PART FIVE: "The Winter Ball" Part: A
January 16, 1915
The frozen leaves and twigs shattered beneath her pounding feet as the girl continued on her way through the outskirts of the forest. The sound of her breathing was all that could be heard, save for the early morning cries of the birds as they greeted the new day. In fact, the birds were strangely subdued this morning, as if they too, realised something was a tad off. Most were tracking with their beady eyes the bright figure that was at this very moment pushing her body to its limit as she tried to run away from her problems...literally.
It was not known if they too, thought it odd that the lone girl was running though the forest at this time in the morning. With their powerful eyesight and means of transport these birds must have seen a lot. But by their silence, it was concluded that they had never seen anything quite like this.
But these things were far from the Slayer's thoughts as she tried in vain to steady her breathing into a more sensible pattern. Looking around at her surroundings, Buffy wondered idly if she dared venture deeper into the forest. It was true, she was in unfamiliar territory and would probably end up getting lost, but at this moment, it sounded like an ideal situation for the Slayer.
She shook her blonde head slightly, telling herself to stop being so pitiful. What would Marie and the others say if she failed to return home in time for breakfast? They would be worried sick, she knew, especially since they had no idea were she was.
Her mind made up, Buffy turned just in time and started down what looked like a well-used path, looking up at the towering trees that blanketed the brightening sky from her eager gaze. The forest around her was dense, the trees pushing towards her in a comforting way. The Slayer welcomed the feeling as she sped up her pace, zooming through freezing wilderness.
She knew that if anyone were to come across her now they would be horrified. In fact they would probably be amazed that she had not frozen to death. Buffy had known the instant she looked out her bedroom window early that morning that there had been a fresh falling of snow the night before. But that still hadn't stopped the Slayer from carrying out her crazy idea. She had decided to start running in the mornings, and by god, she would. No one would stop her.
That thought brought a ghost of a smile to the pretty girl's lips. She could just imagine one of her new found family trying to sway her mind.
When the Slayer found herself leaving the forest suddenly by coming out in a clearing she finally stopped, her hands grasping her knees as she sucked in as much air as she could. Her head was slightly dizzy as she finally raised her eyes, scanning her surroundings as she tried to find her way back to the Alexander Palace.
Everything she could see was white.
Snow was in the treetops, making them look like strange ice creams, and on the grassy plains that made up the Alexander Park of Tsarskoe Selo. Even the artificial lake that Buffy could just make out through the trees was frozen, white dust sprinkled on the top.
In all the things she had seen during her life in America, most of which was greatly modern compared to this, she knew that she had never seen anything quite like Tsarskoe Selo. It was like a magickal and hauntingly magnificent story from a fairytale, like another little world in itself, never to be seen anywhere else in the world. Even with the snow that pressed everything in closer to the earth, Buffy could see in her mind just what the grounds would look like come spring. She could imagine in those short months as the sun moves so much slower across the sky how every flower known to man would suddenly burst forth in a ray of colour that no one could ever hope to imagine if they hadn't experienced life in Russia. This little world would seem to explode suddenly with life. There were so few places on Earth, which Buffy knew, that treasured life like Tsarskoe Selo.
And as she slowly started to walk down the worn path, her feet crunching on the gravel that would lead her back to the front entrance of the Alexander Palace, Buffy had no idea that it would be this frozen yet elegant land, that was the lifeblood of the Imperial Court, that would unknowing help her distract herself from the pressures of her everyday life, just as it had been serving the Romanov family for over 300 years with the exact same task, helping their Majesties to relax as much as they could from the realities of the Throne.
The striking blonde was silent as she made her way through the trees, shielding her eyes when a burst of early morning sunshine broke through the large shrubs that were parallel to the path, allowing the impressive, creamy pillars of the palace to be viewed. Joining up with the main driveway, Buffy walked around a huge fountain that was out the front of the doors, watching as the grey figures in the centre spurted water out through their mouths.
Even at this time in the morning there were people out around the palace, servants and such. She ignored them for the best part, keeping her eyes down as she quickened her pace to jog up the many main steps, mentally scolding herself for staying so long out. She had originally intended to be back inside (and back in bed she admit) by the time anyone in the household had risen. She knew people where staring at her, obviously wondering a great number of questions. What in the world she was doing out so early was probably the foremost on everyone's minds, but also, what she was doing in the clothes she was wearing. (She had managed to snag a pair of pants as she walked past one of the many laundry rooms).
Just when she could feel her tolerance snap bad enough to almost make her turn around and snarl at someone to mind their own business, the huge wooden doors at the centre of the porch were suddenly pushed open wide, allowing the large bulk of a man to be seen on the threshold. As he scanned the courtyard, Folkine caught sight of her walking up the steps in front of him and his large, kind brown eyes flew open in surprise.
The Romanov's servant released the doors suddenly as he hurried to meet the Slayer just as she reached the last few steps. He instantly took her by the arm, guiding her up the remainder of the way, causing Buffy to bite the inside of her mouth in annoyance. But instead she raised her eyes and greeted the man with a hesitant smile, a tad bit confused as to why he was greeting her in such an informal manner.
"Miss!" the round old man cried in his thick, accented voice. But Buffy was more startled to discover that he spoke in halted English. Quite bad English, granted, but English all the same. His dark eyes smiling with great pleasure as he led her though the large doors, not bothering to turn and shut them - Buffy only guessing that there were doormen on duty - and into the warmness of the palace.
"V'e not sure what `ad happen to you, Miss." Folkine told her slowly, trying not to get muddled over the strange words. The Slayer was touched that he would even bother and try to communicate with her at all; even though she didn't know how he was aware what language she spoke.
Not aware in the slightest of her confusion, the dark haired bear of a man continued to yap away happily as he steered her through a maze of deserted hallways, most of them still dark as the sunlight had not reached them yet. "Karina said you up v'alking...but Folkine want see for self." He added shyly, looking down at her from his great height.
That was at the precise moment when they were walking past a window looking out into the forest. There was a little side table below it with a pretty bunch of flowers sitting snugly in a stained glass vase. As he finished the Slayer stopped abruptly, causing Folkine to mimic her actions in surprise. Tilting her head slightly, she was smiling uncertainly as she spoke to him.
"I'm terribly sorry, sir." She began, not wanting to insult the lovely old man. "But have we met?"
Folkine's eyebrows shot up and he stared at her in bewilderment. Then, just as Buffy had opened her mouth to hastily apologise, the man tilted back his head and roared with laughter, causing the Slayer to startle and look around them nervously. She wasn't even sure if laughing was allowed in this part of the house.
He laid a hand of her arm gently, making her eyes fly back to meet his quickly. "Folkine help you, Miss." He told Buffy gently, still smiling. Seeing she was still slightly confused he elaborated. "With Marie Nicholaievna...in snow."
"Oh!" Buffy cried, grasping what he was getting to at instantly. "That was you?" she asked, stunned, one hand brought up to cover her mouth. "I thought there was someone else, but then when I woke up there was only Alix and the girls, but...Oh, thank you SO much!"
Taking the round old man completely by surprise, she reached up on tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his thick, shaggy neck and gave him a quick kiss of gratitude on his check, smelling a mixture of soap and whiskey on his person.
Leaning back, she saw his open jaw and stunned face and giggled, not able to stop herself.
"You saved my life, sir." She told him sincerely. "I'll never forget it."
Folkine blushed with pleasure, not quick enough to hide the fact as he turning his head away. "V'ell, couldn't let freeze, no?" he told her gruffly, but he was smiling behind his thick black moustache as they continued walking. She glanced up at his face slightly as they came to the grand staircase, as the strangest feeling came over her, like she suddenly knew that she had won this old man's silent approval; and made a valiant and fiercely loyal friend for life.
And he hadn't even seemed to notice her clothes.
She had just opened her mouth to thank Folkine for helping her find her way when she saw his body go instantly stiff to attention, his back straight. Frowning at his strange behaviour she turned and her eyes flew up the stairs to see what had caused the change in his demeanour, only to raise her eyebrows when she saw a lean, fresh figure come casually walking down the stairs in front of them, his nose buried in a newspaper.
He didn't even notice them stand there until he was on the last step where he suddenly stiffened, one foot in mid flight. Buffy watched, fascinated as more and more of the man's high, light brown forehead came into view...then finally his soft, brilliant blue eyes, which locked with hers.
