“well… ya got a JOB?” he asks, figuring that this other BOY would want to know the PRACTICAL side of things around here. to tell the truth, crutchie’s inferencing here: a look at the other’s clothes and dirt-smudged face tells him one thing, but you never really know. “’m a newsie,” he says with a touch of pride coloring his voice. “i sell the papes. that’s somethin’.”
A pause, lips pursed —— a job ?? Sure, he’d done a few little gigs every once in a while … but work was exhausting ( && at home, IMPOSSIBLE to find ). It was easier to c o n for money ——— not to mention by doing so, one typically pilfers much more. “Can’t say I do. You know something that PAYS??” The streets he was used to, but he was even hungrier after such a long journey, he’d need something && fast. “Better than nothing, kid —— say, you guys hiring ??”
“ i didn’t steal it, if that’s what you’re asking. “ slim fingers lift, come to rest on the golden pendant that rested above her chest, a gesture that is as much protective as it is defensive.
“No, I was just curious.” Jaw set, defense matching her own as arms cross, MISCHIEF warming his features. There is no way she couldn’t have. “I’m just saying, hypothetically, if I were to —— FIND one, where could I ??” He could sell that so easily (food for a week !!).
Running, ALWAYS running ——— he presses his back against the wall, allowing himself a moment to catch his breath. They’d be safe now ( probably ?? Dmitry learned long ago not to expect the easy route ). He’s never not shocked by the elaborate rooms, the exquisite architecture. To think, this guy LIVES here. Dmitry considered himself lucky if he found a private alleyway. “Hey, it might have been my idea, but you were there. You’re just as much to blame, if not more so.” A corner of his lips tugs up into a crooked smirk. @hcrnedprince/con’t.
“ sure , why not ? are you saying you don’t want to dance with me ? ” impish smile grows on her face , takes his hand in her own —- it’s warmthpleases her .
“ I think vlad is looking for lily —- besides . after so many lessons , you aren’t as terrible . ”
“No ——” He utters too quickly, taking a breath for PAUSE as his smile only widens. “I’m just saying that I don’t really want to dance at all, or at least rather SHOULDN’T.”No one is safe from his ill timed feet.
Instantly he’s nervous, russet eyes wide as he tries to listen to her && the ( what seems to be ever changing ) beat of the music. Finally, he begins to ‘sway’ lips almost parting with each attempt at counting that’s going on in his head. However, he does manage a chuckle. “You sure about that ?? If you look at the others Anya, they’re actually M O V I N G .”
safe to say, his reaction does NOT help to calm her down in the slightest. she peeks over his shoulder, blue eyes watching the rest of the passengers and noting their reactions — they all seem WORRIED too. she forces herself to calm down as well as she can, shoving shaking hands into the pockets of her coat and shooting dmitry a look( anything for a sense of NORMALCY ).
❛ how would you know? how often do you go on trains, dmitry? ❜
Dmitry expects the train to pick back up again. When it doesn’t, DREAD presses against his chest, making it difficult to breath as his gaze quickly scans over the car, looking for any sort of clues to what was going on. —— Wasn’t there another passenger on board?? His thoughts however STOP at her snide remark, brows furrowed as he can’t help but scoff, scooting away instantly, hurt. “Oh, I ride the train every time I go on holiday. Next time I plan to go wherever you’reNOT——” AN ECHOING SHOT, hand immediately reaching for her arm, eyes ‘pon Vlad. The Count. “We gotta get out of here …NOW. Just, follow me, alright ?? We’re gonna be okay.”
she watched his face, not looking for APPROVAL per se but rather just to know if it sounded as silly as it had for the past years that she had clung onto it. ‘i know it’s NAIVE, but it’s gotten me this far. i wouldn’t expect you to understand.’
Eyes fall to his feet, a meek shrug —— “Naive maybe, but understandable.” A pause, finally russet eyes peer through dark lashes to meet her gaze’pon her. “I think, with the way things have gone, we all cling to something to keep us going. Otherwise, what’d be the point ??” Too much pain, a struggle to even SURVIVE. There had to be something to make it all worth it.
cheeks grow scarlet at his words . “ I —- ” and okay , maybe she does want to kiss him . maybe the feeling is returned —- knows that’s what he wanted to say , she isn’t stupid .ignores the statement , looks away ( * LOOK AWAY ! ) because this is not the time for such things . even if she wants to , because she wants to be with her family above all .
“ you’re right —- of course you are . so , ask me more question : I’m sure I can answer them !” still , can’t help but think about what he’s said before —- focus ! “ you really think so ? ” smile grows again , impossibly wider . “ you know , with all these compliments , maybe you are a kiss - up . ”
Heart shatters as blue gaze parts from his ——— a FOOL he is. ( she had to think little of him, there could be no other thoughts in her mind right ??) His father always warned him of his m o u t h; one day he’d say the wrong thing && be killed. This however, almost seemed worse. Lips curl into a thin line, calloused hand running through auburn locks as he FORCES himself to back away ( but only slightly, he can’t ever seem to stray too far anymore ).
“You sure huh ?? Y’know, I think you might be getting too COCKY, perhaps we really are a bad influence on you.” A light quip ( oh so thankful for the change in topic, at least now he can SHOW OFF all he knows, his knowledge ). Digits tap along chin, eyes unmistakably falling to her lips. NO. A deep breath, a shake of the head, he forces out a light chuckle, eyes moving to stare out in front of him. “Who knows, maybe I am. I guess you are a bad influence on me too.” That damned crooked smirk‘pon his lips, there it is again. “Anyways ——” Flustered, brows knit deeply, a wrinkle appearing along his forehead. “—— How does the grand duchess like her tea ??”
