I don't own RWBY or Call of Cthulhu Horror Aboard the Orient Express.
February 5th 1925, On the outskirts of Sofia Bulgaria
3rd POV
The scene then opens up inside Joberts cabin. The early morning sunshine came in through his window. He slowly stirs before arising. Looking down at his wife, he couldn't help but smile at her. Running his hand through her hair, stroking it a few times before she let's out a small moan.
"Hmmm, Bonjour ma bien-aimée" (hmmm, Morning, my beloved.) Audrey said without opening her eyes.
"Et à toi ma chérie." (And to you my darling.) Audrey said with a smile as she feels the bristles of his mustache rub against her ear as he kissed her on the cheek. She let's out a yawn as her husband goes to see the fresh plate of fruit left out for them. "Comment s'est passé votre sommeil, pas de cauchemars cette nuit." (How was your sleep, no nightmares I hope.)
"Non, pas ce soir. Je pense que la médecine de l'éther aide." (No, not tonight. Think the ether medicine is helping.) Jobert said as he samples some strawberrys.
"Je suis heureux de l'entendre. Mais s'il vous plaît soyez prudent. Les quelques soldats qui l'ont utilisé n'ont pas une tolérance aussi élevée pour le truc et en deviennent esclaves." (I'm glad to hear it. Though please be careful. The few soldiers who used it don't have such high tolerance for the stuff and become enslaved to it.) Audre warns, her worst fear seeing her beloved husband becoming a junkie to the substance that lets him sleep peacefully.
"Si ce jour devait arriver, demandez Nora à ma place. Il y a de fortes chances qu'elle me terrifie très probablement pour que je me mette à la dinde froide plutôt que de faire face à sa colère." (Should that day ever happen, request Nora to my stead. Odds are she will most likely terrify me into going cold turkey rather than face her wrath.) Jobert said as he overlooks the menu set aside for today.
"Juste cet enfant seul va vous terrifier vous-même soi-disant junkie?" (Just that child alone will terrify you supposed junkie self?) Audrey asked as she snatches the menu from Jobert's hand. Followed by giving a stern stare.
"D'accord d'accord. Toi, Nora me terrifierais pour que j'abandonne la drogue si jamais elle me prenait au piège." (Alright, alright. You, Nora would terrify me into giving up the drug should it ever ensnares me.) Jobert said retracting his previous statement.
"Bon, maintenant qu'allons-nous prendre pour le petit déjeuner." (Good, now what shall we have for breakfast.) Audrey asked as she overlooked the menu.
"Hum, pas sûr. Je n'ai jamais essayé ce nouveau style de petit-déjeuner au lit." (Hmm, not sure. Never tried this new style of Breakfast in bed.) Jobert said as he stood beside her and overlooked the menu with her.
They settled upon a simple poached egg with well toasted quality bread. After getting dressed in complimentary bathrooms they both individually went to the bathroom to washup. By the time they returned a waiter was about to enter their dorm with food. He presents the meal before leaving them. It was nothing like the menu described as. The eggs were poached on top a thin lair of bread, high quality Switzerland cheese. Danish crackers, and a light dipping of soviet Caviar. It was a glorified egg grilled cheese sandwich but it was beyond delectable. As they sample the cuisine, the scene cut's over to Nora and Oliver's room.
They were two dorms down and by 9 Nora awoke from her slumber by rolling off her bed onto the ground. Picking herself up from her dream on Pancakes she went to the bathroom before coming back to the dorm to find that Oliver had already ordered. Nora wasn't exactly sure what he ordered, some kind of chicken soup with pieces of small dumplings floating in it with a side order toast, mango butter and caviar. She found the food to be a bit richer then what she would prefer but enjoyed it none the less. Once done, Oliver leaves to use the washroom while Nora changes. As she gets out of her bathrobe and begins putting on her bra she felt… watched. At first she thought it was some peep looking through the key hole, but found it empty. She continued to get dress but that feeling of being watched never left her subconscious.
