Lea+and+Brittany

Eowyn Slava: (Brittany Kasinak)

The year is 1916. Eowyn Slava is a Russian peasant in the town of Aleksandrov, Russia. She is 20 years old. She lives with her family on their farm. Eowyn has a 2 younger brothers and sister. She is the oldest child. Her father was the only parent in the house hold since her mother died in childbirth. Since he died in World War 1, she has had to take care of her younger siblings. Eowyn takes care of the farm, her family, and she works at a produce shop in the local city of St. Petersburg, the capital of Russia. She has a hatred for war ever since she lost her father to it and her views of the Czar has since changed. Eowyn doesn't trust the Czar and wishes him to be gone. She also doesn't trust the Czarine, Alexandria. Her youngest sibling doesn't remember their father and she feels responsible for that because she never voiced her opposition to the war to her father. While she works in the city her brothers take care of the farm. One day when she was working she met a guy named Vladimir, he was devilishly handsome. She found that he lives in Zeya and is also a farmer. Their friendship blossoms into a loving but long distance relationship.  Vladimir Belikov: (Lea Riccio)

The year is 1916. Vladimir Belikov is a Russian peasant who works on his farm with family. He resides in Zeya. Vladimir lived with his mom and dad, as well as his younger brother and sister, and two older brothers. His family moved to Zeya as a child, and he obtained a strong love for the riverside. Vladimir told himself that this would be the place where he would raise a family. He is 22 years old, and a dedicated worker. He has light brown hair, green eyes, and has a muscular build. His face looks worn down, and over worked. Vladimir has an old farm dog named "Betunha (translation: Bacon)." Vladimir saw war front during World War I and didn't believe Russia had any point in getting involved. He was 19 when he entered the war. His brother Dmitri entered the war with him, and did not make it home. Vladimir was mad at the government for entering World War I. He believed that they were ill-prepared and lost too many soldiers on the front lines. When Rasputin was giving the Czarina politic advice, Vladimir was done. He joined a soviet party in retaliation. He had a great deal of respect for Lenin, and strongly believed in him. He didn't believe in capitalism, like Lenin. When Lenin made his reappearance in Russia, Vladimir was one of the activists who listened to his address. He met Eowyn Slava in the capital city, St. Petersburg. Vladimir visited the produce shop she worked at and immediately fell in love with her. They began writing letters back and forth and Vlad visited where she lived ( Aleksandrov) at any chance he got. He eventually proposes to her via letter.

Dear Eowyn, I know I only met you yesterday, but I cannot stop thinking about you. I’m so happy you gave me your address so I can write to you. I know our meeting was cut short, so I want to formally introduce myself. Hello, my name is Vladimir. As you already know, I am currently living on the family farm in Zeya. I love it here along the river’s bank and I hope you can come visit me sometime. The sight is beautiful, and overall relaxing. After a long days work, I love to sit by the bend and watch the river flow. It’s very soothing, when you’ve got a lot on your mind. I’m actually sitting there right now as I write to you. I have four brothers and a sister. My little sister was who I went to your store with yesterday. I apologize for her being a bit of a brat. I know you remember Betunha, the mutt. He sure as heck loved you when your threw him the leftover of your lunch. Boy, does that old hound make me laugh. My younger brother isn’t exactly like me. He tends to be lazy, and expect my father and I to do all the chores. My two older brothers are grown and married. I have a few nieces and nephews who love to visit. Now that leaves Dmitri, who I miss dearly. Dmitri was my older brother who went with me to war in 1914. He was so brave, and noble. My only wish, is that I could be like him. I cannot believe he didn’t march home with me, it kills me every day. I remember when I came home on leave and had to tell my parents that Dmitri wasn’t coming home. That was the worst pain I had ever felt in my life. Til this day, I will have dreams of having to tell them of a thousand Dmitri’s death, and I always feel the same; cold and empty. Damn our czar, entering us ill-prepared for war front. He killed my brother, not the gun. Things need to change, and I hope I live to see the day that they do. Well, enough of my life story. I’d love to hear yours though. I’ll be waiting for your letter. Sincerely, Vlad. Dear Vladimir, I can’t stop thinking about you too. I know it sounds silly, but you are on my mind constantly, even when I’m preparing supper for my family. It was nice to see you and your sister yesterday at the shop. Your sister was very cute and wasn’t a brat at all. I fell in love with your dog when I saw him. I wish we had a dog. I’m not even sure why we never bought one. I’m sure that your younger brother will start to become less lazy as he grows older. I’m also sure that soon he will begin to realize what your parents have done for him. I’m lucky enough that my younger siblings treat me with much respect and are very helpful around the house and farm. I guess they are only like that since they depend on me for everything. I sometimes wish that I had at least one older sibling to help me out with the farm and raising my brothers and sister. I think that it would be nice to not have all the responsibility fall only on my shoulders. It’s been very hard on my family since my mother died. She died in childbirth with my youngest brother. I miss them terribly and wish they were still here. If only she could see who her children have become. I know that my mother would be as proud of her children as I am. My brothers still remember her but my sister doesn’t almost at all. It saddens me that she has come to believe that I am her mother. She has treated me like one as well. I can understand your pain for the loss of your brother. When I lost my mother I thought the world ended when she died. I guess I was wrong, my world ended when my father was killed in that blasted war. Excuse my language but I had little faith in the Czar and the Czarina when the war started. When I received the news that my father wasn’t returning I lost all faith. I blame the Czar. He sent out brothers, sons, uncles, and fathers into an ill-equipped war. I dreaded giving the news to my family. My oldest brother of the two didn’t show any emotion. My sister and other brother both cried. I was helpless and didn’t know what to do and how to comfort them. I can’t even imagine what it felt like to lose a son or a brother. When my father died, I had to step up and be the head of the family, since I’m the oldest. I think that the river’s bank sounds such appealing to me right now. Someday, hopefully I can see it for myself, with you of course. Sincerely, Eowyn

