#loreplay

Mo was sitting on a bench, watching the birds on the lake, the first time they talked. She sat on the bench next to him.

"[Hello.]"

She kept her gaze on the water, and a large space between them. He was surprised she was putting her nice fur coat on the public bench.

"[Do you mind me sitting with you?]"

She was beautiful. She was in his class, she was the opposite of Mo. She wore her hair long and pin straight. She was feminine and graceful.

"[No, I don't mind.]"

They say in silence for a long time, watching the calm water.

"[Why do you dress the way you do?]"

It wasn't an unreasonable question. Mo dressed like he worked in a coal mine, and got harassed accordingly.

"[I don't know. Why do you dress the way you do?]"

"[Because I have to.]"

Mo sat with that for a while, looking out onto the water.

"[Why do you ask?]"

"[Okay? So you're gay, and you're in the U.S. because you want to suck dick, why are you here at my house?]"

"[I... understand I hurt you. I understand how badly I hurt you, and Svetlana.]"

"[His name was Ilyushka, and you do not get to talk about him. What do you want?]"

"[I want to apologize. And I need your help.]"

"[Why should I help you? What do you need help with?]"

"[I know it was not doctors that made you look like this. I want his help.]"

Mo was alone, watching how the birds floated across the lake. The man that was talking to him was dressed in a police uniform.

"[Hello Officer, can I help you?]"

"[The birds are so beautiful, are they not?]"

Orange and black feathered water fowl drifted across the lake.

"[They are.]"

"[One of those little birdies told me you're planning on flying the nest.]"

"[What?]"

"[I'm here to help you boy. In about a month, the ruble will lose almost all of its value. I'd hate to see you get stuck here.]"

"[Sir are you okay? I'm clearly not a boy and I... don't know what you're talking about.]"

"[No? Hm. I'll come find you when you do then.]"

"Didn't realize I was several doctors."

"[Thank you, I got lucky.]"

"Awwwww."

"[You have a nice home too. You've done well for yourself.]"

They're in the kitchen, sitting at the small table next to the fridge. Mo is boiling water for the nice tea he keeps in the back of the cabinet. Homemade pelmeni are cooking next to the kettle.

"[Yes, well, it was a lot of work. Didn't exactly have a lot when I got here.]"

Dmitri half smiles in an awkward way, almost cringing.

"[This is true.]"

"[Why are you here Dmitri?]"

"[I told you in the letter.]"

"[I think that letter's full of lies. You hate this country and everything it stands for.]"

"[I hated this country, this is true. Things have...changed.]"

"[What has changed?]"

"[I have changed. I cannot stay in Russia any longer.]"

"[You are criminal? You have child? You stopped wanting to be a miserable asshole? Why is Russia suddenly not the best country anymore?]"

"[Anastasia you can't leave, not now. We will starve if you leave!]"

"[You will starve if I stay! All of Russia is starving! The ruble means nothing. I'm lucky to have already bought my ticket, I will not miss my flight.]"

"[Father will never let you leave.]"

"[Father does not want me around! Father refuses to look me in my eyes! He cannot stop me from leaving a dying country.]"

"[Father is dying, not this country! You will kill him if you leave! His money means nothing and he cannot work for more.]"

"[Father and I will both die if I stay. I will not perish in St. Petersburg with him and the rest of this miserable city.]" Mo shut his suitcase, zipping up his clothes and the argument.

"Why the fuck are you so nervous? It's just your brother."

"That's exactly why I'm nervous, I knew I should've kept moving, maybe it's not too late to-"

A knock cuts him off. He's here. The door swings open to a tall blonde man, broad and muscular. He looks really similar to Mo, but his hair is straighter and he's taller and skinnier.

"Excuse me, I'm looking for my sister, Anastasia, is she here?"