* * *
As the group headed down into the Moscow Subway. Lara and the other out-of-town members were amazed at the sight of the Moscow underground. "Oh my god," Lara said breathlessly. "This place is...unbelievable!" She said, gesturing to the well-lit, large and ornately decorated subway which was completely clean of dirt or graffiti. Wide colorful murals spanned the walls.
"Yeah, this is the first city I've been to where the underground looks nicer than what's above it." Nick commented, earning him two dirty looks from Aeryn and Chris. The subway ride itself was equally as enjoyable as the rest of the underground metro system. It was fast, efficient, and clean. Within fifteen minutes of having entered the subway, the group once again strode out into the sunlight.
"Nice ride." Was all Thomas had to say. Quick, direct, no frivolities or polite blandness, that was Thomas in a nutshell.
They walked down the streets of Moscow while the out-of-towners looked at their surroundings.
"What's that building?" Nick said, pointing to one building. "The one with the statue?"
Christopher coughed uneasily. "That's Dzerzhinsky Square." He said at last. Seeing the confusion he decided to be more precise. "Lubyanka." When it was apparent that none of them got it, Christopher tried one more time. "KGB Headquarters." He said in a hushed tone.
NOW they got it. Naomi shivered. The KGB evoked an almost supernatural dread from everyone who heard of them. As Christopher and Aeryn showed, that didn't just apply to foreigners.
"I met the Commissar of the Interior once or twice." Christopher continued, barely speaking above a whisper. "That's the head of the KGB. He's a chameleon named Salazar. A cold-blooded reptile if ever there was one. Scared me out of a year's growth, he did." He coughed uneasily. "I'm rather happy to say that Lubyanka is NOT on our tour."
"I hear that." Thomas agreed.
"Come on," Aeryn said. "The Bolshoi Theater's only a few blocks away and that's on the way to where I want to meet some friends for lunch."
After they passed the Bolshoi Theater (Bolshoi means "big" and Naomi certainly had to agree with the description), Aeryn pointed at a small cafe on the other side of the street. "Here we are. Come on, I've got some classmates I want to introduce you to."
As they crossed the street, they saw a trio of mobians waiting for them at a table; two boys and a girl. They were a mouse, a horse, and a fox respectively. They all rose as Aeryn approached them.
"Let me introduce to you my roommates from school. This is David Moyzl, you already met his father on the train." Aeryn said, nodding to the gray, short, and unmistakably cute Jewish mouse.
"Shalom." He grinned as he politely inclined his head. Naomi giggled and Aeryn just rolled her eyes, but said nothing.
"This is David's cousin, Ibrahim bin Mohammed bin Rasheed al-Fulani." Aeryn said as she introduced a golden Arabian horse wearing dark sunglasses.
"Salaam alaikum." He said, his rich voice a bit deeper than David's.
"And this is my good friend, Svetlana Bailzow." Aeryn finished, referring to the half-Belorussian, half-Romany red vixen standing next to David and Ibrahim.
"Dobroj tume." She said kindly. "So you're the friends Aeryn and Chris told us about when they went to Mobotropolis three months ago."
"That's us." Naomi nodded. "I'm Naomi Acorn, and this is my brother Nick, my cousin Thomas, and Lara-Su Echidna."
"A pleasure." David smiled. "Did I hear Aeryn correctly? You met my father on the way from Tel Aviv to Moscow?"
"That's right." Naomi nodded. "Lara and I met him on the train. Quite an...interesting character."
"That's my uncle." Ibrahim sighed. "A first-rate nuisance. Like his son, here." He said, indicating David.
"Your father thought it was worth having my dad as a brother-in-law if it meant he could marry my aunt Rivka." David pointed out. "That means you're half-Jewish. You're blood, I guess that means your stuck with us."
"Must be my lucky day." Ibrahim said dryly, to show he was kidding. He shrugged. "We all have odd parents." Everyone nodded at that. "Presidents, Kings, Guardians, Rangers, Commissars, --"
"And plumbers." Svetlana added. "Not everyone here grew up with world leaders to show off on Parent's Day." She said dryly, eliciting a collective chuckle from everyone present.
"So you're all roommates at school?" Naomi inquired.
"That's right." Svetlana nodded. "The five of us share a room at the Lenin Institute of Revolution."
"All five of you?" Lara asked incredulously. "Doesn't that get cramped?"
"We have enough space if that's what you mean. The teachers like sticking together students from as many different places as possible. It's to increase understanding of different cultures and strengthen diversity in the Soviet Union and without."
"Just where are you all from?" Nick asked.
"I grew up in Minsk, in the Slavic Republic." Svetlana answered.
"Cairo, Democratic Republic of Arabia." Ibrahim added.
"Tel Aviv, Autonomous Republic of Palestine." David said next.
"Moscow, Federated Soviet Socialist Republic of Russiya." Was Aeryn's answer.
"My mother and I are from Downunda originally, but we moved to Moscow when I was four." Christopher supplied.
