#Russian society

[gregor-samsung]

Я то́же хочу́ [Me too] (Aleksey Balabanov, 2012)

[blueheartbooks]

The Brothers Karamazov: A Masterpiece of Moral Inquiry and Psychological Depth

Fyodor Dostoevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov" stands as one of the most profound and influential works in the canon of world literature. Published in 1880, this epic novel delves into the complexities of human nature, morality, faith, and existential angst, weaving together a rich tapestry of philosophical inquiry and psychological insight.

At the heart of "The Brothers Karamazov" are the three titular brothers: Dmitri, Ivan, and Alyosha, each representing different facets of the human psyche and grappling with their own existential dilemmas. Dmitri, the passionate and impulsive eldest brother, struggles with his desires and impulses, torn between his love for two women and his sense of honor. Ivan, the intellectual and skeptical middle brother, grapples with the problem of evil and the existence of God in a world filled with suffering. Alyosha, the youngest and most devout brother, seeks spiritual redemption and strives to embody the teachings of his mentor, the elder Zosima.

Through the interconnected stories of the Karamazov family and the residents of their provincial Russian town, Dostoevsky explores a wide range of philosophical and ethical questions, from the nature of morality and free will to the existence of God and the meaning of life. Drawing on his own experiences of poverty, suffering, and spiritual crisis, Dostoevsky imbues his characters with a depth and authenticity that resonate with readers on a profound emotional and intellectual level.

One of the most compelling aspects of "The Brothers Karamazov" is Dostoevsky's exploration of the human condition and the existential struggles that define the human experience. Through the trials and tribulations of the Karamazov brothers, Dostoevsky grapples with the fundamental questions of human existence: What is the nature of good and evil? Is there a higher purpose or meaning to life? How do we reconcile the existence of suffering and injustice with our belief in a just and compassionate God?

Moreover, "The Brothers Karamazov" is celebrated for its richly drawn characters, vividly depicted landscapes, and masterful storytelling. Dostoevsky's prose is by turns lyrical, philosophical, and profoundly moving, capturing the complexities of human emotion and the inner struggles of his characters with a rare depth and insight. From the dark and brooding Dmitri to the idealistic and compassionate Alyosha, each character is rendered with such psychological nuance and complexity that they feel like living, breathing individuals, grappling with their own hopes, fears, and desires.

In conclusion, "The Brothers Karamazov" by Fyodor Dostoevsky is a towering achievement of world literature that continues to captivate readers with its profound insights, moral complexity, and psychological depth. Through its exploration of timeless themes and universal truths, "The Brothers Karamazov" speaks to the enduring mysteries of the human condition and the eternal quest for meaning, redemption, and spiritual fulfillment. With its richly drawn characters, intricate plot, and philosophical depth, "The Brothers Karamazov" remains a timeless masterpiece that rewards readers with new insights and revelations with each reading.

Fyodor Dostoevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov" is available in Amazon in paperback 24.99$ and hardcover 30.99$ editions.

Number of pages: 515

Language: English

Rating: 9/10                                           

Link of the book!

Review By: King's Cat

[blueheartbookclub]

The Brothers Karamazov: A Masterpiece of Moral Inquiry and Psychological Depth

Fyodor Dostoevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov" stands as one of the most profound and influential works in the canon of world literature. Published in 1880, this epic novel delves into the complexities of human nature, morality, faith, and existential angst, weaving together a rich tapestry of philosophical inquiry and psychological insight.

At the heart of "The Brothers Karamazov" are the three titular brothers: Dmitri, Ivan, and Alyosha, each representing different facets of the human psyche and grappling with their own existential dilemmas. Dmitri, the passionate and impulsive eldest brother, struggles with his desires and impulses, torn between his love for two women and his sense of honor. Ivan, the intellectual and skeptical middle brother, grapples with the problem of evil and the existence of God in a world filled with suffering. Alyosha, the youngest and most devout brother, seeks spiritual redemption and strives to embody the teachings of his mentor, the elder Zosima.

