Some place where there are a lot of cute girls would be nice XD

“Da.“ He nods. “Yes, that sounds good. Let’s go to a bar!“ He said with a grin.

@ex-empire-adventures

Romulus smiled all the while when they walked to find a bar. “What girls do you like, my friend?”

He blushed a little and chuckled, embarassed. “Uh…. when they are sweet and that they can cook very well….?“ He asked, glancing at the former empire. “What do you want girls to be like?“

I ehm,… I like them either dumb and pretty and VERY eager to have sex or really smart, quick to anger and impossible to please, hahaha!

Ivan’s face turned beet red. “Ah….I see.” He cleared his throat. “Why though? I know you like…that. But…Is it not adultiry or some kind?“ Curse his Ortodox christianity to say something like this. “Do you still believe in all those gods?“

“Hmn well in a way yes I believe in more Gods. In that sense that they are manifestations of something larger that binds everything. God has many faces, so to speak, and glad so because there’s a place for all of us…” the look on his face said there was more to it, but he liked a bit of mystery. “Oh I let others to their jealousy and selfloathing. I have open relationships if any. I don’t see the point in faking love interest. Women like my honesty and those who don’t deserve some other man who pleases them in other ways, simple as that.”

He nodded, wanting to know more about the things Rome did not tell him right away. “That sounds resonable.“ He nodded again, humming a little. “Have you ever tasted Vodka?“ He asks, pulling an flask out of one of his many pockets. “I am not really a beer or wine drinker myself. Get drunk too soon of that stuff.“ He offered the flask to the ancient empire. “You know the Byzantine Empire, yes? What was she like?“

“I haven’t, Id love to try” he said before giving it a go “whoa, not quite what I expected, ha ha!” Rome shook his head “yeahhhhwell… Byzantine… ugh, can we talk about something else Im not drunk enough”

He sighed softly. “That is fine…. I do not mind. But I really like my vodka. It is my fuel that gets me going.“ He smiled at the elder nation. “Oh! What about….battles?“ He asked, tilting his head and grinning broadly. “Ones you won in the past.“

Rome laughed and gave him a brotherly pat on the shoulder “Ah, you win something you loose something else. It aint all that glorious you should know that by now. The stench of old blood on everything on you lingers when you finally get the wind in another direction so the fumes of burning places are not so foul. But the screaming is the worst. They stay the longest underneath your very skin. I used to pretend I wasnt really there. And why then should I boast over someone elses deeds. I always hoped they would just co-operate. Most did, back in the days and glad so.”

He chuckled, a little dark. “I tried to co-operate. Do you know the Mongol Empire? It was the biggest of it’s time. Biggest of Europe still. Bigger then you were. But he did not last as long as you did. Just a fouth of how long you were around.“ He mused. “But battles….I had help from the General….“ Did Rome even know of General Winter’s existance.

Mongols? They are homeless people. They have never owned a thing. What kind of empire is that" he scofs. “Whats so special about your general? He invented your vodka?”

Ivan laughed a little. “Nyet.“ He shook his head.  “He freezes enemy and ally alike and torments me every year.“ He mused. “You know snow yes? He is the embodiment of the Russian winter. My greatest ally and worst enemy.” He said, not that worried about how the other might react. “He is not like you and me though. He is far older than even China.“

Rome nodded, yes he knew snow. He didn’t like the cold that much. “So, what is he than a semigod? My people used to think I was one.” Sons of the God of war they were. “How unfortunate he’s so tough on you. Can you not bribe him to be a little less lethal on your own men?”

“Nyet.“ He shook his head. “I cannot do so….“ He said. “He is an independent being and I cannot command him…we made a pact long ago, when I was small.“

“Well you are grown up now. Time for a new contract I’d say. What a douchebag to trick a kid in making pacts like that.” He gave the man a kindly pat on the head. “You deserve better than that. You need a real friend that got your back. One that warms your heart not freezes it”

Ivan felt his face flush at the praise, “Spasiba…. Rimskaya imperiya…” He looked down at his feet a little. “I think we are nearly at the bar….“ He added, feeling pretty young compared to the elder nation next to him. “….What was your beginning like? Mine was in a snowy field while it was snowing….“

“The beginning…” He thought for a moment with closed eyes “I remember grab hold to moms hair when I rode her back… and fights with my brother… the hills… the river” He opened his eyes again. “My people wrote many stories about it. I’m not really sure what is true or false anymore… It’s a long time ago, I took a lot of blows to the head and some would call me a alcoholic.” But that wasnt a problem cause the bar was nearby XD

Ivan laughed a bit and opened the door of the bar once they reached it. They both got hit with warmer air from inside the bar though when they stepped through the streshhold. “My capital has burned down more times than I can remember.“ He muttered, holding the door open for the other to get through. “But I am still here and it is not yet dead so that is good.“

That brought back a few unpleasant memories. “… okay…” He got inside and left his troubles at the treshold. With a carefull smile he shared a fitting poem he recalled “meum est propositum in taberna mori, ut sint vina proxima morientis ori. Tunc cantabunt lætius angelorum chori, sit Deus propitius huic potatori… ha ha may the Lord have mercy on this drunkerd” he looked around to see if he could spot a good place to sit.

“I could understand parts of that. But are you calling me a drunkard?“ He asked, spotting a very nice spot. He smiled and pulled the empire to the nearest comfortable looking table for two. He sat down. “Do you have any favorite drinks?“

“I would never” he answered laughing “hmn… I used to drink wine, but not like you would these days. Only the savages would drink it the way it comes out off a bottle, so to speak. The only drink I have witnessed people enjoy with some standards is with absinth. But it’s only drank in some subcultures these days. Hmn. I like cocktails but I’ll drink a good beer too, the stronger types. You know what I mean? If you’re going for getting drunk get the good stuff. Saves you a lot of walks to the bathroom. Shots make me sick hahaha.”

He chuckled and got something out of his coat. A bottle of vodka. “You have to try this!“ He said, grabbing two shot glasses as well. “Have you ever tasted Vodka before?“

“No, I don’t think I have. Do you make this yourself?” Romulus looked curious. “Don’t they mind you bring your own drinks at this place?” He hadn’t even taken his coat well off before he was already trying to make eye-contact with some girls at another table.

“I come here often, they know I do bring my own drinks but they do not seem to mind much.“ He gave him a big smile and a filled glass. “Here.“

Rome emptied the glass and he tried to look tough as the drink burned down his throat. “So ehm, I take it you don’t have a wife, good for you. Do you have a girlfriend or some thing going on with a guy?”

“Do you like it?” He asked, humming as he got another glass for himself. “want another?“ He fell quiet at the empire’s question. “Sadly, I do not have a girlfriend nor another person of the same gender as my love interest… Do you?“

Rome put the glass down and tipped it on the table for a refill. “Yes,.. this will get me drunk.” He smiled “No, nothing serious. Im still figuring out how things work these days… And I don’t want the kids to, you know, get embarassed.”

Ivan was quiet while he refilled the empire’s glass. He set the bottle down on the table. “Afraid the Italies will get embarassed? If you are with me, they rather run away because they see me. They are scared of me, although I really like their food. Like pasta, that is nice.“

“Yeah, thats nice. I like it a lot too. But I don’t eat it so often cause I try to keep in shape and you easily just eat too much.”