"So this is kind of one big cultural experiment?" Naomi asked.
"That's one way of looking at it." David said. "It's also a kind of learning experience. When I came to Moscow three years ago, I only spoke Yiddish, Hebrew, and a little Arabic in addition to Common. That's the Common Language of the Soviet Union." He explained. "One language everyone learns so they can speak to other people who don't share a common home language."
"Each Soviet Republic has its own official language. Russiya is Russian, Arabia is Arabic, Europa is Latin, and so on. In addition, autonomous regions and republics within those Republics have their own languages and dialects. Let me demonstrate, David's native language is Yiddish. But that means he can't speak with someone from, say, Africana. And if one Soviet Republic can't speak to another, that just creates confusion. So all Soviet children learn at least two or three languages: Their native tongue, which in David's case is Yiddish. The official tongue of their Republic which is Arabic in this case, since Palestine is an autonomous republic within Arabia, and Common which is used to converse with other Soviet citizens who don't speak either Yiddish or Arabic. Understand?" Aeryn explained at length.
"I think so," Naomi said. "Common is for speaking with Soviet citizens from other Republics and you speak your native tongue with your own people."
"There's also a common alphabet, so most widely circulated newspapers and books are written in Common, and most media broadcasts are too. Local papers are written in their native language."
"So you learn more than one language?" Nick asked, dumbfounded.
"If we didn't, we wouldn't be having this conversation." Svetlana shrugged. "In ENGLISH." She added, to drive the point home in case Nick didn't get it.
"Please sit down," Ibrahim said warmly. "We were about to order lunch."
"Great. What do you recommend? I can't exactly read the menus" Lara asked as they all sat down. Ibrahim just shrugged.
"I've always liked their Raqaqaat, but not everyone likes Arabic dishes. They serve a lot of foreign dishes here." He added when Lara just stared at him. "This district is full of diplomats and students from other parts of the USSR and the rest of Mobius. Ask for anything, chances are, they'll have it."
"Oh." Lara said in comprehension. "Okay then, I think I'll have a salad."
"Me too." Aeryn agreed. David snorted in amusement. Aeryn just shot him a dark look.
"Sorry, I just find it amusing that you're a vegetarian, AND that you keep kosher better than I do!" Even Aeryn had to smile at that.
"To each there own, David." She admonished lightly. "Each according to their abilities--"
"--And each according to their need." David finished. "I know. Still, sometimes things around here seem somewhat odd." Aeryn nodded before answering.
"That comrade, is an understatement."
* * *
As the group headed down into the Moscow Subway. Lara and the other out-of-town members were amazed at the sight of the Moscow underground. "Oh my god," Lara said breathlessly. "This place is...unbelievable!" She said, gesturing to the well-lit, large and ornately decorated subway which was completely clean of dirt or graffiti. Wide colorful murals spanned the walls.
"Yeah, this is the first city I've been to where the underground looks nicer than what's above it." Nick commented, earning him two dirty looks from Aeryn and Chris. The subway ride itself was equally as enjoyable as the rest of the underground metro system. It was fast, efficient, and clean. Within fifteen minutes of having entered the subway, the group once again strode out into the sunlight.
"Nice ride." Was all Thomas had to say. Quick, direct, no frivolities or polite blandness, that was Thomas in a nutshell.
They walked down the streets of Moscow while the out-of-towners looked at their surroundings.
"What's that building?" Nick said, pointing to one building. "The one with the statue?"
Christopher coughed uneasily. "That's Dzerzhinsky Square." He said at last. Seeing the confusion he decided to be more precise. "Lubyanka." When it was apparent that none of them got it, Christopher tried one more time. "KGB Headquarters." He said in a hushed tone.
NOW they got it. Naomi shivered. The KGB evoked an almost supernatural dread from everyone who heard of them. As Christopher and Aeryn showed, that didn't just apply to foreigners.
"I met the Commissar of the Interior once or twice." Christopher continued, barely speaking above a whisper. "That's the head of the KGB. He's a chameleon named Salazar. A cold-blooded reptile if ever there was one. Scared me out of a year's growth, he did." He coughed uneasily. "I'm rather happy to say that Lubyanka is NOT on our tour."
"I hear that." Thomas agreed.
"Come on," Aeryn said. "The Bolshoi Theater's only a few blocks away and that's on the way to where I want to meet some friends for lunch."
After they passed the Bolshoi Theater (Bolshoi means "big" and Naomi certainly had to agree with the description), Aeryn pointed at a small cafe on the other side of the street. "Here we are. Come on, I've got some classmates I want to introduce you to."
As they crossed the street, they saw a trio of mobians waiting for them at a table; two boys and a girl. They were a mouse, a horse, and a fox respectively. They all rose as Aeryn approached them.
"Let me introduce to you my roommates from school. This is David Moyzl, you already met his father on the train." Aeryn said, nodding to the gray, short, and unmistakably cute Jewish mouse.
