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When she first met her, she introduced herself as Inga Svyatomirovna, and by that name alone, she figured out that she was likely of Norse descent, just as with her first-born son, Novgorod—for her name meant belonging to (the Germanic god) Ing, also known as Freyr. As she converted to Christianity, the name that she chose for herself was Posidosiya—gift of Poseidon. Though the name was unique, and so, many instead call her Feodosiya—gift of God.
And yes, Beloozero was indeed God's gift to her.
She always found it peculiar, really, that despite their new monotheistic belief, many saints held the name of polytheistic gods. And the theme amongst her first seven children (and their own children) was that, the name of the Greek pantheon. Perhaps the reason that Novgorod and Pskov were different was as a sense of foreshadowing for their values as a republic, rather than a more rigid principality like the rest of the family.
Still, Beloozero was one of the more quiet of her siblings, despite that, the storm in her eyes remain prevalent for people to know not to think of her lightly. She was still her daughter, after all, and every child of hers is not one to be undervalued.
And though she may be the one who doesn't speak so outwardly, like one could expect from a child of Rus Land, her emotions lie within her eyes. From within them, Russia saw that hers were the most turbulent when she knew of the things she'd done.
But, just like Novgorod—him, Beloozero, and their younger sister were always close—here she was, sitting silently next to her, in the same exact bench her brother did not too long ago. Russia was sure they had agreed to do this, perhaps with Beloozero here, she could expect Izborsk to follow suit in this method of talking.
The difference was, that was the first time she had seen Novgorod. As for Beloozero on the other hand, this was not the first. Still, the fact that Beloozero was the one to approach first was something. She was more like her in the terms of not wanting to do the approaching. Izborsk must've persuaded her to do this.
She was staring at her, and Russia didn't do much but to stare back. Neither wanted to start the conversation, but it seemed that by the minute, Russia was the one who had to speak just to gauge any reaction from the curious-eyed Beloozero.
"How are your relationships with your own principalities?"
That was actually a surprise to Russia, a rare one indeed. Rarely does she ever get that feeling, but this one was pleasant. Beloozero actually started it for once. The last time this happened was before her death. Ah, Russia would rather not think about that one, then.
"My subjects are fine, as ever. I don't kill them for sure. None of them would ever hold a significant threat to me."
"I heard the way they govern things is similar like how Talik does."
"Hm, yes, similar enough. After the direct successor of Moscovia was overthrown by her son, ah, well, your younger brother, the idea of a socialist republic was what came after she retook her position as Russia."
"Did you kill him?"
"I didn't."
"Good for him, then."
"I resurrected him, to an extent."
Of course Beloozero would stare at her oddly. And that was a given, because the whole fiasco with Nikifor was that the soul-bounding was done on impulse. That was actually the first time she acted upon the second curse that thing bestowed upon her. It was convenient, to a degree. At least Nikifor hadn't died again since the mid-twentieth century. For if he did, that would be permanent.
"I suppose I killed Volyn."
The stare Beloozero gave her was another odd one, though the difference was there, as there was something boiling beneath those eyes.
"I hear a lie in your words, mother."
"In a certain point of view I did kill Volyn, because I really did. It was another case of resurrection. This one was on purpose, though. That was the only way to prevent Volyn from going down the same fate as her siblings."
"Thoughtful."
Though her original question was interesting indeed. How was her relationship with her own subjects, if we were to compare it with her principalities from back then? Much more amicable, that's for sure, and orderly. Her subjects don't go to war against one another because the governing system was far like how it was a millennia ago.
"Who is left?"
"Halych."
"How did Polotsk die?"
"A fire."
It was an anomaly, the fact that Belarus was even there when the fire broke out. Well, a fire started a chain of explosions, and that was what actually killed him, but she digresses.
Either way, the cost of bringing him back to life was the Byzantine eagle. Not the best choice, but better that he was at least alive. He didn't have any descendants to continue the role of Belarus, and frankly, Russia would rather not go through choosing a new human to take her son's spot as the Personification of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic.
"Did you see any of them like how you did with me?"
Ah, what Beloozero meant was more on the familial side. That made sense, Russia had never actually stopped with the... sudden child acquisition anyway. It was an accident, she'd say, but it wasn't like she was complaining when she got another one under her wing.
"Other than the ones who already were? No."
"Odd."
"Well, I had several Union Republics back then, not as many as I had with principalities when I was Rus Land. The most amount simultaneously was sixteen, but in total, there were seventeen. Mm, there were also five others, but they weren't Union Republics."
"And amongst them, only Polotsk, Volyn, and Halych were yours?"
"Yes, though really, Volyn and Halych returned to be one person again. Just, rather than how Ruthenia was, Ukraine is Halych's domain."
"Who is Ukraine's Righthand, then? I heard you do not do Lefthands anymore."
"Kyiv."
"Kyiv? Then why is your Lefthand's son not the one as Ukraine?"
"Well, he's still part of Ukraine as an oblast."
"It would be nice if seeing her was an option."
"Hm, yes, Ukraine can't really see you, because Halych can't. Unless Volyn decides to take charge, of course."
It was a sudden move that Beloozero reached out to the bread in her hands, before taking it for herself, and taking off pieces of it to throw at nearby jackdaws. Though it might seem odd that the bread was floating, anyone who saw that would've thought that they were seeing things. And if Russia was to ever talk of this, everyone would say that she's hallucinating. Well, no, it's just that people couldn't see what she could. And she could see Beloozero.
"Halych seems to be listening."
"Well, Ukraine was always a good listener."
"Like you."
"She wouldn't like the comparison."
She didn't understand why those within her lands forgave her so easily, but it was perhaps The Principalities enforcing their wants to her, as always. How the only living of the original Zemstvo reacted was how everyone should act. Perhaps death has dulled those feelings of hatred.
It didn't help that it continued.
"She wouldn't do the same as us."
And she shouldn't. Doing so would be a betrayal to her own people, and The Principalities despise treason.