Before We Were Countries

Russia

Chapter 1

"Sister sister! May I go outside now?" I ask politely as my sister, Anastasiya, comes in from washing the clothing.

"Hm, I don't see why not my милая беспокоить!" She replies cheerfully as she begins to ring out the clothing. "Just make sure you come back by sun down or so, or mother will notice!"

I smile cheerfully as I make my way to the door to grab my coat. It's made of soft warm furs, and even has nice buttons! Mother bought it for me a while ago and would probable be angry if she caught me sneaking out in this today. But today she wasn't home. Instead she'd gone out with my father to get some supplies for cooking. Plus, this was my warmest jacket, and probably held one of my fondest memories; my mother grinning widely at me.

Closing the door behind me, I make my way outside just in time to hear my sister call out,"Make sure your home before supper, it looks like a storm will come."

I'd be home way earlier than that though, so no worries. This jacket was warm enough too, so even if I was caught in it I'd be fine.

Wandering around the woods aimlessly was one of my favourite past time perhaps. Sometimes мать would let me bring my drawing supplies outside here, and I'd have fun trying to draw all the snow settled on the branches. After all, there was nothing but snow around us. That and forest.

But in a way, it was calming in a sort of way. Quiet, undisturbed... Not like the bigger villages farther away. We lived there at one time, but I couldn't stand the lingering smell of vodka that always permeated the villager's clothing. Mother said it was something you have to be an adult to enjoy, but even sister says it's gross; I agree with her, it smells gross and probably tastes the same.

Soon enough, I was upon my destination. A grand lake stretched out in front of me. I am small in comparison to Father, but even he says it stretches out as far as the eyes can see. It's at it's best in Winter though, and looks like a giant mirror of sorts.

But today, a surprise awaited me on the lake. A few men, clad in rough looking furs with long beards were hitting at the eyes with pickaxes and other tools. My first instinct was to hide, but one of the kinder-looking once noticed me and smiled politely before motioning me over. I walked over slowly, careful not to trip on the ice and fall, maybe even ruin my coat. Finally, I reached the man who'd called me over.

"Hallo mal'chick." He says kindly. Some of the other men start to look over before another comes to stand next to the kind man.

"Hello..." I reply softly, smiling up at them.

"How young do'ya think he is Aleksey?"

"I'm 8!" I pipe up. I know it's ride to speak like that to adults, but I'm proud of how old I am. "But turning 9 tomorrow!"

"Ah nice. Is your mat' going to bake you some sweets?"

"Of course she is!" I announce proudly, causing some of them to laugh.

"Your almost the age to start working with us!" Another man says.

"Oh, come now, our jobs aren't that interesting to a young boy like him!"

"Come, would you like to try fishing with us? We're done making holes, so you could fish."

I smile before following after the kind man, Aleksey, who hands me a rod. I walk over to one of the holes to begin fishing.

"So what do you want to be when you get older?" The fisherman next to me asks.

He looks a bit more rugged than the rest, with weathered skin and a beard streaked with white.

"I will become the Tsar of this country!" I announce proudly, earning a chuckle from the older man.

"Oh course you will, of course you will!" He says with eager enthusiasm.

Before I'd realized, the sky had become a purple colour, and the man had started to pack up fishing gear into there little sacks. After that, they'd all sat around in a circle and started to talk, about friends and family.

"So Aleksey, how's your family at home?"

"They're fine Rovskey, thanks."

"Is your daughter of marrying age yet?" One of them prodded, earning an elbow from Aleksey.

"None of your business." They all laugh at that before taking out something from there jackets.

They pop open the silver flask and begin to drink it, and I recognize what it is before I can smell it. Vodka. Smells very strongly too.

I felt I should probably get going home now, with dinner time being soon, but would these guys ever come back here? Plus, there's no danger in staying too much longer right?

Aleksey is the only one who hasn't drunken, and gets up.

"Come now Ivan, shall we get you home?" The other men start to whoop loudly before yelling out to Aleksey," We'll meet you at one of the nearby villages!"

He nods quietly before tugging at my arm in the direction I came.

About half way there so notice something is wrong. Feeling a small draft, I look down to find one of my buttons gone. The buttons are engraved and beautiful, my mother would lose her head if I didn't return with it!

"Aleksey, I must head back! I've lost a button!"

"Do you know how to get home properly? I must leave now, so can you get safely back on your own?"

"Of course Aleksey!" I yell before dashing back in the direction we came.

He give a quick wave before heading in an opposite direction, to who knows where.

I dash through the snow quickly. About half way there the snow starts to pick up. When I arrive at the lake it's nearly completely white in all directions! How am I to get home? I best get the button and get out of here quickly. It didn't take too long to find thankfully, since it'd fallen off near the middle of the lake. I started to head back, but slipped up when a gust of wind hit me, and fell hard onto the ice. Growning, I slowly pick my self up and make my way back in the way I came...

That way right? Of was it backwards? I stare into the intense white wall that's coming at all sides. Slowly, I make my way back before noticing holes around me. We'd been fishing on the opposite side of the lake... I must head back that way. However, before I could another strong gust hit me, and I fell backwards...

Right into one of the holes.

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Translations:

Mal'chick: Pronounced as written, it means boy.

милая беспокоить: Sweet little bother.

Mat': Mother

Well, I'm writing a serious Fanfiction? Well this is a first. Russia's story might be a bit depressing, just warning you... :/

But keep reading!!