The Violinist, (Ch.8)
Characters/Pairings: RussLat, Ukraine, Belarus, Estonia
Warning: Fem!Latvia, Mild Violence, typical angst, slight fluff
Summary: Latvia gets a surprising guest, more into Ivan's family
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Regina never understood the saying, 'cutting tension with a knife'. She'd be in rather awkward and strange situations at the Braginski manor, but never anything with a heavy and bitter atmosphere. This completely changed a few days after the wedding.
She entered the dining room, ready for her usual duty of playing for the family during breakfast. The audience was quite small today, but she had two special guests: One she rarely played for, and one she never played for - General Braginski and his youngest daughter. She planned on playing the songs she knew completely by heart, so there'd be no chance of her messing up.
Yekaterina, Ivan and Lady Braginskaya were also there. She noticed how eerily silent it was. It was strange for Lady Braginskaya to be quiet, especially now, a perfect time to fawn over the fact one daughter was married and the other returned from a long hiatus. Obviously, something happened. Nevertheless, Regina held her violin to her shoulder and began to play…
"How did you get her released?"
Regina flinched and stopped the music quickly, though it had hardly begun. She and everyone at the table looked at General Braginski. His face was twisted in anger, and fear shot through her small chest. She'd never seen such a look.
Lady Braginskaya darted her eyes away while her mouth moved rigidly. "She'll be staying with us. I hired a personal doctor."
"How did you get her out-?" The massive man stood so fast that his chair fell to the ground with a loud slam and the table rattled, knocking over the china cups. Natalya cried out and held onto her sister, Regina nearly dropped her violin. Lady Braginskaya stayed steady, keeping her eyes to the ruined china.
General Braginski's wrinkled in disgusted anger; his eyes were a burning monster. His voice twisted into a horrible tone as he bellowed, "She will never stay here-!"
Regina's breath stopped and her mind froze. He was going to hit her; he was going to really beat her! Lady Braginskaya shielded her face and he was readying a fist…
Ivan had been staying stone still the past minute, but he shot up. "Stop!" He held tightly on the older man's wrist, stopping it just in time. Natalya and Yekaterina clung to each other and wept while Lady Braginskaya sunk back in her chair. She was shaking and breathing shallowly, but her face expressed chilling calm.
Ivan's hand was steady, his eyes were not. They were shaky and hesitant, something Regina thought Ivan never had.
The scene passed like lighting before the violinists' eyes, but now time decided to slow itself. The dining room was so quiet, despite the girls' crying and the heavy breathing of both the Braginski parents…
Only a few seconds passed. General Braginski tore his wrist from Ivan's grasp and shoved him away. Ivan allowed himself to be pushed back a good foot or two. The old man stormed for the entrance, and Regina bolted out of his way. She went for the darkest corner of the dining room, clutching her violin to her chest.
The door slammed shut, and everybody flinched. Natalya instantly stopped her crying, but Yekaterina rocked her back and forth nonetheless, half in comfort and half in trying to quiet her. In the distance, they heard several more doors slam. Ivan went after him, breaking into a full sprint. What was he trying to do?
Regina shivered and felt sick, ready to heave up her breakfast. What just happened… that definitely wasn't the first time. The whole family reacted too strongly, it was almost anticipated… She bit her lip and squeezed her violin in unease. There were some things Yekaterina hadn't told her…
Lady Braginskaya turned away from her daughters, to the door at the back of the dining room. "What the hell are you waiting for? Clean up this mess!" She barked harshly.
The startled servants nearly toppled over themselves as they came into the dining room. They were anxiously eavesdropping behind the door. The broken chair was taken away, the tea stains were being removed from the tablecloth. Within seconds, they began to remove all evidence of had what just taken place.
The powerful woman watched them like a vulture for a few seconds, her face going from stony calm to hissing anger She turned on her heels to Regina. "You!"
Regina gasped and instantly, tears sprang to her eyes. She could hardly get a word out, as Lady Braginskaya hissed, "Get out, you filthy…!"
The woman's racial slur went unheard as she frightfully bolted from the room. Dashing down the hallway, racing up the stairs so fast she nearly fell down them. She wasn't even thinking of where she was going - somehow, she found the way to her door.
Regina skidded into it and locked her door for the first time (she really never noticed the lock until now). She realized she was shaking so hard that her teeth were clattering against each other. Her stomach was churning and seething. She sighed,
"I…I-I need to… sit…" She slumped onto her bed, not even noticing she was still holding the violin. She carefully put it aside and curled up.
Regina closed her eyes and tried to brush the shock away. Why was she so frightened? Why were they so frightening- General and Lady Braginskaya? How long did Yekaterina, Ivan and their sister have to deal with… that?
Ah… Where did Ivan run to…? Did he really go after his father…?
Regina turned her head and glanced out the window. Snow had fallen, and the manor grounds were a sleek and pure white. Completely undisturbed. She could see the gazebo…
"I-I… I'll go walk..." She threw on her maroon coat, shiny boots and gloves. She'd probably regret not putting on more layers, but she needed to get out. She was already far from the dining room, and she needed to get farther.
She sped walk down the hall, then stopped in her tracks right outside Colonel Ivan's office- The door was completely ajar-
CRASH!
Regina quickly covered her mouth to stifle her yelp. Her shaking returned and the storm in her stomach got worse. What was that?
General Braginski came out and threw the door shut, but he was so rough that it bounced right off the hinges, causing a vibrating ring throughout the halls. He didn't notice Regina as he went in the opposite direction, down the stairs.
She waited until he was at the last step, but her feet felt like lead. His eyes had that same dangerous expression. Did Ivan seriously try to talk sense into him…?
Wh-what did he do…? Regina ran into the office.
