"Patience is a virtue"~ for the Picfic Tuesday challenge 12/3

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

* note: this is the last Picfic for 2013. We'd like to thank everyone who participated in this weekly challenge on Section VII  with your wonderful and creative stories. We all look forward to reading more of your Picfics in 2014!  Hope your holidays are magical!

In the meantime, we'll be starting the "12 Days of Christmas" beginning on December 12th. Everyday we'll be posting holiday related stories...old and new. Please feel free to add yours to the daily post. Not links or recs...post the actual story. It could be a new piece of fiction or a previously posted one.  Looking forward to starting the countdown!



And now "Patience is a Virtue":



                     

“Why is it that people, both men and women seek to control and manipulate others?” Illya said, tossing a mission report on his desk.

Napoleon was relaxing on the leather sofa in their office, reading the New York Times. He peeked over the top of the newspaper to respond.

“You’re just asking this now?”

“No, I am just voicing it now; I have always been amazed by people’s capacity to try to domineer.”

“I suppose chum it’s all about the power, it’s a formidable aphrodisiac, as well as being addictive. There’s a saying, ‘absolute power, corrupts absolutely.”

“Hmm, I have never thought of it in those terms. Thinking back, it is the most insecure ones I have encountered who try to control and manipulate others...they need to feed their egos and make themselves feel more important than they actually are. In a way that makes them quite pitiful.”

Napoleon put down his paper, sitting up to face the Russian. “What’s bringing this on? Did someone try pulling something on you again. Who was it?”

“I will not say. Suffice to say, this person has attempted to manipulate the facts to make me look like...how you say, the ‘heavy,’ while making themselves look good. They have put on this innocent facade to others, while behind the scenes, they have been doing some dirty dealing.”

“Don’t worry about it Illya, anyone who knows you is aware of what caliber person you are.”

“Thank you, yes you are right. I suppose it just bothers me that there are others who are naively unaware of what this person is doing.”

Napoleon leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Hey I’m CEA, I need to know if there’s somebody out there who’s acting this way. There’s something I can do about it you know.”

Illya looked up from his paperwork. “Nyet, it is not worth it. What they are doing is nothing catastrophic; it is more pathetic than anything else.  They are operating within a small circle of hangers on, essentially within a vacuum.  Eventually such a person, caught up in their own self-importance, receives what they dish out. What is your saying...’what goes around comes around? People will someday see him for what he is.”

“Yeah, I’m a believer in that one, since I’ve met a few posers in my time. Well if that’s the way you want it, then I at least hope you’re around to see things come full circle.”

“Yes, I hope that too but until then, I can only repeat old Russian saying, ‘Terpeniye yest' dobrodetel'.

“Patience is a virtue?” Napoleon smiled, “That my friend is a universal adage.” Solo stopped, looking his friend straight in the eye. “Still won’t tell me who it is, will you?”

“No, but thank you for wanting to take care of it; I appreciate that,” Illya shuffled his files, stacking them neatly on the side of his desk.

“Hey, I’ll always have your back partner mine, no matter what the circumstances,” Solo looked at his wristwatch. “Hmm, lunchtime, how about we hit the Commissary?”

“Would you mind if we went out for lunch, the food there has not been agreeing with me lately. I think the head cook is… well, it does not matter. How about Thai?”

“I hear you, the food hasn’t been that good lately. I think Cookie is finally losing his touch. Thai it is my friend, and my treat.” Napoleon stood, putting on his suit jacket, giving it a quick brush with his hand.

“That is not necessary, thank you.”

“Hmm, you refusing a free meal? You must be more out of sorts than I thought, are you sure you’re all right?”

“Fine, my friend. I am always fine.”

With Illya it was hard to tell, Solo never knew when his partner was lying or not. He supposed that made him the perfect spy, as prevarication was just one of the man’s many talents. There were times that the Russian’s stoicism could get a little old though...

Together they headed out the door into the busy corridor. “Sure you won’t tell me chum...does this have something to do with Cookie?”

Illya stopped, staring his partner in the eyes. “I told you, I will not say. Do not make me regret telling you what I have already.”

“Fine, fine. I give up,” Napoleon raised his hands in mock surrender. “My lips are sealed.” He made the universal zipper sign.

“Right…” Illya shook his head, “ And I will believe that when cows fly.”

“That’s pigs, tovarisch.”

