>I know, right? I was going for sort of a Hellboy vibe, which I
>delude myself into thinking I managed.

Well, you certainly managed the "uncanny events around the edges of history" part.

>Well, Baba is of course playing her own game here. It's worth noting
>that when asked the question, little Polya says nothing at all about
>serving Stalin or the Revolution, or professes any kind of loyalty to
>him. She serves Russia.

Objection: Baba Yaga does not serve person nor cause nor country. If she happens to send aid to the defenders of Russia, it is only that this is where she chooses to make her home, and she does not care to see it invaded any more than anyone else would.

... Or did you mean Polya's last line there? Certainly both Stalin and Baba Yaga would be aware that that can be taken more than one way.

(You'd probably appreciate http://www.bravemule.com/domovoi/ .)