Between War and Peace
Chapter 1: In Moscow
Clouds silently flew across the blue mid-day sky changing their shapes and merging together to form new puffy white creatures. Birds were chirping their chaotic yet calming songs and the only noise came from the street where the coachman was yelling at his horse to move faster.
For several days already Zexion spent all of her time on the balcony staring into the sky and once in a while glancing on the street in hope of spotting a carriage stop near their gate. It was noon already and at that exact time she thought how one of the clouds reminded her of an elephant and another one of a deer, but her peaceful pastime was interrupted by such an unpleasant yet so familiar voice. The voice she had to her everyday: the voice of her sister.
"Zexion! Zexi-o-o-o-o-o-n!!! Oh, there you are! I've been looking all over the house for you and you're here at this goddamn balcony daydreaming again!" The young woman crossed her arms on her chest and pouted, her big blue eyes full of displeasure. Sometimes Zexion thought they were as blue as the mid-day sky but the devilish fire in them always ruined the picture.
"Yes, Larxene, what is it?" Zexion stared her back derectly in the eyes.
"Urgh... stop doing that! You know I hate it when you stare me in the eyes!" Larxene turned her face away "Lets go talk inside."
"You seem very annoyed" Zexion remarked while they were making their way to the hall room "Something wrong?"
"Something wrong?!" Larxene stopped in front of the fireplace to face Zexion, her hands on her hips, little lightning bolts flashing in her eyes "Yes, there IS something wrong if you haven't noticed that while sitting on your stupid balcony!" She said angrily. Servants gathered near the doors to listen and peek at why the mistress* was yelling.
"Bet you a chervonets* that they're gonna fight" Axel smirked looking at Namine.
"You fool! You don't even have that much!" The girl laughed and pushed him away.
"That's not true, I do have. In fact, I have a lot more!" The redhead said in an offended voice. The girl laughed again and turned her back to the door not to miss anymore of the scandal between the two mistresses. Axel sighed and put his hands around Namine's waist, knowing that her attention was concentrated on the room and that she won't be against his embrace.
"Calm down, Larxene!" Zexion said rubbing her temples "Calm down, and explain please, but do it quietly."
"Dear God, why?! Why are you so ignorant to me?!!!!" Cried Larxene throwing her hands up in the air. "Do you enjoy torturing me? Oh woe is me, left here all alone with a sister who wants nothing but my death!!!!"
"Here she goes again" Zexion thought rolling her eyes.
"Why, dear God, why? Oh daddy, why did you have to leave me with her?" She clasped her hands together and looked up at the portrait above the fireplace. On the portrait was the face of a grumpy man with long blue hair and an awful cross-like scar on his nasal bridge. Bright amber eyes were painted in a way that they looked directly at the person standing underneath the picture.
"You're acting as though you are a spoiled little brat" Zexion sighed "You know that this isn't true. I care for you greatly and love you with all my heart. Now tell me, what is the reason for all of this yelling?" She took Larxene's hands in hers.
"It's just... Everyone! Everyone is leaving Moscow!" She sobbed "Have you heard the news? The French are near*! Preparations for battle are already being made! Kutuzov arrived and the armies are coming to put up a fight! And what happens if they get to the city? Oh, I'm so scared! Please Zexion, let's leave!" The blond pulled her hands away and grasped the rosary hanging from her neck.
"Larxene... You know I can't... I made a promise..." Zexion said quietly. "I have already told you, I can organize for you to be taken away. But I must stay."
"You're still waiting for him? Are you even sure he is coming? It has been a week since his last letter came and he promised to write in a day or so. What if he's already- ....?" She didn't finish.
"No, I don't even want to hear it." Zexion's fingers tore fiercely at the velvet ribbon on her throat. "As I said, if you feel yourself in danger here, I will do my best to send you and your belongings to Petersburg right away."
"But... we have only one carriage… How will you be able to leave then?" Larxene stood staring into the floor.
"I don't know. Once he comes we'll decide. We can stay here or go by foot it won't matter when he's here, when we will be together again."
"No… I just can't leave you like this!" Larxene embraced her sister tightly. Both women sat on the couch and laughed holding hands and wiping tears from their faces. They were sisters after all, who grew up together and never parted in their entire life.
"You owe me a chervonets" Namine turned to the redheaded boy.
"Uhh... maybe a kiss would be a better payment?" Axel scratched the back of his head. He knew that he had to get in a lot of debts if he wanted to get even one chervonets. The remains of his salary were long lost in a tavern a week ago.
"Well... I don't know if it equals the price of the bet" Namine smiled cunningly "I'll think about it" She swayed her blond hair and ran away laughing.
"Your kiss is surely much more expensive than any gold" Axel thought looking as Namine's thin figure disappeared behind a door.
mistress – during the 19th century aristocratic families in Russia had lower class citizens as their servants. These people lived with them and did all of the work while getting a salary.
chervonets – a coin in the times of the Russian Empire which equaled 10 rubles. Usually a gold coin.
the French are near – events prior to the 7th September of 1812, The Battle of Borodino. All of the wealthy citizens were leaving Moscow long before the battle started.
Based on the events of "War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy
Inspired by the book! I hope this will be interesting to you as a story and as a little trip into the history of Russia!
I tried to make everyone not OOC and yes, Zexion IS a girl here c:
In the next chapter Zexion's love will be revealed. And also there will be more characters to come.
Reviews please?