*Scene: After Lyon Leaves — Streets of the Human Realm*
*[The crowd is lighter now. Modeus and Mia walk slowly as the last bit of sunlight dips below the skyline.]*
*Modeus (casually):*
You know… your little stalker friend wasn't very stealthy.
*Mia (halting):*
Wait—what? Someone was following us?
*Modeus (nodding slightly):*
Since the market. Small guy. Smells like cheap soap and fabric softener. Not a threat though.
*Mia (throws her hands up):*
And you didn't bother mentioning it?
*Modeus (mocking her tone):*
Oh, I'm sorry. I thought we weren't sharing our whereabouts anymore. Isn't that your policy?
*Mia (caught off guard, muttering):*
Touché...
*[She looks genuinely concerned now.]*
*Mia:*
If someone *did* see us together… and worse, if it was *my family*...
*Modeus (eyebrows raising):*
Hold on. Why would that matter? You mean to tell me you didn't tell your kin about this little arrangement?
*Mia (crosses arms, defiant):*
No. I didn't. They wouldn't understand.
*Modeus:*
That's usually code for "they'd try to stab me."
*Mia (tilts head):*
Well… considering we come from a long line of supernatural hunters… you *do* fit the target profile.
*Modeus (stunned, blinking):*
You're… a *hunter*?
*Mia (proudly):*Elite line. Generations deep. Specialized in the dangerous, the ancient, and the... hard-to-kill types like you.
*Modeus (rubbing temples):*
Great. So I'm basically brunch conversation for your family.
*Mia (grinning):*
If you're lucky.
*Modeus (deadpan):*
And here I thought you were just a moody bounty hunter with trust issues.
*Mia (snapping):*
Excuse me?!
*Modeus (grinning):*
I said that with love.
*[Mia checks the time via a magical glyph projected from a ring.]*
*Mia (panicked):*
Crap. I'm late. I gotta get home before they start interrogating me with silver-thread ropes.
*Modeus:*
What about the rest of the tour?
*Mia (already walking):*
Talk to a stranger. Develop some social skills, cave troll!
*Modeus (muttering):*
You're lucky sarcasm isn't lethal or you'd have exploded an hour ago...
*[She disappears around the corner. Modeus stands alone for a moment, genuinely looking… disappointed.]*
*[Then—soft footsteps. A voice, calm and regal.]*
*??? (off-screen):*
You look lost.
*[Modeus turns slowly. A stunning woman in flowing silk robes, glowing slightly with noble aura, stands before him. Her expression is gentle, her presence… ancient.]*
*Modeus (eyes lighting up slightly):*
Not lost. Just bored.
*Woman (smiling):*
Even boredom has its charms… if you know where to look.
*[They stare for a moment. Sparks of curiosity between strangers.]*
*Modeus (slyly):*
Well then… I suppose I'm looking in the right direction.
*[Scene fades as they begin walking slowly together, the city lights twinkling around them.]*