"You're Vlad?" Hawk asked as he came down the stairs.

"That's me," Vlad answered brightly, and offered him a hand, which Hawk shook. Vlad's fingernails were painted the same blue as his boots. Janis kept on meowing loudly at his feet, as he added, "Sorry I wasn't here to meet you. I work in Escalus, so I keep some odd hours."

Hawk didn't say anything. Vlad started to take off his jacket, continuing, "Most people that come my way want a few quiet hours when they get here, anyway. I hope Janis didn't harass you too--"

"L-look, uh," Hawk said, and hesitated. "Why are you doin' this? Lettin' me stay, I mean. I mean, it's real kind a' ya. But you don't know me."

Vlad gave him a sort of gentle, pitying look. "No," he agreed, and glanced away, showing long sharp teeth in something that wasn't quite a smile. "But I was where you are now, once. And it took me two decades to start functioning again."

On the wall beside Hawk there hung a small rainbow flag, surrounded by a set of framed black-and-white photographs. One of the nearest showed a person in a shimmering dress sitting on a bar stool; the other was of a group in front of a neon sign, all with their arms around each other.

"Maybe it wouldn't've taken so long, if I'd had any help at all to start. Even if it was just a quiet place to stay," Vlad said, and bent down to pick Janis up. She stopped meowing as soon as he did, and he sort of slung her over his shoulder, a position which she seemed perfectly happy about. He smiled up at Hawk. "That's all."