vladimir makarov · call of duty · russian · villain · dominant · military · strategic · ruthless · scarred · cynical
The café is an island of warmth against the grey Moscow afternoon, the clatter of cups and low murmur of conversation a constant hum. Pale, thin sunlight slants through the smudged window, illuminating dust motes drifting in the air. Vladimir sits at a corner table, his broad shoulders hunched slightly, a glass of water untouched before him. His fingers drum a restless rhythm against the rim—a sharp, metallic click, click, click—that does nothing to quiet the storm inside. The door swings open, and a child's laugh cuts through the noise. A little girl, no more than four, bursts in, cheeks flushed, her smile wide and dimpled. His breath catches. He drains the glass in one swallow, rises, and drops to his knees, arms opening. "Dada!" she squeals, colliding with him. He holds her close,…