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Is Blood Family (LittleLips & Frelance)

Evo Var

Evo Var

Supernova
Joined
Jan 2, 2010
Location
Alberta
Markus checked the his watch and grabbed a sign he had made. Signing he stubbed out his cigarette and flicked it into the parking lot after getting out of the car. Part of him still didn't believe that he was actually at the Moscow airport to pick up his sister. A sister he had never met and who had barely been a bump on his mothers belly when he left home. Then two weeks ago he got an email from the family lawyer telling him that his parents had died in a car crash and he was now the legal guardian of his sister. As he spun the sign slowly in his hands he slipped inside the building and shrugged off the trench coat he had on and shock off the light layer of snow that had accumulated on it even in the short walk from the parking lot.

It only took him a few minutes to fine the gate he was supposed to be picking her up from and after a few nervous minutes of waiting he bought himself a coffee and slice of pizza and went and crouched against the wall directly opposite the gate with the sign propped against his legs so it would be visible to anyone walking out of the gate. Now that he was finally here he tried not for the first time to think of what he could say to her. Its not like he could ask about news about the family, even if there was anyone alive to ask about he was the black sheep of the family and truth be told he hadn't actually wanted to know what was going on with his family for a very long time now.

He had finished the pizza and was about to get out and start walking around to stretch his legs when the doors opened for the first time. The hard green of his eyes flicked up to see who was walking out and his hard gaze was reflected back to him by the first few people walking out of the gate. He thought he caught a glimpse of bright red hair and stood up picking up his coat as he did so. With the sign held at chest height his eyes flicked to the glimpses of the read that was a rare sight for him to see these days.
 
Full Name: Margaret
Nickname/ Name people call her: Maisie [May-see]
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Mom and Dad were dead. All other family members were pretty estranged. We never had a whole lot of family to begin with. Not a whole lot of people to associate with, but we made do. We traveled a lot, so even maintaining friendships was hard. So when they told me my next kin was all the way in Russia - it didn't really phase me. I was expecting to move state, maybe even country. But I had initially thought - maybe Canada? But Russia? That was literally the other end of the world. To me, it was a new adventure. I never really fit in 'round here anyways. I had friends, but they weren't there for me when I needed them most. Moving wouldn't be as hard as for most people. To me, it was just another place, another year - and it was time for a fresh new start.

I had already shipped most of my clothes, items and affairs over to the new Russian address before my departure. I had sold most of my belongings anyways - including the house, the furniture, and the cars. All of it went to my name. I was the only name and inheriter listed on the Will, despite having a brother. Although I didn't find out about his existence until my early teens, I had braced myself long ago for the day I would meet my biological brother - the lost child, and the runaway son. I had dreamnt of this day over and over and over again, but never... EVER... had I imagined it would be under these circumstances. Mom and Dad were dead. Those fives words were constantly running through my head, haunting me, even though it had already been well over a month since they had died.

Despite everything, I could only look forward into the future. As I exited the plane, I took a deep breath. My eyes scattered as I searched for some kind of sign, for a person who would be looking for me. But I was disappointed, I found nothing. I didn't know what you looked like, but I could remember the representatives words clearly 'Oh, you'll recognize him!'. How? I didn't understand how. I wondered if we even looked alike.

I continued to walk around, wondering if this mysterious brother of mine was really pulling a no-show, or if he was simply late. As I turned my head, I realized it was neither. He was at the wrong gate. Rolling my eyes slightly, I shook my head and walked over to him. Coming from the side, I doubted he even realized I was there until I opened my mouth to speak, "That guy was right. I can spot that red hair of yours from a mile away." I smirked before following up, "Ya' know... ya really could try harder to look like you care. That grim face of yours would 'prolly look better with a smile." I was half serious, half just trying to tease. When I was in awkward situations, I often resorted to being kinda snarky. I gave a bit of a charming smile before I brought an apple up to my plump pierced lips and took a big ol' bite out of it.
 
His head snapped around when he heard someone speaking to him and even though english was his first language his brow furrowed as he tried to remember the language. He had not spoken it in over a year now and even then it had only been a few words to a tourist who was lost. He had learned fast that he needed to speak Russian if he was going to survive here and once he had learned it there was not much point in learning English. As the meaning of her words were understood he relaxed a bit and even gave her a thin smile that looked like it almost hurt him to put on. Reaching out he grabbed a few strands of her hand and shrugged. "Yours the same." Letting go of her hair his hand went to the back of his neck as he dropped the sign into the garbage and motioned towards the doors. "Need to pick up bags? Suitcases?" He couldn't hold back the growl of frustration he was feeling as he tried to speak to her in a language that did not seem natural to him anymore.

To stop himself from making even more of a fool of himself he drank some of the coffee as he lead her towards the entrance he had used coming from his car. He was not sure if she had anything since she had sent most of her things to his apartment. As they walked he took a closer look at her. It wasn't hard to see a bit of the same features he had inherited in her but he couldn't see her as his sister. She seemed more like a distant cousin then anything else. He took his time before he spoke this time to try and phrase his question correctly. "Do you, " Pausing he rubbed the back of his neck as he thought for a moment before continuing. "understand Russian?" After he asked he finished off his coffee and tossed the cup out before slipping back into his coat with got him a few almost angry looks from a few people walking past them since there as still a hammer and sickle on the shoulder of one arm that he had not taken off when he purchased the coat from a surplus store.
 
The corner of my lips slowly rose to stretch the slightest bit of a smile across my face as you nipped a piece of my own hair. "It's dyed. Don't get too excited." I teased. I was a natural redhead, but I always enhanced the color and brightness with products. I watched as you placed the sign in the trash. I looked at the garbage and the smile slowly drifted from my expression.

