The Earth Mistress

Souls of a feather, flock together.

[magicky-hands]

Mistress of Rats

[meirimerens]

comes the nightjar, comes the tightrope walker

commission 🌌

[earthmistress]

Alexander:

“God, Nina hated that showing-”

He remembered it well. Mark had just opened the Theater after building on top of an abandoned site for steppe story tellers- the Town Green in the Spin-a-Yarn square.

The audience was packed inside the tiny theater, and the players put on a show that was… remarkably disturbing. The play, in question, dealt with portents of the future, and the players had remarkable disguises that resembled the ruling families among other people in town, including Simon and the Old Governor.

Alexander now can’t quite remember the play’s contents, only the upsetting quality it had on Nina who was absolutely fuming at having her “domain” intruded upon by that wry and impish man. Fuming so much that if Alexander didn’t know better, he’d expect she’d burst into flames on the spot.

He had half a mind to evacuate the theater just for everyone’s safety, but elected to follow Katerina out alone with her in the dark at her insistence during an intermission. Nina of course lingered after the play dismissed to “have words” with Mark about the “fine lines between artistic expression and heresy”.

Nothing much came of it except that Mark started only putting on Pantomimes at the dot of midnight at Nina’s insistence.

“… I can’t even truthfully say that I wish I could remember what it was about- I rather enjoyed theater in the Capitol- I have no idea what that display was. I enjoyed the showings of Tolstoy…”

He regales her with happier memories, just speaking so she could focus on his voice, and remember whatever the pain she endured, the morphine, and the general passing of time had stolen from her.

He could feel the seconds ticking away… knowing that the end was inevitable, and soon they would have to part ways permanently.

Clara the Harbinger, the Plague, the new Mistress… their daughter, stood in the door that separated Katerina’s dark hovel from the misery of the outside world, wearing a grim and solemn expression on her face. It’s an expression Saburov recognizes… of having to endure great tragedy, but not being able to express the depth of feeling that was roiling beneath.

“Katerina… it’s time,” Clara says softly, “I can lay my hands on you, and turn your blood into something to quench the thirst of the town… are you- are you ready?”

She reaches her hands out to her, no longer with the decorum of a saint, but the posture of an uncertain and scared little girl.

Katerina looks knowingly to Clara.

“I am ready. Are you? How about you come over here for a hug first?”

She sits up and holds out an arm to wave Clara over and lets her slide onto the bed for a hug and soft kiss on her forehead.

“You make sure this town gets a cure. I believe in you. Know that I have confidence in you being the next Mistress and I will always be proud of you. You are doing what you think is right, remember that and know I chose to help you.”

She lays back again.

“It’s time Clara.”

[earthmistress]

Alexander:

She squirms in pain, and Saburov knows better than to try and restrict that movement. All he can do is provide support and bring her that comfort.

She’s right about the failures of the other sires in town. Failing in easier circumstances. It doesn’t make him feel any less responsible for his own failings though.

Thirteen years. It’s not enough… though, no amount of time would ever be enough.

Her fingers drape over his chest, nails painted black to hide the bluish skin at the fingertips. Alexander slides his hand under hers to interlace their fingers together, his wedding band catching a little of the candle light.

“Do you remember our first time at the Capitol together? How we meant to enjoy a tour of the parks? How the rain was absolutely horrid the entire time we were there?”

He chuckles, “I still wonder what fool pissed off the vodyanoy. Ah, but we made the most of it- do you remember?”

He’s suddenly unsure of how much she had.

“… Do you, Katya?“

She nods, “That I do remember. We spent most of the day stuck inside. You ended up picking up my copy of Hound of the Baskervilles that you had gotten me and we alternated dramatically reading the chapters to each other.”

She laughs softly.

 “Remember that trip we went to the capitol, with the other families and Victoria fell into the fish pond in the gardens.”

She was surprisingly cognizant. The most she had been in a while. Her memory was coming forward much easier and she was able to recall things.

“Or the first time the theater in town opened and we only stayed until intermission and then snuck out to take a walk down the Gorkhon. We never went to watch another play there, because of that experience. It was nothing like the ones in the capitol.”

[earthmistress]

Alexander​:

Another swell of defeat. Katerina compliments him for something completely undeserved and wrong.

He had not been a great father.

“My love, I have to disagree. I haven’t been a good father. I wish better circumstances brought her to us.”

Her arrival had been heralded by Katerina’s dreams, the Mistresses’ final prophesies… Simon himself had told them to expect a harbinger just before he had died. Isidor told him to prepare for calamity.

