we're all just broken people.

She had only met the woman briefly after she was introduced at another random royal event that included her half-siblings, father, and stepmother, and many other family members she didn’t know. Katrien had seemed nice enough, and in fact, Sofia had hoped she would have gotten to spend more time with her, but like most royal functions there was a proper way of doing things and snagging the princess’s arm and running to town for a girl’s trip wasn’t one of those things.

However, Khatanga had it’s own set of rules, and seeing Kat sitting several chairs down at the large dinning room table, gave Sofia an idea. Finishing her meal, she pushed back the chair and took the long trek from one side down to the end and back up to meet her cousin. Whether they were blood or not, it didn’t matter, “Excuse me. Katrien, yes? We met briefly a couple of years ago. I believe you are the sister to my cousin, Matthias?” A warm smile graced her face hoping she hadn’t just made a fool out of herself.

Panicking was a completely natural thing, and he wouldn’t judge her for it, “That’s understandable, but you can calm down now, because I’m here and I will help you to find your way back,” he didn’t know exactly where her room was, but with her help, he was sure that they would be able to find it, maybe if she at least remembered what her room was close to, would make it easier, “I don’t really pay much attention to what people talk about other peopel’s lives,” he knew a lot of it wasn’t true, as he had to deal with it too, “Oh, right! Sorry, I took some time to recognize you, but yes, that would be me. I remember you.”

.

He was right. Even just in the presence of another person, her anxiety had started to disappear. And all the worry she had felt almost brought a small laugh from her lips, but instead, she stifled it, “You, sir, are a great man for helping me.” She looked around making a mental note, so at least if she ended back in this area of the castle, she would know where she was at, “You know, that is words of wisdom to live by. If other people could mind their own business, life would be a little easier sometimes, especially the tabloids and paparazzi.” That was the one thing she didn’t miss since coming to Khatanga. “A familiar face helps more than you know in this situation right now. How have you been?”

Ollie listened to her plea. He remembered the frustration his first few times in the fortress, and hell, even now he was half sure he’d end up lost before getting out. So softly he sighed, motioning with his hand for her to get up onto her feet. “Na dann steh auf. Sie können mir zum Haupteingang folgen und sich dorthin zurückarbeiten, wo Sie wollen,” he offered. If he spent too long helping her he’d just end up getting bitched at by his sister for taking so long and making her worry over if he got lost or not. “Ich habe gelernt, wenn Sie sich verlaufen, nur ein Fenster zu finden und Ihren allgemeinen Bereich auf diese Weise herauszufinden und sich bis zu einem Ausgang zu arbeiten,” he added.

.

She couldn’t sit here and dwell in her pity all day, as much as she had wanted to. This guy was offering to help her, and she wasn’t going to pass it up. Plus, it seemed like he had some pretty good advice as well. Never had she thought to use the windows and the world outside as a guide to her freedom, “Ich nehme an, du hast recht. Und ich habe nie daran gedacht, die Fenster zu benutzen. Ich nehme an, Sie haben das selbst durchgemacht.” She dusted herself off, before moving towards him. “Ich bin bereit, wenn du es bist.” She was going to get back to civilization one way or another, and if he could lead her back, she would definitely owe him.

      Charlotte giggled at her words, relaxing a bit with the other woman. ❝ I enjoy some pop music or rock. ❞  She isn’t exactly good in pick up a conversation with somebody, but hey! She is trying. ❝ What are the other musicians do you enjoy? ❞ Charlie also adores classical musical due to her time doing classical ballet, she learned to enjoy it.

“Pop and rock music are personally some of my favorites as well. I like older music, like 1960s and 1970s. But I do like newer pop music.” Her taste in music was wide and vast, but she loved music that made her move and feel good inside, “Well, besides Madonna, I like Fleetwood Mac. The Beatles. Billie Eilish.” She wondered what it was like for the people who were alive when these musicians were; to see them and experience their talent in person. “What about you?”