Nora then steps out of the room. Dressed in an elegant dress that did nothing to impede her movement. She had the mask with glasses on rather then the Cloche hat variety and her hair swayed to cover up the scars at the top. Oliver returns, freshened up and enters to dress himself. She agreed to meet him in the lounge car. Upon entering she was greeted by the other passengers onboard. Some Were traveling for fun like what she was doing. Others were traveling for business. Despite the staunch difference they carried themselves with a set of class. Finding a seat with a chest board she waited for Oliver. Just then someone approach from the side.
"Excusez-moi, désolé le français n'est pas bon. Vous Nora Valkyrie? (Excuse me, sorry the French not good. You Nora Valkyrie?) A man in a thick Russian accent with full green military fatigue. But to which she didn't know.
"I am, do you speak com… English?" Nora asked.
"Da, better then my French." The man said before sitting across from her. "As you can guess by my accent you might know where I came from."
"… Canada?" Nora guess having no idea what country he was referring too. He stares at her for a few moments before letting out a chuckle.
"Uh, heh heh heh. I was not told you had a sense of humor. No, I'm Russian. Was part of the White Russian army when we fought those Bolshevik bastards." The man said with a chuckle gaining Nora's interest. "My name is Prince Gabriel Constantine. I was in Constantinople to meet with Fellow white Russian comrades who escaped the red pheasants. Where you also in Constantinople by chance?"
"Um yes. Family vacation in Italy turned into an extended vacation through the city." Nora explains unsure where this conversation was going.
"Oh, you have family onboard? I assume you were participating in the anti-Soviet convention in Constantinople. After the whole saving the third republic." Gabriel explains.
"Um, nope. I just happen to be in the right place at the right time. Also they were being jerks." Nora explains.
"Well, I am attending another convention in Berlin. By chance I can persuade you to follow me? Your word might give the people of Berlin, and that yevreyskaya svinomatka an idea of the dangers of fanatical ideals." Gabriel explained.
"Um… no idea what you said but I'm good. All I did was break some knees, save a president, and ate pancakes. In that order." Nora explains before spotting Oliver wheeling in. "Sorry but I got a kid who promised me to teach chess."
The man give's a reluctant sigh but agreed. He gives Nora a salute before walking away. As he does, Oliver rolls up. "Who was that?"
"Some white Russian prince. Now let's play this game of nerds!" Nora said with a smile as she had no idea how to play.
Oliver gives a nod and rolls his chair over. From there the two proceeded to play when Jobert and Audrey entered. Jobert spotting the two play a game of chest brought a warm smile to his face. Turning to his wife he said to her, "Trouve-nous une table pendant que je récupère des rafraîchissements." (Find a table for us while I retrieve some refreshments.)
Giving a nod Audrey goes to a table that was empty. Sitting down she turned her head to look out at the beautiful countryside of the Balkans. Hard to imagine that savage infighting has swept the entirety of this country. As she looked on at the scenic view, her nose twist from an ungodly odor of Irac tobacco.
"Excuse Lady by chance you are sitting alone?" A rather large man asked as he sat comfortable across from Audrey with a hand rolled cigarette in his mouth. "It shouldn't be the case for such a beautiful young woman as yourself to be so alone."
"Je suis désolé mais ça te dérange de me laisser tranquille. Je ne parle pas anglais." (I'm sorry but do you mind leaving me alone. I don't speak English.) Audrey politely said.
"Oh, French. Um, Parle l'anglais?" (Do speak English?) The man asked as he leans closer to her with intrigue.
"She does not." Jobert said as he sets down a set of spirits. "But I can."
"Oh, good chap would you help me court her then? I'll be sure to pay well." The man said oblivious to the fact that the two were married in the first place.
"No, as that is my wife you're talking to." Jobert explained causing the man to look at him with confusion. After a few moments the man realized what he has done.
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry. Um… forgive me." He said before quickly rushing off.
"Homme étrange. (Strange man) Jobert said as he sit's where the overly flirtatious stranger was sitting last.
"Que me demandait-il?" (What was he asking of me?) Audrey asked.
