Silence...The Source of Great Strength

No Name for Eternity. My blessing or curse.....remains to be seen. You'll find me wherever I'm needed. [RP]

[my-russia]

Abandoned church in the settlement of Budimilovo, Tver Oblast. Built in 1819-1827.

[nerguiheng]

I gave him time to flip through the entire binder before acknowledging his presence. I had hoped that leaving the “mess” on the table would intrigue him and let his curiosity get the better of him. Much more effective than forcing him to read something. I’m still not sure which one of us was more stubborn or...determined I suppose. “I have some suggestions. If you’re interested.”

His silence was the only answer I needed. I proceeded to tell him about the scientists I found here who had been working on a variation of the vaccine, gesturing to the discussion boards on my monitors. They hit a wall when their funding ran out. “If they were able to find additional money, I believe that they will make great strides to improving its efficacy.” Before he said anything, I held my hand up and took a moment to get him a drink. Holding the cut crystal glass out to him, I continued. “If the locals could be assured that there was a Ukrainian vaccine that was even more effective than imported ones. It might persuade key influential members of the population to get their shots. That would be a start, yes?”

When he nodded and downed the liquor, I explained my other idea. Incentives. For those who may be wavering over their decision, or outright against the science, perhaps other persuasion would work. Everyone has a price of some kind. It may be money or cattle or land or repairs to their house or any number of things. “If we could gather the information about what these needs might be, then we could start whittling away at the list. Exchanging the incentives for vaccinations bit by bit. At least for the immediate area.” Some may call it bribery, but if it works?

[darkdreamingsongs]

Nothing is easy anymore

The only indication that Kyvan had made the transition from the monk’s cells to the stone cottage @nerguiheng currently resided in was a momentary need to simultaneously stoop and high-step. He supposed he should be glad the castiron wood stove heated the space more efficiently than the giant kitchen fireplace that hid the entrance to the cave system.

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[nerguiheng]

Deep Dive

His frustrations with humans were growing. Never a good sign. Of course people were skeptical about vaccines. Things they didn’t understand were often scary to them. Them, not us. I had never been one of them. If I were, I would not have lasted by his side all these many years. The more disappointed he became, the more creative I got with my outreach. I dove deep into the dark web as a last resort and found a group of Ukrainian scientists who had been working on improvements to the AstraZeneca vaccine. Improvements that had stalled with a lack of funding. I knew just the person to assist them. If I could get him to listen to me and stop his infernal pacing.

[darkdreamingsongs]

Unfortunately, unofficial alternative vaccine sources proved to be more difficult to find than official ones.

Kyvan had contacted just about everyone he could think of who might have a drug connection. He’d started with Tai, the Admiral’s Arms drummer, who, despite being the sanest and most sober rocker Kyvan had ever met, seemed to be at the center of everything on the road and off. He’d even tried reaching out to Drexel, @melissahiggens old boss, whom he’d never cared for. Evidently the feeling was mutual because he found himself dealing with Sarah, Drexel’s underboss. Her, Kyvan actually liked. A very no-nonsense lady, who wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty or bloody. Based on their conversations, she was an excellent businesswoman as well. If the rumors of Drexel’s demise turned out to be true, he hoped she’d take over the operation. She was someone he could work with. He might even enjoy it.

First, however, he needed to get some vaccines, any vaccines, into the arms of the humans in the village. Maybe @nerguiheng had made more progress than he had. Pulling on his favorite leather jacket so he wouldn’t stand out by making deliveries in shirt sleeves, Kyvan went to find his friend.

[nerguiheng]

[darkdreamingsongs]

In search of solutions

The news was not good. Kyiv was back in lockdown after a recent surge in COVID cases. Several other cities and regions, including Chernihiv, were disgnated “orange” and on the brink of following suit. Supplies and food were definitely going to become harder to get. Probably more expensive too. 

