"So, what is your name?" Nikolai asked quietly.
"Anna." she whispered, without looking back at him. She led him through the metro tunnels swiftly and almost silently.
Polis Station's door loomed in front of them before long.
"Anna! Where have you been? Your father is about to send out a squad of men looking for you!" One of the guards said mirthfully.
"Yeah, he's foaming at the mouth. You're in for a lecture, Anna." the other one said, shaking his head.
"Who's this? Your new boyfriend? Is this the legendary Kristoff?" the first one asked, lifting his chin to Nikolai.
"Nyet, this is... Uh..." Anna started, trailing off, probably realizing she should have asked Nikolai his name.
"I am Nikolai, of Riga. I was simply-" Nikolai started.
"Whatever, bro, I don't need to hear your life story. If Anna says you're okay, you're okay." The first guard said, waving the pair in.
Polis was big, and clean. Bigger than any station Nikolai had ever been in, which admittedly, wasn't a large number.
"It's not that great, Nikolai, close your mouth." Anna said derisively.
Nikolai hadn't even noticed his jaw had dropped.
"Do you have a rifle in mind, Nik?" Anna asked.
"What can you get me?"
"Anything you need. Of course, it will only be on loan."
"What do you mean?" Nikolai asked.
Anna smirked.
"My father is the lead trader in this station." she said.
"Well then, what do you you have?"
"We have a few 2012s, some regular Kalashes, a few Uboynegs, and a ton of Duplets and revolvers. We even have a belt-fed automatic shotgun, but Papa probably wouldn't give that up, no matter what. He's still working on it, it needs a better extractor, keeps jamming. It's made from a DShK he found while-"
Nikolai zoned out again, awestruck by the majestic size of the station.
"You're not even listening." Anna said, pouting.
"I'm sorry. It's just, this place is so huge! I've never seen anywhere like it!" Nikolai said. "I guess I can make do with a regular Kalash."
"Well, I'm sure that will be fine. I'm going to take my 2012."
"Anna!" a warm voice rung out above the noise of the market.
"Papa!" she shouted, running towards an older, bearded man.
"You had me worried sick! Where were you?" the man asked.
"I told you I was going to meet Kristoff!" she replied.
"You've been gone for almost the whole day!" he said, hugging her close.
The man looked up at Nikolai.
"Is this him? He's not what I expected. That scar..." he said, trailing off.
"Are you calling me shallow, Papa?" Anna asked, scolding him.
"Nyet, nyet, my little flower, I just meant-"
"He's not Kristoff, Papa, it's okay." Anna said, interrupting him. "This is Nikolai. Nikolai, this is my father, Gregori."
Nikolai extended his hand, but Gregori ignored it.
"Well, then, where is Kristoff?" he asked.
"I don't know. That's why Nikolai is here. We're going back out to find him." Anna answered.
"Anna, you can't go out there again, you just got back!" Gregori scolded.
"Papa, I'm 22 years old! I can take care of myself!" Anna whined.
"How are you going to pay this man, then? Or arm him? I don't see a rifle." Gregori said sternly, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
Anna bit her lip and furrowed her brow.
"Alright. When can I go?" She asked.
Gregori smiled.
"Tomorrow morning. Kristoff can wait. From what you tell me about him, he can take care of himself if he's still alive. And if he's dead already, he can wait forever. Now go get dressed for company, Miss Omelchuk is coming over for dinner and I want you to look nice. Put on one of those pretty dresses I bought you."
"Papa, what about my guest?" Anna asked, impatient.
"He can come to dinner as well, but he can't wear one of your pretty dresses. Now go get dressed!" Gregori said, leading her to what must have been her room.
As he closed the door, he turned to Nikolai.
"I'm just a simple man, Nikolai. A father who loves his daughter. I may have a lot of money, but that's worthless without people who love you, isn't it?"
Nikolai looked away, not sure what to say. When he looked back, Gregori was suddenly in his face, his eyes intense and serious.
"What I'm trying to say is that if you scam or hurt my daughter in any way, and if she doesn't come back within two days, I will send people to find you and bring you to me. I don't care if you have to drag her back screaming and kicking, if I have to look for you, you will wish you had never been born. Am I clear, Nikolai?"
"Crystal, sir." Nikolai replied, trying his hardest to keep his voice from cracking in fear. Gregori reminded him of an old teacher he had learned from back in Riga, a hard man who had served in the VDV in his prime.
"Good, now go clean yourself up for dinner. Eat well, because tomorrow you're leaving first thing in the morning."