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(day after escape)
It took a few hours for him to reach the small, abandoned village where he had met with Zeresh the first time. The sun was beginning to reach the horizon by this time. He paused at the edge of the houses and looked around. It looked much the same as it had back then. He didn’t know if Zeresh would be anywhere nearby so he decided to build a fire. He went out into the forest and began to gather loose sticks and dead branches. He dragged many of them back to the far house where he had first met her. After some time, he had a fire going. The light of the flames glistened and seemed to dance around the house. The warmth felt good on his bare face. As he sat, staring at the flames, he couldn’t help but let his mind wander back to Ritza.

So much chaos had been occuring at her home. Apparently a milk face had been taken in, and everyone was fussing over him. Zeresh didn't like the noise at all and decided to go back to the village. It had been some time since she had seen Ryker, but she never gave up hope that she would again. She hadn't mentioned anything about the soldier to her group as she wanted to keep him all to herself.

As she ventured down the path, she noticed what looked like fire in what she considered was their house. Her eyes widened as she beamed before quickly clapping her hands. She had to make sure it was her milk face first. Slowly walking over to the house, she whispered. [Color=powderblue]”Ry?”[/color]

Ryker had been lost in thought when a quiet voice caught his attention. His head shot up and he looked around. The fire had temporarily blinded him and it took him a moment for his eyes to adjust to his darker surroundings. [color=slategray]”Zeresh? Is that you?”[/color]

It was him! Hurrying over to the fire, she grinned happily when she saw him. Zeresh didn't want to waste a single moment. As soon as she reached him, she lunged herself at him and wrapped him in a tight hug. [Color=powderblue]”You came back!”[/color]

Ryker almost fell over backwards at her sudden and rather rough hug. He held himself up and grinned, wrapping his own arms around her. [color=slategray]”Of course I came back. I had to come see you,”[/color] he replied, ruffling her hair lightly.

[color=slategray]”I know it’s been awhile. I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner but I’ve been busy. How are you?”[/color]

Something was different about him. She pulled back and tilted her head as she looked him over. He was...happy? A lot less brooding than before. Zeresh scrunched her nose at him. [Color=powderblue]”You're happy. What happened?”[/color]

Ryker laughed quietly at her question. It was a good question. He knew the last time he met with her he was much more serious and concerned. Then again, he also met her looking for whomever or whatever killed all of the villagers. He had been on edge and with a group of other vanguards. This time, he was alone.

[color=slategray]”Oh, you know. I just made a friend like me again.”[/color] The was the simplest way he could think of to put it. Obviously he wasn’t going to flat out say he had just had sex. Twice. He wasn’t sure if she even knew what that meant.

[color=slategray]”What about you? Are you happy?”[/color] he asked, changing the subject.

That was good enough for her. Clapping her hands, she beamed at him. Before she caught his question. She scrunched her nose before looking back at the fire. Tilting her head, her focus was entirely on the flames licking the air. [Color=powderblue]”Pretty…”[/color]

Zeresh moved closer to the fire, completely entranced by it. They had fires back home, but she was never able to get this close to one. Her eyes danced with the flames as she spoke to him. [Color=powderblue]”Happy now. Ry is back with Zeresh. Too much noise at home.”[/color]

Ryker watched her as she drew closer to the fire. He felt a knee-jerk reaction to grab her and hold her back so she wouldn’t hurt herself, but he also knew she was technically an adult. [color=slategray]”Careful,”[/color] he warned instead. [color=slategray]”It’s very pretty but if you get too close, it hurts. A lot.”[/color]

He watched her fondly. She reminded him of a little kid and it made him feel almost father-like. That probably said something about him, but he wasn’t 
concerned by it at the moment. [color=slategray]”Zeresh, I need to ask you a question. It’s very important.”[/color] He paused and waited until he had her attention.

She couldn't help a giggle at his statement. Nothing could hurt her. Though, she [I]could[/I] feel pain. That didn't sound very fun to her at all. Zeresh didn't like being in pain.

[Color=powderblue]”A question?”[/color] Her attention quickly turned back to him. Looking him over, she nodded quickly before hurrying back to his side. She grabbed his hand and looked up into his face. [Color=powderblue]”You can ask your important question. Zeresh knows a lot. A lot, a lot.”[/color]

Ryker’s face became rather serious now, wanting to get through the fact that what he was asking was actually very important to him. [color=slategray]”Have your people….your family found any milk faces like me recently? One of my friends is missing and I need to find him.”[/color]

She blinked at him in question. The milk face was his friend? But he said he was missing. With a quick grin, she reached up to touch the worry lines on his face. [Color=powderblue]”No sad. Happy, Ry! Milk face is at home. Zeresh's home. Not missing. Mother took him!”[/color]

Ryker blinked a few times. Could it be Fenros she was talking about? [color=slategray]”He’s at your home? Can I see him?”[/color] He knew it was probably unlikely that he would allowed to just waltz into the Ouroboros home, but maybe if she escorted him...He could always hope.

