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It was cold, and fleetingly dark, before lights flickered to life everywhere as soon as the sun disappeared. Cold in Corona was not the same cold in Grushoslavia, Yuri thought to himself. He felt almost like a moth, the way he lingered on the lanterns. The glow caught his eye. It was striking against the snow. Snow was falling everywhere. Now he was stuck on the snow.
"Mr. Nikitin?"
Yuri spun on his heel, trance broken. "Yes?" He appeared to be momentarily stunned, because he actually did not know who had called his name, and, once located, still did not recognize them. "Have we met?"
"I've met you."
His brow furrowed. The woman giggled, took a few steps forward.
"I was your doctor. When you were sick in the palace." She held out a hand, which he shook almost shyly. "I'm Gothel."
"I'm Yuri," he greeted in return- before realizing she surely already knew this information. He blinked. There wasn't much to say.
"Can I take you anywhere, Mr. Nikitin? I can get you a carriage, if you need-"
Puzzling transportation of this city aside… "I went out for a walk in the snow, and I just need to make my way back to the palace- which way should I-"
"Ah." Gothel nodded. "Why don't you walk with me? I'm headed home, anyhow."
Snow on the cobblestone almost made him fall when he took a few steps forward, but, as anyone would on a slippery path and a cold night walking with someone lovely might do, Yuri extended his arm for Gothel to take. She accepted very gracefully, despite looking a little discomfited at first. He was a stranger, he supposed.
Yuri let himself get lost in the lights again. There were simply so many. She seemed to notice, gazing around with what appeared to be a new eye. She could pretend very well.
Something glimmered in the corner of his eye, and he looked down. "Your ring," Yuri murmured, pointing to the cluster of rubies on her finger. "It's beautiful."
She smiled. "Most men just ask if I'm married right away."
"Do you really think I might have asked?"
A pause.
"I don't believe so."
"Well, there."
Another pause. The snow was muting their entire world. As cold as home, sure, but he had to keep reminding himself that this was somehow far more comforting.
"Are you?"
Yuri glanced over. "Am I what?"
"Married."
"Oh!" He shook his head. "No."
She grinned. "But you're- well, I've heard of you before. You're quite… popular back home. And here."
Yuri shrugged. A particularly large snowflake landed on his eyelash, and he blinked. "It was never purposeful. I wish very much to be less popular, very often. I don't mind it," another shrug, "but it is demanding."
A sage nod. "I understand." She couldn't have, of course, but the sentiment touched him nevertheless.
"I try to live up to it."
"You're… good. You're very good." Gothel smiled. "I admire that. You work for President Zaytsev, don't you?"
"Yes!"
She nodded. "I admire that, too." He looked down at her curiously, so she nodded again. "He's not my ideal politician. And he wasn't polite when we met. But we do things differently here. I'm glad you're happy."
Yuri hummed.
Their walk was speechless the rest of the way, but it felt very pleasant. Every so often they would have to redirect if they accidentally stepped towards the wrong path, but that warranted a few giggles, not words. There was no compulsion for it. When they finally did reach the castle, Yuri let go so she could put her hands in the pockets of her coat- she was freezing to the touch, he really only wanted her to be warm- and looked as though he wanted to say something, but a voice interrupted him before he could even begin.
"Yuri," Vasilev said with a nod, pushing himself off of the wall. "Where have you been?" he questioned, eyes moving to Gothel without even waiting for a response. He looked her up and down. "Hel-lo," he greeted slowly. "Artemy Vasilev."
"Gothel Prescott."
He adjusted his glasses. "Are all Coronan women so beautiful?"
"I like to think not."
"So do I."
Her lips quirked up in a very subtle smile. "My husband says the same thing."
Vasilev cleared his throat.
"Thank you for showing me the way," Yuri said softly.
"You're welcome, Mr. Nikitin. Stay warm. For your sake, I hope I don't have to come back, but… someone can call if you need me. It was very nice to meet you." Gothel looked at Vasilev, eyes still amused. "And you."
Vasilev moved his glasses further up his nose again. "Yes."
Yuri held out his hand again, and she smiled almost wistfully before shaking it. "My regards to Zaytsev," she said, if only out of courtesy.
"Of course. It was nice to meet you, too."