Checking in before heading out (c)

[Pasha]

Pasha walked into the kitchen in search of his sister. Last he had heard, she had mentioned something about making something to eat. "Sveta?" He called to her before pulling up a chair to take a seat.

Svetlana stood in front of the stove, stirring the pot of soup that she currently had boiling on the stove. "Da, Pasha," she asked, glancing over her shoulder at her older brother.

"I am going out," her brother announced casually, carefully examining his knuckles. "You will stay here, yes? I will not be long."

Svetlana sighed, her eyes rolling at his question. Of course she was staying. And, of course, it wasn't actually a question. It was more of an order. "Da," She repeated with a sigh. If anything, at least her brother wouldn't be around to pester her for a few hours. Silently, she brought the spoon to her lips, trying the soup. "I will be here when you return."

"Good." With that, Pasha rose to his feet. He walked over to his sister and lightly placed his hand on his shoulder before turning away to leave the kitchen. "Do svidanya." Slowly, he walked out of the kitchen, headed for Irving Hall.

[ELI]

Eli walked into the lodging house, looking for Zippy. He wanted to get Trixie something small for Christmas, but didn't know a clue about women and needed her help. She wasn't around, and he headed down the stairs, running into a guy.

"Hey," he greeted him with a smile. "Have a seen a short, brunette Russian girl anywhere?" ((heh))

[Pasha]

Pasha looked over at the other man, his eyes narrowing slightly. Who was he and why was he describing his sister. "Nyet," he lied, well, at least he thought he was lying. "I have not seen her." Oh, he was going to have to have some words with his sister when he returned. He just needed a few drinks first.

"What is her name?" he asked, still suspicious.

[ELI]

Eli smiled at the guy. "Erin. Or...Zippy, I guess, around here. Ya know her?"

[Pasha]

"Oh!! No, I do not," Pasha laughed, breathing an exaggerated sigh of relief. "You might think this is strange, but I thought that you were looking for my sister."

[ELI]

"Yeah?" Eli laughed, shaking his head. "No wonder you were giving me such a dirty look. Understood, man. Totally understood."

[Pasha]

Pasha laughed at that and shrugged, his hands sliding into his jacket pockets. "I am glad you see things my way."

"Your sister, does she live here too, then?"

[ELI]

"Yeah, for now. I'm saving up to move her out. She's been here for like 4 years. It's enough already." Eli shrugged, leaning against the wall. "I'm Eli, by the way."

[Pasha]

"I am Pasha," he responded casually. He glanced back towards the kitchen, trying to fight the urge to go in and check on his sister once more. "My sister and I, we have not been heere for quite so long. Six months, maybe."

[ELI]

"Your English is pretty good, considering." Eli complimented him, with a nod. "Did you come with your parents?"

[Pasha]

"Thank you," Pasha replied, nodding. He let out a small sigh, still finding it somewhat difficult to discuss his parents.

"They did not survive the crossing," he explained. "I must take responsibility for my sister now."

[ELI]

Eli nodded, understanding again. "New York City is full of bums, I worry about my sister too." He did not mention that he just ran into his sister a month ago. Either way he had always worried. "How's being a newsie treating you? You doing okay reading the headlines?"

[Pasha]

"Well enough," he replied, not wanting to admit that he was finding it difficult to make enough money to support both himself and his sister. "There are a lot of these newsies though, yes? I might be better doing something else. More money."

[ELI]

"I work in construction. I can let you know if another spot opens up," Eli offered, feeling bad for the guy. He probably thought NY had streets covered in gold and enough jobs for everybody, except for the shithole it actually was.

[Pasha]

"I would very much appreciate that," Pasha accepted, a grin finally coming across his face for what was probably the first time since arriving in this city, overcrowded city. "It would be a very big help. I do not want my sister to worry any longer."