A/N: Me and my fellow fanfic lover Mary (helkauiel) wrote this. It's exciting. The movie version people.
A knock sounded at the door of the Van Tassel household.
"Krista, will you get that?" called Mr. Van Tassel, breaking his in-depth conversation with the Magistrate.
"Yes, sir!" she called in return, putting down the tray of drinks she was carrying.
"Excuse me." She apologized as she nearly collided with a guest. She hurriedly crossed the room to the front door, smoothing her now-mussed blonde curls as she went along. She checked her face in the parlor mirror for a split second, and then threw open the door.
"I'm very sorry, sir, I did not mean to keep you –" She stopped in mid-sentence.
It was a man that she had never seen before, which was a rarity in Sleepy Hollow, where she saw the same faces at the same time every day. He was average height (a good deal taller than her short stature of 5'2"), with piercing black eyes and tousled hair of the same striking shade. His complexion was pallid, making him appear somewhat ghostly. He was dressed well in a tailored black suit, and he was holding a large black leather suitcase in one hand.
She thought he was the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on.
"– Waiting." She finished, regaining her composure, "Are you here for Master Van Tassel's party?"
"I'm afraid I am here on other matters." He said in a soft voice, "Can you lead me in the direction of your master?"
"Of course. Please come inside." She opened the door wider to let him step into the house, "Can I take your coat for you?"
She reached forward, but he held up a hand, "It's fine, miss…"
"Krista." She filled in.
"Krista." He repeated, and gave her a smile. Her heart fluttered slightly.
"Oh!" she suddenly remembered her purpose, "Please follow me."
She navigated through the crowded parlor until she reached the corner of the room, where her master's daughter, Katrina, was playing a game with some of the men of the village. Katrina, blind-folded, stood in the center of the circle of men. She turned herself round and round, until she stopped and grabbed the newcomer's face.
Katrina's face screwed up in thought, "Theodore?"
"No, I am a stranger." The man replied.
"Well, take this as a welcome gesture to Sleepy Hollow then." Katrina kissed the man on the cheek, and took off her blind-fold.
A look passed between the two of their faces, causing Krista's heart to sink far into her chest. Her thoughts were interrupted by Brom, a man who admired Katrina, pushing forward through the gaggle of men. He had long brown hair and eyes of an amber brown; he was tanned and muscular; many girls in the village wished to give him their heart, but his was firmly set on Katrina Van Tassel.
"And what's your name, stranger?" he demanded.
"I have not yet said it." The man replied curtly.
"You have a lot of nerve." Brom said tensely, stepping closer to the man.
Master Van Tassel then entered, his wife in tow, "Brom, this is no way to treat a guest." He turned to the newcomer, "I am Baltus Van Tassel. And who, exactly, are you?"
"Constable Ichabod Crane of New York City." The man replied, showing Baltus a signed document, "I am here to investigate the recent murders in this town."
The entire room fell silent, expectantly waiting for Baltus's answer.
"Ah, I see." Baltus said, taking the document from Ichabod, "Well, shall we go into my study to discuss this matter more in detail?"
Ichabod nodded, and followed Baltus to the back of the house. The guests went back to their chattering as if the incident never occurred. Krista noticed the Magistrate, town doctor, notary, and Reverend all follow her master into the same room.
"You shouldn't be instigating these fights, Brom." Katrina scolded him, annoyed, "Why give this man a terrible first impression?"
"I'm sorry." Brom mumbled, "Won't happen again, Katrina."
Krista rolled her eyes. It was quite obvious that he didn't mean it, but he was saying it to appease Katrina's wrath.
Someone tapped her shoulder, and she swiveled around to find a society woman standing behind her, clothed in a dress of crimson. She had chestnut-brown locks tied up in a loose bun, and eyes of the deepest blue.
"May I have a drink?" she asked.
"Of course, ma'am." Krista replied, curtsying quickly and running over to where she had left her tray. She handed the woman a glass of wine.
"Thank you." The woman swigged it. The two stood there in silence for a moment, and finally the woman said, sipping her drink, "I saw you sizing up the stranger when he walked in. He doesn't seem your type, Krista."
"He seems like he is a good man, Margot." Krista said crossly to her friend of more than half her seventeen years of life, "He is here to put an end to the madness going on in this place. I hope he catches that dreadful killer."
"More like, you hope he catches you in the process." Margot said, handing her the empty glass, "Give me another."
Margot and Krista had basically grown up together. When the Van Tassels had come into money 16 years ago, Margot had been forced into being acquaintances with Katrina in hope of her family gaining some money in return for the friendship. Krista was taken in by the Van Tassels 8 years later, after her parents passed away. She met Margot and the two had forged a bond, but one they had to keep private. In those days, maids and society did not mix.
"Margot, what's the matter with you?" Krista was concerned, "You're not a drinker."
"Well, I may as well be now. Maybe if I get drunk enough, I can go dance on the dining room table in just my petticoats. But he still wouldn't notice." She said sourly.
Margot was one of those girls infatuated with Brom.
"I daresay, I think he would notice that." Krista said, stifling a laugh.
