Comrades (Complete)

Learning

"Now Anya you have to learn to act like, eat and be a princesses."
"Ok I'm ready."
"Now. Take a deep breath. Close your eyes, and imagine another time, another world
You were born in a palace by the sea
A palace by the sea
Could it be?
Yes, it's so
You rode horseback when you were only three
Horseback riding? Me?
Horse's name?
Romeo
You threw tantrums and terrorized the cook!
Ha! How the palace shook!
Charming child
Wrote the book
But you'd behave when you father gave that look
Imagine how it was
Your long forgotten past
We've lots and lots to teach you and the time is going fast
Let's see you walk. Head up! Regal bearing!
Now, shoulders back and stand up tall
And do not walk, but try to float
I feel a little foolish
Am I floating?
Like a sinking boat!
You give a bow
What happens now?
Your hand receives a kiss!
Most of all remember this:
If I can learn to do it
You can learn to do it
Something in you knows it
There's nothing to it!
Follow in my footsteps
Shoe by shoe!
You can learn to do it too!
Now, elbows in and sit up straight
And do not slurp the stroganoff
The Samovar
The caviar
Dessert and then goodnight?
Not until you get this right!
If I can learn to do it
If he can learn to do it
You can learn to do it!
You can learn to do it
Pull yourself together
And you'll pull through it!
Tell yourself it's easy
And it's true!
You can learn to do it, too!
Who is your great-grandmother?
Queen Victoria
Great-great grandmother?
Uh--- Princess Victoria of Saxe-Colburg-Saalfeld
Your best friend is?
My little brother, Alexei
Wrong! Your best friend?
I know who my best friend is!
What a temper
I don't like being contradicted!
That makes two of us!
Continuing on...
I've had it, and I hate you both
I'm sorry that we ever met
I'm hungry, I'm frightened
And I'm only human, don't forget!
I don't remember anything
Get out and let me be!
Anya, darling, look at me
We're all frightened
Well, slightly, now and then
Shall we start again?
Take a breath, count to ten
You have courage
And strength you barely know
So blow that little nose
And dry those pretty eyes
A princess like your majesty
Can do this if she tries!
Ready?
Set
Go
Now here's your great Aunt Olga
How she frolicked on the Volga
Oh!
Your distant cousin Vanya loved his vodka
Got it, Anya?
No!
The Duke of Oldenburgh was short!
Louise of Boden
Had a--
Wart!
Count Sergei
Wore a feathered hat
I hear he's gotten very fat
And I recall his yellow cat!
I don't believe we told her that
If you can learn to do it
I can learn to do it!
He can learn to do it
You can learn to do it!
Pull yourself together
And we'll pull through it!
Tell yourself it's easy
And it's true
You can learn to do it
Nothing
You can learn to do it
The caviar, the stroganoff, the Samovar, the feathered hat, the cousin drank, the duke was short, here a wart and there a cat. The horse's name was Romeo, so tell me something new
Ha!
You can learn to do it, too!"

"Dimitri I think she's ready."