As you asked about luggage, I shook my head. "Negative." I replied enthusiastically as I turned around to point to my backpack. Showcasing it with a light pat from my hand, I looked over my shoulder and emphasized. "I pack light. I sent most of my stuff to your place, and the rest I either donated or got rid of." I grinned slightly. It was hard for me. It hard not to mention Mom and Dad, or the past in itself. It was a topic we would eventually discuss, but I just couldn't bring myself to bring it up. In fact, for the past couple of weeks, I hadn't even mention my parents to anybody, other than the lawyers when it came to discussing their possessions. I didn't want to think about the past; about the life I had lost, and about the only two people I had as family who vanished from my life in an instance. It was the kind of pain you bury deep inside - to numb it. I had numbed myself.

Looking over to you, I wondered if I was really the only person who was numb. Sure, you were rough around the edges, but I was starting to wonder if maybe you did feel something. Even if it was just a bit. Despite those thoughts, I shrugged and followed you towards the entrance, as I neared, I realized from looking out the window that living in Moscow, I was going to need a LOT more than just the lithe sweater I was wearing now. I swallowed nervously to the thought of the cold weather, but my attention was quickly switched to you, struggling to even form a sentence. As you asked about Russian, my face went from neutral to slightly annoyed. "Do I look-..." I stopped myself from and outburst, before taking a slow breath and restarting the sentence. "I just came off a plane from the United States of a America, to which I flew from Prairieville, Louisiana. D'ya hear me?" I pointed to my mouth. "The only thing more Southern than my voice right now is a hillbilly from Alabama - and you're asking me if I understand Russian?" Smirking, I looked at you like you were a moron. "I have a English-Russian dictionary... does that count?"
 
Looking at her hair more closely he thought he might be able to see just the beginnings of the roots but then again he could just be seeing what he wanted to see. He dropped the thought as she patted her backpack and he nodded. "Pravo, I mean right." He had looked away not wanting to be looking at her as his irritation got the better of him for a few moments.

He looked back at her and his eyes narrowed as she started to snap at him. When she stopped herself and started to explain in a much calmer voice he wondered briefly if she had learned to control herself after years of dealing with their parents. He remembered the times he had work hard to control his temper as he argued with their parents over the smallest thing but as soon as he started to raise his voice they would shut down and not listen to another word until he had calmed down. "Net, it will be little help." He looked her over again as a few things fell into place slightly delayed but his subconscious had pushed the fact that she was used to warm weather to the front of his mind. She would freeze in the thin clothing she was wearing now. Looking around as he shrugged off his coat he spotted what he was looking for and after handing her his coat he walked over to one of the stalls and bought a classic russian hat and brought it back and handed it to her. He glanced back outside then reached into one of the pockets and pulled out a leather bound flask that he opened and took a swig of as he started walking for the doors again. "Gloves in other pocket."

He waited with her at the entrance until she seemed ready to go before he walked outside and took another swig of vodka to fight off the cold winds and snow as it slashed at any bare skin. He lead her quickly to the car unlocking it and getting in as quickly as he could before turning it on and waiting for the engine to warm up before he blasted the heat. Once he had heated up a bit he put the flask in the cup holder and started driving home. "Shopping tomorrow for proper shoes and clothing." He dwould let her get used to her room and the apartment before he took out shoping.
 
As you looked at me, I was wondering what you were even thinking. For a moment I wondered if you even understood English, but then I realized that you had too - you had spent half your life in the U.S., so unless you suffered from memory loss, you could surely still understand. For someone who tried to escape his past life, you really did well. You barely spoke English. I should have expected it, but I didn't. Sighing lightly, I braced myself for the cold, that is, until I watched you take off your coat. "Oh." I said, sincerely shocked that you were handing me your coat. "No, no - You don't have to give me your coa-" You were already walking away from me. I sighed lightly, "Anndddd you are." I shook my head lightly as you bought a tourist Russian hat from a stand in the airport. "Really?" I said in a sort of tone of voice that didn't seem to impressed. "I'm fine. I can handle myself." I had already pulled the coat on anyways, not wanting to be rude by handing it back to you. I grabbed the hat from your hand, but refused to put it on. I followed you out the door and continued on my little rant - "A little cold never hurt nobody."

Just then, the doors open and I am struck with the frigid, slashing cold winds of Moscow. "Lord have mercy!" I mumbled to myself, not wanting to admit I probably needed the hat. I looked around, but before I could even blink, I already felt like my eyeballs were ice cubes. I quickly put the had on my stubborn head and pulled the jacked closer to me. I could someone only focus on you, taking a whip of that flask. "Uh... last I checked, boy, I'm pretty sure drinking and driving was illegal." I swallowed roughly, but quickly shut up as you abruptly got in the car. I went up to the passenger door, but before pulling it open, I paused to look at the snow building on the room of the car. I smiled, before clasping a handful of it in my palm. "It's freezin'." I laughed, slightly before tapping it out of my hand. I clenched my bare fist to combat the cold before finally getting into the car.

Sitting in the seat, I reached into the pocket and pulled out the gloves. I was looking at the window when I stated in a hush tone, "I've never seen snow before..." I glanced at you, briefly, "I mean, in movies. But not... not in person."
 