He chuckled. “Maybe we can get something to eat, yes?“ He asked, taking a gulp of his drink. “I do have to eat lots because in my country it is very cold and you burn a lot of food to keep warm. I really like your climate a lot! Mine is cold most of the year. Can you ice skate?“

“Ice skate? No…” the mention of food made him hungry. “But food is always a good idea, whether it’s hot or cold. I like a lot of different things. I like trying new things. I think its exciting, don’t you?”

Ivan nodded and grabbed the nearby menu. “I am going to take you to the nearest ice rink when we are done. We have to try to get you on the ice. It will be fun~ Like you are gliding without weels but instead you have blades underneath your feet~“ He said, giving the other also a menu. “I am sure you will enjoy that~“

“OK!” He answered not having a clue what he just agreed to. “Ohh… What do you recommend ordering at this place?”

Uh... “I have never actually eaten here at this bar...“ He said, sounding a bit embarassed. “I have no idea. Just pick something that sounds interesting, alright?“ He browsed the menu as well and decided to get the sandwich wirh custard and tomato. “Ice scating will be fun, unless you fall on you face.“

Some place where there are a lot of cute girls would be nice XD

“Da.“ He nods. “Yes, that sounds good. Let’s go to a bar!“ He said with a grin.

@ex-empire-adventures

Romulus smiled all the while when they walked to find a bar. “What girls do you like, my friend?”

He blushed a little and chuckled, embarassed. “Uh…. when they are sweet and that they can cook very well….?“ He asked, glancing at the former empire. “What do you want girls to be like?“

I ehm,… I like them either dumb and pretty and VERY eager to have sex or really smart, quick to anger and impossible to please, hahaha!

Ivan’s face turned beet red. “Ah….I see.” He cleared his throat. “Why though? I know you like…that. But…Is it not adultiry or some kind?“ Curse his Ortodox christianity to say something like this. “Do you still believe in all those gods?“

“Hmn well in a way yes I believe in more Gods. In that sense that they are manifestations of something larger that binds everything. God has many faces, so to speak, and glad so because there’s a place for all of us…” the look on his face said there was more to it, but he liked a bit of mystery. “Oh I let others to their jealousy and selfloathing. I have open relationships if any. I don’t see the point in faking love interest. Women like my honesty and those who don’t deserve some other man who pleases them in other ways, simple as that.”

He nodded, wanting to know more about the things Rome did not tell him right away. “That sounds resonable.“ He nodded again, humming a little. “Have you ever tasted Vodka?“ He asks, pulling an flask out of one of his many pockets. “I am not really a beer or wine drinker myself. Get drunk too soon of that stuff.“ He offered the flask to the ancient empire. “You know the Byzantine Empire, yes? What was she like?“

“I haven’t, Id love to try” he said before giving it a go “whoa, not quite what I expected, ha ha!” Rome shook his head “yeahhhhwell… Byzantine… ugh, can we talk about something else Im not drunk enough”

He sighed softly. “That is fine…. I do not mind. But I really like my vodka. It is my fuel that gets me going.“ He smiled at the elder nation. “Oh! What about….battles?“ He asked, tilting his head and grinning broadly. “Ones you won in the past.“

Rome laughed and gave him a brotherly pat on the shoulder “Ah, you win something you loose something else. It aint all that glorious you should know that by now. The stench of old blood on everything on you lingers when you finally get the wind in another direction so the fumes of burning places are not so foul. But the screaming is the worst. They stay the longest underneath your very skin. I used to pretend I wasnt really there. And why then should I boast over someone elses deeds. I always hoped they would just co-operate. Most did, back in the days and glad so.”

He chuckled, a little dark. “I tried to co-operate. Do you know the Mongol Empire? It was the biggest of it’s time. Biggest of Europe still. Bigger then you were. But he did not last as long as you did. Just a fouth of how long you were around.“ He mused. “But battles….I had help from the General….“ Did Rome even know of General Winter’s existance.

Mongols? They are homeless people. They have never owned a thing. What kind of empire is that" he scofs. “Whats so special about your general? He invented your vodka?”

Ivan laughed a little. “Nyet.“ He shook his head.  “He freezes enemy and ally alike and torments me every year.“ He mused. “You know snow yes? He is the embodiment of the Russian winter. My greatest ally and worst enemy.” He said, not that worried about how the other might react. “He is not like you and me though. He is far older than even China.“

Rome nodded, yes he knew snow. He didn’t like the cold that much. “So, what is he than a semigod? My people used to think I was one.” Sons of the God of war they were. “How unfortunate he’s so tough on you. Can you not bribe him to be a little less lethal on your own men?”

“Nyet.“ He shook his head. “I cannot do so….“ He said. “He is an independent being and I cannot command him…we made a pact long ago, when I was small.“

“Well you are grown up now. Time for a new contract I’d say. What a douchebag to trick a kid in making pacts like that.” He gave the man a kindly pat on the head. “You deserve better than that. You need a real friend that got your back. One that warms your heart not freezes it”

Ivan felt his face flush at the praise, “Spasiba…. Rimskaya imperiya…” He looked down at his feet a little. “I think we are nearly at the bar….“ He added, feeling pretty young compared to the elder nation next to him. “….What was your beginning like? Mine was in a snowy field while it was snowing….“

“The beginning…” He thought for a moment with closed eyes “I remember grab hold to moms hair when I rode her back… and fights with my brother… the hills… the river” He opened his eyes again. “My people wrote many stories about it. I’m not really sure what is true or false anymore… It’s a long time ago, I took a lot of blows to the head and some would call me a alcoholic.” But that wasnt a problem cause the bar was nearby XD

Ivan laughed a bit and opened the door of the bar once they reached it. They both got hit with warmer air from inside the bar though when they stepped through the streshhold. “My capital has burned down more times than I can remember.“ He muttered, holding the door open for the other to get through. “But I am still here and it is not yet dead so that is good.“

That brought back a few unpleasant memories. “… okay…” He got inside and left his troubles at the treshold. With a carefull smile he shared a fitting poem he recalled “meum est propositum in taberna mori, ut sint vina proxima morientis ori. Tunc cantabunt lætius angelorum chori, sit Deus propitius huic potatori… ha ha may the Lord have mercy on this drunkerd” he looked around to see if he could spot a good place to sit.

“I could understand parts of that. But are you calling me a drunkard?“ He asked, spotting a very nice spot. He smiled and pulled the empire to the nearest comfortable looking table for two. He sat down. “Do you have any favorite drinks?“

“I would never” he answered laughing “hmn… I used to drink wine, but not like you would these days. Only the savages would drink it the way it comes out off a bottle, so to speak. The only drink I have witnessed people enjoy with some standards is with absinth. But it’s only drank in some subcultures these days. Hmn. I like cocktails but I’ll drink a good beer too, the stronger types. You know what I mean? If you’re going for getting drunk get the good stuff. Saves you a lot of walks to the bathroom. Shots make me sick hahaha.”

He chuckled and got something out of his coat. A bottle of vodka. “You have to try this!“ He said, grabbing two shot glasses as well. “Have you ever tasted Vodka before?“

“No, I don’t think I have. Do you make this yourself?” Romulus looked curious. “Don’t they mind you bring your own drinks at this place?” He hadn’t even taken his coat well off before he was already trying to make eye-contact with some girls at another table.