Nicholas' hands slackened and the paper slipped onto the floor.
"Buffy!" he started, still staring at her in bewildered surprise. "What on earth are you doing out here? ..." She noticed the corners of his mouth quirk upwards as he spoke next. "And what in the *world* are you wearing?"
The Slayer blushed and heard Folkine gasp as he finally looked down at her and saw the pants and white blouse she was wearing. The old man sputtered, caught between reaching down and picking up his master's paper and expressing his innocence at what she had on. Nicholas solved the problem for him by casually bending his knees gracefully and picking up his own paper with one hand, not taking his smiling eyes off the Slayer.
"Well?" he said, trying to sound firm, succeeding as far as to sound exactly like Giles did when he was trying to be cross with her.
She raised her eyes finally and in all honesty, told the truth. "I went for a run."
He coughed. "Excuse me?" the gentle Tsar asked, as if it was the strangest thing he had ever heard. "You went for a what? In this weather?" He caught himself just as he said that and frowned, shaking his head. "Buffy, my darling girl, you shouldn't be running in the first place."
She tilted her chin stubbornly, knowing that if she was going to win this one she was going to have to fight him on it, even if he was one of the most powerful men in the world. "Why not? I didn't go far, Nicholas, and I wasn't in the least bit cold."
Nicholas stared at her in such as stunned manner that she guessed that not many people, let alone females young enough to be one of his daughters, argued with him. But there was something that she spied in his eyes that gave her hope before it was quickly pushed side.... admiration.
"But, child, it's just not right." Nicholas had the strangest feeling that that defence wouldn't hold up well in her opinion. And he was right, for she just knitted her eyebrows together in annoyance and sighed. The Tsar couldn't believe they were even having this conversation. Really, what was he meant to say to something like that? He looked down at her flushed face, into her determined green eyes and decided that it couldn't really do anyone any harm. The grounds at Tsarskoe Selo were amazingly safe, no one would dare commit any type of crime there; so close to the Tsar's home.
But, Nicholas decided, there really was something unique about her eyes. "Subtle power" his younger sister had called it yesterday when she had told him of their meeting on the balcony. And he was inclined to believe her. Never had he seen such strong will in someone so young, male or female.
Shaking those disturbing thoughts from his mind, the Tsar put a kind smile of his face and reached down to pat the Slayer warmly on the top of her head. "I suppose there is no harm...." He paused, but seeing the instantly smug look on the blonde girl's face Nicholas felt a surge of wickedness as he proceeded to spoil her fun.
"...As long as you take either Derevenko or Nagorny with you." He looked very concerned as he informed her of the conditions. "If you insist on carrying out with this absurd idea of yours, I would hate to be back here in the palace, worrying over your fate."
The Tsar gave her a gentle smile. "I would like to be reassured that you were being protected."
Buffy thought it over. Having someone to run with could be fun, hell, it had to beat going on her own. And it would be a perfect opportunity to improve her Russian. "Sure." She told him casually. "Only, who are those people you were talking about? I don't think I've actually met them."
Nicholas grinned and started tapping the paper on his arm playfully. "Derevenko and Nagorny are Alexei's minders. We call them the "Sailor Nannies". He paused, cocking his head to the side thoughtfully. "Only don't let them hear you say that. Considering the fact that they are navy officers built like polar bears, I don't think they will think kindly at being thought of as babysitters."
Buffy laughed and nodded her head. "I'll try and remember that."
Nicholas had a wide smile on his face as he turned slightly and pointed up the stairs. "And with that, my dear, I think you should head up stairs and get dressed for breakfast. The girls are waiting for you."
Ruffling the top of her head as he went, Nicholas was whistling under his breath as he headed into the dining room, Folkine on his heals. When she was alone in the room, the Slayer slowly brought her hand up and softly touched the top of her head where Nicholas had in confused wonder.
It just didn't make sense, she thought to herself. How can the man who would be responsible for millions of his countrymen's lives be so kind...so casual...so Normal? Buffy didn't know how he did it, have that many lives in his hands and still be remotely sane. Buffy knew if she had been in the same position she would have buckled under the pressure long ago. Russia was such a big a country to be ruled just by one man. Buffy wondered idly if there were any of the peasants living out in the country that even knew what Nicholas looked like.
With that thought in mind, Buffy silently headed up the huge stairs to the waiting Duchesses.
* * *
An hour later...
"Oh, the blue, Buffy! You must! Doesn't it look adorable on her, Tatia?"
With Olga Nicholaievna excited voice in her ears, the Slayer slowly walked over to the full-length mirror and examined herself critically, at the same time unconsciously smoothing her hands over the flowing material of the light blue skirt she was wearing. Her head inclined to the side thoughtfully, she peered at her reflection, her brows married in a frown. Not turning from the mirror, she called over her shoulder at the two girls behind her, both who were being helped get ready for the day.
"Do you really think so? Are you sure it sits right over my hips?"
Tatiana's laugh sounded like bells around the room as she gracefully got up from the vanity seat where her maid had just finished putting her reddish brown hair up around her head and came over to the perplexed Slayer. Standing beside the slightly shorter girl, the grey-eyed Grand Duchess looked down at Buffy's skirt, making her own conclusion.
Feeling strangely nervous under her gaze, Buffy herself turned back to the mirror and stared in. The full-length skirt she wore was accompanied by white lace blouse with the typical long sleeves. Bringing an arm up to her eye level she peered at the delicate artwork she was wearing. For that's what it was, a piece of art. There were little hand sown violet flowers flowing up her arms and onto her chest, each paired with another set of pale yellow ones.
The wrists were flared slightly at the ends, and Buffy caught the reflection of the delicate diamond ring she wore on her finger. She had found it sitting wrapped in a tiny pink box on her pillow when she had entered her room this morning after her run. As she had opened it slowly, a small piece of rose scented paper had fallen out and fluttered to the floor. On bending to retrieve it, the blonde had read the loopy scrawls in surprise.
"Dearest Buffy,
Whenever we go and stay places with family we always receive gifts.
Consider this a welcome present of the warmest kind.
We each have one and decided that being the honorary sister that you are, you should have one too!
Lots of love,
OTMA."
Re-reading the note over in her head, Buffy couldn't help but smile. She had recognised Mashka's handwriting instantly and was deeply touched that they would go to the trouble. From what she had figured out herself over the past few days, the girl's only got a certain amount of pocket money for themselves a month, which strangely enough, was less than the Slayer's used to get. So she knew that if they wanted to buy something for someone, a gift and so forth, it would mean they would have to sacrifice something they wanted for themselves.
Back in the dressing room, Buffy admired the ring. The base looked like a plan gold band at first, before you suddenly realise that all the way round there was tiny diamonds imbedded, meeting up with the bigger stone on the top of her finger. Over all, it was an amazing piece of jewellery.
"I think all you need is that sash you bought on Saturday, Buffy." The sound of Tatiana's voice broke her train of thought and the blonde Slayer raised her head to meet the girl's starry-eyed gaze.
"The cream one?" she asked, catching on to what she was talking about. Looking at herself again, she mentally tied the sash around her waist to see what it would look like. Smiling, she nodded her head.
"I think your right." Buffy smiled up at the 18 year old. "You are so good at this, Tatiana. You could do wonder's with my wardrobe back home." She looked down at the floor and smiled ironically. "Willow would have a fit, but I was thinking about having a spring clean anyway."
The two Romanov's glanced at each other, Olga slowly making her way over, dismissing her maid as she went.
"I'll get the sash, Buffy." The eldest daughter said softly. She walked over to Buffy's wardrobe, which was a new addition to her and the younger girls bedroom, (the freestanding wooden wardrobe was sitting in the corner on the room, next to Anastasia's dressing table) and opened the large doors. Shifting though the masses of colour, all recently purchased on their shopping trip a few days ago, she pulled out the cream sash and closed the doors silently.
Tatiana looked down into Buffy's face, a worried frown edged on her elegant features. "Is she a friend?" she asked, not wanting to intrude, but feeling that their new friend needed to talk about it. When Buffy's eyebrows smoothed out and she started to smile warmly, a far away look in her eyes, Tatiana mentally gave herself a pat on the back.