“Pigs, cows, horses...does it really matter in the final analysis?”

“No I suppose it doesn’t,” Napoleon sequestered a laugh. “Gee, wonder where that saying came from...’when pigs fly?’

“I believe the phrase was first used by the British, being referenced by Lewis Carroll in ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’  wherein Alice and the Duchess are arguing over whether Alice should be permitted to talk or not.  At one point the Duchess says Alice has as much right to talk as pigs flying.  I find it fascinating to note that Germany seems to be the only country in Europe who goes along with United States and Scotland when it comes to denoting pigs flying and something unlikely happening. In their case, they equated to all things being possible if someone saw pigs flying. This might require more serious study in connection to the rise of the Third Reich and how they ensured the impossible became their own version of possible.”

“Illya if you know so much about the saying ‘when pigs fly’ then why did you say when cows fly...are you pulling my leg about screwing up these sayings on purpose?”

“No, as outside of Germany, many other countries utilizing this phrase refer to a cow as the source rather than a pig. The bovine was much more important in the farmlands of France, Spain or even Finland. It makes more sense why a cow would be thought of first when referring to impossibilities being reality.

“Oh, I stand corrected then...you sure you’re not pulling my leg chum?” Napoleon eyed hims suspiciously.

The only answer Kuryakin gave him was a wink, along with a sly smile.

“You are lying aren’t you!” The American pointed an accusing finger towards his partner's face.

It was Illya’s turn to zipper his lips closed...

Comments

hi

[dixiebelle2013.livejournal.com]

Wow, another one that begs for a sequel. Now I'm dying to know what's going on with Illya...

Re: hi

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Actually your probably reading more into it than there is. Illya has always had to deal with minor prejudices in my stores, some of which Napoleon has come to his aid to resolve. As always Illya is leaving his partner in a state of limbo as to whether he's telling the truth or not...he is after all 'the perfect spy'...mysterious, enigmatica and a really really good liar. :D

Thanks for reading and commenting.

Re: hi

[dixiebelle2013.livejournal.com]

Oh I see, so in a way he's teasing Napoleon then because it probably is really just a small issue...

Re: hi

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Not teasing, no. I characterize IK as a very private person, even to Solo, who is not only his partner but his friend. He keeps Napoleon guessing while side stepping the truth. So it could actually be a big issue, but one Illya prefers to either defer or to deal with himself.

Re: hi

[dixiebelle2013.livejournal.com]

Oh OK, well in that case, I hope NS isn't in for an unpleasant surprise down the road...

Re: hi

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

What sort of surprise? Not sure where you're going on that one. It's really a case of Illya being bullied and harassed by someone, and he would prefer to deal with it himself. As far as surprises go, I have no idea what you could be thinking. Illya wouldn't do anything that wasn't right when it comes to UNCLE>

In some stories I have had Napoleon step in and deal with those harassing his partner, as is his right to do, since he's CEA. Those not following the precepts of UNCLE, showing their bigotry and prejudices towards the Russian have to be dealt with. Sometimes Illya does it, sometimes he doesn't and preferst to let it lie.

Re: hi

[dixiebelle2013.livejournal.com]

Oh OK, by 'surprise' I meant if Illya were actually in some kind of physical danger, but I guess he would let Napoleon know if that was the case...

Re: hi

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

He's not in physical danger? How did you come to that conclusion, it was just a story of someone behind the scenes at headquarters trying to make Illya look bad, just a story a petty prejudice and ignorance. I think you're completely missing the point of this story...

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I enjoyed this conversation of theirs. None the worse for the fact I think I'll end sorrier for the wannabe bully than Illya. Mind you, cows seem far less aerodynamic, to me.

(And I should have said about the pic: the daisies the second pig is carrying make a very nice touch.)

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Hee heee. Glad you liked it. Hmmm, I never even noticed the daisies....

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

You're a sly one ;) Ik waxing poetic about flying pigs while NS tries to get the goods on what's going down... nicely done.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

IK is the sly one....never know what he's saying is quite true or not....hee hee heee. Thanks!

[svetlanacat4.livejournal.com]

Well done! You can't stop here and no "when pigs fly"!!!
In France, we say "when hens have teeth"

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

I like that, 'when hens have teeth!" Don't think there'll be a follow up to this one....will have to ponder that over a bit. Thanks again for commenting and supporting the picfic for 2013!