//------------------------------// // Acting Lessons // Story: Heart of Winter // by Dr.Shisno //------------------------------// “NYET! YOU DOING IT WRONG! I have had little Polish boys sound better than that. You make Ukrainians not sounds like uncivil pigs!” “Well, I never! You’ve barely even given me a day to learn all these words! How do you expect me to get it all right!? Maybe if I didn’t have such an incompetent teacher!” “I have taught all that I can. You are just not understanding it!” I buried head into hands; we had been at Russian for some time now. I had given her few books in Russian, in hope that she was natural at languages, able to speak and understand everything in it. She did that and more, I was just not willing to admit such. I would not let this woman beat me at own language. “Ugh,” I sighed, trying to keep up my illusion of disgust. “Do favor and start from beginning. Let’s see if you mess up more.” I wave for her to start, still keeping head in hand. She sits up straight, still bit flustered, but determined, shaking hair out of face. “My name is Nada Sakharov. I am from the city of Tver, and currently attending the State University there for teaching,” She took a deep breath before continuing in Russian. “I am currently on leave from the university to surprise my brother,” she snickered before continuing on, “I’m here to make sure that he is in fact still alive and no-.” “NYET NYET NYET!” I interrupted her, “Your accent offends me. I cannot stand it! You cannot be from Tver with an accent from here. It does not make any sense!” “And you expect me to know what an accent from Tver sounds like? I’ve been cooped up in this cabin for three days now! With only you to base my accent off of! So please, tell me how I’m supposed to have an accent from the Tver area!” Her logic was sound; I started to rub temples trying to fight against headache. It had been long three days. First one was not bad; she was in bed resting, gathering strength. I spent first day reading and tending to woman’s need - which was not much, at least the first day. I should be thankful that she slept most of the time. Second day though, she was awake and very demanding. The term could be whining. I could not stand that. Nothing I did was right. The soup too hot, the coffee too black. She did not touch steak I cooked and it was quite good steak. Apparently woman was vegetarian. A vegetarian in Siberia, breed was sure to die quickly. I still feed her soup from animal stock, though she does not know it yet. Third day did not fare better.  I had to keep self from putting poor woman into floor. Now she was walking around cabin seeing that her demands were met. So I gave her thick book and told her to read. She told me she was not Twilight and refused to read. I told her she needs her Russian improved and gave her another book. There was never enough vodka in house for my needs. And now today, She was mad that breakfast did not include eggs. I had to remind Anastasia, she had eaten last of eggs day before. The argument had yet to end. She complained about cold. She complained this. She complained about that. Only thing keeping self from reaching for colt and getting rid of complaining was because Mother Winter said to keep woman safe, and bullets for revolver are expensive. Nyet, there was something else that kept revolver in place. Was it because I did not feel like cleaning big mess? Nyet, there was something else. Maybe it was vodka coffee talking. Her stubbornness brought smile to face: it was very Russian. Maybe way her blue hair flowed over face, it look… nice. Da, that was definitely vodka talking. I shook thought away. “Again,” I mutter. “Try again. Try to sound like pompous ass. You are from Tver, it is by Moscow, and those people are full of selves. Or try to mimic your English accent, that would be more or less same.” She let loose heated “humph” before trying again, mimicking her natural English accent. “My name is Nada Sakharov. I am from the city of Tver, and currently attending the State University there for teaching. I am currently on leave from the university to surprise my brother and make sure the fool is still alive.” She stopped with smile on face, thinking she has beaten me. I let her have small victory, “It is not five stars, but it will do for now. You still need to work on it. Now,” I grabbed glass and bottle of vodka, “to more Russian things.” I poured small amount into glass and sent in front of her. “Drink.” Woman took glass cautiously and sniffed slightly, “Is this what you‘ve been drinking in your coffee? It smells absolutely wretched.” “There are more reasons I put vodka in coffee other than we have no milk, but that” I laughed. “This liquid flows strong in every Russian. It is more prevalent in body more so than blood. Now drink.” She took glass again, sloshed contents of it. Look of disgust plagued her face. She was grimacing as she brought cup to lips. I was already laughing as she spat out what little she managed to put in mouth. “How can anyone drink that dreadful substance?!?” She placed cup as far away from her as possible. “That was the most vile liquid I have ever had the displeasure of placing in my mouth! Except for Sweetie Belle’s cooking.” I guess