“I come here often, they know I do bring my own drinks but they do not seem to mind much.“ He gave him a big smile and a filled glass. “Here.“

Rome emptied the glass and he tried to look tough as the drink burned down his throat. “So ehm, I take it you don’t have a wife, good for you. Do you have a girlfriend or some thing going on with a guy?”

“Do you like it?” He asked, humming as he got another glass for himself. “want another?“ He fell quiet at the empire’s question. “Sadly, I do not have a girlfriend nor another person of the same gender as my love interest… Do you?“

Rome put the glass down and tipped it on the table for a refill. “Yes,.. this will get me drunk.” He smiled “No, nothing serious. Im still figuring out how things work these days… And I don’t want the kids to, you know, get embarassed.”

Ivan was quiet while he refilled the empire’s glass. He set the bottle down on the table. “Afraid the Italies will get embarassed? If you are with me, they rather run away because they see me. They are scared of me, although I really like their food. Like pasta, that is nice.“

“Yeah, thats nice. I like it a lot too. But I don’t eat it so often cause I try to keep in shape and you easily just eat too much.”

He chuckled. “Maybe we can get something to eat, yes?“ He asked, taking a gulp of his drink. “I do have to eat lots because in my country it is very cold and you burn a lot of food to keep warm. I really like your climate a lot! Mine is cold most of the year. Can you ice skate?“

“Ice skate? No…” the mention of food made him hungry. “But food is always a good idea, whether it’s hot or cold. I like a lot of different things. I like trying new things. I think its exciting, don’t you?”

Ivan nodded and grabbed the nearby menu. “I am going to take you to the nearest ice rink when we are done. We have to try to get you on the ice. It will be fun~ Like you are gliding without weels but instead you have blades underneath your feet~“ He said, giving the other also a menu. “I am sure you will enjoy that~“

askaphrussiada:

Crashes and cruses were heard from the opposite side of the door.  Slowing it was cracked open and a grumpy ginger poked his head out scanning the man who dared disturb his sleep.  It only took him a second to remember the planned meeting and he hurriedly slammed the door shut running to put on some clothes.  I the small countryside home was rooms where Alastair decided to spend the week in as he didn’t want to rush out of his cottage house early in the morning to get there.

After a few minutes, the door was opened again and Alastair was quickly ushering Ivan inside.  "Fuck sorry.  I forgot it was today!“ he said whilst kicking some of his clothes to the side that had been neglected and left on the floor.

Ivan laughed a little at the Scotsman hurried movements, waving away the apology. “It is all fine, Alastair.“ He set his luggage down near the living room door. He looked around. “I have never been here before but this place looks very cozy.” Ivan said, smiling, “Do you come here often?”

“Can I have something to drink please?“ He added, feeling thirsty after the long journey. Don’t get him wrong, he did love to travel but sometimes it was just too much distance in one day to not to get tired.

“Eh….We are stuck and the thing is not moving anymore….best we call security or something.“ He said, getting over to the phone on the wall and picking it up. “Oh…well then…“ He sighed. “No signal here either…“ He mused, looking unamused. “This is sush a mess….“

“ok…” Romulus said still running options in his head “I don’t suppose there’s a switch of some sort so you can operate this thing by hand?” what do people do when the electricity turns of? Things like that happen right. He can’t believe people just roll over and die. “Eghh… The internet connexxion is a bitch too. I don’t suppose they wrote down a number we can call?”

“Well….there is a number but I am not sure if the service is good enough to call. But we will not die….“ He huffed, already getting a bit warm from how hot these things could get when they were not moving. “Usually it is fixed in like….an hour or so?“ He had not been in many elevators that got stuck before though. “Uh….do you perhaps know something to pass the time, and I do not mean panicing like Amerika tends to do when these things happen.“

Romulus laughed “He’s scared of small spaces is he?! Nah,.. I don’t scare that easily” he leaned with his back to the wall and let himself glide down until he sat murmering a little in his native tongue. “Well we can have sex or tell eachother stories or philosophize or gossip,… that’s about it I quess… unless you brought playing cards”

Have sex? What kind of pasttime was that? He blinked at the other, not sure what to say. “Having sex? What….. Wait….I do not want to know….“ He sat down and huffed. “We can do everything else but having sex, that would just be stange when I just met you….welll….yes….stories sound good. Very good…. Any topic you want to hear about?“

Romulus didn’t really think he’d get another man out off his clothing that easy, he was just pushing buttons. It seemed the modern folk had different taboos and they also differt from place to place. “Hmn… well maybe you can tell me about the meetings you have with the others. Im really curious to that”

Ivan nearly snickered at the other’s enthousism about those dreaded meetings. “Those things? You do not want to know. Great mess.“ He waved an imaginary fly away. “Nothing gets done in meetings like those. Not even when we are at war. Do you have any stories you would like to share?“

“Ah but it must be so cool to see eachother in person from time to time. They say the world is smaller now, in a way. If I wanted to talk to someone it could take me up to two years travelling. My bosses could not spare such time. Some were ‘replaced’ within months…” He had been so lonely. He could not understand what could be bad about them. “Stories? Oh ehm… have you met my grandsons?!”

“It is fun yes….But planes…I hate planes.“ He said, sighing. He hummed and nodded. “I met both Italy’s yes. Both of them are not very….brave. And they are better at retreating then fighting. But their cooking is very good, very tasteful.” Ivan praised, something he did not do often.

“You are mistaken,” Rome said “they are very brave. Their military is not well organised, nothing is really, I give you that. They show to do things they feel anxious about even more maybe than me when I was young. It’s easy to hide behind a solid military, pretend you are brave, while most were driven by fear. My boys speak freely, do the things that make them happy! They made friends, got sweethearts everything. I am really glad. I’m really glad their military is a mess” he laughed

Ivan chuckled. “Well that is good to know I suppose. I have never have had that luxery. I think you might even cry if you knew what I went through. I am even surprised I am still here.“ He said, ending up muttering the last part. “Their childhood was messsy…..but mine was messed up, not even sure if I got one.“

Romulus tried to recall his own childhood. Only fragments were left in his memory. Some were rewritten others just clouded. “Thats quite possible I tear up rather easily when Im in good company. You don’t have to put it to the test now. We all got our share of misfortune one way or another.”

“What is it like to make friends?“ He asked, crossing his legs and resting his chin on one of his hands. “I always think people are my friends but they only say so because they think I am going to hurt them. But most of the time I am not even wanting to do that.“ He said, “Can you give me some advise? France has given me some advise, but probably only so I would not ask again. And your grandsons are afraid of me. So they do not want to be friends either…. Do I seem scary to you?“

“No, you are not scary to me. But you aren"t that well balanced and that makes you unpredictible. People dont like uncertaincies and gambles, kids even have a sixth sense for it. If you don’t have friends in your early years you can grow to be pessimistic due to that.” He thought for a moment “You should learn to like yourself better. And maybe drink less. And maybe get laid more often. Do you enjoy reading?”

