Snippet #2679864

Nikolai stared at the ramshackle house, noting the peeling paint and faded shingles. The house was just old enough to be unfashionable and ugly, but it wasn't yet old enough to be quaint or antique. The door—discolored in patches, due to its age—was slightly ajar. His roommates had likely arrived before him.

"Well, this is shit," he said, matter-of-fact. With a sigh, he adjusted the duffel bag slung across his shoulder. Most of his items had been delivered to the house earlier. All Nikolai had with him were the essentials. He took a mental picture of the Mayfield House. Nikolai would probably sketch it later. Though... he might add some flames to spice it up. With some extra pzazz, the building would make an excellent rendition of hell.

(Alright, maybe he was being a little over-dramatic. But still, the house was as ugly as sin.) Nikolai, finished with his examination of the exterior, pushed the door open and entered. The interior disappointed him further. It was dusty, with stains on the floor and cobwebs in the corners, and it really needed a good cleaning. It damn well wouldn't be him who cleaned it, though. And for now, it'd do. After all, it was his fault that he ended up in this place.

Though the house may have been run-down, it certainly wasn't empty. Inside were two of his future roommates. One was a tall girl with striking red eyes and hair, both features which were highlighted by her matching red clothing. Judging by her two heavy pieces of luggage, she appeared to be a newcomer to Ariens. Nikolai looked her up and down. She was quite attractive, in a unique sort of way. At the very least, she'd fit right in with the drawing he planned to do of the Mayfield House.

"Why, hello," purred Nikolai. "It's a great pleasure to meet you. You are one of my roommates, da? I'm quite charmed. Where are you from?"

He turned his attention to the other person in the room. In the stranger's hand was a pack of chocolate biscuits. How nice—it bordered on too nice, really. That didn't mean Nikolai wouldn't eat the offered food, though. The other man had average features, but he also had the unique combination of gray eyes and dark hair. The girl may be new to Ariens, but this guy was an outright foreigner. If Nikolai remembered his geography correctly (which of course he did, having a photographic memory), then his other roommate was from beyond the Great Sea.

"And are those biscuits for me?" His words were full of exaggerated pleasure and surprise. "I'm a bigger fan of strawberries, but I'll certainly say yes to chocolate." Nikolai winked at the other man. "How very, very kind of you."

He tossed his luggage at the foot of the couch and plopped down, glancing once at the dilapidated TV. As tempting as it was to start watching whatever shows the ancient device received, Nikolai decided that it'd be more fun to see what his roommates were made of. He hadn't yet decided what they'd be in his sketch. Would they be better as the tormented or the tormentors? (Nikolai certainly knew which one he was.)

With a gasp that was too drawn out to be sincere, he pressed one hand to his chest. "Forgive me for my rudeness. I haven't yet introduced myself! I am Nikolai Utkin. And may I know your names, as well?"

Nikolai's eyes flickered to the stairs. The thin layer of dust that covered most of the floor wasn't as uniform, there. Not to mention the unlocked entrance door. Perhaps someone else was inside. Or perhaps not. It could just as easily have been one of the two people standing in front of him.

"So," he said brightly, "was it one of you two that opened up our lovely new house?"