A Clandestine Affair [Natalya + Roderich]

[Roderich Edelstein]

Roderich stood in his music room, the most favored room in his house. It was early evening and the sun was starting to fade from the sky. The room was currently lit by the golden orange light, but soon the room would only be lit by the lamps stationed through the room. There was a crystal chandelier that hung from the ceiling, but Roderich used it only during the daylight hours, when he closed the curtains to the stark light of morning and midday. He preferred low light. It seemed to make everything softer, rounding off sharp edges. It was easier on Roderich’s brain to process.

The house help were cooking a dinner for two, as Roderich was expecting a guest. As he waited, he filled the space with his favorite pastime. Across the room from his grand piano was a music player styled to resemble an old fashioned turn table, complete with speaker that resembled a horn-like flower. The music that flowed out of the speaker was a lone piano, actually one of Roderich’s own performances, recorded in this very room for its acoustics. The ceiling was vaulted and the walls recessed between the support beams, causing sound to echo and become richer. The walls were well insulated, damping the sound beyond the room, but mostly to keep house sounds from coming in.

A large section of wall was taken up by a window that started just above a sitting shelf padded with pillows, shaped to fit the recessed wall of the window. The rest of the window rose to the height of a normal wall. Cream curtains were pulled back to the edges to allow the orange sunlight in. In front of this window, Roderich stood with his violin held between his shoulder and chin. He was playing the violin counterpart to the recording, eyes closed against the light.

At home, Roderich doesn’t dress as fancily as he does out of doors, wearing a simple white button-up shirt with a dark waist coat and dark slacks. Sad Romance was the name of the song, slow and melancholy, reminding Roderich of a tuft of down on the wind, or a leaf riding a stream out to the sea. The end result was inevitable, and there was no escaping the journey. All the same, the journey itself could be something of beauty, punctuated by sadness and joy as the eddies and the rapids along the way. But the journey was always done alone.

[ Sad Romance can be heard here]

[sey]

Natalya spent her day doing something she loved: she danced for hours to beautiful music. Today was a scheduled rehearsal for the upcoming show of La Belle au bois Dormant. Sleeping Beauty was a wonderful ballet with such amazing music. She had done this ballet before in Paris, but there were modifications to it for this performance. She never minded a director’s urge to put his own signature to ballets. It was her job to dance, not demand all dances were the same. She was happy to shift moves when needed.

However, she was not completely happy with the day. Today, she was given a new understudy. They had hired new performers to the company in Eishoff and now she was to be followed by some new girl. She hated people in general, but she hated new people even more. They were always so honored to meet her, but at the same time they only wished for ill-will towards Natalya. They saw her title as something they desired and wanted to prove she was unworthy of it. Like any other understudy, the girl tried to outdance her but it wasn’t possible. Emotions always got in their way. Anger and jealousy was easily translated in dance. And while Natalya hated everything she was apathetic enough to let the dancing shine through opposed to her own feelings.

Luckily, she wouldn’t have to be bothered by jealousy and pettiness afterwards. She had dinner plans with a delightful young man. She was to be graced with the company of Roderich Edelstien. She had met him years ago, and oddly started a friendship with the man. He was amazingly talented. She had danced at a recital he starred in and fell in love with his playing. Though, she enjoyed him as a person more than his talent. He was someone that enjoyed solitude, silent, and order. He seemed to be one of the few wealthy men that didn’t care about her looks, wealth, or even title. He was just someone who could relate to her, which seemed nearly impossible.

Natalya came dressed in a simple strapless dark blue evening gown. She didn’t attempt accessorize or bedazzle. It was a nice dress and she knew he would be in nice clothes. But the designer dress was enough for her. Besides, she did adore the clothing a certain Frenchman made. Servants greeted her at the door, though she expected nothing less. Her host knew she would arrive on time. She was extremely practical. Because she would come without delay, he was more than likely amusing himself, consumed by music. Even before the servants showed her to the room, she could hear light music in the distance. It was like he tried to lock himself with the music, keeping the doors closed so it wouldn’t escape. A man opened the door for her and Natalya made sure to close it behind her. It had been closed for a reason.

