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Rissy --~To say she was caught off guard by the seemingly sudden change of venue was putting it mildly. Before she even had time to react or object even they were in the air, her grip around his neck all but strangling as she closed her eyes and his her face in the crook of his shoulder. If all she’d been learning about herself and her family was true then the fates had pulled a cruel trick on her making her terrified of magic in all its forms and aspects.

As the effects from earlier began to fade she played every thing over and over in her mind hoping to make some sense of it all but in the end all it did was scare her all the more. If it was true then her marriage to Preacher was a sham and the ones whose arms were around her at the moment knew it from the beginning. What made no sense to her was why he’d insisted she move on with her life with Preacher, pushed her away over and over when he knew that ultimately she was making a mistake and more than just her own life would suffer from it.

With their feet finally reconnecting with the earth she was thankful Graf had offered her his cloak for it was definitely a different climate than what they’d left. Being that it was dark she couldn’t really make out much of the detail of the house except that it was rather aristocratic in both design as well as size. As candles flickered to life she gaze him a puzzling look before stepping through the doorway as Graf’s words echoed in her ears, “ Look with open heart, mind and eyes.” Venturing deeper within she ran a hand along the marble rail of the breathtaking staircase, pulling it back as if it’s burned her hand. Suddenly nervous she glanced over at him but knew better than to ask for it was clear he wasn’t talking. Slender fingers of hand played through her hair while the other fleeted over bottoms of framed paintings and a few of the knick knacks scattered along a few of the tables. No dust, clean swept floors and just the faintest of what smelled like cinnamon in the air. Images that had no rhyme, reason or seemingly even belonged to her kept flashing through her thoughts until a hand slid across the closed doors but she still doubted herself as she turned and looked back over at Graf once again unable to shake the feeling of having been here.~ (s) A girl feels like she’s been here before...like this is in someway her house but how can that be?


Graf -- Graf takes a deep breath and watches Rissy move through the foyer. He was afraid that perhaps he should not have brought her here just yet, but it was too late to reconsider. He wondered if she could see how she was touching the marble and looking at the staircase. When she quickly removed her hand as though lightning had captured her, he knew that the memories would come soon. He saw her eyes grow bright and could sense the memories trying to force their way back. He placed his arm around her and softly kissed her cheek.

“You ask me if this place had ever been your house. Tell me my darling, what does your heart say? Who are these people in the paintings?” He paused for a moment or two and continued. “Rissy, listen to everything around you. Look at the paintings. Allow the scent of this house to enter you. Do not fear my dear wi… lady. Explore anywhere your heart desires, except this one room. You will find what is in there soon enough. You are nowhere near ready to deal with that room. We are going to stay here for awhile. I think you will find that upstairs there is a bedroom most familiar to you, with its own bath and hot water. There are clothes in the closets as well. I think they will fit, if not, let me know and some will be ordered.” He kisses her cheek once more. “There will be a dinner served in a few moments. I am going upstairs to wash up. Please join me in the dining room in fifteen minutes.” Bowing, he dismisses himself, and goes to his room.

Once there, he stripped and entered the bathroom. He had installed a shower, primitive but useful. He had installed pumps that he could use to force water up, warmed by a small furnace. All of the baths in the house had them installed. He was proud of his accomplishments. He enjoyed the water running over him, relaxing his tired muscles. He was hoping that Rissy was enjoying herself and exploring the house. Besides the locked room, there was another that he did not feel that she was ready to explore, but he had thrown caution to the wind and left that one unlocked. He exited the shower, dried with a towel made of Egyptian cotton, then went to the closet. Finding a clean white shirt and black pants, he couldn’t help but chuckle. “I think I need to expand my wardrobe a bit more.” However deep in the left hand corner was a blue silk shirt with gold trimmings and matching pants. These were from lifetimes ago, but looked as though they had just recently been purchased.

After he finishes dressing he descends the staircase, noticing that Rissy had moved deeper into the house. He smiles, glad that she is curious enough to have a look around.

He enters the dining room and looks around. It had been ages since he had eaten here. He noticed that the servants had polished the silver bell. It appeared to be begging to be rung. He waited patiently for Rissy to enter and join him. He hoped that she would hurry. The smell of the roasted goose was divine. He saw the wine that had been chosen and could not believe that his dear servants had been so thoughtful. He would need to increase their pay, and make sure that their homes were in good shape before he left.

To him the people who cared for the house were family. Rarely did he eat in the dining room when he visited unless they and their families joined him, and during those times he prepared the meals. He decided that he would visit the families in the morning, and leave the house wide open to Rissy. The servants were given the day off, and had been told that she was allowed to go wherever she desired except for the room off the foyer. He had never allowed anyone in there, and was not about to do so now.