─•~:~•─

'Why is it so bloody cold here?' Repulse shivered as she sailed just behind Hood.

Even Hood drew her cape closer in, 'It normally is rather chilly, but even this is a bit uncomfortable. Hopefully, Avrora will have a nice fire for us. We're just around the corner from the port, dear Cousin. Try to look sharp.'

As the Squadron rounded the Cape, they found only a single little destroyer waiting for them, standing about and wearing a white Ushanka.

The Destroyer nodded and said, 'Pryvet.'

Hood bowed in her elegance, despite the cold weather, 'Greetings my little friend. On behalf of Her Majesty, the Royal Navy is pleased to be welcome again to the home of our friends and allies of the Northern Parliament. Might I know with whom I have the honour of speaking?'

'I am Grozny. Why you come to Arkhangelsk?' she asked, sipping her brown leather canteen.

Surprised, Hood replied, 'We were invited here of course, by Lady Avrora.'

Grozny shrugged, 'She not tell me. You want Vodka?'

Still freezing, Repulse sailed up, 'Will it make me warmer?! It's too bloody cold up here!'

Grozny nodded and handed over her canteen. Repulse took a long swig but suddenly broke out in a massive fit of coughing.

'Good God!' she shouted, 'What is this vile poison?!'

Grozny looked offended, 'Is best vodka from home! Maybe you not so tough, Ms Big Battlecruiser. Little Destroyer like me drink vodka every day.'

'Why I'll show you tough, you little-'Repulse started to say, but Dauntless quickly grasped her and stopped Repulse from loading her guns.

Sensing the tension, Adelaide sailed forward and took the canteen, 'I ain't bothered by no little vodka. We got us some rotgut back home that'd shine the chrome off your anchors. Lemme have a swig of this stuff!'

Adelaide took a long sip, but also broke out in a coughing fit, 'Crikey! This is bloody poison it is! How do you even make this stuff?!'

Grozny was now amused, 'Is simple. You take potato, little water, sugar and wood pulp. You put in still, make fire, and wait three days. Then you drink from a barrel.'

Hood sighed, and instead took the canteen, 'Must I do everything myself?'

Hood leaned back, fully drained the canteen, and tossed it back to Grozny. When she spoke again, she was far less elegant and instead sounded like she had returned home to Clydebank.

'D'ye call that a drink, lassie?' she asked, 'I dinna think ye should call that a drink. I've had stiffer kinks inna neck. Let's have another then ya wee lill trollop!'

Grozny was now smiling, 'ypa! I like you, Ms Hood, you drink well! I give you more vodka!'

As Grozny reached into her pack for another canteen, another Destroyer joined the group. With her long purple hair and wide bunny coat, she looked much more Sargdenign than Northern Parliament in nature.

'Grozny, why are you making such a big racket out here?' she asked.

Grozny pointed at the Squadron, 'We have new friends come to visit. They not like vodka, but Ms Hood drink better. You say hi.'

The purple haired smiled and waved at the Squadron, 'Ypa! I love new friends! I am Tashkent. I was built in Tripoli but sent here instead. It's been a long time since I met friends from Eurvpa!'

Repulse smiled at Tashkent, 'Hello! I am the Battlecruiser Repulse. I think we were invited here by Lady Avrora, but we seem to have arrived too early.'

Tashkent shook her head, 'No, you're on time. Avrora was having trouble starting her engines. She's a bit old, so these things happen. She should be along soon.'

Hood drained a second canteen and spoke up, 'Ack, if wasn't sa cald, I'd be alright with waitin wee Trashcan. I dinnea think to be standin in port all bloody day! Gimmie another draught o' dis poison ya wee lil scamp!'

Tashkent blinked, 'Is she drunk?'

Repulse also blinked, 'Yes, I think she is. This is strange, and I've not seen Hood when she was drunk.'

Hood stumbled briefly but raised the canteen high, 'Drunk?! I'm not drunk. I's a Lady o' the Royal Navy. I dinnae think I'd be drunk. Dontcha be all shifey on me na Repulse. I'll give ya proper whackin, I will!'

Dauntless sighed, 'Yes, it would appear Lady Hood is thoroughly drunk. Oh, but look there!'

Dauntless pointed to the harbour as Avrora, at last, sailed forth. She was moving slower than expected, but her casemated guns shined brightly with a fresh coat of paint as she gripped her Ushanka.

'PrasTEE!' she shouted, 'The Manjuus ran out of coal, so I couldn't start my engines! Are you all alright?'

Hood suddenly sailed right up to Avrora and seized her in a hug, 'Avrora! Ya, look so lovely with yer lil wee boots. Yer just the prettiest cruiser ina North! I waited to meet ya for a dogs age! Ye never came ta visit when I was built!'

Avrora smiled, 'Ypa! I looked forward to meeting you, Lady Hood. Come, we have bears to wrestle and fresh borscht.'

The Squadron sailed into the harbour while Grozny slipped Hood yet another flask.

Suddenly, Hood started singing, 'O flower of Scotland, when will we see, your like again….'