Clara came in, appearing as a little girl. Either thirteen or fourteen in appearance- the exact age that would be their theoretical child would have been if the world was a perfect place.

He could sense her unearthly nature… Whatever Clara was, it wasn’t human, even if she uncannily resembled one.

He juggled his instincts… It was his duty to use any tool necessary to abate the plague, and Clara herself had told him that it was her destiny to cure it… but at the same time in adopting her, he had a duty as a father to protect her from the dangers she faced.

In that regard, he had failed.

“I don’t know what to do about Clara, Katya,” he admits, “We know she isn’t human… that never mattered- but I failed to protect her from the dangers of her own destiny that she claimed. She left our home because she felt that she had to protect us! I could do nothing… and her missions- sending her to investigate?”

He shakes his head, “I wouldn’t put a human child through that- it still feels wrong that I put Clara through that. I still don’t understand why the Inquisitor spared us when I betrayed her faith and trust in me.”

His voice lowers, “The General wishes to take Clara with him. I wouldn’t be surprised nor begrudged if she goes… despite my own feelings.”

Which, were that he truly, genuinely cared for Clara even if he had a hard time expressing that affection, he did try.

Trying and trying- the trying wasn’t enough. That was the whole damn problem- no matter how hard he fought or tried, it would never be enough… but that’s politics. He won’t trouble his wife with those. Not now, not ever again.

“If she stays- I will try to make up for the shortcomings…”

“You being aware of how you are doing is what makes you a good father. You are conscious of your actions. Look at the other fathers in town. You are doing much more than they could have ever done in your position. They have failed in easier circumstances. You will see.”

His efforts were what set him apart. Just the fact that he was trying his best made him a good father. Sure, in the course of being the Governor, he had to make difficult decisions. Clara knew what she had to do. She would not hold it against him forever. Katerina had more faith in their daughter.

“When this is all settled, things will change. You can be who you want to be for her.”‘

Katerina sighs and squirms trying to reposition to be more comfortable. It was a struggle. The Pest made it so you could not just stay in one place. It hurt too much, but she did not have the energy for much after fighting with withdraws for so long.

[earthmistress]

Alexander​:

“You really want our last conversation to be you embarrassing me? All over again?”

It’s a lighthearted jab. Of course he remembers. Remembers having absolutely no idea how to even approach nor talk to a lady, much less the expectations… So he just spoke to her as if he would speak to any of the other soldiers or patrolmen that were his equals.

It was the treating her as an equal that perhaps endeared him to her.

But he lets her talk about her gratitude, listening quietly as he removes his shoes and breaks away briefly to take off his coat. Following the rules they established early on: no shoes or work clothes while on the bed.

“Thank you for loving me through it all,” she says, distantly.

“Of course, Katya-” he sighs, leaning her back on the pillows so that she didn’t feel the need to appear strong for him.

She was strong already- but she never saw that. No matter how much he insisted that she could overcome, that she was already of greater character than most other people.

Alexander leans into her and lays with her, wrapping his arm around her waist.

“Falling out of love was never in the realm of possibilities for me.”

Brushing a thumb against her cheek, he pulls hair out of her face and presses his lips against her forehead. He knew that she had the Pest, and that he could get it again from being close. But he had already gotten ill twice before now, he’d risk it again for her.

“Hmph. The first walk was… a lesson in how to behave myself. I don’t know what I’ll do without you. You’ve always been the kinder and more patient than I. All those years, I am surprised you stood by my side. Thirteen years- thirteen years we’ve been together, do you believe it?”

He scoffs, “Thirteen years of hell only made bearable because we-” he taps his forehead against hers to emphasize it, “-took the time to make our own joys.”

“We did. Thirteen years doesn’t seem so long until you put it into perspective.”

The hairs he moved from her face slowly fall back down to where they rested before. Her hair tended to stay unruly these days. Those shorter strands always framed her features.

“And we were able to adopt. There was a point in which I thought that none of the children around would choose to stay with us. But we finally did. A young Saburova. I am so proud of her.”

Katerina rolls to face Alexander and lays her head and arm across his chest to hug him. She knew he would probably get the Pest from her being this close. He would insist that she sought comfort though, so she does not bother. The comfort was necessary. For the both of them.

“I am proud of you, too. You have been a great father. I knew you would be.”

[earthmistress]

Alexander:

Nothing stings quite like defeat. Defeat writhes in the blood as a venom, fire clawing in the veins. It slows the heart, and summons fatigue to come crashing down on the Governor.

