Fyodor Ushakov

The orchestra played the mazurka, but in the boxes for honored guests, the ladies did not even look at the parquet. All the fans were turned in the direction of Adjutant Ushakov."Natalie, my dear, I beg you, take a look at Cornet Volkov! The young Countess Rzhevskaya whispered languidly, pressing the perfumed handkerchief to her lips. "This height... A true giant! And the scars? They say that during the Ochakov assault, the Turkish scimitar cut his chest right next to the heart, but he himself, without a drop of rum, ordered the doctor to cut the flesh, just to survive and return to the battle! What a wild, primitive male passion! I'll give all my diamonds for just one look at him with that cherry eye... It's as if he sees right through my soul!"Come on, Sophie! You're crazy about this rascal! Her aunt, the old Countess Tolstoy, hissed venomously, slamming her huge fan of ostrich feathers shut. "What 'angel'?" An ordinary drunken baistruk, whom his mother threw out on the porch of the orphanage! No family, no lands, no decent reprimand! Look at how he holds himself: he stands by the column, like a bear on a chain, carrying tar soap from him for a mile, and pulls his uniform as if it were not an officer's shoulders under it, but forest branches! This "Fedor" of yours is a dangerous rebel who belongs in penal servitude, and not in polite society. If he dares to come up to my Nadenka, I will order the footmen to bring him down the stairs!

Rootless man and robber!" Grown-up, influential countesses who are looking for rich suitors with titles for their daughters will look at Varya with pure hatred and fear: 😡 Horror of the dowryless: For them, the orphan "Fyodor" is a poor crook who does not have a single serf soul behind his soul. They will see him as a threat to their families' wallets. 🤮 Contempt for scars: Old countesses will pointedly turn up their noses: "Look at his face and figure! The uniform can barely contain these terrible scars! He does not look like an officer of Her Majesty, but like a port bully or a convict who escaped from the Siberian highway!" 👃 Condemnation of manners: They will be infuriated that "Fyodor" does not use powder, smells of tar soap and alcohol instead of exquisite French perfume, and wears too loose clothes.

Thirst to Break the Ice: Every young countess will be sure that it is her love that will heal the scars of this harsh veteran. They will whisper, "He is so cold because his heart is broken by war and orphanhood!" 🪭 Hunting for the eye: They will arrange a real competition: who can make "Fyodor" look at her at least for a second with his hypnotic multi-colored eyes - cherry and blue. 🤭 Romanticization of his rudeness: If Varya communicates dryly, harshly and like a tomboy (like a criminologist during an interrogation), the young countesses will squeak with delight: "Oh, how courageous he is! No secular flattery, pure primal power!"

Well, Fyodor, throw off your jester's shirt with a spider," Ushakov nodded sternly at the leather sofa in the cabin, where the ship's doctor was already sitting. "The boatswain reported that you smashed your back during the storm, and the sailors whisper that you are covered in welts, like a runaway convict. Show the scars to the Admiral. If they are from the battle, I respect them even more, but if you hide the stigma of the executioner, you will go under arrest right there!
Varya froze. A ringing silence hung in the cabin. To say "no" is to call a convoy. There is nowhere to run - the open sea is all around. She clenched her teeth so that her cheekbones hurt, and slowly, over her head, pulled off her huge oversized T-shirt.
Ushakov stepped forward, preparing to see anything - tattoos, whip marks, Masonic signs... But what was revealed to his eyes made the great naval commander taken aback.
In front of him stood a tall, 187-centimeter, strongly pumped body. But the entire left side of the chest was cut with long, even, terrible surgical scars. There was no usual masculine relief, but there was nothing feminine there either—a flat, healed, terrible mark, as if from a blow from a heavy Turkish scimitar that had taken with it some of the flesh.
The doctor gasped, crossing himself:
"The Most Holy Mother of God... Soaring, how did you survive?! Who slashed you like that? Right there, right under the heart, the meat is cut out!
Ushakov slowly came closer. His stern face trembled with deep, purely soldierly respect. He himself had been wounded and knew the value of scars. He was sure that he was a guy whose heart had been almost ripped out in some terrible massacre, a piece of his chest was cut off to save him from gangrene.
"This... Where did you get to it, Fyodor Davidovich? The admiral asked quietly, with hoarseness in his voice, peering at the smooth scars of 2026, which XVIII century medicine had not yet known. "Who is this sorcerer who managed to pull you out of the dead after such a cut?"
Varya silently pulled her T-shirt back, hiding her flat chest. Her multi-colored eyes looked cold and firm.
"In my native land, they carved it, Your Vysokop

