in makeshift shelters, their faces marked by hardship. The presence of beggars was common, their pleas often lost in the noise of commerce, while the occasional patrolling officer, clad in a dark blue uniform, kept a watchful eye over the throng.
The growing influence of industry was evident in the backdrop of towering smokestacks, belching dark clouds that rose above the skyline, a constant reminder of the changing face of London. The Industrial Revolution was well underway, and with it came a wave of innovation, but also a host of social challenges that loomed over the city like a thick fog.
'It can almost compare to Fort Providence in terms of development, except for the quality of life enjoyed by the people. The standard of living here is almost unthinkable if you lived in Providence long enough.'