Chapter 12: Winter days
Nikolai got the surprising news that they were going to have to go to the capital next week due to the royal selection. If he were to be honest he liked the idea. He would at least have the chance to thank Reinhart for all his help last time he was there.
The rest of days had passed with relative calmness. The engineer core had been extremely useful and had helped progress. Kramer on the other hand had taken to being the sheriff. Old habits die hard he guessed.
As he woke up he felt an odd chill. Actually it felt as if it were freezing. He slowly sat upwards and saw Beatrice sitting on a chair next to him reading a book. He quickly realized that the mansion look as if it had frozen over.
"Betty?"
"Yes?"
"Why did the mansion turn to an igloo?" Nikolai asked trying to process his surroundings.
"It seems that it's time for Hatsumaki I suppose." Beatrice said as if he should know what it was.
"Say what now?" Nikolai asked.
"Puck is releasing his excess of odo in fact" she simply stated.
"Wait just how powerful is he!?" Nikolai asked surprised. Before Beatrice could respond the door opened. He saw Rem smiling she was carrying his breakfast with a nice warm cup of coffee.
"You're the greatest Rem!" He said as he drank the coffee.
"Ah, Nikolai's praises" she whispered blushing.
"So is the whole mansion like this?" Nikolai asked.
"Yes, it is." Rem confirmed.
"Wait a second..." Nikolai said as a grim thought came into his mind. "Holy shit Emilia!" He said as he quickly got dressed. He quickly ran to her room with Beatrice and Rem following close behind. Once he got to the door he saw Rosswal and Ram standing in front of the door.
"What are you waiting for?" Nikolai asked worriedly.
"You are her kniiight" Rosswal said. Without a second of hesitation he slammed the door open before Beatrice could warn him. A blizzard hit him straight in the face as cold wind pushed him back.
"It-It is very rude to enter without knocking" Emilia said. Nikolai's eyes widened as he realized she was wearing her normal outfit in this blizzard. He noticed Puck on the bed wrapped in a blanket with a blissful smile.
Nikolai heard a snicker coming from Ram and saw Rosswal's amused face. "Thanks..." He said.
They all sat around the dining table as Pick explained the situation. Nikolai noticed Ram seemed to be freezing, Rosswal and Rem seemed to be fairing better. Meanwhile Beatrice held him close much to his amusement.
"You know Ram, you might want another blanket" Nikolai said chuckling.
"H-how are you so nonchalant." Ram asked glaring daggers.
"Please, this is just a bit worse than Ukrainian winters" Nikolai said cockily. "It just took me by surprise."
"S-show off" Ram muttered.
"I can back it up" he said chuckling. "Anyways how often does this happen? Can I expect to wake up in an igloo every month?"
"It only happens once a year. When Lia and I lived in the forest it didn't really happen much but now I'm more active so it's why this is probably happening." Puck explained.
"Just how strong are you!?"
"You wouldn't want to know." Puck said menacingly as Nikolai's face drained of color. "I'm just playing!"
"Somehow I know that's bullshit." Nikolai muttered.
"Smart boy!" Puck praised.
"Pucky wouldn't do something to inconvenience us all." Beatrice defended as she shivered. Nikolai pulled her closer trying to keep her warm.()
"Didn't know spirits could you know feel cold."
"O-of course we can I suppose" she said after sneezing.
"M-me and Puck are sorry for all the inconveniences we caused." Emilia said shyly.
"Eh personally I don't mind as much" Nikolai said. "Although yes it a bit too cold."
"This should end in two days" Puck said proudly.
"Somehow that doesn't make me feel better" Nikolai said sarcastically. "Also how can you wear that Emilia? You should be freezing."
"Me and Puck have a contract remember? That's why I'm resistance to the cold."
"Well that's awfully convenient" Nikolai said. Then a spark of brilliance hit him. "Wait we don't have to stay inside we can go outside!"
"Brilliant Nikolai!" Rem praised.
Sadly for them it was pouring outside. Nikolai looked up to the sky as if cursing to the gods. "Oh for fuck sake!"
"It seems we will have to stay indoors" Beatrice said.
"Rosswal can't you like use magic and warm the place up?"
"That would be difficult. If I used a little bit of my magic I could burn the mansion down." Rosswal said with a hint of cockiness.
"Of course you would" Nikolai muttered. "Wait a minute... We have a warm bath! We can just chill out there!"
"Excellent idea! Rem praised.
