What's this? Russian Fic? MY GOD!
Apr. 10th, 2011 09:49 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
antivanrufflesPart 6 is here... I can hear Elena squealing from here. :P
The random idea that started the fic is here: Last Train Home
Then the actual chapters: ( Part 1 ) ( Part 2 ) ( Part 3 ) ( Part 4 ) ( Part 5 )
Now for moar.
“Why is it white?” Milena asked while fingering a lock of my hair. We lie together in my bed upstairs, the house was completely silent and there was a growing light outside that signaled the coming morning. I looked at her from the corner of my eye while settling back against the pillows, and she snuggled closer; spooning against my side.
Sighing I wrapped an arm around her and started tracing circles on her smooth skin; I hadn’t ever had to tell the story before and it was difficult to begin.
“Um, when I was a boy, just a little older than Helena is now, we lived out in the country… in a small town. Father was in the military then, and he would stay in Petrograd for long stretches of time without me and my mother. He would stay here, it had been his parents house before they passed away. “
“My mother was very fond of ice skating and one day, while my father was away, the two of us left to do just that. But it was late in the season so we had to search for a pond, and we were quite far from the village when we found one. The pond, unknown to us, had a hot spring on one side. I got too close to it and fell through the ice.“
“Kostya..” Milena gasped slightly and wrapped her arms around me tighter. I smiled at her slowly and continued on, the words were getting easier even if the memories were not.
“My mother tried to get something, to pull me up, but there wasn’t time, so she laid flat and inched close to the edge of the broken ice. She pulled me up just as the ice gave a thunderous crack. I’m not sure how she did it, but she managed to yank me out, sodden clothes and all, and sent me skidding across the ice just as it broke through all the way and she plunged under.” I could see it all in my minds eye, and I could feel the biting wind as it stuck my chapped face.
“I tried to get to her, but the ice was breaking up all around me so I ran to the shore and I looked for sticks or anything that might be used for her to hold on to, but by the time I found a big enough branch she wasn’t visible anymore. I searched and searched around the hole…. I finally found her under the ice several feet away. I was too late.” I shivered despite the heat of the room and Milena’s body next to mine.
“I walked all the way back to the village, soaking wet and freezing. It was near night fall when I finally got home and my tears were starting to freeze to my face. A neighbor found me and I managed to tell them what happened; I don’t remember anything else after that.
They said I slept for nearly five days with a terrible fever. When I awoke my father was there and we buried my mother the next day. Shortly after that we moved to Petrograd for good, and my hair has been white ever since.” I gave a bitter laugh.
Milena sat up, her hands cupping my face and gently kissed my lips, eyes and cheeks before reaching my forehead; her lips tangling in my hair.
We parted after several long moments and she sat back, tucking the blankets around her before brushing back her curtain of hair with a shaky hand. Her blues eyes stared off into nothing.
“My parents died when I was eight. We used to live in Moscow, my father was a fairly wealthy jeweler and my mother was a retired ballerina, she had a studio where she taught classes to children for free. One day when she was helping father close up shop, since one of his regular employees was ill, a man came in and tried to rob them. Things went wrong and the man killed them both. I came here to live with my uncle after that.”
She looked at me with a small smile. “Uncle let me continue ballet here, and then when I was fifteen I got the opportunity to train in Paris for a year. I joined the company after that and started touring all over Europe. I think you know the rest.”
Milena uncovered her knee where the faint scars from surgery marred her porcelain skin. I leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on the knee and continued up, knocking her back against the bed, and finally reaching her lips.
“I’m sorry about your parents, and I would say that I’m sorry about your knee but that would be a lie.” I murmured against her mouth.
“Oh?” She giggled slightly and wrapped her arms around my shoulders, pulling me closer.
“Mmm, if not for that then who knows were you would be right now.”
“I’d like to think, no matter what, I would be here… with you.”
***
While I was happy with Milena, I soon had to sober up and face the realities going on around me. I had to write my Aunt and Uncle, explaining about Alexis, and deal the funeral.
I left a few details out of the letter until I saw them in person. I also kept a few things from Mischa’s parents.
These were not the things for them to be dealing with, not at this time.
Mischa’s family was broken, so I took on the task of preparing everything. With Zoran’s help I was able to keep Alexis’s secret and get everything ready for the funeral….
She looked so peaceful and beautiful I found it hard to breathe thinking that I would never hear her teasing laugh again. We chose to bury her in her uniform, partly to keep the secret from Mischa’s family, but mostly because we knew that would be what she would’ve wanted.
It was quiet in the church since Mischa’s family had gone back to their restaurant with friends and their grief.
“Your aunt and uncle couldn’t come?” Zoran asked at my side.