Through the interconnected stories of the Karamazov family and the residents of their provincial Russian town, Dostoevsky explores a wide range of philosophical and ethical questions, from the nature of morality and free will to the existence of God and the meaning of life. Drawing on his own experiences of poverty, suffering, and spiritual crisis, Dostoevsky imbues his characters with a depth and authenticity that resonate with readers on a profound emotional and intellectual level.

One of the most compelling aspects of "The Brothers Karamazov" is Dostoevsky's exploration of the human condition and the existential struggles that define the human experience. Through the trials and tribulations of the Karamazov brothers, Dostoevsky grapples with the fundamental questions of human existence: What is the nature of good and evil? Is there a higher purpose or meaning to life? How do we reconcile the existence of suffering and injustice with our belief in a just and compassionate God?

Moreover, "The Brothers Karamazov" is celebrated for its richly drawn characters, vividly depicted landscapes, and masterful storytelling. Dostoevsky's prose is by turns lyrical, philosophical, and profoundly moving, capturing the complexities of human emotion and the inner struggles of his characters with a rare depth and insight. From the dark and brooding Dmitri to the idealistic and compassionate Alyosha, each character is rendered with such psychological nuance and complexity that they feel like living, breathing individuals, grappling with their own hopes, fears, and desires.

In conclusion, "The Brothers Karamazov" by Fyodor Dostoevsky is a towering achievement of world literature that continues to captivate readers with its profound insights, moral complexity, and psychological depth. Through its exploration of timeless themes and universal truths, "The Brothers Karamazov" speaks to the enduring mysteries of the human condition and the eternal quest for meaning, redemption, and spiritual fulfillment. With its richly drawn characters, intricate plot, and philosophical depth, "The Brothers Karamazov" remains a timeless masterpiece that rewards readers with new insights and revelations with each reading.

Fyodor Dostoevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov" is available in Amazon in paperback 24.99$ and hardcover 30.99$ editions.

Number of pages: 515

Language: English

Rating: 9/10                                           

Link of the book!

Review By: King's Cat

[lady-nightmare]

Google translation:

The expert talks about ordinary Russians. "They start behaving in a scary way"

The former Polish ambassador in Moscow told Wirtualna Polska about what ordinary Russians are like today. It turns out that we really don't know much about this nation yet. Włodzimierz Marciniak also talked about his vision of the future of Russia. The mood in this country is very worrying.

Russia has always based its policy on fear and threats. Many of us think that this country is remote and hostile. The success of Russian propaganda was to create a belief among others that they should be afraid of it. The situation changed in February 2022. After the invasion of Ukraine began, weaknesses came to light, gigantic corruption in the power structures, and above all, lies about its own military power.

Today in Russia, few people see the power, but it still inspires fear. Although we know quite a lot about this country, how well do we know the Russians themselves? Włodzimierz Marciniak, a sovietologist and former ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Moscow, talks about what the Russian nation really is like. As he claims, "in every stereotype we will find a particle of truth."

He knows Russian society inside out. "Programmed submission to expected terror"

Russians are educated but inhumane Russians are an uneducated, backward, cruel nation - we can meet such opinions about our neighbors very often. Negative sentiment is fueled by the fact that Russia has been conducting a brutal invasion of Ukraine for several months.

It is a country of highly educated people who look at social issues mainly from a technical nature - says Marciniak. - The phenomenon of the Soviet system was that a huge part of society was educated in conditions of lack of freedom of speech - he points out.

"In Russia, a man is a wolf to man" Russia is a country with over 143 million citizens. Its area could accommodate almost two Europes, and the entire country stretches across nine time zones. Włodzimierz Marciniak points out that there is no way to define Russians as a unity. The same applies to support for the actions of the Kremlin.

Russian society is extremely stratified. The degree of polarization in terms of property is huge, the expert points out. - Various sociological studies show that support for the war was clearly related to material status. Well-to-do people were willing to accept government policies, he adds.

The former ambassador reminds that in Russia the power was always held by those who could show strength.

