Chapter Text
The rain poured down from the sky in heavy droplets, hitting your head with loud smacks as you weakly trudged along the forest path. You’d been on the road the past couple of days, your measly belongings stuffed into a bag on your back. The rain had you completely drenched, the chill seeping into your bones as your soaked clothing weighed you down. You needed to find shelter soon.
You continued forward a little while longer, hoping to find a hole in some tree roots or maybe a rock outcropping to hide in for the night. Instead, you come across a wrought iron gate with a pair of tiger statues watching you from atop stone pillars on either side. Their fangs are bared at you, eyes burning into your soul as you slowly approach the gate. All you see on the other side of the bars is a long dirt road framed by trees. Maybe this is a cemetery? You could hide out in a mausoleum until the rain stopped.
With that idea in your mind, you push the gates open, a chilling creak sounding from their hinges. The trees along the path provide some much-needed cover from the rain, but only for a little while until the path opens up to a sprawling manor with a large courtyard. The lawn and the flora surrounding the building and pathways are well-manicured. A three-tier stone fountain sits in the middle, but no water flows from it. The only water within the fountain sits in the lower basin, the rain rippling the surface.
Not wanting to stand in the rain any longer, you trudge up the front steps and take shelter on the porch. You can’t tell if anyone is awake at this hour, but you reach up to grab the knocker - a tiger with a ring in its mouth - and hit it against the door four times, hoping someone will answer.
You’re met with silence.
“Hello?” You call, “Is anyone there?”
More silence, another round of knocking, and then… the door creaks open. You wait for someone to appear, but no one comes. It’s the darkness of the inside that greets you. You wonder what to do, your manners telling you to stay put on the porch, but you can feel warm air drifting toward you from the inside. Your soaking-wet frame shivers, and eventually, your desire to dry off compels you to enter the house.
The foyer is warm and dry compared to the outside, and while it’s dark, there are a few lit sconces along the walls that provide just a bit of light. You creep forward into the center of the hall, turning your head to look at the decor of the manor. There are paintings on the wall with figures you don’t recognize, decorative vases on various tables and dressers, and a grand staircase with a stained glass window above the landing. You step closer to examine the design of the window, and you come to realize it’s yet another tiger.
Whoever lived here really liked tigers.
“Who the hell are you?”
A voice pierces the silence of the foyer, and you scream. You jolt around to find a tall man with shaggy black hair, staring you down with stormy grey eyes. His shirt is partially unbuttoned at the top, and his sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, while the vest he wears is completely unbuttoned.
“I’m so, so sorry for entering without permission! I got stuck in the storm outside, and I found this gate along the main road-”
“The main road? ” The man interrupts, “I don’t know where you were headed, but this place isn’t anywhere near the main road.”
You stare at him, blinking with confusion. “B-But the map, and I spoke to someone earlier today at a fork in the road… he said the next town was along the forest path, the main road!”
“Well, sounds like your directions were shit. The nearest town isn’t even remotely close to here.” You press your lips together in a tight line, your brows furrowing in disappointment. God, you were such a klutz! How could you mess up simple directions? Now here you were, soaked to the bone and trespassing.
“I’m really sorry to have intruded on your home, I swear. I just need a place to stay-”
“No. Absolutely not. You need to go.” He steps closer to you, his intimidating form towering over you.
“Please! I promise it’ll only be for one night, I’ll be out of your hair at first light!” You plead with him, clasping your hands together.
“What part of ‘no’ don’t you get? I said you need to get out of here, now.” He grits his teeth at you with those last few words, and you notice his eyes start to look… golden. Your heart starts to race in your chest, and just as you’re about to turn and leave with no complaint, you swear you can see the shadows of the foyer move.
“Now, now, Eddie! Is that any way to treat a guest?”
Your attention shifts from the man in front of you to the source of the voice. You see an even taller man standing on the staircase landing, his form silhouetted by light from the stained glass window behind him. His clothing, while expectedly casual for being worn around the home, still holds an air of sophistication. His vest is patterned with a subtle filigree, and his ruffled collar is pinned with a silver brooch.
“A guest? They broke in.” The man, whom you now knew as Eddie, argued.
“Well, that’s quite the stretch, isn’t it? I don’t see anything smashed or broken.” The elegant stranger slowly descended the stairs, a calm smile on his face.
“No, but they entered without being let in.”
