[
Note: this is an entry in an "
exactly 750-words
" writing exercise.
]
The city was restless and Count Sergei Petrovich had been warned not to go out at night, but he had the itch and, taking two sturdy bodyguards with him, took his carriage to the Kirov Ballet in hopes of retrieving the young dancer, Daniel. Daniel wasn't on stage that evening and the carriage returned through the darkened streets of Petrograd as a blizzard was whipping up with a frustrated and unsatiated aristocrat.
Thus, the count was ripe for the gesture when he alighted from his carriage to find a young man quaking, huddled against the wall, already being covered with snow. It was not uncommon for young men to lurk at the count's door in hopes of meeting his need for reward, but it was much too cold and snowy a night to be lurking anywhere outside in Petrograd.
Sergei leaned down and looked into the young man's handsome face to have his seeking smile returned by a yielding one.
"Come, you can't remain there in this blizzard, young man. Come out of the cold. What is your name? Well, Pavel, I cannot have you die at my door."