Struggling against the inevitable is… his nature, he thinks.

Katerina, he knows, speaks only truth. Despite the little demon that deceived her and accosted her, she had always spoken truth.

There were good days, yes. Days where she could manage the pain and indulge in conversations, indulge in humor, walk a little around with him… but it was a losing battle. She kept having to take more and more just to manage the pain, because smaller dosages stopped working. Katerina was tormented, constantly.

She was in pain still. Even now, though it didn’t break her resolve.

Even though she couldn’t see it in herself… Alexander considered her a strong and considerably formidable woman.

Admirable, and lovable.

She buries her face in his chest and he folds his arms around her, rocking her into him- hoping that the gesture, even if it couldn’t ease her pain, could at least bring her comfort.

He’s quiet for a moment, considering her terms. He had to concede.

“… I’ll live. For you. For Clara. Continue your legacy. I’ll insure no one forgets you, Katya. I swear to you.”

An honest man, he always keeps his vows, and this is an oath that he doesn’t intend on breaking. Katerina and his sense of duty was the only reason that he didn’t abandon this place after the old governor perished.

This town wouldn’t forget her even if they tried. They wouldn’t get to torment her and make her suffer just to abandon the memory of what they had done to her.

Katerina was a far better person than him.

Alexander holds her close to him. Noting every breath, every tap of her pulse, every stray strand of hair that fell… trying to etch these small things into his skin and memory. Just her, awake and alive.

He had taken council with her before every decision, exercising practices in partnership and love. They survived hell time and time again, their love not only enduring the hardships, but through the fury and flames of the crucibles, their love was made stronger for it.

It felt wrong to live when she was dying.

“This is the last council I will take from you,” Alexander intones, “Let us speak no more as Governor and Mistress, Katya. I’d like to… just be for a while. Husband and wife. I don’t want to think of the town right now. Just us.”

He pleas with her for just this final act of consideration.

"That is the last I’ll ask of you."

She hated forcing him to promise to live, but she needed to hear it. He was the kind of person that would never go back on a promise. Especially not one to her. He always had done everything in his power to do anything that she needed, get anything she wanted, go out of his way to make her life easier. That was the depth of his love for her.

She thought about what he said. Her mind took her back to when they had met. Their marriage. Their struggles. He had given her more purpose than she had imagined when he so bluntly asked if she was willing to consider a relationship with him.

"Do you remember when we first met? Our casual walk down the Gorkhon. We were so young and didn't know how to talk to each other."

She laughs a little, cut short by a grimace of pain.

"You know, I was pretty enamored by you by the end of that walk. You opened my eyes to other things. Things beyond myself and the Town. I really have enjoyed being your wife."

She didn't want to say goodbye. This wouldn't be the end for her, because she would always be around for him. The Mistresses always lived on in the minds of people after they died. She knew she would live on in his mind forever, even after her soul had finally settled. He was always there to support her. Even when she could not produce an heir for him. The whole purpose of their wedding. It never mattered to him. So, she would do the same for him.

"You are the best thing to happen to me. Even when we could not conceive, you never left me. Even after I became dependent on pain medication, you stayed. I am sorry for my struggles affecting you. Thank you for loving me through it all."

Her heart feels heavy. She knew that this would be hard for Alexander, but he was the stronger one. She could not do what he is capable of, if their roles were reversed. This was their only option.

[earthmistress]

Alexander​:

Slow steps.

He enters their chambers and takes seat by her, allowing her to seek comfort in his sheltering arms. Katerina pulls him close and he makes no protest, doting her with a closed lipped kiss on top of her head, and rolling his thumb on her arm as she whispers his pet name through her haze of pain.

She speaks, as she always does, of the Town, and what was best for it. He was the spine- the only leader with a backbone and the gall to do anything. That he had understood from the beginning. His job was to weather the blows and face changes with open eyes.

But this change was unwelcome. Death, it seemed, rooted into his household, and he found himself flinching.

He never feared death. Not when it came to himself. Neither death, nor the Inquisitor could shake him nor his resolve- but now that Death was all Katerina could see in her future. She considered herself a failure- and that self-perceived failure as Mistress was worth dying for?

Alexander trembled with anger. With grief. With fear for her.

“I don’t agree with you asking this of me, Katya,” he murmurs, quietly, “I hate this place.”

It’s an admission he wouldn’t dare give anyone else. As long as they had lived there, the world had been against him. Fighting back against everything good he had tried to do- wearing on Katerina and convincing her that she had to be just like Nina or Victoria- never herself.