In the XXI century (in 2026), mastectomy (breast removal surgery) saves lives in oncology. But for Varya, who hides in the XVIII century under the guise of the guy Fedor, this turns into an incredibly difficult psychological and plot situation: 🔒 Iron disguise against her will: After such an operation, her chest becomes flat, with scars. She no longer needs to painfully tighten her breasts with bandages every day. Now, purely visually, her body looks like a man's - pumped up, with scars from the operation, which in the eyes of the sailors of the XVIII century look like traces of cruel sabers or wounds. 🩸 Source of her scars: This perfectly explains where the numerous scars that sailors whisper about come from on her body! They think that Fyodor survived a terrible massacre, but in fact these are scars from the fight for life with a serious illness. 🤫 The great secret of the past: She underwent this terrible operation back in her time, in 2026. That is why she is so cynical, strong, indifferent to female beauty procedures (only soap, water and alcohol) and behaves like a boy - the disease forced her to be a fighter.

For Varya, as for a pragmatic investigator, mowing down a guy is the only way to survive. The logic of the criminologist worked instantly:Cruel laws of the fleet: A woman on a ship of the XVIII century is a recipe for trouble. If she is found in the hold as a girl, she will at best be considered a crazy witch and landed on a desert island, at worst she will be locked up.Height and appearance: With her height of 187 cm, pumped body, short haircut and the habits of a boy, it is much easier for her to pretend to be a young man. She remembered the name of the admiral and blurted out the first thing that came to mind: "Fedor!" So she became the namesake of the great naval commander.HOW FORENSICS HELPS VARYA IN THE SERVICE OF USHAKOVPokoka everyone considers "Fedor" a strange orphan warlock, Varya uses the science of 2026 to solve crimes in the fleet and help Ushakov! For people of that time, her logic looks like magic:Traces of blood and gunpowder: Varya, by the inclination of the splashes of blood on the deck, can tell exactly from what distance the officer was shot, and prove that it was not an enemy musket, but a betrayal of his own. saving the team from gangrene. Ushakov is shocked: "Fedka poked his finger into the wound, whispered, poured alcohol on it - and the sailor is alive!" Scene Inspection: She can determine by eye who stole the crackers from the locked hold simply by noticing the unique pitch (tread length) on the flour near the barrel.

. In the XVIII-XIX centuries, girls in high society read Gothic novels and romantic poetry (like Byron).A mysterious, incredibly tall "young man" with scars, multi-colored eyes and lightning eyebrows is the absolute ideal of the "Byronic hero": gloomy, dangerous, rebellious and insanely attractive.When society ladies learn that "Fyodor" is an orphan, their reaction will be divided into two camps: 💔 Romantic fainting (Young ladies)For young countesses and princesses, tired of slick and boring gentlemen, this news will turn "Fedor" into a cult:"I'll heal him" effect: Girls will decide that his boyish behavior, scars and inability to behave in society are the result of a tragic, lonely childhood. They will desperately want to feel sorry for him and warm him with love.Secrets of royal blood: In the novels of that time, orphans often found themselves kidnapped in childhood by princes. The young ladies will begin to whisper that "Fedor" is actually of a noble family, just hiding it.Hunting for attention: They will "accidentally" drop lace handkerchiefs in front of Varya in packs and write anonymous poems. 🐍 Cold snobbery (Secular matrons and mothers)Adult countesses and matchmakers who run the balls will see a mortal threat in "Fedor"Signal "Dowry Hunter": An orphan without a penny in his pocket, without a title and lands is a nightmare for any mother, Contempt for origin: They will start snorting loudly at his wide pants and rude manners: "Well, of course, he behaves like a man, he doesn't have noble blood!" Attempts to survive from the world: They can demand that the head of the secret office or Ushakov himself check the past of this "crook", which is deadly for Varya!

