taras_oleksei: (Default)
taras_oleksei ([personal profile] taras_oleksei) wrote2009-01-19 02:07 am

Checking in

Taras paused in front of Liadov's office.

He was on his way back from the gym, after a good, hard workout. He wore his black tank and a pair of loose pants, and had a towel draped around his neck.

He'd gotten some stares and sidelong glances in the gym, soldiers who eyed his tattoos. Taras supposed that the worst ones were covered, but even just his bare arms and shoulders were enough to hint at his criminal resume, especially the barbed wire around his biceps, and snake and dagger on his forearm. Those said enough.

Taras hadn't been intending show any overt sign that he'd been up north, not in front of civilized people, but after the scene between Lasha and Liadov in the mess hall that morning, he figured the soldiers needed to see that the Ministry employed more than fancy pricks whose idea of fighting was rubbing up against a wall and grabbing each other's arms. And besides, all that whispering had been a little queer.

He felt good. Energized, muscles thrumming with energy to spare. It had been a while since he'd had a proper workout. Not since before he'd arrived. He'd hit the weights and kettlebells, and done some calisthenics. Now he could have a shower and a snack, and call it a night.

Taras eyed Liadov's door.

The fucker was probably gone by now, off to mess, off to bed, whatever he did when he wasn't stalking through the halls and pounding on people's doors. Maybe at the pathologist's lab. But then again, Liadov worked some strange hours.

Taras couldn't hear anything in particular beyond the door. He stood there for a few more moments, wondering if he should just break in again, but there was no point if no one was inside. He was about to turn away when he heard a noise.

It was soft, but had the particular ring of struck glass. Taras frowned. He hesitated for another moment, then knocked on the door, not loud, but polite.

[identity profile] nikanor-liadov.livejournal.com 2009-01-19 08:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Nika paused, looking up.

The ice in his glass clinked softly as he raised it to his lips.

The visitor could be anyone; most likely Polya remembering some detail, or Aryol admonishing him for working late yet again, come to drag him home to his quarters.

Though it would have been a little early for them to cross paths; the Specialist was at the range tonight late himself, Liadov knew.

He was about to call out that it was open, when he realized he had locked the door.

Glass in hand, he crossed to the threshhold and turned the latch, pulling the door open.

He saw that it was Oleksei who stood there, boldly out of uniform, straight from the gym by all appearances. Nika's surprise did not register, except as a faint flicker behind his eyes.

"Evening," Nika said politely, taking a mild sip. "What can I do for you, Captain?"