SOAR HIGH, LITTLE SWAN

tsaritsa yekaterina rurik of germany.

[vavaharrison]

Elizabeth Poldark Appreciation Week - Day 1: Favourite Scene(s) 

 You must know this was never what he intended for you. And yet, it is how it is. And we shall weather it. Retrench, make economies. There are many worse off than we. Let Francis feel sorry for himself. I will not do so. 

[yekatcrina]

a very small, very shy young girl approaches yekaterina, clutching a small fistful of cornflowers, "for the pretty lady," she squeaks. in her nervousness, she drops her flowers all over yekaterina and runs away.

yekaterina looked at the young girl sweetly, finding the pure sight of innocence rather refreshing, much like the season. “why thank you” she exclaimed softly, reaching her hands out to grab the flowers, before it was thrown at her. in her moment of shock, she couldn’t help but laugh a bit, a smile on her face as she only was able to catch a couple of the cornflowers. oh, a flower bomb. how lovely, and yekaterina took no offense to it as she put a cornflower on her hat before continuing her stroll along the swish grounds.

[yekatcrina]

@vitcrias​

yekaterina had been far too secluded in her quarters, and she thought that with the change of season, she would find herself outside more. after all, the winter did marvels to disguise the disaster that had occurred, and she longed for some rich honey. after hearing of the event, she was determined to attend to gather some. though, upon arriving, she was first greated with a small rich cup of tea with honey. she grabbed the cup and smelled the contents, taking in all of her surroundings. spring felt so rejuvenating, and she couldn’t help the euphoria it provided. “have you tried it yet?” she asked to the closest person to her, which happened to be the little infanta of portugal. “tea with honey seems rather odd to me. i tend to drink it if my throat hurts.” she remarked, attempting at light conversation with the infanta, for she never truly knew much of portugal besides the queen that came from there, beatriz.

[yekatcrina]

max sends two flowers, an amaryllis flower (symbolic of pride, determination and radiant beauty) and a celosia (symbolic of uncomplicated affection with a handwritten note that says : "for my only sister, these suit you best."

Yekaterina had grabbed the flowers from the little maiden, dismissing her as she admired the flowers for a moment. she finally read the note, and she couldn’t help the smile that formed on her lips as she took a seat and looked at the flowers. she wasn’t too sure rather her brother was proud of her, or rather it meant she was a prideful woman, but either way she took it as a positive, and made sure she put the flowers in a vase, away from small prying hands. she held so little dear that related to her brother, for there was never much given between the two. in turn, this was something she would cherish very deeply, and would wish her children wouldn’t go and destroy the little she could hold that related to her brother. 

[holstcin]

Tea party | Dorothea & Yekaterina

The day was beautiful; a little chilly, but the sun dispelled some of the winter’s cold bite, even if the German princess did not mind the aforementioned chill, she quite liked the weather for the day - for now, at least ( after all, who was to say that it might not rain or snow later? ). She had longed to spend some time with her aunt Yekaterina, but since she had arrived to Switzerland, in the midst of chaos and death, she did not have the opportunity to spend more than a few passing minutes with her - and that saddened her, greatly. That prompted the youngest daughter of Germany to instruct her servants to send word to aunty Kat, to join her for an afternoon cup of tea and a light gossip - if they further into talks of politics and diplomacy, then so be it, but she would not force the topic - she had wanted to see her aunt, and talk to her aunt, one family member to another, not princess to tsaritsa.

Dot was thrilled to hear that her aunt had accepted the invitation and so she had tea and chocolate cakes brought out in the garden, in an somewhat secluded alcove, so that the two of them could have some, much needed, privacy. Upon noticing the brunette’s arrival, Dottie rose from her seat, a wide grin on her face as her aunt neared her. “Aunty Kat! Oh, I am so happy you could join me! I had longed to see you since I arrived, but alas, the events had occupied me.” She apologised, motioning for the tsaritsa to join her; “Sit with me, please. I had tea brought out and chocolate pastries!”