"Colonel Braginski-!" She was only frozen in the doorway for only a moment. She crouched down to his side, but he was beginning (or attempting to) pull himself up. "Are you hurt somewhere? Colonel… Oh…"
Ivan lifted himself completely, and beneath him was a bent rusted stand. Regina wondered what in the world it was, when she saw a cracked globe on the other side of the room…
Did his father throw him against the globe stand?
Regina grabbed his arm and tried as best as she could to get him standing straight. Ivan was trying, but he was noticeably hunched over. She panicked; he was thrown against that old piece of metal! She tried to get a look at him, to see if he had any head injuries, but he was staring straight at the ground. Why wouldn't he look at her?
"C-Colonel…" Regina's voice was shaky. "A-Are you… Wh-where, I-I mean… Please…" She didn't know what she was saying, anyway. She could see a large bruise was forming on the side of his face.
Finally, Ivan turned to her, but he was looking straight down at her boots and coat "Are you going somewhere?"
"Going…? O-Oh! Yes…Outside…"
"I will go with you." He winced for just a moment and faltered towards the door. Regina quickly let go of his arm and stood directly in front of him. She looked directly up at him, although he still avoided her eye contact. She could see a small cut on the other side of his face.
"C-Colonel Braginski…" Regina was surprised at her own boldness, but she continued. "I don't think you should be walking. I-I mean, your back, and your face-"
He had the same emotionless, cold expression as his mother. An attempt to tie down and control the fear, anger and distress that they should have expected and been used to by now. He did not want to deal with the small girl before him, whose eyes had so much concern. She didn't even know him, why did she have so much worry? He'd never been worried about…
"I want to leave this house." Ivan brushed passed her.
Strange, strange. Everything the little Latvian did was strange. She called after him and was at his side. She tried to pull him onto the gravel path, but he insisted on the snow. Ivan hated snow; he didn't know why he was walking in it.
Then again, a six inches wasn't hard to walk through, even with his limp. He didn't have a clue where he was going or how far he planned to go, he just kept walking…Then he remembered Regina.
"Colonel Braginski! W-Wait!" She said breathlessly. She was awkwardly waddling through the snow, her boots and skinny legs hardly a match for the thick snow. He stopped and she caught up to him, panting. "Ha… Th-thank you…"
"You should have stayed behind, little Regina."
He didn't know if she was frowning at the nickname or his cold tone. "N-no… I don't want you to stay out here all night."
"Who said I would?"
"I-I saw you. That one night…"
"When I was with Komorov on the gazebo?" Ivan seemed amused. Regina was trying to be serious, although she wondered if he ever took her seriously. "Yes. You could get sick quite easily. I… Wouldn't that upset your mother?"
"All the more reason to do it, da?" Now he was smirking. "I've never been sick before."
"That's surprising."
"You don't believe me."
"Everyone gets sick," Regina was thankful he had slowed his pace for her. They were at the gazebo now, and it was also covered. The roof looked ready to collapse from the weight. She was anxious about entering it but Ivan sat right on one of the frozen benches. She winced from imagining how cold it was. He thought she was grimacing from the cold, and found it cute, considering how thick her velvet coat was.
"Little Regina, I'm assuming you're the type to be in bed all day from a little cold?" He teased. Regina quickly shot back, "N-No! I've got good health too!"- Although his statement was true.
"Why don't you sit, little Regina?"
"H-How can you handle that? Please don't sit there…"
"I'm wearing a coat, da? I will be fine."
"You say that, but you're still having difficulty with your back…"
"Whose car is that?" Ivan looked down at the driveway.
"Who-? What?" Regina glanced to where he was looking. A familiar black muscle car was lugging its way through the sludgy ice on the street and driving up to the house. It was Boris' car, the same one he drove her in. "Doesn't he always drive that car?" She was unconcerned. "Although I didn't see him leave…"
"That is not one of our cars."
"So, a guest…?" Ivan clumsily stood up, ignoring his injury, and began following the car up the driveway. His calmness quickly left. "I do not want any guests today. If it is that mudak Komorov…"
The taxi driver climbed out and began unloading the trunk, just two small suitcases. The two stood rather awkwardly, staring without realizing it, but all they really wanted was to know who their guest was…
"M-My God!"
A flurry of maroon swept past Ivan, and he had to blink twice and give his brain a second to register that the little Latvian, with her shaking boots and tiny frame, just flew right past him. She bounded across the lawn, disrupting the virgin snow, and threw herself into the arms of the guest.
Ivan didn't see his face, but he wasn't looking at it. He was watching Regina knock the wind out of the man, right into his arms…
Hmm. Regina running into another man's arms. That sentence bothered Ivan.
She was shaking now, and the man managed to keep himself from falling. His eyes were as wide at her's, and he could hardly speak. He looked completely paralyzed with surprise; he'd yet to hug her back. He mouthed something, most likely her name.
Regina pulled away from him. He was wearing a thin cotton jacket and his pale face meant he was quite cold. She was chattering something loudly, something like, 'I can't believe you're here!' and 'How did you find this place?'
He must've been from her village. Didn't Boris say she wasn't allowed any contact with them? And how did he get here? Not a very unsuspecting entrance. The man was still struggling to handle his surprise, and wanted to respond, when he looked up and noticed Ivan.
When the man's face got even paler, Ivan smiled cheekily and gave a half-hearted wave. Regina turned back to him and said, "Oh, let me introduce you…"
She dragged the man through the snow, soaking his shoes and pants. He was a good foot taller than her (although nearly everyone was), and lanky, just like she had been.
"Colonel Braginski, this is my older brother, Eduard Galante. Eduard, this is who I'm… Well, his mother employed me."
