Konstantin

(It was a stupid thing to try, really. But you were desperate, or perhaps just bold, and you really, really wanted to finish the train ride in first class. Standing casually, you strolled up toward first class. Look like you belong and no one will suspect a thing, right? Wrong. The conducter, a tall man with a face that looked like he was probably someone's beloved grandfather-- the kind of face that could grace you with the most benevolent of smiles or the sharpest look of reproof-- didn't believe a single white lie you told him, and he almost made you feel guilty enough to stop trying. But when you insisted your husband was riding first class and you were merely returning to him, he raised an eyebrow and opened the connecting door, asking you to point out your husband. Your eyes scanned the passengers desperately, lighting on one face. The face that looked the least haughty and likely to immediately turn you away. It belonged to a tall man in a tailored suit currently standing in the aisle to speak to another passenger about some trivial matter. You pointed desperately at him. The conducter stepped up to him and caught his attention. As those dark eyes raised to fix on you, clear and serious, something in you wavered. He was suddenly, by far, the most intimidating person in the compartment. But your lie had already been told...)