"Yeah." Buffy admitted. She paused, and then whispered, "My best friend."
Olga walked over to them, tied the sash around Buffy's waist and put a comforting hand on the Slayer's shoulder. "I know that you said that you can not go home, and for whatever reason that may be, we respect you none the less, but it is from my personal experience not to give up any hope of seeing her again."
She turned Buffy's chin up with her finger and forced her to gaze into her pretty, honest face. It almost broke Buffy's heart to see the gentle, confident smile that lit up her face. "When you wish for something so badly, the fates would never let it not come true."
Taking a deep breath, Buffy nodded, quickly wiping the tears out of her eyes. It was just so hard, the thought of never seeing her friends again. And never to see Angel...to be able to say the things she had kept tucked inside her for far to long to his face...it was almost too much to bear. She missed her friends greatly, of course, but it was for Angel that her heart really cried out in anguish. It was almost as if her body recognised the feeling of being ripped from its mate and it screamed in longing, and almost in pain.
To think that he was back there in LA with Cordelia and Wesley and their other friends gave her the tiniest glimmer of reassurance. They would take care of Angel for her, that she knew. From what she had seen of the new Cordelia in the times she had visited LA to see them she knew that her former school friend was very protective of Angel, and wouldn't let anything hurt him unnecessarily.
He would grieve her in his own way, Buffy knew. She pitied the person from the Sunnydale gang who drew the short straw and had to call him...or would they do it that way at all? Come to think of it, she was certain that Willow would volunteer. She had always had a way of soothing people in distress, and Angel had never been an exception to the rule. She would break the news to him gently.
She wondered if they would find out what had truly happened to her at all, or just think her dead. She shook her head at the notion instantly. Of course they would research, they would until sleep finally came crashing through the doors to the Magic Shop and clamed them. Her friends had all been there when she disappeared, they had all seen her vanish, and Buffy severely hoped they had learned enough from her over the years not to take it lightly.
Some part of her wished that Whistler would just go to them and set their minds at ease.
"Buffy?"
The Slayer jerked her head up and saw both Olga and her sister looked at her in concern. "Are you alright?" Tatiana asked.
Buffy laughed dryly. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little spacey." She turned from the mirror abruptly, the subtle folds in her skirt swishing around her slender legs as she moved across the room.
They girls frowned at her strange speech, but accepted it none the less. Still watching her warily, Olga went over to Buffy's wardrobe and pulled out a matching day jacket for her blue skirt. Laying it on Buffy's bed, the girl explained, "If we go out anywhere, you will need this."
Buffy just nodded and gave her a grateful smile, no longer in the mood for clothes. But when the bedroom door was flung open and three figures walked in, Buffy once again found herself smiling. Marie and Anastasia she had expected, the two girls had been sitting with their mother in her famous Mauve Boudoir, but she was delighted to see Alexei walking between his older sisters.
"Good morning, Alexei." She greeted him warmly, and he gave her a kiss on the check when he reached her. Olga and Tatiana also greeted their brother, and then started to help the two younger girls pin up their hair. While they waited, Buffy and the 11-year-old heir sat on her bed and watched; laughing when Marie shrieked as Tatiana accidentally stabbed her in the head with a pin.
Looking around his sister's room, Alexei's eyes paused when he noticed a mass of green under Buffy's bed. Frowning, the boy rose from his spot and walked over to the bed, kneeling as he fished under the bed. Buffy saw his attention and grinned.
"Alexei, what are you doing?" she asked, her question catching the attention of the girls. They too, stopped what they were doing and watched curiously as their younger brother stood, eyeing the thing in his arms warily.
It was a backpack.
"Oh!" Buffy cried, recognising it instantly. She got up and raced over, delight filling her eyes. "Where did that come from?" she asked in amazement as the blonde boy quickly handed over the bag, still eying it with some concern. But it was Marie who answered, the girl coming over to them.
"You had it on you when Folkine and I found you." She explained. Then she shrugged. "We didn't know what to do with it and Mama thought you might like to keep it." Buffy looked at her with her eyebrows raised, a charming grin still on her face.
"We didn't open it." Marie added quickly, alarm in her magnificently large blue eyes. But the Slayer just laughed, heading over to the bed again and sitting down, the others all crowding around her, curiosity winning over manners. Alexei once again took a seat next to her, the boy obviously feeling a little proud of the fact that he had been the one to make Buffy so happy. Anastasia sat on her other side, the teenager wanting to see just as the others what was inside.
Knowing they were all watching, Buffy pulled the cords to open the bag and put a hand inside, fishing out the first thing her hand came in contact with. It was her CD player. Placing the small grey machine on her lap, the Slayer laughed happily. She had completely forgotten about her backpack. She knew she had been wearing it as she disappeared, but had later come to the conclusion that she had lost it in the snow when coming out the other side, so to speak. Running her hands around the side, she pushed the tiny white button on the side and grinned when Anastasia gasped as the lid popped open.
"What is it, Buffy?" Olga asked, staring down at the small, circular device. Her sisters and brother where doing exactly the same. Buffy didn't answer them at first, only placed the CD player on Alexei's lap and once again dug around her backpack. When she drew her hands out they were filled with about four square, flat boxes, each with coloured pictures on the front.
"It's a CD player." She explained to the children. They looked at her blankly and Buffy sighed, trying again. "It play's music."
Understanding filled their eyes and the Slayer breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't know how far they were, technology wise, but was grateful that they had at least invented a way to play music. Anastasia looked stunned as she reached down and picked up the CD Player from Alexei, the top still open.
"Like a Phonograph?" she asked, turning it over to see the bottom. Feeling strangely guilty that she was introducing them to things she really shouldn't be, Buffy only nodded, watching the expressions of wonder and awe flitter all over Anastasia finely cut, oval face. The girl saw Buffy's answer and her eyebrows rose in surprise.
"How on earth do the records fit in side it? It's too small!" She looked like an excited child being taken to her first movie and asking how the people got so big up on the screen. Buffy only grinned, showing her white teeth.
"The things in those boxes go in there, don't they, Buffy?" A little voice beside her asked confidently and the Slayer turned and looked at Alexei. She followed his pointed finger and saw that he meant the CDs. Turning them so that he could see, she picked up her `Creed' CD and opened the box, revealing the silver disk inside. The blonde child was leaning over her to get a better look at what was in her lap, his hand on her shoulder for balance.
"They're called CDs, Baby." She told him. At his adorable, confused expression she tried to explain. "It stands for Compact Disk." Looking up at Anastasia, she held her hand out, which the girl instantly filled with the CD player. Demonstrating, Buffy took the CD out of its case, placed it in the player and shut the lid with a snap.
She looked up at the five royals around her, trying to figure out who was going to go first. They all saw her intention and grinned. "Alexei, do you want to go first?" Olga asked her younger brother. The boy's blue eyes lit up like a Christmas tree, nodding silently, his eyes still glued on the Discman.
Smiling reassuringly at the young heir, Buffy carefully got the earplugs out of her bag, plugged them in and tried to straighten the knots out of the long, black cord. When she was finished, she picked up both earplugs in either hand and turned to the boy beside her, who was now looking considerably nervous, thinking maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.
Everyone was watching as Buffy leaned over and attached the earplugs in Alexei's ears, the said subject wiggling the whole time. When Buffy laughed, he shot her a baffled grin. "It tickles!"
When they were finally in, she leaned back and looked at him, making sure they were in right, before turning back to the grey machine in her lap. "Right." She muttered to herself. "What song..." She racked her brain, trying to think of what song would be easiest to listen to. When she had decided she pushed the `On' button, the girls frowning when they saw the black numbers the appeared on the small screen.
Pushing the `Skip' button until she came to the one she wanted, Buffy also remembered to turn the volume right down until it could barely be heard. She didn't want to blow the poor boy's eardrums. "Ready?" she asked Alexei, who hesitantly nodded his head.
Pushing `Play', Buffy watched Alexei's face closely; smiling when his blue eyes suddenly opened wide a few seconds later, his eyebrows almost hitting the roof. His hands instantly flew up to his ears, hovering beside the earplugs as he breathed out in amazement.