@yekatcrina​

[yekatcrina]

yekaterina had received the invitation from her niece to join for a little tea party, just the two of them. it was sweet, and perhaps the purest thing she had witness from people in their adulthood so she accepted happily. after all, she was such a ray of sunshine that was needed in this world. well, a ray of sunshine that you can feel burn at times if you are not careful. yekaterina could see how her niece was like, and it was truly a delight to see how she could play a role so well. even as herself, yekaterina found she admired her niece and her sly ways. it would get her far, and she hoped it would be a future filled with happiness.

she got ready in a simple dress, hair barely done as she decided to be more casual. after all, it was just her niece. there was no need to impress. though, it seemed yekaterina’s version of simple was anything but. after all, she had such a taste for looking good. it wasn’t going to stop simply because the haunting of her mind. as she arrived, a smile formed on her face as she saw her niece, going over to hug her gently. “Dearest Dot, i am so pleased so see you well after such events. Thank you for inviting me. I can’t wait to see what type of gossip we will be discussing today. after all, much as happened.” she remarked, eyebrows raising slightly as she sat down in a chair pulled out for her. “how have you been? how was the travels over to switzerland? again, i do apologize for the chaos that ensued. perhaps it will get better now that king diebold will be aware of what to look out for.”

[yekatcrina]

mxcimillixn‌:

maximillian had been occupied with the state of germany and it’s people after all the chaos that had occurred with diebold’s incompetency. he knew not of his sister’s safety aside from the confirmation of her wellbeing from outside sources. it is not until now does he see her once more. there is a shift in her demeanor, perhaps a contribution to the disaster that had struck. while fondness remained in his heart, he wondered what she was doing in german quarters. she was now russia’s mother and surely there were russian affairs that were needed to be addressed? 

“schwester” he greets her likewise. 

he knows that sound, the sound of her voice thinning. there is something wrong and surely as a brother, maximillian was alarmed. but he was now a king too, his composure fixed. he knows not how to comfort nor does he remember how to do so. and so he remains in his place, his face contorting with concern. there were not many moments he bore witness to nina in a state of distress. it had been their father who chose to keep them separated lest his younger sister served as a nuisance or as a distraction. and thus, many emotional sentiments were stripped from their their brother - sister relationship. maximillian was weak in the realm of pathos and struggled to fully express his own feelings or accept another. 

“what is wrong?” 

Yekaterina watched her elder brother emerge from his hiding place, and as much as she sought to find some comfort in his visage, there seemed to be nothing there but more worry. Thank goodness she never suffered abnormal levels of anxiety, or else she would certainly possess such extreme anxieties in his presence. Perhaps she was simply deprived from human interaction (something she had caused upon herself for did she truly want to be with others who she had to intimidate), but it seemed this worry of hers was far worse than it ever had been. she looked down at the floor for a moment, a deep breath taken as she composed herself a bit more before walking over to max. 

she was glad at the question, but she had to first deal with the things that first were on her mind or else she fears it may get lost in her mind to state them. “first, this is for eleanora. i also wanted to congratulate you on the match between friedi and bayezide. i hope your matchmaking skills are still on point as they were back then.” she stated, giving a moment to pause as she gave his question some taught. “much feels wrong, and yet it seems my most pressing concern is this period of ‘peace’ here in switzerland.” she regards, speaking in a hush whisper so only max could hear her. after all, she had to keep her thought process and ideas under wrap. the last thing she deisred was her nieces and nephews to get involved and attempt to pry their hands at the door that unleashed the demons of politics. “perhaps i could peck at your head for a moment? i fear my country is far too encouraging of this idea and i think a third party perspective would be good.” she stated, looking up at her brother to see what his response would be.

