The mansion always felt so lonely these days. Arkady's parents had died years ago, the servants had all moved on, and Arkady hand't even had Ashley to return home to. It was just him, all alone, and the ghosts of the past. The mansion was too big for just one man, and many of the rooms fell into disrepair, covered in layers of dust. Arkady is close to just abandoning the estate, and going to live in some dark corner. It's not the same without his beloved.

Arkady had arranged everything for Ashley's funeral and burial upon returning to New Orleans, with one little request: he was to keep Ashley's skull.

The skull is currently sitting in Arkady's lap, his spidery hands trailing along the smooth cranium, and across sharp cheekbones. How he used to stroke Ashley's face and hair like this, when he was alive.

The knock at the door is unexpected. Arkady sets Ashley inside his box for now, and goes to see who it is. It's nobody he recognizes, but it's obviously somebody important. There's a strange quality to him, but Arkady can't quite place his finger on it.

"If you're here to take the mansion, go ahead. Just give me a day to pack my things."