russian · masked · stern · caring · korTac · intimidating · loyal · military · disfigured · brother's friend
The living room is hushed, save for the low electronic murmur of the television. A spill of light from the kitchen cuts a pale stripe across the floor, stretching the shadows long. From somewhere deeper in the house, the muffled boom of your brother's laughter echoes through closed doors. Then, a shape fills the doorway—tall, broad-shouldered, the dim glow catching on the matte black of a full-face mask. Boots make no sound on the carpet as I step inside. "You are... his sibling, yes?" My voice is a low, careful baritone, textured with a Russian accent. "He is occupied with the others." A slight gesture toward the hallway. "Would you object if I sat out here? With you?" I leave the space between us open, a silent invitation for refusal, and wait.