[yekatcrina]

antiquatus‌:

it is an understatement to say that he is more than glad to see her again, after all these years apart. in the intervening years since their separation, giulio’s thoughts had often strayed towards her, an idle consideration of her present, her status, her general existence. he wondered, too, if she thought about him as he had thought about her. it is a childish desire, but it is one that is well-placed, affection stemming from the experiences of shared younger years. once, giulio thought that he had no other company save that for books; but then such a fact changed when she stepped into his life, leading him outward of the isolation that had been imposed on him  (  by himself or by the Church ? it is a question he still does not know the answer to  )  and into the glory of the sun’s warm rays on his skin. he thinks about idle afternoons and of busy days, spending time with each other in bliss and whimsy as children are oft to do.

(  he does not think about the loneliness he felt after she left, the return to isolation, the longing for companionship. he cannot deny, too, the fact that there was a slight bitterness towards her departure: the unasked question of why, the realisation that one wouldn’t know such crushing loneliness if only she hadn’t extended him kindness. it is the age old conundrum: one can only know the true despair in darkness when one has seen the glory of the sun. he wouldn’t have known how lonely he was if she had not been there; then again, he wouldn’t know such joy either.  )

giulio spots her proffered hand and cannot help but smile at her remembrance, at the small mercy she showed then and the kindness that she offered now.  (  how awful to fear the sensation of touch—though perhaps it’s more accurate to say: how awful to think of oneself as unworthy of it and therefore be wary of it. he thinks: sinners such as him do not deserve such company.  )  

he lets out a laugh almost like a sob, happiness mixing with nostalgia mixing with melancholy at the thought of all those years apart.  ❛  of course, i will,  ❜  he says, raising his hand to hers, trying to swallow past the thoughts of guilt and of the unorthodox idea that somehow he will infect her with his own baseness. when their fingers touch, it is like hot and cold flashes on his skin, almost too much and yet—and yet—shockingly familiar, sharply comforting, altogether their own.  ❛  i’ve missed you,  ❜  he says, and the simple admission makes him step closer, clasp their hands tighter, as he eases into her presence once more.  ❛  you look… nice.  ❜  such a word was not enough but it was all he could muster, and he lets a pitiful chuckle underscore the idea that no words cannot express the way he feels after seeing her again.  ❛  how—how are you ?  ❜  it’s a pitiful attempt at a conversation, but giulio is still reeling from the sight of her, and he hopes that it’s enough, even when he knows it isn’t.

yekaterina always wondered what would have happened to her companion, and yet there was little time to ponder on such thoughts. it often lead down a path of pain, as she knew he had his loyalties to the Pope, the Church, and to the Holy Roman Empire. She had betrayed and turned her back from everything guilio held dear, and she thinking of how loyal the italians were, led herself to believe that she could never be re-acquainted with guilio ever again as friends. that, in the end of the day, she had almost guaranteed herself a position in hell or purgatory and why would such a man who sought God in everything he did ever decide to associate with such a damned woman.

yet, with how things were going, she almost could cry. not only for the fact that she reunited with perhaps the one person she called a friend, but because he seemed as joyous as she was to be reuniting. it brought a grin to her face that creased her makeup, but it didn’t matter to her. as their hands clasped and her thumb wrapped ever so slightly around guilio’s hand in a turtle hug, she couldn’t help the sob like chuckle that left her mouth. she resisted the urge to jump him in that very moment, as she seemed to put all of her being into this simple hand contact, the other hand clasping her abdomen to attempt to hold herself together. 

“good. i feared perhaps you would be angry at me, perhaps even never desire to talk to me. i’m glad its quite the opposite.” she stated, her grin almost making her face hurt with how wide it had gotten. she held his hand, nodding at his comment as he got closer. she felt her fingers slip so casually, so safely between his as she held his hand and she clasped her other hand on top. only God knew how much she was in desperate need of a friend, which warranted a thanks to be given in her thoughts to him for providing Giulio in perhaps the most unexpected of ways. “I have missed you so dearly, amico.” she spoke, her italian she could recall slipping out in his presence. she pursed her lips, attempting to make sure her face was well from the smiling she was doing. yet, the laugh that erupted from his comment returned her to the grin she wore so naturally. “i would hope so! you know, i have to be sure i attract people in some way. beauty just happens to be the easiest way to do so.” she regarded, finding it quite easy to talk to Giulio despite the years they had been separated.

