A Similar Story 1

Time: just before dinner

Location: The Lounge, Nightrose manor

Rafael is lying on the couch staring blankly into the ceiling. His left hand on his forehead while his right holds a letter... the envelope containing the letter was torn open and scattered bits of it on the floor.

Rafael: ...
... It's only been awhile...
... what's wrong with me? ...hmmm?

The door to the lounge opens. In comes the head butler of the Nightrose family. A handsome young man in his late twenties. He has a smile on his face though it's obvious its not happiness.

Butler: young master...

Rafael: how many times have I already said, you don't need to ask permission from me to speak?

Michaelis: I apologize young master. Your dinner has been prepared. Shall we head for the dining hall?

Rafael sits up still in a dazed look. Michaelis notices the torn up envelope on the floor.

Michaelis: Is it the invitation to the party that troubles you?

Rafael: ...
... It's only been a few weeks since my last...
... I didn't do quite well in the last party either...

Michaelis: the young master treats himself too harshly.

Michaelis cleans up the bits of the envelope on the floor and disposes it

Michaelis: Do you wish to attend the party?

Rafael: ...
... you know I can't. I still have business to attend to. That and the stables are empty. My father takes the carriage on his way to his work and my mother is also using the other carriage.

Michaelis: Then its a matter of transportation? If you seek to meet your friends that badly, why not...

Rafael: friends...

Michaelis: yes young master, you're friends

Rafael: ...I feel like I'm pushing them away from me...
...it's like I don't really belong in that crowd...
*smiles* of all the people here, you should know that I do not really enjoy going to these events.

Michaelis: yes. The young master does enjoy staying home...

Rafael stands up approaches and looks out the window. It was already dark outside. Since the manor was far from the town, there was almost no light outside and nothing in sight but a vast garden covered in darkness.

Rafael: ...but after that incident... I started yearning to go out and attend those events. I've already been alone for a long time. I want to keep going out... to be surrounded by people. Yet I do not really know how to act or behave in those things. I feel like a fool.

Michaelis: as far as I know, that incident has nothing to do with this event. May I ask, what this event is about?

Rafael: I myself do not know. It's just a gathering among us friends...
...but I don't know if I can go... or if I want to go anymore...

Michaels: Are they not your close friends?

Rafael: ...close friends...
*whispers* then why do I feel so distant...

Michaelis: Did you say something, young master?

Rafael: It's nothing. I'm retiring to my quarters.

Michaeils: But what about your dinner young master?

Rafael: Do whatever you want with it. I've lost my appetite for the night.

Rafael exits the lounge and heads upstairs. Michaelis heads to the kitchen and meets with the chef.

Location: Kitchen, Nightrose manor

Chef: Hey, Michaeils! What's with that weird look?

Michaelis: It's nothing to be worried about Bart. *sigh* the master treats himself too harshly

Bart: heh, prob'ly teen angst. You're right. Nothing to be worried about.

Michaelis: ...

Location: 2nd floor hallway, Nightrose manor

Rafael: ...
... Do I really belong with... those people...
...

Rafael enters his room and shuts the door...