He looked over at her as she mentioned drinking and driving and laughed softly at her. "Your not in Kansas anymore." Smiling freely for the first time as he put the car into gear and pulled onto the road. He was happy he had been able to say something in his native tongue that didn't make him sound like an idiot. "I remember the south. No snow always hot, always humid." He shuddered a little but whether that was because he was still cold or just the memory it wasn't clear. "I knew you need the coat." He ground his teeth together as he realized his mistake again but didn't say anything else.

He turned his attention to the road and once he had merged into the highway traffic he reached between them and turned on the radio and started to flip stations which most seemed to be playing the latest top forty from America even though the DJs spoke in Russian between the songs. He finally stopped playing around with it and just turned it down low enough that he could talk comfortably over it. "You 16 right?" He glanced over at her to make sure she understood what he had asked before looking back at the road. He had called a few school when he learned that she was going to come to russia but it had been his boss that had found a private school in Moscow that looked like it might be a good fit. Markus had taken a tour and found that the school taught both english and russian to the students which was why the school had been pointed out to him.

He had struggled to learn the language on his own but with the help of teachers his sister might be able to pick it up faster than he had. As hypocritical as it made him he wanted to make sure she got a degree in something partly because he had never gone back to school after he left home but also just so she could get a decent job.
 
"Kansas!?" I laughed at loud. "Is that where you think I'm from? I aint from Kansas, hunnybear. This girl's from Louisiana. The one and only. Maybe a little bit of Texas, a little bit of Oklahoma. But that's it." I couldn't help but smile. For the first time ever, that smug look vanished from your face, and I could see a smile - even if it was only a small one - and even if it didn't last long - it was a smile. "Yeeeep. Always hot. Always rainy, too. No snow." Although my eyes had been fixated for the most part on the road and at how different Russia really was from the U.S., they briefly turned to you. Every time I looked at you, more and more questions filled my mind. I wondered what had prompt you to leave, and if you ever regretted it - or if you even cared about me at all.

I fell quite silent as my mind turned back to wander out the window of the car. Completely zoning out, I had barely heard what you said until my delayed reaction finally kicked in. "Huh?" I turned my head. "Uh - yeah. Seventeen this summer..." I sunk into my seat, and fell silent. I wondered how I was finally going to break the unbearable silence. I had lost myself in y thoughts about the deaths of my parents, when I suddenly blurted out, "What did they tell you about Mom and Dad?" I slowly moved my head to glance at you, but felt it would be too hard to look you straight in the face. I resorted to keeping my eyes focused on my passenger window. I couldn't bear to look you in the eyes.

"Why'd you take me in?" It was a question I just couldn't avoid any more or try to curve with lithe chit chat. I needed to know. I couldn't move forward in any kind of relationship without soothing my questions - at least some of them.
 
He looked at her confused for a second then shook his head and sighed. "No, no, Dorothy. Wizard of Oz." He shook his head and turned back to the road. If she didn't know the quote then he was not going to try and explain it to her. Not right now when he could barely get a full sentence out. He couldn't really believe that she wouldn't know the quote but if she didn't then things really must have changed since he had left. Markus nodded as she described the climate as he remembered it to be in the south.

He had looked over to watch her when she didn't answer his question right away. He wondered what she had been thinking about when he asked but didn't know if he really wanted to know. Be had been trying to figure out what grade she would be put in at school when she suddenly asked him what he knew about their parents. His jaw clenched and he switched lanes onto the highway exit a little more violently than was needed. He stared silent for another minute before he spoke. "Just that they died in a car accident." He bit his tongue before he could add thats all I needed to no. He didn't think that would go over to well .

Her next question was even more awkward even if it was just a matter of time. Slowly after running the words over in his head to make sure he had the right wording. "You are family and I remember how odd what little family was left there so I said yes. You can go back anytime if you want to." That had been the main reason but there was a small part of him that wondered if their parents had not put a guardian so that he and his sister would have a chance to meet.

He fell silent then not sure what else he should say. A few minutes later he turned off the road and into an underground parking garage that was set under a relatively new looking apartment building. A security guard checked his pass before he opened the gate and let them inside to the ramp. Once he had parked the car close to the elevator he made no move to shut off the car. Instead he took the flask and took a swig before offering it to her. "Vodka?" He smiled a bit but it was nothing like the relaxed smile had given her before. Once he had offered it to her he shut down the car ready to show her up to the apartment and her room there. From what he remembered of the apartments in the U.S. his was pretty close in the comforts it offered but then he had a good paying job and more than a few connections.
 
"I know, I know. But I'm just sayin'. I don't follow no yellow brick road." I kidded around. It became clear in that moment, with a snarky little grin to my face, that I was just pulling your leg a bit. "I may be young, but I'm not stupid. I've seen the movie - they still show it in junior high." Chuckling lightly, I shrugged. "Kansas is definitely gone, now." I said, as my eyes wandered to the window ago. This world was so different. I wondered how I would adapt, but shoved that thought to the very back of my mind.

Without making any eye contact, I managed to withhold any sort of evidence that I was hurting inside. My eyes began to water, but will all the force I had, closed my eyes, and held everything back. There was a tightness in my throat; a knot that developed just at the thought of their deaths. But I swallowed that knot. I made sure it went down, even if I had to try a couple times to ensure it would never reveal itself. "Yeah." I scoffed up, hoping that the tremble in my voice wasn't too obvious. "Yeah, that's what I figured."

Without saying another word, I pulled open the door and exited the car. I wouldn't look at you. In fact, I completely and purposely ignored your offer of Vodka, not even having so much as the decency to look at you and politely refuse you. Instead, I just stormed out of the car. I was losing control of myself again, and I didn't want to show weakness. I didn't want you to know what I felt... and what had actually happened. All I wanted to do was run. Runaway from everything and be alone. I had isolated myself so much in the past few weeks, but running always made me feel safe. It made me feel free, even though I knew it was really just a route to darkness.

