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	[color=a187be]"Thank you for joining me,"[/color] she said softly as she sat there, resting her hands in her lap as she watched him rest himself down next to her and observing that he was cordial enough to turn in her direction to face her; a simple sign of respect instead of watching her from the corner of his eye. She appreciated this small gesture; more than most may realize. Far to many times in working with people she had had them only give her a side ways glance until she had proven herself in their mind and even well past that. 

	[color=a187be]"No, I am not displeased with the change in the arrangement; in fact to the contrary I am rather welcoming of the change. Which I will admit is something different for me, sometimes change does not sit well but from what I know of you and your nation I should not be fearful. Granted fear and worry does nothing to help any situation but we all do have our little hang ups no matter how much we may try to hide them; we are only human after all,"[/color] she said with a gentle smile on her lips. 

	It was true, she did fear change much of the time but what was there to fear from this? To change from one unknown to another? It seemed a change was not something to fret over at this point. He seemed kind enough thus far but only time would tell if that was just a show for the masses or his true self. Elizaveta was never one to have a face for the masses and then the rest; who and what she was clearly showed at all times. She had spent enough time of her life sequestered away, she would not go back to that on any level.

	[color=a187be]"I do apologize for the restrictions on travel that my empire has put into effect. It is something I am trying to change; rather adamantly. I see no reason why we should hide our down fall or or rise. To me, we all stumble; some fall harder than others, but a nations strength is built on how well they can climb out of the rubble. It is like the old saying; it is not how many times you are thrown from the horse, it is how many times you climb back on,"[/color] she said thoughtfully as she laced her fingers together in her lap. While her fathers madness was a tender spot in her life she only worried that it too would take her. Other than that she felt that knowing and speaking of the past helped one learn from the mistakes and move forward, something she was trying to instill not only on her people but those around her. 

	[color=a187be]"Considering the current betrothal, I look forward to you seeing your future empire; it is truly breathtaking, especially in the winter; if you enjoy the cold that is. Pristine white snow will fall in flakes as large as gemstones, scattering the ground with a dusting at first and kissing the needles of the pine trees. Then as it deepens you wade through it as you would through the waves crashing in on the shores on a summer day. The waters freeze and smooth over thick enough for horse draw carriages to be pulled over them. You will see your breath and words even as you hear them. for me, it is a truly wondrous sight each year,"[/color] she said in a memorable voice as she thought back to each winter she remembered. Then she let out a small chuckle and waved her hand slightly.

	[color=a187be]"Do forgive me, it is my first time away from my home and I am already struck with homesickness it seems,"[/color] she said letting out a small sigh before continuing and addressing his question. [color=a187be]"I think it is truly beautiful in its architecture, I believe they have done a fine job with the attention to detail, though I will admit I have not seen, outside of images, one such as this. Our palace is still of its original construction, something I am sure you are used to in your nation as well."[/color]

	When he mentioned horseback riding her smile brightened somewhat as she straightened herself in her seat, nodding in agreement. [color=a187be]"I have not learned to use a sword though I would enjoy it, however horseback riding is a past-time of mine. Some of our more outlying villages still can only be accessed by horse or sled come winter. It is a relief to know that a future ruler will be able to handle himself. I enjoy history and the past, I do not look at it as emulating it but learning from it. Keep the good, repair the bad and try to build from there. Without history and memories we are doomed to repeat things we should not,"[/color] she said settling back in her seat.

	[color=a187be]"If it would not be to bold of me to ask, I am curious... Would a future King be willing to teach a future Czarina how to use a sword? I am afraid I could not teach you much, besides perhaps how to use a hammer and nails; something I have come to know more than a Grand Duchess probably should in the eyes of the court,"[/color] she said with a light hearted voice and a shrug. It was common that royalty was not to get their hands dirty but even now it was clear, beneath her manicured hands, that she had done many hours of hard labor; a few callouses showing on her palm when she spoke and moved her hands about; they were marks she was not ashamed of but in fact took pride in.