"That might actually work" Ram said.
"You sound surprised" Nikolai said smirking. "I'm not just a handsome face."
"You're not even that" she countered.
"You have your right to be wrong" he said. Nikolai had quickly noticed how quick-witted and how much snark Ram had and had taken a liking to annoying her. Although she didn't respond at first Nikolai gave her permission and all hell let loose.
To the baths! We got our own sauna!" Nikolai said excitedly. The baths were the only place in the mansion that didn't feel like a winter hell and Nikolai was planning to use it.
He walked in and took off his shirt. He saw Rosswal had already hopped in. Thank God he did have something covering him this time.
"Well this was a great idea" Nikolai moaned jumping in the water.
"It indeed waaaas" Rosswal said.
"So the ladies joining us or do we have the bath to ourselves?" As soon as Nikolai asked that he heard the door open. He turned around and almost fell backwards. "God you are great!" He muttered under his breath.
Rem, Ram and Emilia wore some kind of swimsuit. Nikolai knew that they were attractive but damn. He felt as if his nose were about to bleed. Beatrice herself kept her dress on and just sat on the edge next to Nikolai
"Stop staring pervert" Ram growled.
"I am not! If anything they are!" Nikolai said pointing at Emilia and Rem. They blushed as they averted their gazes. Nikolai was not blind to his physic. He was in great shape, then again urban exploring, and running through the forest tends to do that. The only problem he really had was some of the scars he had. Some were okay, others were pretty deep and ugly.
"I-I'm sorry" Emilia said looking at the ground.
"Oh you two are too easy" Nikolai said laughing.
"Surprised to see you here Betty. Thought you would play with Puck."
"Under normal circumstances, I would be in fact. But Pucky is..." She said.
"I get it." Nikolai said jokingly. "See Ram this was a good idea."
"It... It was"
"Was that a capitulation?"
"No" she said quickly.
"And you two" Nikolai said pointing at Emilia and Rem. "You two look good."
"I-I thank you!" Rem said red as a tomato.
"D-dont say embarrassing things" Emilia said flustered. Nikola saw Beatrice pout and chuckled lightly.
"Aw don't be jealous Beatrice. You are the cutest spirit" he said laughing.
"I-I didn't ask for your praises I suppose. But... Thanks" she said softly. Nikolai could see that Rosswal was watching the whole ordeal with amusement.
"Hey quick question. How do you and Rosswal not you know" Nikolai said motioning at the room, he wanted to know if he needed to expect the mansion burning or it being enveloped in darkness or some shit.
"I keep my Odo under check." Rosswal simply replied. Nikolai quickly noticed Ram blushing profusely. He grinned and gave her a look.
"What?" She asked.
"Nothing" he said innocently.
"I also keep it under check I suppose" Beatrice said.
"I have mine sealed" Rem added surprising Nikolai.
"I'm not a normal magic user so I don't have those problems" Emilia said.
"Man, still hard to get used to this magic stuff" Nikolai said stretching.
"Oh your land didn't have magic right?" Emilia said.
"Yup, we had technology and science! Why would we need to freeze people if we can kill them without them even knowing where we are" Nikolai said laughing.
"Stiiiiill magic has its uses." Rosswal countered.
"I mean yeah, the closest thing we had were anomalies."
"What are anomalies I suppose?" Beatrice asked.
"Well you see. The zone doesn't function like the rest of the world. Due to the explosions things don't work correctly."
"What does that mean I suppose?" Beatrice asked.
"Well there are places where electricity bursts out of the ground, places where you get lifted up and spun around till you explode. Tears that teleport you to another area." Nikolai explained. "There is a lot of wacky shit there" Nikolai finished.
"Hmm. Is that what happened to youuuu?" Rosswal asked curiously.
"I guess, not sure. No one is really sure on how the zone works." Nikolai explained.
"What kind of explosion could do that I suppose?"
"The type that can also leave land uninhabitable for thousands of years" Nikolai quickly said putting the issue to rest. The days passed rather quickly until the last day arrived. Rosswal had decided to hold a banquet something Nikolai wouldn't protest. I mean who would deny free food.
Nikolai walked into the banquet hall and his eyes went wide with the amount of food. He also quickly noticed the bottles of alcohol.
"Wait we can drink?" Nikolai asked.
"Of couuuuurse" Rosswal said.
"Well in that case let me bring some real drinks!" Nikolai came back a few minutes with a few bottles in hand.