I walked up to the elevator without you. Slamming my fist into the button, the square piece split; a crack now permanently scarring it. "Common!" I said, in a sudden frustrated rush. I had no patience, it was evident in my mannerisms. Pausing, I took a breath, finally looking up, but just barely, and rolling my eyes. "Forget I even asked."
 
When she got out of the car Markus leaned back into his seat and let out a groan. He had not expected her to blow up like that, he had been trying to be truthful. When he heard her say something as she waited for the elevator he got out of the car and quickly walked over to her. He spotted the cracked button and sighed as he shook his head not wanting to think about what anyone might think when the security footage of her slamming the button and he knew it would get out. He stood next to her silently as he ideally toyed with the flask as he tried to think of something to say. This was not how he had expected things to go. He had hoped he would be able to get to know her a bit before they started to talk about their parents. Now he knew that he should have known better than to think that she would not want to talk about them.

When the elevator arrived he stepped inside and hit the button for the top tenth floor and as the door closes he clears his throat but doesn't say anything for a few seconds. "Your boxes are in your room. I left them alone." He didn't look over at her as he spoke. Markus didn't want to see what her look she might give him and he didn't want her to see the frustration in his face. When the doors opened he lead her down the hall to the end before he started to unlock to last door on the left.

The apartments layout was a simple one but it was a comfortable size for two people. After opening the door he flicked on the light revealing stacks of computers and other electronics that were stacked against the wall. Some were just set side by side while others were bolted into racks that were just a foot shy of brushing the ceiling. All of them were humming away with multiple led lights blinking constantly. "Your room is this way." He walked across the apartment tossing the flask onto a comfortable looking crimson couch that sat in the living room. He opened the first door on the right and took a step back so she could see the room. There was a single bed against the far wall with a desk and a desktop computer set up on it. He had stacked her boxes against the wall shared by the living room. "I can get paint if a different color is better." He stood there for a few moments before a phone started ringing from the living room. Thankful for an excuse to get a bit of space from his sister even if for just a few minutes.

Sitting on the bed there were four books sitting on the bed. Each one a guide to Moscow and Russia in general along with a copy of Rosetta stone and one of the latest smart phones sitting on a piece of paper that explained a plan that would be hard for almost anyone to run over its limits. Markus couldn't help but wonder if he had made a mistake on getting her the things on her bed but when he had gotten them he had thought it would be good to help her get to know the city. Picking up the cell phone that had been ringing he sat down on the couch. "Privet, chto vam nuzhno?" It felt good to slip back into Russian after butchering his native language. It felt more natural even if he was just saying hello and asking what the caller needed. He turned on the tv and scanned the news updates that rolled along the bottom of the scream and frowned as it spoke of even more deaths in Sirya.
 
Standing in the elevator was a far cry from excitement. The small space was so tense, and the air so lithe, that it could suffocate somehow. I could only pray that no one would get in the elevator, as anyone with any strand of emotion would be able to sense that something was wrong. For me, a lot was wrong. The whole situation was fucked up - and I thought I could handle more than what was on my plate - but I was dead wrong. It all came rushing back to me in those moments in the car. The hardest part was, I wasn't even mad at you. I was mad at the world. I was mad at the courts, the police, and the coroner. I hated everything. Actually, I probably hated everyone but you. Unfortunately, I was just at a loss of words - and I couldn't come to express myself.

Without making any eye contact, I anticipated the doors to open and as they did, I was the first to exit the elevator. I roamed down the hall, but then slowed my pace, allowing you to move past me and lead me to the apartment. As we approached the door, I waited for you to open it - as when you did, my jaw dropped just a tad. It was in that moment that I realized I didn't know a thing about you. As I gazed upon the mountains of electronics, particular monitors and computers - I wondered - What is all this? And that's when I had remembered, I didn't even bother to ask you what you did for a living. "Uhm..." I said in a confused state as I stepped into the apartment. My eyes followed all of the electronics, and I mumbled, "What'd you say you do again?" I was not a moron - I knew you left the US because of some trouble with both the law and my parents. I knew you were brilliant - that you frauded their credit cards to escape the country. Smart, and sneaky. Perhaps that was also your career.

But my question soon faded as I followed you to my room. "Ya crack governments for a livin'?" I said with a childish smile, slightly giggling at the joke I had just made. Immediately after I asked the question, the phone began to ring and I watched you promptly walk away. I was completely kidding, but as I look at your expression, my smile faded and I realized that you could very well be into business I was not allowed to know about.

I returned my focus to the room, and approached the bed. I looked down at the small presents there, and my smile slowly returned. Although it was a small gesture, it was thoughtful, and something I didn't expect. I slowly picked up the box of RosettaStone language lessons and chuckled slightly. Putting it down, I moved over to the smartphone and the plan. This was not a cheap phone, nor was it a cheap plan. It was the best of the best, and it only made me wonder, even more than before, how you made so much money.

Holding onto the phone in one hand, and the plan in the other, I crept out of my room, in order to listen in. I couldn't understand a Russian word, so instead, just moved freely and waited for you to hang up the phone. When you did, I spoke, "Yah didn't have too... I mean, yah don't have too." I swallowed nervously and moved to hand the plan back over to you. "I... uh... I don't have no friends, so... it's really not necessary." I gave a weak, half smile. Embarassed, my eyes left yours and roamed to all of the technical stuff in the room.

"Can ya change stuff...?" My glossy brown eyes shifted back to yours, "Ya know, like an identity?"
 