The boy turned to his sisters, all who had their eyes glued on their brother's face intently. "I can hear the music in my ears!" he cried excitedly. "Turn it up, Buffy!" he told her absently.
Now the Slayer looked surprised. How had he realised you could turn up the volume? She hadn't said anything when she had turned it down. Putting it down to the fact that he must have been watching her do it, she shrugged and turned the volume up a little higher.
Now the boy just laughed in delight. Looking at the Slayer, his brilliant, sea-blue eyes shining, he asked, "Can I listen to another one?"
She shrugged again. "Sure."
And that was how they spent the next half an hour, each of the children going through a mixture of the four CD's that she had with her, each deciding their favourites. Alexei stayed faithfully devoted to the `Creed' CD, although he loved her `Robbie William's' one. Marie and Anastasia decided instantly that they adored `Destiny's Child' while the two eldest girl's surprised Buffy by liking her `Ricky Martian' CD.
They only stopped when Buffy sadly informed them that the Batteries would one day run out. Since they didn't have a plug that would take her charger, she knew she wouldn't be able to play it ever again when they finally did run out. But that still didn't stop them discussing the music. In fact, they were so engrossed in their conversations that everyone failed to notice the door open and a head poke in.
Alexandra's eyebrows rose in bewilderment as she took in the scene before her. "What in the world is going on in here?" she asked, all sound cutting off instantly when they heard her voice.
They all smiled. "Buffy was showing us some of the things she brought from America." Marie told her mother casually.
"Really?" Alexandra asked the Slayer, who nodded in response. "Well, my darlings, that will have to wait. Your father is waiting for you in the dining room. Have you all completely forgotten you haven't had any breakfast?"
The children all looked at each other blankly. Indeed, they had forgotten to have breakfast. Only when Anastasia's tummy obediently grumbled did they all smile. "I'm hungry." The girl informed them all bluntly, getting up from the bed and heading over to her mother.
Tatiana laughed. "Your always hungry."
And with that, they all filed out of the room, ready to start another day.
***
"This really was a good idea." Nicholas informed them all, stretching out on his sun chair, letting the sun hit his calm face.
"Since it was mine, I accept the compliment, dear brother." Olga Alexandrovna answered him dryly. She had surprised them all by calling unannounced for breakfast this morning, even if she was horrified at the late hour they were having it.
"And so you should." He chuckled. "Who would have thought the weather was going to be so fine today that we could eat breakfast outside on the deck?" And that was were they were. Out side on the bottom floor balcony, surrounding a large outdoor table that seemed to be bolted to the floor. They were all stretched out in chairs, letting their bodies be warmed by the sun, although all the girls had hats on to protect their skin, Buffy included.
No one bothered answering Nicholas in words, although Alix murmured a reply for her husband. Everyone was doing something to keep them busy, for Alexandra hated to see people with empty hands. Anastasia and Alexei were playing a board game while they both sat on neighbouring seats. Both Olga's were sowing while Tatiana tried to teach Buffy how to cross-stitch. Needless to say, she wasn't getting very far.
Nicholas, on the other hand, was sorting through a pile of papers that were on his lap. Buffy had eyed it warily earlier; the pile had looked far too big to her. They were all content, engrossed at what they were doing. Then Nicholas suddenly spoke.
"Remember we have the Ball on Friday, everyone." They all looked at him in surprise, having completely forgotten about any ball. He looked at them blankly then gave a tolerant smile. "Don't tell me you all forgot!" He sighed dramatically. "For the Marquis de Villasinda." He said, trying to refresh their memories. They had the good grace to look bashful, as they still didn't know what he was talking about.
Nicholas tried again. "The Spanish ambassador?" His brown eyebrows were raised, as if he expected this to jog their memories.
He laughed when they all suddenly went "Oh!". All that is, except Buffy, who still didn't have a clue what the Tsar was talking about. Looking around, she saw everyone start to talk about the upcoming ball. Leaning over to Olga Alexandrovna, who was on her other side, she whispered,
"There's gonna be a ball?" she asked. The Aunt looked across at the Slayer as if she had suddenly remembered she was there.
"Good Gracious!" she cried, putting her hand on her heart. "I had completely forgotten about you, my dear." Buffy frowned, not knowing if that was a compliment or not. Giving the Slayer her full attention, Olga pulled her hat up higher on her head, allowing her to see all of Buffy's face.
"Yes, Buffy, there most certainly will be." She snorted in a very un-lady like manner. "A great many, I dear say." Seeing the smile that was starting to form on the Slayer's lips, Olga grinned back at her. "Am I to take it that you like balls?"
Not about to tell her that she had never been to a ball in her life...well, not if you don't count the prom, Buffy just nodded. "Ahh, yes?" hoping that was the right answer.
She saw it was when Olga clapped her hands in delight. "Well, you will most certainly enjoy this one, my dear. It's going to be wonderful!"
Buffy just stared at her. "I'm aloud to go?" she finally asked, stunned. Olga gave her a bewildered expression and swatted the Slayer on her arm.
"Of course you are aloud to go! Dear child, did you think we would lock you up in the house while we go and enjoy ourselves?" Not waiting for Buffy's answer, she leaned into the Slayer and whispered playfully. "And this ball is going to be even more exciting than the rest!" Seeing the Slayer's confused look, she explained. "For Alexandra will be attending!"
Olga shook her head sadly, while secretly the two woman looked over at Alix who had her eyes closed, her face peaceful. "It hasn't made her many friends, I dear say. People mistake it for pride, but that's just not that case." The pretty woman sighed. "She's just so shy! Public functions have never been her thing, poor woman."
Abruptly, she cheered up. "Alas, the whole family will be in attendance this time!" She screwed up her face playfully. "And all for Marquis de Villasinda, Pugh! I detest the man!" Buffy watched in amazement at all the expressions that flew over the Tsar's sister's face.
"And of course they will be fussing a lot over you, my dear." Olga told Buffy bluntly. She threw up her hands. "There will be questions everywhere! Everyone wanting to know where you came from! And when they find out you are America...ah!" She shook her head again, this time in annoyance. "I will get no peace, I can see it now."
She turned to the Slayer to see how she handled all she had heard, and was quite startled to see the frown on Buffy's face. Clucking her tongue, young woman patted Buffy on her knee reassuringly.
"Don't be afraid, darling. Some of them can be right vultures, I admit, but most of the nobility are rather nice, I assure you." She laughed as she said that, trying to lighten the Slayer's mood. But still Buffy frowned. No, Olga decided. She looks downright worried.
"It's not the nobility I'm worried about, Olga." Buffy told her in a quiet voice. "I can take care of myself, don't you worry."
Yes, Olga thought with a smile. You most certainly can. "Then whatever is the matter?"
Buffy bit her lip, wondering how much to reveal to the lovely woman. "It's just...I don't know if I should be seen out in public very much. Things could get very nasty if people start to talk."
Olga frowned. "Whatever do you mean by that?"
What was she suppose to tell her? That if people start asking questions or looking her up that they will find nothing? That she didn't really exist here? And what if someone took a photo of her and it ended up in a book somewhere, how was she suppose to explain that when she returned home? Buffy didn't like the way things were going, not one bit.
Turning her attention back to Olga, Buffy sighed. "It's just, wont they think its weird when they find out I'm staying with Nicholas, Alexandra and the children? I don't want to give them a bad name or anything." It wasn't a lie, not really, but Buffy still felt terrible saying it.
She's worried about us, Olga realised, touched deeply. Reaching over, she put both hands on the Slayer's shoulders and kissed her forehead gently. She smiled softly down at her. "They wouldn't dare." She told her simply. "Nicholas is allowed to have whomever he wishes staying in his house, just as they are."
Buffy still didn't look convinced. "I'm not much of a people person either. Is there going to be heaps of people there?" she asked warily.
Olga laughed. "Hundreds." She told her truthfully. Buffy winced, which Olga noticed. "Don't worry, Buffy. We'll look after you." Then she suddenly smiled brightly. "And you can meet my darling Nicolai! I've told him all about you, he's dying to meet you!"
Starting to feel a little better, Buffy realising that there wasn't much she could do about the attention. If she were going to be staying with the Romanov's then she would just have to get used to it, she told herself firmly. If anything happened because of it, well, she would just deal with it when the time came.
