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(day after escape)
Ryker came to the marketplace as many stalls were closing for the night. He bit his lip, wondering where to go. He had never had to buy anything like this before. He wandered around until a small group of dolls caught his eye. There were a few cheaper ones, looking like they were made of dried straw of some kind. Then there were the fancier ones. They had knit bodies stuffed with something soft and less clumpy than the others. He found one with a frilly, blue dress and picked it up. [color=slategray]”How much?”[/color]

Ryker made his way back to the guard barracks with a small, cloth bag. He had purchased the doll from the marketplace and he had found a few candies too. He wasn’t sure if she would care for them, but he would give it a try anyway. He stopped by Ritza’s room and knocked on the door to see if she was there.

She hated having to wait around to be beckoned. Ritza purposely stayed away from Elle's quarters, knowing that she didn't want to be part of a crying fest. She loved the girl like family, but she knew to keep her distance now. Instead, she decided to have a bath. One very good plus from not living with a man.

Having just stepped out when she heard a knock on the door, she rose a brow at it. She cleared her throat and wrapped her wool sheet around her body. Her hair was still wet and dripping when she opened her door. Seeing Ryker, she rose a brow and smirked. [Color=red]”So. I see you didn't get eaten.”[/color]

[color=slategray]”Not yet,”[/color] he joked. [color=slategray]”Can I come in? I have news.”[/color] His eyes slowly dropped to her covered chest, reminiscing on their earlier experiences. He stared momentarily before bringing his eyes back up to meet hers.

Her smirk broadened when she noticed his gaze. She stole a quick peek to the hallway before moving away from the door, leaving it open. Ritza moved to her bed, far enough away from the door, before dropping her sheet.

Ryker stepped inside and closed the door behind him. He turned to speak to her but stopped when he saw her towel drop. He smiled at the sight, not bothering to hide his stare if she were to look. [color=slategray]”You were right in assuming the Ouroboros have Fenros. I’m not sure exactly where but they do have him. And it sounds like they’re planning on calling on you for testing.”[/color] He let his eyes linger on her body for a moment longer before looking back up to her face. [color=slategray]”I couldn’t figure out what kind of testing she meant, but it sounds like they want to use you for your strength and prowess in battle.”[/color]

Turning to face him, she put her hands on her hips and tilted her head. She listened to him as he spoke, not minding that she still had water dripping down. Ritza did notice the 'she’ and she raised a brow in question. Regarding the testing, she wasn't really worried about that. The woman had mentioned that to her last night.

Her eyes caught sight of the bag he was holding and her brows furrowed slightly. So. He had made a purchase of some kind? For the female ouroboros, perhaps? Walking slowly over to him, she kept her eyes on him. [Color=red]”Your contact is a woman?”[/color]

He struggled to keep his eyes on her face as she approached. [color=slategray]”Technically, yes. But she acts like a child,”[/color] he said with a shrug. [color=slategray]”She might as well be a kid. I don’t know what happens to them but she doesn’t seem to have all of her mental faculties. She took a liking to me, though, so she hasn’t tried to eat me yet.”[/color]

He noticed her looking at the bag in his hand, so he lifted it up and pulled the doll out. [color=slategray]”She requested a present for the next time I see her. She likes dolls so….”[/color] He shrugged. [color=slategray]”I also got her candies. I figure I should keep her happy so she doesn’t decide to eat me one of these days.”[/color]

Ritza nodded slightly as she took one final step to stand in front of him. Her eyes moved over the doll as she listened to him speak. Placing her hands on her hips, she looked back up at Ryker with a brow raised.

[Color=red]”So this girl got you to not only buy her a present, but sweets as well so that no harm were to come to you.”[/color] She smirked as she gave a small shake of her head. [Color=red]”I'd say she's one smart cookie.”[/color]

Ryker smiled at her as he placed the doll back into the bag. [color=slategray]”Kind of similar to you.”[/color] He took a step towards her, dropping the bag on the ground and placed his hands on her waist. [color=slategray]”I don’t know how you can expect me to concentrate when you’re standing there looking like that.”[/color] He let his hands runs along the sides of her body, tracing her curves, before leaning in and kissing her.

She gave him a small kiss in return before pulling back. Taking a step back, she grabbed the sheet and wrapped it around her body. Ritza eyed him before taking a seat on her bed. Holding the sheet closed with her left hand, she ran her free hand through her hair.

