Comte De Saint-Germain was already at the dining table, patiently waiting for everyone to show up. As the owner of the entire elegant abode and proprietor in the men's current situation, he always occupied the middle head chair that gave him a balanced view of everyone.

"Something doesn't feel right," declared Napoleon Bonaparte, contrary to the image he was renowned for, he was a tall man with indigo blue hair that turned snow white underneath, framing his handsome solemn face. He was sitting straight and staring at the wine in the glass before him.

A scoff came from another gent sitting opposite Napoleon, he had slate gray-blue straight hair partially covering his face and his left eye was covered with a black patch. "I should not be here, this is a waste of time" Jean D' Arc, another plot twist in history and transcribed as a woman who joined the Hundred Years' Wars. Truth ran deeper that not everyone had gotten an opportunity to know.

"You two, why must you regularly sound pragmatic?" Comte wasn't sure if he'd be amused or palmed his face with these two sitting on each side of the table, their brooding and gloomy aura were heavily felt.

Sebastian finally came, making a proper head bow, and gestured with a hand to the newcomer who remained walking close behind Leonardo Da Vinci. "Please do not hesitate to join us, Miss Justine"

"You never failed to make dinner presumptuous and lively, eh, Sebastian" Arthur quickly pulled a chair for himself and eyed the variety of meals served on the long table.

Hmmm, Justine? Those copper eyes from Comte were on the lone woman and observed her body language whilst the others already occupied the table.

Justine was not getting the homely energy here, she felt like she never left a museum. The fragrance in the air wasn't painful in the nose but it was musky, taking her back to the past. "Is it okay...?" Not only were they all men, and yes they were dashingly handsome but what was up with their clothes? Were they costumed playing as historical figures?! She was a sore thumb among them.

The tall artist nearby sensed her discomfort, Leonardo didn't want Justine to feel endangered by their presence but it couldn't be helped. She was lost and once she heard Comte talking, she wouldn't precisely get an abrupt resolution. Leonardo gently and subtly took Justine by the hand, squeezing to share his warmth with hers. "Cara Mia, it is a must to try Sebastian's cooking, I promise you will not be disappointed."

Comte spoke loud enough to get the brunette's attention, "Please, milady, I will want you to join us and afterward, you may ask me whatever you wish to ask" From his peripheral vision, he noticed the grim line in Napoleon's face and quickly catching on that the latter was assuming they involved an oblivious mundane in their lives.

Hearing him did make Justine's attention perk and mildly her nervousness faded into the background. "You are the owner of this place? You're who Sebastian is talking about? Will you help me go back home?" She asked rapidly.

Theo shook his head, sitting next to Vincent, and murmured. "You pitiful hondje"

Kind of a good thing Justine did not have heightened senses like them, the others heard him clearly and Vincent threw him a pointed scowling glance which Theo looked away from. Leonardo didn't like that snarky comment either but gotta control himself.

"My name is Comte De Saint-Germain, please have a seat" Comte stated and pointed to the vacant chairs at the long table. "Have a fill and we will talk after"

—

Sebastian's cooking was truly delicious! It took Justine's mind away from her present dilemma as she thoroughly appreciated the meal, even engaging in small talks with Leonardo in between eating and the latter was internally happy to see this glimmer in those raven eyes.

"You are a fantastic cook, Sebastian! Being able to do multiple international dishes and desserts at the same time?! You're awesome!" Happily taking seconds of the sweet cream puffs in the middle of the table, Justine continued complimenting the dark gray-haired attendant.

As for Sebastian, he didn't shun her compliments away and gave a polite small smile. "It pleases me to know that you are enjoying your food, Miss Justine."

"Right? And that is Seb's secret for keeping all of us at the edge of our seats because he will always keep the menu different in a day, nothing is repetitive and it is never boring" Leonardo added, for some reason he was starting to be quite fond of Justine's presence.

