ACT 4 - Making Our Way

chapter 4

My dad decided to take the first flight to Moscow. And that's at 5:30 AM. (-___-)

"Gwaaah!!!" I yawned, not observing any manners of a woman who needs to cover her mouth.
We were packing our stuff and putting them into the car. Well, the maids were doing it, and I was standing near the car, waiting for my dad who was still busy searching for the tickets inside his backpack.

"Cover it, dear," my mom said. Yeap. She's not coming with us. (=___=) This is so unfortunate. Just because my dad's the son, it doesn't mean mom couldn't come too, but my dad was insisting she did not go, so she won't. I can't believe it.

"Mom, why can't you come?!" I questioned, protesting about her not coming with us.

 She just had to come! If not, we wouldn't be a complete family and she wouldn't be able to face that other woman!

"This is your father's business, dear... And you know what?" She came close to my ear and whispered, "To be honest with you, dear, I have known THAT for a long time..." I heard her giggle.

"WHAT?!" I faced her, shocked. "Why didn't you tell me anything?"

She locked my lips with her finger. "That doesn't matter now, dear," she said. "It's all in the past! Now you better go or you might miss the flight." She hugged me, and wished me good luck. After that, my dad and I headed to the airport to fly for Russia.

Good bye, my wonderful city... I'll miss you so much!

Mom, Aunt Stroganov, I'll miss everyone!! (>___<)

+---000---+

Realizing what's in front of me, I clasped onto the sleeves of my letterman jacket and tightened my grip on them. Not only was the climate freezing, the sight of this huge gate was creeping me out!!! (@A@)

When my dad and I approached the entrance to my grandmother's mansion, I couldn't help but hold my breath as I took in its magnificence:
The really huge and wide gate protecting the home was set up on columns and topped with small roofs with drains. The gate roofs were decorated with all kinds of carved wooden turrets and crests, and crosses were fastened under the outer side of the roof.

I couldn't help but stare... These types of decorated gates demonstrate the wealth of the house owner, and gob, my grandmother really is rich!

"Vera, let's go in," my father called me. I didn't realize he was already at the door, waiting for me, so I ran to him, or so I thought I did.

"Dad, was this the place you lived in when you were a child?" I asked him, looking around the front yard.

Marble statues stood tall and mighty by the entrance and I couldn't seem to take my eyes from the brilliant details on them.

"Yes, this's the place. But don't let it get into you, Vera," he laughed.

"What? Why not?" I might inherit this mansion, ya know, dad. That's why I better get used to it!

"Because you're here for the competition and you might get distracted," he replied. I raised a brow and took a longer look at what I was in front of.

"Tch, I don't get distracted by things like these, you should know already, dad..." I rubbed my hands together and showed my tongue.

"Oh really? Then why are you standing there when we're going in?" When he said that, things just like came to me.

This made me question. "What?" I snapped out of it and I realized that I was actually looking at the statue of Tsar Nicolas. DAMN! I didn't notice my dad was already far away from me. I ran again to him and slapped my face. "I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!" I got distracted the first time we came! (O__O)

We then proceeded to the graceful front door, accented by artfully designed glass panels and a transom, opens to an interior that glows with the rich tones that were very popular in the Victorian Era. Wait... "Victorian"? She's got an English touch?!

Deep red carpeting made a loyal look in the foyer. A multi-colored rug covered the hardwood floor in the lounge at the left; the vivid red that dominated the rug was echoed throughout the room by the furnitures and other decorative accents. Cream-colored curtains offered an interesting contrast, while the gold accents found in the lamps and the framed mirror over the fireplace provided a sense of refinement.

The well-favored guide left my dad and I at the lounge, saying, "Please wait here. The headmistress will be coming in a while."

"Ah- thank you..." I sat on a soft chair and dropped my large bag on the floor. I carried my rifles all the way here ya know. I was permitted in the airport to do so, nyahaha. xD

+---000---+

Minutes passed by, and my grandmother still wasn't here.

"Dad, what's taking her so long?" I asked my dad who's smoking at the window. "And you're still smoking?!" Tsk, he's still smoking? I had warned him before when he smoked again after a decade that he should stop or I was going to shoot him for that. All along he was actually hiding from me, sending me to private military companies to do some shooting and paying me a lot just to not see my face see his face smoke.