 Dear Eowyn, I’m so glad you wrote me back. I was afraid you wouldn’t. I had no idea you had lost both your parents, my regards to your family. I know what it is like to lose someone to war, as you already know. They were taken from us, without reason. However, war didn’t kill our loved ones; hate did. If only it was my choice to oust the Czar’s power, god knows I would. I’ve recently hear rumors about a man named Rasputin aiding Czarina Alexandria with her duties. This sickens me. I thought our government couldn’t get lower than it was, but it just did. Why should we trust a man who claims to be a “holy man” or a “miracle maker?” To me, it sounds like this guy needs to be put in an asylum. This is not Rasputin’s job, it is the Czarinas. If she cannot handle her own job, then maybe she shouldn’t have it. I know I’m not the only one who thinks this. I’m sure you must agree with me to at least an extent. All the recent decisions of our government has put our country in danger and made us lose all trust in it as well. I’m personally sick of all this nonsense. First they make us enter a war that we weren’t for any reason ready for, or in the matter, we didn’t need to fight in. Russia entered because we wanted to protect our allies? I’m all for being there for someone, but not to the extent of losing as many lives as we did. A little bit of a thought process in that decision would have been nice. We need a change, and I think the time is coming. What do you think about this? I’m looking forward to hearing back from you, and I’ll be up in Aleksandrov again soon. I’ll try and find you when I visit next week. I still can’t stop thinking about you. Is that alright to say? If not, my apologies miss. I’ll be seeing you, Vladimir Dear Vladimir, You don’t ever have to be afraid of me not writing back. This correspondence has been the highlight of my days. Even my siblings have noticed. They say that I seem happier. My brothers already want to meet you. They are trying to be protective of me, even though I’m the oldest. It’s a very touching gesture. Thank you for you sympathy about my losses. Although I understand your anger I don’t fully understand your reasoning. I do blame the Czar but how did hate murder my father and your brother? I also agree that the Czar should lose power. He has power that he does not deserve. He also doesn’t know how to use it to benefit our society. I have also begun to hear rumors about a great man that healed the Czarina’s child. He was said to have great power and reasoning too. I think that he will help the Czarina. I shouldn’t think that it would sicken you, but we must have different opinion about what will happen. Hopefully he will do more help than hurt to our society. I know that in previous letters that I have stated that I have lost faith in both the Czar and the Czarina, but I have to think that at least they are starting to realize their mistakes. I think that’s why Alexandria asked this “holy man” Rasputin to help her. Now as I’m writing this out, I have come to a better understanding of your feelings, and I think I might have been placing too much faith in both the Czar and the Czarina. You are right. Alexandria shouldn’t place a man that saved her child in such a high position as that. The government has been failing their people. I hope that we can change for the better but you never know what can be around the river’s bend, so to speak. I can’t wait until the next time I see you. Hopefully I will meet your whole family this time. Maybe you could even bring your dog. I would love to see him. I think that he would bring as much joy to my family as you have brought me. You do not have to apologize for anything. I miss you and can not stop thinking about you either. See you soon, I hope. Eowyn