"Il ne savait pas que vous étiez marié. Laissons-le là pour le bien de son pauvre ego." (He didn't know you were married. Let's just leave it at that for the sake of his poor ego.) Jobert said before taking a sip from his cocktail.
"Hmmm, Même si je ne l'étais pas. Je ne lui laisserais pas le temps pour son impolitesse." (Hmmm, Even if I wasn't. I wouldn't give him the time for his rudeness.) Audrey said before taking her cocktail.
"Oui, pour un ancien parlementaire, il semble assez impoli, même pour quelqu'un qui travaille au gouvernement." (Yes, for a former parliament man he seems quite rude, even for one working in government.) Jobert added as he notices him now trying to flirt with a raven hair girl.
"Je suis désolé qu'il soit quoi?" (I'm sorry he's a what?) Audrey asked with a raised brow.
"C'était sir Robert Harrow Bart. Ancien membre du Parlement britannique jusqu'à son départ. A affirmé qu'il voulait trouver une nouvelle aventure au Kenya, mais en réalité, c'était à cause du scandale de sa maîtresse en poste." (That was Sir Robert Harrow Bart. Former member of the British Parliament till he left. Claimed he wanted to find new adventure in Kenya but really it was due to the scandal of his mistress in office.) Jobert explains earning a smirk from Audrey.
"Oh, Il semble être le genre à faire une telle chose. Eh bien, assez parlé de ça. Nous n'avons convenu d'aucune politique en vacances et cela inclut également les étrangers." (Oh, He does seem like the type to do such a thing. Well, enough about that. We agreed no politics on vacation and that includes foreign ones as well.)
"Ah, mes excuses. Reprenons la magnifique vue de... La Bulgarie je crois que ça s'appelle maintenant." (Ah, my apologies. Let's resume the magnificent view of... Bulgaria I believe it's now called.) Jobert said as he held up his glass. His wife held up hers and the two shared there morning cocktails.
The four enjoyed there morning onboard the Orient Express, but after hucking the chessboard over in frustration Nora decided to take a break for lunch. She and Oliver decided on the Beef Wellington as it seemed the least rich tasting food. While waiting Nora notices an oil Painting on the wall at the end. Going up to it she inspects the painting. It was of a train conductor, with a smile as he leans against the side. Something about his face just brings ease, as if he was the epitome of a loyal friend. Looking down She reads the following,
"A la mémoire d'Henri Peeters. Qui est au service de ce train et de ses passagers est allé au-delà de l'exception." (In memory of Henri Peeters. Who is at the service of this train and its passengers has gone beyond the exception.) Nora read aloud before a voice spoke out to her.
"He's an interesting story he was." A figure said as he approaches from behind with a pen and paper.
"Hmm? You knew this conductor?" Nora asked a little startled by the sudden appearance. He was in a decent three-piece suit and of African descent and spoke in an accent that was unfamiliar to her.
"Me, no. But I do collect stories on my travels. Come with the job." The man said before pocketing his notebook and raising out his hand to Nora. "Jack Gatling. I work for the Town Topics out of my hometown of New York. Pleasure to meet a celebrity such as yourself on the King of trains."
Nora looked down at his hand before shaking it, "So you're a reporter?"
"Eh to an extent. Mind if I ask why the Savior of the third republic is doing on this train?" He asked with an intrigue for Nora.
"Vacation. Nothing noteworthy." Nora said with a shrug before turning to the painting.
"Well… how about a deal. You tell me something the press doesn't know exclusively. And I'll tell you more about the man in the painting." Jack offered hoping to learn more about Nora.
"I once got hit by lightning and survived." Nora said as she pointed to her scalp. Looking closely Jack could see a scar that looks electrically inflicted. Jack frowned as this minor fact was unknown but not what he was looking for. Nora with a shit eating grin then said, "Now about that Conductor. He has a face that say's hug me. I'm good with kids."
