Exton

Leaning against a wall, Dmitri watches the people of this realm with amusement. So many "Others", and they never saw them. A cloaked figure catches his eye and he nudges Ramji, breaking his attention from the group jamming on the corner.

"Ramji... you can redeem yourself. Don't be such an ass this time."

The figure wends its way through the fringes of the crowd, pausing here and there to look at a painting put on display, a piece of artwork in progress. It watches the makeup artist as he puts a touch on a winged fae, moving back to let someone else in line.

"Is that not the vampire's girl?"

Ramji nods and is soon gliding through the throng. Dmitri changes direction, flanking the young woman. The minute she spies Ramji, the girl moves into darkness, only to find Dmitri leaning casually against a post.

"*Kali̱spéra, Despoinís Éna tétoio kaló méros gia mia gennaiódo̱ri̱
gynaíka, étsi den eínai?"

She stands still, poised to flee, watching both men. Riders, Hunters. Her eyes narrow as she watches them close on her. Ramji stops, giving her space. He chooses his words slowly, speaking softly. His accent blends perfectly with the strains of music around them. She listens, feels, for the touch of compulsion that Rath can put into his words, finding nothing.

"**Ja sam Ramji. Ovo je Dmitri. Govorite li engleski?"

She nods, eyes half lowered. After a moment, she glances around. "I speak Croation too. What do you want?"

A smile brightens the dark, somber visage. It softens the tough edges. "Your smile."

The words slip out and Ramji bows to hide the shock at his own comment. He rises, face back under his control. "We have a friend who would help your hands feel better. You hold them as if they pain you."

"Why? What are my hands to you?" She balls her hands into fists and pulls them inside the sleeves of her robes.

Dmitri sighs "He is hopeless you know.... What my brother is trying to say is..."

His words are broken by a soft voice. "Hell-lo. A-are you the woman with the sore hands? Ramji, move please." A slight woman with pale blonde hair and pointed ears peeks around the Rider. "I am Star. I have something that may help." She nudges Ramji. "Move please."

The man moves to let her pass. She glances at him, the Dmitri. "Can either of you see a quiet place to sit?" Star touches the other woman's arm, urging her to follow the men to a less crowded area.


*Good evening, Miss. Such a lovely party for a generous woman, isn't it?

**I am Ramji. This is Dmitri. Do you speak English?