The warm, heady strains of the string quartet twisted and snaked among the ivory cloth covered tables across the expanse of vast dining room; a musical breeze that teased the ears as sweetly as the scent of the appetizers that wafted from the galley enticed the palette. Overhead intricately carved scrollwork danced across the grand domed ceiling, painted cherubs flitting among the delicately carved whirls and whorls, smiling gently at the gathering diners far below. 

The gas light sconces set into the Roman-style columns illuminated all with a gentle golden glow. Reflected from the polished marble floors, the illusion dining on a great veranda on a sunlit day was made complete by the Tuscany-themed landscapes delicately painted the length and breadth of the dining room.

Galina savored the expression that spread across Klara's sweet face as they walked together, arm-in-arm once more to this breathtaking panorama. The Demidov ancestral home - while grand in its own way - had nothing to compare with the kaleidoscopic grandeur of the [i]Empress of Japan[/i]'s first class dining room. 

[i][["So lovely, is it not?"]][/i] the young woman whispered as they walked toward one of the tables, escorted by one of the many smartly dressed servers who bustled between the tables. The two women this night though, were very like jewels themselves: Klara in a dress of deep sapphire blue, and Galina in entirely in emerald green and gold silks. 

The elder woman nodded, still smiling as brightly as a young child as she reveled in the loveliness. And with a grace that belied her years, Klara settled into the high-backed, red velvet chair that was held for her by the same charming young gentleman who escorted them to their table. 

[i][["I know very well, that even the most beautiful things can become too familiar and lose their polish over time. I truly pray to never lose the wonder of this moment, Galina."]][/i] 

The young woman settled easily into the chair held for her as well, taking her nurse's hand with a gentle squeeze of her fingers. And despite the splendor of this room all about them, Galina could not help but think the loveliest light in all this room, was the divine one that illuminated Klara's face at this very moment.

Galina sighed happily, her gaze falling over the candlelit centerpiece of their table, to the empty chairs on the far side. A slow, knowing smile slid across her former nursemaid's face as she followed Galina's gaze, her pale blue-grey eyes turning to the woman she could not ever help thinking of as a little dark-haired girl with a penchant for horses and forests, bruises and skinned knees, running after her older brothers, refusing to be left behind no matter what they did or where they went...

[i][["Still no word yet? Not that I'm complaining, mind you. I get to keep my little wolf pup all to myself for another night, but is this not a bit unusual? "]][/i] Klara said softly, her voice barely a whisper between them, though in all likelihood none could have understood the Russian language, even if they happened to overhear. 

Galina shook her head slowly, turning to the elder woman with a near imperceptible shrug of her shoulders. [i][["Not a single word, and I'll admit, I'm a bit... Perplexed. Not even so much as a hint of a word - but I can wait patiently, I imagine. I have, after all, the very best of company to keep."]][/i]