nextgen_russia (nextgen_russia) wrote in marvel_nextgen,
@ 2010-08-16 02:52:00

Entry tags:

The Talk, Russian-style.
A letter addressed to the young Grand Duchess Anya requesting her presence at the Russian consulate to meet with her assigned adviser was delivered to her family home in New York.

A second letter was sent to her current residence in Boston, in which the adviser, Olga Bolotova, offered to come to her if that would be more convenient.

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anyastark
2010-08-16 08:21 am UTC (link)

Anya was suspicious of the sudden summons. It looked like it was her turn to have her life meddled with. She didn't like meddling, unless of course she was the one doing it. Just look what she did with her brothers.

After finals were over, she headed New York to pay the consulate a visit. No way was she going to have them visit the Thunderbolts Headquarters. On second thought maybe that wasn't a bad idea.

Dressed in jeans, boots and a blouse she headed over to the consulate in New York. Mom would probably have a fit she went dressed as she was, but no way in hell were the Russian busybodies going to make her dress up to see them.

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nextgen_russia
2010-08-16 08:32 am UTC (link)

Far from being surprised or dismayed at the young grand duchess' appearance, Olga Bolotova greeted her with a pleasant nod and an invitation to come into the small office set aside for Olga's use.

"Thank you for coming in to see me, Your Highness," she said in a mild tone. Though her name suggested she would be stern, stodgy and older, Olga was a woman in her late twenties with a soft brunette bob and a figure owed more to lunchtime runs rather than actual food. "Would you like tea or something else to drink?"

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	anyastark 2010-08-16 08:33 am UTC (link)
	"No thank you," Anya said in English. Dammit, if she had to be here, the meeting would be on her terms. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_russia 2010-08-16 08:38 am UTC (link)
	Olga nodded once. "Very well," she said in accented English. It was an unwieldy language, but her mastery of it contributed to this appointment. "First, allow me to wish you a belated Happy Birthday." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	anyastark 2010-08-16 08:42 am UTC (link)
	"Thank you," Anya said. Her recent birthday was probably the reason why she was here. She was a legal adult now and these people knew that. There were a million and one things they could want from her. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_russia 2010-08-16 02:36 pm UTC (link)
	"With your birthday, there are some things that it's now possible to begin consideration." Olga sat down behind the desk and opened a file. Her tone turned faintly apologetic. "I understand you are enrolled at MIT." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	anyastark 2010-08-16 06:20 pm UTC (link)
	"Yes. Ms. Bolotova, I am. It's public knowledge. Look, can we cut to the chase here and skip the stuff that's public knowledge? You asked me here for a specific reason and I'd like to know what it is." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

nextgen_russia
2010-08-16 06:33 pm UTC (link)

"Yes, of course, Your Highness." Her smile didn't waver at the young princess' tone. It came with the territory, and their princess was an American. Allowances were required.

"I've been instructed to arrange a series of meetings for you. I'd like to work with your schedule if possible. I feel that between the two of us we can do so with a minimum of trouble. At this time, I feel that the outcome is not as important as the meetings themselves. I understand your background gives you quite the advantage over the grand duke in these situations."

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anyastark
2010-08-16 06:41 pm UTC (link)

"Meetings? Um, yeah, not going to happen. I'm not going to be set up on playdates with people that are deemed acceptable in terms of a future husband. I know you are working to ensure the succession and the royal bloodline, but I am not going to be your pawn in all of this. I already know what I'm doing with my life and who is going to be in it. I'll do the appearances at state and family functions, but that's where I draw the line. I have a boyfriend, whom I love very much, and one day we will get married. So please, don't waste my time and the time of the men you want to set these meetings with."

Anya smiled politely.

"Does that just about sum everything up?"

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nextgen_russia
2010-08-16 07:50 pm UTC (link)

Olga closed the file with a sigh. "Your Highness, Russia has not had a royal family on the throne in a very long time. I apologize on behalf of my people that we have interrupted your life's plan. Frankly, you and your brother were not what we expected, either. The grand duke, however, cooperates with his adviser and does have an occasional lunch with a suitable young lady when asked. From all accounts, he is charming and gracious, and up front with the fact that he has a girlfriend whom he loves very much. The young ladies he meets are generally in the same situation. They have boyfriends or companions they are quite attached to and they understand that this is for show. They leave with the understanding that it was only lunch and not a proposal of marriage."