"Ah, i-is that so…" Eduard's skin prickled despite the cold. So this man who gave the order to kidnap Regina. Eduard couldn't hide his scowl, but he attempted to mute it. Suddenly the 6-foot-two Russian in the dark uniform didn't seem so intimidating… although that stare was unnerving.
"How nice to meet you." Ivan straightened up, despite the burning of his injury. He was her brother, nothing more, but he wasn't comforted. Ivan returned his steady glare, but with a wide smile. "What business do you have here?"
"Yes!" Regina turned on Eduard quickly, still holding his arm in a vice grip. "Why have you come?" She was worried. If he found out where she was and just decided to pay a visit, she had a sickening premonition that Boris would hunt her down.
He broke off his glare for just a moment to look down her. "R-Right, well…"
Ivan interrupted. "The doctor, da?"
Eduard flinched and snapped his head up, queuing another tug-of-war glare between them. Regina repeated, "The doctor? For who?"
"Miss Natalya Braginski. Mind yourself, Comrade Galante." Boris appeared behind them, apparently just arriving from the house. "Why don't we all come in before someone catches a cold?"
Regina nodded and clinged to Eduard, disliking the eerie air the man had about him. Eduard noticed this, and recognized him as the man who took her in the first place. He protectively stayed close to Regina as they went in, and Ivan took a good note on this. Does he think he is protecting her? Is he trying to make up for lost time?
Lady Braginski greeted Eduard with enthusiasm. "Oh, thank goodness you are here! I can rest easy now. Eduard Galante, da?"
"Y-Yes. Thank you for employing me." Eduard said, trying not to look too taken aback by the massive house. Regina had stepped away from him, and Ivan made a point to step closer to her.
"No, no, I must thank you. I'm quite happy I could get ahold of you; I can trust no one in this city- well that is something else entirely. My lovely daughter is upstairs, I will introduce you immediately." In the midst of her speed talking, she turned on her heels and sped up the spiraling stairs. Eduard kept up, nodding and trying to get a word in. Regina followed in an eager gait; she was dazzled that her brother was right in front of her when she'd been wishing for him all these months. She felt that if he left her sight for a moment, it'd be a dream. Ivan silently followed her, although she honestly did not notice.
"Natalya is in her room, as always. I already have her diet, schedule, current health records; I expect you to go over them and give me your opinions. But not too much resting! She'll turn into a skeleton. The clinic she was in before…"
He managed to mumble in a few "Yes ma'am", but for the most part, her chatter silenced him until they reached Natalya's room. Her mother knocked but hardly waited for an answer, and barged in, Eduard in tow, Regina right behind him and Ivan a few paces behind her. Natalya was taken off-guard with all the people and hid whatever she was working on under her chair.
"M-Mother, what is this…?" She asked meekly.
"Oh, the best luck has just befallen us, my sweet Nataha. That personal doctor I mentioned has come. You can stay after all!"
Natalya's face notably fell. "I-I… can?" Regina recalled the morning's events, and her heart skipped. Had that mess been completely forgotten?
Lady Braginski went up to her daughter and knelt to her. "Nataha, you are my daughter, I never want you to leave me again. With a doctor here, you will never need to go anywhere for- well- treatment."
Natalya looked down at her hands and wrung them. "So… I won't be sent back…?"
"Nyet, nyet, nyet!" Her mother smiled wide, beaming brighter than the sun. She gestured Eduard to her side, and said, "His name is Dr. Galante. He specializes in- your sickness."
I never said that, I don't even know what she has… Eduard blushed lightly at the title 'doctor'. He straightened up and nodded a sort of greeting, which Natalya returned with equal shyness. While her mother chattered on, he studied Natalya's appearance. She's rather pale, but so is Regina. She doesn't look physically sick. But it's not like I have the instruments to really investigate…
As if reading his mind, Natalya's mother said, "I will spare no expense. Just tell me what you need to improve her health, and I will personally see it bought."
Eduard was taken aback, but was grateful. "Thank you very much. That will be a big help."
"Please examine her tomorrow morning, after her breakfast, naturally. Boris! Escort Dr. Galante to the room I specified."
Now it was Eduard's turn to let his face fall. He had a whole new genre of glare for the butler, though the man pretended not to notice. "Follow me, it is not far," Boris said easily, but before he left the room, he turned to Regina. "I suggest you retire to your room as well."
Regina bit her lip. "Will I… See him tomorrow?"
"I should hope so; Lady Braginski relies on him a great deal."
Regina lit up and exclaimed, "I'll see you at breakfast then, Eduard!" He couldn't help but soften his glare and try to smile back. She looked healthier; she'd obviously gained some weight. And those clothes- they certainly weren't her's, and he was positive they weren't paying her that well- if at all. At least they weren't starving her, but he wouldn't give his entire approval yet. "Take care, Regina."
As the three left, the remaining three stayed in Natalya's room for a few more moments. Lady Braginski seemed to just notice Ivan's presence.
"Oh, Ivan. Isn't this good news?"
Ivan wanted to make a sarcastic retort regarding his back (which felt worse, for some reason), but Natalya was worriedly shuffling her hands. She looked up at him with her deep eyes, questioning, Is this really okay?
"Da, mother. I'm sure Dr. Galante is very skilled." He tried to keep out the sarcasm.
"Good! Nataha, in no time, you will be cured. I'll see to it," She affectionately held her daughter's hands, which were red from being squeezed earlier.
Natalya's expression went visibly downcast. She glanced at her brother again; they both silently agreed. What she had wasn't something that could be cured.
"I'll see you later on this evening, Nataha. Ivan, you should get to your duties too," Their mother stood up, going for the doorway, with Ivan stepping out of the way for her.