Beliefs have formed that only individual survival strategies are justified and proven. When all people follow their own selfish motives, the strongest will always win. It can be interpreted that they need it. If there is no order, someone will naturally impose this order by fist, subordinating everyone to their own interests - says Włodzimierz Marciniak.

Russia is an extremely atomized society, man is a wolf to man - he adds.

At the same time, Marciniak points out that it cannot be said that the invasion of Ukraine is only "Putin's war". According to his words, nothing happens without permission.

Wondering if this is Putin's or the Russians' war, it makes little sense. The society is ruled by a dictator, but there is some synergy and a kind of shaky harmony between these parties, the expert said.

"A Russian sees his flaws in Poles" Włodzimierz Marciniak also talks about the attitude of Russians towards Poles. As he claims, the Russians need approval and respect to consider others as allies.

This society is a collection of narcissists. They are delighted with each other. Others are good when they admire them, says the sovietologist.

The man addressed historical issues between our nations. As he claims, the Russians never treated us as "one of them" - even when for half a century Poland was forced to be a political ally of the USSR.

Poles are not a mirror for a Russian. A Russian sees his flaws in Poles - says Włodzimierz Marciniak. - The Russians have always known that Poland is something else, that we are different - he adds.

What is the future of Russia? "Each version is worse than the last" Nothing indicates that Russia will change its political course and cease to be the opposite pole for the West. There is more and more talk that we are entering the era of "Cold War 2.0". Sovietologist Włodzimierz Marciniak also told Wirtualna Polska about his vision of the future for Russia. She is quite disturbing.

I have a feeling that something will emerge from this war that hasn't been there yet and will not be a repeat of the totalitarian USSR and I do not rule out that something even worse - he says. - In successive versions of the Russian imperial entity, each successive one is worse than the previous one. The one that emerges now could be even worse, he adds.

Marciniak notes that Russian writers described the already existing and changing nightmarish reality of Russia. Over the centuries, the way regimes functioned evolved, but retained similarities. - This system of repression is getting tougher, but it is still not massive - assesses Włodzimierz Marciniak.

If you look at Putin's biography, without the element of a criminal past, we will not understand this system of government at all. Something like an organized crime group has been taken over by the state - informs the expert.

"Their goal is to get rich, like any mafia," he adds.

The future of Russia in black colors

"Once, people who seemed decent - including those I knew personally - start behaving in a terrifying way," Marciniak admits during the conversation. - My friends used to speak human language and were considered liberals, today they say terrible things - adds the former Polish ambassador in Moscow.

Everyone has an instinct for self-preservation, and today's system is heading towards a "digital gulag", where instead of guards, barbed wire and dogs, electronic systems will perform the same functions as they do - he says.

Everyone thinks to save their own skin, but historical experience should suggest that if this roller starts rolling, it will crush everyone - sums up the sovietologist Włodzimierz Marciniak for WP.

[luciferslilith7]

"Your hand is cold, mine burns like fire. How blind you are, Nastenka!"

~ Fyodor Dostoevsky, White Nights

@luciferslilith7

[girlintodust]

tortured soul

[joytri]

It's all romanticism, nonsense, rottenness, art.

― Ivan Turgenev, Fathers and Sons (translated by George Reavy)

[darkpoetrynprose]

"But how could you live and have no story to tell?"

– Fyodor Dostoevsky, White Nights

[angadgautama]

$ Soul_Pot

I'm soft hearted, don't hurt me that much.

Don't make false promises, false sworns.

I told you many times,

that don't make it hard again and again

I'm dying in your memories, so don't come to mind again and again.

Flower dries up but the smell never become dull.

Nobody cared about love, heart broke slowly slowly.

Even nowadays relations haven't no value,

But love never ends, breaths ends oneday surely.

When condition are contradictory,

Flower dries up Even in flowerpot.

Mostly who have smile faces,

Died up weeping in the soul-pot.

