Part II

Author's Note:

Please enjoy this section. I had a lot of trouble deciding what to write about and dialogue writing is more difficult than I thought it would be but I tried my best. At this point Anya is recovering from frostbite and Dmytri, well.. you'll see. If you can, I would also appreciate a review, even if it is something minor. I read them all. Thanks.

Anya

As she lay in the bed laid out for her breathing shallowly, Anya wondered why she was there. She couldn't comprehend why she was lying on a bed when she had a whole world to explore, to discover, and to figure out its secrets. The last thing she remembered was looking into a little girl's face and the little girl's father running to her before she was enveloped by the snowy blizzard. And now here she was, laying on an unfamiliar, yet extremely comfortable bed. Puzzled, Anya tried to sit up but her body was still weak. She gritted her teeth and forced herself a little higher.

She was sitting in a semi bare room lit by two candles, a plain brown dresser and a closet. There was no window. Anya didn't remember making any noise upon awakening but she must have as she heard the platter of footsteps coming closer to where she was. 'Hmm,' she thought, 'this is good. I have a chance to thank these wonderful people for their generosity.' There was a timid knock on the door, followed by a woman voice, "Are you alright dearie? Awake? May I come in?" Anya nodded, then, realizing the woman couldn't see her called back, "Yes." The woman walked in and Anya observed her quietly. She noticed her bare worn shoes, the little lines on her face, her rough calloused hands, and lastly, her huge enthusiastic smile. Anya guessed she must be a mother. She looked like a mother ought to look, caring and open. The woman spoke again, "The good night's rest has done you well, dearie, and you've much improved since yesterday night when Richard and I brought you in."

"Thank you, m-" Anya caught herself, "What should I call you?"

The woman laughed, "My name's Elaine, but you can call me mother if you so wish. I don't mind. I have heard them all." She paused for a moment, "Your name?"

Anya briefly considered telling her that she was no one, just another orphan off the system, trying to make her way in the world but reconsidered quickly. This woman and her family saved her from frostbite after all. It was the least she could do. "I'm Anya, I… well, got lost you see, in the middle of that blizzard, and well, I wasn't prepared."

Elaine raised an eyebrow, "When Richard brought you in you were so blue that I wasn't even sure you would make it. But you're fine now dearie and you'll be up and yourself in a couple of hours."

"I don't want to be an inconvenience," began Anya, but Elaine cut in,

"Oh no dear don't worry you aren't an inconvenience. You can stay as long as you like. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to fetch your meal and the rest of my family." And she turned and left, closing the door behind her.

Anya looked a little startled at her abrupt departure and stared at the door for a few seconds. She attempted to sit up again, this time successfully. Elaine was right, she was feeling a lot better, considering. But I can't stay here, she thought, I have to find a way to express my gratitude but I can't stay.

Dmytri

"So, you'll do it?"

"Hold on, Dmytri, if I understand you correctly, you're proposing that I impersonate the "lost" princess? And if we succeed, I'll get a share of the profit?"

"Yes. 70-30 split."

"And since I'm doing most of the work, I'll take it that I receive the seventy percent."

"Actually, no. You're getting the thirty percent."

"Excuse me? Did I hear you correctly? Only 30 percent?" She scoffs, "you aren't the one that has to fool both the dowager queen and the rest of the world." She lights a cigarette and continues, "I want the sixty percent."

"Thirty." Dmytri's jaw sets. Natalie, earlier visibly relaxed and poised, now narrows her eyes. In a carefully measured tone she says, "Not even giving me the courtesy of negotiating my salary, Dmytri?"

Dmytri's face is blank, impassive. He doesn't say anything but merely stares back at her. When it is clear that he isn't going to answer, she tries once more, "Sixty then?"

"No." Dmytri says, with such finality that she knows he won't budge. She knows that it is hopeless to argue but tries once last time, "Fifty?"

"Thirty. I won't say it again. It is my only offer."

"Fine, no deal. You know, I thought I had you figured out. But I guess you can never tell when someone's greed will cloud their judgment." Her hands ball into fists but she releases them slowly and with great difficulty.

"And here I was, thinking you were such a saint, with a large family to take care of, so of course you should be selfless." She pauses, concentrating on her next words, "but you are no different from the rest, just greed and bones, the lot of you. Silly of me to have hoped otherwise."

Dmytri was prepared to hear her lash out in anger but not like this. Not this controlled fury and cold eyes, scrutinizing him like a bug under a microscope. He knows she is right but he can't back down. The money isn't actually for him but she doesn't know that. She mustn't know. It's better to take the verbal anger than go into any detail about his family's situation. Better for her to think him a greedy fool than actually be one.

"Can I just ask you one question?" Her voice is level once again, any trace of bitterness gone. Now her tone is inquisitive and probing.

"Uh sure." Dmytri answers uncertainly.

"Why did you come to ask me if you weren't willing to negotiate? Surely you knew the answer I was going to give? You didn't think I would say yes to that ridiculously low-cut of the profit?" Her tone is incredulous now, "What would have happened to me if we had pulled it off anyway? I would have had to live a lie for the rest of my life."

"But there are perks. All the wealth in the world, the-"

She cuts him off, sarcasm heavily hinting in her voice, "Oh yea, I forgot, MONEY. Because MONEY is going to solve everything isn't it? MONEY is going to help keep my parents quiet, to conveniently "forget" I exist."

"I.." Dmytri is speechless, fearing that if he says anything else, she might bury him into a deeper hole that he placed himself into, to being with.

"You know what? I don't want to talk about this anymore. I think I've made my point." She collects her belongings and struts out, indignation pouring out of her demeanor.

"How'd it go then? She said yes right? She'll do it?" Vladmir looked so hopeful that Dmytri didn't have the heart to contradict him at that moment.