Aisling’s smile turned into a look of surprise, her lips parting and looking at Sofia in delighted surprise. “Really? You would do that?” she asked, feeling almost like a child simply for asking. But the kindness of a stranger absolutely thrilled Aisling. “I’m absolutely terrified of doing that, I would love my own map.” Her smile turned a little softer then, “There’s definitely a couple of things that could be a little better,” Aisling agreed, thinking of the aspects that she herself wasn’t a fan of. “Like full range on our cellphones. I’m desperately missing that.”

.

Sofia was already finding a friendship in Aisling. They were in the same ship sailing across open and confusing waters. If she could help someone out and make a buddy, she would gladly make another map! “Of course! I need a buddy, and one that I can easily find. Once I find my way back, I will start on your map.” She smiled warmly, but her smile feel slightly, “I couldn’t agree more. I miss talking with my mama greatly. I understand them, whoever they are, wanting to protect us, but technology has advanced. Can they not make a special phone or line of communication so we can contact those we love?” She sighed softly, before folding the map up and leaning against the windowsill.

@sofiahanover​

Ethan wasn’t sure his admiration for smoking, especially smoking weed, was much of a secret anymore. The Londoner had proved his ability to keep so much of his life in the shadows. But when it came to his anxiety taking over and rattling him useless until he lit up and felt the calming high takeover - it seemed it was impossible for the guard not to get caught in the act. At this point, he wouldn’t be surprised if the King and Queen back in London have known about Ethan’s not so secret habit all along.

And today was no different. Just as he got off, he threw on his jacket and headed for just outside of the palace walls, before taking out a hand rolled joint and lighting up. Just as he inhaled, he heard the crinkle of snow behind him. Caught yet again. He turned on his heels and attempted to play it off. “What are my chances you didn’t see that?” He asked, as plumes of smoke poured out with each word.

.

It was cold, so cold that Sofia cursed quietly under her breath as she trudged back up from the village with a small bag of candy from Zucker Lügt and a hand knitted blanket. One could never have enough blankets in the castle she was currently residing in. In fact, the word castle made her cringe. As a child, fairytales had been her forte. She even pictured herself living behind the great stone walls of a structure that looked like something out of a movie, but now that she actually had that privilege, she didn’t want it. So to say there was some reluctance in her trek back “home” was an understatement.

“Can it get any colder around here? No. Wait. Don’t answer that.” She continued to move forward towards the door, breaking off from her guard, until a gust of wind brought the smell of marijuana in her direction. Diverting her path, goodies still tight in her grip, she found the culprit who was, in fact, smoking weed, “Well, pretty good, but considering marijuana has its own distinctive smell, and it is a very windy day...Do you see where I’m going with this?” She sat down beside him, “Now, share or you get none of my chocolates from that quaint little chocolate shop in town.”

The castle was so big, that not to get lost in it, they would need to use a GPS, but there was no way that it would work, so maybe would be good to make a map, so the ones that come after, don’t end up having to deal with the same thing. Sure, there were worse things in life other than end up getting lost, but still, he was sure the other royals would appreciate it, “I’m not sure if you wouldn’t ever make it back, but would probably take some time,” he figured would take a few hours, she eventually would see something familiar and find her room again, “Were you able to be a nobody? People stopped recognizing you on the street?”

.

Logically speaking, she knew he was right. She had passed the way back several times already. Sofia had just struggled to recognize it, and in doing so, she had first struggled to recognize that the man standing in front of her had been someone she knew. In fact, they had even spent a night together, “You’re right. But I think flight, instead of fight, set in, and I panicked.” She looked at the floor somewhat embarrassed. Sofia sighed and looked back up at Cathal, “I was, yes. Before I knew I was a princess. Did you not hear about that entire scandal before we met. Which, we have met right? Cathal O’Rourke...Crown Prince of Ireland?”

