It's a beautiful afternoon. After a short day of work (Galkin did not assign that much this particular day), Katya goes to Kseniya's bakery, where she usually spends her free time these days. This time, she's meeting a friend--yes, she figures she can call him this now--the former Cossack, the extremely argumentative yet strangely charming Andrei Danilovich Novokshonov.

Katya waits eagerly, tilting her head towards the door every time she hears someone open the door and come in. She wonders if Andrei is going to show up soon. She orders a coffee in the meantime and brings out a book that Kuzma had given her. She decides to read it a bit while waiting for Andrei.

It's a relatively busy afternoon in Kseniya's bakery. A number of women are coming in to pick up sweets and pastries for their children, who have just returned from school. There are a couple of older people in the bakery as well, relaxing, and occasionally chatting with Kseniya.

Normally never one for sweets outside of holidays, Andrei agreed to meet Katya the next day at the bakery she suggested. Being a relative stranger in this city, Andrei had placed himself in Katya's hands in terms of suggesting places to eat in the city. He was none too talented beyond meat as a cook. And the opportunity to meet Katya again proved too hard to resist, so this afternoon, he took his leave and sought out this particular bakery Katya suggested they met for their next rendezvous.

Opening the door, the ring of bell softly clanged in the relatively empty storefront of the bakery

Andrei glanced around and sighted Katya. He then approached her deliberately.

Katya: Andrei! You're here!

Andrei: Ah, devushka- you're here, as you said you would be.

Katya: Of course. It's been a while. How are you? Can I get you something to drink?

Andrei: Don't bother- did you get something here? What do you suggest? *smiles slightly, pleased she is pleased to see him.*

Katya: I did already get a coffee. I really suggest their cakes. Are you into that kind of thing?

Andrei: *purses his lips in consideration* Ah, not much for coffee, more of a tea person myself. Cakes? What kind of cakes? Does the bakery sell sweetbreads?

Katya: Yes, you can check out what they have yourself and choose what fits your taste. That might be better.

Kseniya is behind the counter and looks at Andrei, sensing he wants to ask her a question, potentially.

Andrei: *turns his head around slightly, catches the counter where the shelves are behind the glass casing, see Kseniya and nods at her* *to Kseniya* What sort of sweetbreads, do you have?

Kseniya gives him a cool look, and for a while, Andrei senses that she looks familiar. Who does she remind him of, exactly?

Kseniya explains to him what she has, and drops that she also happens to make Tula gingerbread.

Kseniya: That's usually the most popular pastry we have here. I've heard that people think ours is good. I'm not so sure, though. Perhaps I've tasted better.

Kseniya laughs.

Kseniya: I always thought my chocolate cake was better, but who knows?

Noticing her momentarily cool glance, Andrei narrows his eyes slightly for a second. He then attempts that calm, even-keenness that civilian socialization demands. He perks up slightly when she mentions about the Tula Gingerbread.

Kseniya: yes?

Andrei: I'll have your Gingerbread, please.

Kseniya: Alright, then. That'll be ____ rubles.

Andrei: Fair enough price. You seem to run a clean, well-stocked bakery. You have a hand with frosting, it seems. This is a good place. *hands her the rubles*

Kseniya: Thank you very much. Enjoy your gingerbread.

She hands it to him.

Andrei: *accepts the gingerbread, wrapped in brown paper. He then turns to join Katya at her table*

Katya: What did you get? The gingerbread?

It feels surreal, eating in a quaint bakery with a pretty young woman, for Andrei.

Katya gives him a small smile as she looks at the gingerbread.

Andrei: *nods and begins chomping on the bread with apparent relish*

Katya: You know, the son of the bakery's owner...*lowers her voice* says that isn't as good as the ones other bakeries make. Apparently, this isn't her speciality and she only started making it because she wanted to appear more varied in the types of pastries and sweets she can produce. I know first hand, since I happen to know her son quite well.

Andrei: *stops chomping midway and stares at Katya. Swallows, licking his lips and noting the bread is a bit drier than standard gingerbread, and that spice is dull. It lacks the dark color, spicy aroma and taste of the standard gingerbread* You know her son, then? He has a keen tongue, then, since I noticed this isn't what gingerbread should be.

Katya laughs a bit.

Katya: You just realized it wasn't good when I said that, didn't you?

Andrei: So how did you know her son? Schoolmates? No, I happen to know my sweetbread, Devushka.

