Work Text:
Moscow, Soviet Union
19 July 1980
The applause was thunderous as Alaska looked from above.
It was a chore of sorts for Alaska, to find herself on top of the roof of one of the Soviet Union's distinct architecture, watching over what goes on down below. She was glad that Personifications had lost the ability to sense the arrival of a foreigner of their kind entering their lands, so, realistically, Soviet Union shouldn't know that she was observing her. That was what America said.
But Alaska knew better. Soviet Union's senses were foolproof, especially when it came to sensing observation. Alaska would even bet all her wealth that Soviet Union knew she was watching her, and is really only ignoring her for the sake of not wanting to bother with whatever connection they once had.
Not too long ago, Alaska could see Soviet Union down there within the stadium, which is already an amazing feat, but it wasn't hard because she stood out. No one else was as tall and as white as she was, after all.
But that was 'not too long ago', Alaska actually lost sight of her.
This was hardly the first time it happened, in every other time she spied, especially during the previous decade, her sudden disappearance usually meant that she already noticed that Alaska was there and didn't wish to be seen further. That didn't stop her from trying to spy on her, though, but often times, it was a nigh-impossible task trying to find Soviet Union after this first disappearance.
The few and far in between moments were there, and it usually happened with the Russian staring at her general direction.
"Charming."
Kind of like now. But not at the same time, because the Soviet Union was right behind her.
Alaska wasn't really sure what to do now. By protocol she should've just abandon ship the moment Soviet Union noticed her, but that wasn't the kind of person she was, especially when it came to her.
But today could be considered their first meeting, when it came to the technicalities of whom it was, and how she spoke to Alaska first. Their true first meeting between her and her mother's successor was a bit over sixty years ago, when she was in the 399th Infantry Regiment during the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War.
It was a sight, for sure. She still remembered how her heart shook when she first saw her.
"Well, I got it from someone," Alaska replied, tone in a recognisable unserious manner, as she turned to face the taller albino. "But I think you'd know that. This is far from our first meeting, is it not? I think you're quite familiar by now."
The stare the Russian had on her was unblinking and lacked any sort of strong emotion within them. She was sitting on the edge of the building, the only thing preventing her from falling back being her own balance. But Alaska knew she wouldn't have fallen either way, unless it was on purpose.
Soviet Union didn't seem to be bothered enough to even reply to her comment, instead enamoured by the performance down there.
If America was here, and if he knew what she was doing right now, he would have freaked out. Which was understandable, Alaska never had a good track record of being obedient. Everyone knew how hard it was to even convince America that Alaska would be trustworthy enough to handle spying over Soviet Union.
"Of course you are, you..." Alaska trailed off, unsure if she should even continue her words once the Soviet's eyes came back to stare at her sharply. Sharply for anyone else watching, perhaps, but Alaska was used to it for her to not view it as such, but instead place it with curiosity. "hm, well, you already know."
"Do I, really?" She questioned, head tilting slightly. Russian Empire did the same thing as well. Which really isn't a surprise, considering she and Soviet Union are—
"Yes you do. You're only saying that because you want to hear the answer directly from my mouth," Alaska was already well-versed with how Soviet Union played things, so there really wasn't a need for her to walk right into her trap when it comes to these play of words. "You won't do anything to me?"
"I don't see a threat." She continued, as Alaska began to notice a shift in her eyes' emotions. It felt a bit odd for her, because she's never seen her this open with her feelings before. Alaska reckoned it was probably because Soviet Union was blind, hence she was more unaware of how she's presenting her feelings to any prying eyes.
"Fair enough," Alaska chuckled, finding this whole situation amusing. Something told her that the other probably felt the same, but she couldn't be too sure. Though she wasn't sure why every time she guessed the Russian's feelings, it always ended up being correct, one way or another. Perhaps she's just really good at reading her emotions. "should I tell Drew that I met you today?"
"Lysander Dallimore?" The mention of that name made Alaska pause on her feet. That surname shouldn't be known to her, America should still be known as Van der Zee to many. "I'd rather you not." She answered. How the Soviet ever found out, Alaska might as well give up in trying to know. She always seemed to know everything, so, why was she even surprised that Soviet Union knew?
What came after was a long streak of silence, as Soviet Union turned her head to look at the stadium.
"Peshka E4."
As Alaska said that, it visibly piqued Soviet Union's interest, who chuckled, her smile growing wider as she returned Alaska's stare.
"Peshka E5." Soviet Union replied.
It's been a while since Alaska did this, and her mother was always a tough opponent. "Kon' F3."
"Kon' F6."
"Oh, you really love your knights." Soviet Union smiled, because Alaska did too.