"Shalom." He grinned as he politely inclined his head. Naomi giggled and Aeryn just rolled her eyes, but said nothing.
"This is David's cousin, Ibrahim bin Mohammed bin Rasheed al-Fulani." Aeryn said as she introduced a golden Arabian horse wearing dark sunglasses.
"Salaam alaikum." He said, his rich voice a bit deeper than David's.
"And this is my good friend, Svetlana Bailzow." Aeryn finished, referring to the half-Belorussian, half-Romany red vixen standing next to David and Ibrahim.
"Dobroj tume." She said kindly. "So you're the friends Aeryn and Chris told us about when they went to Mobotropolis three months ago."
"That's us." Naomi nodded. "I'm Naomi Acorn, and this is my brother Nick, my cousin Thomas, and Lara-Su Echidna."
"A pleasure." David smiled. "Did I hear Aeryn correctly? You met my father on the way from Tel Aviv to Moscow?"
"That's right." Naomi nodded. "Lara and I met him on the train. Quite an...interesting character."
"That's my uncle." Ibrahim sighed. "A first-rate nuisance. Like his son, here." He said, indicating David.
"Your father thought it was worth having my dad as a brother-in-law if it meant he could marry my aunt Rivka." David pointed out. "That means you're half-Jewish. You're blood, I guess that means your stuck with us."
"Must be my lucky day." Ibrahim said dryly, to show he was kidding. He shrugged. "We all have odd parents." Everyone nodded at that. "Presidents, Kings, Guardians, Rangers, Commissars, --"
"And plumbers." Svetlana added. "Not everyone here grew up with world leaders to show off on Parent's Day." She said dryly, eliciting a collective chuckle from everyone present.
"So you're all roommates at school?" Naomi inquired.
"That's right." Svetlana nodded. "The five of us share a room at the Lenin Institute of Revolution."
"All five of you?" Lara asked incredulously. "Doesn't that get cramped?"
"We have enough space if that's what you mean. The teachers like sticking together students from as many different places as possible. It's to increase understanding of different cultures and strengthen diversity in the Soviet Union and without."
"Just where are you all from?" Nick asked.
"I grew up in Minsk, in the Slavic Republic." Svetlana answered.
"Cairo, Democratic Republic of Arabia." Ibrahim added.
"Tel Aviv, Autonomous Republic of Palestine." David said next.
"Moscow, Federated Soviet Socialist Republic of Russiya." Was Aeryn's answer.
"My mother and I are from Downunda originally, but we moved to Moscow when I was four." Christopher supplied.
"So this is kind of one big cultural experiment?" Naomi asked.
"That's one way of looking at it." David said. "It's also a kind of learning experience. When I came to Moscow three years ago, I only spoke Yiddish, Hebrew, and a little Arabic in addition to Common. That's the Common Language of the Soviet Union." He explained. "One language everyone learns so they can speak to other people who don't share a common home language."
"Each Soviet Republic has its own official language. Russiya is Russian, Arabia is Arabic, Europa is Latin, and so on. In addition, autonomous regions and republics within those Republics have their own languages and dialects. Let me demonstrate, David's native language is Yiddish. But that means he can't speak with someone from, say, Africana. And if one Soviet Republic can't speak to another, that just creates confusion. So all Soviet children learn at least two or three languages: Their native tongue, which in David's case is Yiddish. The official tongue of their Republic which is Arabic in this case, since Palestine is an autonomous republic within Arabia, and Common which is used to converse with other Soviet citizens who don't speak either Yiddish or Arabic. Understand?" Aeryn explained at length.
"I think so," Naomi said. "Common is for speaking with Soviet citizens from other Republics and you speak your native tongue with your own people."
"There's also a common alphabet, so most widely circulated newspapers and books are written in Common, and most media broadcasts are too. Local papers are written in their native language."
"So you learn more than one language?" Nick asked, dumbfounded.
"If we didn't, we wouldn't be having this conversation." Svetlana shrugged. "In ENGLISH." She added, to drive the point home in case Nick didn't get it.
"Please sit down," Ibrahim said warmly. "We were about to order lunch."
"Great. What do you recommend? I can't exactly read the menus" Lara asked as they all sat down. Ibrahim just shrugged.
"I've always liked their Raqaqaat, but not everyone likes Arabic dishes. They serve a lot of foreign dishes here." He added when Lara just stared at him. "This district is full of diplomats and students from other parts of the USSR and the rest of Mobius. Ask for anything, chances are, they'll have it."
"Oh." Lara said in comprehension. "Okay then, I think I'll have a salad."
"Me too." Aeryn agreed. David snorted in amusement. Aeryn just shot him a dark look.
"Sorry, I just find it amusing that you're a vegetarian, AND that you keep kosher better than I do!" Even Aeryn had to smile at that.
"To each there own, David." She admonished lightly. "Each according to their abilities--"
"--And each according to their need." David finished. "I know. Still, sometimes things around here seem somewhat odd." Aeryn nodded before answering.
"That comrade, is an understatement."
* * *