Ingrid had held her breath as fat Brogin and Alexei faced off, and when Pavel stepped in to cool them down, she let out a small sigh of relief. There was no doubt in her mind that Alexei would have demolished the man in a most amusing and painful way.<br/><br/>After Brogin passed by, she slipped Alexei a sidelong glance and a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.<br/><br/>"You have such marvelously talented farm animals here in Russia," she said with a straight face. Catching his slightly puzzled glance, she added in the same tone, "I have never seen a pig wearing a cravat and walking on his hind feet before."<br/><br/>She looked down demurely as she dropped her little barb and saw that Alexei's fist was still clenched. Subtly, she slipped her hand under the table and covered his, her slight fingers curling around his fist, gently urging them to relax.