He sat there with the sun near the window, playing. He didn’t look happy or sad as he pleased the haunting tune. His face was as somber as the melody. It was relaxing. She did her best to step softly as not to add any unnecessary sounds to the song. She didn’t dare interrupt his song. It was something he was doing for himself, after all. She was simply allowed to hear him indulge himself, and it was always a treat. The way he played the violin made her want to dance, but it was easy to squash the urge. His violin moved her, though that was never the intention.

“Здравствуйте”

[/b] she said respectfully once he had concluded. She offered him a faint smile. “Good evenink Roderich. How nice it is to find you enjoyink yourself.”[/b]

Здравствуйте - a formal hello

[/blockquote][/size]

[Roderich Edelstein]

Roderich heard the click of the door open and close behind him, but didn't let it disturb his playing. He was expecting someone to arrive after all, so he didn't have a reason to suspect otherwise. Natalya would understand if he didn't immediately put down his instrument. They understood each other on the level that artists understand each other. Asking an artiste to cease in the middle of their craft could be upmost cruelty. Natalya was also a true artiste, one whose heart and soul was into their art. The kind of person who lived to perform their art, come hell or high water.

When the song ended, he turned slowly at hearing Natalya's voice. Like Bonnefoy, there was nothing remarkable about her other than stunning beauty. Nothing stood out more than anything else for his mind to utterly focus on, even if she might cause the launch of a thousand ships. He could stand looking at her face for longer than a few moments, and he does, almost frozen.

In the dying light of the sunset, she was washed of color and painted golden. She looked nearly unreal, as if should he make a wrong move, she would fade into a cloud of gold particles. For one moment, Roderich held his breath, afraid this was entirely possible. Then he saw her take a breath herself, and she remained whole. Roderich could breathe again.

"Good evening to you as well, Miss Natalya." Roderich finally moved to place the instrument and bow on a stand by the simulated gramophone, hitting the button to turn off the machine. He then approached Natalya and held out his hand for her to place hers on, with a polite bow at his waist. Though they both valued the relaxed nature of their friendship, his manners called for him to greet her properly. "It's a pleasure to be able to share dinner with you. I hope you are hungry."

[sey]

She placed her hand on top of his and he bowed. She curtseyed in return. Roderich was a formal person. Even when he was in a relaxed state, he was still a very formal person. She respected such manners. It might have made others seen him as a stiff or rigid person, but to Natalya is impeccable manners made him welcoming. He was someone who always followed a certain trend of familiar actions. Roderich was order and she was fond of order.

”I am famished,” she stated. Dancing for several hours did build an appetite. Besides, there was nothing better than enjoying a meal with someone that was a delight to be around. She had a few happy memories at a dinner table. Both those memories weren’t anything close to what she experienced currently. She wasn’t sitting next to Roderich with a smile holding the end of a scarf. Still, light conversation and good food was something to enjoy.

”It has been a long time since I’ve seen you. Have you been well?”

Natalya traveled often thanks to her profession. Sometimes it allowed her to cross paths with talented people like Roderich. Of late, she had been in places with rather dull people. Eishoff was full of dull people like any other nice city, but it also had people she was interested in. Someone like Roderich Edelstein was interesting. Someone like Francis Bonnefoy was interesting to her. But people like them weren’t everywhere she was. And she wasn’t always so lucky to meet such people. This trip to Eishoff was proving especially nice. There had been some rather haunting parts, but it was a nice trip.

[Roderich Edelstein]

When Natalya laid her hand on his, he lifted her hand and briefly pressed his lips to her knuckles in a light kiss, to which she curtsied. Natalya was definitely pleasant company. She was one of the few people in his social circles who expected nothing from him. Most people he shared company with were seeking something from him. Whether it was to establish an influential contact, cozying up to him to get closer to his father, or even hoping to interest him in a daughter or sister. He had problems with most of the wealthy women as they were usually self-centered and felt entitled. Once he was married he would not be able to keep his oddities hidden for long. How well would one of those self-indulgent women handle the situation they found themselves in?

At hearing she was indeed looking forward to dinner, he gently moved her hand to his forearm.