“Can you blame them? The poor dear is soaked through!” The white-haired stranger approaches you both, and your heart skips as his gaze falls on you. Eddie looks at you and frowns, but keeps his mouth shut.
“I didn’t mean to trespass, I swear. I was so cold… I knocked, and the front door opened on its own!” You admit, feeling rather embarrassed over the rambling excuses you’re giving him.
“Did it now? Perhaps there’s something wrong with the latch…” He wonders aloud, looking over at Eddie with what you believe is a curious smile.
“Great, something else for me to fix.” He sighs quietly, pinching the bridge of his nose.
The man looks back over at you. “Do you need somewhere to stay?” He asks. The question he poses is clearly out of concern, but there’s something about his gaze that sends a chill up your spine.
“Only for the night! I wouldn’t want to put you out.” Your brows knit together as you wave your hands in worry.
“Nonsense! There’s plenty of room here, I assure you. You can take one of the guest rooms.” He declares, placing a hand on your shoulder to lead you to the staircase.
Your mouth falls open in surprise. “I don’t know what to say… I promise I’ll be gone in the morning.” You look over your shoulder at Eddie, who looks a bit irritated, but he doesn’t put up a fight. Instead, he watches you almost unblinkingly. Once he’s seemingly had his fill of staring, he disappears into a nearby hallway.
“You don’t need to say a thing. Hospitality is my specialty.” The man’s voice draws your gaze back to him. He beams at you, washing away any worries you may have previously had.
He takes you up the stairs and into the east hall, his posture straight and his stride delicate. He looks like something out of a painting, his white curls reminding you of ocean waves and whitecaps. He’s speaking about the house as he guides you through the hall, and his voice is so warm and inviting, each word drawing you in.
“This is where you’ll be staying tonight.” He chuckles.
“Thank you for your generosity,” You awkwardly begin, your fingers lacing together, “I don’t even know your name.”
“My name is Volt. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He smiles, giving you a half-bow. You tell him your name, opening the door to the room he’s provided you.
For a guest room, it’s rather lavish. There’s a four-poster bed with canopy curtains, finely braided rope tassels tying them back, and the plushest mattress you’ve ever seen covered in soft sheets. A fireplace sits nestled against the far wall, the mantle above covered in little decorative figurines, and a tiny vase that sits empty. There’s a dresser and a wardrobe, a wash basin, and a storage chest at the end of the bed.
“This is perfect! Thank you so much!” You exclaim, slowly sliding your pack off your back and onto the floor as you take the room in.
“You’re quite welcome! The lavatory is down the hall, first door on the right. Unfortunately, my staff is in bed for the night, but I can have a maid prepare the bath for you in the morning if you’d like.” He stands in the doorway, smiling at you.
“Really? I mean, if it’s not too much trouble.”
“It’s no trouble at all, my dear! For now, the basin should have water in it, should you feel the need to freshen up. Is there anything you need before I bid you goodnight?”
“No, this is all very sufficient! I can’t thank you enough.” You beam at him, gratitude stirring in your heart.
“Well, then. I wish you a good night and sweet dreams,” He begins to leave, but stops, “Oh! One more thing.”
“Yes?”
“I ask that you stay off the third floor, particularly the west wing. It’s under repair at the moment.” For the first time tonight, his voice is stern. He’s lost his smile.
“O-Oh, of course. I promise.” You quietly reply, giving him a nod.
“Thank you for your understanding. Sleep tight.” His smile is back, his eyes softening as he closes the door behind him. You’re finally alone.
The first thing you do is start a fire in the fireplace, stoking the flames until it crackles and roars. You take a moment to warm your hands, and you think over the day’s events, from waking up along the dirt road to getting caught in the rain. You didn’t think you’d be sleeping in such a luxurious room, but you’re not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Once your hands are sufficiently warmed up, you take your wet clothes off and hang them on the mantle to dry. Being in a stranger's home wearing nothing but your undergarments, you feel a bit exposed, but you don’t want to catch a cold. After everything is hung up, you wander over to the wash basin and wipe yourself off with a towel. The water is cold, but you can’t complain. You’re just glad to be somewhere dry and warm.
Finally, after settling in for the night, you climb into bed and practically sink into the mattress with a tired sigh. You don’t have to lie there long, your eyes drifting shut as sleep finally overtakes you.