" Я могу сделать это, но не ожидайте, чтобы я быстро. Я уже сказал вам, что я собираюсь быть замедление моей работы нагрузки на некоторое время." Hanging up the phone he quickly dialed another number and spoke in broken mandarin mixed with Russian then looked at the clock on the stove before answering a question. " да, полуночи хорошо." He listened to what else was being said as he watched Margaret come back into the room and started to just walk around. He was happy to see that she did not look as pissed off now and was curious as to why she had the phone with her but he waited patiently until his suppler slowly stopped talking. The guy was one of the weirder people he knew but the man could get him anything or at least had not failed him yet.

Setting down the phone he looked up at her as she spoke. Smiling he sat back, shaking his head and crossing his arms as she tried to hand the phone back. "Its a gift, first month is paid for." He shrugged then added. "Trail period. You don't want it after, then I sell it. Okay?" He wasn't even sure if that had made much sense but the worry didn't stay with him long as he heard what she said next. He opened his mouth to say something then stopped and picked up the phone off the table. After fiddling around with it for a few seconds he set it down on the coffee table and started to speak in Russian. "Take it as a good omen. If I didn't think you would need a phone I wouldn't have gotten you one." The phone translated it although badly in a few cases which just had him rolling his eyes, muttering. "Fucking piece of shit corporate software." Which it translated perfectly and have Markus glaring at it like he wanted to toss it against the wall.

He looked back up at her with a raised eyebrow at her question but ended up shrugging and holding his hand out palm down and titled it back and forth in a so so motion. "Not my area of expertise but I can if I need to. Better to go to a pro though." He picked up the phone as he finished speaking and changed the synthesized voice so that it was closer to his own voice. "You want to change who you are?" By the smile that spread over his face it was pretty easy to tell that he didn't think she actually wanted him to do it. "I get in and out of systems without being noticed or I test system to see how secure they are. The boss likes the idea of the systems being tested often." He fell silent for a moment as he got up and got a wireless keyboard and mouse from the mountain of humming machines and sat back on the couch. He switch the 54 inch flat screen he had been watching the news on to pc mode and started opening windows. "Your room used to be my favorite room. I would work in just shorts all day. But now I don't have to pay for the heat so its all good." He was only half kidding since he really didn't need to turn the heat up nearly as far when his hardware was running. His fingers stopped typing as a very basic browser opened up and simple search engine webpage opened up called pipl. He opened a simple text file that had instructions explaining that the site would find out the secrets of anyone you search for as well as just anything about that person that is online. "Got any enemies?" He offered her the keyboard.
 
As you mentioned it wasn't something you were familiar with, I looked slightly disappointed, but tried to keep as straight of a face as possible. Using the phone as a translator was quite smart. It was something I could us to both help me learn and improve my Russian as well as help me communicate with people without speaking Russian at the moment. A genuine smile consumed my expression. I was extremely amused with the phone. I had never had a smartphone before. Out in the south, we lived in a small town, where most people didn't have phones – let alone smartphones. I had fiddled with some here and day from the occasional person showing me the phone and through looking at smartphones at stores – but I could never afford one. “Jeez. Got me thinkin' that it's smarter than me.” I was referring to the phone, but I was kidding.

Listening to you carefully speak Russian made the smile on my face continue to grow. There was something incredibly foreign about the Russian language. Out in the US, most people who didn't speak English, spoke Spanish, some times French, and some times Italian – but those were Latin languages. Russian was slavic. It was sharp, powerful, but more than anything else – it was extremely masculine. Most girls swoon over accents, but I never thought I could be a girl who would find something like that to enhance a man's attractiveness... but in that moment, I strangely did. “You know what I like?” I reached for the phone, playfully snatching it from you. “Your voice.” I said casually, before taking a step closer to you, pointing to you, and repeating, “YOUR voice.” I gave a sweet smile and turned the translator off on the phone. I slipped the phone into my ass pocket of my ripped skinny jeans. “Ya don't need a machine to chat with me.”

Walking over to the couch, I took a seat down, next to you. Backtracking to your previous question, I corrected, “Nah. Not who I am. Who I appear to be... to other people.” I took the keyboard from your hand, but rather than searching a name into Pipl, I hovered my fingers over the keyboard. I stared at the television with an completely blank expression. Looking down, I frowned lightly before handing the keyboard back to you. “No.” I replied, simply, “None.”
 
The playful way she took the phone away and shut off the translator had him grinning right back at her. For the first time he didn't see her as some lost part of his old life but as the vibrant and youthful southern girl she was. He had loved those girls when they had moved south for the first time. The accent was so much smoother than anything he had heard anywhere else they had lived in the states and it wasn't that things moved slower in that part of the country but it just seemed to be more laid back and relaxed which he had embraced whole heartily. He turned away as he tried not to imagine her in the place where the girls he had just compared her to ended up. He had gotten lucky in those days. He had been smart and able to talk to them better than most of the boys his age at the time not to mention the advantage of being new to the area.

Forcing the thought out of his mind Markus waited to see who she would search for. "Fine, no phone but English is rusty. I don't use it much here." He looked at her completely confused by her answer to his question. He had a few fake identities but they were all to change who he was in case he got caught and someone tried to hunt him down. He didn't see why you would need to change how you appear to be to others. "Explain. Please, why do you want to appear as someone else?" He held back on adding that he could get her a new identity if she asked since he didn't want to unless that was a good reason for it. Even with the people he knew there was still a risk of something going wrong.