And anyway, she had her first Ball to be looking forward to!
January 16, 1915
The frozen leaves and twigs shattered beneath her pounding feet as the girl continued on her way through the outskirts of the forest. The sound of her breathing was all that could be heard, save for the early morning cries of the birds as they greeted the new day. In fact, the birds were strangely subdued this morning, as if they too, realised something was a tad off. Most were tracking with their beady eyes the bright figure that was at this very moment pushing her body to its limit as she tried to run away from her problems...literally.
It was not known if they too, thought it odd that the lone girl was running though the forest at this time in the morning. With their powerful eyesight and means of transport these birds must have seen a lot. But by their silence, it was concluded that they had never seen anything quite like this.
But these things were far from the Slayer's thoughts as she tried in vain to steady her breathing into a more sensible pattern. Looking around at her surroundings, Buffy wondered idly if she dared venture deeper into the forest. It was true, she was in unfamiliar territory and would probably end up getting lost, but at this moment, it sounded like an ideal situation for the Slayer.
She shook her blonde head slightly, telling herself to stop being so pitiful. What would Marie and the others say if she failed to return home in time for breakfast? They would be worried sick, she knew, especially since they had no idea were she was.
Her mind made up, Buffy turned just in time and started down what looked like a well-used path, looking up at the towering trees that blanketed the brightening sky from her eager gaze. The forest around her was dense, the trees pushing towards her in a comforting way. The Slayer welcomed the feeling as she sped up her pace, zooming through freezing wilderness.
She knew that if anyone were to come across her now they would be horrified. In fact they would probably be amazed that she had not frozen to death. Buffy had known the instant she looked out her bedroom window early that morning that there had been a fresh falling of snow the night before. But that still hadn't stopped the Slayer from carrying out her crazy idea. She had decided to start running in the mornings, and by god, she would. No one would stop her.
That thought brought a ghost of a smile to the pretty girl's lips. She could just imagine one of her new found family trying to sway her mind.
When the Slayer found herself leaving the forest suddenly by coming out in a clearing she finally stopped, her hands grasping her knees as she sucked in as much air as she could. Her head was slightly dizzy as she finally raised her eyes, scanning her surroundings as she tried to find her way back to the Alexander Palace.
Everything she could see was white.
Snow was in the treetops, making them look like strange ice creams, and on the grassy plains that made up the Alexander Park of Tsarskoe Selo. Even the artificial lake that Buffy could just make out through the trees was frozen, white dust sprinkled on the top.
In all the things she had seen during her life in America, most of which was greatly modern compared to this, she knew that she had never seen anything quite like Tsarskoe Selo. It was like a magickal and hauntingly magnificent story from a fairytale, like another little world in itself, never to be seen anywhere else in the world. Even with the snow that pressed everything in closer to the earth, Buffy could see in her mind just what the grounds would look like come spring. She could imagine in those short months as the sun moves so much slower across the sky how every flower known to man would suddenly burst forth in a ray of colour that no one could ever hope to imagine if they hadn't experienced life in Russia. This little world would seem to explode suddenly with life. There were so few places on Earth, which Buffy knew, that treasured life like Tsarskoe Selo.
And as she slowly started to walk down the worn path, her feet crunching on the gravel that would lead her back to the front entrance of the Alexander Palace, Buffy had no idea that it would be this frozen yet elegant land, that was the lifeblood of the Imperial Court, that would unknowing help her distract herself from the pressures of her everyday life, just as it had been serving the Romanov family for over 300 years with the exact same task, helping their Majesties to relax as much as they could from the realities of the Throne.
The striking blonde was silent as she made her way through the trees, shielding her eyes when a burst of early morning sunshine broke through the large shrubs that were parallel to the path, allowing the impressive, creamy pillars of the palace to be viewed. Joining up with the main driveway, Buffy walked around a huge fountain that was out the front of the doors, watching as the grey figures in the centre spurted water out through their mouths.
Even at this time in the morning there were people out around the palace, servants and such. She ignored them for the best part, keeping her eyes down as she quickened her pace to jog up the many main steps, mentally scolding herself for staying so long out. She had originally intended to be back inside (and back in bed she admit) by the time anyone in the household had risen. She knew people where staring at her, obviously wondering a great number of questions. What in the world she was doing out so early was probably the foremost on everyone's minds, but also, what she was doing in the clothes she was wearing. (She had managed to snag a pair of pants as she walked past one of the many laundry rooms).
Just when she could feel her tolerance snap bad enough to almost make her turn around and snarl at someone to mind their own business, the huge wooden doors at the centre of the porch were suddenly pushed open wide, allowing the large bulk of a man to be seen on the threshold. As he scanned the courtyard, Folkine caught sight of her walking up the steps in front of him and his large, kind brown eyes flew open in surprise.
The Romanov's servant released the doors suddenly as he hurried to meet the Slayer just as she reached the last few steps. He instantly took her by the arm, guiding her up the remainder of the way, causing Buffy to bite the inside of her mouth in annoyance. But instead she raised her eyes and greeted the man with a hesitant smile, a tad bit confused as to why he was greeting her in such an informal manner.
"Miss!" the round old man cried in his thick, accented voice. But Buffy was more startled to discover that he spoke in halted English. Quite bad English, granted, but English all the same. His dark eyes smiling with great pleasure as he led her though the large doors, not bothering to turn and shut them - Buffy only guessing that there were doormen on duty - and into the warmness of the palace.
"V'e not sure what `ad happen to you, Miss." Folkine told her slowly, trying not to get muddled over the strange words. The Slayer was touched that he would even bother and try to communicate with her at all; even though she didn't know how he was aware what language she spoke.
Not aware in the slightest of her confusion, the dark haired bear of a man continued to yap away happily as he steered her through a maze of deserted hallways, most of them still dark as the sunlight had not reached them yet. "Karina said you up v'alking...but Folkine want see for self." He added shyly, looking down at her from his great height.
That was at the precise moment when they were walking past a window looking out into the forest. There was a little side table below it with a pretty bunch of flowers sitting snugly in a stained glass vase. As he finished the Slayer stopped abruptly, causing Folkine to mimic her actions in surprise. Tilting her head slightly, she was smiling uncertainly as she spoke to him.
"I'm terribly sorry, sir." She began, not wanting to insult the lovely old man. "But have we met?"
Folkine's eyebrows shot up and he stared at her in bewilderment. Then, just as Buffy had opened her mouth to hastily apologise, the man tilted back his head and roared with laughter, causing the Slayer to startle and look around them nervously. She wasn't even sure if laughing was allowed in this part of the house.
He laid a hand of her arm gently, making her eyes fly back to meet his quickly. "Folkine help you, Miss." He told Buffy gently, still smiling. Seeing she was still slightly confused he elaborated. "With Marie Nicholaievna...in snow."
"Oh!" Buffy cried, grasping what he was getting to at instantly. "That was you?" she asked, stunned, one hand brought up to cover her mouth. "I thought there was someone else, but then when I woke up there was only Alix and the girls, but...Oh, thank you SO much!"
Taking the round old man completely by surprise, she reached up on tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his thick, shaggy neck and gave him a quick kiss of gratitude on his check, smelling a mixture of soap and whiskey on his person.
Leaning back, she saw his open jaw and stunned face and giggled, not able to stop herself.
"You saved my life, sir." She told him sincerely. "I'll never forget it."
Folkine blushed with pleasure, not quick enough to hide the fact as he turning his head away. "V'ell, couldn't let freeze, no?" he told her gruffly, but he was smiling behind his thick black moustache as they continued walking. She glanced up at his face slightly as they came to the grand staircase, as the strangest feeling came over her, like she suddenly knew that she had won this old man's silent approval; and made a valiant and fiercely loyal friend for life.
And he hadn't even seemed to notice her clothes.
She had just opened her mouth to thank Folkine for helping her find her way when she saw his body go instantly stiff to attention, his back straight. Frowning at his strange behaviour she turned and her eyes flew up the stairs to see what had caused the change in his demeanour, only to raise her eyebrows when she saw a lean, fresh figure come casually walking down the stairs in front of them, his nose buried in a newspaper.
He didn't even notice them stand there until he was on the last step where he suddenly stiffened, one foot in mid flight. Buffy watched, fascinated as more and more of the man's high, light brown forehead came into view...then finally his soft, brilliant blue eyes, which locked with hers.