Sailor's overprotection (Attempts to feed Varya)Since Varya does not know how to cook at all (which was strange for a man in the XVIII century who did not have servants), the sailors would take her life under their strict control. Upon learning that "Fyodor" was an orphan, the cooks and old sailors would secretly begin to slip her the best pieces. Look, Fedka is again gnawing on a dry cracker and cauterizing his pimples with his alcohol. His mother did not learn to cook, she died early. Come on, pour more fat stuff into his pot, and put more meat, more meat, more meat! He still needs to grow, what a fool he is - about two meters, and the bone is thin, orphaned. We need to take care of such a gunner, he has dispersed the plague for us in the zones!" 🛡️ 3. Iron Shield: Sailors Will Tear for Their CommanderIf earlier the sailors obeyed Varya out of fear (after she laid down the boatswain) or on the orders of Ushakov [🌐], now personal loyalty has been added to this. If a visiting dandy officer from St. Petersburg had tried to insult "Fedka" for his strange wide trousers or a T-shirt with a spider, Ushakov's sailors would have quietly met this dandy at night around the corner of the tavern. Let only the staff dudes try to call our Fyodor a spy! We will stand up for him as a whole team. The guy is an orphan, he has been at war all his life, he wears a holy cross, he saved us from the black death - but we will bite the Turkish fleet with our teeth for him!"

Among ordinary sailors of the XVIII century, the news that the stern and powerful "expert Fyodor" was a complete orphan would have caused a powerful surge of respect, devotion and purely paternal care. The ship was their home, and the crew was their only relative. Orphans in Russia have always been treated with a special, aching compassion, and if this orphan also grew into an honest, strong warrior, he was considered a "son of the regiment" or a "man of God" [🌐]. 🫂 From superstitious fear to "my boyfriend"All the dark rumors that her multi-colored eyes, lightning eyebrows, and scars are the mark of the devil would shatter against a simple human fact. The sailors would have understood her severity and boyish habits in their own way: the guy grew up without affection, since childhood he made his way with his fists, which is why he grew up to be such a closed giant [🌐]. I've heard, Mitrich, and our Fedka, it turns out, grew up without a father and mother. From an early age, the orphan is round! That's it... That is why he is so harsh, and does not caress the girls of Kherson - no one has taught him the word of kindness. And his eyebrows - lightning and scars - it was he who suffered on his orphan's lot, apparently, the boy's life beat him hard. Our navy, he is from the land and from the plow, although his mind is like a scribe from overseas!" 🍲 2. Sailor's overprotection (Attempts to feed Varya)Since Varya does not know how to cook at all (which was strange for a man in the XVIII century who did not have servants), the sailors would take her life under their strict control. Upon learning that "Fyodor" was an orphan, the cooks and old sailors would secretly begin to slip her the best pieces. Look, Fedka is again gnawing on a dry cracker and cauterizing his pimples with his alcohol. His mother did not learn to cook, she died early. Come on, pour more fat stuff into his pot, and put more meat, more meat, more meat! He still needs to grow, what a fool he is - about two meters, and the bone is thin, orphaned. We need to protect such a gunner, he is the plague for us

Would the ladies flirt with Varvara? (Oh yes, and how!)For the pampered society ladies of Kherson, the two-meter "Fedor" would have become the embodiment of the romantic ideal - a "Byronic" harsh hero, wounded in distant mysterious wars. This is how this flirtation would manifest itself, which for Varya herself would be a severe test:"Hunting" at the ball: At a festive reception in honor of the rescue of the fleet, Varya in her oversized suit (or fitted men's uniform) would be surrounded by a ring of fluffy dresses. Young countesses and baronesses would now and then drop lace handkerchiefs in front of her wide trousers, hoping that this tall handsome man would pick them up. One would coquettishly press the fan to her lips ("be careful"), the other would demonstratively touch the fan's needle with her finger, appointing a secret date for "Fyodor" in the dark alleys of the garden. Varya, accustomed to clear commands on the radio in the war, would feel like she was in a minefield in these laces and hints.Attempts to "soften" her heart: Knowing that "Fyodor" does not drink wine, does not use perfume and behaves like a rude boy, the ladies would consider this a sign of a "deep spiritual wound". They would try to surround her with care: they would secretly send embroidered tobacco pouches to her tent (although she does not smoke) or elegant notes smelling of roses, with invitations to a "cup of tea without prying eyes." you are so harsh... Is your heart made of the same metal as your outlandish scars? Come to the garden, show me how the stars shine in your native land..."