Hearing that her siblings weren’t there yet sent relief through her. At least there was only one to deal with and not even the one who knew him best. She could field questions pretty easily that way, right? God, why was she so nervous? “All things considering? Is he a being a dick to you?” She had understood why some of Tristan’s siblings had been pissed that Sofia had come into their lives but if the king was giving her shit as well that just didn’t seem fair. And now that she thought about it, it probably wasn’t fair of Sarika to drop all contact with her when she had lost the one person who seemed to accept her into the German line.

She braced herself for the question, almost wincing before she even got the words out, but was surprised when she heard an entirely different question. Sighing, she took a seat next to the blonde. “The first time or the second time? My first time coming here was about a year ago. And then I left when Birdie died so I could go to her funeral and for some reason my parents let me stay home for a month or so. But then I was right back here. And I’ve been stuck.” 

.

“What? No. No, I think he just feels guilty for...well, everything, and he wants me safe? At least that’s what I was told as I was having my bags packed for me on the way out the door. Something about me being safer in Russia. I don’t really know.” Out of everyone currently residing in Khatanga, Sofia had felt the most comfortable around Sarika, despite the fact that the woman had pretty much ignored Sofia after Tristan’s death, leaving her to fend for herself with a family who mostly despised her.

Sighing and scooting over to one side of the staircase to give the brunette more room, she listened, “Explains where you’ve been. I thought you didn’t want anything to do with me after...” She decided not to mention it. While she hadn’t known Tristan as long, and she had briefly met Birdie in passing, Sofia could see why Sarika had taken a liking to them both. Tristan had been her saving grace after coming into her role as a princess; never judging her and accepting her for all her flaws and quirks. And in doing so, Sarika was right there with him, it seemed, “So any advice for a newcomer here at Castle Nightmare?” She looked to the woman with a uneasy smile, deciding it best not to question why Sarika had just disappeared. 

.

Aisling found herself beaming at Sofia, feeling herself fall a beat behind in dropping her own hand back to her side. Her eyes widened, in excitement rather than embarassment now, as she saw the map that Sofia had drawn out. Though it was clearly a quick sketch, it was, without a doubt, a map of the castle they had found themselves in. “Oh! It’s so good, I can totally tell that it’s the castle. That’s much better than just wandering aimlessly like I was doing,” Aisling praised. “I…well I have two brothers and a sister here, so it was a bit of both. I knew I’d end up coming eventually, but I also just missed my family. What about you though?” she asked, then immediately found herself backtracking. “Oh! You already said…right. Have you liked it here at least? So far?”

.

Sofia caught Aisling looking at the map and held it up, so she could get a better view, “I could make a copy for you, if you’d like? I’m still testing it out, but so far so good.” She had tried the aimlessly wandering around thing, and it proved to be a failure, “You know I tried that not too long ago, and it proved to be a mistake. Getting lost on your way to the toilette, I do not recommend.” She could feel her cheeks turning red with embarrassment. Clearing her throat, she lowered the map and was grateful that the conversation was moving forward, “Ah, maybe I’ve met them? But I do have siblings. They’re just not here yet as far as I know.” She dreaded the day when they came, “Eh, I like some aspects, but others...not so much.” Sofia laughed softly.  

@sofiahanover

It wasn’t that Bee had never ice skated before. She had. But she was also nine when it happened, which put it as something that happened nearly twenty years ago. And all that time ago, she hadn’t been great at it.

Russia was about new experiences, right? Russia was about the idea of exploring things she had never tried before, so why not go skating? The blonde convinced herself as she picked up a pair of skates as resolutely attempted to put them on. It couldn’t be too hard. The maid saw people doing it all the time. Children seemed to have no problem performing it. She would be fine.

Standing on the sharp blades she headed to the edge of the skating rink, holding onto the railing. When Bee stepped on the smooth surface, and the blade began sliding down she realized it probably wouldn’t be as effortless as she had imagined. With great difficulty, the blonde managed to close her legs from the beginning of that split she had been opening, firmly locking her knees as she moved exceedingly slow. Her arms flailing on each side of her every time she nearly fell.

