[February 1939]
One night, Darya visits Moscow without noticing Dmitry in advance. Her plan was to make a surprise visit that surely will delight Dmitry. Both have already talking about wanting to "upgrade" their relationship into engagement, and yet still cannot be fulfilled as both of them busy with the duty. As Darya finally gets some days off, she immediately packed her travel bag and took train to go to Moscow.
However she encounter the bad luck; the sudden blizzard coming when she was seeking Dmitry's communal. It made her had difficulty to determine the building, even though she has Dmitry's full address. She has to slowly navigating as her body slowly freezing.
Another bad luck appears... as Darya accidentally bumped on someone who brought two groceries bags. She apologised and immediately rushed. And her spine colder as she heard the familiar voice calling from behind.
"Dasha, so you are coming back for me."
It only took 2 second to turn her head and noticed whose the man having that voice.
"I am not coming for you," hissed Darya.
The curly-haired man smirked as he took step closer to her, "Oh, so your man living in Moscow. Let me escort you safely to him, then."
"I don't need your help. I can do it myself."
She start to took step backward. She wished to hit this man if he took another step. But her hands has freezing, making her movement feels so limited. And right as that man took more steps, Darya fled from that street. She has to find any alley which can covering her.
Yet her steps are leaving the trace at snow. The curly-haired man simply walking past, pursuing Darya without rush.
"Oh, Dasha... I will come for you," sang that man as he can hear Darya's panted breath.
She finally try to enter an alley where a lot of garbage cans stacked. Just before she hid there, something swooped her body. Darya screamed as she sees herself flown away to the sky without reason...
And suddenly she landed on another street. In front of her was a very large man with dark brown coat, red scarf and very thick fur hat.
"Greetings. I am the one who pulled you. For now, you are safe."
"But... How... what...?" Darya's confusion stopped as that large man put his finger on his lips.
"I will explain everything about your Dmitry's situation, as long you willingly to come with me to the train station again."
"...You know about him?"
"Coworker. But that's least thing to concern. Let's go before Vitaly found you again."
Darya tilted her head in confusion. Such new name appears. Is this large man can be trusted? But... Darya knew it's better not to meet her past again. And so, she follow that man to the train station.
===
The half cup of tea is now lukewarm on Darya's hands. She warmed herself as she sat on the train station's cafe, watching that large man paid her tea and biscuits to the seller. She still can't believe what she has heard ten minutes ago, while sipping the tea slowly. Then the large man sat in front of her, staring kindly and concerned at the same time.
"Don't worry, the tea and biscuit's on me. You have come way long," assured that large man, whom Darya finally learned his name is Semyon.
"...I am still in confusion. Or maybe denial to know about Alexei's case. But no wonder why in the orphanage, he was acting very differently. Sometimes he called me casually as a friend and prefer to be with his sister. But another time, he approach me and showered attention, till even managed to harm his sister whenever she harrassed me, too," admitted Darya.
"And unfortunately, both of them beyond saving. Alexei may be kind to you forever. But we don't know when it's Vitaly who approach you," agreed Semyon.
"But... But it means Dima is in danger too! You said they are Dima's best friend! Can you please save him too? Make Lyosha and Vitaly regret, maybe? Or shall I warn him so he would not interact with Lyosha?"
The large man shook his head with regret, "Your Dima still fallen too hard to Alexei, maybe to Vitaly too indirectly. Alexei and Vitaly, too, was still caring for Dmitry. I can kill them secretly, a wind that so strong till stop the heartbeat..." Semyon paused for a while, before he continued speaking, "But Dima will lose his will to live if he saw his friend died without reason. Even showered with love from you, he will instead thinking of someone else who never deserve his attention. So he shall learn first, who he must prioritised. Hard lesson, but kind."
Darya put down the almost emptied cup of tea. She rubs her almost tearful eyes. Even if she was grateful to never mention Dmitry's name in front of Vitaly... but she still worried if sooner or later, Vitaly will know the truth and harmed Dmitry. Or worse, harming anyone who close with Dmitry first.
A train comes in the middle of night. It was the last train that will brought Darya back to Belarus. Both of them get up, and Semyon carefully helped her stepping on the stairs to the wagon.
"Last question... Semyon, why are you saving me? I thought people who had magic used them to harm people," asked Darya while clutching her travel bag, and stared at Semyon from above.
Semyon pulled a small smile, not even offended by her question. "Let's say that I used to marry a beloved wife. Long, curly haired like you. Her death in childbirth still saddens me, as I cannot save her. And so... I express my love for her, by saving a person who will become the key of saving another people. And your safety right now... will be the key to saving Dmitry from any danger."
After that, Semyon waved without say any farewell words and walked away. Leaving Darya who now have to find her seat, and decided that mail correspondence was the safest way for now.