Rotham Manor

Meeting Him

I was explored my new house in England. So far, I noted it had three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a living room, and dining room. The house was supported on stilts since it was on the coast of Penzance. It felt really different from Missouri, a state in the United States where I used to live.

"Leo, it's time to eat. Exploring can be done later," Mom called from the kitchen.

"Give me a little longer!" I responded.

"Leopold!"

"Just a bit farther!"

I scrambled down a cobblestone path from the top of the hill that our house was partially on. The decline was so steep I couldn't stop once I reached the bottom. A wall of ivy stood at end so I closed my eyes, bracing for the pain. I got scratched by the ivy but I didn't hit against the bricks which confused me knowing that poison ivy vines needed a vertical surface to grow on. I opened my eyes to see why that was.

There before me was a large manor situated on a hill. It was mostly made of gray bricks with wood and stones as its secondary material. Wide windows covered the first story and long windows covered the three upper stories. At the front was a wooden set of massive doors and a side door that faced me. It was so majestic that I didn't notice my skin starting to react to the poison ivy.

"Stop! Stay as you are! I'm coming!" someone shouted.

I looked toward the direction of the voice. A boy around my age came running toward me. He was also around my height with blonde hair that looked bad against his pale skin.

"What were doing in the garden?!"

"Garden?! What garden? The last residents of that house didn't mention a garden behind a wall of ivy!" I exclaimed.

"What residents?!"

"Why are we shouting?!" I asked.

"Oh, apologies. I didn't mean to further your stress. Give me your arm and I shall lead you," he offered.

I grunted as he guided me toward the manor. We entered through the side door. The moment we entered, I smelled good food, wood, and leather. We went up a set of spiraling staircase to what I assumed was the third floor. We took a left turn and the boy opened a heavy wooden door. The room had a lot of dark wood paneling along with gold covered details. I thought I had reached my destination once we entered the bedroom but then he took me to a smaller room.

"Say, a bed is good en-,"

Splash!

"Frick! What in Sam's hill was that for?!!!" I howled.

"It's fortunate I decided to keep the water," he said.

"That's disgusting! I'm in water that's already been used!" I cried.

"Don't fret. I didn't use the tub," he assured.

He left me in there with my clothes on but at least my skin felt better.

"You may change into these once you're done," he said, appearing with a piece of cloth.

"Is that a nightgown?! That's for girls!" I pointed out.

"Why must you scream? Is that how you talk from where you're from?" he asked.

"No. I-I'm just lost," I mumbled getting out of the tub before quickly taking off my wet clothes.

"Excellent. I thought you had hysteria which is usually diagnosed for females," he said slyly.

"Shut up and gimme the clothes," I said embarrassed. "Anyways, I'm Leo. Leo Crawley."

"Silas Rotham at your service," he said. "Should you like some privacy while you dress?"

"Ha! We're both guys!" I said.

"So? I don't find it fitting for me to stand here. I'll wait in the bedroom. Come out when you're finished. I'll apply some ointment for you once you do."

Silas then did just as he said. No sooner had I gotten out of the bathroom did he start applying slimy stuff on me.

"Are you sure this ain't witchcraft?" I asked.

"Helga will never make such a thing!" Silas said.

"You're slow," I remarked.

"If I applied it faster and harsher your skin will be irritated," he explained.

"Um, so what part of England is this?" I asked.

"England? What's that?"

I froze.

Don't tell me this fellow doesn't know his geography.

"England, it's in Europe. It's on the map," I said.

"The only map we have is the manor map," Silas said.

"You have to be kidding me!"

"Are you upset?"

"I don't know. Does my face look upset, huh?" I exclaimed.

"You are outrageous," he commented.

"No! You're the outrageous one here! You don't feel comfortable with another dude changing and you don't know what a stinking map is!"

"Does that make me a fool then?" Silas asked.

"Yes, in my world it does," I said.

"Enlighten me about 'your world' then," Silas challenged.

"Well, hmm. Let's see. To start off, I'm going to tell you about England..."

I didn't know how long I had talked to Silas but by the time my mouth went dry so did my clothes that Silas hung. He left me to change again and came back with more medicine.

"Apply it on immediately after you go back to your England," Silas instructed.

"Silas, it's just England. I don't own it," I said.

"To me it's yours just as this world is mine and my family," Silas stated, turning his eyes toward the window.

"Since I told you about my world, you have to tell me about yours next time."

Silas' eyes widened.

"You're coming back here?" he asked.

"Well yeah. Why?"

"I guessed this was our first and last meeting but since you will be returning, I am elated," Silas answered.

I nodded and we went back to the garden. I walked into the wall hoping I wouldn't crash into it and make a fool of myself. Luckily, that wasn't the case. When I went up to the back porch, Mom stood there angrily.

"Leopold Lazarus Crawley."