There was a point, long ago, where he had tried to do things for the good of all- but the blows to respect and reputation, taking the fall for mistakes, and the consequences of the experiments of the other families… he stopped caring about the good of all people. Just the good of his people. His supporters, those who saw the madness of the Kains and the cruelty of the Olgimskies… his patrolmen, his staff in Town hall- those were his people.

The Town hated him. And killed itself, seemingly out of spite.

“No one listens,“ he continues, “No one listened. Not to me, nor Dankovsky, nor the orderlies, nor the patrolmen as we all risked our lives and livelihood. We were sabotaged from the start, and now over eleven thousand are dead. Dankovsky is missing, and Burakh… I don’t even know where either of them are! Clara’s the only hope this place has but… ”

Saburov fumes, “Even if Clara is successful, and somehow, some way, the Bound are turned into the all-cure… how many people will that save? We’ll barely have enough for a village after this… and the Kains will demand their power back. This nightmare will just continue.”

He shakes his head, blinking away hot tears that came unbidden, “I don’t care about the town. It won’t change. If Clara succeeds, this town will stay the same. I don’t want you to die for that!”

He tugs at her waist to draw her close.

“I don’t want you to die.”

“They will listen one day. I believe in you and I believe in Clara. If we stand by and do nothing, then the town will cease to exist. Everyone will die.”

She places a hand on his chest and holds his shirt in a closed fist.

“I am dying anyways. I have lost control over the morphine and the seizures are becoming worse. You and I both know this. This way, at least I die for a purpose. And its not just for the sake of the town. This is for you and Clara.”

She knew what she was saying fell mostly on deaf ears. He did not want this fate for her. She knew she had to do this, but she could not explain it to him. She had the foresight that if Alexander died, the town would fall.

“Sasha, I know you don’t want this. But who else is there? Clara is already doing her best. And as you said, its only Clara. Everyone else is missing. There is no other option. Death is inevitable. At least, I have a choice.”

The tears fall onto her head and she looks up to him, wiping at his face with her thumb. Tears well up in her own eyes before she buries her face against him. Her shoulders tense in pain.

“You are the strong one. Make the town change for the better. I know you have it in you to make the difference.”

[earthmistress]

Alexander​:

“I’m the harbinger of your death. You can choose what it will be like.”

Alexander can’t help but note the reluctance Clara spoke with. Her voice trembled, despite the projected authority. She was holding her ground as best as she could, and it was with… an ironic sort of amusement that… it almost sounds like Clara was trying to imitate how he spoke.

But she wasn’t speaking to him.

Across the hall, Katerina spoke to Clara in that dismal room that now held the Saburovs’ marriage bed. Confessing how she would like to die to the girl as if their daughter was a priest delivering final rites.

In a way, she was.

Clara was a harbinger. Both of the plague and the salvation from it. But she was also their daughter, and throughout the two weeks of catastrophe, Saburov truly did grow to care for her- even despite her obvious inhuman origins. Throughout the tumultuous trials of her becoming, and Alexander’s own rulership, it was clear that their destinies were bound together, and that Clara would be the person to bring their troubled house to an end. To turn Simon’s Bound into a blood that could save the town.

But… she wouldn’t choose him- by Katerina’s insistence.

That, he could not understand.

Clara’s conversation with Katerina falls quiet, and the girl speaks quietly:

“Till tomorrow, then, Katerina.”

The door opens, and Clara walks out with red eyes- startling that Alexander is waiting.

“Clara,” he says, pretending not to notice her obvious distress, “leave us a moment, please. I would speak with my wife.”

Clara simply sniffles and nods, raising a hand to her face to shield her eyes as she tries to sidestep Alexander.

He holds out a hand to momentarily block her path. Clara blinks and looks up toward him, confused.

Raising his hand up to place it on her shoulder, Saburov gives her a small, affirming squeeze, “Clean up before you go. Get a drink. Then you can make sure to… do your chores.”

He pauses, searching her face. She’s hesitant, and understandably so. The nature of her existence was to select sacrifices for the Town’s continued survival.

Clara was truly a Little Saburova. To do what was right, no matter the personal cause, and to carry the weight of an ungrateful and hateful world because of it.

With that small moment of understanding, he finally lets her pass, before solemnly crossing the threshold into the dark depths of Katerina’s wing.

Candlelight barely flickers, the pervasive tendrils of darkness smothering the flames. The walls bear the abuse of Katerina’s painful tantrums; scratches and dents from rages of horrible dreams and morphine withdrawals… seizures.