“No, the trains aren’t running and they’re afraid; look what happened to their daughter. An innocent bystander struck down in the riot.” I snorted bitterly.
“You didn’t tell them the truth?” Zoran ran a hand over his ponytail and sighed, his light green eyes drifting over to Alexis.
“How could I?” I turned to face the doctor. “How could I tell them in a letter that their daughter, their only child lied to them? I couldn’t tell them that she abandoned her studies and moved here to join the guard. It would kill them even more than her death already is. I’ll tell them someday when I know they can hear it; can handle it.”
“So never?” Zoran gave me a regretful smile.
“Probably,” I sighed and sank down onto one of the pews, it was hard and cold and entirely uncomfortable, but I wasn‘t ready to leave yet and I found my legs weren‘t the most steady anymore. “I miss her.”
“I know, my friend, so do I.” He nodded and just sat with me, offering silent support. The setting sun streaked through the stained glass windows and fell onto Alexis’s head until her hair glowed like a halo. She seemed so young and it seemed so wrong that she was gone; the thought that she might be with Mischa somewhere was of little solace in that moment.
The door opened then, admitting a gust of icy wind and my own personal angel came down the aisle toward us. Milena was dressed all in black, her light hair a bright contrast against her gloomy attire. She hurried forward and slipped into the row behind us, her hand coming to rest softly on my shoulder.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t make it sooner, but the Commander and Helena… I’m sorry.” She ducked her head, blue eyes full of sorrow and long lashes fanning her pale cheeks.
“It’s alright, you’re here now.” I reached up and squeezed her hand reassuringly. Milena nodded slightly and laced her fingers with mine but refused to look me in the eye.
Something was wrong.
I turned around in my seat and looked up at her. “Milena, what is it?” She cleared her throat softly and finally lifted watery eyes to me.
“Tomlin is worried about Helena and the things that are happening. He said that since the Tsar stepped down things aren’t safe for those who supported him. He wants to send Helena to Paris; her mother’s sister lives there. He wants me to go with her.” She wiped at her face and squeezed my hand. I tried to speak but nothing came out and I simply stared up at her.
“I won’t go though! I won’t leave you, Kostya, not now. Not ever.” She snatched up my hand and cradled it against her chest. I caught Zoran’s eyes and I knew, despite my personal feelings on the matter, Tomlin was right. Sending Milena away with Helena was for the best.
“You should go.” I found myself saying even as my heart broke at the thought.
“Kostya…!” Milena looked at as if I had physically slapped her.
“No, Milena. We don’t know what’s going to happen now. Nicholas has abdicated, the Duma is in charge and the Bolsheviks are slowly gaining power. It’s not safe here for you.”
“For me? What about you! You’re part of the guard.” Milena’s eyes were slowly over flowing with tears.
“There is no guard, not anymore.” I stood and leaped over the back of the pew to hug Milena. “You can go to Paris and be safe. I’ll travel south to see my Aunt and Uncle and then I’ll join you.” I brushed away her tears and kissed her forehead. “And after that I’ll never leave you again.”
“Kostya, I don’t ….. I don’t have a good feeling about this.”
“No one does, it’s a revolution. It’s a scary time. That’s why you should leave, you’ll be safe and you can take of Helena. I promise I’ll stay safe and I’ll join you as soon as I can.”
“Helena will need a doctor, one who knows her background. I’ll put in my papers with Tomlin, I can keep an eye on everyone.” Zoran smiled gently.
“Thank you Zoran.” I placed a hand on his shoulder, but he only shrugged lightly.
“Really it’s for my own interest, like you said it’s not safe here.” He laughed, eyes twinkling.
“Either way, I’ll feel better if you’re with them since I can’t.” I tucked Milena under my arm and pulled Zoran up with my free hand.
“Come, we’ll go back to the house and have a drink for Alexis and Mischa.” I bid my dear cousin a final goodbye and lead the others out of the church.
It was a slow precession back to my house, the wind was cold and bitter, and I could see bits of red flying in windows and from carriages, but I resolutely ignored it all. Instead focusing on the feel of Milena at my side and Zoran’s light chatter.
Things were changing, for better or worse, I wasn’t sure, but I was determined that we would have a bit normalcy for at least a short time.
In the coming months I would grow to realize how precious this time together was. If I had known at the time just how important it was I would've made it last longer. But most of us are not blessed with foresight and we just must do what we think is right at the time… and pray it that it is.
________
Little shorter than the other parts, I think, but I'm getting back in the swing of things here. And no, I will not be ignoring Highlanders.... I'll just be losing sleep. LOL!
The random idea that started the fic is here: Last Train Home
Then the actual chapters: ( Part 1 ) ( Part 2 ) ( Part 3 ) ( Part 4 ) ( Part 5 )
Now for moar.
