Andrei's limbs tremble and he grasps onto the railing of a nearby bridge he crosses, only a stone's throw away.

Behind him, he hears footsteps approaching. It sounds like a woman.

His breathing is heavy and ragged, he tries to collect his wherewithal. Memories and future fears of eliciting the Commissar's ire wrack his mind and body like a set of blows or coughs from pneumonia.

Katya: ...Andrei?? Are you alright? *she sounds soft and concerned, but tired from something at the same time*

Andrei: *inhales shakily*

Andrei: *tries to turn around and face her, but needs one more sec to gain his face, he bites down on his lips and takes another breath, heaving his broad shoulders*

Katya: Andrei...?

Andrei: *tries to find his voice, he pushes back the reoccurring memories and the mix of terror and rage from a few moments ago* *voice hoarse, slightly, more rough than anything* What is it? What do you want?

Katya: I...just wanted to see how you were. And the dance with Kuzma is now over...

She sounds a bit timid.

Andrei: Well? Are you dancing another one with him? You better now leave him waiting. *voice barks in roughness, as he tries to rouse himself and rally himself, unaware he is like a biting dog at Katya*

Katya: N-no. I told him that we should stop. We're not right...to dance with each other.

She bows her head and then looks defiantly at Andrei.

Katya: Andrei, I want to dance with you!

Andrei: *takes a pace or two back, shuffling uneasily and very sloppily, not like his usual cadence and deliberate footing when Katya locks her defiant gaze with his own. A twinge of shame pricks him, for his past tone a moment ago.* What? What do you mean, Katya? And devushka- you ran out here, you're not wearing your coat! You'll catch cold! *realizes he isn't wearing his coat either*

Katya: Yes, I said what I wanted to say. I wanted to dance with you, not Kuzma...

Andrei: Why? *blinks, confused, assuming she was the most at ease and matching with the younger man*

Katya: He was condescending and distant.

Andrei: He was? *blinks again, then the confusion wears off, as does the prior agitation and fear, he resumes slowly into his blunt, rough snark* He's got too much ice-water in his veins. But Katya- I should warn you- I can't dance worth a damn.

Katya: It doesn't matter. *seriously* I just want...to be with you right now.

Katya steps towards him and holds him tight for a while.

Katya: Something happened....please tell me.

Andrei:*raises his arms awkwardly at her sudden gesture, still unused to her touches and embraces for some odd, unknown reason* Devushka! *quietly*

Andrei: Nothing happened, let's back in. *voice is a bit too brisk*

Katya holds him closer and looks at him in concern.

Andrei: Why do you look at me like this? *brows furrow, slightly irked*

Andrei: You wanted to see me? What do you mean? We're here at the party. What's wrong, devushka? *concerned, lowers head to see her eyes more level*

Katya: I-I just wanted to say that it was you I wanted to dance with, not Kuzma.

Andrei: What? *surprised, eyes widening slightly* Why me? I told, I can't dance, devushka. Not worth a damn at all. Huh- you're shaking a bit? Are you all right?

Katya lowers her head and a tear slides down her face.

Katya: He was cold and I just hate how he brings out all my insecurities again. I-I felt so out of place at the party and he acted so smug, like he was doing me some kind of favour. I hated it. I felt like I was trapped. I just don't want to be here anymore...

Andrei: *slowly approaches her, eyebrows soften and furrow in sympathy* So you felt out of place, too? ah, Kuzka. He's cold. Coldness can make anyone shrink to the size of a mouse. So you felt trapped too, in there?

Katya: Yes, I did. *her voice drops to a whisper* I hated it. I hated how fake Comrade Galkin was acting, although I have to admit, even he was better than Kuzma. I can't stand Kuzma, Andrei! He's so condescending and it seems like he only wants to talk to me to use me, to feel better about himself.

Katya: Why did I even become friends with him...?

Andrei remains silent for a moment. A thoughtful look softens his usually hardened scowling face. He bites his lower lip for a second before speaking.

Andrei: He can be a good friend, devushka. He's just cold... and scared, really. Don't tell him I told you that. But I see it in many men. They either go cold or cruel to shield themselves from others. Be glad he's the former and not the latter. But Galkin and the others- they're all wearing masks, they're like those icon paintings that are fake with devils behind them.

Katya: I'm sure Kuzma hates me and only wants to use me...why did he have to choose me of all people? Is it because of my mediocrity...?

Katya's voice shakes slightly with anger.

Andrei: *takes hold of her hand* Hey. Enough of that talk. Who says you're mediocre? Kuzka can't socialize to save his life- hell, he's as bad as I am, but at least he can be polite. He's not as savage as I can be. But something else is wrong- why are you mad? With yourself? Is it because you feel out of place at this party? Anyone with sense would. It's just a parade for stiff collars like Galkin to strut their titles and damned projects.

Katya: *looks a bit shocked when he takes her hand* Nothing, I'm not mad at myself. I'm just mad at Kuzma for even having talked to me. He shouldn't have. He should have left me alone.

Andrei: *balks at the idea of dancing, especially in front of the stiff collar of Galkin and the devil of that commissar, but noticing Katya's earnest and emerging from her sullen shell, he swallows his hate of parties and dancing. Taking a sharp breath, his nostrils quiver. * Well, can you tolerate someone who can't dance worth a damn? *smiles slightly*

Katya: I can't dance worth a damn either. *smiles a little back at him*

Andrei: Ah, my bad influence is rubbing off on you! Hah. *laughs softly at her curse word* Might as well not make the evening a total loss, right? *holds her hand and gently tugs on her as both return to the hall.*