“well, much better now i must admit.” she retorted, a sense of disbelief clouding this whole interaction. was this truly happening? was this simply a dream that she hadn’t awaken from yet? was she in such a state of worry that her dreams knew that the sight of guilio would aid her calm down? she wasn’t sure, but she was grateful nonetheless. she would deal with any heartbreak when she awoke, but for now, she must indulge her friend in conversation as she was always the one who could carry the conversation between the two. “unfortunately, my thoughts have been haunting me since the incident of the fair and it won’t allow me a moment of peace but it seems you have given me that much. guardati! already providing the comfort of God, and you have only just graced me with your presence.” she stated, becoming him to sit down with her on the bench she was once in, positive it would hold.

[yekatcrina]

THERE WAS ONCE A WOMAN WHO BLEED SILVER, CRIED PEARLS, AND FEARED ONLY MORTAL FAILURE.

[yekatcrina]

antiquatus‌:

it is odd how the passage of the years pass him by. in a fit of unexpected nostalgia, he goes from one place to another, an aimless pursuit for something he cannot name but is deeply in want of. of course, he cannot find it here. he has, after all, never been to switzerland; but if he closes his eyes, walks through the cavernous hallways, lets his hand glide across the freezing stone walls of the castle… it is but an approximation of the cold comforts of a past that he’s trying to resurrect, a false balm that is of no comparison to the real thing, but it is the best that he has.  (  in short: he is missing something, but what is it ?  )  from wide, empty hallways, his next destination is the outside: an environment he never really settled in unless it was with another; but even now the memories make him smile.  (  how odd: the things the mind resurrect when one is all alone.  )  they walk, basking in the sun, the glorious brightness of it, the warmth of it on their face, the gentle heat a far cry from the coldness trapped inside the walls of the castles before—

someone calls out. more exactly, someone calls him out. this is a simple matter that would otherwise just have merited the most base of his attentions; but there was something different about this situation. it wasn’t the unfamiliar voice of a stranger that calls out to him now, but a voice that has reached back many years into the past—his past—and he thinks: perhaps i have been indulging too much in aimless reminiscing. yet, wonder of all wonders, there is a twinge of familiarity as he spots the far away figure and his mind almost rebels—can it really be ?—prompting him to draw ever closer.  ❛  i’m not lost,  ❜  he says, voice halting but not out of mistrust but due to disbelief.  (  it can’t be, can it ?  )  ❛  i’m just—is that you ?  ❜  any attempt at answering her question gets abandoned as soon as he is close enough to look upon the features of her face. the years have passed them by, but giulio is not one to forget a face so dear.  ❛  is that really—yekaterina,  ❜  he says, and her name sounds almost like a gasp, because he almost can’t believe it—but then he should, because of course she’d be here, considering her rank and station and perhaps this was inevitable, but giulio cannot help but still feel so awed.  ❛  i cannot believe this,  ❜  he says, and his words are laced with astonished disbelief.  ❛  it is you, yes ?  ❜

the stranger’s reaction seemed odd, and it put her on the edge. so she straightened her back and hid her handkerchief within her sleeve, her features turning cold as to be sure to not allow anyone to see any further weakness from her. she couldn’t indulge looking weak, and she would never allow anyone to say they intimidated the tsaritsa of all the Russias. the voice spoke, and suddenly her eyebrows furrowed slightly as the composed face of the tsaritsa turned into that of a simple lady, as the voice sounded far too familiar. perhaps deeper, but familiar nonetheless. 

all the memories flood in, of casual formalities before prying eyes looked away and they ran away to explore the world together. yekaterina, once a child, indulged the company of a dear friend of hers. someone who she never quite forgot. perhaps it was one of the many reasons why she was a bit bitter towards her brother when the separation occurred. “perhaps i should be asking you the same question.” she retorted back, a simple reply but one that triggered far too many more memories of a past that involved her once dear and close friends from italy. after all, they may hate germany and in part her now but their hatred was stemmed out of love they possessed for the other. after all, germany was as close to the holy roman empire as italy was. how sad, the separation caused such friction. 