"What's that I suppose?" Beatrice said taking one of the bottles. Nikolai quickly snatched it out of her hand.
"Well just the greatest drink of my land! Vodka! Pretty good alcohol but it kicks like a mule" Nikolai explained.
"Hey! Why did you take it I suppose!?" Beatrice protested trying to grab it back.
"You look too young! I can't let you drink" Nikolai said like a big brother.
"W-what!? I'm 400 years old!"
"And yet I'm taller than you" he said giving her a head pat. She pouted as Nikolai poured himself a glass. Nikolai quickly noticed Ram serving one for herself. "Doubt you can handle that drink."
"Hmph, as if you could tell me what to do" Ram responded. The night continued as the drank and ate. Nikolai swore for a moment he was back in Rostov celebrating with his friends. He smiled warmly as the party continued.
He quickly noticed how Emilia was definitely a light drinker. She had defiently went against Nikolai's advice and drank Vodka. She stumbled around as Nikolai helped her to a chair.
"N-Nikolai! Let's drink!" She said happily.
"You've reached your limit" Nikolai said giving her a pat on the head. He poured her a glass of water and handed it to her. "Drink it slowly it should help out a bit. Also eat!"
Nikolai chuckled as he stroke her hair. She was definitely over her head. She was too pure, too innocent. His resolve strengthened as he vowed again to help her as much as possible.
Then Nikola felt a bite on his ear. He almost hit the roof off that jump. "W-what Rem!?" He asked blushing profusely. It had been a while since it had happened to him. To be honest getting a real blush out of him had become hard.
He turned to her and saw her cheeks red, she was definitely drunk. Totally wasted, he couldn't imagine the hangover the girls would suffer tomorrow.
"You are wasted" Nikolai pointed out.
"You're so mean Nikolai! Meanie Nikolai, meanie Nikolai!" She said throwing soft punches.
"I'm not bloody Mary" he muttered chuckling. "Let's get you a chair" he said softly. She grabbed onto his shirt tightly.
"I try to hard to impress Nikolai. He is my hero" she said softly. Nikolai blushed again as he helped her to the chair and gave her a glass of water. These girls were a handful. And Rem saying that sealed the deal. He had suspected she had an interest but now she outright said it even if she was intoxicated.
"Thought demons would be heavier drinkers" Nikolai said to no one in particular.
"We do have a resistance to alcohol. We drink since we are kids with the adults." Nikolai turned around and saw Ram finishing his bottle of vodka. He couldn't believe it. How much could she drink!?
"Okay that's impressive" Nikolai conceded. He saw out of the corner of his eyes Beatrice standing in the balcony as snow fell. Nikolai served himself a small drink and one for Beatrice. He walked outside and stood beside her.
"Here try it" he offered her the drink.
"I thought I was too young to drink I suppose."
"Eh you're way older than me. Cheers" he said. She took a drink and her face turned to disgust as she handed him the drink.
"How can you drink that I suppose!?"
"It's an acquired taste" he said chuckling. "So, what are you doing outside?"
"Thinking I suppose."
"Ah one of those nights?" Nikolai said knowingly.
"What do you mean I suppose!?"
"No worries, won't ask. I'm just here for you." He said as he sat on the ground.
"W-why are you so nice to me?" She said softly as she sat next to him.
"Because I understand you Betty. Whatever you're carrying. I'll listen." They both sat there watching the stars. Betty huddled closer to him and hugged him. He stroked her hair slowly. "The night sky is so beautiful here." Nikolai said amazed.
"It is impressive I suppose."
"Life had lost so much color for me. Everything felt numb even though I acted as if it didn't. But now I get to enjoy the small things" he said pulling out a cigarette lighting it up.
"Do you have to do that I suppose?" She asked. Nikolai stopped, she saw a real struggle in his face. He turned off the cigarette with snow and stood up. He grabbed the box out of his pocket. He smashed them and threw them as far as he could.
"I guess I don't. Now I have things to live for." Nikolai said giving her a smile. "Now lets go inside. I tolerate cold but it's not like I enjoy freezing my ass." He opened the door for her. She walked on, Nikolai saw the scene.
He will never get back what he had. But he had a second chance. "Give myself a second chance huh" he muttered looking one last time at the sky.
And cut! Yes take this as an interlude in the story. Something before we continue with the plot. Anyways I hope you enjoyed it! Feedback is always welcomed! UltimateMetroMan out!