"W-Wait- Mother, Vanya…"
"Da, my dear?" The two of them turned to her.
Natalya retrieved what she hid under her chair. It was a large, leather portfolio; he could see many sketches poking in and out of it. His mother was quite curious. "What is this, Nataha?"
"While I was… visiting that place, I made something for you." She brought out a tall watercolor painting. It was an incredibly realistic still-life of radiant orange sunflowers in a sky blue vase. Ivan looked closer and saw that it wasn't really a solid orange, but many shades of the yellow. And upon a better inspection of the vase, he could see little white clouds and swirls in a variety of blues and violets. How did she find a brush small enough to paint them? When did she become such an artist?
"Oh, I love this, Nataha! It is very beautiful. I'll have it framed and out over my bedside at once." Their mother happily fluttered out, admiring the painting as she walked. Natalya remembered how much she had loved sunflowers. He smiled softly at her, "That is very impressive, Nataha."
She smiled back. "Thank you. I have something for you, too." She fished through the portfolio and carefully handed him a painting.
This time, it was wide and painted with watercolors, in much softer hues, giving the appearance of a children's book illustration. It was a family portrait; all of them were in it- Him, Natalya, Yekaterina, their parents. Everyone was dressed neatly, well-combed, smiling casually and sitting on a plush couch. As her brother Vanya, he was incredibly thankful and it only proved to him how great her talent was. As Ivan Braginski… something about it threw him off.
"Vanya?" Natalya asked worriedly. He had been staring at it for a good two minutes with a strange expression. "I-I thought about what you always said, about how important family is… are you alright?"
"I am. And this is beautiful, Natalya," He came back to reality and continued his warm smile. She blushed and felt relieved. "I really want to stay, Vanya. I… I can try to control myself. To control… Them."
Ivan kissed her on the forehead, but did not reply. She watched him leave, his acceptance easing the anxiety she felt since this morning.
Ivan walked to his office, the whole time looking down at the painting, but not really thinking about it. He hated the idea of Natalya having to hide herself and walk on eggshells, pretending to be 'normal' for their mother. She wasn't, and she needed treatment in a special place, a place where her 'Them' would never find her. She accepted that long ago.
Their mother didn't. She was selfishly endangering Natalya by keeping her in the house. And for what? To fawn over her? To show her off? Now that Yekaterina was leaving to live with Chazov, his mother needed another source of amusement… Yes, that must've been it.
He sat down in his comfortable office chair, but his back still ached. He looked at Natalya in her painting- she was sitting on the left, next to Yekaterina. Even if their expressions and overall features were different, they had the same eyes. The same pretty, ocean-like eyes. Yekaterina's were bright and Natalya's look more subdued, like in real life. How did she manage to paint that?
At the right, Ivan sat next to his parents. He did not share their ocean eyes, the ones that were like their mother's. He looked too much like his father, Ivan thought. He could see it in not only the eyes, but the nose, the chin, his body. They wore the same uniform. They had nearly the same expression- did Natalya see them as one in the same? That bothered him, and made his heart ache in addition to his back.
Without thinking, he ripped his father out. The paper tore easily, in two pieces. His sisters on the right, himself and his mother on the left.
He looked at himself again, next to his mother. Now he was seeing himself in her, or vice versa. He looked at her vulture eyes and spider-like fingers. Her cold mouth and sharp, angular, unattractive face. He kept staring at himself and her, and his head spun. Why did they look so similar? Did Natalya see them as one in the same as well?
He ripped out his mother. She tore just as easy. He dropped the picture of his sisters and took himself in both hands. Within seconds his mother's eyes, his father's nose, his mother's jaw, his father's body were in pieces, tearing them so small they looked like small fragments of confetti. His parents received the same fate, until all the paper was scattered about his lap and desk.
When did he start breathing so hard? Why did his back ache even more?
He sat in silence for a few more minutes, staring at the confetti, millions of thoughts and memories flooding back.
"You don't ever hurt family, Nataha. Family is all you have. Without them, you are nothing."
"I-I thought about what you've always said… How important family is…"
He retrieved the remaining piece of the portrait, the one with his sisters. How sweet and kind they looked, Natalya in lavender, Yekaterina in baby blue. They're heads turned slightly to each other, rosy cheeks and smiles. No trace of his mother or father in their faces, they were their own person.
He folded the painting neatly and took a small wallet out of his breast pocket. He removed the original picture and replaced it with the painting. The original was an old, worn photo of him, Natalya and Yekaterina as children, taken many years ago. They were looking uncomfortable, camera-shy, standing side-by-side in Soviet uniforms. There was no year written on the back.
From a secret compartment in his desk, he retrieved a metal box with a lock that was rarely used. He opened it and stared at several familiar letters, all written on lightly crumbled white paper and covered in a neat cursive. He tucked the old photo under them, and picked up the first letter on the pile. It was dated many months ago, but he remembered when he first received it perfectly. He had gone through a great deal to sneak it into the mansion.
Month XX, Day XX, Year 196X
Dear Vanya,
I have arrived at the facility. They gave me my own room, but it is terribly small and all white. I asked the nurse why, and she said it is supposed to 'cleanse' my mind. I think it just makes Them easier to see, because Them has many different colors.
I'll write weekly, daily, if you want. I packed a lot of paper. …I hope I will not stay so long that I run out.
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I tried to make this a Latvia/Russia-centric chapter, but look what happened... OTL I can't help it, I love writing about Ivan and all his family angst.
I've got lots of new ideas for future chapters, and I think from here, it'll get a little darker. Also, next chapter will include the whole past behind Poland, in case anyone was wondering what the heck he/she was doing in here XD
As always, thank you so much for taking the time to read this! And if you have any ideas, concerns or comments, do say so!
