perfect stranger. (freidrich)

[Deleted]

Date: January 19, 1943
Location: At a local bakery in Mesen, Belgium
Time: 10:23 AM
Weather Conditions: Cold, yet sunny

It was a nice change of pace to find subtle refuge in another land, to not raise a hair of suspicion due to her bohemian lifestyle. In no manner is the Finn a lost gypsy, but due to her line of acute work it is best for her feet to keep moving, never finding a home for too long. 

The sweet smells various Flemish pastries waltzed through her scent. It was refreshing to use a sharp knife to cut through fresh baguette rather than the tender flesh of the enemy; it was a sharp contrast to how Hanna was truly raised. It was through her father that instilled the sight to murder at a tender age, while it was her grandfather who picked up the pieces, utilizing her skills to freelance on the battlefield or in any occupied region. Right now though, Hanna was not the assassin, no she was Caro, a homely young woman who worked in the local bakery owned by Madame Debouis. The elderly woman held a kind twinkle in her eye, holding the nationalistic flame that continued to blaze- it was a trait that Hanna admired, but Caro would only paint a small smile and continue on with her business. 

Caro was early to rise and open the shop, lately illness wrecked the elderly owner's body, making her unable to continue her line of work; it was a shameful sight, but it did give the girl's heart a pleased patter once the cold iron key touched her soft fingertips. For a flowing week, the undercover Finn opened the tiny bakery, made the various sweets, and closed shop an hour before curfew. This morning probably would not be any different, her bright blue eyes would catch glimpses of civilian, Gestapo officer, and occupying soldier alike- honestly it pained her to palm the bread knife while serving any misplaced German. It was a troubling pull because instinctively she was apt to dispose of any Soviet or Nazi that graced her view, but that would have caused undesirable tone, casting her footsteps into the wind to land in another distant land. 

Caro hummed a soft tune while baking Madeleines, busying her slim fingers with sifting flour for apple doughnuts and her mind reading the battered recipe card with Madame Debouis's messy scribbles.

'ding'

The sound of the bell echoed into the back kitchen. Caro paused her work and brushed some of the loose flour on her light pink apron then made her way to the register. Her blue eyes caught sight of a regular, he held the Germanic uniform and the constant look of curiosity. This has not been the first time she saw the man, but it was the first time she had to handle his graces alone. 

"Need some help there?"

Caro wore a small, yet forced smile as she tried to maintain and pleasing doe face.

[Stabsgefreiter F. Blutstein]

Freidrich had been in the small town for only a week. He had been reassigned to the hamlet after a skirmish that had been very successful against the Soviet forces. His spotter had done exceptionally well and he had taken the lives of only three men before his force was able to move in and take the rest prisoner. There were eighteen men total that the platoon had taken captive. Better than massacring the lot of them.

Freidrich's task was to take control of his platoon and relieve the Gestapo that had been stationed there for three months. It seemed they were on the rotation back to the Fatherland. The thought of the Gestapo made Freidrich's stomach turn. He did not enjoy the company of any of these, men. He thought it was despicable what they did to the inhabitants of the occupied country. The week he had come to Belgium, he witnessed a Gestapo officer beat a man for bumping into him outside of the store. Freidrich knew this would change as soon as he was allowed to command and watch over the people of Mesen.

Freidrich met with Leutnant Schmidt. He thought it was a comical last name for a Leutnant. A very typical and plain name, but then again, Freidrich could not really judge. He had an odd last name as well. His meeting was at 0930. It seemed Schmidt wanted to get out of the country as soon as possible. Freidrich couldn't really understand why. He thought the small town was a beautiful place to be stationed. The mountains looked beautiful when the sunset behind them. It reminded him of his home in the Fatherland, he was just fine with being away from the place itself. He had longed for a while to travel, he would rather do it under better circumstances, but the times called for him to do his duty as a German citizen.