Nicholas' hands slackened and the paper slipped onto the floor.
"Buffy!" he started, still staring at her in bewildered surprise. "What on earth are you doing out here? ..." She noticed the corners of his mouth quirk upwards as he spoke next. "And what in the *world* are you wearing?"
The Slayer blushed and heard Folkine gasp as he finally looked down at her and saw the pants and white blouse she was wearing. The old man sputtered, caught between reaching down and picking up his master's paper and expressing his innocence at what she had on. Nicholas solved the problem for him by casually bending his knees gracefully and picking up his own paper with one hand, not taking his smiling eyes off the Slayer.
"Well?" he said, trying to sound firm, succeeding as far as to sound exactly like Giles did when he was trying to be cross with her.
She raised her eyes finally and in all honesty, told the truth. "I went for a run."
He coughed. "Excuse me?" the gentle Tsar asked, as if it was the strangest thing he had ever heard. "You went for a what? In this weather?" He caught himself just as he said that and frowned, shaking his head. "Buffy, my darling girl, you shouldn't be running in the first place."
She tilted her chin stubbornly, knowing that if she was going to win this one she was going to have to fight him on it, even if he was one of the most powerful men in the world. "Why not? I didn't go far, Nicholas, and I wasn't in the least bit cold."
Nicholas stared at her in such as stunned manner that she guessed that not many people, let alone females young enough to be one of his daughters, argued with him. But there was something that she spied in his eyes that gave her hope before it was quickly pushed side.... admiration.
"But, child, it's just not right." Nicholas had the strangest feeling that that defence wouldn't hold up well in her opinion. And he was right, for she just knitted her eyebrows together in annoyance and sighed. The Tsar couldn't believe they were even having this conversation. Really, what was he meant to say to something like that? He looked down at her flushed face, into her determined green eyes and decided that it couldn't really do anyone any harm. The grounds at Tsarskoe Selo were amazingly safe, no one would dare commit any type of crime there; so close to the Tsar's home.
But, Nicholas decided, there really was something unique about her eyes. "Subtle power" his younger sister had called it yesterday when she had told him of their meeting on the balcony. And he was inclined to believe her. Never had he seen such strong will in someone so young, male or female.
Shaking those disturbing thoughts from his mind, the Tsar put a kind smile of his face and reached down to pat the Slayer warmly on the top of her head. "I suppose there is no harm...." He paused, but seeing the instantly smug look on the blonde girl's face Nicholas felt a surge of wickedness as he proceeded to spoil her fun.
"...As long as you take either Derevenko or Nagorny with you." He looked very concerned as he informed her of the conditions. "If you insist on carrying out with this absurd idea of yours, I would hate to be back here in the palace, worrying over your fate."
The Tsar gave her a gentle smile. "I would like to be reassured that you were being protected."
Buffy thought it over. Having someone to run with could be fun, hell, it had to beat going on her own. And it would be a perfect opportunity to improve her Russian. "Sure." She told him casually. "Only, who are those people you were talking about? I don't think I've actually met them."
Nicholas grinned and started tapping the paper on his arm playfully. "Derevenko and Nagorny are Alexei's minders. We call them the "Sailor Nannies". He paused, cocking his head to the side thoughtfully. "Only don't let them hear you say that. Considering the fact that they are navy officers built like polar bears, I don't think they will think kindly at being thought of as babysitters."
Buffy laughed and nodded her head. "I'll try and remember that."
Nicholas had a wide smile on his face as he turned slightly and pointed up the stairs. "And with that, my dear, I think you should head up stairs and get dressed for breakfast. The girls are waiting for you."
Ruffling the top of her head as he went, Nicholas was whistling under his breath as he headed into the dining room, Folkine on his heals. When she was alone in the room, the Slayer slowly brought her hand up and softly touched the top of her head where Nicholas had in confused wonder.
It just didn't make sense, she thought to herself. How can the man who would be responsible for millions of his countrymen's lives be so kind...so casual...so Normal? Buffy didn't know how he did it, have that many lives in his hands and still be remotely sane. Buffy knew if she had been in the same position she would have buckled under the pressure long ago. Russia was such a big a country to be ruled just by one man. Buffy wondered idly if there were any of the peasants living out in the country that even knew what Nicholas looked like.
With that thought in mind, Buffy silently headed up the huge stairs to the waiting Duchesses.
* * *
An hour later...
"Oh, the blue, Buffy! You must! Doesn't it look adorable on her, Tatia?"
With Olga Nicholaievna excited voice in her ears, the Slayer slowly walked over to the full-length mirror and examined herself critically, at the same time unconsciously smoothing her hands over the flowing material of the light blue skirt she was wearing. Her head inclined to the side thoughtfully, she peered at her reflection, her brows married in a frown. Not turning from the mirror, she called over her shoulder at the two girls behind her, both who were being helped get ready for the day.
"Do you really think so? Are you sure it sits right over my hips?"
Tatiana's laugh sounded like bells around the room as she gracefully got up from the vanity seat where her maid had just finished putting her reddish brown hair up around her head and came over to the perplexed Slayer. Standing beside the slightly shorter girl, the grey-eyed Grand Duchess looked down at Buffy's skirt, making her own conclusion.
Feeling strangely nervous under her gaze, Buffy herself turned back to the mirror and stared in. The full-length skirt she wore was accompanied by white lace blouse with the typical long sleeves. Bringing an arm up to her eye level she peered at the delicate artwork she was wearing. For that's what it was, a piece of art. There were little hand sown violet flowers flowing up her arms and onto her chest, each paired with another set of pale yellow ones.
The wrists were flared slightly at the ends, and Buffy caught the reflection of the delicate diamond ring she wore on her finger. She had found it sitting wrapped in a tiny pink box on her pillow when she had entered her room this morning after her run. As she had opened it slowly, a small piece of rose scented paper had fallen out and fluttered to the floor. On bending to retrieve it, the blonde had read the loopy scrawls in surprise.
"Dearest Buffy,
Whenever we go and stay places with family we always receive gifts.
Consider this a welcome present of the warmest kind.
We each have one and decided that being the honorary sister that you are, you should have one too!
Lots of love,
OTMA."
Re-reading the note over in her head, Buffy couldn't help but smile. She had recognised Mashka's handwriting instantly and was deeply touched that they would go to the trouble. From what she had figured out herself over the past few days, the girl's only got a certain amount of pocket money for themselves a month, which strangely enough, was less than the Slayer's used to get. So she knew that if they wanted to buy something for someone, a gift and so forth, it would mean they would have to sacrifice something they wanted for themselves.
Back in the dressing room, Buffy admired the ring. The base looked like a plan gold band at first, before you suddenly realise that all the way round there was tiny diamonds imbedded, meeting up with the bigger stone on the top of her finger. Over all, it was an amazing piece of jewellery.
"I think all you need is that sash you bought on Saturday, Buffy." The sound of Tatiana's voice broke her train of thought and the blonde Slayer raised her head to meet the girl's starry-eyed gaze.
"The cream one?" she asked, catching on to what she was talking about. Looking at herself again, she mentally tied the sash around her waist to see what it would look like. Smiling, she nodded her head.
"I think your right." Buffy smiled up at the 18 year old. "You are so good at this, Tatiana. You could do wonder's with my wardrobe back home." She looked down at the floor and smiled ironically. "Willow would have a fit, but I was thinking about having a spring clean anyway."
The two Romanov's glanced at each other, Olga slowly making her way over, dismissing her maid as she went.
"I'll get the sash, Buffy." The eldest daughter said softly. She walked over to Buffy's wardrobe, which was a new addition to her and the younger girls bedroom, (the freestanding wooden wardrobe was sitting in the corner on the room, next to Anastasia's dressing table) and opened the large doors. Shifting though the masses of colour, all recently purchased on their shopping trip a few days ago, she pulled out the cream sash and closed the doors silently.
Tatiana looked down into Buffy's face, a worried frown edged on her elegant features. "Is she a friend?" she asked, not wanting to intrude, but feeling that their new friend needed to talk about it. When Buffy's eyebrows smoothed out and she started to smile warmly, a far away look in her eyes, Tatiana mentally gave herself a pat on the back.
