A Jar Of Glass
"I don't think you should give up on your family just yet."
For once, Natalia had been uncertain as to what to do. This uncertainty made her question whether to do what she was so used to doing or to try something new. She did not know what this new thing would be, too confused over the fact that she did not think she could continue to do everything that she had always tried to. To accomplish the one goal she had in life. Maybe it was time for a new goal?
Natalia did not know what other goals she could have. She thought about other goals that she had heard other people had, but none of them were her, so she could not utilize them as a starting point for herself. Leaving her dwindling thoughts on the matter clinging to what Eduard had said.
Don't give up on your family. Family. Not just Ivan. She thought about Katyusha for a bit before she considered Heidi's words about her own brother.
Family was confusing, now that Natalia really thought about it. It was something she had taken for granted up until now. Taken for granted as a challenge she had to accept and pass with flying colours to finally be involved in. Other people did not seem to go through the same thing though. Matthew just showed up and Alfred and Arthur accepted him as if he had always been there. Natalia was not certain if it was just a cultural difference which meant she had to do so much more to be accepted.
Or maybe that was not how it was supposed to be?
"Natalia!"
She stopped and turned toward the waving hand, not making any other acknowledgement of Toris until he had run up to her, box in hand. "Yes?"
"I..." he swallowed, holding out the box. "I did m-my best to fix it... it's not p-perfect, but h-h-here you are." He rose the box in his hands even higher. She considered her curiosity (which was usually close to nil) and the entire situation and finally decided to take it from him.
Glancing into the box, she saw the jar. Pieced and glued together, filled once more to the brim with all of the stars she had painstakingly made for her brother.
She felt very strange all of the sudden and there were no words to describe it, not even to herself. Blinking a few times, Natalia ran her fingers over the side of the glass. It was still smooth, except for the paint on top of it she had spent so much time on, but it was as if the cracks were not there. Which they were, of course, she could see them, but it felt like it was as she had held it last. Something warm was prickling at her eyes again.
So she tried to blink them away.
"I-I'm sorry I couldn't do any better," Toris was saying. Toris was very silly, Natalia realized. A very small smile came to her face.
"Thank you Toris."
Natalia leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek right before she turned and ran off, ignoring Toris' calls after her.
No. This jar was no longer going to Ivan. Natalia suddenly had in mind someone else of whom she would much rather give this present to. Someone who rather deserved this. After... after the other day. Her heart beat a little faster in anticipation.
Anticipation? Of giving a present to someone other than her brother? Was this really happening?
Natalia did not think too much more about it. It just felt right, so she was going to do it. Just like everything else she had ever done. She had always done what her instincts had told her to and she had yet to decide to try anything different.
Meanwhile...
"Natalia!"
"Toris? Vhy are you calling my sister?" Ivan asked. Toris blinked in surprise at the direction the younger Braginski had left in before turning toward Ivan.
"Because she... ran off?" he tried hesitantly.
Ivan did not buy that.
Neither did Toris. So he sighed and told his ex-boyfriend what had just happened.
Toris found himself wistful.
Ivan found himself very worried.
Notes:
Oh ho! To say it straight, Natalia did not know that Ivan was right there. If she did, she might not have been able to stop herself from going against her new thoughts and trying to give him the jar again. Natalia is beginning to think in a different way. She is obviously not cured. Erm, is cured even the right word? She has obviously not done a complete one eighty in character. I hope. If that is the case, my characterization would have to be considered as sucky. And that would suck.
