dim as an ember

Chapter Four: Berlin holds the key to your mind

The trip to Berlin was pleasant - as much as it could be in a train, but, honestly, it beat walking the entire way there. Or the horse, actually. And Yelena, seemingly, was getting better at dealing with it. She had only gotten sick three times!

Anastasia, meanwhile, threw herself in books, and Dimitri helped her even more. He told her a million and one facts about the Romanovs, like the uncle with a yellow cat and the aunt who wandered in the Volga. Dimitri, ever helpful, even showed her photographs - though they seemed odd, like someone had taken them away, from a distance. Spying stuff, Yelena politely guessed, and said nothing as she looked over the photos of Xenia and Olga Alexandrovna, Anastasia having abandoned them after a mere look.

Arriving in Berlin made Anastasia stop her frantic research. No, correction - it made her stop. Yelena, too, stopped watching Anastasia.

Berlin was a glittering city, a jewel in Europe, even after the war - mostly because of the war -, blinding with its scenario, like no war had ever gone through it, like nothing had ever happened. Yelena couldn't stop looking in all directions, feeling like the country bumpkin she was, as they traveled through the city to reach the Russian district of Charlottenburg.

It looked a bit like Leningrad, but it should be obvious why - it was a district made for and by rich Russians who had fled the revolution of the people, of course it would be like Leningrad -, and Anastasia, seemingly, was the one who could notice it the most.

Dimitri, apparently, noticed the way Anastasia looked around, as if recognizing it without truly seeing what was in front of her. He dumped them on a little hotel as soon as possible, muttering something about Olga Alexandrovna and funds or something or another before leaving to who knows where.

Anastasia lasted, perhaps, a whole thirty seconds in the room - whose window gave view to a grey building wall, only the barest hint of light coming in through it -, before turning to Yelena.

"Shall we go out and explore?" She asked, putting her hands on her hips, and it was a terrible, tempting idea.

Charlottenburg looked lovely, but it was a neighborhood whose entire population was, in its essence, exiled Russian royals. If any of them had been close enough to the Czar, they could, in theory, recognize Anastasia for who she was, and ruin the Soviet's plan.

In theory. In reality, what was the chance they'd cross paths with anyone who could recognize Anastasia instantly? Besides, it had been eight or more years since anyone had seen her up close. What could happen?

"Sure." Yelena replied and smiled a little. "But how about we put on some clean clothes, first? We did just spend a day or two in these, and we also traveled in them."

Anastasia blinked, surprise showing in her face for a moment, and Yelena laughed, for what felt like the first time in years, as the girl blushed.

"Come on, that was pretty!" Anastasia said, poking Yelena on the ribs, as they window-shopped through the Russian district. The concept was distracting, truth be told; Yelena had never seen so many things in windows, for sale, new and shiny. Everything seemed old and faded, back home, and here, all items were pretty.

Anastasia, meanwhile, seemed unfazed, like the entire concept wasn't a novelty to her. It wasn't, but it wasn't like she knew, right? Yelena smiled, bringing the girl closer to her, shoulders rubbing.

"It was, but Dimitri gave us just enough to buy food for a day or two, Anya." She replied, closing her eyes for a moment. "We can't just buy everything we see because it's pretty."

"We're not in Leningrad, though. We can buy things." Anastasia pointed out, scowling, and Yelena giggled. "Come on, a snow globe won't set us in a dire financial crisis. We just have to eat cheaply!"