[center][img]http://txt-dynamic.cdn.1001fonts.net/txt/b3RmLjgwLjkxODM4Ny5RV3hsYXlCYWFXMWguMAAA/stingray.regular.png[/img]
[b]Location:[/b] The Java Cafe
[b]Interacting With:[/b] Evangeline [@Altered Tundra][/center][hr][hr]

Alek tilted his head, the shadow of a smile crossing over his lips. "I got her a momento from where our family comes from. Who knows if she'll appreciate it, let alone like it." He shrugged, quickly, before making a mental note to never, ever, hand Eva a weapon of any sort. The smile disappeared as he stood there, taking the measure of the little sister he had barely spent much time with. It felt like the very first time he had seen her. [i]Really[/i] seen her. When his head straightened the smile was fully gone, no sign of the humor of it left anywhere on any of his features. His voice went down an octave, his tone grim. 

"Evangeline...if anyone ever gives you trouble I need you to tell me. I need you to tell me immediately, and I need you to promise me that. This is important, for reasons you won't understand for years to come. So for the sake of the blood in your body being the same blood that flows in my body, I need you to trust me."

Her pretty eyes went wide, the look of a girl not wanting to believe she knew what was happening, even if deep down she did. "What are you talking about, Alek? Of course I trust you. Why? Is everything okay?"

It was overwhelming, the instinct to protect Eva, certain as he was of the sun in the sky that Eva wouldn't be able to defend herself if it ever came to that. With the friends, and enemies, Alek knew his family had for possibly the first time in his life come to realize just how vulnerable someone like little Eva was. He wouldn't allow her to become another dead rich girl caught in crossfire. He wouldn't ever allow her to be bullied. 

"Promise me, Eva."

"Now you're starting to scare me."

Sudden as a light coming on, Alek chuckled, smiled again. His left hand took her body in close to his again, hugging her, and his voice becoming a whisper. "I know. I love you, Evangeline..." In close his face tilted down to her's, a smile becoming a half-smirk proceeding the coming tease, "but I've seen your level of coordination. You ever get in trouble, tell your big brother. I'll always have your back. I'll be there."

He let go, tempted to muss her hair, if not for the knowledge of how protective most girls were of their hair. "I don't mean to be weird, Eva, but mother Russia isn't always a friendly place. Even for the young." 

[i]Especially for the young.[/i]

"Get out of here, and please...wear flats." He couldn't help the jape, or the devilish grin that followed it. "I'm out. I've got a meeting at a night club. I'll see you tomorrow at the party."