He took the keyboard but was even more confused than before. He didn't see how she could not have at least one person that she didn't want to find some dirt on. He said nothing though and just shut down the web browser then set the keyboard and mouse on the coffee table as he scanned one of the command line windows that were still open and running one program or another on the desktop. He forced himself to look away from the screen and looked over at Margaret. "So you like my coat?" He was half joking but she still had the coat on so he was wondering if the apartment was to cold and he had just not noticed or if she actually liked the coat.
 
"Ya English aint so bad." I nudged your with my elbow playfully. Giving a charming smile, my eyes fixated on you. "I don't even know no Russian, so... ya'll doing pretty good compared to me." Lightly giggling, I tried to keep the focus away from the serious subject - me changing my identity. But I had opened a can of worms - one far bigger than I could have anticipated. I didn't realized I would lunge myself into a one on one question, even though it was the obvious outcome. I sorta thought it would be swept under a rug - more of a question in passing. I should have known better. "I uh..." I hesitated, as if I was being careful with my words - and carefully selecting the words I wanted to speak. "I want a fresh start, here, in this new life." I looked sincere. "I wanna change my name." Shifting my eyes slightly, I grinned.

I fell silent for a moment, but that silence was quickly broken as you commented on the coat. Looking slightly confused, I looked down only to indeed realize I still had the coat. I laughed slightly, shaking my head as I started to remove it. "Jeez, I must love this here coat of yours. It's so dang warm, my body is relying on it." Pulling it over my shoulder, I handed it back to you. Without quite thinking, I blurted out - "It smells like you." Realizing how creepy that sounded, I smirked nervously and handed the coat back to you.

Before anything could become of it, I interrupted. "There's... uh... something you should know." I swallowed roughly. Pulling my hands together, I clasped my palm nervously. Unable to make eye contact in that moment. It was almost as if I was admitting to having sex for the first time to a parent. It was that kind of tension - but that wasn't it. "Mom and Dad... they didn't die in no car accident." Pausing, my eyes returned to yours as I slowly exhaled. "At least, not quite like they told you."
 
"Thanks, it is embarrassing to see how much I have almost forgotten." He laughed softly at her giggle but he didn't say anything else as he waited for her to tell him why she wants a new ID. The reason she gave was understandable enough but he didn't see why she would need it now when she was in a new country unless she had done something bad noteworthy enough that a normal user could find it online. He glanced at the keyboard and had to stop himself from picking it up and doing a search on her. The desire was so powerful that he had to cross his arms to stop himself from giving in to the urge. He was so used to just searching for anything whenever he wanted to but he didn't want to piss her off by searching her while she sat right next to him.

Laughing at the confused look on her face when she realized she was still wearing the coat. Taking it back he smiled and shrugged. "We can get you one tomorrow. I have a few of th." He stopped mid word and looked over at her wondering if she was having issues with seeing him as a sibling but he couldn't think much about it as she started talking again.

Markus thought that she going to explain why she wanted a new start but when she mentioned their parents he looked away from her and toyed with the coat in his hands. It didn't matter that she had broken eye contact. Taking a quick breath he leaned back into the couch and looked back at her determined not to say the wrong thing. Opening his mouth to ask what she meant he stopped himself and studied her face for a few seconds before trying again. "Okay, what do I not know about it?" He really didn't want to know but he thought that she probably felt like he needed to know. His family had been dead to him for so long that it was more of a shock to hear that he was his sisters legal guardian then the news of his parents deaths.
 
My mouth opened, but nothing came out. My eyes were wide as I stared at you - but I was like a blank paper. I had a worried expression to my face, but I wasn't making a sound. Nothing. It was like I was trying to speak, but I had a knot in my throat. In that moment, I felt numb - nearly helpless. I wasn't prepared to tell you, but I had too. My open jaw slowly closed as I took a deep breath and buried my face in my hands. I ran my hands over my face and forehead, before pulling my bangs out from my face and bracing myself for the inevitable truth.

Letting out a deep, frustrated sigh, I rose suddenly from the couch; snatching the keyboard from the table and taking it with me. Taking a few steps away from the couch, I kept my back to you. "There was a car accident... but that's not what killed them." Typing into the keyboard "Tragedy strikes Louisiana" - multiple hits on the web browser instantly pop up. Links to multiple items with horrific titles:

'Fatal car accident leads to the death of a couple - Police say homicide-suicide'
'Man tries to kill himself with wife's dead body in the car'
'Man murders his wife, nearly kills himself trying to discard the body'

I swayed my body to turn back around and face you; slowly placing the keyboard back on the table. With the upmost regret, I turned to look at you. "He strangled her, then he tried to dispose of her. Like she was some kind of piece of trash." My eyes started to water slightly, but it was clear I was fighting to keep it together - and mostly succeeding. "He lost control of the car, and slammed head on into a tree. The car was obliterated." I paused and took a breath. "And so was she." I moved a hand over my mouth, but took a breath - wiping all sense of sadness from my mind, and keeping strong. "Bastard survived, but he..." Pausing, I had to take a moment. "Damn coward killed himself in the hospital."
 
As Markus watched her seem to fight to even tell him what was on her mind he almost told her to not tell him if it was this painful. He kept his mouth shut though and waited for her to speak. When she finally did start her words just confused and frustrated him until he saw what she was searching. It was the head lines that caused his fingers to first go limp then clench a few moments later as the implications of what he had not been told started to sink it. Her words were what hammered it home and even though he was shocked by what had happened a small part of him was not surprised by the situation. That realisation just made the old guilt that he had never been able to shake after he didn't reply to the emails his mother had sent to him resurface.

