The characters from the game belong to Capcom. The OC's and story background belong to me.
Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
A/N: I'm not English native speaker, so you might find some typos or grammar mistakes, I do apologize for that.
Letter to you: Angelina
As Katerina headed to the house, Chris looked at Angelina and walked over her. He couldn't help the urge to stay next to her. It was a strong impulse that he didn't feel like stopping it.
"You'll be next" he commented
"Yeah…I wonder why he made me the last one…"
"Probably he has something more important to tell you"
"Is there more important things when I feel I almost live here?" she spoke jokingly
"Are you that close to him?"
"Yeah! He's like the grandfather I never had"
"Yeah…he's a very wise man"
"He is, and funny. That's the reason I come here often to visit him. I like his energy and I will certainly miss him a lot!"
"Yeah, he's unique"
"He is!"
They remained in silence, standing side by side admiring the landscape.
"How long will you stay in Bohma?" she broke the silence
"Until Kate leaves the house…"
"I see…" she looked away with a sigh
"Why?"
She looked back at him, "For nothing…I was just asking because I thought you would enjoy the local festivities of the season…it's really fun!"
"I did notice the vibe of the town, but I didn't know it was because of a festivity… Will you participate?"
"Unfortunately not. I came last year, but I won't be able this time…"
"Why not?"
"Because I don't like staying away from Olivia for a long time, she's still little and I don't like passing my responsibility to watch my daughter to my mother despite liking it…but I don't like feeling I'm neglecting her…"
"Ah, I see…I'm sure you're a good mother and I don't think taking some time for you means you're neglecting her…"
"Yeah, I know…but I can't help missing my baby when we're distant…"
He smiled, "Mother's thing…"
She grinned, "Probably…and you, don't think about having children at all?"
He made a thoughtful face, "Never thought of that…maybe someday…"
"You're good with children, I saw it last year, do you remember?"
"Yeah…"
"You'd be a good father"
He made a face, "but my sister kind of disagrees…" he said jokingly
"Oh she does? Why?"
"She says I'm bossy and scary…she says I used to scare away her boyfriends…" he shrugged
Angelina laughed, "You do have a serious face, but you're a soldier…and a captain! You have to be an authority somehow…yet; I have a strong feeling that you'd be a good father."
He laughed, "Yeah, but that's not what she meant…back in the days I wasn't a captain…but I don't know…my life is so full and I barely have time for myself or to even date…so I don't see it fitting my current life, unless I retire…"
"I see and you're right…you have to be a present father and not just physically speaking, but if you don't feel ready, it's better not to have it"
"Yeah! Maybe one day I'll get married and have children…who knows…for now, I don't think about that"
She grinned, "Just be careful with accidents…Olivia is the best accident I ever had!"
"Yeah, I'm careful…but…if that happens…I'll have to adapt my routine…one thing for sure is that I don't want to be an absent father…I know that feeling…when my parents died…"
"I'm sorry to hear that… and I'm sorry if I brought some bad things up…"
"Don't worry. I'm fine"
The pair looked at the lake for some time. Chris contemplated the idea of keeping in touch with the redhead, but he wasn't sure if he could ask her that, yet, he'd only know if he took the risk.
"Angie…"
She looked at him
"May I ask you something?" he said disguising his distress
"Sure"
"Is there a problem if we keep talking after we part our ways?...as friends… I mean…if there won't cause any trouble between you and your boyfriend…"
She couldn't help the smile, she had considered that possibility too, but she immediately remembered of the brunette, "No problem at all Chris…George is not a jealousy man that would forbid me to have male friends…but I'm glad you had the same thought I did, but I wasn't sure if that could be possible because of…your girlfriend"
He frowned, "What girlfriend?"
She made a face, "Kate?" she asked hesitant
He let out a gasp, "Oh, no…no…" he continued shaking his head, "She's not my girlfriend…Kate is my secretary…at work…a friend…no girlfriend…"
Angelina made a face,"Ah…I see…there are friends that live together…" she commented immediately regretting she had spoken it loud
He cleared his throat, "Yeah…but…" he was interrupted
"I'm sorry…I didn't mean to listen to their conversation…" she said looking briefly at Piers who was sitting on the bench and playing with his cellphone, "But I'm not deaf and I heard when they mentioned she had moved in with you… and then I thought she was your girlfriend because of your proximity…"
"Oh no…no moving in… it's temporary…the reason why I homed her was because she's going through a hard phase and she had anyone else to help her, and she's not in conditions to bank a place for her own and she's waiting her best friend to return from a trip so she can stay with her…"
That was a long explanation he had given her. A long explanation to someone he barely knew. A long explanation from an unconscious feeling of being transparent to the redhead girl that once upon a time he did owe a long explanation to his connection with the brunette one.