It was during times such as these that Kyvan truly did not understand humans. Things should be starting to turn around with the discovery and distribution of vaccines. Instead, things seemed to be headed the opposite direction. Again.

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[xbunnyclawsx]

[nerguiheng]

The pandemic was a blessing in some ways. There hadn’t been a tantrum in over a year to clean up after. Once he discovered that he could anonymously be of help to the villagers, he found a renewed purpose. Something to propel him forward. Something that had been missing since....then. Instead of replacing broken furniture and crystal, I was organizing purchases, deliveries and researching the best places to donate his money and support the fight to eradicate this virus. I didn’t dare call him Ded Moroz or Svyatyy Mykolay, but I did occasional picture him with a long white beard. If he caught me chuckling to myself, he seemed to ignore it. Or at least was in too good a mood to comment. Something having a purpose will do for you.

@darkdreamingsongs

[darkdreamingsongs]

Well, that’s going to need some good brushing. -chuckles-

[nerguiheng]

-rolls my eyes strenuously-

[expressions-of-nature]

Klevan’ Ukraine by Sergey Polyushko

[mynocturnality]

Dark, alluring forest in Ukraine.

[darkdreamingsongs]

Grace in Terrible Times

Somebody, he couldn’t remember who, sang “sometimes the most amazing things come from the most terrible lies.” That may or may not be true. What was true that sometimes grace could be found in most terrible times. Take the last year, for instance…

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[rogerdeakinsdp]

SAINT PETERSBURG in WHITE NIGHTS (1985) dir. Taylor Hackford

[nerguiheng]

As I made arrangements for yet another staff replacement, I realized that of everyone surrounding him, I had been here the longest. Some replacements were due to attrition. Some due to...irreconcilable differences. Some were just better off elsewhere. I doubted that he would disagree. At least he trusted me enough, after all this time, to make the decisions.

Why had I been with him so long? What bond did we have? No, despite his vampiric nature, I was not blood-bonded to him. I had voluntarily supplied blood to him on occasion, but our bond was not one that gave him power over me. I suppose I would classify it more as a bond of loyalty if it must be defined.

In exchange for longevity, my family had always been assigned as vampiric right hand men. My older brother fought the idea. Fought my parents. He wanted nothing to do with it. I found the idea that I could pursue my education almost indefinitely to be much more appealing than the arranged marriage that was expected of anyone who was not the first born. Expected of me.

I knew of him long before I ever met him. I knew his music and his reputation. The former intrigued me, the latter was unimportant. I was barely thirteen when I heard his music while wandering the streets one night. I followed the music to an alley behind the building it came from. It was dark. Nondescript. I just wanted to listen to it. I knew it was him.

But then it ended. The alley got quiet. Eerily quiet. They were here for him. The moment he stepped out of the building, I yanked on his hand and pulled him through a narrow passageway concealed by crates from casual glances. He never saw me. No one ever did. Never even picked up my scent. I was invisible. No Name. That’s what Nergui translates to.

I saved his life that night. And I have been by his side even since. I never saw my family again. I trust that my brother was relieved. I have no idea what my parents had to tell the family of the one I was promised to. Perhaps my brother took my place. Perhaps they had to pay for my...betrayal.

I never looked back nor regretted my actions. His music alone was worth protecting. At first ours was an uneasy companionship, but it eventually turned into mutual admiration. He encouraged and seemed pleased by my insatiable appetite for learning. I pledged to him my unfaltering loyalty. He has tested it. Many times. More than I care to count. I suppose it isn’t all that surprising that I have been with him the longest after all.

[allthingseurope]

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius , Russia (by Lyudmila Izmaylova)

[versaillesadness]

The Winter Palace captured by the talented @andrei_mikhailov 🏛️ One of Russia’s most beautiful palaces 👑 . . #russia #palace #stpetersburg #art #architecture #luxury #museum #gold #discover #travel https://ift.tt/2ma7Mce