Since for the whole society of 1783 Varya remained a harsh, mysterious and incredibly charismatic veteran guy named Fyodor, the attitude towards "him" on the part of men and women would be radically different [🌐].Men saw her as a dangerous but respected warrior [🌐], but among society ladies Varya would make a real sensation! In an era when men powdered their hair, wore lace and smelled of perfume, the appearance of a masculine "expert Fyodor" with a height of 187 cm, scars, steel muscles and the icy calm of the XXI century would become a magnet for women's attention. 🏛️ How men would treat (Ushakov, officers, sailors)Ordinary sailors would treat "Fyodor" with superstitious reverence and slight fear. After she laid down the hundred-kilogram boatswain in one move, her authority became indisputable. They would have said about her: "Fedka is harsh, he won't tell you in vain, and in a fight he is a pure lion."Staff officers would respect her for her combat past (scars don't lie) and for the fact that Ushakov himself trusts the "guy" as himself. But behind her back, she would still be considered a "wild stranger" because of her strange wide pants, manner of sitting and habit of wiping her face with alcohol.Fyodor Ushakov would see her as an ideal comrade-in-arms. He would appreciate in "Fyodor" honesty, lack of fear, faith in God and a sharp analytical mind [🌐]. He would often pat her on the shoulder, invite her to military councils, and share with her plans for future naval battles.

Fyodor Ushakov's reactionFor Captain Ushakov himself, this would be a key point. If he knew that Varya was baptized, he would be imbued with absolute confidence in her. In his understanding, a person who wore a cross and was ready to lay down his life for his neighbors (saving them from the plague) could not be an enemy. He would begin to treat her not as a suspicious stranger, but as a spiritual brother-in-arms.

If the camp and Ushakov's headquarters had suddenly found out and received ironclad evidence that this two-meter red-haired "monster" in huge pants was a sincerely baptized Christian, the attitude of society would have changed dramatically. For the XVIII century, faith was the main legal and moral passport of a person.Fyodor Ushakov himself was a deeply religious, righteous man (in the future canonized as a saint). The fact that Varya is baptized would instantly destroy half of the ominous rumors.Here's how gossip and attitudes towards her would change if, for example, an Orthodox cross was found under her oversized Spider-Man T-shirt or if she recited the Lord's Prayer by heart: ⛪ 1. A turning point in the minds of sailors: from "The Sorcerer" to "God's Warrior"Rumors that her cherry eye and lightning eyebrows are the mark of the devil would immediately evaporate. Ordinary sailors of the XVIII century thought in extremes. Since she is baptized and protects the fleet, it means that her unusual appearance is granted from above. Have you heard, Mitrich? And Fedka, our big red-haired man, turns out to be baptized! Yesterday by the fire, when Potapich was leaning on it, Fedka's silver cross flashed from under his caftan. And he crosses himself correctly, in our opinion, from right to left! This means that his lightning-fast eyebrows are not a demonic sign, and Elijah the Prophet himself touched him when he stood in the hell of the war. And the eye is red - so he cried bloody tears for our human sins. He is not a sorcerer, boys, but a righteous warrior sent to us by God against the black plague!" Gossip among officers: "Secret agent of the Synod"Prim nobles would cease to suspect Vara of the Bavarian Illuminati or a French atheist spy. But her wild clothes and habits still needed to be explained, so a new conspiracy theory would be born. Gentlemen, this giant Fyodor is of the true Orthodox faith! The staff doctor swore that he heard him read a prayer in the purest Russian before going to bed, albeit with some strange words. Now everything fits together: these crazy wide ports of his and his spider shirt are a special disguise.