“Why is it white?” Milena asked while fingering a lock of my hair. We lie together in my bed upstairs, the house was completely silent and there was a growing light outside that signaled the coming morning. I looked at her from the corner of my eye while settling back against the pillows, and she snuggled closer; spooning against my side.
Sighing I wrapped an arm around her and started tracing circles on her smooth skin; I hadn’t ever had to tell the story before and it was difficult to begin.
“Um, when I was a boy, just a little older than Helena is now, we lived out in the country… in a small town. Father was in the military then, and he would stay in Petrograd for long stretches of time without me and my mother. He would stay here, it had been his parents house before they passed away. “
“My mother was very fond of ice skating and one day, while my father was away, the two of us left to do just that. But it was late in the season so we had to search for a pond, and we were quite far from the village when we found one. The pond, unknown to us, had a hot spring on one side. I got too close to it and fell through the ice.“
“Kostya..” Milena gasped slightly and wrapped her arms around me tighter. I smiled at her slowly and continued on, the words were getting easier even if the memories were not.
“My mother tried to get something, to pull me up, but there wasn’t time, so she laid flat and inched close to the edge of the broken ice. She pulled me up just as the ice gave a thunderous crack. I’m not sure how she did it, but she managed to yank me out, sodden clothes and all, and sent me skidding across the ice just as it broke through all the way and she plunged under.” I could see it all in my minds eye, and I could feel the biting wind as it stuck my chapped face.
“I tried to get to her, but the ice was breaking up all around me so I ran to the shore and I looked for sticks or anything that might be used for her to hold on to, but by the time I found a big enough branch she wasn’t visible anymore. I searched and searched around the hole…. I finally found her under the ice several feet away. I was too late.” I shivered despite the heat of the room and Milena’s body next to mine.
“I walked all the way back to the village, soaking wet and freezing. It was near night fall when I finally got home and my tears were starting to freeze to my face. A neighbor found me and I managed to tell them what happened; I don’t remember anything else after that.
They said I slept for nearly five days with a terrible fever. When I awoke my father was there and we buried my mother the next day. Shortly after that we moved to Petrograd for good, and my hair has been white ever since.” I gave a bitter laugh.
Milena sat up, her hands cupping my face and gently kissed my lips, eyes and cheeks before reaching my forehead; her lips tangling in my hair.
We parted after several long moments and she sat back, tucking the blankets around her before brushing back her curtain of hair with a shaky hand. Her blues eyes stared off into nothing.
“My parents died when I was eight. We used to live in Moscow, my father was a fairly wealthy jeweler and my mother was a retired ballerina, she had a studio where she taught classes to children for free. One day when she was helping father close up shop, since one of his regular employees was ill, a man came in and tried to rob them. Things went wrong and the man killed them both. I came here to live with my uncle after that.”
She looked at me with a small smile. “Uncle let me continue ballet here, and then when I was fifteen I got the opportunity to train in Paris for a year. I joined the company after that and started touring all over Europe. I think you know the rest.”
Milena uncovered her knee where the faint scars from surgery marred her porcelain skin. I leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on the knee and continued up, knocking her back against the bed, and finally reaching her lips.
“I’m sorry about your parents, and I would say that I’m sorry about your knee but that would be a lie.” I murmured against her mouth.
“Oh?” She giggled slightly and wrapped her arms around my shoulders, pulling me closer.
“Mmm, if not for that then who knows were you would be right now.”
“I’d like to think, no matter what, I would be here… with you.”
***
While I was happy with Milena, I soon had to sober up and face the realities going on around me. I had to write my Aunt and Uncle, explaining about Alexis, and deal the funeral.
I left a few details out of the letter until I saw them in person. I also kept a few things from Mischa’s parents.
These were not the things for them to be dealing with, not at this time.
Mischa’s family was broken, so I took on the task of preparing everything. With Zoran’s help I was able to keep Alexis’s secret and get everything ready for the funeral….
She looked so peaceful and beautiful I found it hard to breathe thinking that I would never hear her teasing laugh again. We chose to bury her in her uniform, partly to keep the secret from Mischa’s family, but mostly because we knew that would be what she would’ve wanted.
It was quiet in the church since Mischa’s family had gone back to their restaurant with friends and their grief.
“Your aunt and uncle couldn’t come?” Zoran asked at my side.
“No, the trains aren’t running and they’re afraid; look what happened to their daughter. An innocent bystander struck down in the riot.” I snorted bitterly.
“You didn’t tell them the truth?” Zoran ran a hand over his ponytail and sighed, his light green eyes drifting over to Alexis.