Bee slowly gained the confidence to slightly slide her legs, but she looked like Bambi on ice. Her weight seemed to go to the wrong side, and suddenly she was moving her limbs in the air in frantic motions, but falling was inevitable. With a thud, she hit the icy surface on her ass. The girl made a pained face but refrained from expressing it with words. She leaned to her side to ask for the help of the first person who passed by, but they either didn’t hear her, or they completely ignored her attempt. “Hey, can you give me a hand?” she was already waving around in the distance, her voice a little higher pitched than it normally was.

.

Since coming to Khatanga, she had felt more reserved and closed off than ever. After word had spread through Germany about who she was and her relation to the royal family, Sofia’s bright and bubbly side had somewhat taken a nose dive. While she still remained friendly, it was hard when most people were making fun of her or accusing her of things she couldn’t control. And with that somewhat closed off and scared mentality, it had made it hard for her to easily connect with people in Russia, knowing that most of the ones she lived with, were like her siblings and liked to turn their nose up at her; at least if they knew who she was.

But today, Sofia had deserved a bit of fun. The decorations in the village had already brought a sort of ease to her heart and had reminded her of Christmases back home with her mother. Though this year was going to be completely different, the young princess had decided she was going to make the best of her situation, and with her guard in tow, Sofia made her way down to the village, “This way, Batman. You’re taking me ice skating, whether you like it or not.”

Grabbing a pair of skates from the rental booth, once she had arrived, Sofia quickly slipped them on, excitement and joy finally taking over. Ice skating had been a favorite holiday tradition with her mother, and even though the woman was back in Germany, in this moment, the crown princess had been given an opportunity to feel close to her, “You need not worry, Batman. I’ve done this hundreds of times.”

As Sofia stepped out on the ice, she, at first, had felt somewhat unsteady. But soon, she was skating as if she were a natural. No fancy tricks though. Not until she had found her bearings, but before she could, she had heard a voice in passing. Cautiously turning around, she backtracked, avoiding the other skaters, before reaching the woman who had taken a fall to the ice below, “Are you alright? That was a mighty good fall you endured.” She reached out and braced herself so as to help the woman up without them both hitting the ground.

Nice wasn’t quite the right word, but snow was interesting. There was a reason Cas had never bothered to travel in the winter though, sitting on a sunny beach had served him just fine. While in Rome though, or more accurately Russia, do as the locals do. An idea that had him bundled and roaming the frigid outdoors. 

Coming across the stables it seemed like a nice place to warm up a little, though if he was being honest, he wasn’t a fan of the animals that lived there. He was well over six feet tall and it still felt like they could trample him with little to no effort. Walking inside though a familiar voice pulled his attention and he couldn’t help but grin. “I usually go for ‘handsome man’, but I’ll accept pretty girl too.” Walking over he stayed about a foot behind Sofia, strategically out of biting range of the animal she was with. 

.

His voice had startled her, and she slightly jumped. But it was just subtle enough that the horse hadn’t noticed. With the animal finishing its carrot, Sofia turned around to see a familiar face standing behind her. She hadn’t been here long, but seeing Cas was quite a surprise. Did he work here at the castle? Was he originally from Russia? Or was he actually a prince? So many questions ran rampant through her mind.

“Cas? What are you doing here? Are you...do you work with the horses?” She probably sounded like an idiot. In the few months she had been in Khatanga, Sofia had thought she had saw Cas out of the corner of her eye, but didn’t think much of it. More so to be an illusion of what she had lost when she gave up her life and freedom as a commoner. Sofia moved forward closing in the gap and stepping away from the horse still munching on a carrot.

Lucia gives her a nod and holds her hand out to Sofia to help her up. “Let’s go and get you back to your room,” she says to her, giving her a hint of a smile. “I think you you’re right around the corner from my room actually,” she says and after helping Sofia up, starts to walk her in the right direction. “The castle can be confusing at first, so I get what you’re going through,” she tells her. “But, if you’re stuck, most of the people here are friendly and can help you find your way. If you dont feel like asking them, you can find me wondering around normally after I do my daily walks on the grounds.” 