Comte emptied his cup, he wished he could just let this light atmosphere as is but seeing the others' expressions there was no way to get around the main topic in the dining hall. "Miss Justine, I hate to break the giddiness you are in right now, your smiles are contagious but I wouldn't want to beat around the bush either"

This caught Justine's attention and instantly remembering where she was, "Oh you are right, my bad" She did get so caught up in the moment and also found Leonardo pleasant to talk to. "I do not know what to start asking so umm if you can already tell me what I need to know...?"

Comte breathed deeply first as he placed down the utensils on each side of his plate, even the other residents grew silent to give way to him. "There is a way for you to go back home but not until after a month"

"Huh? A month?" Justine's eyebrows knitted in the middle of her forehead, a mirage of confusion she was after hearing this.

Before Comte could speak again the lights flickered on and off, everyone became alert and got off their seats, darting their gazes around them warily. The flickering did not stop.

Napoleon who was on Justine's other side narrowed his gaze into slits, "Something didn't feel right all along..."

A foreboding and predatory air filled the dining area, and the silence became tense as if waiting for something to shatter. Justine was almost rooted in her seat as she sensed the change in her heartbeat turning to panic. "Leo...? What is wrong?"

Leonardo did not move away from the brunette woman, "Yes Cara Mia, and I do not know if my guess is right but if I am..."

The floral fragrance filled their senses, four flowers mixing and creating such an alluring smell that contradicted the peril hanging above their heads. More lights beyond the dining room shut off, cloaking hallways and other rooms in darkness until the only lights left on–trying to stay lit–were in the dining area.

Theo scowled, turning to the dark hallway. "Someone broke in, who in their right mind would dare do so?"

"Obviously mate, whoever is not in the right headspace" Arthur commented, unusually being serious.

The lights went out.

—

Justine whimpered, unable to stop her tears from welling up as she was drowned in fear when the lights went off on them. It was too cold for her liking, and this was making her remember Joneil. But she was startled as a pair of arms protectively wrapped around her and the floral fragrance was almost replaced by an intoxicating masculine scent coming from Leonardo.

"Do not fear, I will protect you" Leonardo had spoken in a low tone, only for Justine to hear. "You're not alone, Cara Mia, shhh" His amber eyes were looking left and right.

The gesture brought a subtle pink blush on Justine's cheeks, it did help ease her anxiety. She nodded, holding onto Leonardo's arm. "Okay..."

Sebastian saw this and he couldn't help but wonder how quickly Leonardo became attached to their guest, not that it was a big deal to him, no. Moving past the two, something caught his sight–a flash of crimson in the dark and it vanished quickly.

It was too swift even for their own heightened senses to catch, it was using the darkness to its advantage. They heard the footsteps followed by hits and grunts–Theo letting out curses in his native tongue, and Arthur as well. Napoleon shouted asking for the creature to stop being a coward and show itself to them.

"AAARGHHH! Damn it!" Leonardo yelped in pain, deep scratches from behind–nails digging deep through his back and tearing. He gritted his teeth, enduring it and still not moving away.

Worry contorted on Justine's face, "Leo, you're hurt!" She wrapped her arms back around his torso to at least help support him so he wouldn't fall on the floor.

"I'm fine, I will not move here, I won't leave you in the open" Leonardo leaned his forehead on the human woman's shoulder, irritated at the stinging pain of the deep gashes he already had on his back.

Then it clicked in Justine's mind, the floral fragrance. Could it be...?

"Stop! Why are you hurting us?! You helped me earlier!" She shouted to no one since she couldn't pinpoint where the culprit was.

Those who were hurt and almost knocked on the floor turned to Justine. Was she trying to talk to the creature? Did she know who it was?

Jean was not liking the fact that he didn't even manage to land a blow, "Who would be stronger than all of us inside this room combined?!"

"Not exactly strong but smart, it knows where to attack" Comte stated, he remained calm in the face of the unseen adversary.

Vincent saw the pair of red orbs in the dark corner–almost glowing like soft garnet gems, then it moved swiftly ready to tear Justine from above. He did not waste any more time and intercepted the culprit, countering it by tackling it to the ground.