Katerina herself lays on their marriage bed, clothed head to toe in black, and shuddering from the pain of infection… but somehow, she gazes at him with the most clarity he’d seen from her in three years.

“Katya?” he speaks softly, gesturing to their bed, “May I?”

“Sasha. It has been set in motion.”

Katerina moves to sit up and scoot over weakly. The infection was taking a toll on her, however, it was nothing like the withdraws of addiction. She was more cognizant because of the pain. Morphine was no solace from this.

“Come,” she pats the bed.

Pain causes her to wrap her arms around her abdomen and shudder.

“Sasha, know that you must take care of the town. This is why I insist you not do this with me. Without you, the town will die and this all will be for naught. I have seen it.”

Once he takes a seat, she falls against him. Lifting his arm so that he has to wrap it around her.

“You are the backbone that upholds order. The complete chaos that comes from the lack of law will cause ruin and no one will survive. I have to do this. I am capable of doing this one thing to help the town. I was no good as a Mistress. I am consumed by addiction. Clara will be my heir as I could have no other. Keep her close. You will need her more after I am gone. Don’t forget that you won’t be alone.”

[earthmistress]

Saburov​:

He glances over to the carcass- too far away to tell exactly what it was. It could have been a gazelle.

Her morbid fascination struck him. He raises a brow.

“Indeed? The poison from the factories, perhaps. It makes it unsafe to drink, certainly. The children are wiser than you think- I don’t believe we’ll have the children here drinking from it.”

The murky waters are tinged black with coal soot and layered with an oily sheen. It angers him. Fat Vlad didn’t care to take any more protective measures than he had to- and the river was polluted.

Of course, no one rebelled here because he had the money to keep some people quiet, and other people broken enough not to rebel. And his solution to the polluted river? Order water bearers to bring in the water.

On one hand, he had to give him credit. It was a pragmatic- yet wholly tyrannical move. It ensured the populace would always be dependent on him for the necessities of life. If people ever did rebel, Vlad could always withhold the water.

Like breaking horses and other work animals.

“As for the outings,“ he continues so that he doesn’t get agitated from things beyond his control, “I thought perhaps we could… catch a train and make a daytrip to one of the smaller towns nearby.”

“And who knows- perhaps longer trips too. I’d like to take you to see a few things… both in the Old Capitol and the current one.”

“I would just need to make sure the Captain Ravel doesn’t need me to watch Lara. Especially, if we leave for the whole day, or multiple days. I haven’t travelled outside the town all that often due to that obligation. Though, Lara is getting older and doesn’t need me to watch her for hours at a time. She has made a few friends with other kids in the town, so I don’t worry too much when she is with them.”

She knew Will would let her leave with Alexander. He set them up anyways. She would just have to discuss when would be best. It shouldn’t be that much of an issue. Lara was becoming pretty independent as it was.

“I will default to your opinion with where we go as you have more knowledge on the matter. So, I am not too picky on what we end up doing. I’m sure nothing could be as boring as it is here. The Capitol would be nice to visit. I have heard of some of the nice things to see there.”

Maybe, it will be nice to do something different for a change. See what lie beyond their part of the world.

[earthmistress]

Saburov​:

Not opposed. So a strong “maybe.”

It’s good enough for a first meeting, and better than he’d expected. If truth be told, he was already rather endeared to her, even if he’d a hard time connecting with others and his own feelings.

He chuckles when she shares his opinion that the other families were lunatics, and then his mind drifts back to Simon Kain.

The rest of the Kains were all Bound. No one in either the Olgimskies, nor the Saburovs were made Bound- save for Alexander.

A small, apprehensive chill ran down his spine at that thought. Was it the thought of Fate? Or failure to live up to expectations?

He wasn’t certain.

“Simon Kain…” he nods to Katerina, “He’s certainly of a… different stock from the rest of the family. I heard the immortal bit. Someone told me he’s meant to have lived over a century by now.”

If he’d not already become acquainted with the strange people and creatures of the town and a few odd phenomena in the Capitol, he may have dismissed it outright. But clinging to cold, hard logic would be its own kind of insanity.

He’d already witnessed several strange and miraculous things, and had prescient inklings himself that when proven only solidified his stance on accepting the supernatural.

“I’ve found him to be an interesting conversationalist, at least. He, at the very least, listens to me.”

Unlike Georgiy, who was rather energetic, but dismissive of anything the Saburovs had to say. It usually devolved into arguments over authority. Victor, he was a little fonder of- though that may have been to a boyhood fascination with the man.