.

Looking up to the woman in front of her, she returned a weak smile, “I appreciate this greatly. I would say I can’t believe I’m sitting crying over not being able to find the toilet, but then that would make me look weak.” Sofia laughed softly taking Lucia’s hand and pulling herself up. Without hesitating, she began to walk alongside the brunette. “Ah so, I’ve probably passed your room a hundred times then.” Everything was starting to look a bit more familiar as they moved forward, “Thank you. I think it was more of a pride thing. I just wanted to do something right, considering I am the future queen of Germany. But even that backfired.” Sofia was struggling in so many areas of life, that it wasn’t even funny.

The holidays had arrived and despite it being one of her favorite times of year, this year had felt off. It was the first time she had fully been away from her mother and her friends, and it was rather heartbreaking. Instead, she found herself surrounded by a group of acquaintances aside from a very select few, including Sarika, who didn’t really want anything to do with her, a few princes and princesses she had met at functions years prior, and then her cousin, Matthias; whom she barely knew, except for an arranged meeting set up by his father to keep the peace.

However, wallowing in self-pity wasn’t going to get her anywhere, but alone and miserable. So making the best of it, she snagged her royal babysitter and found her way down to the village.

The decorations and lights seemed as though they had appeared over night. Set with a snowy backdrop, it made for a picturesque scene and had brought on the first genuine smile to her face. For once, Sofia’s fears and worries seemed to disappear, “Come on, Batman. Follow me, we’ve got people to shop for.” If Sofia was going to have her own personal bodyguard, she was going to affectionately call him something funny.

Laying eyes on a nearby bookstore, she made her way cautiously across the street and into the tiny shop. The smell of old paper, along with heat radiating from the innerworkings of the store, hit her in the face when she opened the door. And stepping inside seem to take her to another world completely, “Okay, now...what to get for a cousin I know nothing about...” She set her eyes on the right side of the shop and headed down the first aisle she had come to, Batman trailing behind to give her some space.

His time in there was being so nice, that he forgot for a moment, that not all royals would feel the same way. He forgot some of them actually liked the life that they had, they liked being royals. One of the reasons why he liked being in there so much, was because he enjoyed having a break from their royalty lives. He could pretend for a moment that he was just a normal man, “It gets better if it makes you feel better,” he also got lost a few times in the first days, but was able to find his way back, “After you stay here for a few days, you kind of learn the paths, I could teach you if you want.”

.

She was trying impossibly hard to fit into a life she had never truly wanted. Being a royal wasn’t a decision she had taken lightly, and so many times she had thought to turn it down and continue living her life in the shadows. But Sofia had known her mom had only wanted the best for her, so here she was, “That does, actually. And I would very much appreciate that, because at this rate, I’m never going to make it back.” She sighed, as if defeated, “I just want to go back to being a nobody. Not some show piece for the royal family of Germany.” Climbing to her feet, she dusted herself off.

      Charlotte went to a catholic private school only for girls when was younger, and she took classical ballet lessons there. Noticing the other woman approaching, she shrughs her own shoulders nonchalantly. ❝ Yeah… ❞ Her tone was uncertain, it was herself who made that offer anyway. This is anything against Sofia, it’s just aussie did not know much how to be sociable with new people. ❝ Madonna — La Isla Bonita. Do you like it? ❞ 

She could tell Charlotte was uneasy, “And if not from you, I’m sure there’s a dance teacher hiding somewhere in this massive castle.” Sofia laughed. The last thing she ever wanted to do was make someone feel awkward, especially since that’s the only thing she had seemed to be feeling lately since arriving. It was just nice talking music with someone, “I love Madonna. And that’s a great song to dance to.” She could hear the music more clearly in her head now that she knew what had been playing earlier.