Putting Out the Fire With Kerosene: Chapter One
Hans Landa / Inglourious Basterds
One wrong move can cut you down,
one slip of the tongue can cost you your life,
and really all you do is simply add fuel to the fire.
Part One:
Hans looked down at the musky floorboards, an indifferent expression on his face. He handed an officer his Lugar pistol, kneeling down. It remineded him of Shosanna, seeing holes in the floor boards. Death was always surrounding him, he didn't mind much anymore. Finally he stood up, there was dead silence in the room.
"Well our work here is done gentlemen." He said to the soldiers standing idly at the door. Hans smiled at the owner of the small house, "Auf Weidersehen herr Lafever." He said beaming, the dimples in his smile pressed deeper.
He placed his cap on his head walking out without another word to the man; his men followed, looking much like a group of ducks walking in a neat orderly row behind their colonel.
"Herr Oberst!" (Colonel!) Called out one of the soldiers straggling behind holding a girl roughly by the arm.
"Das Mädchen war versteckt in der Büschen, Standartenführer."-this girl was hiding in the bushes Colonel- He said, ramming his elbow into the girl's side to stop her from squirming.
"Lass mich Gehen du bastard!"-Let me go you bastard!- She snarled, jerking her arm from his grip. Her fist hit the soldier square in the jaw, giving her ample time to escape. The girl took three steps forward; only to trip on her own footing landing in the dirt infront of Hans.
"Bonjour mademoiselle," he said, a rather mocking cheeriness to his voice.
"Standartenführer! Was tun sie will zu tun mit die Mädchen?" -Colonel, What do you want to do with the girl?- Asked one of the soldiers rubbing his swelling jaw, his eyes burning with deep disgust at the girl.
The colonel waved off the question, instead moving down to her level, looking her dead in the eyes.
"Was its dein Namen Fräulein?" -What is your name miss- he asked his voice a little lower than before.
"Catherine Herr Oberst." She replied, biting heavily and hard on her bottom lip. Her reply came out mostly as a mumble.
"Danke, Komm mit Mir schatz." -Thank You, Come with me dear- He took her quivering hand, pulling her on to her feet.
Catherine was shaking like a leaf in winter as her hand laid in the colonel's. she knew who he was, how could she not? The infamous 'Jew Hunter' of France. The master, inescapable detective. No one ever seemed to pass under his nose, or at least live long enough to tell about it.
"Es ist so kalt aus heir!" -its so cold out here- she muttered, reluctantly beginning to walk with Hans. The simple remark on the wether was all she could do to keep her mind occupied. She dared not try to escape. The look in the colonel's eyes made her think twice about running. Because under that sweet, benevolent smile was a hawk ready to strike at a moments notice. She would be dead before she could begin to pray, or even scream.
Hans chuckled lowly at her comment, his gray eyes flashing with a hint of amusement, maybe even pity. He pushed her by her shoulders in front of him, Catherine did not protest. He pulled a pair of handcuffs from his coat, latching her wrists together.
The pair walked to the car, Hans behind Catherine, his hand placed firmly on the chain on her wrists.
"Spiel nicht mit mir mädchen" -Don't play with me now girl- he said playfully, opening the door to the car.
Catherine said nothing, but the informal address bit at her. Only moments ago he referred to her as a woman, now he was back to calling her a child. This man's humor was odd to her to say the least.
"Nachtdem Sie mein liebeling." -After you my darling-
She couldn't say anything, what does one say to something like that. Oh this man was one to tease. Catherine slid into the car, feeling cool leather settle under her thighs. The smell was that distinctly of the colonel; this must have been his personal vehicle. Hans waved off to the lingering soldiers, and they walked off to their bikes. He smiled, getting in the car, sitting next to Catherine.
"Bist du jüdische fräulein?" -are you Jewish?- he asked, a grin pressed hard on his face.
Catherine's eyes shot open, she could hardly gain her composure to answer.
"Nein! Nein, Herr Oberst! Ich bin Katholische!" -No! No colonel! I'm catholic!- she could hardly get enough air in her lungs to expel her answer as quick as she wanted to. Her heart was pounding so hard now that it felt as if it would burst any moment now.
Hans simply laughed, enjoying his little joke. He had a line of dark humor ever now and then.
"Tut mir leid, Ich necken rau." -I'm sorry, I tease rough- He said at the end of his laugh. The look on Catherine's face only served to make him laugh even more.
He managed to collect himself, moving his focus back to the task at hand. He pulled at the handcuffs, making Catherine jerk forward with a low grunt. She looked up, glaring at him for a moment, his grip was firm and tight, she couldn't move in the slightest. Catherine's mess of black hair began to fall in her face as she lingered in her bent position, partially over the Colonel's lap.
Hans pushed some of her hair aside, his grey eyes boring deep into her dark brown. Catherine recoiled from his touch, her dark eyes filled with a deep glare.
"Ich versprechen nicht verletzt du"-I promise not to hurt you- He assured her, though his attempt was only done half heartedly. Catherine's hard stare softened, but only slightly.
"Wo bist du bringen mich Herr Oberst?" -Where are you taking me Colonel?- her voice broke with uncertainty.
"Du wirst sehen." -You'll see- He said, his eyes flashing; his lips curled still into an amused, secretive smile.
(Ok I was playing around and practicing with Hans's characterization, I think I got him down alright. Not sure though :( And if my German sounds awkward I'm sorry, I DID NOT use a translator and my German is not that good. So if you see any mistakes it would be nice if you could let me know! anyway here is chapter one Its just a short drabble story, I thought I'd have fun writing Hans for a bit!)