He was still smoking. Damn it. I shouldn't have followed his requests. "She'll be here, be patient." 

"Oh I'm here alright." A different voice said. We looked at the person standing at the door. It's her! Oh my gothic! Wearing a dark blue Victorian dress and a black bonnet, I stared at my grandmother for a full 10 seconds. Her blonde hair was in a bun, her hands were together at the front with one arm carrying a small purse, and shoes matching the color of the bonnet. She's a little bit taller than me, but she looked no older than a 60 year-old woman! She's amazing! (^_^)

She scanned me from head to toe while I stared at her. I hope I'm not too petty. Can't she even smile just a little bit? She's looking at her grown-up granddaughter for crying out loud! She'd better be happy!

"Hmph, she's become more beautiful than I expected," she said. I blushed. First complement she makes: beauty. I lowered my head to stay modest and gave a little thanks to her. "Is this my grandchild... Vera?" She asked.

Wow, she actually didn't know that? My dad gave her a gentle hug and told her that I was. He took my hand and pulled me towards them, for grandma to be able to talk to me more.

"Ah- I'm 22 now... grandma." I smiled at her. She looked really kind.

" Я ждал тебя. �'ера." (I've been waiting for you, Vera.) She returned my smile. (^_^) I was left hanging at her speaking in Russian. I was a little bit surprised, but I understood what she said. I just wasn't used to that kind of presence.

The maid escorting her whispered something to her, and she nodded. "I have prepared lunch for the whole family. My grandson isn't here yet, so let's just consume our time together for a while, shall we?"

I nodded. "If it's okay with you..." I muttered.

She gently patted my head and said, "Let's go."

+---000---+



The 4 of us went to the dining room located across the lounge.

When we entered the room, boy was I stunned. As I looked to the left, I saw delicate glasswares and chairs with a charming, old-fashioned flair that ornament the wet bar in the great room. On my right, the thoroughly modern kitchen boasted an island work area which had a striking red oak flooring. At the center was a long rectangular wooden table covered in deep blue tablecloth, and had an arranged flower centerpiece on top.

Wow... Is she sure we can eat here? It looks really executive to me...

My grandmother sat at the head of the table, then she motioned her hand to signal us to follow. "You may sit wherever you like." My dad sat on the right side, while I sat across him, near my grandmother. A few maids delivered and served us our food, which were all placed on expensive silverware and fancy China cups.

"Please, enjoy." The maids bowed to us and proceeded to leave the room.

While I was picking up food from the huge plate, I noticed something different about the dishes.

Wait a minute... These aren't the usual stuff we have back at home! What are these?!

"What is this soup called, grandma?" I asked, looking at the white Chinaware containing green and white liquid stuff.

"That is called Okroshka, my dear. It is a cold soup based on sour milk. My special ingredients there are the beef and vegetables like turnips, rutabagas and green onions," she explained. I've never heard of it before.

"Ah-..." I nodded even though I didn't really comprehend what she just said.

"These are traditional Russian cuisine, my dear," she added. Traditional...

"Russian cuisine?" Yeah, well, I've been to Russia several times because I work for its government, but I don't really get to eat these kinds of food during my stay. Usually I go for the modern European cuisine or Asian style instead of traditional Russian ones.

I proceeded to eat my main dish, which drastically made me choke, fall from my chair, and puke what I ate on the floor! Oh good gob!

"VERA, ARE YOU OKAY?!" It was dad who surely panicked the most.

"Dearest, what's happened?"

After coughing millions of particles in the air, I began to speak... (-___-) "Wha-what is this?!" Ugh, I can still taste the liver!Eating that large boiled piece of meat in a porridge made me puke it out because it tasted seriously DISGUSTING! I don't like eating these kinds of things!!! WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!

A maid approached me and gave me a glass of - what the heck is this again?!

"Tea... Russian Caravan, Lady Vera," she said. I accepted it and started drinking it. Well, at least this made me feel a little bit better. I went back to my seat and wiped my mouth with the embroidered handkerchief. This couldn't get any worse, right?

"Hahh..." I sighed. First day of my visit and this is what happens to me?! I couldn't really take in on the pressure, so I excused myself from them and went outside to the front porch to get some fresh air.



