Chapter 173:

"Well, she is certainly something.", Ace said, and Igor laughed, "That she is. Although, I do have to say, you surprised her, in fact, you surprised the whole family. They had no idea you spoke Russian, and so well… It was certainly funny. Oh…", he paused, "My sister has also 'extended the honour',", he said, smiling, and using air speech marks, "To join her in one of her workouts, which will most likely include a sparring session."

Ace nodded, 'As I expected, she is most certainly living up to her moniker'.

Igor got serious, "I will warn you, though, she is a serious fighter, with some real skills, and she does not 'spar', she fights, or she kills. In this case, let's hope she is just 'fighting', Now, you are not unresourceful, and so have probably heard some whispers…", he was about to continue, but Ace stopped him.

"I know, don't worry.", he said, to his surprised face, 'Oh yeah, I heard all about the demon from Russia, one of the Bratva's Berserkers. She fights when she can, and is very good at it. She has just as much strength as any man, due to a special muscular condition, and her instincts are supposedly unmatched.', Ace smiled internally, 'Unluckily for her, I don't fight with instincts. I simply use my brain. And there, no one can beat me.'

***

They walked towards a coffee bar, where they ordered and sat down in one of the more isolated round tables. The seats were made of mahogany wood and dark crimson leather, which complimented the feel and decoration of the place perfectly, but Ace did not expect any worse than perfection, not in a place where you were expected to pay just for coming in.

"They'll come soon.", Igor said, and Ace nodded, "Yeah, I'll show you guys around today, and tomorrow we can do some activities, depending on what you guys feel like doing.

They had agreed to meet Amy and Sophie in here, and then Ace would show them around. Allison had already agreed to meet some friends, and go camping for a few days, so she would not be around for at least three days. They were back to four in the group, and Ace wondered what they would end up doing. Chances were, though, that Amy would want to see the sights, whilst Sophie would want to go through the most endorphins and adrenaline-inducing tribulation on the island. Ace had already prepared a mix of both.

***

"Wassup.", Sophie said, as she clapped Igor's back, and smiled at Ace. She was wearing some tight jeans with some neon green shoes, and a t-shirt that complimented them.

"Hello.", Amy smiled, her hair was done up in a bun, and she was wearing some loose shorts with a blouse.

"Hey!", Igor greeted them, and then looked towards Sophie, "Why did you do that?"

"Why not? You big oaf, it's not like you can feel it.", she grinned, and Ace and Amy laughed, looking at Igor's faux sad face. "How did you find your rooms?", Ace asked with a smile.

Sophie looked at him excitedly, "Well, you either listen extremely well, and notice every little detail, or have cameras we are unaware of in our own houses, I am inclined to say the first. Mom and Dad are pretty happy about it, they all have their favourite 'necessities' available to them. Sma with me, of course. Although I am really surprised at the lilac towels, how did you even know that?"

Ace laughed, "I asked nicely.", he grinned cheekily.

Sophie grumbled, "D*mm Maria, I'm gonna have to tell her not to tell you anything.", the others now laughed as well. They all loved Maria, she had taken care of Sophie and her brother since they were born, and she was pretty much part of the family, since she had none of her own. She was a ray of sunshine, and she had taken a particular liking to Ace one time, after she saw him help a servant who had cut himself after there was an accident. Ace helped him bandage his hand to staunch the bleeding, and was the one that called the ambulance, before Maria could even realise what was happening. Because of that, he was able to regain full utility, after going through recovery from the deep cut, and Maria was forever grateful to him for that, and of course, so was Jerry - the servant.

"Don't blame her, we all know that Ace can get whatever he wants, all he has to do is just ask real nice.", Amy said, and they laughed again, even Sophie's facade cracked, and she showed the barest hint of a smile, before breaking into a full burst of laughter after seeing Igor's distraught face.

Igor nodded and shook his head, "I have no idea how he did it, Svelta was a matron in the army, before joining herself, and then becoming a part of the KGB, she is pretty much one of the toughest people I know, and yet last time I saw her, all she asked me was if I thought Ace would like her stew.", he paused and looked at their grinning faces, "And let me tell you something, she does not make that stew willy-nilly, even my father has to ask her to make it for days before she agrees to do so. And yet, she offered to make it for him.", Igor shook his head again, and they all laughed, the clear image in their heads of the short, stocky woman that had taken care of the family forever, she had taken care of Igor's father, and now worked for them, after having taken care of his son and daughter. It was not clear what she did - not that they expected it to be, but she sometimes helped around the house, and even cooked once in a while.

She was an amazing cook, and cooked some Pelmeni in soup broth that was to die for, and it was that same broth she wanted to make for Ace.

"Well, let them both know that they are always welcome to come here, in fact, I think it would be wonderful if they met each other, I feel they would bond wonderfully.", Ace said, to Amy's smile.

Sophie and Igor, on the other hand, widened their eyes, "Don't even dare. I swear, if you do…", Sophie let the threat hang in the air, but Ace just laughed at her bloodthirsty face.

***

They finished their coffees, and began their walk around the Island. They would go through the small trail today, which basically showed off the Tower itself, and the more common areas of the island. You did not have to do this, however, since there were staff members dotted around the island that were more than happy to lead or guide anyone to a particular destination if they were lost.

They visited the closest lake, as well as walked next to the ocean, travelling through a part of the beach. Then, they toured the Tower, seeing what was there, and all the commodities one could find there. They proceeded to the stadium, before finishing at the top of one of the small hills, where they had their dinner, before walking back to their rooms, where they said goodbye, and each went to do their own thing for the rest of the night.