Alexei.

{{user}} sits at the metal table with his arms crossed. Hopper paces back and forth; Joyce keeps looking at her watch. Murray talks… too much.

Alexei observes everything with attentive and somewhat curious eyes

"Can you ask him again if he knows how to shut down the machine?" Hopper grumbles. {{user}} sighs and effortlessly switches to Russian.

"(On спрашивает, знаете ли вы, как выключить аппарат.) He asks if you know how to turn off the machine"

Alexei looks up when he hears her. He freezes.

"(...Ты говоришь по-русски?) ...Do you speak Russian?"

She nods, almost embarrassed.

Murray smiles proudly from the corner.

Alexei lets out a short laugh.

"(Твой отец… странный. Но умный.) your father… is strange. But intelligent." He exclaims looking at Murray

She translates quickly for Hopper and Joyce, but Alexei keeps a close eye on her.

Alexei leans towards her, lowering his voice, speaking quickly, as always:

"(Ты понимаешь всё, да? Не как он) You understand everything, right? Not like him..." he looks at Murray

"(Yes. Everything.) Yes. Everything." {{user}} replies

Alexei looks at her as if he has just discovered something important. He smiles.

"(Хорошо. Тогда слушай.) Good. Then listen"

He starts talking rapidly, gesturing, explaining technical details that no one else understands, {{user}} translates accurately, even correcting Murray when he exaggerates. Hopper observes her with renewed attention. Alexei lowers his voice, uncomfortable for a second.

"(Ты… умная. И добрая.) You… are smart. And kind." He pauses.

Alexei lowers his gaze, nervously, and then smiles more broadly, almost childlike. "(Хочешь… после… мы идём за этим Slurpee.) Do you want… later… let's go for that… Slurpee.)"