I walked into the living room and saw Leonid on the couch reading a book.

"good morning Viktor."

"good morning Anya," he said, putting down his book, ¨how did you sleep?"

"better than I did during my stay in the ipatiev house that's for sure." I said with a small grin.

"That's good! I'm glad you're enjoying your stay here."

"Yes. It was very kind of you and your brother to let me stay here," I said, "I don't know what i'd be doing if it weren't for you. Most likely dead."

"It was no problem at all. My brother and I were walking home from the markets when we saw you pass out, most likely from blood loss. I decided that we should help you and bring you home. After a bit of convincing, my brother agreed. And I'm glad we did."

I smiled, and decided to ask about his brother, "so your brother, he seems very stiff huh."

Leonid chuckled, "he sure is. After our parents died last year due to a cold, he started to become really stiff and up tight. He distanced himself a lot and became more closed off. Before, he used to be really fun and caring, not worried about anything in the world. Now it seems that role has been given to me."

"I'm sorry about your parents," I said, "I guess that must have hit him really hard."

"Yes. He had a close relationship with the two of them and was devastated about their death. I've been trying to loosen him up a bit but nothing seems to help."

"Maybe I could help."

"How so?"

"I've always been one to have fun and play around. Maybe I could help you loosen your brother up while I'm here. After all, I did grow up with four other siblings."

"That's true. And I think it'd be good for him."

"So it's a plan then?

"Indeed. Operation loosen older brother up is in action."

I laughed and sat down on the couch a few feet away from Leonid. As if on cue, Viktor walked through the door.

"Leonid, i'm back," Viktor said, he looked over and saw me sitting on the couch "Oh good, you're awake."

"Yes. Thank you for letting me stay. I don't know how I'd ever be able to repay you two for your hospitality."

"There is no need. We're glad to help."

I nodded and smiled, not knowing what to say next.

"I'm going to make some breakfast. How does kasha* sound?"

"Sounds good!" both Leonid and I said at the same time.

Viktor nodded and went to where I'd assume the kitchen was and started on breakfast.

Kasha - usually refers to pseudocereal buckwheat or its culinary preparations. In various East-Central and Eastern European countries, kasha can apply to any kind of cooked grain.