Hello, Will You Run Away With Me? a stand-alone flashback for Hungarian Rhapsody for Bullet and Blade Bucharest, Romania, 1948

She'd been part of the caravan her whole life. A child bought, like many in her generation, from some other, poorer gypsy family she never knew the names of, for the equivalent of about a year's wages. They traveled all over Romania in a wide circle, occasionally crisscrossing the land to reach more central cities, and sometimes lingering on the edge of the Marea Neagra [Black Sea] because scrounging your own food was simply easier there. Wherever they went, the entire time, she and her adopted family worked with thin golden wire and beads to make intricate, beautiful jewelry that they sold on street corners.

She had no siblings, related or otherwise, only her adopted mother and her three unmarried aunts. Her foster mother had a husband, but from their differences and quarreling they could not bring themselves to conceive a child. Through a few years of working as hard as they could, they managed to scrounge the money to buy a child from some poor underprivileged soul on the streets in Comrat.

Never knowing her real surname, she had long since accepted the name of her adopted family, Plesu. She was called Liliana, and at the age of sixteen she was quite a beauty and earned a good amount of attention from the men her age in the caravan, dark curly hair that hung past her shoulders, usually pulled back with a few curls selected to hang loose and frame her face. Liliana's features were mainly dark, her eyes were almost ebony in color, and she always wore scarves of light orange or red on her head and the rest of her attire was simple. An off-white blouse that hung loosely, she had several of these, and a long skirt embroidered at the bottom in intricate, beautiful patterns, and her leather field boots which were starting to fall apart.

Liliana could play the violin, and rather well at that, and she now did so, standing to the left of her mother and aunts who were lined up behind their jewelry table. There was quite a crowd around their setup, for they had found a place to stake out in a busy square of downtown Bucharest. Her eyes were closed, completely in her own world as she played her instrument with unrivaled grace. The open, red velvet case in front of her was half-full of Lei, but in her state she barely noticed. The world she delved into when she was playing was far different from the actual one; it was very easy to forget things there. She would forget the fact that they were having trouble buying bread week to week, forget that their wagons were leaky and the rainy season was coming on, forget that her people, the Gypsies, were trampled upon.

When Liliana lowered her bow at last to put away the cash in the case and take a breather, she nearly jumped at the sight of a rather tall, handsome young man standing before her. His hands in the pockets of his worn clothing, a hint of Gypsy heritage in his features, an interested smile on his face, he had long, golden hair that hung to the middle of his back. At her gasp, he took a step back in some effort to calm her, digging in his pockets throw a handful of coins into the case.

"You play divinely, madam. I apologize for startling you, I was entranced." his voice was smooth, nearly hypnotizing in itself, speaking more like a nobleman than a homeless person.

She gave a quick curtsey out of manners, getting to her knees to gather the earned money into a pile, trying to sort coin from paper bill. "Thank you, sir," Liliana said almost absently. Concern rose in her mind when she gathered the money into a purse and handed it to her closest aunt, and the stranger had still not left.

"Can I... help you?" was her cautious inquiry.

"No, no," the blonde replied. "The best thing you can do for me is start playing again, which is what I am waiting for... if I am making you nervous you have my apologies, and I will be on my way."

Liliana only gave a slight cringing in her lowered position, and the man only turned on his heel, a disappointed look in his eyes as he started to leave. But she wasn't relieved, she could only stare at this exiting man, an odd longing in her mind to talk to him more. Calling after him would be rude, she thought, and her quick mind formulated another solution.

As quick as she could, Liliana rose to her feet again, resting her violin on her shoulder she began to play a slower song than before, the notes more droning and wistful. Her violin was saying what her words could not.

The blonde anticipated this it seemed, turning to watch her again with the same half-smile on his face, and he started back toward her.

"Lili," she heard someone hissing from the side, and she glanced out of the corner of her dark eyes to see her adopted mother's highly disapproving look. The rather large woman, in her gaudy fuchsia outfit, was shaking her finger, her eyes narrowed. "No, no no..."

Liliana chose to pretend she did not hear this, nor observe it, as she fixed her eyes on the blonde stranger. Their eyes were locked now, he leaned against the wall next to her and simply observed as the song went on. She found herself almost leaning towards this man, her body by its animalistic instincts was drawing her closer against her more evolved will. The short song ending quickly, they stood in awkward silence when she let her violin down from her shoulder, gently placing it on the case.

The blonde broke the silence, whilst Liliana glanced back to her mother to catch her glaring eyes for a split second. "I am called Ovidiu, Matthias Ovidiu, madam."

"Liliana Plesu." She curtsied. "And there is no need to be so formal. You can call me what you like."

"My sentiments as well." He glanced up from her slightly, noting that the older gypsy women, for the most part unoccupied with business, were shooting him rancid glances. "Are they your family?"

Liliana nodded.

"In that case," Matthias said softly. "I had better leave..."

In a swift, almost uncontrollable motion, her hand darted out and grasped the thin material of his dull brown jacket tightly. "No, please..."

"I am sorry, but if your family is against me, I must bend to their will... farewell, Liliana."

The girl found it hard to speak, a lump in her throat threatening to cause her to shed tears should she say anything. Matthias stepped close to her, pulling her against him in an embrace, and kissing her cheek lightly in typical parting custom.

However, for the few seconds they were locked in that embrace, she caught his low whisper.

"Come to this very spot at midnight tonight, if you want a better life."

* * *

Late night in Bucharest was a quiet time, especially in the city squares. Of course, as in all cities, there were the nocturnal lurkers, those who stalked out at night, usually up to no good, but they had enough sense to avoid such open, lit places.