"… (Sigh) Story goes that he was one of the first to be recruited as a bartender when the railway opened in 86. He worked his way up to a hostess for his obligation to the riders. He was a conversationalist, and a well indevoured man. Though rumors had it when bandits from the Balkans raided the train or in one account demons that spawned from the shadow of old Ottoman secrets; he was there at a moment's notice. Ready to lend a velvet hand with a iron jab." Jack said as he takes out a cigarette before offering one to Nora. She declines but was interested in the mention of 'demons that spawned from the shadow'. From little research she could get around the middle east was where all societies spawn from. Maybe these monsters were Grimm that nobody could describe. Jack noticing her intrigue quickly finish the story hoping to sink line her into more information. "Sadly, a fire broke out in 96. A mother and her daughter trapped, Henri gave his life to pull them from the fire. His supposed last words were, to why he did it. 'It was, a service, obligation, and honor to attend to those on this train.' Loyal to a fault won't you say."
"Yeah. So, he fought a Geist barehanded? That impressive." Nora remarks before realizing what she said.
"A what?" Jack asked with a raised brow.
"Um, ghost. Just a local term from home to describe a black ghost like entity." Nora explains nervously trying to cover up her mistake.
"You're an American like me. Can tell by your accent. Can't pin it but you sound American." Jack points out before adding, "I have never heard anyone describe a noir phantasm as that before."
"Well, it's real small community." Nora insisted before jumping back on the subject, "Now was there any eyewitness to this? Maybe one of the staff members?"
"Um, no. You by chance a spiritualist?" Jack asked as he takes notes.
"Nah. I've yet to meet anyone who talked about dying… well except one but he's too cute for all those old lady jewelries." Nora said waving off the notion.
"Well, I can tell you the few people who saw it claim it had a Fez that smelled of death and whispering dangerous secrets to those who unfortunately dawn it." Jack said before lighting his cigarette.
"Huh… Fez." Nora said before looking around the room. Hoping that creepy man from last night was around. However, the only new person to enter the car was a woman with black hair. She kept her face covered by a large hat as she was followed by a man in a tight-fitting suit that did not fit his body. Just then Oliver called for her.
There meal had arrived, and Nora had enough gossip for one day. Turing to Jack, she said; "Excuse me. It was lovely talking with you, but I think my lunch is here."
Jack gives a nod before taking a drag. Nora went on to enjoy a good lunch with Oliver as the two discus the gossip that Jack had told her. As they do the fat old man in the tight-fitting clothes sat at the bar. "Whiskey, leave the bottle."
The Bartender gave a concerned look till he pulled out a fat stash of pounds. Taking it before anyone could spot the hell of a tip. He then hands the old man the bottle and went about his business. The old man was about to seclude himself when the girl in the raven hair stopped him.
"I was just getting a myself assimilated lass." The man who identifies himself of Scottish origins, said to the mute girl. She then provides a note to the man who rolled his eyes.
"I am not wasting all our money just to get drunk." The Scotsman said as the girl rips the bottle out of his jacket pocket. "That's for making friends."
The girl gave a cold stare that says she doesn't believe him. Rolling his eyes, he tried to pull it out, but her grip was too strong. Eventually the game of tug of war began with few not taking notice to it. However, the bottle slipped, and the contents spilled out onto Audrey's shirt.
"Regarde ce que tu as fait, espèce d'ivrogne écossais!" (Look at what you done, you Scottish drunk!) Audrey snapped as she tried her best to wipe the Whiskey off her shirt.
"It's her fault." The Scotsman said as he points to the young girl. She then nudged him in the side with her arm while giving an irritated look. She then pulls out a paper and wrote down something before presenting it to the girl.
"She doesn't speak English, much read it." Jobert said as he walks up beside his wife. Now getting a good look at her, she was rather tanned with Strange yellow eyes that almost appear cat like. Yet she seemed tired as if she hadn't had a decent nights rest in a long time. Turning away he looks down at the note, it was an apology for the mess her friend did and he was an idiot.
Quickly translating it to her she then asked, "Pourquoi l'écrire plutôt que de me le dire." (Why write it down rather then tell me.)