Now, he only really saw Victor as being passive in the affairs of the town and his own family. Spineless. Fascination turned to irritation rather quickly, especially when Victor outwardly confirmed that he agreed with Alexander’s position, yet did nothing to aid persuasions.

“Thank you, Katerina, for your advice. I’ll be sure to heed it.”

He offers her a small smile in turn, in good spirits with the shared humor.

“Would you like to arrange a little more formal an outing while we walk?”

“I haven’t had much one-on-one with them. I do, however, spend time with Nina and Victoria. We have our differences. Though, they are nice enough.”

As they walk down the Gorkhon river, there is a decaying carcass on the other bank. Some poor animal had stopped to drink and expired. Katerina mused at the sight, “Ah, another victim to the River. It’s a shame that we have to tell children that they will turn into cattle if they drink it. Or else they too will end up like this. Honestly, some poor kid will eventually decide they want to be cattle and drink from the river anyways.”

She stares at the oozing remains as they pass, unbothered by the sight. It was some four-legged animal. The putrefaction and bloat had obscured what it used to be. At least, at this distance.

Back to their conversation. Alexander was asking for a date already. How forward. Good thing she was enjoying his company or she would have declined. He’s lucky. She will humor the offer, yet again.

“What formal outing did you have in mind? You said it before. Not much to do around here.”

[earthmistress]

governorsaburov​:

The Bound?

A brief memory flashes, distorted by the passage of time. But Alexander recalls a moment from childhood. A funeral.

A funeral for his cousin, killed in the Capitol.

The funeral for Yakov Saburov was overshadowed by another- the funeral of the Emperor he had died defending.

Alexander had never met his cousin before then, and when he tried to conjure images of what he may have looked like, all that comes to mind is a closed coffin. The body wasn’t fit for viewing.

An entire nation was mourning right outside, and the tears and wails of the family were drowned in the

But among the mourners, his uncle, tired and distraught, had brought another man.

A man who was very energetic, and regal. He may have been the ghost of the Emperor for all young Alexander knew. Intrigued and unnerved by the lack of affect this man had for the mourners around them, Alexander approached.

His name was Simon.

Other things were said, and his uncle, dour and solemn, listened as Simon declared Alexander “bound”.

“Fate took your son from you, but you still have an heir. Alexander will be Bound to the Town. It was never the fate of Yakov, my friend. You have my condolences.”

That was the last he had heard of it. But the memory stuck with him, Simon’s words, being “bound.”

It occurs to him that Katerina was searching for a response.

“So…” Alexander focuses back in on the conversation, “You know that my uncle and Will are conspiring to get me married within the next five years.”

It’s blunter than he means it to be, but Katerina did give him permission for honesty and frankness. It’s… refreshing, actually.

He eases up and laughs a little bit, “The Captain thought that you may be a good match- though, only if you are alright with the prospect of marriage. Frankly, I’m not sure about how any of this really… works?”

He searches for the right phrasing.

“I know the rumors in town. I hear the townsfolk whisper when I walk past, how ‘reluctant’ I am to get married- but the truth of the matter is… I never actually thought I would live long enough to be married, and now that I’ve survived… I’m now thrust into situations in which I have absolutely no preparation. No guide… I don’t even know much about this town other than it’s filled with certified lunatics as a ruling class.”

Okay, maybe I said that last part a little too loudly, he thinks to himself as a worm ferries a factory worker past, its big, bug-like eyes training on him.

Alexander measures his voice to be lower, “… I appreciate you accompanying me though, and humoring me. If you don’t mind me asking… are you opposed to beginning a kind of courtship? Secondly- what exactly are the Bound?”

“I am not opposed. I have enjoyed our walk and you do humor me as well. I agree with you on most of what you have stated, though you should be less blunt for others. I, frankly, don’t mind it. In fact, I appreciate it. I don’t need to have information sugar-coated. Even if most people do. Including, some of those lunatics.”

She laughs a little.

“No, if I was not inclined to the offer of getting to know you, I would have just had you walk me home and be done with it. I gave you the chance to enlighten me on who you were and I have made my decision to continue our walk.”

Now for the bound. It was more complicated than their little walk and she only knew what she had been told.

“The Bound are tied to Simon and the Town. Also, to Fate. Simon chose each Bound when they were young. I, myself, was chosen pretty young. The Bound are said to have the Fate to change the Town. They are destined to be something more than what they were. They are also better than the common folk. allegedly. I believe that we were just chosen by Simon to shape the Town for the better. He is the immortal and has always been there for the Town.”