yet, there was no hatred here. his look of awe fueled the softness of yekaterina’s features to form despite the sharpness of it all. she looked at him, eyes looking all over the figure before her as he approached. goodness, how he has grown. yet, all she could remember was the young boy, the young precious boy who she would tease and indulge and talk endlessly whenever she could. how she would pull his hand to join on the next adventure. how she missed such simple times. no words fell from her mouth as he spoke her name and asked if it was her, as she was in shock to see him. she stared at him for a second longer before she licked her lips and spoke, a softness that made her lips quiver ever so slightly. a friend. a dear friend. “guilio?” she asked, standing to take in better his facial features. oh how she could hug him, and yet the gesture she did was that of terms agreed on long ago. she put her hand out, open towards him, to see if he remembered. “if i say yes, will you?” she said, almost teasingly as she made sure to stabilize her emotions for the last thing she wanted was to cry. how shameful, she would have to make him swear not to tell her brother. 

[yekatcrina]

@mxcimillixn​

yekaterina was already in a darkened disposition, and she found her thoughts were not safe anymore. they were plagued with ideas, propositions, all that could trigger a war but she didn’t want to pull the trigger. not quite. not without talking to somebody, and yet she didn’t wish to impose the mind of her husband. no, she would go to the very man who knew of triggers and how to execute them precisely. at least, somewhat. he forgot a couple of things when separating germany from the roman empire but who was to say he even cared? 

besides, she missed her brother and wanted to assure he was safe. she hoped to God he would not touch her face, for the heavy make up that was placed on her face was there for a purpose and she didn’t wish to expose the damage it covered. so she left her quarters, knowing what had happened with her niece elle, and brought forth some creams and blankets for her. yekaterina had seen her fair share of damaged legs by the guards and knew how they would manage that. 

it was rare to see yekaterina dress up, less seem so serious and solemn much like her brother, but there was few things she could muster when she entered the germanic quarters of the house now. her lips parted slightly, freezing in position for a moment. she wondered what nieces and nephews were here, and rather she was truly going to talk to her brother about matters on her mind. after all, she never was much of a talker in his presence in such manners. yet, she wished to lean on her brother even if it was a bit. 

“bruder?” she called out, taking a step forward to see who was here. she attempted to sound as composed as possible, though max knew her better than that. he could surely hear the hesitation in her voice, the slight breakage of her tone near the r of the word, how she sounded almost like her younger self. the girl who would whisper into the halls and doors in a desperate plea to converse with the brother she had only meant once or twice. that child, she was lost for so long, those dark halls never scaring her but the idea of her father grabbing her at any moment to scold her for bothering maximillian and his sleep. though, it was always her handmaiden who would find her and drag her back to her room with the promise of delivering a letter to max.

[yekatcrina]

@kingxfspain​

out of everyone that irina could have accused during the fair chaos, yekaterina was far more disappointed in the accusation to her Spaniard friends. Though her interaction with the queen was brief, and she had yet to meet the king in person, she couldn’t fanthom them attempting to attack anybody, for they seemed perhaps the most genuine people in this entire place. so, she was determined to go apologize to such a man. it was problematic to say the least, to see her leave the sasso corbaro to castlegrande to see the spanish king and queen. it was just a matter of who she would see first. after much persuasion, she was allowed in. 

that happened to be alonso, for she could recall the little she could remember before the separation of germany to the holy roman empire, and her brief encounters with him. wow, how he has grown. one could say so has she, but she was sure he wouldn’t recall her. so, she approached to him and curtsied to the man, the two guards that accompanied introducing the tsaritsa as a matter of safety. how lovely, now safety is taken far more seriously it did before. “your majesty. if you would give me a moment of your time, i would love the opportunity to speak with you.” she asked, on one hand hopping irina’s words were never heard and she could start on a fresh slate with the king, hopefully get to know alonso and see if perhaps a potential betrothal could be at hand. though, it felt like she would be spare nothing.