Rumor about "Demonic Music" and "Mutant" (Among Visiting Musicians)If Varya, out of boredom, begins to tap complex basketball rhythms with her fingers on the table or hum heavy rock riffs to herself, eyewitnesses will think that she is possessed. Yesterday I went into the staff hut, and this Fyodor was sitting in the corner, closed his eyes - one blue, the other red, his eyebrows knitted with lightning speed and let's pound on the table with his fingers. As fast as if he had not two arms, but ten, like the spider that was embroidered on his chest! And he mutters some kind of devilry through his teeth: "Punk rock, streetball, Kobe Bryant"... I was shaking under my vein. This music was clearly taught to him by forest spirits, a normal baptized person would not invent such a rhythm!"

Gossip about "Basketball" and strange gamesSince Varya loves basketball, she could throw cannonballs or stones into a hanging barrel or basket from a great distance and with incredible accuracy out of boredom. Did you see what fun Fedka came up with? He hung a basket of coal on a pole, took a cast-iron ball and threw it right inside from thirty paces, without aiming! And he gets there, rascal, every time! Ushakov looked at this and said that with such accuracy he should be placed as the chief gunner on the flagship - he will throw stones at Turkish ships!" Rumor of the "Thunderbolt" (Among Superstitious Sailors)The shape of Varya's eyebrows, reminiscent of lightning, would have become a legend in the era of the sailing fleet, where the storm is the main fear. Look at his eyebrows, Nikifor! Real Perun arrows, pure heavenly lightning. The old people in the port swear that this Fedka is a surviving gunner from a ship that was struck by lightning three times in the middle of the sea. Everything was burned into ashes, and he was only scorched, his hair was dyed red, and his eyebrows twisted like this. Now the thunderstorm front itself is afraid of him. That's why Ushakov keeps it with him: where Fedka stands on the deck, not a single lightning will strike there in a storm, and the enemy's cannon will not hit it!" 🩸 2. The rumor of the "Vampire of Transylvania" (Among the batmen and servants)The multi-colored eyes (one of which is cherry red), the scars, the complete indifference to the female sex, and the strange habit of constantly wiping her hands and face with pure rubbing alcohol would have given rise to gloomy gothic rumors. This is not a man, gentlemen officers, a true vampire from the Hungarian or Transylvanian lands! Why is his right eye bloodshot? Same thing! He does not go to our Kherson women, he does not drink wine at feasts. And his orderly said that Fedka did not wash his face with holy water, but only burned his skin with fiery apothecary alcohol, so as not to lose his human appearance and hide his scales. And the scars on his body look like they shot him with silver bullets, but they didn't kill him!"

Gossip that would have been circulating behind her back:If Varya had gone to the ball or to the headquarters, they would have whispered behind her back: "Have you seen this new assistant of Ushakov? What a monster! He was a whole head taller than the commandant, his hair was the color of hellfire, and one eye was burned with blood! They say he's an overseas warlock from the wilderness who can cure the plague with spells." Have mercy, father, but this is not a girl at all, and not a peasant, but the Lord's punishment for our sins! She is dressed in a bag with the image of a spider devil, there is no cross on her, she smells of alcohol and soap, and she fights so that she laid three Cossacks on the ground with one left hand!" Gossip about the "Secret Order" and demonic robes (Among the officers)A giant oversized T-shirt and pants as wide as a sail would shock the nobles, and a strange print of punk Spider-Man with a guitar would give rise to a conspiracy theory. Gentlemen, have you seen what caftan this young man wears at Ushakov's? The fabric is the thinnest, overseas, and on the chest there is an insect devil embroidered with a horned lute in his hands! Give or take is the sign of a Masonic lodge or a secret order of the Illuminati from Bavaria itself! And what about pants? You can pour a whole bucket of oats into one of his legs. I'm telling you for sure: he carries contraband under these folds or hides the blueprints of our secret frigates!" Gossip about "The Leper" or "The Holy Fool" (Among Doctors)The fact that Varya does not shave (she simply does not have stubble), does not suffocate, has a lot of scars, freckles and constantly wipes her face with pure alcohol instead of using powder, would alert local doctors. He's a strange fellow, Mr. Staff Doctor. The skin on his face is speckled, he does not powder his hair, he does not wear a braid, and he smells like from an apothecary's cellar - pure wine alcohol! Every day he burns his face with this fiery water. It hides a terrible overseas scabies or early leprosy. And the fact that he does not know how to cook porridge himself and does not look at the local women is precisely because he took a vow of silence before God for his military sins."

