The last week of November arrived almost unnoticed. In addition to tying up any loose ends at work, Viktor had been busy making travel arrangements for himself, Nicolae and Drogo. It was decided that for the time being, Peter would remain in Vienna with Josette and Lorie. The weather continued to match everyone's gloomy mood — it rained heavily and the temperatures were rapidly decreasing, as winter began displaying its icy, biting teeth. At times, wet snow mixed with the rain, covering the streets in a slippery brown slush. It was impossible to go for strolls through the park without boots, a heavy coat and an umbrella. Therefore, Lorie ended up staying mostly indoors, to her utter disappointment.
The little girl became moody and unsettled — she didn't want Viktor to leave, and was quite vocal about it, adding to the existing tension in the manor. When she tried talking to Drogo, he always found a reason to avoid her. Lorie didn't understand why he was acting so cold and distant. He was nothing like the fun, playful older brother she had known, and his new attitude upset her. Luckily, Nicolae was his usual, calm self and always tried to make time for Lorie. However, as the departure date neared, he became busier sorting through all of his belongings. He either packed things up or stored them, depending on their function and usability. Thus, he also had less and less free time to spend with his little sister.
To add to Lorie's anguish, her friend Delphine was sick with a cold and couldn't come over and play. Lorie found herself pacing up and down the manor, watching all the preparations for her father and brothers' upcoming departure. She got tired of drawing and playing with her toys all by herself. Late in the morning, she knocked on Josette's bedroom door and entered without waiting for an invitation.
"Maman! I am so bored!" Lorie ran up to Josette who was sitting at her little writing desk. "What are you doing? Writing a letter?" She started fiddling with Josette's pens and notepads.
Josette stopped writing and looked at her daughter: "I was trying to..."
"Can you come play with me? Pleeease! I want to have a tea party for my dolls," Lorie whined and started pulling on her mother's dress.
"Lorie! I can't just drop everything I'm doing and play," Josette scolded her.
"Why not? It's not like that letter can't wait," Lorie complained. "What's so important about it anyway?"
"In case you were wondering... I was writing to Grandmaman and Grandpapa to invite them here for Christmas, and to see if they'd be willing to stay a bit longer," Josette sternly informed the little girl.
Upon hearing the news, Lorie started jumping up and down and clapping her hands.
"Oh, Maman! I hope they can come! I wonder what they'll bring me!" Lorie's eyes sparkled at the thought.
"Lorie," Josette told her, "...it's not crucial that they bring you presents. What's important is that we will get to see them and spend the holidays with them."
"Right! I know!" Lorie took it down a notch. "Still... I hope they bring me a new doll."
"Knowing your grandmother, I'd be surprised if she doesn't show up with several," Josette muttered, rolling her eyes.
"You think so? Oh, that would be so wonderful!" Lorie started dancing around the room, making Josette dizzy.
"Lorie, could you come and sit here?" Josette patted an empty chair by her side. "I need you to be quiet, please."
Lorie pulled a face, but obeyed. She sat down as told, but then started dangling her feet and kicking the chair legs with her shoes.
"You really need to go run around outside," Josette sighed loudly. She was getting annoyed with Lorie's restlessness.
YOU ARE READING
Why Lorie? Part II
Fanfiction** Mature content! **This is the second part of Lorie's story that starts after Drogo is banished to America. I try to alternate chapters between Lorie's life in Vienna, and Drogo and Nicolae's in Mystery Spell. Read on to find out how Lori become...
