"Er, I'm..." Numair started to say, but trailed off.

"Oh, come in, by the way," Vlad nearly interrupted, "Before Janis gets out."

Janis was the hairless cat at Vlad's ankle, meowing at Numair. He muttered a thank you as he moved into the foyer, and began shouldering out of his jacket.

"Er, well then," he said, "I'm here to see, ah, Hawk."

He looked back over his shoulder to see Vlad openly staring at him.

"Hawk?" Vlad said incredulously, "Why?"

"I--well he--" Numair stopped himself peevishly, bundling his jacket up over his arms. "That's hardly any of your business, is it? Pardon me, but who are you, since you clearly know who I am?"

Vlad actually raised an eyebrow at him. "Oh, I'm Vlad du Russi. I own this house," he added. "Hawk's been living with me since he got out of the trade. I'm just looking out for him, your highness."

Numair paused for a moment, and then said with some surprise, "Ah, you're that du Russi. You were one of the first spirits to be brought home from the trade, thanks to my father's repatriation accord with the United States."

"Uh...yeah, that's me," Vlad replied, somewhat disconcerted.