He stood under a streetlight, completely alone save an alley cat sniffing the pavement for scraps. As a nearby church bell rang off the late hour, and nothing stirred, he wondered if he would be disappointed. Perhaps her family had taken some precaution. Or perhaps she didn't believe him... he wouldn't blame her for that. In retrospect, Matthias almost laughed at his choice of words, what he'd said to her in hopes she would be intrigued enough to follow the instruction.

But what he promised was no lie. He was going northwest, to Hungary.

Romania was one of the Reich's poorest provinces, and had been for as long as the Reich had owned it. In desperation for money, the most unfortunate were having children to sell them for high prices. Other families had many kids and many dreams, but no means to support every family member, and that had been his case. Matthias was one of six children in his family, and the youngest. Finally tired of getting the last in everything, being ignored, forced to sleep on the roach-infested floor, he'd ran away a few years ago and now he didn't have much to complain about in comparison. He was a street-child, of course, at seventeen now, and though he had no home in truth, just a slightly warm place below a laundry vent in an alley, he had more to eat than usual, and he didn't have to fight off five bigger, stronger siblings just to get a bite of it.

He heard stories of how well Hungary was doing under the new rule of the Germans. The Hungarians had been in good favor with the conquering nation since the beginning nearly, the Arrow-Cross being placed in a seat of power did well for their image, and they remained a successful ally all through the war. Though it took some intimidation, they did agree to unite with the Empire and become a simple Province. From an economic standpoint, it was all worth it-- the Hungarians were one of the richest provinces in the whole Reich. It had become a Mecca for the peoples of the poorer surrounding areas, migration was blossoming, and fed up with Romania, Matthias decided he wanted in on the frenzy as well.

"Sir?" a meek voice called out behind him. "I'm sorry for being late. I was almost caught..."

Matthias turned slowly to face the gypsy girl he'd met that afternoon. She'd obviously done herself up a bit-- her hair was more precisely pinned up, her clothing smoother, and on her face was a light application of makeup. All she carried was her violin case and a dusty bag on her shoulder.

"You predicted me, Liliana." the blonde said smoothly, watching her delicate fingers fumble idly with the handle of the instrument case. "How did you know?"

"Everyone's been talking about it... going to Hungary. But no one actually does it, sir-r... I mean, Matthias."

"You're so beautiful."

Liliana gave a light jump, her eyes widening slightly as she gazed up at the taller man.

"My apologies," Matthias almost whispered, suddenly looking a little more sheepish than usual. "I couldn't help it. Back on topic, sorry for my going astray, I wanted to say, we need not leave so soon if you do not wish to."

Her face flushing, Liliana tried to speak clearly again. "Well, our caravan, it leaves tomorrow in the early morning..."

"I did not know you trusted me so." He found himself wanting to be closer to her, but remained firmly standing where he was.

"I do, Matthias."

"Out of curiosity, why?"

Something inside the gypsy girl stirred. There was something she wanted to express, something she internally needed to speak out from her soul; but when her mouth opened no words were uttered at first. "I have never met anyone like you before. Someone just like me. Nothing to gain or lose, but someone who really wants to do something with their life. I see someone that I would trust."

Silence reigned.

"But it is why you chose me, that I don't understand, Matthias," Liliana concluded.

"I wish I had something that profound to reply with," he said, amusement in his tone. They shared a shallow laugh before he went on. "But you stood out to me. You have a very fiery soul, anyone can see that simply from the way you play that violin. And I just always felt like part of me is missing. I haven't left Romania yet because I feel like I'd be forgetting something, leaving something behind... now I think... I've found it."

"My mother would think this is all very stupid," she laughed out. "'Stop babbling that nonsense, Liliana,' she'd say, 'you don't know what you're talking about.'" Her imitation of her mother's voice was dramatic and overbearing, and both of them couldn't hold back their snickering.

When they ceased, Liliana's heart skipped when she discovered her hand in Matthias' own. He was cupping her hand gently in his, his eyes not leaving her. "Though the only relevant question, Liliana Plesu, is what do you think?"

"I think I'm tired of this city. Tired of caravans." She smiled.

"Tired of being kicked around," Matthias added.

"Tired of donkeys," she half-teased.

The blonde gave her hand an affectionate squeeze. "I think I've got everything now."

The next morning, homeless men in an alley fought over the warm spot under the laundry vent. Gypsy women shook their heads at an empty cot and gossiped amongst themselves as the caravan made its way to another city. And two teenagers, blind and stupid with affection and ambition, crossed the border into Hungary. Hard days awaited them.

Liliana Plesu became Liliana Ovidiu. It had been three months since they'd left Bucharest. Things were starting to improve slowly, they had a tiny, dusty apartment in Kisköre, Hungary and Matthias had found steady work. Liliana played her violin often in the streets to gather money, but this soon had to stop. The city they had moved to, the district they lived in, was dangerous... full of prostitution and drugs. When she unexpectedly became pregnant, the young couple was in a crisis and Matthias went out, late one night, with the promise of 'don't worry, I'll fix everything.'

A few years later, they had three children and not a single financial worry. They lived in an exquisite villa in the upscale section of town. No one talked about where the money came from. Not even when Liliana became paralyzed from the waist down from a fall down the long marble staircase. They thought in passing it was their punishment, but neither said it. Ethics became blurred and they sank into a happiness that came only in oblivion.

Think it, go ahead, but don't say it. Smile a lot; go to the parties with the neighbors. They don't suspect a thing.