“If I may escort you to the dining room?” he asked. Having learned his manners from his mother, Roderich wouldn’t dream of pushing or pulling or in anyway forcing a lady to comply. A gentleman always asked permission so as not to find himself in an unbecoming situation. He acted so even with the female house help, though he didn’t need to escort them about since they were familiar with the house. Natalya would be free to remove her hand if she so wished, and Roderich would accept her gesture at face value. Even if she hated being escorted, he would offer her the same every time without being insulted.

"It has been a long time since I've seen you. Have you been well?"

“It has been a long time,” he answered as he moved towards the door to open it. “And I have been well. I pray your travels have been exciting and treated you well?”

Roderich reveled in the light conversation, as soon enough, he would have to reveal a less than pleasant topic and ask a question that could possibly put a damper on their friendship. He was dreading it, but not asking would eat away at him.

[sey]

He kissed her hand but it was expected. It wasn't the first time lips had grazed her hand. While it was uncomfortable, Roderich was different. He did it out of respectful and courtsey rather than lust or infatuation. He wanted nothing from her but company. There were no marriage proposal or intents of romance behind his etiquette. It was simply habits. Just like when he asked to escort her. It wasn't because he thought she would get lost or needed to lead like some cow. He just was showing manners. She simply nodded in response, allowing him keep her hand. He was a very gracious host.

He agreed that it had been awhile since their last meeting as they headed to the dining area. She barely remembered, but she believed the last time she had saw him it was because he had come to see her perform or something of that nature. It wasn't something as nice as a quiet dinner. She was quite grateful he had invited her to his home. While it wasn't the first time, it was always a treat.

"Traveling is always cumbersome but unavoidable. But there seems to be many unpleasant that I just cannot avoid," she admitted with a frown. Airports were always crowded and most of the world's population upset her. Still, all these things were unavoidable.

"But it always a pleasure to see you. My stay in Eishoff has been..."

What was the word? It wasn't so unpleasant that she was upset. She had meet people she had rather she never had contact with, but there were others moments that truly made her wonder. "...different than usual. This city is a world of its own." She wasn't too sure if she should be soured, happy, or utterly confused. She had seen ghosts and seen rich and famous men playing coincerge at a boutique he owned. This city was unusual and it wasn't its high population of bots.

[Roderich Edelstein]

Roderich nods in response to Natalya's comments about Eishoff as he opened the door and stood just aside to let her through the door first. It definitely was a world of its own. He figured at one point it was supposed to be a kind of utopia, but it was human nature for baser instincts to creep in, resulting in greed, poverty, selfishness and violence changing the face of any society. It just had its own unique flavor in a society so far away from the rest of the world. He preferred the solitude of it, however.

"I consider myself fortunate you could find time in your schedule to visit," he offered as they walk down the hallway. "How long will your stay in Eishoff be this time?"

As they near the dining room, the house help was just a few steps ahead of them, bringing out plates hot from the kitchen and to the table. Having a visitor was one of the few times he didn't have to be fetched and reminded to have a meal. Dinner was a filet mignon wrapped in a strip of bacon and topped with mushrooms in a light gravy sauce, paired with vegetables, stuffed mushrooms and pasta on the side. The chef liked to offer some variety on a plate so it was more likely he'd at least eat something on it.

"I hope you don't mind a filet mignon. I can ask for something else if you'd prefer."

One of the help beat him to it by having pulled out a chair for her at the table, so instead he just waited a moment for her to seat herself before he would take his own seat at the head of the table.

[sey]

"Pleasant."

[/b] Her stay in Eishoff had been pleasant overall. She had seen odd ghosts and men that disgusted her, but that always happened. She was now in the company of Roderich Edelstein and had met Francis Bonnefoy. That had to be major point towards the positive of Eishoff. It wasn't like it was an everyday occurance. There were several times she was stuck in a city where everything went wrong and she despised everything. It was nice to have pleasant things happen to her.

Dinner was served. It was exquisite looking. Roderich apologized, needlessly. "This is quite fine. No need to fret,"[/b] she replied. If she didn't like things, she would have let him know. She had no problems with expressing her dislikes. The woman sat down and waited for him to take his own seat before placing her napkin in her lap. She didn't go for the food first, but she wated until she was served wine before dining. It would be way too many things for her to finished, but she would try everything.

