[ Ah, Kim thinks to himself, immediately regretting his inclination to get involved. He's found another one who's convinced that the city is speaking to him. There's no doubt in Kim's mind that whatever drugs those strange creatures had the stranger try, they've got him on the good stuff. In a manner of speaking. Kim wouldn't consider it good by any stretch of the imagination, but he has an above-average attachment to remaining in control of all of his faculties. ]

I can hear you, certainly, [ he says, tone level and reassuring even as he wonders if he ought to be offended by the unknown word the man calls him. ] You can tell me all about where the city wants you to go in a moment. I'd like to take stock of what that drug's done to you first.

[ He lifts a hand, as though to reach out to Artemy, but doesn't touch him yet. ]

Is that all right?

[ Kim has a long history of getting punched by people who are, colloquially speaking, tripping balls, and has since learned that immediately manhandling drugged up strangers is a good way of getting punched. Not that the man seems particularly aggressive at the moment. On the contrary, talks of being accepted by another world, of another city, reeks of a certain sense of euphoria. ]