“I like reading…“ He said softly. “I did not have a lot of friends when I was small. probably not even one….because I got invaded so much… Nobody wants to be friends with someone that gets run over by others all the time…“ He added. sighing and trailing some figures with his other hand on the floor. “Why would want to be laid with me? I am riddled with scars and the only humans who ever cared about me….treated me like I was part of their family, they were masacared a hundered years ago.“

Rome felt sad for the guy. “It’s hard not to grow attached to them, humans. You think of yourself of immortal, that you are the one thats left to grief everytime. It seems unbearable at times to loose people and things we hold dear over and over. But nothing is forever, not even us. Not even the earth and sky as we know it. I will have my boys send you some works of some great thinkers to help you.” He ruffled his hair. “And the sex is just to blow off steam. Running can get you the same satisfaction, but most don’t push it enough to make it work. Sex is a quickfix for this busy world. And by all means get some professionals, no shame in that. It helps to think of sex and love as separate things. The way I see it sex helps to keep you healthy so love can play a part in your life, sometimes. Love is a rare gem. For best results… run also.”

He chuckled a little and hummed. “Thanks. I remember, once when I was small… it was the twelfth century…well 1200 years after Christ that is. You did not live anymore. Not that I would have known who you were back then. But back then, I used to be invaded and burned down a lot. One day, I went to my elder sister for advice.“ He chuckled, blushing a bit. “Bad advice, and I do not even have boobs…“

Rome laughed really loud to that “ Don’t ask girls for advice they know nothing ” he shook his head. “I take it you didn’t have much of a rolemodel or teacher then? How about a sparring partner or a strong enemy, did you have those?”

Ivan chuckled a little embrarrassed about that. He sobered up when he heard the next question. “Sparring partner? Does someone who tries to invade you, count as one?“ He asked, scratching his cheek. He was not so sure. “Strong enemies….Well…I managed to win from him after three centuries?“ It came out as a quetion but it was not really one. He strugged. “He is still alive today but not like he was so long ago.“

“Ofcourse those count! You can learn a lot about yourself and the world by them. When you are surrounded by bullies you need to outsmart them. I feel you man. There were times I didn’t think I’d make it, you know. It was either them or me. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. Some say the opposite of love is hate. But it isn’t. The opposite of both is indifference. Great enemies can make up for the lack of good friends.”

“Ah…Makes sense…not that having friends as a nation will be bringing good things…. All my alliances have turned bad on me or have stabbed me in my back.“ He strugged. “But war aliances strangely don’t…“

“Well, Im your friend now. And I will not stab you in the back, promiss… neither will I poison you or set you on fire and salt you or anything like that” Rome was pleased with himself, he was such a good boy. God would be proud. “Where were you heading for before the lift messed with your plans for today?”

“A conference with my leader. Although that is ruined now.“ He strugged. “….Why would you salt me or set me on fire?“ He asked, a bit unsure of what to make of that what the empire had just promised. “No backstabbing sounds like a good idea yes. Where you going anywhere?“

“It’s just a matter of speech. No, I wasn’t going anywhere particularly. I was just following you cause you seemed interesting”

“You….followed me because I seemed interesting?“ Well that was a first. “What is so interesting about me that you follow me into an elevator, that unfortunately gets stuck?“ He asked, raising one of his eyebrows and tilting his head slightly.

Rome thought for a moment before answering “The way you move, mostly. You have a certain vibe thats intruiging. Like an animal. I like things and people that are a little wack.. HaHa ”

“An animal?“ He repeated, blinking at the former empire. “That is not the first time someone called me something like that. But the first time in a non-verbal abusive way at least.“ He mused. “You can’t figure me out, can you?“ He added, giving the other a small grin. “Also not a first at that. But us chatting is….what do you think of religion? Christianity for example? I do know you did not like them for a while back in the past…. Has that view changed since you got here, in this century?“

@ex-empire-adventures

“Eh….We are stuck and the thing is not moving anymore….best we call security or something.“ He said, getting over to the phone on the wall and picking it up. “Oh…well then…“ He sighed. “No signal here either…“ He mused, looking unamused. “This is sush a mess….“

“ok…” Romulus said still running options in his head “I don’t suppose there’s a switch of some sort so you can operate this thing by hand?” what do people do when the electricity turns of? Things like that happen right. He can’t believe people just roll over and die. “Eghh… The internet connexxion is a bitch too. I don’t suppose they wrote down a number we can call?”

“Well….there is a number but I am not sure if the service is good enough to call. But we will not die….“ He huffed, already getting a bit warm from how hot these things could get when they were not moving. “Usually it is fixed in like….an hour or so?“ He had not been in many elevators that got stuck before though. “Uh….do you perhaps know something to pass the time, and I do not mean panicing like Amerika tends to do when these things happen.“

Romulus laughed “He’s scared of small spaces is he?! Nah,.. I don’t scare that easily” he leaned with his back to the wall and let himself glide down until he sat murmering a little in his native tongue. “Well we can have sex or tell eachother stories or philosophize or gossip,… that’s about it I quess… unless you brought playing cards”

Have sex? What kind of pasttime was that? He blinked at the other, not sure what to say. “Having sex? What….. Wait….I do not want to know….“ He sat down and huffed. “We can do everything else but having sex, that would just be stange when I just met you….welll….yes….stories sound good. Very good…. Any topic you want to hear about?“

Romulus didn’t really think he’d get another man out off his clothing that easy, he was just pushing buttons. It seemed the modern folk had different taboos and they also differt from place to place. “Hmn… well maybe you can tell me about the meetings you have with the others. Im really curious to that”

Ivan nearly snickered at the other’s enthousism about those dreaded meetings. “Those things? You do not want to know. Great mess.“ He waved an imaginary fly away. “Nothing gets done in meetings like those. Not even when we are at war. Do you have any stories you would like to share?“

“Ah but it must be so cool to see eachother in person from time to time. They say the world is smaller now, in a way. If I wanted to talk to someone it could take me up to two years travelling. My bosses could not spare such time. Some were ‘replaced’ within months…” He had been so lonely. He could not understand what could be bad about them. “Stories? Oh ehm… have you met my grandsons?!”

“It is fun yes….But planes…I hate planes.“ He said, sighing. He hummed and nodded. “I met both Italy’s yes. Both of them are not very….brave. And they are better at retreating then fighting. But their cooking is very good, very tasteful.” Ivan praised, something he did not do often.

“You are mistaken,” Rome said “they are very brave. Their military is not well organised, nothing is really, I give you that. They show to do things they feel anxious about even more maybe than me when I was young. It’s easy to hide behind a solid military, pretend you are brave, while most were driven by fear. My boys speak freely, do the things that make them happy! They made friends, got sweethearts everything. I am really glad. I’m really glad their military is a mess” he laughed

Ivan chuckled. “Well that is good to know I suppose. I have never have had that luxery. I think you might even cry if you knew what I went through. I am even surprised I am still here.“ He said, ending up muttering the last part. “Their childhood was messsy…..but mine was messed up, not even sure if I got one.“

Romulus tried to recall his own childhood. Only fragments were left in his memory. Some were rewritten others just clouded. “Thats quite possible I tear up rather easily when Im in good company. You don’t have to put it to the test now. We all got our share of misfortune one way or another.”

