You surprise me with just how perfect you are

[buyan]

Russia has seen many things throughout his many centuries of life, has spent more than he'd like to count out at arms and knee deep in the swill of war. So this war? It is not a thing he thinks much of when it comes time to don the navy of his Infantry Officer's uniform; simply another war to march into, another battle to win, another time for him to become just another dog of the military. It was expected of a nation, expected of him, and Russia's good about that.

But he didn't expect the absolute failure of Tannenburg. Didn't expect Nikolai to call him back, didn't expect the rolling disquiet of the public he could feel murmuring under his skin and at the back of his mind to have such an effect upon the atmosphere of his House. There's a solemn edge to his shoulders even as his Royal children gather about, small hands in his own and smiles upon young faces. Russia could usually lose himself in their stories, but there's a chill upon his land and it's not just his Father's touch.

Because the thing is (and he's certain of this after months spent out on the bleary war front), Saint Petersburg is gloomy. It's bleary, bleak, miserable beyond that which words can express. It taints the air and has Russia's shoulders turning up about his ears as he steps through the dim streets. There's something coming, something he can feel in his veins and it's distressing. Death perhaps, the press of foreign armies at his border, he doesn't let himself think it's anything other but either way he's on edge and---all of a sudden when he blinks its as if he's staring in a mirror.

There's a long, silent moment because there...definitely wasn't a mirror in the middle of the street five seconds ago. Well. Okay then, just going to casually blink and turn around, clearly things were bad enough he was hallucinating.

Comments

[czarist]

As soon as he catches himself staring, and realizes just why, there's a flush and a stuttered cough. He'll have to remember that habit more often, and how it wasn't quite as broken as he'd like. But there's more pressing matters that the youth his face shines with when he's caught nibbling at his lip, so Russia presses on, "Have you a place to stay?"

His head tilts to the side, gaze somewhat blank and steady as he waits for the reply. Surely his other self has already secured a place to stay, he has trust in them to be able to achieve that much. But it serves a greater purpose. He wants to know where he is, wants to keep an eye out and watch how this other him moves and reacts to their life and the citizens around them. This is as much a test as all previous comments then, and he's certain that Russia knows full well that it is.

[licensetokol]

"There is always a place to stay, when you know where to look. Even if that place is not so luxurious." Russia cocks his head, and there's a hint of teasing in his manner, the tilt of his head as he indicates a direction vaguely southeast. The reminder of the other's youth invites a little light predation, something he's sure both of them understand without any elaboration.

"Would you like to visit, maybe?" Teasing or not, the invitation is sincere. "There is coffee and tea, at least."

[czarist]

"Luxurious is not always wise," He murmurs, chuckles a bit in response to that teasing, because it's true. Luxury in this case would bring unwanted attention and certainly Russia would not want that.His gaze follow that little tilt, meander just so before settling on familiar purple eyes. He nods, just a bit.

"By your leave, then," A flash of a smile, like quicksilver in the dim light, and Russia waits for a direction other than faintly southeast to walk in.