[elvendeity]

"I didn't fall in love with you. I walked into love with you, with my eyes wide open, choosing to take every step along the way. I do believe in fate and destiny, but I also believe we are only fated to do the things that we'd choose anyway. And I'd choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I'd find you and I'd choose you"

I just want someone to grab my little face and scream "ON PURPOSE, ON PURPOSE I AM GOING TO CARE ABOUT YOU"

Chidi Anagonye : Can I ask you a question? Soulmates aren't... real, are they?

Michael : Chidi, in all honesty, I don't know. But I don't think so.

...

Michael : If soulmates do exist, they're not found, they're made. People meet, they get a good feeling, and then they get to work building a relationship.

Anne Carson, Euripides || Dulce María Loynaz, from “Poem XCI,” trans. James O’Connor, Absolute Solitude: Selected Prose Poems (First Archipelago, 2016) || Kiersten White, The Chaos of Stars || Russian Doll, Season 2 || Jenny Slate || Dead Poets Society || The Good Place || Death with Interruptions, José Saramago || Russian Doll, Season 1

[the-raindeer-king]

Hii and can you please write how nikto would be with a S/o who is sick? It’s completely okay if not ! Have a lovely day :)

Oh my gosh!! I would love to! Sorry you had to wait until I got off of work, but I was thinking about this all day!! No content warnings. Reader is gn. Enjoy!!

Okay, so here's the thing with Nikto. I feel like he's cold and distant with most people. So if he's deemed you "not important", then he'd probably just tell you to get over it and stop being a crybaby.

HOWEVER! Lucky, lucky you have been deemed "most important" by Nikto's tumultuous mind, so this is not how he's going treat you. No, my sweet wonderful reader. This man is going to pamper you. He's going to be at the bedside, medicine ready. (if you're like me and hate the taste of cough syrup, he's got a glass of juice to help you swallow it down.)

You're his darling, and Nikto is going to make sure you stay in bed and rest. He's going to bring you soup. The first day of soup is premade, but the rest of the time that you're sick? Oh, he's made a huge batch of homemade soup, just for you. And it's delicious. He even went out of his way to get fresh made bread from a bakery, so you've got the best meal. Nothing is too much for Nikto.

He'll bring you clean clothes, if you need to change out of your current pair. He'll bring you warm blankets, or a cold compress. Hell, he'll let you snuggle with Sputnik all day, if that's what you want.

The only thing he won't let you do is snuggle with him. As much as it pains him, Nikto can't risk getting himself sick. (He's one of the guys that refuses to admit when they're sick, and it's like pulling teeth to get him to rest. So, just let him have this.)

But he'll spend time in the room with you. While you're in bed, sleeping or watching a movie, he's sitting by the window, cleaning his knives or knitting a scarf. But don't think he's not paying attention to you. Nikto's aware of every sniffle and cough, every quiet sound you make. He wants you to get better, to feel better. Because the sooner you feel better, the sooner he can kick Sputnik out of bed and cuddle you instead.

[gregor-samsung]

Герда (Gerda) [Lost girl] (Natalya Kudryashova, 2021)

[jtl-fics]

PREV

Aaron likes FF.

He’s a good friend to have and he’s been doing Aaron a huge favor this semester by tutoring Katelyn in German. He’d tried to tutor her but his teaching style and her learning had not been very compatible and it had been leading to some fighting between the two of them. Nicky had been the one to suggest that FF was a pretty good teacher and he wouldn’t take any sort of advantage of the inherent romantic setting of being a tutor (whatever the hell that meant).

FF was a good tutor.

Aaron liked to hang out while Katelyn and FF had their tutoring sessions and FF’s gaze never strayed down from Katelyn’s face when he was talking to her. He gave her German children’s books that he himself had used to better understand the written language and Aaron quite enjoyed the nights he spent over at Katelyns where she’d clumsily make her way through them as they were winding down for bed.

There were other things to like about FF.

He liked how FF could disagree with him without fighting with him. He liked how FF had the confidence to just leave any situation he didn’t like. He liked how FF sang to himself when he was distracted (he had a pretty good voice). He liked how FF could watch horror movies without blinking. He liked how he could sit in easy silence with FF and the two of them could just do their own thing. He liked how bad FF was at video games.