[Color=red]”I need to be ready when the woman calls for me. I'll need to go do this test or whatever the hell she wants so that we can get Fenros back.”[/color] Looking away, she glanced at the knives still sitting on her side table. [Color=red]”I don't share, Ryker.”[/color]

Ryker frowned when she began to cover herself. That wasn’t what he had intended with his comment. He shrugged it off and crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall. [color=slategray]”I want to come with you.”[/color] His tone changed to a more serious one. He knew she would have a hard time accepting help, but there was a lot of things he didn’t know about and he wanted to find out. Plus he didn’t entirely trust the Ouroboros just yet. He had only met the one and she was crazy.

Furrowing her brows, she looked back over to him. Who did he think he was? Just because she slept with him didn't automatically make her a damsel in distress. Ritza quickly stood as she watched him. [Color=red]”I don't need a babysitter, Ryker. This woman has some kind of plan for me, not you. If she wanted to harm me, she would have done so in that cell. I don't need you to protect me.”[/color]

He frowned at her, figuring he would get this type of response. [color=slategray]”Ritza...I know you can take care of yourself. I’ve seen you fight. I know you how strong you are. But I need to do this for me, too.”[/color] He had to admit to himself that he wanted to be there in case things went wrong, but he also needed to know more about the people he was betraying his king for. [color=slategray]”I don’t know why they chose you for this, but I’m sure they have their reasons. I just….I have to know I made the right choice.”[/color]

[Color=red]”The right choice?”[/color] With a small scoff, she shook her head and looked away from him. She needed to keep her emotions under control. It didn’t help that lately she felt as if she were a volcano, ready to explode with rage. Clenching her free hand into a fist, she looked back at him, tears welled in her eyes.

[color=red]”Look at me. Look at this person standing right in front of you.”[/color] Ritza kept her eyes on him, her own narrowed with tears threatening to spill. [color=red]”I used to be [i]happy[/i]. Now, most days, I have no fucking idea what that feels like anymore. Before..”[/color] She paused to clear her throat, trying her best to reign in a sob. [color=red]”Before that day six years ago, I had my whole life planned out. And apparently so did my father. Did you know Mattias asked for my hand in marriage? He asked, and my father accepted!”[/color]

Blowing out a breath, she shook her head. [color=red]”The me six years ago would have been ecstatic at such a match. I could, and would, have everything I ever wanted.”[/color] Ritza sniffled before she took a shaky breath. [color=red]”Now I’m a hollow shell. Working for someone that I loathe with every fiber of my being. This thing with the Ouroboros could potentially be dangerous for me. But I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I need to do this. I [i]know[/i] I made the right choice. He will pay for what he did to my life.”[/color]

Ryker watched her as she bared her soul to him. He stared, unblinking, his hard exterior slowly softening at her words. He couldn’t imagine what she had been through. Sure, he was there when her father died and had even broken the news to her. That was difficult enough for him, who had merely known him as a fellow member of the vanguard. What it must have been like for her…

Watching her as tears welled in her eyes, he was reminded of that day so many years ago. That was the last time he had seen her like this and she had never been the same. He felt a pain in his chest. He wanted to take it all away, turn back time, do something. He had always had a soft spot for crying people, women in particular. Even though he had barely spoken to her in six years, he felt somehow responsible for her state of mind.

[color=slategray]”Ritza, I…”[/color] he trailed off. What could he possibly say? Nothing. There was nothing he could say that would change anything. He felt helpless. It was the same feeling he had when Fenros was arrested. Normally he would start fighting, punching, swinging his sword, something to get the anger out, but this instance required something a little more delicate. Instead, he pushed himself away from the wall and back over to Ritza. In one quick movement, he scooped her into his arms, wrapping on around her upper back, his hand placed on the back of her head, the other around her waist. [color=slategray]”I’m sorry,”[/color] was all he could manage to say, his voice soft, barely audible.

Her body shook with unreleased sobs as she leaned her forehead against his shoulder. She absolutely hated this. Ritza had spent the last six years of her life building a tall enough wall so that she never had to feel the pain of losing her father all over again. And in one quick phrase, that wall came tumbling down. It was if she had just received the news at that very moment. 

It was too much for her to handle. She knew she had been a complete idiot to nearly fall for Fenros. She knew that he loved the princess, yet she let herself get close anyway. And in one fell swoop, he was gone from her life by the very same man who took her father from her. Only now, she could do something about it. [i]Would[/i] do something. 

