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[RUSSIA]
I'm within a time crunch again, so i don't think I can actually extend this as much as I'd like to. Again, it'll be Kyrylo who'd do most of the talking.
[GRAND PRINCIPALITY OF KIEV]
Really, Yelena, if you had a similar circumstance with myself and were not the son of the Swede, would you have considered yourself Ryurikovna?
[RUSSIA]
What a weird question. I won't argue with the impossibilities of that, but, probably. Considering you're Oskoldyrovych. With that said, both Kiev—the Grand Principality—and I, Russia, are here to talk about angels. Do you care to do the formalities, Kyrylo?
[GRAND PRINCIPALITY OF KIEV]
I do not understand why I have to be the one to do most of the talking. Was it not you who had this experience the most?
[RUSSIA]
That may be the case, but you were the one who talked with Byzantine Empire the most about this.
[GRAND PRINCIPALITY OF KIEV]
How many times have you even heard about this from her? Maybe start with that.
[RUSSIA]
Once. And fine, I suppose it can start with that.
"Beware The Principalities, for your disobedience may bring doom to all you love."
It was during one of my visits to Constantinople for religious rite. One of the few good things Golden Horde values is how he allows myself to come and go for religious reasons. When Byzantine Empire told me that, I couldn't understand by what she meant The Principalities. From the word itself, I had assumed it as angels, and that isn't a far-fetched answer from what she meant.
[GRAND PRINCIPALITY OF KIEV]
But she meant the force of nature that was ourselves and our vulnerabilities.
(Sigh) Alright, that is a good start, I suppose. The thing with The Principalities is that their main duty is to protect the nation, and by doing so, they must deal with whatever harmful doings the Zemstvo of that nation is committing. That is what they practically are, if you were to call them angels, I do not think of it as false, but hardly would anyone believe you in such a way. Maybe we are just seeing things through our beliefs and not the outer aspects of things.
They do not have any sort of... separate choices like we do, because they are not human. They may look human because of their own choice, but angels are beings of light, I do not think humans are made out of light. Is it even possible for an angel to be a human? Well, when God has struck them down, perhaps.
[RUSSIA]
The Seat of the Church of Rome is one.
[GRAND PRINCIPALITY OF KIEV]
He is... he is what?
[RUSSIA]
Not important.
[GRAND PRINCIPALITY OF KIEV]
Always like this, you are. Well, what I will say next is completely dependent on the words of Byzantine Empire as well as Lithuania—the older one. Or the dead one, if that is the difference you wish to point out. Byzantine Empire speaks of it as several sins accumulating within a jar, and once it has overflown, that is when The Principalities interfere to clean all the mess up.
Do you think of it that way, with your experience?
[RUSSIA]
What, the thing about the analogy she made? If you want me to be quite literal, it feels more like a circle. Once all the sins are set out into a line and one end meets another, will The Principalities sever the ties. I say that because the more you disobey and find yourself interfered with, the easier it is for it to happen again.
[GRAND PRINCIPALITY OF KIEV]
Lithuania speaks of it like a curse.
[RUSSIA]
And he specifically uses the word "curse" for it?
[GRAND PRINCIPALITY OF KIEV]
With disdain.
[RUSSIA]
So, what I thought of was correct. The more in tune you are to the supernatural, the more vulnerable you are to The Principalities.
[GRAND PRINCIPALITY OF KIEV]
The Principalities... they take control, Yelena. I am in no doubt that you know how that would feel. I am sure the word possession is actually the perfect word to describe such an event. And what The Principalities have done is that it would usually extend the life of the Zemstvo they possess. As long as they keep in line with the interests of the nation, of course. That is why most refer to The Principalities as the government.
Although I would not agree with that, as not all that the government has done was to proceed with the livelihood of their nation, but to the leaders' personal interest. Though because their control usually indicates a longer life, most Zemstvo do not choose to disobey once more. Lithuania, and you, seem to be an exception.
[RUSSIA]
Because I don't want to live, Kyrylo. I've died several times already. Death means nothing to me because I will never die the way I want to. Lithuania? That's another thing entirely. I don't know why he's so adamant with that.
[GRAND PRINCIPALITY OF KIEV]
Your affinity to Death will always mystify me, Yelena. I do not think I will come to an understanding for why you would even wish for such a thing.
[RUSSIA]
I have died once in front of the eyes of Ruthenia. I have died once in front of the eyes of Moscow. I have died once in front of the eyes of Sweden. I have died once in front of the eyes of Russia, the younger. I have died twice in front of the eyes of the Nazi that is the Third Reich. I have died twice more with no one watching me. Tell me, Kyrylo, when will I die permanently?
[GRAND PRINCIPALITY OF KIEV]
I know you are close to death already in this year, Yelena. But for permanence, I cannot offer you a sure answer.
[RUSSIA]
(Sigh) I know. Continue with The Principalities, if you would.
[GRAND PRINCIPALITY OF KIEV]
Dare I say, you are favoured by The Principalities.
[RUSSIA]
Now, why in your ever-right mind would you ever think that way?
[GRAND PRINCIPALITY OF KIEV]
The Principalities' main duty is to protect the nation, and by doing so they must protect the Zemstvo from dying prematurely. Would they not prefer if they had an eternal Zemstvo who took care of the nation dearly?
[RUSSIA]
As much as I do not like your logic, Kyrylo, I must accept that there is truth in what you're trying to claim. And I don't like that. At all.
[GRAND PRINCIPALITY OF KIEV]
Is that not why you are more vulnerable to them? Those with great affinity to the supernatural would possibly be a favourite of theirs, because unlike the common man, they would have a far greater understanding on what they are faced against. Is that not true?
[RUSSIA]
It is. But that doesn't mean I like it.
[GRAND PRINCIPALITY OF KIEV]
You do not have to.
[RUSSIA]
Of course I know that. I've been living with a God-be-damned angel inside me for who-knows-how long. I don't like it being there at all.
[GRAND PRINCIPALITY OF KIEV]
It took half your soul?
[RUSSIA]
Of course it did! (Grumble) Is that all you have to say?
[GRAND PRINCIPALITY OF KIEV]
I just wanted to rile you up, to be fair, I have finished a while ago.
[RUSSIA]
Find yourself lucky that I don't have the heart to kill the ghost of an old friend.
[GRAND PRINCIPALITY OF KIEV]
I know I am. I am lucky that I am dead.
[RUSSIA]
So insufferable.
[Click]