He liked how FF never confused Aaron for Andrew no matter what they were wearing or if they were aiming to confuse people. FF never said how he managed it when even Matt and Nicky got them confused every once in a while but FF never failed to know which twin he was talking to. He also played along when they were going about messing with the other non-FF freshmen by vacating the area instead of alerting anyone to them having switched.

(Aaron is completely unaware of an entirely uncomfortable talk that Nicky has had with FF where he asked FF how he could tell Andrew and Aaron apart. The answer was that initially Aaron always had a very tiny pen mark on his ear somewhere because he had a habit of putting his pen behind his ear. The answer in the long run was that they stood slightly differently and Andrew had a wrinkle that Aaron didn’t. Nicky had asked why FF was looking so closely at his cousins, “Well, I thought that Andrew might swap with Aaron at some point to lure me into a false sense of security and then he’d kill me.” FF answers unaware of why Nicky went still, “I realize now that Andrew isn’t like that.” FF had rushed to assure.

“Yeah…” Nicky had said awkwardly.

“Really, I honestly don’t think Andrew would pretend to be Aaron to kill someone.” FF had said again.)

The thing Aaron probably liked the most though was how happy his cousin was to have someone who was ‘his’ person. Andrew had Kevin and Neil, Aaron had Katelyn, and now Nicky had FF. They were hardly separate from the other Foxes nowadays and they roomed with Matt but there was always a difference for their group between ‘family’ and ‘friend’. FF was someone that Nicky had claimed as family and they had all agreed.

Aaron also enjoyed watching how Andrew and Neil both couldn’t fully comprehend how FF had ended up as Nicky’s when they had both made quite a few efforts. Nicky had always just shrugged and said that they’d understand when they were older before heading off to go see FF at Abby’s house as if the rest of them weren’t following right behind him.

FF was healing nicely and would be moving back into the dorms in the next week or so but he still spent a fair bit of time in Aaron’s room. He had heard Nicky talking to Wymack about possibly having him moved into their room which Aaron wouldn’t mind even if it mean that he’d have to do the ‘Smith Shout’ more frequently.

The ‘Smith Shout’ entails walking into rooms that you thought were empty but theoretically they could also contain FF. If you didn’t mind a minor heart attack later then you didn’t need to complete the ‘Smith Shout’ but if you were perhaps…interested in making out with your beautiful girlfriend?

The ‘Smith Shout’ was a must, they were all trying to get better about the levels of hanky and panky that FF was subjected to just because they failed to realize he was right there.

FF never made a big deal about it but it always felt embarrassing when they heard the click of the door as FF left the room they were making out in.

There was no need for the ‘Smith Shout’ today as FF was helping Katelyn with some basic vocabulary and going over conversations and pronunciation with her. Aaron was sitting nearby going over some micro-biology homework when they heard a door slam open down the hall, pounding foot steps, and then their door slammed open to reveal a pale-faced Kevin

“Kevin, what-“

Kevin shushed Aaron before he could ask what was wrong and came into the room and shut the door with shaking hands. His phone was held in his right hand so tightly that his knuckles were white from the strain.

“Lord Moriyama just called me.” Kevin said shaking badly enough that Aaron wondered if he should guide the Striker over to their couch so that he could sit. “He…he let me know that he’s dropped the percentage I owe him to 65%” Kevin’s gaze slid to FF who was sat at the desks with Katelyn still. “He…he said to give you his…regards?” He says.

Aaron’s own gaze whips to FF.

“Ok.” FF says with an awkward shrug.

Aaron almost laughs at the lack of response but he holds it in unsure of how Kevin would take it.

“Kevin, it’s a good thing right?” Aaron says instead.

Kevin looks at him and nods frantically, “Yes. It’s a good thing.” He agrees. “35% makes things so much…so much easier.” Kevin says his shoulders sagging and it always bothers Aaron when he thinks about the deal that Kevin and Neil live under. He knows that Andrew has only been even listening to offers over a certain amount since he plans on helping Neil.