“What is it like to make friends?“ He asked, crossing his legs and resting his chin on one of his hands. “I always think people are my friends but they only say so because they think I am going to hurt them. But most of the time I am not even wanting to do that.“ He said, “Can you give me some advise? France has given me some advise, but probably only so I would not ask again. And your grandsons are afraid of me. So they do not want to be friends either…. Do I seem scary to you?“

“No, you are not scary to me. But you aren"t that well balanced and that makes you unpredictible. People dont like uncertaincies and gambles, kids even have a sixth sense for it. If you don’t have friends in your early years you can grow to be pessimistic due to that.” He thought for a moment “You should learn to like yourself better. And maybe drink less. And maybe get laid more often. Do you enjoy reading?”

“I like reading…“ He said softly. “I did not have a lot of friends when I was small. probably not even one….because I got invaded so much… Nobody wants to be friends with someone that gets run over by others all the time…“ He added. sighing and trailing some figures with his other hand on the floor. “Why would want to be laid with me? I am riddled with scars and the only humans who ever cared about me….treated me like I was part of their family, they were masacared a hundered years ago.“

Rome felt sad for the guy. “It’s hard not to grow attached to them, humans. You think of yourself of immortal, that you are the one thats left to grief everytime. It seems unbearable at times to loose people and things we hold dear over and over. But nothing is forever, not even us. Not even the earth and sky as we know it. I will have my boys send you some works of some great thinkers to help you.” He ruffled his hair. “And the sex is just to blow off steam. Running can get you the same satisfaction, but most don’t push it enough to make it work. Sex is a quickfix for this busy world. And by all means get some professionals, no shame in that. It helps to think of sex and love as separate things. The way I see it sex helps to keep you healthy so love can play a part in your life, sometimes. Love is a rare gem. For best results… run also.”

He chuckled a little and hummed. “Thanks. I remember, once when I was small… it was the twelfth century…well 1200 years after Christ that is. You did not live anymore. Not that I would have known who you were back then. But back then, I used to be invaded and burned down a lot. One day, I went to my elder sister for advice.“ He chuckled, blushing a bit. “Bad advice, and I do not even have boobs…“

Rome laughed really loud to that “ Don’t ask girls for advice they know nothing ” he shook his head. “I take it you didn’t have much of a rolemodel or teacher then? How about a sparring partner or a strong enemy, did you have those?”

Ivan chuckled a little embrarrassed about that. He sobered up when he heard the next question. “Sparring partner? Does someone who tries to invade you, count as one?“ He asked, scratching his cheek. He was not so sure. “Strong enemies….Well…I managed to win from him after three centuries?“ It came out as a quetion but it was not really one. He strugged. “He is still alive today but not like he was so long ago.“

“Ofcourse those count! You can learn a lot about yourself and the world by them. When you are surrounded by bullies you need to outsmart them. I feel you man. There were times I didn’t think I’d make it, you know. It was either them or me. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. Some say the opposite of love is hate. But it isn’t. The opposite of both is indifference. Great enemies can make up for the lack of good friends.”

“Ah…Makes sense…not that having friends as a nation will be bringing good things…. All my alliances have turned bad on me or have stabbed me in my back.“ He strugged. “But war aliances strangely don’t…“

“Well, Im your friend now. And I will not stab you in the back, promiss… neither will I poison you or set you on fire and salt you or anything like that” Rome was pleased with himself, he was such a good boy. God would be proud. “Where were you heading for before the lift messed with your plans for today?”

“A conference with my leader. Although that is ruined now.“ He strugged. “….Why would you salt me or set me on fire?“ He asked, a bit unsure of what to make of that what the empire had just promised. “No backstabbing sounds like a good idea yes. Where you going anywhere?“

“It’s just a matter of speech. No, I wasn’t going anywhere particularly. I was just following you cause you seemed interesting”

“You….followed me because I seemed interesting?“ Well that was a first. “What is so interesting about me that you follow me into an elevator, that unfortunately gets stuck?“ He asked, raising one of his eyebrows and tilting his head slightly.

Rome thought for a moment before answering “The way you move, mostly. You have a certain vibe thats intruiging. Like an animal. I like things and people that are a little wack.. HaHa ”

“An animal?“ He repeated, blinking at the former empire. “That is not the first time someone called me something like that. But the first time in a non-verbal abusive way at least.“ He mused. “You can’t figure me out, can you?“ He added, giving the other a small grin. “Also not a first at that. But us chatting is....what do you think of religion? Christianity for example? I do know you did not like them for a while back in the past.... Has that view changed since you got here, in this century?“

Some place where there are a lot of cute girls would be nice XD

“Da.“ He nods. “Yes, that sounds good. Let’s go to a bar!“ He said with a grin.

@ex-empire-adventures

Romulus smiled all the while when they walked to find a bar. “What girls do you like, my friend?”

He blushed a little and chuckled, embarassed. “Uh…. when they are sweet and that they can cook very well….?“ He asked, glancing at the former empire. “What do you want girls to be like?“

I ehm,… I like them either dumb and pretty and VERY eager to have sex or really smart, quick to anger and impossible to please, hahaha!

Ivan’s face turned beet red. “Ah….I see.” He cleared his throat. “Why though? I know you like…that. But…Is it not adultiry or some kind?“ Curse his Ortodox christianity to say something like this. “Do you still believe in all those gods?“

“Hmn well in a way yes I believe in more Gods. In that sense that they are manifestations of something larger that binds everything. God has many faces, so to speak, and glad so because there’s a place for all of us…” the look on his face said there was more to it, but he liked a bit of mystery. “Oh I let others to their jealousy and selfloathing. I have open relationships if any. I don’t see the point in faking love interest. Women like my honesty and those who don’t deserve some other man who pleases them in other ways, simple as that.”

He nodded, wanting to know more about the things Rome did not tell him right away. “That sounds resonable.“ He nodded again, humming a little. “Have you ever tasted Vodka?“ He asks, pulling an flask out of one of his many pockets. “I am not really a beer or wine drinker myself. Get drunk too soon of that stuff.“ He offered the flask to the ancient empire. “You know the Byzantine Empire, yes? What was she like?“

“I haven’t, Id love to try” he said before giving it a go “whoa, not quite what I expected, ha ha!” Rome shook his head “yeahhhhwell… Byzantine… ugh, can we talk about something else Im not drunk enough”

He sighed softly. “That is fine…. I do not mind. But I really like my vodka. It is my fuel that gets me going.“ He smiled at the elder nation. “Oh! What about….battles?“ He asked, tilting his head and grinning broadly. “Ones you won in the past.“

Rome laughed and gave him a brotherly pat on the shoulder “Ah, you win something you loose something else. It aint all that glorious you should know that by now. The stench of old blood on everything on you lingers when you finally get the wind in another direction so the fumes of burning places are not so foul. But the screaming is the worst. They stay the longest underneath your very skin. I used to pretend I wasnt really there. And why then should I boast over someone elses deeds. I always hoped they would just co-operate. Most did, back in the days and glad so.”

He chuckled, a little dark. “I tried to co-operate. Do you know the Mongol Empire? It was the biggest of it’s time. Biggest of Europe still. Bigger then you were. But he did not last as long as you did. Just a fouth of how long you were around.“ He mused. “But battles….I had help from the General….“ Did Rome even know of General Winter’s existance.