They weren't aware of it now…but the lake time vortex was…very aware – very present.
Katerina left the house with an evident crying face, but as her usual – and also her old persona –, she disguised it and forced a composure she didn't really have.
"You okay?" Piers asked in concern
"Yeah, I'm fine!" she forced a large smile, "Should we get going or…" she looked at Angelina, "We us wait for her?"
Angelina shook her head in denial, "No, you guys can go ahead. When I leave here I'll go straight to my home as you know…" she said looking at Chris
"Yeah, I know…and we also have to get back to our hotel in Edonia…"
"Alright…so we say our goodbyes here and wish you to have a safe trip back to Edonia and to your home too…" Angelina said friendly
"Thanks and you too!" Piers said
"You're welcome!" the redhead nodded with a smile
"Good bye Angie…It was nice seeing you again" Chris said stepping closer to her and gave her a friendly hug, and whispered in her ear, "We talk later…"
Angelina hugged him back, "It was great seeing you too and we definitely will talk later, Chris…" she whispered enjoying his warm arms around her waist – the best hug she ever felt.
Katerina inhaled deeply and looked away annoyed in the direction of the barn.
A loud snap came from the barn's woods scaring them, but Katerina who was too focused in her own boiling feelings. Her stabbing gaze met Angelina's who immediately let go of Chris whom was oblivious to his secretary's jealousy gaze.
Piers was the most neutral party and watched the subtle drama happening. He sensed it would be better if Chris started following his own advice about getting in trouble because of Kate.
Katerina walked away first and was followed by Piers.
Chris smiled and waved at Angelina one last time before joining the others.
Angelina smiled back at him, and watched the trio leave, with a mix of feelings.
She wasn't deaf of blind, and much less stupid. Katerina might not be Chris' girlfriend, but she did have some feelings for him as her subtle, yet evident pissed gazes demonstrated she disliked her since their eyes first met.
A mutual feeling, despite Angelina not having such stabbing thoughts, yet both women disliked each other.
After letting out a heavy sigh, Angelina entered turned to the house and saw Mr. Lionel standing at the door.
"Mr. Lionel, are you alright?" she asked him
"Yes my dear…I thought I heard a loud noise…"
"You heard it too?" she said surprised
"Yeah"
"It came from the barn"
"Oh…today the woods there are snapping…" he said making a face
"Don't speak that way…you're getting me scared…" Angelina said spooked wondering if that could be something supernatural
Lionel couldn't help the laugh, "Don't worry dear…it's an old barn…old woods…it should be demolished soon… but come on in. It's your turn to listen to the babblings of this old man"
"Are you guys in a hurry to get back to the hotel?" Chris said after looking at his watch as they left the lake property
"No…why do you ask?" Piers replied
"Angelina said that is happening a local festivity in town…"
Katerina crossed her arms and rolled her eyes discreetly at the mention of that name – "of course he had to do what the precious redhead lover suggested…" she thought looking away
"And since today we got the day off, I thought we could enjoy it as we're here…" Chris said with a friendly expression
"I'm in!" Piers said and the men stared at Katerina who was looking away at that moment
"And you Kate?" Chris asked
"Me what?" she replied
"Do you want to join us to the local festivities or do you prefer to get back to Edonia?" he replied
She grinned in distress, "Oh…of course! I was wondering about it because old Lionel had commented with me but I wasn't sure if you would want…"
"If the boss wants to party, who we are to disobey!" Piers said playfully poking Chris on the shoulder
They laughed and headed to downtown of Bohma where the main events occurred.
Lake House
"I can sense someone extremely happy, huh!" Mr. Lionel commented jokingly as he sat on the armchair
Angelina couldn't deny the indirect comment but so direct, "I can't hide that from you…"
"You don't have to hide that from me, and you don't have to worry because I'll take your secret to my grave with me"
"No secret and you know that…I don't deny the fact that I like my savior! For some reason I feel so comfortable around him…he has a good energy"
"Surely he's a good man, but it is a secret my dear…you boyfriend doesn't know about those drawings of yours…"
"You know it's not that I hide it from him…it's just that I don't want him to have the wrong idea, so to avoid unnecessary arguments on the matter, I prefer keeping it just between you and me"
"I understand my dear and I'm good at keeping secrets!"
"I bet you are!" she laughed, "So…what would you like to talk to me if there's anything else for us to talk since we are almost always in contact…"
He made a face, "My will…I need to revise it as a new important detail showed up and I need to make new arrangements in the division of things…"
"And what do I have to do with that?"