Jobert then translates what she said before she then wrote before presenting "Can't speak, lost tongue in incident."
Jobert then translates to which Audrey pauses, "Oh… um Pardon. Je ne voulais pas te casser la gueule. Pardon." (Oh… um Sorry. Didn't mean to snap at you. Excuse me.) Audrey said before leaving to get a new shirt. Jobert then continues to apologies on his wife's behalf as she returns to her dorm. As she walks in, the finds a man in her husbands' luggage.
"Excusez-moi, mais qu'est-ce que vous faites aux vêtements de mon mari?" (Excuse me, but what are you doing to my husbands clothes?) Audrey demands startling the stranger who turned around to see her. He was a blond man, mid 40's with piercing blue eyes. But he didn't sound European, rather spoke naturally in Turkish.
"Kahretsin, erken döndün." He said in Turkish before pulling out a Khanjar knife. He grabs ahold of her arm and pulls her into the dorm before she could scream. He grabs the back of her head putting the curved blade to her throat, but Audrey was quick. Grabbing a Charles dickens book she brought from her bed she slams it into the mans eye. He let's out a painful growl as he stumbles back.
"Seni küçük kafir fahişe!" He shouts in rage as he stumbles back.
He goes for her before she could scream, but Audrey evaded using the book as a shield. She opens the door and was about to flee when her attacker grabs her by the back of her hair. She let's out a little yelp as she was thrown across the dorm. The man gets on top of her, Pinning her to the ground. She flails around hoping to break free but the man held her down as he mumbles something in Turkish, "Derisiz etin efendisi, bana kafirin etini bağışla. Kârınız için övgüler olsun Makryat!"
He then raises his knife ready to plunge it at the back of her neck when someone caught it. Jobert had just arrived to check on his wife to find a soon to be dead man about to stab her. So like and good husband he stepped in… with a hard right hook. The stranger fell on the bed and stumbles to get up.
"Allez chercher Nora maintenant!" (Go, get Nora now!) Jobert shouted as he helped his wife up. "Je veux donner quelques coups à ce fils de pute avant qu'elle ne se casse les genoux." (I want to give this son of a bitch a few shiners before she breaks his knees.)
Audrey gives a nod and quickly races away as the attacker stands up with his blade at the ready. Jobert held at his fist ready for the son of a bitch who attacked his wife. The man raced him with the knife to which he side stepped and delivered a hard right hook to his face. He then followed up with a second left hook and a jab to the rib cage. The man fell back, bleeding from the nose and gasping to breath. Angered he rushed Jobert again, slash madly but Jobert managed to easily avoid before delivering a savage left cross. Falling to the ground Jobert stands over him when he felt something off about his knuckles. Looking down he found a huge shred of skin on his knuckles. The man slowly rises to reveal that his skin, was concealing a second set of an Arabic man.
"Quoi au nom des dieux?" (What in gods name?) Jobert whispers to himself as he was caught off guard by the man's horrific revealing feature.
This sadly bought the skinned man time to strike, with immense strength he slashes down stabbing Jobert in the shoulder. He lets out a yelp of pain as he fell to his knees. If it were a few inches to the right, he would have lost his arm indefinitely. Feeling his Clavicle snapped her struggled to get the man's knife out of him, but the man had an unearthly strength. Struggling he grabbed ahold of his sleeve and tears it free, revealing multiple stitch works of various skins melded together. The man shown no remorse as he pushes the blade deeper. As Jobert struggles the man was pulled back by someone stronger. Nora had arrived and thrown him against the door with enough force that it cracked the wall.
"Oh, my god's. You alright Jobert?" Nora asked as she helped him up.
"Ugh, broke something… but I'll live." Jobert said through the pain as he stood. As Nora helped him the attacker let's out a painful grown as he struggled to stand. Nora with her one eye stared at the attacker with distained. That's when Jobert remarks under his breath, "But I think he will have… something worse, broken."
Nora didn't respond but leaned Jobert on the side before cracking her knuckles loudly. The man held out his knife but wobbled as blood leaked out the back of his head. As he struggled to stand, he noticed that people had exited their dorms or entered from other car's to see him. They gasped in shock and horror. One called out to him.