Mongols? They are homeless people. They have never owned a thing. What kind of empire is that" he scofs. “Whats so special about your general? He invented your vodka?”

Ivan laughed a little. “Nyet.“ He shook his head.  “He freezes enemy and ally alike and torments me every year.“ He mused. “You know snow yes? He is the embodiment of the Russian winter. My greatest ally and worst enemy.” He said, not that worried about how the other might react. “He is not like you and me though. He is far older than even China.“

Rome nodded, yes he knew snow. He didn’t like the cold that much. “So, what is he than a semigod? My people used to think I was one.” Sons of the God of war they were. “How unfortunate he’s so tough on you. Can you not bribe him to be a little less lethal on your own men?”

“Nyet.“ He shook his head. “I cannot do so….“ He said. “He is an independent being and I cannot command him…we made a pact long ago, when I was small.“

“Well you are grown up now. Time for a new contract I’d say. What a douchebag to trick a kid in making pacts like that.” He gave the man a kindly pat on the head. “You deserve better than that. You need a real friend that got your back. One that warms your heart not freezes it”

Ivan felt his face flush at the praise, “Spasiba…. Rimskaya imperiya…” He looked down at his feet a little. “I think we are nearly at the bar….“ He added, feeling pretty young compared to the elder nation next to him. “….What was your beginning like? Mine was in a snowy field while it was snowing….“

“The beginning…” He thought for a moment with closed eyes “I remember grab hold to moms hair when I rode her back… and fights with my brother… the hills… the river” He opened his eyes again. “My people wrote many stories about it. I’m not really sure what is true or false anymore… It’s a long time ago, I took a lot of blows to the head and some would call me a alcoholic.” But that wasnt a problem cause the bar was nearby XD

Ivan laughed a bit and opened the door of the bar once they reached it. They both got hit with warmer air from inside the bar though when they stepped through the streshhold. “My capital has burned down more times than I can remember.“ He muttered, holding the door open for the other to get through. “But I am still here and it is not yet dead so that is good.“

That brought back a few unpleasant memories. “… okay…” He got inside and left his troubles at the treshold. With a carefull smile he shared a fitting poem he recalled “meum est propositum in taberna mori, ut sint vina proxima morientis ori. Tunc cantabunt lætius angelorum chori, sit Deus propitius huic potatori… ha ha may the Lord have mercy on this drunkerd” he looked around to see if he could spot a good place to sit.

“I could understand parts of that. But are you calling me a drunkard?“ He asked, spotting a very nice spot. He smiled and pulled the empire to the nearest comfortable looking table for two. He sat down. “Do you have any favorite drinks?“

“I would never” he answered laughing “hmn… I used to drink wine, but not like you would these days. Only the savages would drink it the way it comes out off a bottle, so to speak. The only drink I have witnessed people enjoy with some standards is with absinth. But it’s only drank in some subcultures these days. Hmn. I like cocktails but I’ll drink a good beer too, the stronger types. You know what I mean? If you’re going for getting drunk get the good stuff. Saves you a lot of walks to the bathroom. Shots make me sick hahaha.”

He chuckled and got something out of his coat. A bottle of vodka. “You have to try this!“ He said, grabbing two shot glasses as well. “Have you ever tasted Vodka before?“

“No, I don’t think I have. Do you make this yourself?” Romulus looked curious. “Don’t they mind you bring your own drinks at this place?” He hadn’t even taken his coat well off before he was already trying to make eye-contact with some girls at another table.

“I come here often, they know I do bring my own drinks but they do not seem to mind much.“ He gave him a big smile and a filled glass. “Here.“

Rome emptied the glass and he tried to look tough as the drink burned down his throat. “So ehm, I take it you don’t have a wife, good for you. Do you have a girlfriend or some thing going on with a guy?”

“Do you like it?” He asked, humming as he got another glass for himself. “want another?“ He fell quiet at the empire’s question. “Sadly, I do not have a girlfriend nor another person of the same gender as my love interest… Do you?“

Rome put the glass down and tipped it on the table for a refill. “Yes,.. this will get me drunk.” He smiled “No, nothing serious. Im still figuring out how things work these days… And I don’t want the kids to, you know, get embarassed.”

Ivan was quiet while he refilled the empire’s glass. He set the bottle down on the table. “Afraid the Italies will get embarassed? If you are with me, they rather run away because they see me. They are scared of me, although I really like their food. Like pasta, that is nice.“

“Yeah, thats nice. I like it a lot too. But I don’t eat it so often cause I try to keep in shape and you easily just eat too much.”

He chuckled. “Maybe we can get something to eat, yes?“ He asked, taking a gulp of his drink. “I do have to eat lots because in my country it is very cold and you burn a lot of food to keep warm. I really like your climate a lot! Mine is cold most of the year. Can you ice skate?“

“Eh….We are stuck and the thing is not moving anymore….best we call security or something.“ He said, getting over to the phone on the wall and picking it up. “Oh…well then…“ He sighed. “No signal here either…“ He mused, looking unamused. “This is sush a mess….“

“ok…” Romulus said still running options in his head “I don’t suppose there’s a switch of some sort so you can operate this thing by hand?” what do people do when the electricity turns of? Things like that happen right. He can’t believe people just roll over and die. “Eghh… The internet connexxion is a bitch too. I don’t suppose they wrote down a number we can call?”

“Well….there is a number but I am not sure if the service is good enough to call. But we will not die….“ He huffed, already getting a bit warm from how hot these things could get when they were not moving. “Usually it is fixed in like….an hour or so?“ He had not been in many elevators that got stuck before though. “Uh….do you perhaps know something to pass the time, and I do not mean panicing like Amerika tends to do when these things happen.“

Romulus laughed “He’s scared of small spaces is he?! Nah,.. I don’t scare that easily” he leaned with his back to the wall and let himself glide down until he sat murmering a little in his native tongue. “Well we can have sex or tell eachother stories or philosophize or gossip,… that’s about it I quess… unless you brought playing cards”

Have sex? What kind of pasttime was that? He blinked at the other, not sure what to say. “Having sex? What….. Wait….I do not want to know….“ He sat down and huffed. “We can do everything else but having sex, that would just be stange when I just met you….welll….yes….stories sound good. Very good…. Any topic you want to hear about?“

Romulus didn’t really think he’d get another man out off his clothing that easy, he was just pushing buttons. It seemed the modern folk had different taboos and they also differt from place to place. “Hmn… well maybe you can tell me about the meetings you have with the others. Im really curious to that”

Ivan nearly snickered at the other’s enthousism about those dreaded meetings. “Those things? You do not want to know. Great mess.“ He waved an imaginary fly away. “Nothing gets done in meetings like those. Not even when we are at war. Do you have any stories you would like to share?“

“Ah but it must be so cool to see eachother in person from time to time. They say the world is smaller now, in a way. If I wanted to talk to someone it could take me up to two years travelling. My bosses could not spare such time. Some were ‘replaced’ within months…” He had been so lonely. He could not understand what could be bad about them. “Stories? Oh ehm… have you met my grandsons?!”

“It is fun yes….But planes…I hate planes.“ He said, sighing. He hummed and nodded. “I met both Italy’s yes. Both of them are not very….brave. And they are better at retreating then fighting. But their cooking is very good, very tasteful.” Ivan praised, something he did not do often.