[earthmistress]

Saburov​:

Alexander takes note of her interests- and particularly wanting to get a hold of that book. Perhaps it would make a good gift for her, later.

“I hadn’t heard of Balmont- but I’ll confess that my interests in reading include more prose than poetry. War and Peace, I’ve read. Pierre’s struggles are… very sympathetic. I don’t have any favored authors, I think… though I do have a soft spot for Greek theater. Sophocles, Euripides…”

Conversation comes a little more easily than he had thought it would.

And Captain Ravel was right about her wit and sensibilities.

She should know the reason they were walking- even if she had already guessed it.

He tests, “Is it alright if I’m perfectly honest and frank with you… Katerina?”

Katerina makes note of his interest in theater. She was not that familiar with it other than reading a few of them. The imagery of people on a stage performing the works would help how the stories were portrayed. Hence, why they were written in that format.

His question seemed out of the blue. Though, if he was speaking of his offer for their walk. She already knew. Captain Ravel had that smug look at the Shelter introducing them and she was aware of rumors going around the town. She would humor his inquiry though. They should be up front about things.

“I would appreciate honesty. Though, if it is involving the nature of our walk, then I am aware. Do you really think that the Captain could fool me with some game of his? I have known the man for 10 years. I can tell when he is up to something.”

She reflects a moment before deciding to enlighten him on the matter, “It was fated that we met in some way. After all, the Bound are pulled by fate. I knew at some point we would speak.”

Her clairvoyance had played out for her that she and him would meet. She just didn’t know when. Part of why she was startled when he was at the door. They had seen each other in passing a few times, though she was usually heading home when he came over to meet with Ravel. This time, Will had planned for them to meet officially. At least, Alexander was aware as well.

[earthmistress]

Saburov​:

A recluse as well. There’s a small bit of amusement that tugs on his lips when he hears that confession.

“Really? Just reading and teaching Little Lara? Though, I understand not being invited for social outings. I blame it less on the people, however, and more on the fact that there’s really no sanctioned recreation here.”

It’s one of the complaints he had about this place. Humans, no matter the age, needed some form of play. Some form of fun. But that was the domain of the Kains. Not the Saburovs.

And that was drilled into his head from a very young age.

“I don’t get called upon for social outings either. I’m also reclusive… in the Town. I actually rather enjoy going on outings and recreation. Have you ever been to the Capitol, Katerina?”

A small assessment of her reaction informed him that, no, she had not.

“In the Capitol,” he continues, “I enjoyed schooling at my leisure. General lectures on arts and philosophy. Dance lessons. Swordsmanship. Trips to the theater, watching plays, ballets…”

He shrugs, “Occasionally, joining my company at a few bars while on leave- though, I personally don’t care for drinking on its own. Reading, I also very much enjoy- though the Town’s library is… pitiful.”

It’s a small building, and not at all central to the Town. Out of the way. How would one encourage literacy with the location? It made no sense to him. The lack of social spaces for adults also irritated him. The only thing that the adults had were the empty plot in the Spin-a-Yarn Square that the traveling Circus came to every season.

What he wouldn’t give for something to be brought here to make life bearable. A theater, a bar- something. Even the peasants in smaller villages at least had dancing halls and bars to go to after a long day at work in field or factory.

Alexander didn’t know how anyone could bear it here- it just felt… empty. There wasn’t even a proper waterworks or stations for the patrolmen… not to mention that the only doctor in the town was an indigenous man named Isidor- who was overworked with injuries from the odd Abattoir and Factories that Olgimsky managed.

“Ah, apologies for the tirade. What kind of books? Do you have any favored authors in particular- or genres?”

“You are correct about not having much to do around here.”

Katerina muses, “I’m not to picky for authors, as you can tell, there is not that big of a selection. I tend to read whatever I can get my hands on. Though, I do really love Sherlock Holmes. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle just published The Hound of the Baskervilles. I want to read it, but it will take some time for it to reach here. I did enjoy War and Peace by Tolstoy. That is in the library.”

Her favorite books did shed some light on her personality. War and Peace was pretty heavy reading material with depressing themes and Sherlock Holmes was full of intrigue and mystery. Both good books.

“Oh, and I do read poetry.  Burning Buildings: The Lyric of Modern Soul by Konstantin Balmont was a good read.”