[aangs]

“‘If you love me as you say you do,’ she whispered, ‘make it so that I am at peace.’”

— Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

[tsarevna-sophia-deactivated2020]

closed thread for @yekatcrina​ // location: the russian quarters’ children playroom, sasso corbaro castle, bellinzona, switzerland

The only chaos Sophia could tolerate given what happened only a fortnight ago was her nieces and nephews wrecking havoc around the Russian quarters. Her immense love for them and their mother, Tsaritsa Yekaterina, was their only savior, for Sophia herself had been drained physically and emotionally. Though she would rather do nothing but be back at Russia, she chose the most homely atmosphere she could: with Yekaterina and the children. Their childish rowdiness was reminiscent of simpler times back at the Moscow Kremlin. And to be in Yekaterina’s presence once more was simply calming, to say the least. 

Yet dread once again set in as she eyed the blackened socket of her sister in law’s eye. Even with powder carefully applied over the darkened spot, Sophia had spent enough time looking at Yekaterina to know that that patch of skin was horribly injured. There was little more she could say to cheer up Yekaterina; and thus, she resorted to one of the things that she knew would make Yekaterina: eat. Like a child of four, the youngest Tsarevna picked up a spoon and began to scoop up beetroot and tomatoes to her mouth. At least the burning heat of the borscht would make it easy to chew and swallow without leaving much taste in the taste bud. Sophia let the Ukrainian flavor linger only briefly on her tongue as she chewed and then quickly swallowed. “All I am saying is that I am happy for Friedi but it will take me a while to stop feeling sad about it. I shall… I shall miss her a lot.”

[yekatcrina]

Her children was also Yekaterina’s own salvation to keep her from further inflicting her more worry and concern and pain than she already was. Especially since children seemed to heal so well, and the scrapes and bruises from her daughter agafya was healing very nicely, and nikolai seemed to not be bothered what happened a fortnight ago with the presence of his siblings around. yekaterina didn’t need to worry about the babies, for they seemed to forget it all and were far too interested in the games nikolai learned from the other young princes during the fair. This was her miniature russia, and perhaps Sophia understood how comforting that was for Yekaterina. She couldn’t help the small smiles that arose as she watched her children, and her smile grew ever so slightly to see her adopted daughter eat. 

Yekaterina leaned her head on her hand, her elbow pressed against the table as she watched the scenario in front of her, before Sophia spoke. Yes, the engagement. Yekaterina had various opinions, a couple of comments, and only one main concern. But she was not Friedi’s mother. she was simply the aunt, and she could only hope her minor abilities in such matters could aid both parties. “I am rather surprised my brother even remembered that man after all these years. surely he must have left an impression. i do hope he is right.” she asks, looking at the vegetables in sophia’s bowl. “are you sure that you are craving that, sophia? i’m about to ask ksenia to bring over a plate of fruit, perhaps peaches or apples, for the kids. i could have her bring you something.” she asked, grabbing the extra set of spoons and forks she asked for just in case. at the mention of fruit, the kids seemed to perk and began to murmur among each other, the giggles arising as if some diabolical plan was being formed that yekaterina was unaware of. nothing her children did could faze her at the moment. at least, she would hope so. she used the spoon to scope up some of the soup, cabbage, carrots and tomato in her spoonful as she ate it. she loved it, but she wasn’t craving anything hot quite yet.

[yekatcrina]

@antiquatus​

yekaterina found herself outside for the first time since the events of the fair on her own accord, away from her kids, away from her family. all so she could process what had occurred and attempt to ease herself and come to terms that all was well. she could still see the boundaries of safety in switzerland, attempt to feel even a pinch of safety in this foreign countries, surrounded by enemies and allies alike. though, it seemed the trust of a neutral country has betrayed her and she is unsure who to trust if she could not trust the one country who self-designated themselves as neutral. she sat at a bench, almost falling apart and yet held her weight magnificently. nature did wonders to cover up and attempt to seal away the damages that the fair had, and yet, the slight throbbing of her eyes covered by makeup never let her forget what occurred. she sighed deeply, holding tightly onto a handkerchief as she attempted to breath in the cold air. she missed the smell of cold air, of home. so she tried to breath, doing the motions to keep herself from feeling overwhelmed by her mind. 

