ωнєη тнє ιмρσѕѕιвℓє кєєρѕ уσυ нσℓ∂ιηg ση

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

It wouldn't have been Ryder's first choice, but honestly he didn't have a whole lot of options. He nodded in thanks as he fell into step beside the other man. "I have to say, for a second I was worried the message wouldn't reach you. It seems that you're as efficient as ever."

[echolight4eva]

"I'm offended," he replied with a grin. "Of course I'm efficient. I pride myself on that."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Ryder grunted. After a pause, a pensive look crossed his face. "What do you know about a nobleman named Theon? I don't know his house."

[echolight4eva]

He paused. "Venture. Rumor has it, he is older than our own sweet Nazeal, who is the heir. He was disowned by his father, and I also heard he tried to rape that girl, what was her name? I can't recall."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Ryder, of course, had no idea of this incident. Prisoners at the Pits of Hathsin didn't get much outside news. It didn't surprise him, though, that Theon had tried to rape a girl. He seemed the type. "I think my next job will be to rob him," he said, an amused note to his voice. "He deserves it."

[echolight4eva]

He chuckled. "Probably. I can show you his home later, if you want. No doubt he went there."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Ryder grinned. It felt good to be back in the city, back among old friends. If they could be called that. "That sounds good. First, can we get a meal? I'm absolutely starving."

[echolight4eva]

"Right. Of course. I have something at my place." They walked a few more blocks into the deeper part of the city before coming to a rundown little shanty town. The man walked past the starving skaa and into a small house at the edge. "Here we are. Grab what you want from the kitchen."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Ryder nodded and made his way toward the kitchen. He glanced around after entering, then grabbed some dried meat and a few fresh rolls that sat on the counter. After his long trek through the mountains, he felt like he could eat a horse, but long weeks of being half-starved would make his stomach less accepting of real food. He'd have to take it slow.

[echolight4eva]

The other man had settled in a plush, though dusty armchair, crossing his leg over the other. "Now, how do you want to get back at Theon Venture? And why, if I may be so bold to ask?"

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

"Because he's a pompous ass," Ryder replied as he took a seat in the chair across from him. "More so than most nobles I've met, if that's even possible. He's a guard at the Pits... well, that right there is enough for me to want to get back at him."

[echolight4eva]

"And I suppose he singled you out specifically a few times? Why did you come back to the city, anyways?"

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

"Multiple reasons, I guess," Ryder said. "One, it was the closest civilization. I didn't have much of a choice if I wanted to survive. Two, this is my home. It's crowded and ugly and dangerous, but it's still home." He tapped his fingers against the arm of the chair and sighed. Could he even get back to his old life? Theon would tell the Garrison and the Ministry he was back in the city, and they wouldn't stop until they found him.

[echolight4eva]

"Ah. So you escaped from the Pits, eh? Good going, there," he said with a laugh. He sighed, though, and his smile disappeared. "So, I suppose we could burglarize Theon."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Ryder gritted his teeth, his eyes turning cold. "Yeah. And maybe I'll kill him while I'm at it." He paused and gave a cruel laugh. "Hell, maybe death is more than he deserves."