Warning: Fem!Latvia, Mild Violence, typical angst, slight fluff
Summary: Latvia gets a surprising guest, more into Ivan's family
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Regina never understood the saying, 'cutting tension with a knife'. She'd be in rather awkward and strange situations at the Braginski manor, but never anything with a heavy and bitter atmosphere. This completely changed a few days after the wedding.
She entered the dining room, ready for her usual duty of playing for the family during breakfast. The audience was quite small today, but she had two special guests: One she rarely played for, and one she never played for - General Braginski and his youngest daughter. She planned on playing the songs she knew completely by heart, so there'd be no chance of her messing up.
Yekaterina, Ivan and Lady Braginskaya were also there. She noticed how eerily silent it was. It was strange for Lady Braginskaya to be quiet, especially now, a perfect time to fawn over the fact one daughter was married and the other returned from a long hiatus. Obviously, something happened. Nevertheless, Regina held her violin to her shoulder and began to play…
"How did you get her released?"
Regina flinched and stopped the music quickly, though it had hardly begun. She and everyone at the table looked at General Braginski. His face was twisted in anger, and fear shot through her small chest. She'd never seen such a look.
Lady Braginskaya darted her eyes away while her mouth moved rigidly. "She'll be staying with us. I hired a personal doctor."
"How did you get her out-?" The massive man stood so fast that his chair fell to the ground with a loud slam and the table rattled, knocking over the china cups. Natalya cried out and held onto her sister, Regina nearly dropped her violin. Lady Braginskaya stayed steady, keeping her eyes to the ruined china.
General Braginski's wrinkled in disgusted anger; his eyes were a burning monster. His voice twisted into a horrible tone as he bellowed, "She will never stay here-!"
Regina's breath stopped and her mind froze. He was going to hit her; he was going to really beat her! Lady Braginskaya shielded her face and he was readying a fist…
Ivan had been staying stone still the past minute, but he shot up. "Stop!" He held tightly on the older man's wrist, stopping it just in time. Natalya and Yekaterina clung to each other and wept while Lady Braginskaya sunk back in her chair. She was shaking and breathing shallowly, but her face expressed chilling calm.
Ivan's hand was steady, his eyes were not. They were shaky and hesitant, something Regina thought Ivan never had.
The scene passed like lighting before the violinists' eyes, but now time decided to slow itself. The dining room was so quiet, despite the girls' crying and the heavy breathing of both the Braginski parents…
Only a few seconds passed. General Braginski tore his wrist from Ivan's grasp and shoved him away. Ivan allowed himself to be pushed back a good foot or two. The old man stormed for the entrance, and Regina bolted out of his way. She went for the darkest corner of the dining room, clutching her violin to her chest.
The door slammed shut, and everybody flinched. Natalya instantly stopped her crying, but Yekaterina rocked her back and forth nonetheless, half in comfort and half in trying to quiet her. In the distance, they heard several more doors slam. Ivan went after him, breaking into a full sprint. What was he trying to do?
Regina shivered and felt sick, ready to heave up her breakfast. What just happened… that definitely wasn't the first time. The whole family reacted too strongly, it was almost anticipated… She bit her lip and squeezed her violin in unease. There were some things Yekaterina hadn't told her…
Lady Braginskaya turned away from her daughters, to the door at the back of the dining room. "What the hell are you waiting for? Clean up this mess!" She barked harshly.
The startled servants nearly toppled over themselves as they came into the dining room. They were anxiously eavesdropping behind the door. The broken chair was taken away, the tea stains were being removed from the tablecloth. Within seconds, they began to remove all evidence of had what just taken place.
The powerful woman watched them like a vulture for a few seconds, her face going from stony calm to hissing anger She turned on her heels to Regina. "You!"
Regina gasped and instantly, tears sprang to her eyes. She could hardly get a word out, as Lady Braginskaya hissed, "Get out, you filthy…!"
The woman's racial slur went unheard as she frightfully bolted from the room. Dashing down the hallway, racing up the stairs so fast she nearly fell down them. She wasn't even thinking of where she was going - somehow, she found the way to her door.
Regina skidded into it and locked her door for the first time (she really never noticed the lock until now). She realized she was shaking so hard that her teeth were clattering against each other. Her stomach was churning and seething. She sighed,
"I…I-I need to… sit…" She slumped onto her bed, not even noticing she was still holding the violin. She carefully put it aside and curled up.
Regina closed her eyes and tried to brush the shock away. Why was she so frightened? Why were they so frightening- General and Lady Braginskaya? How long did Yekaterina, Ivan and their sister have to deal with… that?
Ah… Where did Ivan run to…? Did he really go after his father…?
Regina turned her head and glanced out the window. Snow had fallen, and the manor grounds were a sleek and pure white. Completely undisturbed. She could see the gazebo…
"I-I… I'll go walk..." She threw on her maroon coat, shiny boots and gloves. She'd probably regret not putting on more layers, but she needed to get out. She was already far from the dining room, and she needed to get farther.
She sped walk down the hall, then stopped in her tracks right outside Colonel Ivan's office- The door was completely ajar-
CRASH!
Regina quickly covered her mouth to stifle her yelp. Her shaking returned and the storm in her stomach got worse. What was that?
General Braginski came out and threw the door shut, but he was so rough that it bounced right off the hinges, causing a vibrating ring throughout the halls. He didn't notice Regina as he went in the opposite direction, down the stairs.
She waited until he was at the last step, but her feet felt like lead. His eyes had that same dangerous expression. Did Ivan seriously try to talk sense into him…?
Wh-what did he do…? Regina ran into the office.