And in that silence she had spotted a figure. mainly in black, but a figure nonetheless. and she observed for a while until they began to approach. perhaps they had not noticed her, or perhaps they did. who is to say, but she called out. this was, in the first time in a while, where she felt as thought she sounded like her childish self once more, a tone almost defeated by her own mind and thoughts and yet attempting to form connections around her. she spoke as loudly as she could so that the other could hear, unknowing who the listener would be. “pardon me, are you lost? or perhaps are you taking in the sights as i?” she asked, wondering if her voice would be recognized. 

[yekatcrina]

aristcv‌:

                𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐫   𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨   𝐭𝐡𝐞   𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐡   𝐨𝐟   𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧   𝐡𝐞   𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬   ,   a  place  only  upended  by  the  tsaritsa’s  sovereign  tongue  .   parapets  constructed  from  headstones  ,  he  is  a  mausoleum  of  s t a r v i n g  sins  ,  bed  built  from  gravestone  .   her  ivory  hands  extend  —  𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥  𝘢  𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵  𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘦  𝘴𝘦𝘪𝘻𝘦  𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮  ?   its  roar  ,  a  deafening  tone  ,  drowns  out  the  notes  of  a  better  man  .   his  scarred  digits  have  strangled  men  .   and  they  curl  now  ,  snaring  slender  ones  between  them  .   ❛   if   her   𝖎𝖒𝖕𝖊𝖗𝖎𝖆𝖑   𝖒𝖆𝖏𝖊𝖘𝖙𝖞   commands   it   ,   i   shall   not   refuse   .   ❜   a  master  of  retreat  ,  the  touch  is  fleeting  .   he  recoils  as  if  bitten  ,  physicality  teeth  which  tear  at  mangled  resolve  .   arms  drawn  rearward  ,  lethal  fingers  lace  at  lower  back  .   𝚗𝚎𝚞𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚝𝚊𝚕  𝚏𝚊𝚒𝚛  insights  stroll  through  mass  cemetery  ;  space  to  damn  screaming  soul  and  dig  up  bones  of  the  departed  .   distracted  by  the  dead  ,  lambs  laid  upon  sacrificial  alter  ,  aleksei  stares  far  ahead  .   ❛   i   must   confess   i   am   not   known   for   my   company   .   ❜

she recalls once upon a time, once when beasts scared her. that had only lasted her a couple of seconds before she realized that her soft yet strong porcelain fingers could bring beasts to their knees and she would not flinch in the face of their snarls and bites. of course, she never knew of this hidden power. she just knew no matter how many times she was bitten, none dared to actually murder her. she was far too PRECIOUS for such a thing. so, she grabbed aleksei’s hands before she established her position by his side, her hand gently placed on his arm as he stood in attention and walked with her, away from the crowd of people in which she needed to demonstrate strength. she was never unsure who could notice her weakness that was not her brother and father, but she prayed aleksei didn’t notice. or at least, he would be kind enough not to tell her. “aleksei, if you do not wish to walk with me, it is quite alright to voice it. i am aware that i am your queen, but i believe i owe you at least the dignity to voice your opinion whenever you feel it necessary. simply, let me know. we can come to a compromise.” she stated, a softness in her voice in which she held seemingly only for her closest confidants and friends. friends, confidants, how foreign. it seemed she hadn’t had many of those, for her life was occupied by allies, family, and enemies. she looked at him before a slight smile fell on her face, but far more geniune than any smile she posed all day. “perhaps we could change that, general. after all, when we return to russia, i will be sure to spread nothing but the greatest of rumors about you to our people. not to say you will find love amongst them, but PEOPLE tend to be far more interested in a man who has saved their sovereign’s heir so valiantly.” she spoke, being sure to be aware of the rumors she has heard of aleksei and not attempting to be closed-minded to aleksei’s preference in regards to love. after all, she had attempted to keep an open mind with sophia when she heard similar rumors about her precious sister-in-law. though, it seemed it could be a simple case of deprivation from interactions with the opposite sex.

