Chapter 1
Natalia wandered the woods, angry that she hadn't been able to find any way out. Ivan must be worried sick.. she thought, grumbling to herself. In reality Ivan was at home, sleeping, glad she was gone. It was then she noticed the old mansion coming into view as she walked. Finally, help, at least. The woman approached the long drive, only to see it unused and abandon. But it was getting dark, there was no way she would ever find home, at least not in the dark.
So, gathering up her motivation, she began walking up the drive, reaching the door and pushing it right open, feeling a chill go up her spine at how loudly it creaked. "Damn.. pull it together Natalie." she hissed to herself, looking around the grand entryway, the marble stairway now faded and covered with cobwebs and dust, the floor cracked and the chandelier ready to fall. "Only one night." she assured herself, starting up the stairs, pushing open the door to a ballroom, high ceilings, and despite how dark, elegant. It wasn't that detail though, that made her freeze, it was the newly polished floor, the vase of red roses and the candles lit dimly, something was odd about this. Maybe the mansion wasn't as abandon as she would have thought.
Suddenly she heard footsteps behind her, turning to see a young man, just about her height, blonde hair, blue eyes and pale, pale skin. His complexion was almost so pale, she didn't notice his glasses until she looked closer. The man was frowning, but it didn't change that at a time, he would have looked rather handsome, the man dressed in the grey silk tailcoat, a red rose peeking out of the breast pocket. "Hello.." he murmured timidly, his voice rich and warm. "W-w-wh.." Natalia stuttered, not meaning to. "Who am I? You can call me Alfred.. sorry for sneaking up on you, I'm just so glad to have visitors.." he explained, holding out a hand. "Want to dance?" he asked, Natalia instantly prepared to run.
Before she could escape, she caved in and took his hand, though she didn't know why, he was some creeper living in a dirty, abandon mansion. Just the thought grossed her out. "What's your name?" Alfred asked, the two beginning a gentle waltz, without music, and even without, it seemed slightly entrancing. This was when Natalia realized this was probably a dream, yes, most certainly a dream. She would never do this in real life! "Natalia." she whispered back, shivering a little. His hands were so cold, whatever she felt of him was absolutely freezing, as cold as death. "Natalia.." he murmured, saying the name, he liked it, it had a nice ring to it. "That's a pretty name." he commented, smiling. On and on they danced, time ticking away quickly, all the while they talked, and while Natalia didn't mind dancing with Alfred, who seemed gentle and kind, she had a World Meeting in the morning. "I take it you were lost getting here? Would you like my help?" Alfred asked, gesturing to the door of the ballroom. Natalia hesitated, unsure of going out into the night, but Alfred insisted, holding her hand to comfort her when they left the safety of the mansion.
Hours passed, and Natalia began to wonder if they'd ever find civilization. "It's been so long since I was outside.. Don't let go of my hand, okay?" Alfred asked, smiling back at her assuringly. "I-I mean.. I wouldn't want you to get lost, ah, here it is!" he said, pulling her to the entrance of a sleepy little town. This was one Natalia recognized, and from here she could easily get to the meeting after renting a room at the nearby inn to freshen up. "Thank you Alfred.." she said, letting go of his hand to turn around and look at him, but he had suddenly vanished, he had only been there a minute ago. Natalia shook the thought off, and walked into the town, being greeted by some of the people that knew her. After this she made no hesitation going to the inn and renting the first room she could, figuring a warm shower would make her feel better. Turns out she was wrong, she still couldn't shake off that memory of Alfred, what if he wasn't real? What if she was hallucinating? No. Those were 'what ifs', they didn't exist, Alfred must have just been very fast in leaving.. No. Natalia put that thought aside, smoothing down the skirt of her purple dress, putting her silk bow in her hair before calling Ivan to get her notes and bring them to the meeting. Not long after, the exhausted Belorussian hitched a ride with someone going in a relatively similar direction as she.
Meanwhile, Alfred was cursing at himself when he was finally slung back to the house. "I can't believe I let her let go that easy!" he hissed, kicking the railing of the staircase. He sighed, making his way to the ballroom, now dirty once more, windows broken, candles burned out from centuries ago, and right in the middle there was a large stain of dried blood. Alfred snapped his fingers, and instantly the room was back how it was when Natalia was here. He could do whatever he wanted with the room, but he preferred the classic style it had the day it was clean, furnished and just eminated pure class. After all, it was the room he had died in.
{Ooooh.. Alfie died? Wowzers.}
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