“I’m glad.” FF offers before turning back to Katelyn, “Ok, have you finished reading that book I gave you last week?” He asks apparently more interested in tutoring than in what Lord Moriyama had to say to Kevin.

“Oh, yes!” Katelyn agrees.

Kevin looks at them and Aaron has known Kevin long enough to recognize when he’s thinking about something. He even knows him well enough to sense when he’s thinking about something irritating.

Kevin leaves the room though so Aaron figures that it will be someone else’s problem.

He is, unfortunately, incorrect.

45 minutes later Kevin bursts into the room again and grabs Aaron, “I need your help with something.” He says, hands cold around Aaron’s wrist, and before Aaron can complain he is being dragged out of his room and into the room his brother shares with Neil and Kevin.

“Kevin, what the hell?” Aaron complains finally managing to pull himself out of Kevin’s grasp.

“I’m going to take control of Smith’s recovery.” Kevin says as if that was a normal thing to say, “Lord Moriyama wished him a speedy recovery and…and I owe him.” Kevin admits.

“You don’t need to take control of Smith’s recovery to thank him. You could just thank him?” Aaron points out the obvious answer but as per usual very few members of the Foxes were amiable to hearing the simple solutions that Aaron offered.

“No this is better. He’ll appreciate it more than just a simple thank you.” Kevin dismissed, “Now, do you think I should start with basic protein or more vitamin based smoothies for his recovery?” Kevin asks and only now does Aaron see the grocery bags of fruits, vegetables, and various other things littering the kitchen.

Why the fuck was everyone on this team so damn weird?

It was 20 minutes of Aaron trying to wrangle Kevin away from the weirdest combinations. The only thing that made him feel better was the knowledge that Josten was going to see all of these veggies and probably hiss like a vampire as he backed away from the fridge.

Still, 20 soul crushing minutes and they had a green beverage sitting in the blender that Josten had bought the room his sophomore year for Kevin. “I’ll be asking you and Katelyn for assistance on this project.” Kevin says.

“No thanks.” Aaron says exhausted from the last 20 minutes.

“Then I’ll just do it alone.” Kevin says and Aaron thinks about the various things that Kevin had wanted to put into the smoothie, thinks of FF tutoring Katelyn without asking for anything, and how FF had lied to protect Aaron’s brother even from federal agents when he had nothing to do with the mess of two years ago.

Fuck.

“Fine, I’ll help.” He grits out because he couldn’t leave FF to the nutritional whims of Kevin Day. He already feels bad enough about the drink that FF is about to be subjected to but he can at least stop Kevin from crushing actual multi-vitamins into the drinks and claiming it would make for good ‘texture’.

They come back to the room and Aaron hears Katelyn and FF talking about a new smoothie place that might be good for FF to try, “…have a peanut butter and banana one that would probably be easy on your stomach.” He hears her say unaware of the monstrosity Aaron has just had a hand in creating.

“No need for that.” Kevin says confidence unshaken and undeserved as puts a glass of green juice down in front of FF. “Drink that.” He says.

Aaron is immediately filled with a desperate desire to both apologize and slap the glass out of Kevin’s hand. Inevitable stained carpet be damned.

“Sure.” FF says as he takes hold of the glass.

It feels as Aaron watches it happen in slow motion. He sees Katelyn’s own revolted face and wishes he could tell her that this really was the best he could do in terms of saving FF. FF, unaware of Aaron’s inner turmoil, takes a sip of the green beverage full of Kale, spinach, sprouts, protein powder (plain), and some crazy Chinese health supplement that Kevin swore by but smelled vaguely alcoholic despite Kevin’s INSISTENCE that it was not.

“I know alcohol, this isn’t alcohol.” Kevin had said and honestly it was hard to argue with that logic.

FF brought it to his lips and drank it.

Aaron felt like he should have gotten a garbage bin ready but instead he watches on in horrified awe as FF drains the entire nightmarish glass.