[cyclusion]

with: @yekatcrina​

the tsaritsa of russia proved to be a most intriguing feature and perhaps yet another symbol of the german king’s cunning in the international political stage, strengthening germany’s ties to a monolith of an empire. he is eager to converse with her—if not simply because of her sovereign rule  (  albeit, as a woman, her power is only ever tied to her husband  )  over one of the ottoman empire’s more formidable allies, but also as a way to see if he can glean anything from her about her brother, as if by conversing with her, he can somehow unlock the secrets of the man.

❛  we are well met, tsaritsa of russia,  ❜  he says, a smile on his face. he falls into step with her, as if meeting her was by pure chance and something he did in the spur of the moment on chancing upon her and not something he had meticulously planned out before.  ❛  tell me, how does one survive in the russian climate ?  ❜  he asks, humour wrapping around his words.  ❛  the climate here is already testing me, and yet i hear that russia is still much colder.  ❜

[yekatcrina]

sehzade bayezide, she knew him well.

of course she did, she had to. for once there was a time when she and him were both young adults, both quite eligible for the prospect of marriages. she had to figure out from a young age the people she could potentially end up wedding, and when her brother severed the connection of her home country to the holy roman empire and got acquitanted with the ottoman empire, she made sure to do her homework. after all, it was the least she could do to prove she could follow her brother closely and attempt to be his somewhat confidant. 

of course, things proved otherwise but alas there were no hard feelings. at least, there wasn’t until she heard of the engagement announcement. her eyebrows were raised, and she audible retorted a ‘what’ to the announcer when it was spoken to her. yet, she could never question her brothers decisions. NEVER. so she took the information given to her and did what she did best, investigate. 

so when she came across sehzade once more, one of the many encounters in their lives, this seemed to be met with a suspicious glare before seemingly let her guard down. SEEMINGLY though, for she never let her guard down when it came to her family’s safety. Especially to the niece she cherished so dearly. “we surely are, sehzade. i appreciate the title, but i have told you before and i shall reiterate. you may call me yekaterina.” she remarked, her glass of rose in hand as she took a sip before placing it down. “the rumors you have heard are quite true. though, i would be careful. swizterland may be cold to you now, but i promise you it could get colder if perhaps a certain man dare cross my brother and his family. i do cherish his children as my own, after all and i happen to find the concept of karma quite interesting. i personally would never wish for you to freeze over like ice and smash to smithereens. my poor dear friend.” she commented, finding that her tolerance for such lousy small talk starters was thin to none. was this a threat? of course not! it was simply a statement, a sort of prophecy, if one was so bold. all if anyone heard them, for she found that even the company of her guard bothered her now.

[yekatcrina]

@aristcv​

yekaterina hadn’t been feeling well, perhaps it was because of all the chaos that ensued, or just a general home sickness to return back to the place where she knew was safe and sound for herself. yet, she had almost zero desires to be with anyone else but her children. despite this, she did have to fight her urges to go under and had to interact with the outside world, a smile on her face as she did her best to cover up her eye that was injured in the chaos that ended up being the neuchatal fair. 

it was relieving to see Aleks, since they had been well acquianted through their years in russia. not only that, but he had made sure her son nikolai got to safety when the chaos ensued, that boy. yekaterina, in a desperate attempt to leave the crowds in the castle, walked over to Aleksei and offered him as much of a smile as she could before she put her hands out for him to grab. “aleksei, i am in desperate need of rescue. won’t you be a dear and take a stroll with me?” she asked, hoping he would say yes.