"Colonel Braginski-!" She was only frozen in the doorway for only a moment. She crouched down to his side, but he was beginning (or attempting to) pull himself up. "Are you hurt somewhere? Colonel… Oh…"
Ivan lifted himself completely, and beneath him was a bent rusted stand. Regina wondered what in the world it was, when she saw a cracked globe on the other side of the room…
Did his father throw him against the globe stand?
Regina grabbed his arm and tried as best as she could to get him standing straight. Ivan was trying, but he was noticeably hunched over. She panicked; he was thrown against that old piece of metal! She tried to get a look at him, to see if he had any head injuries, but he was staring straight at the ground. Why wouldn't he look at her?
"C-Colonel…" Regina's voice was shaky. "A-Are you… Wh-where, I-I mean… Please…" She didn't know what she was saying, anyway. She could see a large bruise was forming on the side of his face.
Finally, Ivan turned to her, but he was looking straight down at her boots and coat "Are you going somewhere?"
"Going…? O-Oh! Yes…Outside…"
"I will go with you." He winced for just a moment and faltered towards the door. Regina quickly let go of his arm and stood directly in front of him. She looked directly up at him, although he still avoided her eye contact. She could see a small cut on the other side of his face.
"C-Colonel Braginski…" Regina was surprised at her own boldness, but she continued. "I don't think you should be walking. I-I mean, your back, and your face-"
He had the same emotionless, cold expression as his mother. An attempt to tie down and control the fear, anger and distress that they should have expected and been used to by now. He did not want to deal with the small girl before him, whose eyes had so much concern. She didn't even know him, why did she have so much worry? He'd never been worried about…
"I want to leave this house." Ivan brushed passed her.
Strange, strange. Everything the little Latvian did was strange. She called after him and was at his side. She tried to pull him onto the gravel path, but he insisted on the snow. Ivan hated snow; he didn't know why he was walking in it.
Then again, a six inches wasn't hard to walk through, even with his limp. He didn't have a clue where he was going or how far he planned to go, he just kept walking…Then he remembered Regina.
"Colonel Braginski! W-Wait!" She said breathlessly. She was awkwardly waddling through the snow, her boots and skinny legs hardly a match for the thick snow. He stopped and she caught up to him, panting. "Ha… Th-thank you…"
"You should have stayed behind, little Regina."
He didn't know if she was frowning at the nickname or his cold tone. "N-no… I don't want you to stay out here all night."
"Who said I would?"
"I-I saw you. That one night…"
"When I was with Komorov on the gazebo?" Ivan seemed amused. Regina was trying to be serious, although she wondered if he ever took her seriously. "Yes. You could get sick quite easily. I… Wouldn't that upset your mother?"
"All the more reason to do it, da?" Now he was smirking. "I've never been sick before."
"That's surprising."
"You don't believe me."
"Everyone gets sick," Regina was thankful he had slowed his pace for her. They were at the gazebo now, and it was also covered. The roof looked ready to collapse from the weight. She was anxious about entering it but Ivan sat right on one of the frozen benches. She winced from imagining how cold it was. He thought she was grimacing from the cold, and found it cute, considering how thick her velvet coat was.
"Little Regina, I'm assuming you're the type to be in bed all day from a little cold?" He teased. Regina quickly shot back, "N-No! I've got good health too!"- Although his statement was true.
"Why don't you sit, little Regina?"
"H-How can you handle that? Please don't sit there…"
"I'm wearing a coat, da? I will be fine."
"You say that, but you're still having difficulty with your back…"
"Whose car is that?" Ivan looked down at the driveway.
"Who-? What?" Regina glanced to where he was looking. A familiar black muscle car was lugging its way through the sludgy ice on the street and driving up to the house. It was Boris' car, the same one he drove her in. "Doesn't he always drive that car?" She was unconcerned. "Although I didn't see him leave…"
"That is not one of our cars."
"So, a guest…?" Ivan clumsily stood up, ignoring his injury, and began following the car up the driveway. His calmness quickly left. "I do not want any guests today. If it is that mudak Komorov…"
The taxi driver climbed out and began unloading the trunk, just two small suitcases. The two stood rather awkwardly, staring without realizing it, but all they really wanted was to know who their guest was…
"M-My God!"
A flurry of maroon swept past Ivan, and he had to blink twice and give his brain a second to register that the little Latvian, with her shaking boots and tiny frame, just flew right past him. She bounded across the lawn, disrupting the virgin snow, and threw herself into the arms of the guest.
Ivan didn't see his face, but he wasn't looking at it. He was watching Regina knock the wind out of the man, right into his arms…
Hmm. Regina running into another man's arms. That sentence bothered Ivan.
She was shaking now, and the man managed to keep himself from falling. His eyes were as wide at her's, and he could hardly speak. He looked completely paralyzed with surprise; he'd yet to hug her back. He mouthed something, most likely her name.
Regina pulled away from him. He was wearing a thin cotton jacket and his pale face meant he was quite cold. She was chattering something loudly, something like, 'I can't believe you're here!' and 'How did you find this place?'
He must've been from her village. Didn't Boris say she wasn't allowed any contact with them? And how did he get here? Not a very unsuspecting entrance. The man was still struggling to handle his surprise, and wanted to respond, when he looked up and noticed Ivan.
When the man's face got even paler, Ivan smiled cheekily and gave a half-hearted wave. Regina turned back to him and said, "Oh, let me introduce you…"
She dragged the man through the snow, soaking his shoes and pants. He was a good foot taller than her (although nearly everyone was), and lanky, just like she had been.
"Colonel Braginski, this is my older brother, Eduard Galante. Eduard, this is who I'm… Well, his mother employed me."
