March 18, 1946

Kremlin, Moscow, Soviet Union

“Ah, where are my manners,” said the mustached man, as he reached for the clear bottle between him and Starlight Glimmer. “I’m sure you're thirsty after your long trip. Would you like to have a drink of vodka?”

“No thanks, I’m not a drinker,” said Starlight Glimmer. Her father had been an alcoholic. The sight of him stumbling home at night had been enough to keep her from ever taking a sip of the infernal beverage.

“Ah, well you know as they say, ‘more for me,’” replied Josef Stalin, her host.

The two of them had already exchanged gifts and posed for pictures. Now that they had gotten the standard diplomatic protocols done with, they could get to the task at hand: establishing cordial diplomatic relations between their countries and learning more about each other societies. However, given what Starlight had read about the Soviet Union from Western sources, she sensed that Stalin’s description of his homeland would drastically differ from the reality that his people had to live through.

“I’m honored to have such a beautiful and majestic creature such as you as my guest,” said the Soviet leader as she downed a shot of vodka.

“Well thanks,” replied Starlight, blushing a little.

“From the report provided to me by your guide, I’ve gathered that you’re an avid reader of history and political texts,” said Stalin.

“Well, I personally prefer fiction over non-fiction. However, I had to study up on your nation’s history before coming here to represent Equestria.”

Stalin paused to draw on his pipe, his jovial demeanor changing into a more neutral expression. “What were the origins of these sources?” inquired the Soviet leader.

Sensing that their friendly banter was turning into an interrogation, Starlight sat up in order to avoid giving the impression that she intimidated by the Soviet strongman.

“I read a variety of sources, some of which were provided by your embassy in Canterlot. The others were provided by other foreign countries, mainly the United States and the United Kingdom. Let’s just say that their depiction of your government’s treatment of its citizens was less glowing than the literature penned by Soviet authors.”

Stalin glared at Starlight. She clearly capable of independent thought and wasn’t afraid to voice her objections to Stalin, something that the Marxist dictator wasn’t used to when dealing with others.

“Don’t get to enamored with the capitalistic states. Despite their feigned concerns over ‘human rights,’ let they are amongst the chief abusers in the contemporary world. The British had gone about establishing a global empire, and the Americans run their poor to the ground, just so the elites and the rich can make themselves richer. Right now, the capitalist class is mercilessly exploiting horses like you-”

“Spare me the rant,” said Starlight, interrupting the Soviet leader. “You’re country also utilizes animal labour, just like all human countries do. Additionally, from what I’ve gleaned from other human countries, the Americans and the British, despite their flaws, are still committed to generally respecting the rights of their citizens. The same cannot be said about your own country.”

The two individuals sat there, their gazes locked on each other, neither wanting to be the first to break eye contact. Their stare off was interrupted by the opening of the solitary door to the Soviet leader's office. Standing in the doorway was a man in some sort of uniform was a man with a receding hairline and a pair of wire rimmed glasses.

“Ah, Lavrentiy, good to see you,” said Stalin, turning to greet the man.

Realizing that he was interrupting the much anticipated meeting with the Equestrian diplomat, the man began to apologize profusely. However, Stalin would have none of it.

“Please come in. I’m sure that my guest would be most pleased to meet you. Our ‘delightful’ little conversation was getting a bit dull,” said Stalin sarcastically.

“Well then,” said the uniformed man, as he approached Starlight Glimmer. “My name is Lavrentiy Beria, head of the NKVD, our nation's security service. And what would your name be, darling.”

“My name is-”

“Starlight Glimmer,” said Beria, finishing her sentence for her.

“How did you know my name?” responded Starlight Glimmer, astonished and creeped by the fact that this complete stranger knew her name.

“Let’s just say, that I have my methods,” replied Beria, coyly. “However, I didn’t mean to interrupt. I’ll let you and Comrade Stalin continue your dialogue. Hopefully we can talk later.”

“Certainly, sir,” said Starlight as she extended her hoof.

“As the French would say, adieu,” said Beria as he bent down to shake her hoof. As he did so, he raised her hoof up to his mouth before proceeding to kiss it.

This took Starlight aback. Perhaps she had imagined it, but she thought that she had seen a lustful glimmer in his eyes. Before she could say anything, the mysterious and strange man known as Lavrentiy Beria was out the door.

“He was quite the charmer,” said Stalin, teasing her.

Starlight, sat there stunned. How did he know her name? Had she been spied on in Equestria? That couldn’t have been possible. There is no way the Soviets could have known that she was going to be the diplomat sent to the Soviet Union. He must have found out my name by asking my guide, or perhaps even Stalin himself. After all, Celestia had informed the Soviets of not only the fact that she was sending a diplomat to the Soviet Union but also some basic information about her.

As a wise man once said, “Russia is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.” Starlight, intended to find out more about this mysterious land. One way or another.