Author's Note: So incase you missed it, I redid the second chapter, so you might want to take a peek at the before you read this chapter.
And also, it looks like Frederick/Fritz is in the lead for name choices for a human Gilbird, according to the poll on my profile, polls I put up on my Facebook and RP Facebook pages, as well as my asking around. But I still want to hear everyone's opinions.
So anyways, On with the story!
"Oh! And this is the school I used attend." Valentin said, approaching his old school house. It was small but, but had at least one class room for each grade, a small gym/auditorium and main office. He was taking Gilbert around the small town, showing him everything he loved about his birthplace. He introduced his fiancé to just about everyone in town. Gilbert was actually surprised that there were so many people in such a small village. So here they stood, outside the only school in town, Valentin smiling faintly at the many memories he had of going there. "I wonder…" he mused quietly to himself and stepped inside the tiny school, Gilbert following behind.
Valentin wandered through the halls, twisting his head every which way, looking at everything. Gilbert did the same. The halls had no lockers but instead were covered in the younger students' drawings and artwork. The walls were old and the paint that showed was chipping. Compared to American schools, to most any other country's schools, this one was in very poor condition. But, the students seemed happy through the windows in the doors. "I know this place isn't much," Valentin sighed, stopping to look at a drawing on the wall, "But the children that attend, they're very happy. This village isn't a rich one as you can see." Valentin gestured with a sweep of his arm.
"This is a poor village, monetary wise, but they are very rich in happiness. The school only gets a small amount of money from the government. Just enough to get by that is. The children don't mind. They all get a chance to attend." The Romanian said with a soft smile. "I can tell. They all seem to be happy, despite the few resources they get." Gilbert said, glancing through a classroom window. Valentin gave a soft giggle. "Yes. We learned to be happy for the things we had and not to envy those more fortunate. I remember once every few months, all of the children would get to come over to the castle for a sleep over. We'd all play together, it was very much fun. It's how we learned to get along with each other. We're all very close here. Like a family." Vali mused, a soft smile gracing his lips as he remembered this, looking around the halls at the many pictures drawn by the young students.
"Well, this is it," Valentin shrugged, still looking around, "This is where I grew up." he said, his eyes finally landing on Gilbert. He walked back towards his lover, taking his hand and the two walked out of the old school, but not before Valentin stopped in the main office to say hello, the secretary squealing when she saw him. The Nicolae-Balakov family truly was loved by everyone.
Valentin sat in the castle's library, the fireplace blazing, deep within the story of a book from one of the shelves he pulled at random. Konstantin quietly doodling over at the large mahogany desk at the other side of the room, his uncle curled up in a plush, Victorian style arm chair near one of the shelves. "There you two are!" Aleksander said from the doorway. Well it was sort of like a doorway, a secret doorway as the actual door was a shelf that swung inwards into the library, looking like a part of the wall from the other side. "I've been looking for you. Should have known you were in Papa's library." He said, striding into the room. "Hm? Oh, da." Valentin said, still a little distant in the land of his book, looking up from the printed pages. "I was going to go find a Christmas tree-" the older brother began "I want to go!" Kosta squealed, jumping up from his seat, crayon rolling over the glossy top of the desk.
The little boy ran up to his father who picked him up. "Sofi and Gil were gonna come, you want to?" Aleksander asked his brother. Valentin shook his head. Gilbert entered the room, walking over you his fiancé. "Hey, we were gonna go pick out a tree, you want to come?" he asked. Again Valentin shook his head, "No, I was actually going to take a nap soon, once I get to a good stopping point in this book. The fire is making me a little sleepy." he said, looking up at Gilbert who had a hand on the back of the chair. "Well.." Gil began, looking away. Valentin chuckled, "Go." he knew Gilbert really wanted to go, but wasn't sure if he should just leave Vali alone. "Really?" he asked with a hopeful tone. Valentin nodded his head, "Da, go on. I'll be fine." he assured. Gilbert grinned, "Danke, mein liebe." He said, giving his love a quick kiss before heading out with the Balakov family.
It was half an hour before Valentin fell asleep with his book on his lap. He was too deep into his sleep to feel hands on him, to feel himself moving. Too deep into sleep to realize what was happening, to be afraid. To scream for help.
When Valentin woke up, he was in the dark. He tried to stretch, but found himself bound. He suddenly began to panic. He tried to wriggle free, feeling a chair underneath him, his arms tied behind him, his legs tied to the chair's, and his torso tied to the back of the chair. He moved, making the chair scrape against the floor. It was pitch black and his eyes refused to adjust to the infinite darkness. Just as he opened his mouth to scream, an odd smelling cloth was placed over it, covering his nose, and he soon passed out.
Author's Note: Ahhh Shiiiiittt, now what? What happened? Hope you enjoyed the chapter, especially the ending. Um…Yea! I'd still like to hear what you think Gilbird's human name should be, either in a review or on my profile, choices are still
Gilbird
Frederick/Fritz
Gilbert (Jr.)
It's for my next story, so ja. Danke, und Guten Nacht!