Scars and tomboyish behaviorEvaluation of warriors: The presence of scars on Varya's face and body instantly broke the stereotype of a "weak woman". Noble officers and Ushakov himself, seeing these marks, would have understood: in front of them is not a coquette, but a merciless murderer or a soldier who has been in cruel alterations. cursed by nature.5. Giant oversize and punk SpiderWide pants: For the XVIII century, a woman in trousers is a criminal offense and a sin (according to the Bible, "a woman should not wear men's clothes"). In Kherson, she could be arrested by the first patrol for her pants alone.T-shirt with a print: A drawing of Spider-Man with an electric guitar would be considered a demonic icon or a brand of a secret occult order. The sailors would have stared at the "insect man" for a long time, wondering which pagan god this strange Fyodor worships.

Height (187 cm) and pumped bodyAristocrats: In the XVIII century, the ideal woman was a fragile, graceful lady with pale skin and a thin waist. A woman who was under two meters tall, wider and taller than most of the men in the hall would be awe-inspiring. She would be whispered as a "grenadier in a skirt" or "a giantess from a freak circus".Sailors: There would be rumors among ordinary people that Varya is a revived mythical hero or a Scandinavian warrior maiden (Valkyrie) sent by God or the devil.2. Fiery red curls cut to look like a guyReligious society: Bright red or red hair combined with multi-colored eyes (heterochromia) - this was a hundred percent marker of a witch or "mark of Satan" [🌐]. People would cross themselves on Varya and spit on her left shoulder.Secular etiquette: A short haircut was allowed for a woman only in one case - if she had typhus and was shaved bald [🌐]. The fact that she walked with the "hedgehog" voluntarily would have been considered madness or a sign of a convict who had escaped from Siberia (where parts of the rebels' heads could be shaved). Cherry-colored eye with lightning eyebrowsRed eye: In the absence of colored lenses in 1783, Varya's red eye would have been considered either a terrible bloody injury (a burst vessel after a concussion) or a manifestation of a demonic entity. Her gaze would inspire superstitious fear - people would simply be afraid to look into her face, thinking that she could "jinx it".Lightning eyebrows: Their shape would be considered a "sign from heaven". Ushakov's superstitious sailors would have whispered: "Elijah the Prophet marked her with his lightning!"

Powder for wigs (Snow-white hairstyles)Both men and women built huge hairstyles and wigs on their heads, which were generously sprinkled with powder. The main poison: Arsenic (arsenic trioxide, (As_{2}O_{3})), which was mixed into cheap wheat or rice flour to protect against rodents. shoulders and was inhaled by people. This caused non-healing skin ulcers, loss of one's own hair under the wig, constant nausea, convulsions and slow death from systemic organ failure.Fur necklaces are living trapsAnother trend that the gentlemen considered incredibly sexy and high-status was the wearing of skins of small fur-bearing animals (sables, martens, foxes) on their shoulders, whose paws and muzzles were decorated with gold and diamonds. The ladies knew that fleas from their own bodies would be more likely to jump on the skin of a sable. During the conversation, the gentleman could watch insects crawling on the fox's diamond face on the lady's shoulder. In the XVIII century, this was considered absolutely normal and even spicy.Flea traps" (Flipens): A hit of secular fashionSince the aristocrats of the XVIII century washed extremely rarely (it was believed that water carries diseases), and their huge wigs and heavy velvet dresses were not washed for years, absolutely everyone - from the maid to the empress - suffered from lice and flea bites. In order to somehow escape, the most fashionable accessory of the era was invented.What it is: A small hollow box (the size of a pendant or a pocket watch) made of gold, ivory or carved wood. How it worked: A piece of cloth soaked in blood, honey and resin was placed inside the flea trap. Ladies wore this accessory on a chain