The meeting was brief and few words were said. Schmidt kept no records besides how many people lived in the town, major imports and exports, when deliveries would be made, and how many men Freidrich would be in command of to occupy the town. Schmidt had told Freidrich that this 'gypsy camp' should have been burned to the ground. Freidrich just stood there with his mind elsewhere as the man complained about his 'terrible' occupation of the town. Freidrich had already been there a week. The people were practically harmless besides a small group of teenagers that liked to drink a little too much and liked to 'assault' the soldiers, which Freidrich found out that one of the kids had punched a soldier, then was subdued and severely beaten. Freidrich just shook his head at the report. What a farce he thought to himself when he read the report.

Once the meeting was over and Schmidt was on his convoy home, Freidrich decided it was time he got something to eat. A young soldier, about fifteen had been outside the meeting room. Good morning Stabsgefreiter Blutstein!"

Freidrich looked at the young man and waived him off. He took a few steps then stopped and turned around to face the young man. "At ease brother. What's your name?"

The young man stood at ease and spoke to Freidrich with respect. "Schutze Bauer, Stabsgefreiter."

Freidrich slapped the young man on the shoulder. "Keep up the good work Bauer." Freidrich then turned and started down the hallway to the door to exit. "Say Bauer, where would I get some good coffee?"

The young man responded quickly. "There is a small bakery two streets over, last door on the right side, Stabsgefreiter."

Freidrich nodded and exited. He might as well try some of the local pastries. He had never had Belgian food before. He had only been eating the rations provided for him since he arrived. He needed an excuse to talk to the locals. He needed to gauge the way they felt about the Germans being there, more specifically the Nazi forces occupying their homes.

Freidrich followed the directions that Bauer had given him. The place was a cute old home that had been converted into a bakery on the ground floor. Freidrich stepped inside, ringing a small bell, kicking off the snow from his boots before he entered. He was first greeted by a slightly larger man with a German uniform on. Freidrich nodded a greeting and started speaking to the Gefreiter.

"Good morning, Gefreiter. How are you this fine day?" Freidrich's tone was genuine and kind. The Gefreiter was wide eyed and stood at ease. Freidrich waived his stance off and continued. "Carry on, as you were. Stabsgefreiter Freidrich Blutstein. He said as he extended his hand. "What's your name soldier?"

The man then resumed his semi slouched stance and spoke to Blutstein, grasping his hand.

"I'm doing just fine, Stabsgefreiter. My name is Krause and might I recommend the Madeleines?"

Freidrich nodded his thanks and spoke to the man with his arms crossed. "That sounds very interesting. I think I'll take your advice Krause."

Once Freidrich had finished the small talk, his ears were peaked by the sound of patting and a young woman's voice. She stepped out from behind a few racks.

"Need some help there?"

Freidrich motioned for Krause to go first. Krause stepped up and gave his order, grabbed the bag and left. "Sorry to leave so quickly, Stabsgefreiter, but I am giving a class on bayonet training in an hour. Have a good day, Stabsgefreiter!" The man said as he stepped out of the door with cup and bag in hand.

"Good morning, Fraulein. How are you?" Freidrich stepped up to the counter with a friendly smile on his face.

"What would you recommend? I'm somewhat new here and I would like an expert's input on what to have. My apologies, Fraulein, I am Freidrich, nice to meet you." He said with his hand extended.

[Deleted]

It was becoming difficult to maintain a friendly, Belgian face during turbulent times; even more so to bury her assassin belt to pick up a dainty apron and wrap it around her very thin frame, but the girl was able to manage. She watched as the reoccurring customer spent his time perusing the displays of various sweets, it was not truly the stranger that caught Caro’s attention, it was the new face that trailed in behind. It was by no means a “romantic interest” whatever those were, but a mental note that there was another German she would have to pander to. For a split second, the Finn could feel the nerves in her right eyelid twinge, while the two men fell into their own quick conversation Hanna busied her hands once more, replenishing the dwindling lemon drop cakes that seemed to be a popular taste.

As she finally spoke up, Caro “happily” served the regular, quickly sending him along his way.

"Good morning, Fraulein. How are you?"