"Ah, i-is that so…" Eduard's skin prickled despite the cold. So this man who gave the order to kidnap Regina. Eduard couldn't hide his scowl, but he attempted to mute it. Suddenly the 6-foot-two Russian in the dark uniform didn't seem so intimidating… although that stare was unnerving.
"How nice to meet you." Ivan straightened up, despite the burning of his injury. He was her brother, nothing more, but he wasn't comforted. Ivan returned his steady glare, but with a wide smile. "What business do you have here?"
"Yes!" Regina turned on Eduard quickly, still holding his arm in a vice grip. "Why have you come?" She was worried. If he found out where she was and just decided to pay a visit, she had a sickening premonition that Boris would hunt her down.
He broke off his glare for just a moment to look down her. "R-Right, well…"
Ivan interrupted. "The doctor, da?"
Eduard flinched and snapped his head up, queuing another tug-of-war glare between them. Regina repeated, "The doctor? For who?"
"Miss Natalya Braginski. Mind yourself, Comrade Galante." Boris appeared behind them, apparently just arriving from the house. "Why don't we all come in before someone catches a cold?"
Regina nodded and clinged to Eduard, disliking the eerie air the man had about him. Eduard noticed this, and recognized him as the man who took her in the first place. He protectively stayed close to Regina as they went in, and Ivan took a good note on this. Does he think he is protecting her? Is he trying to make up for lost time?
Lady Braginski greeted Eduard with enthusiasm. "Oh, thank goodness you are here! I can rest easy now. Eduard Galante, da?"
"Y-Yes. Thank you for employing me." Eduard said, trying not to look too taken aback by the massive house. Regina had stepped away from him, and Ivan made a point to step closer to her.
"No, no, I must thank you. I'm quite happy I could get ahold of you; I can trust no one in this city- well that is something else entirely. My lovely daughter is upstairs, I will introduce you immediately." In the midst of her speed talking, she turned on her heels and sped up the spiraling stairs. Eduard kept up, nodding and trying to get a word in. Regina followed in an eager gait; she was dazzled that her brother was right in front of her when she'd been wishing for him all these months. She felt that if he left her sight for a moment, it'd be a dream. Ivan silently followed her, although she honestly did not notice.
"Natalya is in her room, as always. I already have her diet, schedule, current health records; I expect you to go over them and give me your opinions. But not too much resting! She'll turn into a skeleton. The clinic she was in before…"
He managed to mumble in a few "Yes ma'am", but for the most part, her chatter silenced him until they reached Natalya's room. Her mother knocked but hardly waited for an answer, and barged in, Eduard in tow, Regina right behind him and Ivan a few paces behind her. Natalya was taken off-guard with all the people and hid whatever she was working on under her chair.
"M-Mother, what is this…?" She asked meekly.
"Oh, the best luck has just befallen us, my sweet Nataha. That personal doctor I mentioned has come. You can stay after all!"
Natalya's face notably fell. "I-I… can?" Regina recalled the morning's events, and her heart skipped. Had that mess been completely forgotten?
Lady Braginski went up to her daughter and knelt to her. "Nataha, you are my daughter, I never want you to leave me again. With a doctor here, you will never need to go anywhere for- well- treatment."
Natalya looked down at her hands and wrung them. "So… I won't be sent back…?"
"Nyet, nyet, nyet!" Her mother smiled wide, beaming brighter than the sun. She gestured Eduard to her side, and said, "His name is Dr. Galante. He specializes in- your sickness."
I never said that, I don't even know what she has… Eduard blushed lightly at the title 'doctor'. He straightened up and nodded a sort of greeting, which Natalya returned with equal shyness. While her mother chattered on, he studied Natalya's appearance. She's rather pale, but so is Regina. She doesn't look physically sick. But it's not like I have the instruments to really investigate…
As if reading his mind, Natalya's mother said, "I will spare no expense. Just tell me what you need to improve her health, and I will personally see it bought."
Eduard was taken aback, but was grateful. "Thank you very much. That will be a big help."
"Please examine her tomorrow morning, after her breakfast, naturally. Boris! Escort Dr. Galante to the room I specified."
Now it was Eduard's turn to let his face fall. He had a whole new genre of glare for the butler, though the man pretended not to notice. "Follow me, it is not far," Boris said easily, but before he left the room, he turned to Regina. "I suggest you retire to your room as well."
Regina bit her lip. "Will I… See him tomorrow?"
"I should hope so; Lady Braginski relies on him a great deal."
Regina lit up and exclaimed, "I'll see you at breakfast then, Eduard!" He couldn't help but soften his glare and try to smile back. She looked healthier; she'd obviously gained some weight. And those clothes- they certainly weren't her's, and he was positive they weren't paying her that well- if at all. At least they weren't starving her, but he wouldn't give his entire approval yet. "Take care, Regina."
As the three left, the remaining three stayed in Natalya's room for a few more moments. Lady Braginski seemed to just notice Ivan's presence.
"Oh, Ivan. Isn't this good news?"
Ivan wanted to make a sarcastic retort regarding his back (which felt worse, for some reason), but Natalya was worriedly shuffling her hands. She looked up at him with her deep eyes, questioning, Is this really okay?
"Da, mother. I'm sure Dr. Galante is very skilled." He tried to keep out the sarcasm.
"Good! Nataha, in no time, you will be cured. I'll see to it," She affectionately held her daughter's hands, which were red from being squeezed earlier.
Natalya's expression went visibly downcast. She glanced at her brother again; they both silently agreed. What she had wasn't something that could be cured.
"I'll see you later on this evening, Nataha. Ivan, you should get to your duties too," Their mother stood up, going for the doorway, with Ivan stepping out of the way for her.