"How have you kept entertained?"[/b] she asked as small talk. "]Eishoff has many venues of entertainment, but I have no found anything to keep my fancy. Perhaps you know of something?"[/b]
[/blockquote][/size]

[Roderich Edelstein]

Roderich took his own seat after Natalya was seated, only one chair away. Though his table could host two families, he usually used it for just himself or the staff. Sometimes Roderich invited the staff working at the time to eat with him. It was a time he set aside for them to share concerns with the rest of the staff and him all at once. While he felt the shared meals were necessary, occassionally some of the staff forgot his main rule. The staff may speak quietly among themselves, but only one voice at a time should speak to him. When a second voice interrupted and attempted to speak on top of another's, Roderich had been known to throw dinnerware off the table. Even if it was full of food or drink. Instead of just adding his own voice into the mish-mash of voices, the sound of the dinnerware crashing agianst the floor or wall always did the trick of bringing silence and order back to the room. However, that was an example of the behavior that sometimes cost him staff. He'd never harmed the staff, but some weren't willing to take that chance.

The help moved in to pour them some chilled wine and then one stood by to assist them while the other disappeared back into the kitchen to help with clean up of the dinner prep. Roderich also dropped his napkin into his lap, as no one was immune from that one piece of food that decided jumping was better than being eaten. He then glanced at Natalya as she asked her question, waiting for her to begin eating first.

"Outside of music, there are always dreadful parties held by someone," he offered with a small sigh. "I have been looking forward to a different venue, such as one of your inspiring performances."

He reached over to pick up his glass of wine, swirling the wine slightly. He didn't want to look like he was waiting, no, he was just taking his time. Then he looked back to her face for the second time that evening. "I sometimes wonder if there is really anything outside of the performance. Even going to those parties is a performance. Perhaps a fun times event planner would be beneficial for the both of us."

Roderich did sometimes wonder if he was missing something. The low and middle class citizens never seemed bored. They were always busy, rushing from one thing to the next. And yet, a lot of them were happy regardless. Perhaps wealth was the anti-thesis of true happiness, and they were doomed to this terrible boredom outside of the brief moments of joy when immersed in their arts, and they would then pass that fate to their heirs.

[sey]

Once served, she picked up her silverware and carved herself a bite of meat. The meat was moist and cooked to perfection. It melted within her mouth allowing her tongue to experience so many levels of flavors - the taste of such high quality meat mixed with fats to keeps such a lean cut tender along with the sweet and creamy sauce only to be complimented by the woodiness of the mushrooms. Such flavors were divine. But regardless how enjoyable the meal was, she always maintained her cool demeanor. She smiled slightly after the first bite but there were no moans of enjoyment or anything indicating how much she enjoyed the meal.

"I am honored to hear you say such a thing,"

[/b] she replied. It was good for her love to be appreciated by others, but it had actual meaning when such a compliment came from someone she valued. She enjoyed hearing him place and he enjoyed to watch her dance. It was a mutual relationship and usually something she lacked with others. In an ideal world, she would dance in things Mr. Bonnefoy created to music Mr. Edelstein played. But things didn't work like that.

He started to muse over how mundane life seemed to be. There were fancy parties that neither wished to go to and beautiful performances by artists they respected. That seemed to be the lifestyle of the upper-class. They were recreational events, but it always seemed to be the same thing over and over. "Fun times events? Is there really such a thing?"[/b] she questioned. She couldn't see herself enjoying anything that might be considered fun. She simply wasn't a fun person. Things that made the world smile had little effect upon her.

"Though I would not be surprised if dinner parties and wine tasting are a part of such events,"[/b] she commented. At those parties, everyone seemed to be smiling. Whether they were practiced smiles or genuine, she never knew. Natalya barely paid attention. She simply allowed herself to be greeted over and over by the endless lines of faces but never really seeing anyone or anything.

"They say traveling cures restlessness but I cannot say that is true. Perhaps I have simply come to find all of life fun so I can't tell when things are not entertaining. Or it could be on the negative end. Regardless, it seems all like endless rituals and masquerades."[/b]
[/size][/blockquote]

[Roderich Edelstein]

Like minds. That was one of the things Roderich really appreciated about Natalya. She understood him, which was rare outside his more loyal help and his parents. He didn’t know much about her past, and he’d never asked. If she was interested in sharing it, she would on her own. He didn’t know what had made her alike to him, but appreciated it was so.

