#agentalexeishostakov

"Identify yourself."

"I'm sorry, I really wasn't expecting visitors, tonight."

"W-What? No. He can't be dead. He isn't dead." She backed up against a wall, sliding to the ground "I need him here to help me take care of our son... he promised.."

"Good morning, welcome to the Parks Department, now go away."

Jemma stared for a long while before her mouth opened as if she was about to say something and nothing came out. A minute later she finaly regained her ability to speak. "I'm sure there are plenty that are better."

     The sun shone down on the glistening grass below, as green as the day it sprouted as if summer was not fast approaching its peak. As they often did on these numbered vacations, Anastasia and Maria strolled carelessly among the contrasting colors of the seasonal roses, the white of their summer dresses offering a backdrop for each vibrant hue. Belted with leather and finished with a matching wide brimmed hat, each sister radiated as their own star, one no more beautiful than the other. Their hair offered the only contrast; Maria's dark locks hung three inches lower than Anastasia's blonde, loose curls. Individuals as they were, there was a unanimous view of the Romanov daughters; kind and delicate in manner and looks, each their own canvas of possibility.      "You promise not to tell father." Maria exclaimed, the startled tone barely showing on her features as she continued to glide in line with her sister. "You know I won't, but mother will find out. She always does." At the blonde's words, the elder Romanov feigned a sigh of discouragement, bending down momentarily to pluck a red rose from it's thorny branch. "A man to bring you flowers, to dance with; wouldn't it be wonderful?" Maria's enthusiasm would be crushed by Anastasia's answer and she, therefore, kept her opinion to herself; of the four, it was her who cared for romance the least. A smile crept onto the blonde's light lips, teasing in nature but kind of heart all-the-same. "You are starting to sound like Tatiana."      The clearing brought about new light as it glistened off the metal elements of a soldier's uniform, a man unknown within the household, though clearly not without purpose. Both girls halted and, after a moment of observing the too-young officer, Maria was the first to speak. "I promised Monsieur Pierre that I would catch up on my French studies; I'll see you for tea." With a polite nod, the brunette parted ways, turning back only when her sister called after her; "Will you tell Alexei to meet me at the fountain in half an hour?" With a nod of affirmation, Anastasia laced her hands behind her back, posture as straight as a rod as she regarded the newcomer. "You must be my father's new watch dog, though you are much younger than I had expected. Careful sir, or you may attract the eyes of one of my sisters." Nevertheless, she offered her guardian a small and small curtsy, "Pardon me, I have forgotten my manners; Anastasia Nikolaevna, a pleasure to meet you."      Always proper in the spotlight.

agent-alexei-shostakov