"W-Wait- Mother, Vanya…"
"Da, my dear?" The two of them turned to her.
Natalya retrieved what she hid under her chair. It was a large, leather portfolio; he could see many sketches poking in and out of it. His mother was quite curious. "What is this, Nataha?"
"While I was… visiting that place, I made something for you." She brought out a tall watercolor painting. It was an incredibly realistic still-life of radiant orange sunflowers in a sky blue vase. Ivan looked closer and saw that it wasn't really a solid orange, but many shades of the yellow. And upon a better inspection of the vase, he could see little white clouds and swirls in a variety of blues and violets. How did she find a brush small enough to paint them? When did she become such an artist?
"Oh, I love this, Nataha! It is very beautiful. I'll have it framed and out over my bedside at once." Their mother happily fluttered out, admiring the painting as she walked. Natalya remembered how much she had loved sunflowers. He smiled softly at her, "That is very impressive, Nataha."
She smiled back. "Thank you. I have something for you, too." She fished through the portfolio and carefully handed him a painting.
This time, it was wide and painted with watercolors, in much softer hues, giving the appearance of a children's book illustration. It was a family portrait; all of them were in it- Him, Natalya, Yekaterina, their parents. Everyone was dressed neatly, well-combed, smiling casually and sitting on a plush couch. As her brother Vanya, he was incredibly thankful and it only proved to him how great her talent was. As Ivan Braginski… something about it threw him off.
"Vanya?" Natalya asked worriedly. He had been staring at it for a good two minutes with a strange expression. "I-I thought about what you always said, about how important family is… are you alright?"
"I am. And this is beautiful, Natalya," He came back to reality and continued his warm smile. She blushed and felt relieved. "I really want to stay, Vanya. I… I can try to control myself. To control… Them."
Ivan kissed her on the forehead, but did not reply. She watched him leave, his acceptance easing the anxiety she felt since this morning.
Ivan walked to his office, the whole time looking down at the painting, but not really thinking about it. He hated the idea of Natalya having to hide herself and walk on eggshells, pretending to be 'normal' for their mother. She wasn't, and she needed treatment in a special place, a place where her 'Them' would never find her. She accepted that long ago.
Their mother didn't. She was selfishly endangering Natalya by keeping her in the house. And for what? To fawn over her? To show her off? Now that Yekaterina was leaving to live with Chazov, his mother needed another source of amusement… Yes, that must've been it.
He sat down in his comfortable office chair, but his back still ached. He looked at Natalya in her painting- she was sitting on the left, next to Yekaterina. Even if their expressions and overall features were different, they had the same eyes. The same pretty, ocean-like eyes. Yekaterina's were bright and Natalya's look more subdued, like in real life. How did she manage to paint that?
At the right, Ivan sat next to his parents. He did not share their ocean eyes, the ones that were like their mother's. He looked too much like his father, Ivan thought. He could see it in not only the eyes, but the nose, the chin, his body. They wore the same uniform. They had nearly the same expression- did Natalya see them as one in the same? That bothered him, and made his heart ache in addition to his back.
Without thinking, he ripped his father out. The paper tore easily, in two pieces. His sisters on the right, himself and his mother on the left.
He looked at himself again, next to his mother. Now he was seeing himself in her, or vice versa. He looked at her vulture eyes and spider-like fingers. Her cold mouth and sharp, angular, unattractive face. He kept staring at himself and her, and his head spun. Why did they look so similar? Did Natalya see them as one in the same as well?
He ripped out his mother. She tore just as easy. He dropped the picture of his sisters and took himself in both hands. Within seconds his mother's eyes, his father's nose, his mother's jaw, his father's body were in pieces, tearing them so small they looked like small fragments of confetti. His parents received the same fate, until all the paper was scattered about his lap and desk.
When did he start breathing so hard? Why did his back ache even more?
He sat in silence for a few more minutes, staring at the confetti, millions of thoughts and memories flooding back.
"You don't ever hurt family, Nataha. Family is all you have. Without them, you are nothing."
"I-I thought about what you've always said… How important family is…"
He retrieved the remaining piece of the portrait, the one with his sisters. How sweet and kind they looked, Natalya in lavender, Yekaterina in baby blue. They're heads turned slightly to each other, rosy cheeks and smiles. No trace of his mother or father in their faces, they were their own person.
He folded the painting neatly and took a small wallet out of his breast pocket. He removed the original picture and replaced it with the painting. The original was an old, worn photo of him, Natalya and Yekaterina as children, taken many years ago. They were looking uncomfortable, camera-shy, standing side-by-side in Soviet uniforms. There was no year written on the back.
From a secret compartment in his desk, he retrieved a metal box with a lock that was rarely used. He opened it and stared at several familiar letters, all written on lightly crumbled white paper and covered in a neat cursive. He tucked the old photo under them, and picked up the first letter on the pile. It was dated many months ago, but he remembered when he first received it perfectly. He had gone through a great deal to sneak it into the mansion.
Month XX, Day XX, Year 196X
Dear Vanya,
I have arrived at the facility. They gave me my own room, but it is terribly small and all white. I asked the nurse why, and she said it is supposed to 'cleanse' my mind. I think it just makes Them easier to see, because Them has many different colors.
I'll write weekly, daily, if you want. I packed a lot of paper. …I hope I will not stay so long that I run out.
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I tried to make this a Latvia/Russia-centric chapter, but look what happened... OTL I can't help it, I love writing about Ivan and all his family angst.
I've got lots of new ideas for future chapters, and I think from here, it'll get a little darker. Also, next chapter will include the whole past behind Poland, in case anyone was wondering what the heck he/she was doing in here XD
As always, thank you so much for taking the time to read this! And if you have any ideas, concerns or comments, do say so!