She rose from her chair to move around the desk to lean against the corner. "All we're asking for here is that you continue to do what you appear to know best in a different setting - socialize with a group of young royals and bring legitimacy to the House of Romanov in the eyes of the world. It's not enough to put a man on the throne and declare him tsar. There is a world outside of Russia that needs to accept this family as well. I am not asking you to choose a husband. I am asking that you be seen lunching with various eligible young men of royal blood. Young men who likely have girlfriends of their own. You may never have the opportunity to ascend the throne, but these will be the people you will associate with all your public life."

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anyastark
2010-08-16 08:21 pm UTC (link)

"Let's be honest, Ms. Bolotova, dates to find a future husband are exactly what these are. They are nothing more than trying to marry my brother and me off. If these are to set up legitimacy as you so profess, then you would have had me doing playdates with other royals my age before I turned eighteen. The second I become of legal age and can legally get married, you appear and want these playdates. I will not be manipulated like this."

"The Grand Duke," she almost said Dork, "will do anything to keep up public image and not do anything to make waves. I am /not/ my brother. I will gladly go to any formal function and interact with these other royals in a group setting, but I am not going to go to these one on one playdates. If you want me to be seen with them, then I suggest setting up some functions. I am not going to do anything to feed the tabloids or do anything to jeopardize my relationship with my boyfriend."

It wasn't that Anya felt insecure in her relationship with Steve, but she knew he had inadequacy issue when it came to dating her. She didn't need the paparazzi fueling them. There was the issue of time. Anya was stretched pretty thin as it was and she didn't need one more thing.

"I will gladly put you in contact with Ms. Potts and she can coordinate with you on charity events Stark Inc. hosts for me to meet these other royals. I attend them on a regular basis along with other well known events all over the world."

"I understand you're doing your job and I can appreciate people who are so dedicated to their job, but please understand that I will not just roll over and do what I am told."

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nextgen_russia
2010-08-16 08:40 pm UTC (link)

Functions were planned on a regular basis; the grand duchess would be someone else's headache for those. Thankfully the fact that the girl was an American would lessen the blame of her behavior on Olga herself. Clearly the girl had not been as school in social tact and deportment as she'd been led to believe.

"I have no wish to delay you any further from your busy schedule, Your Highness. I am sure you will be notified through the usual means if and when your presence is required at any of the social functions that are held on a regular basis." Olga inclined her head in a bow. "If you have need of my service, please contact me through this office. I will be most glad to assist you."

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anyastark
2010-08-16 08:47 pm UTC (link)

"I would not be adverse to doing things with other female royals if they are arranged. I do love a good shopping trip, or skiiing or some other activity. That is no state secret. If it is public image and legitimacy as you so claim, these will serve just as well as dates with male royals."

Anya returned the nod and stood up. She pulled a business card from her clutch. "This is Ms. Potts' contact information. All coordination for social events can be arranged through her or her assistant."

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	nextgen_russia 2010-08-18 08:09 am UTC (link)
	Olga polite nodded again, took the card and set it down on top of the file. It would be up to her superiors if anything other than the usual tabloid fodder was undertaken. "As you wish, Your Highness." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

anyastark
2010-08-18 08:18 am UTC (link)

"I expect us to get to know each other a little better before declarations of love." Cue one joke going over a person's head. "Nevermind. It's a joke."

"If people want legitimacy for the family, then I would suggest actually doing something for the people of Russia instead of trying to play matchmaker with the royal family. Organized crime runs rampant in the country along with poverty, hunger, homelessness, and sickness. Improve the people's lives and you'll get the legitimacy you and your bosses so crave. Respect of the people is more important than tabloid gossip."

Anya smiled.

"Good day, Ms. Bolotova." Anya gave her a nod and then left.

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nextgen_russia
2010-08-18 08:36 am UTC (link)

Olga got the joke, but she didn't smile. If it pleased the girl to assume and rush out without allowing for a response, so much the better. The girl's rudeness made her hope very much that Tsar Mikhail's line proved to be strong .

The girl was not as bright as reported. If she had been, she would not have wasted her time preaching politics to a glorified babysitter whose duties did not include deciding on national policy. Americans, and their tunnel vision. Russia would not be instantly changed on the girl's say so.

She put the card into the file and wrote her report on the young grand duchess.

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	redheadspy 2010-08-22 05:54 pm UTC (link)
	((END)) (Reply to this)

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