Wherein An Austrian Becomes Slightly Confused
"Edelstein."
"Zwingli," Roderich responded calmly. He could have simply pretended not to hear the other and enter Elizaveta's, but that would be rude. And Vash was rather more likely to respond just by repeating his name louder. Vash would have known he was ignoring him. Roderich decided being pleasant about this was the best way around this.
Plus it bothered Vash a lot more than being rude did.
"Have you seen Alfred?" Vash cut to the chase. Which was nothing new. Roderich tugged at his coat sleeve.
"I must say I have not, is there a problem?" Oh, the question was innocent enough. Roderich knew Vash would not be asking him as such if there was not a problem. Vash knew Roderich knew this. Vash hated it when Roderich spoke the obvious, even though the man loved having absolute facts given to him. Just not facts he already knew.
"Nothing so trivial as to say." To you. Roderich frowned.
"Then I hope you can find him before its lack of triviality destroys something."
Vash gave him a curt nod and walked off. Roderich headed inside. It was early enough, he was hoping that Elizaveta was not busy.
She was the most gorgeous woman he had ever met in his life. Absolutely a divine being from above. He could not ask for a better conversationalist, for a more wonderful time spent than with her. Certainly he had made friends in this strange town, but she...
Oh, what he would give to be able to set up a small dinner just for the two of them and ask her if he could stay.
There was no one downstairs. Not even Erin, but as Roderich did not recall seeing the strange man this morning he assumed he was still passed out from the previous day. "Elizaveta?" he called, moving to look into the back. As there was no response Roderich headed for the stairs. Maybe she was out...?
Then he saw her, peering into one of the guest rooms, door opened just a crack. "I... I don't know whether I am fascinated or horrified," she said quietly, to herself. Roderich peeked over her shoulder to see what was causing the sounds he–
Oh my–
"I would hope horrified, my dear!" Roderich backed away. Elizaveta shut the door, turning around with her back against it almost instantly.
"It's not what it looks like!" she gasped, then swallowing. Roderich wanted to ask what it was supposed to look like, but the flush on her cheeks gave it away.
Roderich was not certain what he thought of that.
"Those two would sooner beat each up as look at each other! I thought that... well," Elizaveta turned her head back towards the door, as if she could see through the wood. Roderich agreed with that. Ivan and Alfred... well...
"It is none of our business," Roderich cleared his throat, trying either to process what Elizaveta said at first more or forget completely about it. "Especially... well... excuse me."
"No, wait! Roderich!" Elizaveta called after him, but Roderich ascended the stairs quickly to his room.
He was not going to ask why she was even considering fascination. He was not going to ask. It disturbed him greatly. He was not going to ask.
Oh my God.
And so he played the piano. No better way to vent out emotions than that. He heard Elizaveta's footsteps stop outside the door.
Increasing his volume to forte, she did not come in. Roderich was instantly regretful she did not.