"Could you grab the pink envelope inside the desk drawer, will you?"
She did it so and looked at him
"Everything has to do with you…now please read it, and then tell me your opinion"
Angelina sat on the couch next to him and her eyes could not believe what had been written. She read the paper one more time to be sure she wasn't misreading the text.
Lionel watched the redhead's reactions. He wasn't surprised. He knew she was going to react that way and he was already prepared to her objection.
"Mr…this can't be right…" she stuttered
"All this belong to you, but the red box in the bedroom I sleep…that box will be the new detail of my new will"
"I don't understand…why are you leaving me the lake property and the "peasant" cottage? Those properties belong to your family!"
"You're part of my family, Angely…"
"But…"
"I'm being just to everyone! You don't have to worry about it. The stocks I don't want the public to have access are kept in the upper level bedroom. My great-grandson is already aware of it and he cannot oppose my last wishes. No one in my blood family will oppose my will. I can guarantee you that"
"Why me?" she said emotional
"Why not you, Angely? Why not?"
"I…"
"You belong here and I've told you that many times! You love this place, like I do! I'm sure no one else could watch out of her like you!"
"Mr. Lionel…I know you see Angelique in me, but…I'm not her… I can't accept this because she was part of your family…but I'm not…I'm Angelina…"
"I know who you are Angelina and I know you're not Angelique, my deceased great-grandmother…I may be old, very old, but my mental faculties are entirely functional"
She covered her mouth, "I don't know what to say…or what to think…"
"You don't have to do anything, just accept my will…"
She let out a deep sigh, "And what do I do with the red box? And the demolition of the barn?"
"I'll leave you the instructions about it, and you don't have to demolish it if you don't want to…I was only joking about it because of the noises…"
"Ah, I see…"
He made a face, "But you will decide what you will do about it as you'll see Katarina's grave next to it…"
"Katarina is buried there?" she asked surprised
He nodded in confirmation, "There's more history in this land than you know…and it's all in my diaries that I will leave to you as well…"
"I can see you have more secrets than I assumed…"
He grinned, "Yes…and Christopher found out one of them…"
She made a face, "Christopher Redfield or Christopher Reed?" she asked not really knowing what made her ask that
He grinned, "Chris Redfield…I was surprised about his clinical eye…I liked being caught off guard by him…and I'm sure you'll ask him and he might confirm you what is already in one of my diaries that you'll surely read after my death…"
"So you're not going to tell me?"
"No…not now"
"And what else will you tell me that will make me agree with your last wish and not be scared of the consequences?"
He rested his back on the couch and spoke calmly, "many years ago, before the course of the river was modified and the Stafford's bought the land and when Bohma was a much smaller province, passing across those trees near the chapel where the lake ends, once upon a time, an old couple lived in a small wooden cottage that no longer exists anymore. In that region now lies the cemetery of the property where some Stafford's have been buried, and also the remains of a young couple. A couple in which their history became part of the folklore of Bohma…"
"The Drowned Lovers folktale…"
"Yes…"
"The story of a young couple that died together fighting for their love. They say their restless spirits still struggle to be together and haunt the area of the river and the lake…this lake…"
He laughed, "They don't haunt. I can guarantee that"
Angelina laughed, "It's good to know they don't haunt or I'd have to decline your last wish and not accept the lake property" she said playfully
"They don't haunt, but they still struggle whenever they are…"
"So they did actually exist?"
"They did, in the 14th century"
Angelina made a face. The lake property was a beautiful place but also the cemetery of many souls. She knew there some of the Stafford's had been buried there, and also Christopher and Angelique had been buried in another area of the land. She had visited their grave and she never forgot the weird sensation she felt the first time she saw it, although she wasn't aware Katarina had been buried in that land either, after all, she didn't explore much the area of the barn that always caused her some disturbance, making her to stay away.
"None of the ghosts haunt here anymore…" Lionel commented noticing her long silence
She laughed a bit, "That wasn't my real concern…I was just thinking that is weird knowing the remains of Katarina are so close…Why?"
"Because the barn was her last shelter. She spent her final year in there and died there…so I didn't know anywhere else she'd belong as everybody else rejected her…"
Angelina frowned making a face. She heard it right, did she? "He" didn't know where Katarina should be buried? She wasn't sure of what to think.
There were so many things crossing her mind since she read the will. It wasn't just about the properties, it was about the history it had. All the knowledge and secrets that man had kept and dedicated all his life to protect. To keep it's importance.
Why did he consider her so much if he had his functioning mental faculties and didn't mistake her for Angelique or whoever else?
