Monsieur Alarie gives me the creeps that one. . . The Berkshire kids snuck in his room once, came out white as clean sheets they did! Whatever they saw, it wasn’t of this world I can promise ya that! -Gavin Winstone

Andre resides on the First floor. Room: A2.

The Vignettes

A heavy foot rested against an empty box of playing cards, the shoe was large, and had a bit of fresh earth encrusted along its edges. A hand not much larger than the foot picked up the small box to inspect it thoughtfully. "Hm.."

Andre Alarie looked down at the floor for any of the cards, then his ear perked to hear the sound of Abigail Berkshire at play in her room.

"Ok today, we're going to have tea, straight from England, it was specially imported, just for us!"

She had all of the Braum's missing cards, the prettiest ones set up facing their respective teacups.

"Ladies of the court, we will now discuss which is the best dress to wear, and why?"

Andre stood in the door watching the small child playing with her imagination at work. Then out of intuition she turned her head and saw the imposing figure in the doorway, his eyes quietly watching, his visage void of expression.

Her bright blue eyes shifted slightly to see the empty box of cards in his hand. "I saw it on the ground..." She admitted nervously. “Finder’s keepers, right?”

"They belong to Monsieur Leitner."

"What's your name?" She inquired without an ounce guile.

"Monsieur, Andre Alarie."

"Hey, that's my brother’s name, are you daddy, have you come home yet?! If so momma's gonna be mad!"

Andre turned a rare shade of pink, at the thought of him and Mrs. Berkshire being an item. "No... I'm not."

Abigail shrugged her arms. "Then why do you have the same name?"

"..." Not knowing what to say Andre stood in silence.

"Well, anyway, my name is Abigail, but you may call me Abby..."

She freely walked up to Andre, reaching up to take two of his large fingers in her small hand and towed him along. "You make a better door than a window, that's what Momma says anyway..."

"I hope you're not like Andre, even though you're named Andre."

"Why is that?" Andre asked.

"Because he says he's too old to play with me, let alone dumb girl games."

"What of your sisters?"

Andre asked as he was directed to sit in a chair much too small for him, at a very small table.

"Claudine is too busy following Yves around, I think she wants him to beat up Daddy for leaving all the time, and Veronique is too busy working selling flowers to help Momma pay for the rent."

Andre raised a brow. "Don't you have a smaller brother.."

"Yeah, but he's too small, last time I tried to have him play with me he messed his clothes and I had to give him a bath, since mom had do a favor for Madam Guenier."

Andre slowly eyed all of the various cards, and could no doubt see why little Abby was so tempted to play with them. Her head lowered in acknowledgment. "If you tell Momma I took them I might be in big trouble, I didn't mean to.. I was just lonely.. I'll let you have them back." She sniffled with her eyes to the ground.

“Could you just have tea with me?” She asked innocently.

Andre smiled, because of his strange appearance, and his occupation nobody ever invited him for anything, they were often too afraid to include him in anything. "I would be delighted."

"Really?!" Abigail exclaimed bracing her hands together with excitement.

"Yes..." Andre nodded assuredly.

Abigail quickly poured Andre his tea, with her heart full of tender enthusiasm.

Meanwhile Mrs. Berkshire looked on in complete shock. The two sitting at their tiny table in quiet conversation. Her little Abby had tamed, if only for a moment; the dark and mysterious soul known as Andre Alarie.

Andre Alarae emerges from his apartment turning the heads around as he is in a full funeral regalia. Dressed from head to toe in a fine black and red robe, he holds a large book under his arm as he slowly moves forward like a shadow through the room, drawing chills in hearts as he goes on his way.