“Cauliflower?” FF asks as he wipes the remnants of the smoothie off of his upper lip.

Aaron’s head whipped towards Kevin who was smiling as he accepted the glass back from Smith, “I’m surprised you would notice.” He says visibly pleased even as Aaron bristles.

“How the fuck did you put cauliflower in there, I was watching you.” He hisses.

“Katelyn texted you, I put it in then.” Kevin shrugs.

Aaron regrets nothing.

***

Kevin continued to hand FF bizarre healthy combinations of fruits, vegetables, and god knows what. Aaron and Katelyn did their best to keep Kevin from going too wild with his purchases but Kevin on a mission was a difficult thing to stop.

It didn’t help that FF accepted any and everything that Kevin handed to him without a single flinch. As far as Aaron knew FF didn’t even know that Kevin had decided to take control of his recovery and diet for the foreseeable future.

He had been making a run to buy Katelyn some tampons when he found FF in the stomach pain aisle looking between a two-pack or an extra large bottle of Pepto Bismol. “Smiths, if Kevin’s god awful smoothies are hurting your stomach you can just tell him.” Aaron says as he drags FF out of the aisle knowing that Pepto Bismol would not be good. “You can’t take anything with aspirin. Nicky had me read your care instructions to him in plain English I know.” He says.

FF didn’t say anything as he let himself be dragged to the register where the girl there seemed surprise that FF wasn’t buying anything. “Nothing for you?” She asks looking at FF.

FF nodded, “Nothing for me.” He agrees.

“I’m glad! You deserve it!” She says smiling as if she hadn’t just said something that felt wildly rude to say to a customer.

Aaron grabbed FF by the arm, scowled at the cashier, and dragged him out.

���They don’t hurt my stomach. I ended up there more on auto-pilot than anything.” FF says and Aaron remembers the conversation they had been having in the stomach relief section. “I think what I had yesterday was a bit too much.” He admits and Aaron rolls his eyes but doesn’t say anything else.

Kevin’s nagging about their health had gotten a combination of better and worse since FF had started accepting the smoothies without comment.

Better because now Kevin had someone who he could unleash his full overbearing nature on and who didn’t seem to even care or notice just doing as Kevin ordered. Worse because now Kevin had a taste of what it was like for one of them to follow his orders.

This building irritation had lead to Josten and Andrew grabbing FF before he could be ambushed by Kevin for his usual lunch smoothie and drag him off to an off campus Deli that they both liked. Josten had probably wanted to feel just a little bit superior to the multi-lingual Freshman since it was a Russian Deli where the owner only really got what you ordered if you did it in Russian. It had happened on the day where at morning practice Kevin had implied that FF would be a better protege since he listened while Neil continued to refuse vegetables.

He could just imagine Josten offering to order for FF.

What an asshole.

He remembers coming into the room the day previous and finding them dumping the contents of a styrofoam bowl into the blender. “What is that?” Aaron had asked.

“Borscht.” Josten answered.

“Why are you putting it in a blender?” Aaron asks knowing that Josten didn’t have an ounce of social awareness.

“So Smith can eat it?” Josten said back to him slowly as if Aaron was the idiot between the two of them.

“Does Kevin know?” Aaron had asked

“Kevin can’t bitch, there’s plenty of vegetables in there.” Josten said with absolute certainty.

Kevin can, in fact, bitch.

“Andrew ordered the borscht for me.” FF says as they continue towards the dorms interrupting Aaron from his memory. “It was good, it was just too much. Like what Kevin said yesterday.” He adds.

Aaron can’t believe Josten is so opposed to ordering vegetables that he made Andrew order FF’s food for him.

What an asshole.

***

“A leash. I will find the largest child leash I can get and I will put it on you. Smithy, what the fuck.” Nicky bitches as they made their way out into the crisp December air. “I can’t believe you fell asleep and we almost left you again.” Nicky adds. “My sweet baby boy,

Aaron thinks his cousin is being over dramatic.

