Literature
Curtain Time
Koschei the Deathless poured some zavarka into his glass, topping it up with boiled water from the samovar. "It's that time of year again, my dear."
"Indeed," replied Baba Yaga. "Where have you stowed your heart this turn?"
"I did the usual needle-in-a-duck-egg. So absurd! I must laugh even as I expire. And what of you? You are freer than I. Shall you help or hinder?"
"Hinder, methinks," said the witch, sipping her tea. "If I help too much they stop respecting me."
"A wise choice," replied Koschei. "We must never lose their respect."
A young man’s voice sounded from outside. "Izbushka, izbushka! Stan' k lesu zadom, ko mne peredom!"