The train slowly wheeled out, leaving the passengers on the crowded platform. The neon lights of the station were casting dull shadows at the scattered people. A dark hair youth threw his duffel bag on the shoulder and headed towards the nearby underpass. He blended in the crowd, the ends of his white scarf trailing behind him. His mind was filled with thoughts. Here it was... Moscow. The place he had been craving for since he remembered. Everything had been leading him to Russia and now he finally had a chance to find a source of all these hidden calls.

Approaching the main entrance of railway station, his face met with a cold gust of wind and the crimson eyes saw shimmering marks of water on the pavement. The rare lampposts were giving gloomy light, making the surroundings even unfriendly. But the young man wasn't under an unpleasant impression; on the contrary it was what he had been expecting to see - the harshness of Russian life.

He wasn't aware of time passing as he stood there immersed in his thoughts when, all of sudden, somebody approached him.

- Welcome back Kai. Moscow welcomes you. - A red hair man said with an evil smirk on his lips.


- Since I left the Abbey I have been renting this flat. It's not luxury but I think you'll get used to it. I pay rent from my odd jobs but it doesn't cost too much. - Tala was explaining to his silent companion as they were climbing the creaking stairs in the old tenement.

- I have some income. I'll pay my part for sharing. – Kai mumbled under his breath.

- Allowance money from Voltaire, huh? – Smiled Tala. – He is still obligated to pay you for livelihood, isn't he? – But he didn't await an answer and continued, opening the old door with long keys.

- It has kitchen, bathroom and one bedroom, luckily for you with two beds so you can take one part of the room. And you can be sure I won't be messing up your stuff.

- I hope so. – Kai muttered, following Tala into the flat.

- I have no business in that. If you are interested there is an entrance to the roof so you can take a glimpse on our 'beautiful' city anytime you want. – Redhead said with an enigmatic expression, opening a door to the bedroom and showing Kai his bed.

- Make yourself at home – and with that he left Kai on his own in the bedroom.

The walls were painted yellow long time ago and the dusty, faded paint was coming off in some places. Kai put his bag next to the metal bed and sighed. He needed time to accommodate to this new situation, to be alone with his very own thoughts for a moment. The boy decided to take up Tala's hint and strolled to the corridor, then up the stairs. When he was finally on the roof he sat opposite the wall, having small shelter above his head. His crimson eyes centered on the sight below him – the Moscow at night.


- So you decided to marvel night vision of city? – Asked Tala as he approached sitting man with a luring smile on his face. – Do you mind if I join you? – He didn't get any answer so he only shrugged and sat down next to Kai. – I took something with me, just to celebrate your return a little – he said pulling out a glass bottle. – Genuine Russian vodka Stolichnaya. Cheers! – He opened a cork and passed the bottle to Kai.

The dark hair man smiled a little and took a deep swallow. Then his eyes trailed back to the silhouette of the Kremlin and the domes of Saint Basil's Cathedral. After a long silence and few swallows of vodka Tala finally spoke up.

- So Kai... I know that the real reason of your arrival is your strong desire for my person, but there must be something else.

Kai turned his head and looked seriously into Tala's blue eyes.

- Yeah... You've guessed correctly, I want to lure you and drag to bed. I've dreamt about it for ages.

Not until few minutes of silence passed did Tala finally break it up, laughing laud maniacally. So sincere was the laughter of redhead that Kai smiled at him widely, despite his usual reserve.

- Kai, your great sense of humor hasn't changed at all – Tala managed to cough up, trying to get his breath back after the insane attack.

- Whatever – the boy answered, returning to his normal behavior and taking a swallow of remaining vodka.

Redhead regained his serious mood and asked clearly:

- What does really bring you here? I think you can tell me at least some of your reasons.

Kai took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He was starting to feel a lot better. It seemed that Russian air, and maybe an alcohol, agreed with him. Somehow, he was regaining some peace inside his soul, even if the matters he was going to solve were at this point quite remote.

- I want to find my roots, learn something about my ancestors...

Is that a real reason? Tala thought, rising his eyebrows.

- Do you have any clue where to start? – He asked skeptically – You don't have a Russian surname. You now, it won't be easy to...

- It's not like I know nothing about my family – Kai interrupted. He took a swallow and continued. – My mother was Russian and also was Voltaire's wife. Contrary to all appearances, I know where should I start. – And with that he reached to his pocket and pulled out a small, glimmering object. He stared at it for a minute considering something and then passed it to his companion. It was a gold pocket watch, with some patterns inside. Tala couldn't read them because of darkness.

- It used to be my mothers watch, but I have come in a possession of it. I know it had some meaning for my mother and it can lead me to some information I'm looking for.

- I see... – redhead said thoughtfully, passing the watch back. – Well Kai – he continued, raising up from the roof – should you need my help, let me know. I'll do everything within my power. – And he reached out his hand towards Kai, who accepted it.

- Oh, and one condition Kai – under no circumstances are you to ask any unwanted question, ok?

- The same to you Tala.