She looked at him. Studying him. He always had consideration for her and always helped her with anything she needed. He always listened to her and her intuition never suspected of him, and she didn't use to mistake.
She really didn't know what to say, yet she felt so connected to that place. She didn't really want to refuse it, she had only been caught off guard for such gesture.
Downtown, Bohma
The BSAA trio wandered the streets. The Art and architecture incorporated in a Romanesque style that shifted to a Gothic style, combined with the modernity of the streets and the inhabitants lifestyle.
Katerina as the youngest of the group and the most cheerful of the three. Her extroverted way contrasted with the more serious demeanors of the men accompanying her. Looking from afar, they seemed more to be her bodyguards.
They wandered the central plaza where local artists performing a cover of the song "John Ryan's Polka", and some dancers also performing the local dance. Katerina couldn't help the urge to join them and enjoy the fun.
Piers and Chris exchanged gazes, sharing the same thought: Kate was the star of the plaza and her outgoing way inspired some other locals to join the fun as well.
Chris looked to the side and noticed a tavern with medieval architecture, and told Piers to tell Katerina where to find them.
"We're going to the tavern. You can meet us there when you're done here…" Piers yelled among the loud music playing
"What? Tavern? Sure!" she replied in excitement and immediately followed him
Chris was sitting drinking a local beer in a jumbo beer mug as he waited his companion and the order of snacks to eat with the beer.
As he waited, he checked his cellphone and read the messages of his sister telling him about her current trip, as since the incident in Sushestvovanie, she was spending some time in vacation.
Piers and Kate entered the tavern and didn't take long to spot their boss, and joined him at the table. As soon as they sat, the waitress served the snacks: a portion of French-fries and a portion of fried chicken wings.
"Would you like to drink anything?" the waitress asked the two
"I want a jumbo like his" Kate replied pointing with her head to Chris
"And you?"
"A medium-sized" Piers replied
As soon the waitress left the table, Piers turned to Kate who was sitting before Chris and eating some French-fries, "Are you sure you want a jumbo?" he asked
"Yeah! I'm thirsty and I miss the alcohol in my veins! It's been a while…"
"Just don't lose control. I won't babysit any drunken" he replied to her with a warning tone
"It's just a glass, not a barrel!" she replied taking a bite of a fried chicken
"You'd better handle it because I still remember that night in the nightclub and all the glasses of vodka you took and…" he lowered his voice tone as he looked at Chris who was watching them, "And I don't want that to happen again…" he omitted details
"If I don't remember it, I didn't do it" she shrugged jokingly
Lake Land
Angelina stood facing the lake and the surroundings and it hadn't sunken in the thought that all that soon will belong to her. She never thought the small piece of heaven on earth would be hers. The lake and its crystalline greened waters had a powerful tranquilizing effect on her, despite all the stories Mr. Lionel had told her about the land, and the buried souls resting there.
She wasn't scared of that. Death, the possibility of afterlife and esoteric themes always intrigued her, and eventually made her curious about it, and at times research on the subjects.
Despite adoring Mr. Lionel's good sense of humor, she always thought fascinating the mysterious aura he carried around him and the loads of knowledge he had. She knew he was intriguing and at times she always wondered if there was a coincidence the ancestor of same name and similar face features, yet younger, that lived in the 18th century - King Lionel Horvat Stafford-Hansen O'Reed.
The king that pitied Katarina O'Gregon and abdicated the throne to take care of her.
Could they be the same person due to the effect of the black pill?
She only knew the old man she cared about so much as Mr. Lionel O'Reed. Of course, she was aware that could be only a coincidence, as it's not surprising the fact of repeating names in a family tree.
Same person or not, she cared for him and was willing to take the hardest task of her life – to be his successor and the keeper of the Lake House and its entire history, and carry on the old man's legacy.
She inhaled deeply the fresh air, inhaling the good scent of the trees that came from the sudden breeze that had a balm effect on her, and let out a long sigh as she turned to her side and stared the smiling old man at her side enjoying the same view as her.
He rested his left hand on her left shoulder, and she rested her head on his left shoulder in a friendly embrace.
Mr. Lionel let out a long relieved sigh as his gazed seemed distant staring the lake, feeling the comfortable breeze on their skins and the delicious pines scent, making him smile as he passed, or more exactly, returned the legacy to the true owners of that property, while his special eyes watched the prism of time and the souls and all the energies lying there lining up to the vortex.
Lionel and Angelina turned around to return to the house. He turned his face to the right side to look at the barn. He smiled. As Angelina walked more ahead of him, she couldn't see when he looked back to the corner of the barn and gave a flick of the head with a light smile to the mysterious figure of a woman watching them.
Thank you Pin for the review! :D