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[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Ryder nodded, his eyes sweeping the street. The sun was setting now. Skaa made their way back to their crowded tenements, hurrying to be home before nightfall. Unlike most skaa, Ryder didn't fear the mists, but they did make him uncomfortable. He'd learn to get over that in his time as a thief, though. The night provided much-needed cover.

[echolight4eva]

"We should wait for complete nightfall," the man muttered.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Ryder nodded in agreement and leaned against the wall. He crossed his arms, his eyes still trained on the house down the street. He didn't speak, just waited.

[echolight4eva]

Soon enough, night had fallen. There were a few guards around, but they were easily avoided. "Come on. We should do some reconnaissance before you decide to attack."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Ryder just gave a small nod and strode forward. The mists were already out in force, swirling as Ryder walked through them. He walked with confidence, ignoring the deep-buried instinct to flee inside. Even after all these years, the mists still creeped him out.

[echolight4eva]

The man followed and looked around, his eyes narrowed. "See? Not very well protected."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Ryder nodded slowly. "Easy to infiltrate. I want a plan first, though. Best case scenario, Theon Venture ends up dead." His voice was hard as he spoke. A year ago, he never would have thought of killing someone. He was a thief, not a murderer. The pits had changed him, though, and now he wouldn't blink at putting a knife in that noble's chest. "We need his routine. When will he be home, and least suspecting? We need to catch him off guard."

[echolight4eva]

The man stroked his chin. "I suspect he won't be returning to the Pits for a while, so we can stake out and watch him. I don't know everything about him, really. Just the basics."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Ryder watched the street for a second longer before looking over at him. "You still have good contacts? A Tineye, in a particular. We need someone to scout."

[echolight4eva]

"Of course," he said with a touch of mock surprise. "I'm hurt you would even doubt me. But it'll take me a day, maybe more, to find her. She's elusive, and she recently joined a crew."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Ryder nodded, an almost absent look in his eyes. Eventually, his expression seemed to focus. "Good. I think I've seen what I need to for tonight. Contact your Tineye. We'll go from there."

[echolight4eva]

The man nodded and led the way back.

A few days later, there was a knock on the door. The man got up and answered it. "Ah, Alicia. You're here. Come in." The darkly-clad woman strode into the house without a word.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Ryder glanced up as she entered, studying her with a critical eye. The young man looked much better than he had when he first arrived in Luthadel; he looked stronger, not to mention cleaner. It felt good to not be covered in grime and sweat. Proper amounts of food and water had done him well, too, and the light he thought had been extinguished forever was slowly returning to his eyes. He was more like the man he once was, before he'd been captured.

But the Pits of Hathsin had changed him. The physical scars were there. He wore long sleeves to cover the white lines on his arms, but they were still visible on the backs of his hands and the part of his wrists that showed. There were scars on the inside too, though, scars as permanent and painful as his outward ones. These others might not be able to see, but Ryder knew they were there. He was a different man, for better or worse.

[echolight4eva]

The man had told Alicia what had happened and who Ryder was, and she felt he was a kindred spirit. She watched him quietly, then strode forward, still eerily silent. She pulled up her long sleeve on one arm and showed him. There were scars on her arms, as well.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Ryder was silent as he watched her, but a few seconds later he broke into a rueful smile. "Well, would you look at that. What are the odds?"