You blink your eyes open, awakening from your sleep. As you sit up and glance at your surroundings you find yourself on a road. Only when your eyes settle on the monumental mansion in front of you do you wake fully, flinching in surprise.
Hm?
Ah, hello, spectator. Yes, she is very lost, I’m afraid. Oh, did you assume I was talking to you? No no no. I’m afraid you are mistaken. I am merely narrating the story to our friend here. But you are welcome to listen, if you so wish.
Oh, look at that. I was distracted by your presence, and now she doesn’t know what to do. Excuse me, if you please.
As you slowly rise to your feet, you behold the enormous structure ahead of you. Should you enter? Where are you?
Will you approach the mansion, or step away?
Yes, it may seem strange from your perspective, I imagine. While she decides what she wishes to do, allow me to elaborate-
Oh. Well, that was certainly a quick decision. My apologies, spectator.
Realizing how cold it is, you rub your arms with a shiver, walking towards the mansion.
Eventually, you reach the door. It towers over you, no less than eight feet in height. Just above your head you spot a heavy handle.
Will you knock?
You draw a deep breath, preparing for the worst and grasping the handle. With a shudder from the cool pavement beneath your bare feet, you bang the handle against the dark wood repeatedly.
Nothing happens, and you let go of the handle, taking a step back. Nobody answers.
Will you knock again?
Okay, she seems puzzled. Now, back to you.
Currently, this girl named Evelyn is in a fictional version of France. Of course, we are here too, except that we are not. You are a spectator, appearing to me as a misty spectre and completely invisible to the people of this world. I am the narrator. You can see me, but the people of this world cannot, nor can you touch me. I read the scripts to the characters, determining their actions depending on their decisions.
Speaking of which, it seems Evelyn has made a decision. Excuse me.
Frustrated, you breathe a heavy sigh, knocking again.
It is completely silent. The wind blows through your auburn hair, rustling it about while you shiver in front of the door.
You turn to walk away, but freeze mid step as a heavy clang emanates from the door behind you.
You will yourself to turn your head and see the door creaking open unsettlingly.
Piercing the darkness on the other side, two eyes the colour of pale tanzanite meet your gaze. The soft glow surrounding them does little to illuminate the face they belong to.
What will you do?
You stare into the strangers eyes warily, unsure what to do. Maybe you should leave?
You turn to walk away, only to gasp in surprise when you feel a warm hand grasp your wrist.
“Wait.” Says a young, masculine voice behind you. “Please don’t leave.”
Hesitantly, you turn back to face the stranger, who has stepped outside to reveal the rest of his form.
He wears a clean red vest over a silky white dress shirt. Golden blonde hair covers his head, swiped back in a tidy fashion and reaching down to his pale chin. He gazes at you, a gleam of desperation in his bluish-purple eyes.
“...Please, come in.” He says after a few moments of silence, reaching behind him to nudge the door wide open.
Will you go with him?
You collect yourself, following him into the mansion. As you enter, you find yourself taken aback by the sheer scale. Golden-rimmed red carpet lines the freshly-mopped hardwood floor, so clean you can see your reflection in the polished wood. The matching wooden walls extend up to the domed ceiling, from which dangles an impressive, glimmering, crystal chandelier.
Tearing you from your trance comes a high, feminine voice from down the seemingly infinite hallway.
“Valéry?” The woman calls as she approaches, draped in a beautiful yet simple red plaid dress. While she gets closer, you notice her hair matches Valéry’s although her eyes are more vibrant.
“Ah, good evening, Charline.” The man named Valéry replies.
“Shut that door, Valéry.” Charline says, firm but not unkind. “The draft from outside is freezing.”
Immediately Valéry pushes the door shut, locking it securely.
Seemingly satisfied, Charline shifts her attention to you, her eyes seeming to light up at the sight of you. “Oh, and who is this?”
“This is our guest.” Valéry replies, giving you a warm smile that would have relieved you of the chilling feeling in your feet.
“Oh... That is wonderful!” Charline beams, clearly excited. Her expression changes as she takes in your condition. “Oh, the poor girl. You must be freezing. No, this will not do. I’ll have Lili prepare a bath for you. Valéry, give her the tour and then escort her to a room.” And with that, she turns on her heel and makes her way down the hall again quickly, a slight skip in her step.
Valéry offers his hand to you curtly. “Please, come.”
It is charming, isn’t it? I do love this story. It is one of my favourites. Such elegant characters, and the scenery is beautiful.
Eventually, after navigating through the labyrinth of hallways and climbing up a staircase, you reach one of many doors along a hallway.
“We are here. Please, make yourself at home.” Valéry opens the door for you, ushering you inside.
You are once again amazed by the ornate furniture and breathtaking walls. It does not last long, however, as your thoughts are interrupted by the movement catching your eye from across the room.
“Hello! Welcome. I’m Lili.” A little girl no older than eleven introduces herself with a big smile. “Your bath is ready, Ms...?”
“Oh... Evelyn.” You offer, still trying to process how Valéry could find his way here.
“Ms. Evelyn. What a beautiful name!” Lili smiles, leading you to yet another door within the room. She nudges it open to reveal the luxurious bathroom on the other side.
“Do you want assistance, or shall you fare on your own?” She asks politely, obviously not wanting to intrude on your privacy.
“I... I think I’ll be alright.”
You thank them both before entering the clean room containing the bathtub filled with fresh warm water.
And yet even in the midst of your awe, you can’t help feeling something is off...
It seems strange that she is so acceptant with all of this, doesn’t it? It thrills me, though. They are always so sceptical. Having a chance to tell the story this way... it is invigorating! Tell me, spectator, how would you handle such a predicament, waking up in a place you’ve never been only to see such a beautiful mansion?
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