The newcomer held a smile on his lips as he made his way to the counter. His expression was slightly unsettling to Hanna, most of the weight fell upon his nationality and the banner he chose to serve under, but she returned his smile nonetheless brushing some pesky light blonde, curly strands from the corner of her thin lips.

”Good morning, I am well and you?”

Caro held her smile and pleasant attitude, while Hanna wanted to end him right there. She did not care that he was a stranger or customer, just his presence alone put her on guard; but Hanna was not Hanna, she was Caro- besides she wielded no sharp bread knife, which was good. And even if she wanted to kill the German soldier a tip jar and a plate of breakfast quiches were the only things in her reach, well the assassin had drew forth final breaths with just thin wire and a rock before.

"What would you recommend? I'm somewhat new here and I would like an expert's input on what to have. My apologies, Fraulein, I am Freidrich, nice to meet you."

With the smile fading a bit, thoughts on what she enjoyed pattered through her mind. She slightly laughed at the obvious fact that he was new, but to call her a “expert” seemed to be beyond reach, but the Finn played to the tune anyways.

Well, I would recommend the raspberry tarts or Madeleine’s, but that is just me.”

Well she was truthful about what were normally the favorites around town; whether he would follow her advice was strictly up to interpretation. Caro listened as the soldier introduced himself, it was a first since most of the wafting souls just ordered their food and went about their business, a tiny pecking would hold bright conversations or small talk with the girl- but that was very few and far between.

”Well it is nice to meet you Freidrich, my name is Caro.”

Without any lingering hesitation, Caro grasped his hand for a connection of gesture. Of course Hanna would never taint her hands with such a common greeting, but she was not the Finnish assassin, not in this current moment.

”So have you came up with a final decision?”

It was a slightly passive-aggressive slide of hand to hopefully draw forth a speedier decision so his feet would tread on his way back into the open air, but of course Caro masked it as a dapper inquiry.

[Stabsgefreiter F. Blutstein]

”Good morning, I am well and you?”

The welcomed voice struck Freidrich's ears. Her tone struck him as more of a thoughtless response rather than an actual invite to conversation.

"Just fine, thank you for asking."

Her smile looked genuine enough, but Freidrich was a little more adept than the average grunt. The smile held animosity and disgust in it's wake. He could hardly blame her. The things that the Nazis had done to the world made him dislike their cause. It had been an honorable one to begin with and Freidrich loved it. To unite all German speaking countries under one strong banner. It was a romantic dream that proved to be a power drunk nightmare. The senseless beatings that ensued in the town were just one of the few things that the Nazis had been known for. The problem was really that most of the mes who did this were either Gestapo officers or sadistic rogues that were not truly part of the ranks, but deviants. Many of Freidrich's men were reasonable, family oriented men who had joined under the false pretense of unifying a stronger Germany rather than going on a madman's conquest that ended with the world.

""What would you recommend? I'm somewhat new here and I would like an expert's input on what to have. My apologies, Fraulein, I am Freidrich, nice to meet you."

Her feigned smile faded a little more when Freidrich introduced himself. He assumed that it was a distrust for him that made her uneasy. It really was a shame that people saw his gray uniform with his cap and the eagle that flew so proudly on it. He used to feel proud whenever he placed it on his crown, now, he wasn't to sure about his pride in his nation. The lies of Hitler had put Freidrich in an awkward position.

The young woman took Freidrich's hand in his country's normal greeting. "Well, I would recommend the raspberry tarts or Madeleine’s, but that is just me. Well it is nice to meet you Freidrich, my name is Caro.”

Freidrich smiled and moved her hand gently as he responded. "A pleasure to meet you, Caro. That is an interesting name, Caro." Freidrich said repeating her name once again.

"Are you originally from Mesen?" Freidrich was finding an opening to start a conversation with this local. He had recently started enjoying his job when he had been reassigned. He loved talking to people. He had always enjoyed learning about people. Their likes, their dislikes, their opinions, and whatever have you. It always interested him to gain understanding of others. He also believed it would help him as he started a new, more peaceful way of running this town. If the people had some input, perhaps they would be less prone to cause problems for the soldiers in their occupation.

