It's an early morning in Saint Petersburg; the snow is falling, the streets are mostly empty, and the city is quiet for once. Outside the windows the sky is a pale gray, low hanging clouds produce snow while families begin to fill their fireplaces with wood, smoke rising through the chimney.

As always, Pierre is up early. He is in the kitchen, arms crossed on the island while he leans against the marble, eyes focused on his book while his free hand rests on the handle of his coffee mug