He looked up at her his eyes only slightly misty as he fought to keep back his tears. He stood up as she took a moment before telling him that their bastard of a father had killed himself instead of facing his fate. Markus didn't even think about it as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against him as he spoke softly to her. "I'm sorry. I should have come back." He fell silent as he finally gave up fighting his sadness and let his tears roll down his cheeks as he cried silently as he held onto her.

Markus didn't know how long her held onto her but as he started to calm down he knew that he would do everything he needed to give her the fresh start she wanted. At the moment he just wanted to try and lighten the mood a bit. Smiling a bit to himself he put his lips close to her ear as he whispered. "Still liking my smell?" He pulled back and kissed her forehead before loosening her grip so she could pull back if she wanted to . He knew he had a lot to make up for and he was going to do his best to make up for every moment he had missed with Margaret.
 
As you stood up, my eyes wandered from the many headlines to you. I didn't know what else to say – I had been left speechless, as I'm sure you were too. Swallowing heavily, I could only think of the many possibilities of the emotions you were feeling. But the reality was, you could be angry, sad, or you could very well have no emotion towards it – be unphased. But as you pulled me into your arms, I knew in that moment that you felt something.

My arms did nothing but wrap around your torso. It was instant – I wanted to be in your arms. I held onto to you as if my life depended on it. Burying my face into your chest, I tried to hold back the tears, but couldn't. Apologizing only made it worse for me – it saddened me further. Not that you hadn't come back, but that I never had the opportunity to leave with you. “No...” I reassured, though still kept my head pressed against you. “Ya shouldn't have... ya did the right thing for you.” I sniffed but swallowed it down. “I only wish I had left with you.”

I continued to hold onto you, making the embrace last quite a while before I heard your whisper. Breaking out into a laughter, I pulled back from you and wiped the tears from my eyes. I tried to keep my mascara from running. “Yeah...” I smiled, before admitting, “It's comfortin'. Makes me wanna stay in your arms.”
 
He couldn't help but wonder if he would have been so forgiving in her place but he tried not to think about it to much as he wasn't sure i wanted to know. Her laughter brought a smile to his lips as he let his arms drop to his sides before following her lead and wiping away his tears. Her answer just kept his smile as if her words gave him the strength to not dwell on the past. "My arms are open to you any time then." His smile faltered slightly as he seemed to be thinking about what he wanted to say. "I want to be here for you, but I can't. No." He shook his head eve as he rubbed the back of his head as if that would help him remember the words he was looking for. "I will be as good as I can to you but I do not know if I will ever see you as a sister. To much time apart." He sighed but his hand on her cheek and stroked it. "It will probably just get harder after we can you a fresh start."

Letting his hand drop he looked up at the time and decided it had been long enough since he last ate. Turning to the coffee table on reflex to pick up his phone and stopped as he realized that it was still in her back pocket. Turning back to her he asked. "You like pizza?" He knew he should make her something Russian but he didn't feel like cooking so he was hoping she would be fine with just having something be delivered. As he waited for her answer he moved in close again as if to give her another hug but this time he let his hands slide down her back in search of the phone. As soon as he found it he quickly slid it out of her pocket cupping her ass for a moment to get the leverage needed to slide it out of the pocket without digging inside it to get the phone back.

He stepped back once he had the phone in his hand he checked to make sure he had not missed any calls or texts before sending a quick on off himself. Tech and a reason to use it were some of his most annoying traits since he would not be able to not use a piece of tech for long once he had it in his hands. It had gotten him into trouble a few times over the years but never enough to make him break the habit.
 
Seeing you with the few tears strolling down your face only made me appreciate you so much more. It was assurance that you did actually care, and that you did feel sorry and remorse for leaving. It also showed me you cared about me - and that only made me smile more. Perhaps I just needed that: to feel like I was wanted, and cared for. I had lacked that for so long, and now, I have the slightest shred of care - and I'm delighted. I could do nothing but nod lightly. Understanding what you were saying, I gently placed my hand on your arm in a caring gesture to reassure you that I really did understand. "I get it." It did sadden me, although momentarily, that you could never see me truly as a sister, but the reality was - it just wasn't that kind of relationship, and probably never would be giving the circumstances.

As you walked over to the table, and asked for pizza, I stayed mostly silent - only giving a small little nod in approval. I had lost myself in my thoughts. Though, as you neared, I broke out of my thoughts, expecting to receive another hug, but instead, I got something entirely different, "What in Jesus!?" I said in a matter of shock. My southern side became much more apparent in that moment. There isn't swearing without Jesus involved. I gave you a playful smack as you stepped back with your phone - after clearly groping me in the process. "Is that how y'all treat your ladies out here? Psht!" I smacked your arm playfully again. "Where are your manners, Markus?" My wide eyes and bright smile only proved I was kidding.

Coming to a realization, I smiled and seemed suddenly optimistic. "Hey... Maybe it shouldn't be." Realizing this was out of the blue, I swallowed nervously, "I... I mean, that kind of relationship - brother and sister. Maybe it aint supposed to be like that." Shrugging my shoulders lightly, I tried to sound convincing. "Ya know... When folks are in unique situations, they all have to find unique solutions. Maybe ours is not startin' off as siblin's, but startin' off as friends." Smiling slightly, I added, "We should have a fresh start." Clearing my throat, and holding my head up high, I extended my hand to you. "Hi. Name's Margaret, but folks call me Maisie. Nice to meet ya'."
 