”So have you came up with a final decision?” The blonde haired woman pushed Freidrich a little as he stood there.

"Yes, I think I'll go with the expert's opinion and have a Madeleine and a cup of coffee if that is ok? May I ask, do you own this establishment?" Freidrich asked as he looked over and spied a small wooden table with two chairs. He had to dive deeper into Officer Schmidt's reports and he still had two hours until he had to give the new standard operating procedure brief to his squad leaders.

"Excuse me Ms. Caro, do you mind if I continue some of my work here? Perhaps bother you and ask a question or two about recent events here?" Freidrich asked out of the purest intentions, motioning to the table. He wanted to get to know this young woman better, not to become her brother or lover, but to get a better understanding of the people and perhaps gain her trust and friendship. His job would be much easier with a person that was willing to advise him on the people of the town in an honest way. Freidrich felt it was his new responsibility to keep this town safe from his soldiers as well as the people from themselves. He had read about a few incidents where a confrontation had led to the murder of civilian noncombatants. That was not going to happen under the care of Freidrich.

He reached his hand around to his back pocket where he pulled out some money. "How much do I owe you, Frauelein?"

[Deleted]

She did her best to swallow the tracing sneer, to keep her appearances apt, but by no means was she trained in espionage or acting- what ran through her blood was deadly force, not Shakespeare. 

"Just fine, thank you for asking."

If it was Hanna she would not even waste her breath to ask anything, or paint on features- being a coin was an enigma in itself, why waste time being one or the other? It was taxing. She flowed through the motions, the taught formal mold, remaining as Caro.

"A pleasure to meet you, Caro. That is an interesting name, Caro."

Her bottom right lid twitched once more, as he snaked her name twice around his tongue the Finn envisioned putting the man out of his misery, probably wouldn't be that hard- but it would be a struggle. A smile only surfaced on her thin lips, it was not even a tender one deep down, most likely a annoyed one.

"Are you originally from Mesen?"

The smile faded and her muscles tensed up a bit, not out of fear but out of the truth. Mesen was only a resting locale, not a place her heart truly called home. 

"No, just something I don't want to talk about."

The assassin's words spilled out like icy water as she nearly bore holes with her eyes. Only outwardly it would appear as a disgust but inwardly it was a different tide. Thankfully when she asked about his decision the lines were drawn again.

"Yes, I think I'll go with the expert's opinion and have a Madeleine and a cup of coffee if that is ok? May I ask, do you own this establishment?"

With a slight nod, Caro made her way to where the Madeleine's were, placing two in the thin parchment before skillfully wrapping it. She busily prepared the scalding coffee in the paper cup, balancing the liquid and solid in one hand her gaunt frame made it's way back to the counter. Without any further words, she placed the two items before the man. Right, he kept running at the mouth; such a curious one.

"No I don't. This belongs to Madame Dubois, she is ill today so I decided to run the shop in her stead. Any thing else sir?"

Her accent placed more emphasis on who he was, neglecting the personal name he rode around with. Honestly Hanna, Caro did not care about the bland formalities all that mattered was that in context she was busying herself for Nazis. In her mind watching this bug walk out of the chipping door would truly bring joy back. 

"Excuse me Ms. Caro, do you mind if I continue some of my work here? Perhaps bother you and ask a question or two about recent events here?"

And... there goes any glimmer of brighter emotions, all crashing down into one heap. This had to be a sadistic test of some maker, to watched her squirm like worms consuming her belly. 

"S-Sure... Go right ahead."

When will this man learn that his company was not welcomed or warranted? Was he desperate? Stupid? What was it? Honestly she has not been here that long, nor been around long enough to account witness to any events- that would be a dead end conversation. When he motioned to the nearby table she truly wished that another customer would lackadaisically tamper through the door, but it was the bust hour. 'Not going to move until he pays.' 

"How much do I owe you, Frauelein?"

Good, must have somehow read her mind. Highway robbery was a real thing, and somehow more achievable during wartime. 

"Four marks."

She did not sugar coat it, nor beat the bush.