“How could I?” I turned to face the doctor. “How could I tell them in a letter that their daughter, their only child lied to them? I couldn’t tell them that she abandoned her studies and moved here to join the guard. It would kill them even more than her death already is. I’ll tell them someday when I know they can hear it; can handle it.”
“So never?” Zoran gave me a regretful smile.
“Probably,” I sighed and sank down onto one of the pews, it was hard and cold and entirely uncomfortable, but I wasn‘t ready to leave yet and I found my legs weren‘t the most steady anymore. “I miss her.”
“I know, my friend, so do I.” He nodded and just sat with me, offering silent support. The setting sun streaked through the stained glass windows and fell onto Alexis’s head until her hair glowed like a halo. She seemed so young and it seemed so wrong that she was gone; the thought that she might be with Mischa somewhere was of little solace in that moment.
The door opened then, admitting a gust of icy wind and my own personal angel came down the aisle toward us. Milena was dressed all in black, her light hair a bright contrast against her gloomy attire. She hurried forward and slipped into the row behind us, her hand coming to rest softly on my shoulder.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t make it sooner, but the Commander and Helena… I’m sorry.” She ducked her head, blue eyes full of sorrow and long lashes fanning her pale cheeks.
“It’s alright, you’re here now.” I reached up and squeezed her hand reassuringly. Milena nodded slightly and laced her fingers with mine but refused to look me in the eye.
Something was wrong.
I turned around in my seat and looked up at her. “Milena, what is it?” She cleared her throat softly and finally lifted watery eyes to me.
“Tomlin is worried about Helena and the things that are happening. He said that since the Tsar stepped down things aren’t safe for those who supported him. He wants to send Helena to Paris; her mother’s sister lives there. He wants me to go with her.” She wiped at her face and squeezed my hand. I tried to speak but nothing came out and I simply stared up at her.
“I won’t go though! I won’t leave you, Kostya, not now. Not ever.” She snatched up my hand and cradled it against her chest. I caught Zoran’s eyes and I knew, despite my personal feelings on the matter, Tomlin was right. Sending Milena away with Helena was for the best.
“You should go.” I found myself saying even as my heart broke at the thought.
“Kostya…!” Milena looked at as if I had physically slapped her.
“No, Milena. We don’t know what’s going to happen now. Nicholas has abdicated, the Duma is in charge and the Bolsheviks are slowly gaining power. It’s not safe here for you.”
“For me? What about you! You’re part of the guard.” Milena’s eyes were slowly over flowing with tears.
“There is no guard, not anymore.” I stood and leaped over the back of the pew to hug Milena. “You can go to Paris and be safe. I’ll travel south to see my Aunt and Uncle and then I’ll join you.” I brushed away her tears and kissed her forehead. “And after that I’ll never leave you again.”
“Kostya, I don’t ….. I don’t have a good feeling about this.”
“No one does, it’s a revolution. It’s a scary time. That’s why you should leave, you’ll be safe and you can take of Helena. I promise I’ll stay safe and I’ll join you as soon as I can.”
“Helena will need a doctor, one who knows her background. I’ll put in my papers with Tomlin, I can keep an eye on everyone.” Zoran smiled gently.
“Thank you Zoran.” I placed a hand on his shoulder, but he only shrugged lightly.
“Really it’s for my own interest, like you said it’s not safe here.” He laughed, eyes twinkling.
“Either way, I’ll feel better if you’re with them since I can’t.” I tucked Milena under my arm and pulled Zoran up with my free hand.
“Come, we’ll go back to the house and have a drink for Alexis and Mischa.” I bid my dear cousin a final goodbye and lead the others out of the church.
It was a slow precession back to my house, the wind was cold and bitter, and I could see bits of red flying in windows and from carriages, but I resolutely ignored it all. Instead focusing on the feel of Milena at my side and Zoran’s light chatter.
Things were changing, for better or worse, I wasn’t sure, but I was determined that we would have a bit normalcy for at least a short time.
In the coming months I would grow to realize how precious this time together was. If I had known at the time just how important it was I would've made it last longer. But most of us are not blessed with foresight and we just must do what we think is right at the time… and pray it that it is.
________
Little shorter than the other parts, I think, but I'm getting back in the swing of things here. And no, I will not be ignoring Highlanders.... I'll just be losing sleep. LOL!
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2011-04-10 07:11 pm (UTC)More like squealing and running around and doing the Snoopy dance.
YOU BE EBIL TO POST THIS WHEN I SHOULD BE IN BED!
Will comment tomorrow or the day after. MOAR NAO!!!!!
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Date: 2011-04-12 02:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-04-11 06:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-04-12 02:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-04-11 02:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-04-12 02:32 am (UTC)