“You are mistaken,” Rome said “they are very brave. Their military is not well organised, nothing is really, I give you that. They show to do things they feel anxious about even more maybe than me when I was young. It’s easy to hide behind a solid military, pretend you are brave, while most were driven by fear. My boys speak freely, do the things that make them happy! They made friends, got sweethearts everything. I am really glad. I’m really glad their military is a mess” he laughed

Ivan chuckled. “Well that is good to know I suppose. I have never have had that luxery. I think you might even cry if you knew what I went through. I am even surprised I am still here.“ He said, ending up muttering the last part. “Their childhood was messsy…..but mine was messed up, not even sure if I got one.“

Romulus tried to recall his own childhood. Only fragments were left in his memory. Some were rewritten others just clouded. “Thats quite possible I tear up rather easily when Im in good company. You don’t have to put it to the test now. We all got our share of misfortune one way or another.”

“What is it like to make friends?“ He asked, crossing his legs and resting his chin on one of his hands. “I always think people are my friends but they only say so because they think I am going to hurt them. But most of the time I am not even wanting to do that.“ He said, “Can you give me some advise? France has given me some advise, but probably only so I would not ask again. And your grandsons are afraid of me. So they do not want to be friends either…. Do I seem scary to you?“

“No, you are not scary to me. But you aren"t that well balanced and that makes you unpredictible. People dont like uncertaincies and gambles, kids even have a sixth sense for it. If you don’t have friends in your early years you can grow to be pessimistic due to that.” He thought for a moment “You should learn to like yourself better. And maybe drink less. And maybe get laid more often. Do you enjoy reading?”

“I like reading…“ He said softly. “I did not have a lot of friends when I was small. probably not even one….because I got invaded so much… Nobody wants to be friends with someone that gets run over by others all the time…“ He added. sighing and trailing some figures with his other hand on the floor. “Why would want to be laid with me? I am riddled with scars and the only humans who ever cared about me….treated me like I was part of their family, they were masacared a hundered years ago.“

Rome felt sad for the guy. “It’s hard not to grow attached to them, humans. You think of yourself of immortal, that you are the one thats left to grief everytime. It seems unbearable at times to loose people and things we hold dear over and over. But nothing is forever, not even us. Not even the earth and sky as we know it. I will have my boys send you some works of some great thinkers to help you.” He ruffled his hair. “And the sex is just to blow off steam. Running can get you the same satisfaction, but most don’t push it enough to make it work. Sex is a quickfix for this busy world. And by all means get some professionals, no shame in that. It helps to think of sex and love as separate things. The way I see it sex helps to keep you healthy so love can play a part in your life, sometimes. Love is a rare gem. For best results… run also.”

He chuckled a little and hummed. “Thanks. I remember, once when I was small… it was the twelfth century…well 1200 years after Christ that is. You did not live anymore. Not that I would have known who you were back then. But back then, I used to be invaded and burned down a lot. One day, I went to my elder sister for advice.“ He chuckled, blushing a bit. “Bad advice, and I do not even have boobs…“

Rome laughed really loud to that “ Don’t ask girls for advice they know nothing ” he shook his head. “I take it you didn’t have much of a rolemodel or teacher then? How about a sparring partner or a strong enemy, did you have those?”

Ivan chuckled a little embrarrassed about that. He sobered up when he heard the next question. “Sparring partner? Does someone who tries to invade you, count as one?“ He asked, scratching his cheek. He was not so sure. “Strong enemies….Well…I managed to win from him after three centuries?“ It came out as a quetion but it was not really one. He strugged. “He is still alive today but not like he was so long ago.“

“Ofcourse those count! You can learn a lot about yourself and the world by them. When you are surrounded by bullies you need to outsmart them. I feel you man. There were times I didn’t think I’d make it, you know. It was either them or me. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. Some say the opposite of love is hate. But it isn’t. The opposite of both is indifference. Great enemies can make up for the lack of good friends.”

“Ah…Makes sense…not that having friends as a nation will be bringing good things…. All my alliances have turned bad on me or have stabbed me in my back.“ He strugged. “But war aliances strangely don’t…“

“Well, Im your friend now. And I will not stab you in the back, promiss… neither will I poison you or set you on fire and salt you or anything like that” Rome was pleased with himself, he was such a good boy. God would be proud. “Where were you heading for before the lift messed with your plans for today?”

“A conference with my leader. Although that is ruined now.“ He strugged. “….Why would you salt me or set me on fire?“ He asked, a bit unsure of what to make of that what the empire had just promised. “No backstabbing sounds like a good idea yes. Where you going anywhere?“

“It’s just a matter of speech. No, I wasn’t going anywhere particularly. I was just following you cause you seemed interesting”

“You....followed me because I seemed interesting?“ Well that was a first. “What is so interesting about me that you follow me into an elevator, that unfortunately gets stuck?“ He asked, raising one of his eyebrows and tilting his head slightly.

Some place where there are a lot of cute girls would be nice XD

“Da.“ He nods. “Yes, that sounds good. Let’s go to a bar!“ He said with a grin.

@ex-empire-adventures

Romulus smiled all the while when they walked to find a bar. “What girls do you like, my friend?”

He blushed a little and chuckled, embarassed. “Uh…. when they are sweet and that they can cook very well….?“ He asked, glancing at the former empire. “What do you want girls to be like?“

I ehm,… I like them either dumb and pretty and VERY eager to have sex or really smart, quick to anger and impossible to please, hahaha!

Ivan’s face turned beet red. “Ah….I see.” He cleared his throat. “Why though? I know you like…that. But…Is it not adultiry or some kind?“ Curse his Ortodox christianity to say something like this. “Do you still believe in all those gods?“

“Hmn well in a way yes I believe in more Gods. In that sense that they are manifestations of something larger that binds everything. God has many faces, so to speak, and glad so because there’s a place for all of us…” the look on his face said there was more to it, but he liked a bit of mystery. “Oh I let others to their jealousy and selfloathing. I have open relationships if any. I don’t see the point in faking love interest. Women like my honesty and those who don’t deserve some other man who pleases them in other ways, simple as that.”

He nodded, wanting to know more about the things Rome did not tell him right away. “That sounds resonable.“ He nodded again, humming a little. “Have you ever tasted Vodka?“ He asks, pulling an flask out of one of his many pockets. “I am not really a beer or wine drinker myself. Get drunk too soon of that stuff.“ He offered the flask to the ancient empire. “You know the Byzantine Empire, yes? What was she like?“

“I haven’t, Id love to try” he said before giving it a go “whoa, not quite what I expected, ha ha!” Rome shook his head “yeahhhhwell… Byzantine… ugh, can we talk about something else Im not drunk enough”

He sighed softly. “That is fine…. I do not mind. But I really like my vodka. It is my fuel that gets me going.“ He smiled at the elder nation. “Oh! What about….battles?“ He asked, tilting his head and grinning broadly. “Ones you won in the past.“

Rome laughed and gave him a brotherly pat on the shoulder “Ah, you win something you loose something else. It aint all that glorious you should know that by now. The stench of old blood on everything on you lingers when you finally get the wind in another direction so the fumes of burning places are not so foul. But the screaming is the worst. They stay the longest underneath your very skin. I used to pretend I wasnt really there. And why then should I boast over someone elses deeds. I always hoped they would just co-operate. Most did, back in the days and glad so.”