"Alright, I exaggerate." The brunette admitted, "But, you do not deny that you are interested in the stranger." Her words began to slur together.
"Sadly, yes." Krista said, blue (almost nearly grey) eyes despondent, "But Katrina has already sunk her manicured claws into him with just that quick kiss."
"Oh, come now. If he doesn't notice you, he obviously doesn't know what he's missing." Margot said as she furtively grabbed another glass of wine from the tray.
"I know, I know." Krista said, "But he is a man from the city, and I'm a nobody with nothing to her name."
"He seems above that ridiculous stereotype. Talk with him; get him to notice you." Margot advised, beginning to feel somewhat light-headed from the liquor.
Krista frowned at her friend, "You are drunk. Completely drunk."
"No I am not." Margot protested, swaying where she stood. She nearly fell over when she stepped forward.
"This party is over for you, miss." Krista said, slipping back into her maid way of speaking, "Let me find you an escort."
"Fine." Margot folded her arms across her chest, sulking.
Krista searched the room for an able-bodied man who wouldn't take advantage of Margot's vulnerable state. She finally chose Brom. Brom and Margot became friends because of their mutual friendship with Katrina. Margot eventually fell head-over-heels for him.
"Mr. Van Brunt?" Krista called.
He turned to face her, "Yes?"
"I'm afraid Miss Van Dienn has had perhaps one too many drinks, and I'm worried that she may have a difficult time getting back home." Krista explained.
"I see. Well, I will be more than happy to escort Miss Van Dienn back to her residence. Thank you, Krista." He said, giving her a little bow. Brom was one of the very few people who knew about Margot and Krista's friendship.
Krista smiled to herself as she saw him offer Margot his arm. Margot took it, looking positively delighted. She locked eyes with Krista, and gave her a wave of farewell. Krista nodded, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. The pair left the house.
Krista made her way through the crowd to the back of the house, where the men still were. As she reached the door, it opened, revealing Baltus and a very shaken-looking Ichabod.
"It appears as if you're a mind-reader, Krista." Baltus said, "Can you take Constable Crane to the spare room upstairs? He will be staying there until he finds it necessary to leave Sleepy Hollow."
"Yes, sir." She said, "Come with me, Mr. Crane."
"Yes, th-thank you." He stumbled over his words.
As the two ascended the staircase, Krista asked quietly, "Mr. Crane, are you alright? You look as if you've seen a ghost."
"Funny you should mention ghosts." He said with a slight shudder, "How much do you know of the Headless Horseman?"
"I've heard of him." Krista said thoughtfully, "The tale seems a bit far-fetched to me, but with all the recent evidence, I've begun to believe more and more…"
At her pause, she glanced over at him. He was staring at her intently, making her feel uncomfortable. She blushed immediately, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have spoken my mind like that. It was not my place."
"No, you should always speak your mind. Nothing would ever get done if people kept things to themselves." He said, "I was just waiting for you to say more. I value your opinion."
"You…do?" Krista asked. She was surprised and flattered. Being a maid, no one ever really had an intimate conversation with her, with the exception of Margot.
"Of course. You seem like an intelligent young woman, Krista." He said.
"Oh, I am not at all intelligent. I am limited to the books my master keeps in the house." She said, trying to be modest, "I am quite lucky he allows me to read and write. Most servants aren't allowed to have such luxury."
"So, Mr. Van Tassel is good to you, then?"
"Oh yes, very!" Krista nodded vehemently, "He took me in when I had no one. When my parents left this world, I –" She stopped, realizing what was tumbling out of her mouth, "I…fear I am babbling. I don't know what has come over me. I am never this talkative. Forgive me."
"There's nothing for you to be sorry for. I can relate. My parents died when I was young. Well, I never knew my father well. He…wasn't around much. I had my mother, mostly. I still think about her from time to time." Ichabod looked down at his hands for a moment.
When she glanced down curiously, he clenched his fist so that she couldn't see, "I apologize if I seem too forward, as well. I am socially inept sometimes."
"Oh, not at all, Mr. Crane. You do not strike me that way." She saw the spare room door a few feet away, "Here is your room."
She opened the door and let him go inside before entering herself, "I hope it is to your liking. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must be getting back to the party. The guests will be needing their drinks." She then turned to go.
She felt a strong hand grab her arm, and looked at him over her shoulder, "Is there something else you require?"
"Well…I…" He opened his mouth to say something, but shook his head, "Never mind. I would just like to thank you for your kindness. Will I see you soon?"
"Yes, at breakfast. I live here, actually. My room is further down the hall. If you ever require anything at any time, please don't hesitate to find me. It's my job to serve you, Mr. Crane." She said, and curtsied, "Have a pleasant night."
"And a good night to you." He bowed.
Krista left the room, and closed the door behind her. She slumped to the floor, resisting the urge to bang her head repeatedly into the hard oak. Why was she so talkative? He probably thought she was strange! Why did she tell him about her parents? He probably thought she was trying to get pity out of him! And why the hell did she tell him where her room was?! He probably thought she was a common whore!