[Stabsgefreiter F. Blutstein]

The question was one of conversational intent. His intentions were more of an innocent intent rather than malicious. He saw on her face her small smile fade into a different look. One that was not familiar to him. He listened to the response as she put up her wall,

"No, just something I don't want to talk about."

Freidrich's interest was piqued. He thought for a second, then thought better than ti pursue the rabbit trail of speech that he attempted to lead her down.

"My apologies. I did not mean to bring up the past."

His words came out as a genuine apology. He knew how hard it was going through all of this. The war had taken it's toll on everyone and he expected he was the last one to console her. He was the leader of a group of Germans tasked to occupy the town in which she lived in. It seemed only natural for everyone in the town to dislike him. It may him feel terrible, but he knew it came with his uniform.

He kept on anyways with an attempt at being friendly. He was trying to build a good rapport with the townspeople and so far it had not gone very well. With good rapport, people tended to be more open about things, with the opposite, everything seemed harder. With Hitler dishing out his iron fist to everyone, it was very hard for the soldier to break the mold of the poster boy Nazi.

”So have you came up with a final decision?” Her question was pushing him away quickly and coldly.

Freidrich smiled lightly.

"Yes, I think I'll go with the expert's opinion and have a Madeleine and a cup of coffee if that is ok? May I ask, do you own this establishment?"

The Non-commissioned Officer let her work while he waited for a response and his meal. She busied herself, trying to avoid catching Freidrich's eyes. As most people in the town did. There was something different about her look, though. It was not a look of fear, but one of hatred or disgust. He really could not place which one it was, but it was something that he did not enjoy.

"No I don't. This belongs to Madame Dubois, she is ill today so I decided to run the shop in her stead. Any thing else sir?"

The last word pricked his ears like a cymbal. It just drove the fact of her dislike towards him a little bit further home. Yet again, understandable. He let the comment go in one ear and out the other. He did not take it to heart.

"That was very kind of you, Frauelein. Please, give my regards to the Madame. I hope she recovers quickly. I would say she made a good choice leaving her establishment to a good worker."

His voice was authentic and he gave a lighthearted smile with the last thought.

Freidrich gave a look around where he saw a small table to try and get some work done in a better atmosphere than the dark old officer's building that he had been briefed in by the very eager SS officer. His office was dark and drafty. Freidrich did not mind working in those conditions, but it was nice to change things up every once in a while.

"Excuse me Ms. Caro, do you mind if I continue some of my work here? Perhaps bother you and ask a question or two about recent events here?"

His eyes met her gaze. The gaze looked into him. He gave a genuine look of question. If she declined, he would leave and go about his business in the dark officer's room. If she cosigned his inquiry, he would continue reading the perfectly kept records that the Officer had left behind.

"S-Sure... Go right ahead."

He could her the surprise in her voice. It seemed she surprised at her own response spilling from her mouth. Before she could recant her statement Freidrich spoke.

"Thank you for your hospitality." He said with a smile and pulled out his wallet.

"How much do I owe you, Frauelein?"

Her response was quick and monotone. There was not a sign of any emotion. This woman should start gambling at the pub. Freidrich thought to himself as she spoke.

"Four marks."

Freidrich smiled and worked his fingers at the pouch.

"Of course. Thank you very much!" Freidrich said as he pulled the currency out and held it out to her. Once the exchanged occurred he tucked the documents under his arm and picked up his purchase and smiled at her as he walked towards the table. He set the cup and pastry down lightly an pulled the chair out. He sat the documents down and took a seat.

He flipped to the first page. A small paragraph about a possible group of resistance fighters in the town. They had supposedly been trading with the local store owner and pub owner. This was quite interesting. Freidrich took a sip of the coffee, half expecting to get a mouthful of poison. It was actually quite good. He took another sip and crossed one leg over the other. He looked up and made eye contact with Caro.

"The coffee is very good Ms. Caro." He smiled and held the cup as he took another sip of the hot liquid. His mind went a little further. Expecting to be denied as soon as he made the offer.

"Would you join me, Ms. Caro? There are some interesting things in these reports."