+---000---+



"This sucks," I uttered while I strolled down the path of the statues. I've got my favorite Barrett M107 sniper rifle hanging on my shoulder like a sling bag.
"Hahh..." I pointed it to a statue far away(with a few small trees and other statues disturbing my way, yehee...) and looked through the scope if I could reach for its left eye.
"Hmm..." I adjusted some parts until I got a clear vision of the statue's eye. I was about to shoot that statue, when a familiar voice popped out of nowhere and made me jump, graah!!! x(

"So you're a sniper, I see?" It's my grandma. "Your dad told me you've got good skills at it."

"Ah- yes, I am... I'm sorry I caused you trouble during the meal..." Gob, I still feel ashamed of myself.

"It's alright. I understand you're not used to it," she said. That's a relief. I apologized once again. She smiled. "You can shoot that statue if you want." She pointed out to where I was gonna shoot.

That surprised me, "What, really? I can?" I asked. Even without asking, still, I had the intention to shoot it.

"Only if you can guarantee that you'll be able to do it." She winked.

"OF COURSE!" I went back to the position I  had earlier, and when the vision was clear and the wind was calm, I pulled the trigger.

*BAM!* Bwahahaha!!! CLEAR SHOT! YES! Left eye taken! Nyahaha!!! xD xD

"That's very impressive!" My grandmother clapped her hands, "You've got talent, Vera."

"You're talking to one of the best snipers in the world, grandma." (^_^) I couldn't help but show my pride. Modesty, begone!

"As expected, you've inherited much of that side from me..." She giggled. This made me question. Was she a sniper before?

"Say, grandma... Do you know how to snipe too?"

"I did, with pistols back in the old days... But I was more on hand-to-hand combat," she said.

"I see..." This is so awesome! I can't wait to meet that older brother of mine! I'll show him the hell out of me!

Grandmother and I spent the whole afternoon at the front porch, with me demonstrating how to use rifles such as this into shooting at some statues. She remained calm and happy as she watched me make fun of the way I handled myself, and sometimes she'd even make jokes about herself when she was using pistols back in the old days. This old woman's really got some sense.



+---000---+



Dinnertime came, and my grandmother invited us once again to a family meal.

What's it gonna be right now, huh?

When the covered plates were opened, I just couldn't believe it... The green and white cold soups changed into colorful vegetable salads; disgusting large meat in porridge changed into steak with mint leaves on the side. WOAH! (*A*)

"I figured you'd puke again, dearest," my grandma said, "so I thought a change of meals, for your sake..." (^_^)
 I knew this woman's got some sense! I thanked her, then I began eating what's on my plate. And... Another surprise, she also transformed that Russian green tea into my favorite, Earl Grey!!! xD I can tell the tea from its scent. ;)

Sigh... I'm beginning to like this place, even if I still haven't discovered that many things, and also my grandmother... She said we had a lot in common, and that my sniping skills were very special. She complemented on my work a lot, and she didn't complain about the things that I destroyed or made trouble of. She's a really nice person, and I hope we'd get along well;  get to know more about each other, and I wish she'd tell me more about her plan for our inheritance.

What is this competition? What's gonna happen while we're at it? I wonder... (-____-)

QUOTE FOR MY NIGHT: NEVER BREAK A LEG, OTHERWISE IT'LL REALLY BREAK!

After eating dinner, I took a bath, and arranged my things in my room at the second floor. Who would've thought that my room would actually be very spacious? xD

Elegant arched windows, sheer, lacy curtains and the richly brown colored wall coverings created a vintage look in this bedroom. The king-sized bed, covered in plain white but soft blankets and plushy purple pillows, was very much arranged  from top to bottom, with a small black-laced cover on top(like a roof). Drawers were beside the bed, with a lamp and blank picture frames(I wonder why they didn't put anything in them). On my right, a stool and round box occupied the wide space. Just that(huhh...).

Well, I guess I better get going.

I unpacked my bags and pulled out my clothes and rifles and spread them on the floor.

I put my clothes on the drawers, arranging them according to the size and color. Next, I placed my rifles, their scopes,  and filled magazines into the cabinet on the right side of my bed, leaving my favorite .50 calibre sniper rifle on top of my drawer. If ever someone pops out in my sleep, I'LL KILL THEM!

The night ended with me sleeping hugging my rifle. I'm not obsessed! It's just that... I love them so much! BOO-YAH! Excited for tomorrow!

Good night mom, good night Aunt Stroganov... Good night everyone back home... I miss you so...