"Yeah." Buffy admitted. She paused, and then whispered, "My best friend."
Olga walked over to them, tied the sash around Buffy's waist and put a comforting hand on the Slayer's shoulder. "I know that you said that you can not go home, and for whatever reason that may be, we respect you none the less, but it is from my personal experience not to give up any hope of seeing her again."
She turned Buffy's chin up with her finger and forced her to gaze into her pretty, honest face. It almost broke Buffy's heart to see the gentle, confident smile that lit up her face. "When you wish for something so badly, the fates would never let it not come true."
Taking a deep breath, Buffy nodded, quickly wiping the tears out of her eyes. It was just so hard, the thought of never seeing her friends again. And never to see Angel...to be able to say the things she had kept tucked inside her for far to long to his face...it was almost too much to bear. She missed her friends greatly, of course, but it was for Angel that her heart really cried out in anguish. It was almost as if her body recognised the feeling of being ripped from its mate and it screamed in longing, and almost in pain.
To think that he was back there in LA with Cordelia and Wesley and their other friends gave her the tiniest glimmer of reassurance. They would take care of Angel for her, that she knew. From what she had seen of the new Cordelia in the times she had visited LA to see them she knew that her former school friend was very protective of Angel, and wouldn't let anything hurt him unnecessarily.
He would grieve her in his own way, Buffy knew. She pitied the person from the Sunnydale gang who drew the short straw and had to call him...or would they do it that way at all? Come to think of it, she was certain that Willow would volunteer. She had always had a way of soothing people in distress, and Angel had never been an exception to the rule. She would break the news to him gently.
She wondered if they would find out what had truly happened to her at all, or just think her dead. She shook her head at the notion instantly. Of course they would research, they would until sleep finally came crashing through the doors to the Magic Shop and clamed them. Her friends had all been there when she disappeared, they had all seen her vanish, and Buffy severely hoped they had learned enough from her over the years not to take it lightly.
Some part of her wished that Whistler would just go to them and set their minds at ease.
"Buffy?"
The Slayer jerked her head up and saw both Olga and her sister looked at her in concern. "Are you alright?" Tatiana asked.
Buffy laughed dryly. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little spacey." She turned from the mirror abruptly, the subtle folds in her skirt swishing around her slender legs as she moved across the room.
They girls frowned at her strange speech, but accepted it none the less. Still watching her warily, Olga went over to Buffy's wardrobe and pulled out a matching day jacket for her blue skirt. Laying it on Buffy's bed, the girl explained, "If we go out anywhere, you will need this."
Buffy just nodded and gave her a grateful smile, no longer in the mood for clothes. But when the bedroom door was flung open and three figures walked in, Buffy once again found herself smiling. Marie and Anastasia she had expected, the two girls had been sitting with their mother in her famous Mauve Boudoir, but she was delighted to see Alexei walking between his older sisters.
"Good morning, Alexei." She greeted him warmly, and he gave her a kiss on the check when he reached her. Olga and Tatiana also greeted their brother, and then started to help the two younger girls pin up their hair. While they waited, Buffy and the 11-year-old heir sat on her bed and watched; laughing when Marie shrieked as Tatiana accidentally stabbed her in the head with a pin.
Looking around his sister's room, Alexei's eyes paused when he noticed a mass of green under Buffy's bed. Frowning, the boy rose from his spot and walked over to the bed, kneeling as he fished under the bed. Buffy saw his attention and grinned.
"Alexei, what are you doing?" she asked, her question catching the attention of the girls. They too, stopped what they were doing and watched curiously as their younger brother stood, eyeing the thing in his arms warily.
It was a backpack.
"Oh!" Buffy cried, recognising it instantly. She got up and raced over, delight filling her eyes. "Where did that come from?" she asked in amazement as the blonde boy quickly handed over the bag, still eying it with some concern. But it was Marie who answered, the girl coming over to them.
"You had it on you when Folkine and I found you." She explained. Then she shrugged. "We didn't know what to do with it and Mama thought you might like to keep it." Buffy looked at her with her eyebrows raised, a charming grin still on her face.
"We didn't open it." Marie added quickly, alarm in her magnificently large blue eyes. But the Slayer just laughed, heading over to the bed again and sitting down, the others all crowding around her, curiosity winning over manners. Alexei once again took a seat next to her, the boy obviously feeling a little proud of the fact that he had been the one to make Buffy so happy. Anastasia sat on her other side, the teenager wanting to see just as the others what was inside.
Knowing they were all watching, Buffy pulled the cords to open the bag and put a hand inside, fishing out the first thing her hand came in contact with. It was her CD player. Placing the small grey machine on her lap, the Slayer laughed happily. She had completely forgotten about her backpack. She knew she had been wearing it as she disappeared, but had later come to the conclusion that she had lost it in the snow when coming out the other side, so to speak. Running her hands around the side, she pushed the tiny white button on the side and grinned when Anastasia gasped as the lid popped open.
"What is it, Buffy?" Olga asked, staring down at the small, circular device. Her sisters and brother where doing exactly the same. Buffy didn't answer them at first, only placed the CD player on Alexei's lap and once again dug around her backpack. When she drew her hands out they were filled with about four square, flat boxes, each with coloured pictures on the front.
"It's a CD player." She explained to the children. They looked at her blankly and Buffy sighed, trying again. "It play's music."
Understanding filled their eyes and the Slayer breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't know how far they were, technology wise, but was grateful that they had at least invented a way to play music. Anastasia looked stunned as she reached down and picked up the CD Player from Alexei, the top still open.
"Like a Phonograph?" she asked, turning it over to see the bottom. Feeling strangely guilty that she was introducing them to things she really shouldn't be, Buffy only nodded, watching the expressions of wonder and awe flitter all over Anastasia finely cut, oval face. The girl saw Buffy's answer and her eyebrows rose in surprise.
"How on earth do the records fit in side it? It's too small!" She looked like an excited child being taken to her first movie and asking how the people got so big up on the screen. Buffy only grinned, showing her white teeth.
"The things in those boxes go in there, don't they, Buffy?" A little voice beside her asked confidently and the Slayer turned and looked at Alexei. She followed his pointed finger and saw that he meant the CDs. Turning them so that he could see, she picked up her `Creed' CD and opened the box, revealing the silver disk inside. The blonde child was leaning over her to get a better look at what was in her lap, his hand on her shoulder for balance.
"They're called CDs, Baby." She told him. At his adorable, confused expression she tried to explain. "It stands for Compact Disk." Looking up at Anastasia, she held her hand out, which the girl instantly filled with the CD player. Demonstrating, Buffy took the CD out of its case, placed it in the player and shut the lid with a snap.
She looked up at the five royals around her, trying to figure out who was going to go first. They all saw her intention and grinned. "Alexei, do you want to go first?" Olga asked her younger brother. The boy's blue eyes lit up like a Christmas tree, nodding silently, his eyes still glued on the Discman.
Smiling reassuringly at the young heir, Buffy carefully got the earplugs out of her bag, plugged them in and tried to straighten the knots out of the long, black cord. When she was finished, she picked up both earplugs in either hand and turned to the boy beside her, who was now looking considerably nervous, thinking maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.
Everyone was watching as Buffy leaned over and attached the earplugs in Alexei's ears, the said subject wiggling the whole time. When Buffy laughed, he shot her a baffled grin. "It tickles!"
When they were finally in, she leaned back and looked at him, making sure they were in right, before turning back to the grey machine in her lap. "Right." She muttered to herself. "What song..." She racked her brain, trying to think of what song would be easiest to listen to. When she had decided she pushed the `On' button, the girls frowning when they saw the black numbers the appeared on the small screen.
Pushing the `Skip' button until she came to the one she wanted, Buffy also remembered to turn the volume right down until it could barely be heard. She didn't want to blow the poor boy's eardrums. "Ready?" she asked Alexei, who hesitantly nodded his head.
Pushing `Play', Buffy watched Alexei's face closely; smiling when his blue eyes suddenly opened wide a few seconds later, his eyebrows almost hitting the roof. His hands instantly flew up to his ears, hovering beside the earplugs as he breathed out in amazement.
The boy turned to his sisters, all who had their eyes glued on their brother's face intently. "I can hear the music in my ears!" he cried excitedly. "Turn it up, Buffy!" he told her absently.