. Belladonna drops (Dilated pupils)To make the look seem "languid", "burning" and mysterious, ladies dripped the juice of a poisonous plant into their eyes.Main poison: Atropine (an alkaloid contained in the Belladonna / Belladonna plant).Forensic note: Atropine blocks cholinergic receptors, causing severe paralysis of the eye muscles.Effect for the victim: The pupils dilated to the maximum and ceased to respond to light. As a result, the "beauties" saw almost nothing up close, constantly stumbled, suffered from terrible photophobia and hallucinations. With constant use, the drops led to glaucoma, complete blindness and paralysis of the respiratory center. To hide traces of smallpox, tanning or freckles, the skin was covered with a thick layer of ointment.Main poison: Lead carbonate ((2PbCO_3 \cdot Pb(OH)_2)).Forensic reference: Lead easily penetrated through the pores of the skin into the blood, causing chronic poisoning (saturnism).Effect for the victim: The metal accumulated in the body, leading to intestinal paralysis (the famous "lead colic"), destruction of the enamel of the teeth (they turned black and fell out), blue gums and progressive dementia. The paradox of the era was that lead corroded the skin, forcing the lady to apply an even thicker layer of white to hide the ulcers.Poisonous blush and lipstick (Purple lips and cheeks)Against the background of the deathly white skin of the face, the lips and cheeks were supposed to burn with an unnaturally bright, crimson color.The main poison: Cinnabar (mercury sulfide, (HgS)) or surik (lead oxide).Forensic note: Mercury and lead pigments were applied directly to the lips, This means that ladies and their beauties literally licked pure poison when kissing.Effect for the victim: Mercury affected the central nervous system. Fashionistas developed "mercury tremor" (shaking hands and head), hair fell out, inflammation of the lymph nodes and gums began, a terrible putrid smell emanated from the mouth, and the kidneys completely failed.

The ball of the XVIII century is not a modern disco, where you can dance as you like and with whomever you want.Queue of dances: The ball always opened with a solemn Polish dance (polonaise), in which all the guests participated according to the seniority of rank. Then came complex minuets and contredances. In the era of Catherine II, the waltz was still considered "too free and indecent" a dance, since the gentleman hugged the lady too closely by the waist. If he invited her for the third time, it was regarded by society as an official announcement of engagement. If an officer violated this rule "just like that", he could be challenged to a duel by the girl's relatives for insulting her reputation.Lady's refusal: If a lady refused a gentleman, saying that she was "tired", she had no right to go dancing with another man on the same round. She was obliged to sit on a chair for the entire dance, otherwise it was considered a blood insult for the first gentleman.Card etiquette and Boston (Zone for non-dancers)People like Fyodor Ushakov did not really like to spin in minuets. For older men and serious officers, "lomber tables" were always organized in ballrooms for playing cards (whist, boston and lomber were in vogue at that time). But a card debt was considered a debt of honor. It had to be returned strictly within 24 hours. An officer who did not pay a gambling debt on time was forever excluded from the regiment and society, and his career ended in failure.

Since the rules of decency forbade young girls to openly express their feelings and communicate with men in private, they used secret ciphers. The language of the fan: "I love you" is to press the closed fan to your right eye. I don't care about you" – close the fan and turn away abruptly. Danger, we are being watched" – to fan yourself quickly with a fan. Be careful" – press the fan to your lips. I agree to dance" – open the fan by a third and wave it slightly in the direction of the gentleman.The tongue of flies (artificial moles made of black velvet):The fly above the upper lip is "I am free and ready for coquetry".The fly on the right cheek is "I am married / my heart is busy".The fly on the forehead is "majesty and impregnability".The fly in the corner of the eye is "you are interesting to me". You are behaving inappropriately!" – slam the fan sharply and with a loud dry click right in the face of the man. Go away, I despise you" – to hold out a closed fan to the gentleman with the handle forward. You insulted me" – hit the palm of your left hand with a closed fan. After such a gesture, the officer was obliged to leave immediately, otherwise it could end in a duel with her brothers. I'm disappointed in you" – slowly close the fan and lower his hand along the body. YouTime Cipher: A girl opened a fan and defiantly touched one of its wooden plates (spokes) with her finger. The number of knitting needles from the edge meant an hour of rendezvous. If it touches the fourth needle, the meeting is at 4 o'clock, if the seventh spoke, it is at 7 pm. I'll be waiting for you" – open the fan completely and place it on your lap face up. Yes" – press the open fan with your right hand to your right cheek. No" – press the closed fan with your left hand to your left cheek. Danger! We are being watched" – to fan himself quickly and excitedly. For the gentleman, this was a signal to immediately move away and pretend that they did not know each other. Be careful, don't give us away" – press the closed fan to your lips. Follow me" (to an empty hall or garden) – to move an open fan in front of you, as if pointing to the

