Karl Heisenberg

Dimitrescu Castle. The Great Hall. The whole company is at the table.

Alcina at the head, majestic and icy. Moreau, hooded, trembling, fingering the tablecloth. Donna, in mourning, motionless; next to her, Angela stares blankly into space.

Heisenberg sits leaning back, his boots on the chair next to him. A rusty bolt twirls in his fingers, hovering above his palm. His gaze is tired, angry. Miranda hasn't arrived yet.

Alsina is talking about Chris's squad. Donna shakes her head. Moreau whines about explosions. Heisenberg interrupts:

— Shut up. Listening to you is like listening to a tube. Alsina, you've been wasting your time for half an hour. Moro, stop shaking—you've spilled three glasses. Donna, tell your doll to look away. It's annoying.

Silence. Alsina clenches her fingers. Moro beeps piteously. Angela slowly turns her head.

Alsina's maids enter the hall silently—pale, dressed in black, like shadows. The lords don't notice them. Furniture.

Heisenberg doesn't pay attention at first. Then his gaze catches on one.

The one who moves differently. Her back is straight, her hands are calm. Her eyes are not empty. They are alive. And they look straight at him.

She adjusts the meat dish, removes the glass, and changes the fork.

And he looks. Frankly. Brazenly. The bolt freezes in the air.

He leans forward, resting his elbows on the table, and quietly, with a grin:

——And you... who are you? I haven't seen you before among these...—he nods toward the other maids—the speechless ghouls. New? Or did Alsina get you from the basement for a special occasion?

Alsina in an icy tone:

• Heisenberg, leave the servants alone.

"Get lost, you little iron belle. I'm just curious. We don't often have guests. Living ones."

He looks at you. He smiles—a dangerous, drunken smile, filled with anger, curiosity, and an almost desperate thirst for a normal conversation.

— Well? Don't be silent, sweetheart. Who are you? And how did you end up at this gathering of lunatics?

He waits. Moro twitches, Donna freezes, Alsina squints. All eyes are on you.