Seeing her smile at her first mouthful, he put down the wine glass and picked up his silverware to also begin eating dinner. He had no doubt the food would be good and prepared with care. The chef had excellent qualifications, was paid well, and he could focus his efforts solely on Roderich’s household.

He allowed Natalya to finish her musing, nodding at her last sentence. “Perhaps we should not look to our usual fare. Step outside of our comfort zone and look to the hoi polloi. Within reason, of course.”

Roderich was willing to sample things that the masses did, but he wasn’t about to crawl in mud or take part in anything that had too much stimuli. He had memories of being put onto a carousel as a child, and the breakdown that ensued from the chaotic mix of colors, music, lights and movement. Ever since, the thought of a carnival that would excite a normal person, was an aversion. He hardly wanted Natalya to see him in such a state. There had to be other things that were tamer. But he’d need someone to find them.

“If I embark on such a venture, would you be interested in joining me?” It was a big thing to ask, for Natalya to put her life on hold for whatever scheme Roderich managed to find. Not as big as what he wanted to ask, but that would wait till after dinner. He didn’t want her to leave his house still hungry.

[sey]

He made her an offer. They would leave their comfort zone of the high class lifestyle to seek fun as if they were commoners. She paused from her meal, staring at him expressionless. She had always been a part of an upper-class family and so was Roderich. They would both be stepping into an ill prepared scenario. Honestly, the working class never interested her. She had seen them smile, laugh, and play with absolutely no interest as a child. Now that she was an adult, she had less interest in them. But the lower class people she saw were still quite happy, but so were some of the people within her own social standings. Some enjoyed the mindless parties and useless gossip.

So what was there to lose in seeing why those unsophisticated people smile?

”I wouldn’t decline an offer from you. It would be rude on my behalf,” she answered before returning to her meal. She slowly cut though her meal and ate dandily. She had to admit, the whole suggestion did strike her as odd. She had never pictured Roderich caring about such things. Life was monotonous for someone like them, but they found small things to make them happy. But that wasn’t necessarily common amongst people. Did he notice that everyone seemed happier and he wanted to capture such happiness for himself? Or was this just plain curiosity that got him wondering?

”I presume you have something in mind already to ask such a question. Have you been pondering this long? If so, am I your first choice in accomplices?”

[Roderich Edelstein]

When Natalya paused in eating to stare at him, Roderich also stopped to look back at her, his expression as it usually was, a mask of calm. He expected it would be a surprise, maybe something she’d never considered. When he looked back, he would be surprised at himself as well. He hadn’t really planned the topic, or he would have already secured a fun finder, and perhaps identified their first venue. He wouldn’t have admitted to the first event in this meeting. It would appear too presuming, as if he was certain she would say yes.

Her response put him into a bad spot. If she wouldn’t turn down his offers, he would have to try harder not to offend. Though he didn’t doubt if she was steadfastly against an idea she would speak up. Natalya appeared to him to be a person who knew what she wanted, and also what she did not want.

Her further questions and return to eating allow him to relax just a bit, and return to cutting his meal into bite-sized pieces. “I would not presume to schedule any events without first consulting a lady’s interest.” He looked up from his meal and back at her with a serious gaze. “However, our shared distain for the typical amusement of...our class, drives me to wonder if we should look elsewhere.”

He lowered his silverware to pick up his wine glass and held it up in a small toasting motion towards her. Not one that called for a response such as a glass held high, but more a gesture. “You would in fact be my first accomplice. Whether in dance or word, you are a wondrous muse.”

When he was not performing alongside, watching Natalya dance filled his mind with music wrought of emotion. Emotion he could not let out on his face. Instead when he returned home, he would be wake for hours into the night, playing what he heard in his mind. Even though he often created new music in his head, Roderich didn’t often create new music for the general public. The process would include playing the pieces repeatedly, stopping frequently to write the parts down. This had to be repeated for each instrument included. On top of this, he found he wrote in his own code; just as some handwriting might only be decipherable to the original writer. There was a man Roderich sometimes hired whom they had both endured the painful hours of teaching the code, and that man translated his work into standard sheet music. Roderich often stopped after just a few instruments because his attention would wander, and the pieces would be left incomplete. He had boxes of incomplete music.