Nikolai smiled back, glad that Anastasiya liked the sketch. Personally he hadn't liked it very much, but with the time he'd had it was the best he could do.

[i]"So you're a man of many talents."[/i] said Anistasiya. Nikolai laughed a little. 'When one is a child prodigy, rifle drill and sabre practice can only keep one entertained for so long' he remarked placing his notebook and pencil back into the inner pocket of his coat.

Nikolai settled into his chair, leaning back comfortably elbows resting on the arms of the chair with his hands in front of him, fingers laced together. That was when Anastasiya asked her next question [i]"And what of hungry men? What will demotivate them? These socialists, their supporters grow by the day. They're mostly peasants on empty stomachs, lead by idealists filling their minds with ideas from film machines in darkened rooms. People start to think they have much to gain from overthrowing the Tsar and - while that sounds far-stretched, who is the Tsar going to lead if there is no one left willing to be led?"
[/i]

The smile that had played on Nikolai's face faded as he thought about the question he was being asked. He hadn't mentioned to anyone outside of the university what his true thoughts were on a subject like this. He sat in contemplation for a while thoughts ran through his head faster and faster.

'When a man is starving' he started slowly his prior eloquence leaving him somewhat 'Whilst other men have plenty, then there is something wrong with the society. He will become angry, motivated to look for better, he's nothing to lose and everything to gain. So… well if someone gives him a good cause he'll give his life for it. These socialists do that.'

Us socialists he thought to himself… us socialists.

'If you want to demotivate a man like that, a determined man, a desperate man… a righteous man. Well you'll have to give him what he wants' Nikolai stopped looking to Anastasiya trying to gauge what her response would be to his next statement.

'And if you ask me, we should give them what they want. Most of them just want enough food to get by, give them that and they'd gladly fall back into line' he finished somewhat more resolute.