Katya: Oh no, I met him because we used to know each other from a long time ago. We bumped into each other a few months ago and we've been keeping contact ever since.

Andrei: I just was too hungry to complain right away. Ah, you knew him outside of school? So who is this fellow?

Katya: Yes, and someone like me, I wouldn't even be able to go to the same school he had access to, I'd bet. I mean, this is someone who went to an elite school.

Andrei: Hmm. He sounds like some well-to-do brat, then. But if he is your friend, he must be decent. A writer, eh? Served his year in the military, too? And younger? Well, life will age him soon enough- it does for us all. I know someone like this fellow, too. He's a bright pup, but he's got this melancholy about him, as my other friend calls it. His father is a good-for-nothing has-been who's hellbent on tormenting the pup.

Katya's eyes widen with interest.

Katya: This person I know, he has a lot of problems with his father as well. *lowers her voice* I guess a lot of people do though. My mother has problems with her father as well.

Andrei: It would seem you and I are the few with decent fathers. So this young fellow you know, he locks horns with his father as well?

Katya: Yes, he does. Though, recently, they have not talked much at all. His father is in quite a bit of trouble right now, and it's best, he feels, to cut off contact with someone like that.

Katya looks tired even thinking about this person and his father, for some reason. It seems like she may know her friend's father as well, Andrei senses.

Katya: Andrei, do you think that's the right thing to do? To just cut off contact from someone who's influenced your life so much, but then, you don't think they're relevant to your life any longer? Even if they weren't particularly malicious towards you and never really meant any harm?

Andrei grows more alert as she explains more of her friend's background- and the friend's wayward father.

Andrei: It depends, Devushka, it depends. Why cut them out? Perhaps they've betrayed you in some way? I know what that's like. Sometimes, we hack out people like stumps in a field. They;re there, but they do nothing for us. Was this person like a tree stump in your field?

Katya is quiet for a while. She doesn't know how to respond.

Katya: I think this person was, maybe. I'm not sure.

Her voice is tired and quiet all of a sudden.

Andrei: *notices her sudden tiredness. Concern quirks his usually stony brow, and he cautiously reaches to touch her hand* Devushka. Did you want to step outside, then?

Katya: I'm fine. I'm just thinking...It's nothing.

Andrei senses she may want to walk off the mood.

Katya takes another sip of her coffee and looks at him instead.

Katya: I was just thinking about my friend, that's all. And something he said to me recently. I'm not sure, Andrei, if I want to see him again sometimes. He can be very hurtful.

Andrei: *hears this person had been hurtful* Some people are like that. Sometimes, it's better to cut them out. I've had to do that with many I knew. But for every person you cut out, sometimes, you get another back, or two more to take their place.

Katya: Andrei, if I lose him as well, I will barely have any friends. Despite what he said to me recently, I think he is genuinely a good person. He and I have made good memories together. All my other friends, from the factory, have moved on with their lives, with their marriages and children. It's just so hard to get to know new people...

Andrei: Did he hurt? *grows protective, glares at the idea of someone hurting Katya*

Katya: Not truly. He just said the truth, that I was someone who was slow to progress and too emotional.

Andrei: Well, *tries to nod and reason her friend's statement, though is simmering angrily that this friend caused her to be pensive. His sympathy is evoked at her concern about people progressing and succeeding at domestic bliss* It's hard to meet people. Harder to get close with them. Do you ever feel you forget how to get close with people? Like you've shut yourself off or you've dried up like salt spot in a drying bog?

Katya nods.

Katya: That's probably part of the problem.

Andrei is surprised he said so much- why is he saying so much to her? How does she disarm him so much?

Katya: I'm just, well, I was just never very social, unfortunately. I'm not very interesting and I tend to sulk a lot, and I'm not very good at making people remember me.

Katya lowers her head and sighs, and then shakes her head again.

Katya: That's enough about me. I think it's about time we talked more about you, or something else. Every time we talk, we always end up talking about my problems...

Andrei: Not social? I think you're social enough. Social is, as social does, is my guess. And you're interesting when you stop being shy- or too defensive you drive others away, devushka. *laughs under his breath when he recalls their second encounter and she threatened to scream when he grabbed her hand* Nonsense. Talk all you want about what life has dealt you. I'll listen. God knows you shouldn't listen to my problems. That'll bruise your mind badly.

Katya smiles a little bit at what he's just said.

