Title: In the Pale Moonlight

Rating: T

Characters: Alfred F. Jones, Ivan Braginski, Elizabeth Adams (OC)

Pairings: None

Warnings: Espionage, Language


In the Pale Moonlight: Prologue – Chance or a Move Based on a Glance


Faith Healing was utter bullshit in the opinion of one Ivan Braginski. Many things were bullshit in his opinion, coincidence being one of them. He would never know what brought him into that store, the one he passed so many times because it was next to a faith healing place. He ambled past as a woman opened the door, unleashing the scent of freshly mowed grass and the fragrance of the selection of flowers it contained and stopped dead in his tracks. He heard the soft music in the background and the tinkle of the many music boxes and other knickknacks it contained. He could smell the batch of brownies just taken out of the oven, the chocolate overwhelming his senses. He gazed in the window, having lost that smell and saw the owner of the store conversing with the woman. He wondered if that American man smelled like his store.

He must have stood in the window for some time because his gaze met curious blue eyes. That did it for him. He moved and instead of walking away like his mind said he should, he entered the small shop and was greeted by a warm smile. "Hello! May I help you?"

The woman was seated with a book, so the man's attention was all his. He wasn't sure if he liked that. "Nyet, I'm just looking around."

"Alright, but if you need me, I'll be in the café section."

Ivan nodded and began to wander. He examined the collection of flowers ranging from his favorite, sunflowers to a single curious black rose that was for display only. He moved on but was stopped by one music box. It was curiously painted with a little girl holding a candle looking into a room filled with various trucks and toys scattered neatly around an evergreen tree. He opened it.

Beside this window I will wait, for inside this night, I know it's not too late

He left it going and continued walking the shop.

"Have you seen today's list of the dead?" the woman asked.

"Yes, my brother was on it," the owner replied.

He stopped as a silence fell in which the music could be heard. It was some jazzed up, improvised version of a piece from The Nutcracker with electric guitars. He moved up to the café section. He was peered at curiously from under blonde locks and through a pair of glasses. "Can I help you now?"

"Da," Ivan said quickly. "I think I need some food."

"Oh! Do you want real food or something sugary?"

"Ah."

"If you want real food we have Arthur's Choice, named for my brother. It is a slice of quiche, today's is Cheeseburger, and a salad. It comes with Earl Grey tea and a scone. If not, we have Matthew's Special, today is discounted in his honor. It is a pile of pancakes with maple syrup and hot chocolate."

Ivan glanced at one of the many whiteboards in the place. It read "Matthew Williams July 1st, 2091 to December 18th, 2111."

"I am so sorry for your loss." He said comfortingly.

He received a sad smile. "Mats would have wanted his family to carry on. I said I would. We also have Alfred's Combo which is a warm fudge brownie with a peanut butter and chocolate shake."

"This Alfred must be a sweet lover."

"That would be me. I'm Alfred Cook. She's my sister, Elizabeth Cook."

Elizabeth looked bored.

"Ah, then I will try your combo."

Alfred beamed. "If you'll take a seat and I wouldn't recommend sitting by Elizabeth, she's a grouch, I'll bring them right out to you."

Ivan sat down and watched Alfred run into the kitchen and come out with a steaming hot brownie. He sat it down on the counter and set to finding a blender, ice cream, peanut butter and chocolate syrup. The three were blended with milk and poured into a cup. "Excuse me?"

"Da?"

"Would you like whipped cream on top?"

"Nyet but thank you."

A lid and a straw were situated with the cup and Ivan was brought his order. "How much?"

"It's on the house today. Everything is at the café for today only."

"You miss your brother that much, da?"

"Yes, I…"

"I understand. I have two siblings of my own. I would grieve if anything happened to Katyusha or Natalya."

"Thank you."

He ate in silence. His snack was surprisingly good. With a smile at Alfred, he said his 'thank you's and 'goodbye's and left.

"You idiot," Elizabeth said as soon as Ivan was gone. "You gave away too much personal information. We're supposed to be John and Abigail Cook."

"Stop sounding like Arthur. I know you like him and all but there's no reason to act like him."

He picked up the business card Ivan had left. Ivan Braginski was all it read.

"Wait. That was Ivan Braginski."

"The leader of the group opposed to being involved in the current war?"

"Yes and my brother's girlfriend's brother."


Every title of each chapter are taken from Trans-Siberian Orchestra songs. This one was from Sparks. Music Box Blues and Nutrocker were also included.