Could he see him? She tilted her head in thought. Mother would not approve, especially since she was going to beckon the female milk face to their home that very night. Zeresh let out a breath and frowned. [Color=powderblue]”Not good time. Not today. Mother bringing another milk face to our home. A girl.”[/color]

Remembering something else, she grinned at him. [Color=powderblue]”Ry knows girl! Girl is soldier, like Ry.”[/color]

Ritza? It had to be her. She was the only female member of the vanguard and she had said she was contacted. So it must have been their leader that spoke to her. He smiled at Zeresh and nodded his head. [color=slategray]”Yes, I do know her. She is my friend. My very good friend.”[/color] He couldn’t help but smirk a little at his own comment. [color=slategray]”Do you think your mother would let me come with her? I want to see my friend. I have to make sure he’s okay.”[/color]

Watching him, she tilted her head even more. At least he was friends with the girl. If she was his very good friend, then she would be Zeresh's friend too. Should she tell him what she overhead? As she thought, she wrung her hands together.

[Color=powderblue]”I..I don't know...mother doesn't know that I know…”[/color] She frowned at him. [Color=powderblue]”Girl soldier is being tested.”[/color]

[color=slategray]”Tested?”[/color] He raised an eyebrow in question. [color=slategray]”Tested for what?”[/color] His mind wandered. He didn’t know enough about the Ouroboros to know what she was talking about. Was she being tested to see if she was strong enough to become one of them? He wasn’t sure, but he suddenly felt very protective. If she was going, he was going to come with her, others be damned.

Zeresh quickly shrugged her shoulders. She was growing agitated with these questions. Thunder soon rumbled in the sky as she began to rock her body back and forth. [Color=powderblue]”I..I don't know...mother is going to use girl soldier...going to fight...she needs to be strong and powerful..”[/color]

Ryker could tell by her body language that she didn’t want to talk serious anymore. He had more questions but he had a feeling that she wouldn’t be able to answer him anyway. He smiled again and hugged her, squeezing her against himself. [color=slategray]”Thank you. I feel better knowing where my friend is.”[/color]

He gazed into the burning fire only a few feet away. While he was relieved knowing the general whereabouts of Fenros, he couldn’t help but worry about Ritza. What in the world were they planning on doing to her? She was already strong but the idea that she needed to be stronger worried him greatly. It didn’t sound good.

He broke away from hugging her to look her in the eyes. His eyes widened suddenly at a realization. [color=slategray]”Oh no, I forgot to bring you a present. I’m so sorry...I will bring you something next time I see you, I promise. Something really good.”[/color]

As he hugged her, she started to calm and the clouds cleared out of the sky. She sighed and leaned against him as she looked once more at the fire. Suddenly, her attention was diverted by the thought of presents. Her eyes widened and she looked up at him. [Color=powderblue]”Present? Oh! Pretty baby!”[/color]

She beamed and nodded her head with enthusiasm. [Color=powderblue]”Yes. Pretty, pretty babies. I like pretty babies. Girl soldier can bring me pretty babies too!”[/color]

Ryker laughed quietly. He wasn’t sure how Ritza would respond to this girl wanting presents. It didn’t matter, though, he would go out and buy enough for both of them when he got back. He owed her since he had rushed to see her and forgotten to bring one. He brought his hand up and patted her head lightly, ruffling up her hair a little bit. [color=slategray]”I’ll talk to her when I get home. What is your favorite color?”[/color]

She continued to beam up at him before her stomach started to rumble. Scrunching her nose, she put a hand on her belly. [Color=powderblue]”Blue...blue is pretty…”[/color]

Looking around, she sighed in disappointment. She was so hungry that even Ryker started to smell delicious. But, she wouldn't do that. Ryker was her friend. Zeresh frowned. [Color=powderblue]”Tummy hungry...very, very, very hungry..”[/color]

This was an interesting situation. He knew what she normally ate and he wasn’t willing to help her with that. But maybe she would be willing to try something new. [color=slategray]”If you want, I can try and find you a nice, juicy rabbit and cook it for you. I know that’s probably new to you but I like to think of myself as a good cook.”[/color]

Zeresh blinked over at him. A rabbit. A rabbit wouldn't give her anything besides temporary nourishment. How dull. With a quick shake of her head, she pat his chest with her left hand. [Color=powderblue]”No, no. I'll go find. Ry should go home now. Hungry Ouroboros are around.”[/color]

Her last statement was a little off-putting but he nodded and gave her another hug. [color=slategray]”Okay. Be careful out there. I will see you soon with presents this time.”[/color]

She giggled at him as she hugged him back. [Color=powderblue]”Silly, Ry. I'm immortal. Ry needs to be careful out there, not Zeresh.”[/color] Clapping her hands together, she nodded. [Color=powderblue]”Go, go. Mother should be getting girl soldier soon.”[/color]

Ryker nodded and got to his feet. He stomped out the fire and began on his way back to the city. It was getting dark as he walked. He would have to hurry if he wanted to get a doll for Zeresh before the market stalls all closed. He picked up his pace.