Demonic Boundries

Fancy Greetings

　

　

　

Echo caught her breath as the white cat clawed at the large doors, and for a moment she went to open the door but the door opened before she could even grasp the door knob. Holding her hand she peeked inside and so took careful steps inside while looking around taking in the sight, only it was hard since it was so dark.

“Erm . . .Hello?” She felt very odd being in this place, it was so vast in space and moderately empty besides the few scattered furniture in the room.

“Good evening.” A voice entered her ears so she quickly turned around then strained her eyes and ears to see or hear whoever was there.

“Um . . .am I intruding?” She questioned making sure she wouldn’t have to get involved with the police, now that would be something that would make her brothers extremely angry. Not something she wanted to deal with, when they got angry she would always worry if she would get beaten since her brothers are such sport junkies . . .and video game junkies.

“It seems not, Classy seems to have taken a liking to you and from what I’ve seen . . . She’s clearly invited you over.”

“C-Classy?” Echo gulped the air feeling her mouth grow dry.

“Yes, the cat you had taken the liberty to follow so enthusiastically.” His smirk was evident as his chuckle echoed through the room, he was amused with how timid she was and tried to hide the smirk that was growing with each passing minute.

“Oh! You mean that white cat?” She looked around now wondering where that cat had gone to. Her eyes scanned the area but she couldn’t find the cat anywhere.

“ . . .Yes, I suppose.” The figure was still hidden in the dark shadows that draped the corners, and so she continued to glance from each corner of the room she could spot. This was when she finally began to notice the room, it didn’t look clattered or old, it looked rather taken care of. Like someone had been living here, and she blinked feeling herself shiver remembering that this man was here. He must be the owner.

“Um . . .I hope I’m not inconveniencing your time, knowing how late it is.” She looked down while tapping the tip of her shoe on the floor embarrassed now realizing what time it could be.

“Well I do suppose that’s it’s quite late, but now I must ask, what brings you all the way out here?” The figure questioned taking a step forward, so Echo looked up from her shoes and stared intently.

“I had received a note with the words ‘Versailles Mansion’ so I got curious about this place . . .and so here I am” She lightly explained feeling quite childish. Echo had pin-pointed where he could be after much listening, so she watched that spot trying to see if she could spot him.

“Did you get the note from friends?” He questioned while raising an eyebrow.

“ . . .Well, I don’t have any friends.” Echo replied while lightly rubbing the back of her head embarrassed to say such a thing to a stranger.

“Hm.” He was beginning to catch an interest with this girl, so he took another step forward only to stand in front of her. Echo blinked noticing black shoes that looked quite fancy so she let her eyes travel upward only to see plain simple black pants and a white button up shirt then a flawless pale face with dark brown eyes that almost seemed red, she also observed that his hair color was that of a raven’s feather. Over all he looked to be still at least eighteen or nineteen.

“A-ah.” She was tongue-tied and didn’t know what to say, and seeing his reaction she saw the corner of his mouth twitch as if trying to restrain a smirk.

“I am Edmund Panaro, it’s a pleasure to meet you contessa.” He gently bowed to her and so out of haste she curtsied. Echo couldn’t help but feel quiet flustered around this man that she had just met. “But I just prefer Ed.”

“O-Oh.” She nodded at the information and so Ed watched her for a moment as if waiting.

“And what is your name?” He inquired while trying to hide his amusement that she had not replied with her own name when she should have.

“O-Oh!” She panicked slightly, “E-Echo Euthiski.”

“Echo? What an alluring name.” Ed spoke with a smooth tone, she began to think that she was dreaming since all the men she had ever met were either jerks or poseurs. But a gentlemen? This was something new and something she needed to learn about.

“Yes, My mother named me since when she heard my first cry, it seemed to echo to her. So I was named Echo.” She shrugged and blinked realizing she just gave personal information to a stranger. Ed noticed her sudden change in expression and wondered.

“Is something the matter?”

“Yes? Um . .no?” Echo wasn’t quite sure herself but she stopped noticing a cat sitting at a table, “The cat!” She pointed looking for a diversion, and so Ed looked to where she pointed then smiled to see his beloved cat.

“Ah Classyalabolas, so you have decided to join us.” He spoke while opening his arms, and so the cat jumped from the table then wandered over to where he was and jumped into his arms so that he could hold her.

“I thought her name was Classy?” Echo questioned now confused, and she remembered that he himself called the cat ‘Classy’, so why the sudden name change?

“Oh, Classy is a shorter version of her name, because do you think anyone would want to speak such a long name all the time?” Ed inquired while setting Classy down, and so Echo nodded in understanding then glanced over to the clock only to nearly shout at the time.

“Um . . .it’s getting rather close to what time I need to be present at school, so . . .um . .yeah.” She grew very awkward not knowing how to be polite about saying she had to leave.

“School? Oh, then please do leave, but when will you be back?” He questioned as Classy sat there looking expectant.

“Um, when I find time . .bye!” She quickly left the room and shivered at the feel of morning dew in the air, it was nearly five in the morning and her brothers would be in her room to wake her up in an hour.

　

“Do you think she’ll be back?” Classy looked over to Ed in question as she asked him.

“I’m not for certain, but could you keep an eye on the girl. We wouldn’t want to lose touch, now would we?” Ed smiled to her and so Classy nodded while scampering outside. Ed sighed while closing the door now feeling that the place felt more warmer now that he had a decent guest.