He chuckled, a little dark. “I tried to co-operate. Do you know the Mongol Empire? It was the biggest of it’s time. Biggest of Europe still. Bigger then you were. But he did not last as long as you did. Just a fouth of how long you were around.“ He mused. “But battles….I had help from the General….“ Did Rome even know of General Winter’s existance.

Mongols? They are homeless people. They have never owned a thing. What kind of empire is that" he scofs. “Whats so special about your general? He invented your vodka?”

Ivan laughed a little. “Nyet.“ He shook his head.  “He freezes enemy and ally alike and torments me every year.“ He mused. “You know snow yes? He is the embodiment of the Russian winter. My greatest ally and worst enemy.” He said, not that worried about how the other might react. “He is not like you and me though. He is far older than even China.“

Rome nodded, yes he knew snow. He didn’t like the cold that much. “So, what is he than a semigod? My people used to think I was one.” Sons of the God of war they were. “How unfortunate he’s so tough on you. Can you not bribe him to be a little less lethal on your own men?”

“Nyet.“ He shook his head. “I cannot do so….“ He said. “He is an independent being and I cannot command him…we made a pact long ago, when I was small.“

“Well you are grown up now. Time for a new contract I’d say. What a douchebag to trick a kid in making pacts like that.” He gave the man a kindly pat on the head. “You deserve better than that. You need a real friend that got your back. One that warms your heart not freezes it”

Ivan felt his face flush at the praise, “Spasiba…. Rimskaya imperiya…” He looked down at his feet a little. “I think we are nearly at the bar….“ He added, feeling pretty young compared to the elder nation next to him. “….What was your beginning like? Mine was in a snowy field while it was snowing….“

“The beginning…” He thought for a moment with closed eyes “I remember grab hold to moms hair when I rode her back… and fights with my brother… the hills… the river” He opened his eyes again. “My people wrote many stories about it. I’m not really sure what is true or false anymore… It’s a long time ago, I took a lot of blows to the head and some would call me a alcoholic.” But that wasnt a problem cause the bar was nearby XD

Ivan laughed a bit and opened the door of the bar once they reached it. They both got hit with warmer air from inside the bar though when they stepped through the streshhold. “My capital has burned down more times than I can remember.“ He muttered, holding the door open for the other to get through. “But I am still here and it is not yet dead so that is good.“

That brought back a few unpleasant memories. “… okay…” He got inside and left his troubles at the treshold. With a carefull smile he shared a fitting poem he recalled “meum est propositum in taberna mori, ut sint vina proxima morientis ori. Tunc cantabunt lætius angelorum chori, sit Deus propitius huic potatori… ha ha may the Lord have mercy on this drunkerd” he looked around to see if he could spot a good place to sit.

“I could understand parts of that. But are you calling me a drunkard?“ He asked, spotting a very nice spot. He smiled and pulled the empire to the nearest comfortable looking table for two. He sat down. “Do you have any favorite drinks?“

“I would never” he answered laughing “hmn… I used to drink wine, but not like you would these days. Only the savages would drink it the way it comes out off a bottle, so to speak. The only drink I have witnessed people enjoy with some standards is with absinth. But it’s only drank in some subcultures these days. Hmn. I like cocktails but I’ll drink a good beer too, the stronger types. You know what I mean? If you’re going for getting drunk get the good stuff. Saves you a lot of walks to the bathroom. Shots make me sick hahaha.”

He chuckled and got something out of his coat. A bottle of vodka. “You have to try this!“ He said, grabbing two shot glasses as well. “Have you ever tasted Vodka before?“

“No, I don’t think I have. Do you make this yourself?” Romulus looked curious. “Don’t they mind you bring your own drinks at this place?” He hadn’t even taken his coat well off before he was already trying to make eye-contact with some girls at another table.

“I come here often, they know I do bring my own drinks but they do not seem to mind much.“ He gave him a big smile and a filled glass. “Here.“

Rome emptied the glass and he tried to look tough as the drink burned down his throat. “So ehm, I take it you don’t have a wife, good for you. Do you have a girlfriend or some thing going on with a guy?”

“Do you like it?” He asked, humming as he got another glass for himself. “want another?“ He fell quiet at the empire’s question. “Sadly, I do not have a girlfriend nor another person of the same gender as my love interest… Do you?“

Rome put the glass down and tipped it on the table for a refill. “Yes,.. this will get me drunk.” He smiled “No, nothing serious. Im still figuring out how things work these days… And I don’t want the kids to, you know, get embarassed.”

Ivan was quiet while he refilled the empire’s glass. He set the bottle down on the table. “Afraid the Italies will get embarassed? If you are with me, they rather run away because they see me. They are scared of me, although I really like their food. Like pasta, that is nice.“

“Eh….We are stuck and the thing is not moving anymore….best we call security or something.“ He said, getting over to the phone on the wall and picking it up. “Oh…well then…“ He sighed. “No signal here either…“ He mused, looking unamused. “This is sush a mess….“

“ok…” Romulus said still running options in his head “I don’t suppose there’s a switch of some sort so you can operate this thing by hand?” what do people do when the electricity turns of? Things like that happen right. He can’t believe people just roll over and die. “Eghh… The internet connexxion is a bitch too. I don’t suppose they wrote down a number we can call?”

“Well….there is a number but I am not sure if the service is good enough to call. But we will not die….“ He huffed, already getting a bit warm from how hot these things could get when they were not moving. “Usually it is fixed in like….an hour or so?“ He had not been in many elevators that got stuck before though. “Uh….do you perhaps know something to pass the time, and I do not mean panicing like Amerika tends to do when these things happen.“

Romulus laughed “He’s scared of small spaces is he?! Nah,.. I don’t scare that easily” he leaned with his back to the wall and let himself glide down until he sat murmering a little in his native tongue. “Well we can have sex or tell eachother stories or philosophize or gossip,… that’s about it I quess… unless you brought playing cards”

Have sex? What kind of pasttime was that? He blinked at the other, not sure what to say. “Having sex? What….. Wait….I do not want to know….“ He sat down and huffed. “We can do everything else but having sex, that would just be stange when I just met you….welll….yes….stories sound good. Very good…. Any topic you want to hear about?“

Romulus didn’t really think he’d get another man out off his clothing that easy, he was just pushing buttons. It seemed the modern folk had different taboos and they also differt from place to place. “Hmn… well maybe you can tell me about the meetings you have with the others. Im really curious to that”

Ivan nearly snickered at the other’s enthousism about those dreaded meetings. “Those things? You do not want to know. Great mess.“ He waved an imaginary fly away. “Nothing gets done in meetings like those. Not even when we are at war. Do you have any stories you would like to share?“

“Ah but it must be so cool to see eachother in person from time to time. They say the world is smaller now, in a way. If I wanted to talk to someone it could take me up to two years travelling. My bosses could not spare such time. Some were ‘replaced’ within months…” He had been so lonely. He could not understand what could be bad about them. “Stories? Oh ehm… have you met my grandsons?!”