*INT. CITY CARRIAGE – AFTERNOON*
*The carriage bumps gently through the cobbled city streets. Inside, a tense, almost comically awkward silence hangs between *MIA* and *MODEUS*. He's leaning slightly towards the window, his expression blank, absorbing the sights outside like a timeless sculpture. Mia, sitting with arms crossed, is visibly twitching with impatience.*
*MIA (trying to break the ice):*
"So… do you always act like a tourist who's never seen sunlight before? Or is this just your caveman arc?"
*Modeus doesn't flinch. Doesn't blink. Doesn't even breathe differently.*
*MIA (mutters):*
"Wow. Statues have better social skills."
*She glares at him sideways. Still no response.*
*MIA (annoyed, raises her voice):*
"Helloooooo?! Anyone home behind that ancient skull of yours??"
*Still nothing. She huffs, folds her arms tighter.*
*MIA (grumbles):*
"If I knew I'd be giving a tour to a brick wall I'd have brought a hammer."
*Still looking out the window, Modeus finally opens his mouth—*
*MODEUS (flatly):*
"You assume a lot, little hunter."
*She flinches. Surprised. Then glares.*
*MIA:*
"Oh so you do speak."
*She reaches out and taps his shoulder—hard. He turns to face her with slow precision. His cold, piercing stare hits her like ice water.**MODEUS (low, serious tone):*
"Don't. Touch. Me."
*Mia's bravado cracks. For the first time, she looks genuinely startled, even a bit afraid. The air in the carriage feels heavier. The world seems to pause.*
*And then—*
*MODEUS (suddenly smirks):*
"You should've seen your face."
*He lets out a deep chuckle, calm and amused. Mia blinks, realizing he was messing with her. Her expression shifts from shock to furious pouting.*
*MIA (pouting):*
"Jerk."
*MODEUS (teasing):*
"Oh come now. You set the tone."
*He grins again, but Mia isn't having it. She turns her face to the other side, dramatically folding her arms. He blinks, confused.*
*MODEUS:*
"Wait… was that… sulking?"
*Mia stays silent. Modeus leans in slightly, studying her.*
*MODEUS (apologetic-ish):*
"I didn't mean to actually scare you. I just thought it would be—"
*Mia suddenly yells to the driver—*
*MIA:*
"Stop the carriage."
*The carriage stops. She steps out quickly, slamming the door behind her. She pays the driver. Modeus stumbles out, now looking completely lost.*
*MODEUS:*
"What did I—? Are you—?"
*Mia storms off down the street, still pouting.*
*MODEUS (frustrated):*
"Humans are exhausting."
*He pauses. Then smirks to himself. He lifts a hand—and with a snap—*
*WHOOSH.**Time freezes. Every pedestrian in the bustling street halts mid-step. Birds are caught mid-flight. A man pouring tea is frozen with the stream hanging in mid-air. Total silence.*
*Mia pauses, looks around in horror.*
*MIA:*
"What the—?!"
*MODEUS (arms crossed):*
"Now I got your attention?"
*Mia spins, furious.*
*MIA:*
"Are you insane?! Unfreeze them!"
*MODEUS (playfully smug):*
"Only if you stop walking away from me like I committed a fashion crime."
*MIA (exasperated):*
"I regret agreeing to this tour."
*MODEUS:*
"I don't. Your pouting is strangely entertaining."
*Mia groans. He snaps again. The street jolts back into motion as if nothing happened.*
*CUT TO:*
*EXT. CONSTANTINE CASTLE – ROOFTOPS – CONTINUOUS*
*LYON, Mia's stealthy younger brother, is leaping effortlessly across towers and rooftops, tracking her movement. He skids to a halt, watching from above as the time freeze spell takes effect below.*
*His body suddenly trembles—his limbs lock. His eyes widen.*
*LYON (thinking):*
"What… is this?!"
*A swirl of strange blue static-like energy surrounds him. He's frozen mid-leap. Everything around him halts.*
*Moments pass…*
*And then—SNAP! He jerks back into motion, gasping for air, landing on the edge of a roof with a thud.*
*LYON (breathing hard):*
"What the heck was THAT?!"
*He glances down at the street, sees Modeus and Mia walking again, now bickering casually.*
*LYON (thinking, eyes narrowing):*
"That guy… is way worse than we thought. I'm getting closer."
*FADE OUT.*