look on my face already asked next question. “She’s my sister,” woman relished in memories. “Sweetie can be a bit of a handful, but she’s my sister, and I love her no matter what.” I could see weight fall on her shoulders as she sighed. “I would just like to go back to her, make sure she’s alright.” I gave reassuring smile, dismissing sister’s weird name (I have since given up on trying to give reason her name and her friend’s adjective names), “If your friends are as good as you they are, you have little to fear. She is in good hands.” Woman smiled lightly, “I’m not concerned about my friends, it’s her friends I’m worried about. They seem to get in so much trouble and so often.” “Even so, she should be just fine.” I took her glass and drank in one swig. “At end of day, all friends are family, but I think you already know that.” “Yes” her mood dropping, “Yes, you are right.” She sighed, pausing conversation for moment. “ I don’t suppose you have any more of that soup left?” “I have some left, I think.” I got up from table to check food supplies. Supplies were lower than usual, but I manage to find a bit of soup left. It is not enough to last. “I think we have to go see Nestor some time soon. We have little food left.” “I apologize,” woman started. “I never meant to impose and eat what little food you already have. If there is any way I can he-.” “Do not be sorry,” I say, preparing soup for her. “I was never expecting to cook food for another person. We will have to just get more food.” I chuckle at next thought. “We will have to get you new clothes.” “Clothes?” Woman shot back at me, “What is wrong with the clothes I have with me now?” “Besides fact you nearly smell like me?” Again, another chuckle, “It might be of use to blend in a bit more. We may need to do something about hair also.” “You or anyone else are not touching my mane!” she stood up from chair, clearly agitated. “Is that understood?” I paused for second, going over thought she had said mane, but just let it go. “Excuse me for trying to save your life here. Blue hair is easy spot out in white winter. Those men I killed on other day will not be last. There will be more! So if you do not think they will not spot your purple hair, by all means, keep hair purple.” She sat down with “Humph” again, “Fine, I will not like it, but I will comply. What would be best for color?” “If you wash purple dye o-“ “Wash the dye out?” She looked at me strange, but then had small laugh. “This is my natural hair color, no dye involved.” I stopped and tried to even wrap self around concept, it was not working. “You are kidding me, right?” “Not at all,” she twirled hair between fingers. “It’s all 100% percent real, been like this since the day I was born.” “Ok, I don’t believe it, but will accept such till proven otherwise. But you will still need to change color, black would be best.” She looked at me with thoughtful look, “Black? That would work. Black isn’t popular right now, but when it fades away the highlights would look kinda of cute.” I rubbed face at what was said, “It is not fashion show. It is about survival, why can you not understand that?” She didn’t answer, just sat there. We were in silence for sometime while I prepared her soup. I sighed in happiness, for I have finally silenced the princess. There was little to prepare for soup, for we had little food items to make soup better, for she had eaten my supplies quickly. There was little in mixture but chunks of spices. I could only hope that it would satisfy princess’s needs. She was still silent when I placed bowl of soup, only breathing seemed to make conversation. It was nice, like normal time in cabin. Like I had no guests. Simple things, such is life. She finished soup, pushing bowl away. She was not finished with soup, but she was done eating. I picked up bowl and moved it to be washed. “You have ten minutes. Ten minutes then we leave.” She gave small affirmative, somewhere between nod and shrug, then left table to her room. So I was left alone in main room, again, like normal life. I sighed again, thinking to self: Mother Winter grant me the patience to not hurt this woman. This Rarity. I wonder how one even dealt with such whining. Mercy be upon them. After small prayer and thankfulness, I relished in silence that now surrounded. After minute or so of sitting, I gathered pack and rifle. I took second pack for woman. Smaller pack, so I could hear fewer complaints. I did not notice when she walked in. After putting stripper clip into rifle, I looked up and noticed her standing there. She had found old parka, old military one, one I had when I was smaller. I never understood why I had kept it, seeing as it did not fit me now. She fit quite well into it. Seemed to accent more curvy parts of body, and coat’s faded green color didn’t quite compliment blue hair and eyes. Hair was even in short bun that was tied behind head. I do not know where she found heavy pants she wore, but like parka, it seemed to flow with her body. I was lost for words at moment, but thankfully she spoke first. “I hope you don’t mind me borrowing some of your clothes,” she spoke gently. “Though, I had to make a few modifications for it to fit me properly. I just thought it would help me blend in a bit.” “Glad to see you are finally thinking for self.” I chuckled, accenting sentence with working bolt on rifle. “Come along then, grab pack. We have walking to do. Thankfully, weather has cleared up so it won’t be bad walk.” “How far away is this Nestor character?” She asked, fitting pack on back. “He’s not far away is he?” I could only stop self from laughing so much, so there was only a smile on face, “You would not make good Russian, you ask too many questions.”     * * *   It was small blessing when we arrived at Nestor’s store. Every fifty meters on seven-kilometer trip, it felt like small pecking on back of head. Questions of culture, social norms, of fashion. Such constant berating made self sick. I could partly blame self for such nauseated feelings for lack of contact with outside world for many years. Women much less, so with constant yipping and yapping like small dog, I had to keep self from punting source of annoyance. I will admit, I was not best source of information and I admit yelling few times was not called for, but I have lived in constant headache. Walk to village was source of calm and putting mind at ease, and it would seem I would never get such peace. “Arkady!” Nestor greeted me at my entrance. “I did not expect you back so soo- Oh,” he caught glance of woman behind me. “Oh ho ho, Arkday, you seem to be moving up in world. You has woman now. Where did you pick up such beauty?” “Do not get too excited, Nestor,” I laugh a bit. “She is only sister. Surprise visit. I was not expecting guests, so I will be in need of supplies.” “And you do not introduce me to flesh and blood, Arkady? Such rude housekeeper.” He extends hand across bar for her to take, which she does with hesitation, “Nestor Kozlov, I run humble business here,” gesturing to empty seats of shops, we were only people in shop. “If you are blood of Arkady, you are more welcome in store.” “Nada,” Rarity answered in her russian. “I live by Tver, I was just making sure my brother hadn’t killed himself. It is also break from my studies at State University at Tver.” “Ah,” Nestor seemed bit skeptical, but he appeared brush off such thoughts. “I am glad to have you in area, I hope you will enjoy self.” He turned to me with questions, “So what will it be then, Arkady? The usual items?” “That and I will need more vegetables, Nada appears to acquired western ways and adopted rabbit food as main course.” This brought deep chuckle from Nestor, but I continued. “I do not kid, Nestor. Also she would like to try out some sort of hair product, but I forget. Nada, what were you seeking again?” There was pause as both Nestor and I turned to Nada who was lost her own world looking around shop. “Oh, I was looking for some black hair dye. Something to rid myself of this dreaded purple hair.” Nestor’s eyes floated from woman to me then back to woman, “I see what I can do,” he floated off to back room. He returned moments later with small bottle, “This is all I have,” he glanced at woman who was admiring containers on shelf on far wall. “Arkady,” He started in hushed voice, “if I had not known better, I would say your mother was seeing other man.” “And you would be smart man not to say anything,” was my reply. “I just need some supplies for time being. One week at most, then I will have to see what happens from there.” I paused for moment, thinking, “Also, more vodka. I appear to be running low. “Okay,” Nestor sighed again. “Again, I see what I can do.  I will get you supplies.” He took my pack and then called for woman’s pack as well. “I will be back in moment.” Once more he left into back room. Woman walked up to my side, “What happens now?” “We get supplies and go back to cabin,” I shrugged. “From there we prepare for anything. Last minute touches to you, then we call in final favors and try to get you back home.” “That would be for the best, as quickly and painless as we can make this would be excellent. I have no desire to stay here any longer than need be.” She crossed arms and leaned against bar. She was bit agitated, but that was norm. We stood in silence until Nestor returned. He handed us two very stuffed packs. “I wish you luck, Arkady and to you Ms. Sakharov. Do not let his sour attitude annoy you.” Nestor cracked smile. “It difficult to changes ways of hermit.” “Thank you, Nestor,” I nearly spat, pulling pack onto shoulders. “I’ll be sure to make double payment next time.” “Do not fret, comrade.” He waved off offer. “I think seeing that you have bit of humanity left in you was good enough payment.” Another smile on his face appeared, “Also to see such a work of art walk into my store is small gift.” Woman blushed, but I was taken bit aback. “Listen, Nestor,” I pointed finger at him, “She is sister, I do not want to hear that while I am around.” Nestor’s hands flew up, like I had gun pointed at him, but he laughed. “It was merely complement. Besides, I have missus. You have little to worry about.” “I apologize, Nestor. I have forgotten about that.” I shift awkwardly, pulling tightly on sling of rifle. “Until we meet again, Nestor.” “Indeed we will, Arkady. And Ms. Sakharov,” woman turned Nestor after pulling pack onto back. “Try not to stay stranger. Also, good luck in studies at university.” “Thank you, Mr. Kozlov,” She smiled brightly, a smile white as snow. It was quite opposite of rugged life around her. I had to keep self from being entranced by glow. “Until we meet again.”     * * *   The two of us trudged along path back to cabin. Little was said between us unlike on way to Nestor’s shop. I guess woman was thinking more on walking and weight on back to not think about talking. It was welcome in my eyes. I had time to think and reflect. So much happening so fast, it was difficult to keep things together. I have to bring woman to West, but how was still to be decided. Long way was to go over Russian plains, and somehow get flight to Manhattan, One flight risk Russian and one woman with no passport. I doubt flight option would be best one. Next and most likely option would be float across to Alaska. In secret, would be easier, da. Though, time might be issue. Floating across sea would take time. After such, then traveling across American continent. There was no simple way for this to happen. I glanced back to woman who was behind me. She was trudging along behind me, struggling a bit, but not complaining. At least for now, I thought. Even just looking back, I could feel yearning to just look for bit longer, but denied mind such luxuries and turned back to front, glancing around. Snow starting to drift down, it was calm, peaceful. Too peaceful. “Arkady, I hate to bother,” woman began sitting down on log by path, but my mind drifted to other things. “But could we take a break, please? We’ve been walking for a great amount of time now.” I was not focused on answering her demands, nyet, something did not feel right. I started pulling rifle off shoulder. “Arkady, are you even listeni-.” “Would it hurt to be quiet for once?” I yelled at her, “Something is not right, I am trying to listen for it.” She stopped too, looking around curiously. “I don’t know what you are talking about.” I just held up hand for her to stop. It slowly dawned on me. Thunderous footsteps echoing through trees. Then I heard the roar. Now I understand why it was so quiet. “Run,” was all I could manage to say. She started to protest, but I brought voice up in volume, and started to pick her up, “RUN, YOU STUPID YUK!” By time she started run, I was turning to face threat. Serbian Bear. To this day I have yet to figure out why it chose to attack. I did not see cub on other side of path, nor do I think we trespassed into territory. Also, why it was out in winter when it should be sleeping crossed mind, but at moment I was faced with charging bear, and asking questions was least present on mind . Bear was at most fifty meters when I fired first shot. It was rushed first shot, so it was only graze. I worked bolt quickly and bear was at least twenty meters when I fired second shot, hit but bear kept charging. By time I worked bolt for third shot bear was already on top of me. It reared up, roaring loudly. It was good meter above me, with its brown and white fur. I could almost smell rage emanating off of its body, see anger in eyes. Which is when I caught glance of it swinging at me. I almost did not have time to take step back and have its claws rip through parka. Though I wish I saw second swing quicker, I was only able to bring up rifle to brace blow. Rifle took most of hit, but self went flying few meters. Trying to shake self out of daze, I could only watch as bear sauntered over to finish self off. My limbs would not respond, and so I was left rolling in snow in pain. Not best of situations, it would not be highlight of life. After all that could have killed me, bullets, vodka, fists; I am left to be torn apart by bear. Such is life. Even bear seemed to be relishing in victory, slowly taking time to stand over me. I looked for rifle, but it was nearly meter away. I reached for holster, but it was empty. In darkest hour, rifle of great grandfather was not there for me and revolver was not where it should be. All was lost, it seemed. Bear roared almost in spite of me. I rolled onto back, as to be kind enough to face bringer of death. Sad, was next thought to roll into mind; I was not able to partake in last drink. But there was a staccato crack, and bear flinched. It was soon followed by second, third, and fourth. Between fourth and fifth cracks, bear was falling down. By time sixth crack rang out, bear was dead, lying in snow. Behind bear stood woman, smoking revolver in hand. She stood for few moments, upon realizing what she had done, dropped revolver into snow. I would’ve thought she would have cried over dead bear too. But she rushed over to side, “Are you alright? Are you hurt?” She was bit frantic, checking for any sort of injury, which at moment were unknown. “I am okay, there has been worse done to body than scratches and brusies.” I slowly stood up groaning bit in pain, leaning on woman for balance. “Thank you, though.” “I was simply doing what had to be done, though I wish it could’ve been avoided. But I just saw your gun lying there, and you…” woman’s voice trailed off. “You have appeared to save my life, and it would seem we are now equal.” I looked over dead bear, then back to woman. “Good shooting, Rarity.” I smiled lightly which she returned, “We may make a good Russian out of you yet.”