*EXT. CITY STREETS – FLASHBACK – EARLY AFTERNOON*
*MIA is walking ahead, arms crossed, visibly fuming. MODEUS trails behind, hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable—somewhere between bored and bemused.*
*MIA (grumbling to herself):*
"…Stupid ancient man with stupid smug face thinking he's so—ugh."
*Suddenly, she halts in her tracks.*
*MODEUS stops too, raising a brow. She looks around slowly, her senses twitching like a hunter's instinct kicking in. Her eyes narrow.*
*MIA (half-turning to him, sharply):*
"Wait here."
*MODEUS (monotone):*
"I've heard that one before. Should I hold my breath too?"
*MIA (already walking away):*
"Just. Stay. Put."
*MODEUS (under his breath):*
"You sound like my little sister. And she owns a basilisk."
*Mia vanishes down the alley. Modeus stands alone in the sunlight-drenched street, surrounded by the murmurs of passing humans. He looks around… bored.*
*MODEUS (sighs):*
"And here I thought I escaped the palace for freedom, not for following women's angry instructions."
*He glances at a pigeon pecking the ground nearby. It looks up. He stares. It stares.*
*MODEUS (to pigeon):*
"What? You want to give me a side quest too?"*The pigeon flies away. Modeus sighs, stretching his neck with a soft crack. He leans on a lamppost. Minutes pass. Then more.*
*MODEUS (checking the position of the sun):*
"…She said wait. She didn't say how long. Is this part of the tour? Hunter trial of patience?"
*He starts pacing. Passersby ignore him. A bard starts singing nearby, terribly off-key.*
*MODEUS (dry):*
"Kill me."
*Suddenly, in the distance, he hears faint music. A trumpet. Laughter. The distinct roar of a crowd. His ears twitch.*
*MODEUS (eyes lighting up faintly):*
"Oh? A stage play?"
*He vanishes in a *blink*, shadow slipping upward—*
*EXT. CITY – ROOFTOP – MINUTES LATER*
*Modeus appears atop a building, crouched like a gargoyle with a view of the square where the stage play is taking place. His eyes flicker with amusement. Humans dancing, acting, falling over in exaggerated comedy.*
*MODEUS (chuckling faintly):*
"...Humans and their tiny tales. So loud, so fragile… yet somehow more entertaining than palace politics."
*He rests his chin on his palm, watching, lost in the spectacle—*
*CUT TO PRESENT TIMELINE, CONTINUING…*
*MIA glaring up from the street across, demanding he come down.*
*MODEUS (narrating internally):*
"…And now the hunter returns. Perhaps Act II begins."
*FADE OUT.**Scene Continues — Street Below the Stage Play Balcony*
*[Mia crosses her arms, glaring slightly as Modeus approaches from the alleyway.]*
*Modeus (dry tone):*
Where did you go?
*Mia (shrugging, eyes rolling):*
I dunno... wandered off... it's not like I'm leashed to you or anything.
*Modeus (brow twitching):*
So… no explanation?
*Mia (smirking):*
Oh, I'm sorry—did I miss the part where I report to ancient beings?
*Modeus (flatly):*
So this is what humans call "companion hospitality"?
*Mia (tilting her head, sarcastically):*
Oh, I'm sorry, did you expect a red carpet and foot massages too?
*Modeus (deadpan):*
I expected mild amusement. Instead, I've received frostbite.
*Mia (raising an eyebrow):*
So what now? You gonna smite me with cosmic disappointment?
*Modeus (half turning):*
We can just call it a day. End your little tour. Perhaps I'll go study rocks. They show more warmth.
*Mia (genuinely surprised):*
Wait, wait—you're actually *fed up*? I thought you were the "stoic ancient with endless patience" type?
*Modeus (calmly):*
My patience is eternal. My boredom, however… is violent.
*Mia (a little guilty, muttering):*
Maybe you're just overly dramatic.
*Modeus (smirking):*
And maybe you're allergic to fun.*Mia (rolling her eyes, teasing):*
You know what? I *was* going to apologize, but now I think I'll just curse your shoes to squeak forever.
*Modeus (pretending to be horrified):*
You monster.
*[They both pause, realizing they're having fun again.]*
*Mia (playfully nudging him):*
Alright, alright. Sorry. I guess I've been... tense.
*Modeus (pretending to write in the air):*
Historic moment: The hunter apologized.
*[Up above, on the building across, Lyon lies flat on his stomach, binoculars in hand.]*
*Lyon (groaning):*
This is the most *painfully* awkward flirtation I've ever witnessed… and I once watched Uncle Thomas woo a banshee. At least she screamed less.
*[He sits up, stretching.]*
*Lyon (thinking aloud):*
Maybe he ain't the threat. I mean, she's not dead. She's *smiling*, for abyss' sake.
*[He sighs, looking down the city.]*
*Lyon:*
Alright, time to head back and let them know Mia's in a situationship with a probable apocalypse.
*[Scene cuts to black with a soft comedic tone.]**Scene Continues – After Lyon Leaves the Rooftop*
*[Mia and Modeus walk side by side, silence briefly falling again after their sarcastic exchange. The crowd is bustling around them, unaware of who walks among them.]*
*Modeus (glancing at her):*
So… does this mean I'm amusing again?
*Mia (pretending to think):*
Hmm… you're somewhere between mildly tolerable and dangerously insufferable.
*Modeus (smirking):*
I'll take that as progress. By human standards, that's practically love.
*Mia (snorts):*
Keep dreaming, ancient one. You've got centuries of charm training to catch up on.
*Modeus:*
If I started now, I might just be ready by your next reincarnation.
*[They pass a street performer juggling fire. Modeus watches for a second, unimpressed.]*
*Modeus:*
This realm has always had an obsession with throwing flaming objects for applause.
*Mia (grinning):*
Well, if you lit yourself on fire and danced, I'd probably applaud too.
*Modeus (stoic):*
Noted. Next time I'm bored, spontaneous combustion it is.
*Mia:*
Just don't expect a standing ovation if your robes catch fire.
*[They continue walking, the banter growing more comfortable now. Modeus suddenly stops at a bakery stall.]*
*Modeus:*
What's that?
*Mia (turns):*
Oh that? That's cinnamon rolls.*Modeus (tilts head):*
They resemble cursed scrolls.
*Mia (grabs one and shoves it into his hand):*
Eat it. If you explode, I'll just say it was a demon pastry trap.
*[Modeus takes a bite. His expression doesn't change, but he chews slowly.]*
*Modeus:*
...Acceptable.
*Mia (laughing softly):*
Wow. A whole compliment. Should I alert the Council?
*Modeus (dryly):*
Do so, but only after you answer one of your own three questions.
*Mia (winks):*
Not wasting it on cinnamon roll reviews.
*[They walk off again, casually now, passing through the lively streets as the city glows in twilight.]*
*[Cut to Lyon stealth-gliding across rooftops on his way out.]*
*Lyon (muttering to himself):*
She's got him eating pastries and trading banter like they're dating… either Mia's gone rogue or she's accidentally charming the apocalypse.
*[He leaps from roof to roof.]*
*Lyon:*
Gotta report this before she gets him to try ice cream... then we're *all* doomed.
*[Scene fades out with a soft hum of city life and the last line hanging like a joke with a dangerous edges