FF could walk back from the Fox stadium to the tower on his own just fine. He was a big boy no matter how many times Nicky claimed him to be his ‘sweet little baby boy’.

“I’m not your baby. Don’t call me that.” FF grumbles through his yawn sounding very much like a cranky little baby.

“Maybe stay awake through the game and I’ll consider it.” Nicky teases.

“The game was boring enough to play let alone just having to sit and watch.” Kevin says and it was only because Kevin had his ‘post-game’ smoothie for FF to drink that they realized he wasn’t there before they left the stadium. “We can hardly blame Smiths for falling asleep.” Kevin shrugs elated by the win but disappointed in the competition. “Drink your smoothie Smiths.” He says and FF went back to sipping at the unknown concoction, “The tart cherries and avocado should help you go to sleep when we get back to Abby's.” He says as if that combination was a natural one.

“Tart Cherries and Avocado?” Josten asks in obvious disgust.

“They’re-“

“Hey, Granny Boy!” Came a shout that interrupted Kevin’s explanation.

Usually, anything that interrupted Kevin from some going on another lecture was a good thing but Aaron, bringing up the rear, can see how FF’s posture went from relaxed to painfully alert in a matter of seconds.

“Daniel.” FF returns.

MASTERPOST FOR ALL PARTS OF FLUENT FRESHMAN AU

NEXT

[nadziejacher]

Winter palace interiors

[lady-nightmare]

Zna rosyjskie społeczeństwo od podszewki. "Zaprogramowana uległość wobec...

The part about Poles:

Journalist: What do Russians think about Poles?

Włodzimierz Marciniak (Sovietologist, former Polish ambassador to Moscow).: They mainly think about themselves. If we have already adopted this convention of talking about Russians in general, I would use the figure that it is a society-collection of narcissists. These are narcissistic personalities. They are delighted with themselves.

 J: And everyone else are worse?

WM: And others are good only when they admire them. They are a mirror. And let's say because the Germans have a certain esteem towards the Russians, so the Russians very willingly take Germany and the Germans as an example. And because Poles have a sense of their own dignity and self-confidence, they are not a mirror for a Russian ... or they are a mirror in which a Russian sees his flaws. And he doesn't want that. 

J: It could be even worse. Maybe they somehow got used to the fact that we were a mirror or this kindness, a bit forced, was there for decades and that this mirror turned around and that it betrayed those Russians. And it turned towards the West, towards NATO, and the European Union, and it no longer sticks with Moscow as it used to? 

WM: Well, yes, but it is a relation to a nation that was once defeated and subjugated, and a grudge against it that it chose its own path. But it seems to me that the Russians have always been aware that Poland is something else, it is a different country, a different culture. Anyway, if we are talking about cultural relations, I would give an example from distant history: Maryna Mniszech appears in the history of the Moscow State. She becomes the wife of the tsar, Dmitry called the False. And there is a negative stereotype of a Polish woman reaching for power, for the Moscow throne, and at the same time the name Maryna is very popular ... it used to be a very popular name given to girls. If you read Svetajowa ... poems by Svetaeva or Akhmatova, there are words of appreciation and a certain admiration and fascination with this character. So if we delve into such deeper layers of culture, then we will notice very complex relationships in which rejection and a certain hidden, masked fascination with Polishness are intertwined. But Polish independence, Polish separateness, difficult and incomprehensible to Russians, can be felt all the more painfully. This is well evidenced by a poem by one of the Soviet poets, which describes the scene of Anders' soldiers leaving the Soviet Union. And in the port of Krasnowock they sail to Iran ... and mix there ... well, delight that they managed to break out of this gulag system and at the same time a certain envy "they succeeded, we did not. And they left us." Such notes are also present there and it is worth remembering. But it seems to me, on the other hand, in such war situations, when YES-NO, black-and-white is necessary, I don't know if it makes sense to get too involved in such nuances.

[penumbrapens]

It’s all romanticism, nonsense, rottenness, art.

~ lvan Turgenev