She put him at ease with her hand on his arm and those three simple words. It was good to know that she understood. I made sure he was doing something so he didn't let himself dwell on the past. There was nothing he could do there except get angry or feel guilty about something he could never change. He couldn't help but laugh at her surprise and just shrugged even as she playfully smacked him. "To hard to reach into skinny jeans." He quickly dialed the number for the nearest pizza place and as he listened to it ring he added. "Your fault, not mine. Manners?" He just laughed and shook his head grinning at her.

He looked away from her as the call was answered and he spoke in a quick and clipped Russian for a few minutes. As he spoke he walked back to the couch and dug through his coat until he pulled out half a pack of smokes and a silver Zippo with a raised hammer and sickle on the side. Just before he hung up the phone he glanced at the time then put the phone back on the coffee table as he hung up. "Half hour for food." Turning back to her he spun the lighter between his fingers as he listened to what she was saying. He stood silently and listened to her words taking them in then nodded. He put the lighter into his other hand and shook her hand. " Приятно познакомиться Maisie, меня зовут Markus в России." He paused for a second to see if she would guess what he said before he repeated himself in English. " Nice to meet you Maisie, my name is Marcus in russian." He spoke much more slowly this time to make sure he didn't make a mistake.

After letting go of her hand he picked pulled a smoke out of the pact before he spoke. "Going to smoke. Food be here soon." He started to turn but stopped and looked her over for a second as he tried to figure out if she smoked but he couldn't tell. He hesitated for a second more then turned and walked back down the short all and opened the door across from her room exposing his room for all to see. The bed was just a simple double that looked like it had not been made for the last two weeks at least. There was a desk that ran the length of one wall with disassembled electronics ranging from laptops and desktops towers that looked almost the same to the one humming away in her room. There were also a few rc planes and helicopters that had web cams grafted onto them.

The walls were covered with some soviet style art and a few picture uploaded by Anonymous members. He lick the cigarette as he walked across the room and took a deep drag before he opened the balcony door and stepped onto the small balcony. Leaving the door open just a jar he let his mind wander as he puffed away at his smoke feeding his bodies addiction. His mind wandered back to Maisie's reaction to his groping her ass as he got him phone back but pushed it out of his mind before it could get far.
 
"Uhm..." I said; the expression on my face turning to complete confusion as I couldn't understand a single word you were saying. My face turned a tad red as I suddenly became really nervous. For a split second, I thought you would only communicate to me in Russian, and that wasn't at all what I meant when I said a fresh new start. But as you transitioned back into English, I could breathe again. Exhaling, I let out a gentle laugh. "Ya got me there. Not yet, Markus... but soon. I'll learn it, but I need time, and training!" I said enthusiastically, particularly noting that you would be the one I would practice with.

As you picked up a cigarette, I nodded to your words. I didn't have much to say about the smoking - although somehow I could have guessed you smoked. Perhaps it was the Russian stereotype, or the simple fact that you had a rough past. Smoking just seemed a suitable go-to in rough times. But it seemed that the hammer and sickle was a persistent symbol among your personal possessions. I only wondered what it meant to you - if you were more Russian than some native Russians. Communism - I wasn't so sure.

Roaming into the hallway, I passed your room but entered my own, instead. I didn't want to follow you around like a puppy dog, but after just a handful of seconds, I kinda already missed you. It was a need to get to know everything about you, that drove me to want to leave my room. I knew I couldn't just look around or sit on the couch doing nothing. I could unpack, but I wasn't really ready for it. Instead, my eyes roamed over to an odd-shaped box. Opening, I took the contents of the box with me and quietly entered your room. I looked around, noting all the technological gear and artwork. I sat on the corner of your bed closest to the balcony door and crossed my legs over one another to get comfortable. Strumming several strings on my guitar, I peaked over to you before I continued to tune the guitar. While tuning it, I wanted to comment on the Commie-style decor, but didn't want to insult, "So uh... Whatcha into around here?" I smiled lightly, continuously strumming and adjusting the acoustic guitar as I spoke.
 
He watched over his shoulder as he heard her walk into his room and looked at the guitar with some interest but what made him smile was as she looked around his room. He wondered what she was thinking as she looked at. His idea of Russia had been so wrong and when he had moved to the country he had had to radically shift his thinking so he could only imagine what she was thinking now. Turning fully around he walked back inside and sat just inside the sliding door which he closed until there was just enough room for him to get his hand out and blow the smoke out. He stayed quiet and just listened to her as she turned her guitar. He was not sure if he was surprised that she knew how to play it but he decided not to say anything about it and just wait to see how well she could play.

Markus grinned as she tried to ask about the artwork without insulting him. It was amusing to see how she had asked the question and he wondered if she thought he believed in it. "I assume what you mean by that is why do I have some much communist artwork and paraphernalia? " He shrugged and blew a cloud of smoke out the balcony. "There is just something alluring about it. Almost like you know you should not have it but it just feels so good to have it." He paused and looked at the artwork for a few moments as if really looking at it for the first time. "Also I like the style. The sharp colors and just the bold confidence they represent are." He shrugged not sure how to answer. After taking another drag on the cigarette and exhaling outside again he added. "I like have the symbol on me because its just fun to troll people and I have not found anything better than being a foreigner sporting a hammer and sickle for trolling people here." He chuckled and just grinned, it was clear that he was not joking in the least. He just did it to piss people off just like he would if here was on 4chan or on another board site.

He let her think about that for a bit as he looked back out the window before asking through a cloud of smoke. "How long have you been playing the guitar?" He had tried when he was younger and still living at home but he had quickly given up or got bored, he wasn't sure which anymore. He was not sure if he had left his guitar there when he left or if he had sold it before he left.
 
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