Katya: He said that about me too, that I was too defensive, and too immature. I suppose it's something I need to work on. It's a bit difficult to change, though. There are a lot of things about myself I don't like, so this is why I react the way I do. And I tend to reveal too much about myself sometimes, just because someone showed interest in me, like you are right now...

Andrei: No, that's good. That's wise to be defensive. Damn, devushka, in this life, you need to fight. It's hard to tell who's enemy and who's ally. But once you find an ally, don't drive them away. So? You need someone to listen to you, and I want someone I can listen to. Don't feel shamed about it. Talk all you want, devushka. I'll listen.

Katya nods slowly and is slowly turning pink.

Katya: Thank you, Andrei. Who would've known that despite our rocky beginnings, we would become friends like this?

Katya then looks a little away and wonders if Andrei is like another Ardalion, reeling her in with compliments. Why else would anyone show interest in her, but for those reasons? Especially a man significantly older than she was. She grows a little fearful again, and looks off to the side.

Katya: Andrei, you're right. It is hard to trust people in this world. I had to learn that the hard way. I believe I'm still a little too trusting for my own good, as Kuzma, my friend said.

Andrei: So we're friends, now, devushka? Ah, but you don't trust me- not completely. I don't blame you. Maybe you shouldn't trust me so readily, then?

Katya: Probably not. Either way, it is impossible for a person to truly trust another entirely.

Andrei: *realizes his military background marks him out as undesirable and not trustworthy. Does she think he's some lecher luring her?*

Her tone grows a bit cynical and cold, contrasting with the warm, girlish tone she had before when she had turned pink.

Andrei: Well, as I said, I'm a wolf they pulled all my teeth. I can't bite worth a damn, mind you. So don't worry, I can't bite.

Katya: I don't mean this personally, Andrei. It probably is just another fault of mine. Or just human nature. I'm not putting myself down again.

Andrei: No, you're not. I can see that.

Katya: Alright, good to know.

Katya looks at him, unsure of what to say next. She feels a bit awkward at this point.

Andrei: You probably wonder why I'm listening to you. Well, I guess I'm too damn tired, I'd like to listen instead of shouting to be heard. Sometimes, you get sick of the cannons and you want to hear a quiet brook babble. So that's why I'm here with you.

Katya: Are you busy tonight?

Andrei: I have some reports to fill out, that's it. Did you want to see me tonight?

Katya: Did you want to see me tonight...?

Andrei feels slightly wounded at her hard tone moments before, resumes his hardened stance and mien.

Andrei: Only if you want to see me. I won't go where I'm not wanted.

Katya lowers her head and looks a little disappointed.

Katya: What if I said I did want to see you?

Andrei: *notices her lowered head and pricks with regret at his hard tone, softens slightly* Well, then I would come. Do you want to see me? Make up your mind.

Katya: I do want to see you. Would you like to go somewhere with me, perhaps a party...? Someone I know is hosting one, and I've been invited and instructed to bring more people, so we could go together if you'd like...

Andrei: Party? *wrinkles his nose, nostrils then quiver in a mix of hidden disdain and unease* I never go to them. But we can go. Maybe I can bring someone? He's a real blue stocking, artistic type. Used to be a dancer or something. Might be good for us to go, maybe we can drink enough to feel good.

Katya: perhaps, that'd be a good idea. You could definitely try to get him to come along. I was thinking of getting my sister to come as well.

Andrei: Then it's settled, devushka, You bring your sister, I'll bring my crazy friend. This will be a good idea. *crosses his arms and tries to convince himself this is really a good idea*

Katya smiles at him.

Katya: Thank you, Andrei. I'm sure this will be good. Do you want to come with me to my apartment later today, so we can get my sister and I can get changed?

Andrei: So, what time is this party, devushka?

Katya: The party is at 8 PM.

Andrei: To your apartment? Perhaps not. I'll have to find my friend, he's like fox, always running here and there. Besides, we've only met three times. Not time to come your place. Besides, I doubt your sister and mother would welcome me. At least not yet. Once I get my friend, maybe you'll me and him come over to pick you and sister up?

Katya: Sure, that'd be good. Perhaps we can arrange that. At 7:00, we can meet up again at this bakery, and we will then set out for where the party is.

Andrei: *raps his knuckles on the table top lightly as a affirmative gesture* Then it's settled. We'll come for your and your sister at 7:00 then, right here at this bakery.

Katya: Good. See you then! *she gives him a small smile*

Andrei: *stoic faces cracks a small smile when he realizes she smiled at him*