Now the Slayer looked surprised. How had he realised you could turn up the volume? She hadn't said anything when she had turned it down. Putting it down to the fact that he must have been watching her do it, she shrugged and turned the volume up a little higher.
Now the boy just laughed in delight. Looking at the Slayer, his brilliant, sea-blue eyes shining, he asked, "Can I listen to another one?"
She shrugged again. "Sure."
And that was how they spent the next half an hour, each of the children going through a mixture of the four CD's that she had with her, each deciding their favourites. Alexei stayed faithfully devoted to the `Creed' CD, although he loved her `Robbie William's' one. Marie and Anastasia decided instantly that they adored `Destiny's Child' while the two eldest girl's surprised Buffy by liking her `Ricky Martian' CD.
They only stopped when Buffy sadly informed them that the Batteries would one day run out. Since they didn't have a plug that would take her charger, she knew she wouldn't be able to play it ever again when they finally did run out. But that still didn't stop them discussing the music. In fact, they were so engrossed in their conversations that everyone failed to notice the door open and a head poke in.
Alexandra's eyebrows rose in bewilderment as she took in the scene before her. "What in the world is going on in here?" she asked, all sound cutting off instantly when they heard her voice.
They all smiled. "Buffy was showing us some of the things she brought from America." Marie told her mother casually.
"Really?" Alexandra asked the Slayer, who nodded in response. "Well, my darlings, that will have to wait. Your father is waiting for you in the dining room. Have you all completely forgotten you haven't had any breakfast?"
The children all looked at each other blankly. Indeed, they had forgotten to have breakfast. Only when Anastasia's tummy obediently grumbled did they all smile. "I'm hungry." The girl informed them all bluntly, getting up from the bed and heading over to her mother.
Tatiana laughed. "Your always hungry."
And with that, they all filed out of the room, ready to start another day.
***
"This really was a good idea." Nicholas informed them all, stretching out on his sun chair, letting the sun hit his calm face.
"Since it was mine, I accept the compliment, dear brother." Olga Alexandrovna answered him dryly. She had surprised them all by calling unannounced for breakfast this morning, even if she was horrified at the late hour they were having it.
"And so you should." He chuckled. "Who would have thought the weather was going to be so fine today that we could eat breakfast outside on the deck?" And that was were they were. Out side on the bottom floor balcony, surrounding a large outdoor table that seemed to be bolted to the floor. They were all stretched out in chairs, letting their bodies be warmed by the sun, although all the girls had hats on to protect their skin, Buffy included.
No one bothered answering Nicholas in words, although Alix murmured a reply for her husband. Everyone was doing something to keep them busy, for Alexandra hated to see people with empty hands. Anastasia and Alexei were playing a board game while they both sat on neighbouring seats. Both Olga's were sowing while Tatiana tried to teach Buffy how to cross-stitch. Needless to say, she wasn't getting very far.
Nicholas, on the other hand, was sorting through a pile of papers that were on his lap. Buffy had eyed it warily earlier; the pile had looked far too big to her. They were all content, engrossed at what they were doing. Then Nicholas suddenly spoke.
"Remember we have the Ball on Friday, everyone." They all looked at him in surprise, having completely forgotten about any ball. He looked at them blankly then gave a tolerant smile. "Don't tell me you all forgot!" He sighed dramatically. "For the Marquis de Villasinda." He said, trying to refresh their memories. They had the good grace to look bashful, as they still didn't know what he was talking about.
Nicholas tried again. "The Spanish ambassador?" His brown eyebrows were raised, as if he expected this to jog their memories.
He laughed when they all suddenly went "Oh!". All that is, except Buffy, who still didn't have a clue what the Tsar was talking about. Looking around, she saw everyone start to talk about the upcoming ball. Leaning over to Olga Alexandrovna, who was on her other side, she whispered,
"There's gonna be a ball?" she asked. The Aunt looked across at the Slayer as if she had suddenly remembered she was there.
"Good Gracious!" she cried, putting her hand on her heart. "I had completely forgotten about you, my dear." Buffy frowned, not knowing if that was a compliment or not. Giving the Slayer her full attention, Olga pulled her hat up higher on her head, allowing her to see all of Buffy's face.
"Yes, Buffy, there most certainly will be." She snorted in a very un-lady like manner. "A great many, I dear say." Seeing the smile that was starting to form on the Slayer's lips, Olga grinned back at her. "Am I to take it that you like balls?"
Not about to tell her that she had never been to a ball in her life...well, not if you don't count the prom, Buffy just nodded. "Ahh, yes?" hoping that was the right answer.
She saw it was when Olga clapped her hands in delight. "Well, you will most certainly enjoy this one, my dear. It's going to be wonderful!"
Buffy just stared at her. "I'm aloud to go?" she finally asked, stunned. Olga gave her a bewildered expression and swatted the Slayer on her arm.
"Of course you are aloud to go! Dear child, did you think we would lock you up in the house while we go and enjoy ourselves?" Not waiting for Buffy's answer, she leaned into the Slayer and whispered playfully. "And this ball is going to be even more exciting than the rest!" Seeing the Slayer's confused look, she explained. "For Alexandra will be attending!"
Olga shook her head sadly, while secretly the two woman looked over at Alix who had her eyes closed, her face peaceful. "It hasn't made her many friends, I dear say. People mistake it for pride, but that's just not that case." The pretty woman sighed. "She's just so shy! Public functions have never been her thing, poor woman."
Abruptly, she cheered up. "Alas, the whole family will be in attendance this time!" She screwed up her face playfully. "And all for Marquis de Villasinda, Pugh! I detest the man!" Buffy watched in amazement at all the expressions that flew over the Tsar's sister's face.
"And of course they will be fussing a lot over you, my dear." Olga told Buffy bluntly. She threw up her hands. "There will be questions everywhere! Everyone wanting to know where you came from! And when they find out you are America...ah!" She shook her head again, this time in annoyance. "I will get no peace, I can see it now."
She turned to the Slayer to see how she handled all she had heard, and was quite startled to see the frown on Buffy's face. Clucking her tongue, young woman patted Buffy on her knee reassuringly.
"Don't be afraid, darling. Some of them can be right vultures, I admit, but most of the nobility are rather nice, I assure you." She laughed as she said that, trying to lighten the Slayer's mood. But still Buffy frowned. No, Olga decided. She looks downright worried.
"It's not the nobility I'm worried about, Olga." Buffy told her in a quiet voice. "I can take care of myself, don't you worry."
Yes, Olga thought with a smile. You most certainly can. "Then whatever is the matter?"
Buffy bit her lip, wondering how much to reveal to the lovely woman. "It's just...I don't know if I should be seen out in public very much. Things could get very nasty if people start to talk."
Olga frowned. "Whatever do you mean by that?"
What was she suppose to tell her? That if people start asking questions or looking her up that they will find nothing? That she didn't really exist here? And what if someone took a photo of her and it ended up in a book somewhere, how was she suppose to explain that when she returned home? Buffy didn't like the way things were going, not one bit.
Turning her attention back to Olga, Buffy sighed. "It's just, wont they think its weird when they find out I'm staying with Nicholas, Alexandra and the children? I don't want to give them a bad name or anything." It wasn't a lie, not really, but Buffy still felt terrible saying it.
She's worried about us, Olga realised, touched deeply. Reaching over, she put both hands on the Slayer's shoulders and kissed her forehead gently. She smiled softly down at her. "They wouldn't dare." She told her simply. "Nicholas is allowed to have whomever he wishes staying in his house, just as they are."
Buffy still didn't look convinced. "I'm not much of a people person either. Is there going to be heaps of people there?" she asked warily.
Olga laughed. "Hundreds." She told her truthfully. Buffy winced, which Olga noticed. "Don't worry, Buffy. We'll look after you." Then she suddenly smiled brightly. "And you can meet my darling Nicolai! I've told him all about you, he's dying to meet you!"
Starting to feel a little better, Buffy realising that there wasn't much she could do about the attention. If she were going to be staying with the Romanov's then she would just have to get used to it, she told herself firmly. If anything happened because of it, well, she would just deal with it when the time came.
And anyway, she had her first Ball to be looking forward to!