 Dear Sweetheart, It was a pleasure to visit you last week. I’m sorry if my family was a burden, they just wanted to meet you. I haven’t stopped talking about you since the first time we met. Your little siblings are adorable to say the least. And don’t worry, I didn’t mind chasing them around for a few hours. Hope they slept good for you that night. My family adores you, Eowyn. In regards to our last letter, I’ve heard an inspiring address from the one they call, Lenin. I’m sure you have heard of him. He believes as we believe, out with the czar. And oh the irony, his name is Vladimir too! Good strong name, don’t cha think? The czar has killed his brother as well, making Lenin grow a strong hatred towards him. Remember how I was telling you about Marx and Marxist ideas? Lenin agrees with these views. Remember how I said Marx believed that our working class will rise to overthrow capitalism? Since Russia doesn’t have a large enough proletariat, Lenin called for this group called the “Bolsheviks.” But I must tell you about his speech! How empowering it was, and how well thought-out. …Long live the worldwide Socialist revolution! Though, that is the only line I can decipher, his speech hit home. I know he addressed how capitalism across Europe will fall and how the Russian Revolution was our victory. I hope he makes another address someday, because I’d love for you to hear him. He’s such an admirable person to listen to. You’d enjoy him, Eowyn. Things are looking bright for Russia’s future. I have a good feeling about this. Down with the Czar! I cannot wait to see you again, Eowyn. I’ll be in town soon. Love, Vladimir My Love, I loved seeing you last week. Your sister was absolutely adorable. Your brother was very helpful towards me, especially in the kitchen. I think he might even have a little crush on me. Someday I wish could meet your older brothers. Your mom was so nice and understanding. Please tell your father thank you for helping my brothers on the farm. My family loved your family and especially your dog. Your family wasn’t a burden at all. I think my sister was towards you though. Now she won’t stop talking about how you played dolls with her and even read her a story. They slept through the night. They were so worked out. My sister even slept late. I should thank you for tiring them out. It made the job of getting them into bed much easier. I have heard of Lenin. I think that he has many good ideas. One of them being that the Czar should step down from power. I can recognize that you feel that you have much in common with Lenin. Yes, I do remember you divulging some information about Marx and Marxist ideas. I am glad that you and Lenin agree with those ideas. When capitalization was in the making and was at the start of taking over our government, they made it sound like it was a very good idea. They said that it would benefit the country and its people. I wish that I was there when Lenin was conveying that speech. I think I would have been moved. He was right when he said that Capitalism would fall. He was also accurate when he stated that the Russian Revolution was our triumph. If he does make another speech I will be sure to be in attendance. I’m glad that you have strong feeling and hope for the future of our beloved country. I can not wait till I see you either. I miss you already. Love, Eowyn

 Dear Eowyn, These past few months with you have been the happiest of my life, I thought you should know. I’ve never met a girl like you before in my life. I’m in love with you. I’m sorry I started off our letter like that, it’s just I needed to let that out. You are all that has been on my mind. This will be one of my last letters to you. I’ve decided to join Lenin’s forces for a rebellion. Lenin has recently joined forces with Leon Trotsky, who is a another committed Marxist revolutionary. After our ill-witted government launched that faulty attack towards Germany, that sealed my fate. I will be entering war under the commands of Lenin. Our army is nothing more than a huge crowd of tired, and poorly clad, and poorly fed, bitter men. I’m disgusted by Nicholas, and his decisions. I am done. I’m afraid to enter war again, but know this will change the future. I’ll be on the side of the Red Guard and we will be making our move come November. I’m sick of war, as well as the next man, but this is the final straw. I want a better life for my family, myself, and you. Life, as of now is as if we have to put writing on everything we own. In Zeya alone, workers keep trying to seize land from their landlords. It is sickening to say the least. Lenin, please Lord, let you bring our country the peace, and the pride it deserves. They promised us “Peace, Land, and Bread,” and I hope they mean it. I’ll be leaving in just a few short weeks, and I hope I’m home soon enough. If I do not make it home, I needed to ask you something. This has been riding on me for weeks, and my family is getting tired of seeing my love struck. Miss, I’m in love with you. Eowyn Slava, will you be my wife? Love always, Vladimir. P.S. I love you. Dear Vladimir, The last few months have also been the happiest moments in my life too. I never thought that I would fall in love this easily. What you have is hard to find, I think about it all the time. You are perfect for me. I am in love with you too. I think from the first time that I saw you in the shop that fateful day. I hope that this is not one of the last letters that I receive from you. I am both proud and terrified. I am proud that you have joined the forces that will shape our future. I have full trust in you that you will be okay, but I can’t help but think of that dreadful day. It was that day where I received the news that my father was not coming home to his family. It was so painful to realize that I would never see him again. I do not want that same fate as my father to fall on you. I love you and don’t want to lose you so soon after that I found you. I have heard of Trotsky, and agree with his views and ideas. Although your army is nothing more than a huge crowd of tired, and poorly clad, and poorly fed, bitter men, they all came together with one purpose. That is stronger than anything else, except my faith in that everything will go smoothly. I thank you for putting your life in jeopardy to provide a better life for us all. Only after your war is won that our country can rebuild itself back into its once glorious self. I pray that you will make it home to see your new wife. Yes, Vladimir I will marry you. Our families would be so happy. I am in love with you too. I will pray for you and the Red Guard. That your revolution will be victorious and that you all return home safely. Love, Your new bride P.S. I love you too, more than you know