Russian Doll

Two: My apologies, Sir

"My name is Kathryn. Kathryn Reynolds" I hesitantly spoke, leaning back on my haunches as I let go of the collar of the man's leather jacket "I-I'm terribly sorry, sir"

My eyes were still suspiciously narrowed at the handsome man before me, but he seemed harmless enough as he sat up cautiously, looking rather disgruntled as he propped himself up on an elbow. He was watching me through his lashes, lips pursed into a thin line as he dusted some pebbles and dirt from the sleeves of his jacket.

"-don't...call me sir" he said finally, the annoyed curl to his lips surprising me "It makes me sounds so dreadfully old"

I snorted.

It wasn't meant to be a loud sound. Far from it. In fact, I thought I did that inside my head. But apparently my subconscious wasn't particularly helpful this night and instead caused an amused chuckled to bubble past my lips as I rose to my feet silently.

Stretching out my hand to the stranger I wondered why he'd be alone in such a desolated area at this time of night.

Maybe for the same reasons as you: to be alone, my subconscious argued.

After a second's hesitation the man reached to take my hand, allowing for me to pull him to his feet with ease. He clearly hadn't expected such strength from my willowy frame, for his eyes wandered over me again, taking in my hoodie and dark jeans, sneakers dirtied and muddy. Dark curly tresses escaped from underneath the hood of the jacket I was wearing, the collar pulled up to shield my neck and cheeks from the sharp evening winds.

"What would you prefer I call you then?" I asked, giving him a look as I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, my breath coming out in small wispy clouds in the night sky, indicating the drastic drop in temperature.

"Robert is fine" the man said with a shrug.

"In that case, Robert, my most sincere apologies for knocking you off your feet like that" I tied to sound apologetic, but there was an amused undertone to my voice that I couldn't quite hide "I'm afraid I tend to react harshly to the unexpected"

"Hardly much unexpected about a man sitting down, minding his own business now is there?" Robert asked, his voice stern but his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Like I said...nasty reflexes" I shrugged, pursing my lips in amusement.

"Well, Miss Reynolds, you carry quite some strength in that roundhouse you used to drop me" he said, rubbing the back of his neck as he watched me cautiously. He seemed to have relaxed a bit, no longer looking as tense as he had when she'd first assaulted him. Although 'assaulted' might have been a bit harsh. I'd been acting in self defense, hadn't she? I mean you could hardly blame a girl for defending herself when she thought she was being attacked?

"Old habits die hard, I suppose" I told him instead, smirking at the thought of some of my other skills. It had been a defensive move, nothing violent, just using my momentum to gain time to assess the situation and come up with a plan of action. I'd hardly used any unnecessary force, and yet Mr. Carlyle seemed rather impressed with my display of dexterity.

"Please, no more. My ego has taken enough of a beating already" Robert proclaimed dramatically, but a smile played across his lips as he raised his hands in a defensive manner. But he was joking, I could see it in the amused smile that curved his lips upwards ever so slightly.

"Don't worry. I'm done for the evening" I joked, liking the man's ability of self-deprecation. At least he could have a laugh about what happened.

It looked like Robert was about to speak again, but then his eyes darted to something behind her, widening considerably. Noticing the shift in his body language, I saw him tense, body subconsciously turning away from me. I knew immediately what he must have seen, and turned partially only to see Zakhar trotting towards me, a lopsided wolfish grin on his snout, tongue hanging out as he noiselessly approached me.