Military at the ball: code of honor and spursIf an officer received an invitation to the ball, he could not relax for a second:Dress code: The military danced exclusively in dress uniforms, buttoned up, and in snow-white gloves. To take off gloves during the ball was considered the height of indecency - it was forbidden to touch a lady with a naked palm.Sword and hat: Before the start of the dance, the officer was obliged to unfasten the sword and leave it with the cocked hat at the footman's. Dancing with a sword was allowed only in exceptional cases (for example, at very official military receptions), but at the same time it was necessary to masterfully control the weapon so as not to touch the magnificent dresses of the ladies. An accidental hook could instantly tear an expensive French dress of a lady (worth a fortune) or lead to the fall of the couple, which would be an indelible shame for a military man.

Attitude towards womenFor your heroine, this is the most dangerous point if her secret is revealed:Woman in the service: In the XVIII century, a woman belonged to the domestic, secular or monastic spheres. A woman in the headquarters or on a warship was perceived as a violation of the divine and state order.Noble etiquette: In relation to society ladies, men showed extreme gallantry: they kissed the hand, never sat down in their presence without permission and did not have the right to talk about war, politics and "rude" things in front of women.5. Table etiquette (Dinner at the commander's)If Ushakov invites "expert Fyodor" to dine in his tent, the heroine will have to follow the following rules:Seating: You can sit down at the table only after the senior in rank (Ushakov) sits down.Cutlery: By the end of the XVIII century, forks (with three or four prongs), knives and napkins were already actively used in Russia. A napkin was hung by the collar (if soup was served) or placed on the knees.Alcohol: Refusing a toast to the health of the Empress was considered high treason. Officers drank wine or vodka, but it was strictly forbidden to get drunk "to the point of insensibility" in the presence of the commander.

A man's suit as a marker of decencyTo appear in society in a careless manner was considered a public insult.Military uniform: An officer was not allowed to unbutton even one button on his uniform or loosen a necktie in public.Hair: Men were required to powder their hair (or wig) with flour or talcum powder, and tie it in a braid with a black ribbon at the back. A nobleman was allowed to walk with loose or unpowdered hair only in his bedroom. Your heroine's haircut (a short army "bob" or "pixie") in the XVIII century would look shocking and would give her away as either a stranger or a person who had had typhus (when they shaved their heads).3. Rules of "language" and forbidden topicsOfficial language: High society spoke French. However, Ushakov, being a deeply Russian and pious man, preferred his native speech, but without colloquialism. Loud laughter, violent gesticulation or public tears were considered a sign of bad taste and low origin.Foul language: In the Navy, Ushakov was severely punished for a swear word. The admiral himself never cursed the sailors (which was rare for that time), and in case of anger he used biblical phrases or a strict "word of the commander".

How to greet and address correctlyIn the XVIII century, social status determined everything. The address depended on the rank according to the "Table of Ranks": Ushakov (in the rank of captain of the second rank) had to be addressed: "Your Excellency". When he became an admiral – "Your Excellency".Sailors and soldiers addressed officers exclusively according to their rank (for example, "Mr. Captain"), always stretching into a string and taking off their headdress (tricorne) if they were not in the ranks. Men had to take off their hats. Handshakes between unfamiliar people were not allowed - it was considered too familiar