Balmont was an up and coming Russian poet. His latest work she spoke about came out a couple of years ago and spread quickly becoming incredibly popular. No surprise for someone to mention it. She at least knew what everyone else was reading, so that in the case of trying to make friends she would know something to talk about.

“What about you?”

[earthmistress]

Saburov:

He nods to her, relieved at least that she was receptive to the invitation. He opens the door for her and lets her cross the threshold of the Shelter and make a few steps past the shape of the big tree in their yard before he offers his arm to her.

She takes it in stride and he guides her down the road.

It occurs to him, after a moment of walking in some silence that perhaps he should break the silence with conversation.

“Ah- thank you for accompanying me, by the way, Katerina. Apologies if I’ve not  carried the correct social decorum. I may have lost a few of my manners in the war.”

It’s partly a joke- partly serious. He wasn’t the only ailed by forgetting how normal people behaved in calm settings.

He slows his pace to look at the ferryman creature by the river. The pale bulbous being swathed in leathers…

Odonghe. The word he was schooled to use. Worms, the colloquial one.

He’d not the special coins needed for a ferry, but the worm stared at them both for a good moment.

Unbothered, he asks, “Do you mind telling me a little about yourself? What you like to do…? Or would you rather I break that ice?“

She covers her mouth with a slight giggle at his joke. The kind of laugh where you cover it because you aren’t expected to laugh at a joke.

“You forget that I spend most of my day around Captain Ravel. I understand the forgetfulness.”

She pauses for a moment following his gaze to the ferry and notices the ferryman staring at them. The town would get a kick out of seeing her walking down the street with anyone other than the Captain walking her home. She looks up at Saburov, when he asks what she does.

“I don’t mind starting with myself. As you know, I watch over Lara. That is my usual day. I don’t have much hobbies outside of that, though, I suppose you can count my knitting and I do like to read. I don’t tend to go out much. Not that very many people would call me a friend so I’m never called upon to go out. Plus, I live alone. People of the town would call me a recluse. Both of my parents have passed. The Ravels have always been family friends. Lara is almost like a younger sister.”

She smiles thinking about the young girl.

“What about you? What do you do outside of you responsibilities with the Patrolmen and the Governor?”

[earthmistress]

Saburov​:

Feathers sufficiently ruffled, he mutters a small goodbye to the energetic Lara Ravel, and turns his attention back to the governess.

“Thank you, Captain.“

He nods to Will and holds out his hand for Katerina to accept.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Katerina,” he begins in as amiable as a tone as he can manage…

Which still ends up sounding flat, albeit with a slight lilt to the speech.

“… I was wondering if you would like to accompany me for a small walk, if that is alright with you. It’s… a decently overcast day, and without rain. So a walk should be suitable in this kind of weather.“

Dammit Saburov. What kind of an invitation was that? Not a stellar one, but an invitation regardless.

He glances back to the Captain, knowing damn well he wasn’t going to get any further guidance, but the look was still purposefully accusatory.

There is no more response from the Captain other than a raise of an eyebrow and a smirk.

Katerina, however, accepts Alexander’s hand, “Please to meet you as well.”

She listens to his invitation. Not the most straight forward but it’ll do. A walk would be nice after sitting with Lara knitting for most of the day.

“Sure, I can join you for a walk. The weather is good for it and it seems I have been relieved of watching Lara for the rest of the afternoon.”

She watches the interaction between Alexander and Will. Of course, Ravel is the one who initiated this. The least she could do was humor him. Alexander did seem like a, well, he seemed fine.

“I have the time, if you do.”

[earthmistress]

Saburov​:

“With all due respect, Captain- what the fuck?”

Alexander can swear in the privacy of this setting. He’s bristling that Will didn’t even tell Katerina the reason he was here- and that put all the pressure on him again.

He pinches his brow and sighs.

“No, okay. Fine. If you say it’s a good match- I’ll believe you, but you owe me and that poor woman the courtesy of a formal introduction. At the very least.”

He gives his friend a pointed stare.

“After that, I think I’ll be more comfortable speaking on even grounds. Fair?”

That gets a hearty laugh from the Captain.

“Alright, I’ve had my fun. Come. I’ll introduce you both formally.”

He stands and gestures for Alexander to follow him into the other room.

“Lara, time to go play. That’s enough of lessons for the day. Take your books up to your room and then you can go out.”

He sits on the other couch and waits until Lara has left before speaking.

“Katerina, you have met Alexander now. He is the nephew of the Governor. Alexander, this is Katerina. A dear family friend who watches over my little girl. I am proposing that you two get to know each other. ”