"Kempf, was machst du?" A man who looked and sounded like a German industrialist asked as he approaches cautiously, only for the man to turn around and reveal his true face. Causing the man to gasp in horror "Was in Gottes Namen?"
Seeing that he was exposed he turned to Nora and speaks in English. "Forgive my failures… Skinless one."
Before anyone could react, he turned the knife on himself and punctured his jugular. He gurgled before collapsing onto the ground. The crowed of onlooker's panic and begin fleeing or calling for aid. All while Nora stood in shock from what she saw. As she looked down, she felt a set of eyes on her. Looking up, she saw a raven-haired girl staring at her with amber eyes. She then turns and walks away as the train comes to a stop as the scene goes black.
The scene opens up on a blacken stage before a spot light appears on the center screen. After a few moments a man in a conductor's uniform appears; Sliding across the scene before stopping on camera. Pushing back his hat he then says, "HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE'SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS Henri! Greeting's and Salutation's. I am Henri Peeters, stepping in for the host, Wombag. He is sadly busy for the remainder of this arc dealing with accounting era's from renting the Orient Express for the sets. But not to worry as I shall convoy his response till the end. Now to recap this exciting tale of Horreur et mystère. We see the Caron family as well as their iconic and lovable ward Nora, enjoy the wonders of the Le roi des trains et le train des rois. Meeting a few intriguing cast and crew before a man wearing another man's skin tried to assassinate Jobert and his beloved. Caught in the act he took the cowards way out, but not before leaving an ominous message. Who is the skinless one? Is that woman Blake? Or perhaps there is more afoot. I'm afraid you must wait till our next stop to learn more. But till then let me answerer you question or address your comments portraying to the feature story.
De l'honorable PersonLatinoamericaComun: Not sure why you thought he died, but yes he is still alive and well. Hope you do, he is working on a few things on the sidelines for this tale.
Merci en considération, PersonLatinoamericaComun
De l'honorable Black Cross0: It seems her new friend has gone missing. Perhaps the problem has resolve itself.
Perhaps so. She nearly missed her train so to speak.
A love triangle of epic proportions. Though he also mentioned Dark Knight in there though Not sure what that means.
Beaucoup d'appréciation, Monsieur Black Cross0.
I'm not sure I'd share the same sentiment, but sadly you are acurate. Hopefully this won't put a dent in the trains reputation.
Merci en considération, Black Cross0
De l'honorable Carre: 1A. I shall convey your appreciation Monsieur Carre.
1B. Yes, while a bit open for my taste one could not expect more from such a women as Madame Berber.
1C. He sadly has yet to divulge that information at this time.
1D. Hmm, I shall convey this to Monsieur Wombag as soon as this is over. Perhaps he'll use this in upcoming stories.
1E. A bit of both actually. An attempted murder will be reported but the description of what comes next will baffle the most well versed of rail enthusiast.
2A. I believe he will divulge later that the trip tickets were pulled by two twins. But that will be later discussed in the follow chapter.
2B. Sadly the focus is more on the set up rather then the actual city, and so was this chapter. It will continue on making you feel like Monsieur Hercule Poirot
2C. So he seems.
2D. It's been around for a long time. Last held by a despicable count who was arrested a week to the toppling of the Batile. Comet Fenalic I believe his name was.
2E. I'm sorry but it seems he is nowhere to be seen in this chapter… or is he?
3. I shall convay how please you are for his work… and the thumb as well.
Merci en considération, Carre
Well with that all said and done I shall leave you all with a haunting thought. If the man who attacked the family was in disguise. How many others onboard was wearing a disguise? Perhaps without realizing it, the named or detail few were also villains ins disguise. But that's to be uncovered in the next chapter. Now please show your patronage by Following the development and convey your approval as well. Comments and questions will be answered instantaneous with the progression of the story. Now that said, I shall take my leave.
Merci pour la lecture, from your temperary host; Henri Peeters.