And Mattias. She had no idea how to handle the news he broke to her. All she could associate him with was a happy time in her life with her father. She could picture her father breaking the news of her betrothal to her. He would have been so happy for his baby girl. The thought of him tore at her insides. Keeping Matt at a safe distance, at least for now, was all she could tolerate.

And then came Ryker. The only person she seemed to have no problem with being vulnerable around. Why was he able to pull a reaction like this from her? He had a hand in breaking the person she was six years ago. He would forever be associated with that in her mind. But, he was also the one that she felt safe enough around to tell her deepest, darkest secret to. Why was that? She didn’t need him. She didn’t need someone to protect her. And yet...she [i]wanted[/i] one. 

With a sniffle, she shook her head and lifted her forehead. She brought her free hand up to quickly swipe away the few tears that had escaped. Ritza cleared her throat as she looked away from him. She didn’t trust herself to look at his face just yet. [color=red]”Sorry...I didn’t mean- This isn’t who I am anymore. I’m not this helpless girl. I’m sorry.”[/color]

Ryker’s grip didn’t falter as she moved. He held tight around her, his chin resting lightly on her head. His eyes stared blankly at the wall behind them. [color=slategray]”Don’t be sorry,”[/color] he said quietly. He flexed his fingers in her hair, feeling the wet strands move about in between his fingers. He could feel a wet spot forming on his shirt from her hair, but he didn’t care. There wasn’t much he could do at this moment other than be there for her.

[color=slategray]”What can I do?”[/color] he spoke again after a long silence. [color=slategray]”Let me do something for you. What can I do? I won’t go with you to see the Ouroboros if that’s what you want. I’ll give you your space. I’ll….I’ll bring you the king to slaughter if that’s what you want. Just tell me what to do and I’ll do it.”[/color]

Her eyes squeezed shut when he began to speak. There wasn’t much he [i]could[/i] do for her. All she really wanted in this very moment was to have her father back. A want that would never be fulfilled. At his mention of the Ouroboros, she gave a small wet laugh. Ritza didn’t care if he came along with her. But then his next statement- his next statement had her body stiffen. He had just practically stated that he wasn’t sure about his choice to be disloyal to the king. And now he was offering him on a platter for her? This was about Ryker trying to right some wrong he thought he did. That’s what all this was about. He felt responsible.

Sobering up, she moved her head to look up into his face. Her face was tear-stained, yet hard as she watched him. [color=red]”Stop. Stop saying things you think I want to hear just because you think you’re [i]responsible[/i] for me. I’m not some mentally deluded little girl, Ryker. If you want me to kill the king because it’s what needs to be done and is the right thing to do, that’s something. But to mention it just to placate me…”[/color]

She shook her head and cleared her throat. [color=red]”I’m done with the king thinking he can just take away the people I care about. I can’t even begin to think about caring for someone else, ‘cause in some fucked up way I think that they will be his next target.”[/color] Ritza glanced back up at him. [color=red]”I don’t share. I don’t play games. The people I allow to be close to me are in danger. So the best thing for everyone involved is for me not to get close to anyone else.”[/color]

The way she switched moods so quickly threw him off momentarily, but he did his best to recover. He closed his eyes for a moment, gathering his thoughts. When he opened them, he looked down at her. [color=slategray]”I couldn’t give a shit about my own life,”[/color] His soft voice had gone. He spoke with a stern seriousness, his face devoid of emotion. [color=slategray]”You think I care about my life being in danger? Why the fuck would I go behind everyone’s back to talk to the Ouroboros if I feared death? Do you think I’m doing it for fun? Do you think I do it for shits and giggles?[/color] His voice slowly got louder and more intense as he spoke. His face began to get red as hidden anger began to surface. [color=slategray]”I do it for people like you. People the King has hurt. People who can’t help themselves. If I die, I die. But I sure as hell won’t die for nothing.”[/color]

[color=slategray]”Ritza, I care about you. I know you might not care about me. Or you tell yourself that you don’t. And that’s fine. If that makes you feel better, than go right ahead. But I’m not going to let you stop me from caring.”[/color]

She continued to watch him as he spoke. Ritza couldn’t remember the last time she had seen him that angry, if he ever was at all around her. Her breathing increased as his anger rose, his face becoming more red by the minute. It was strangely arousing to her. And then he turned the direction of his speech towards her. She sucked in a quick breath, but her eyes never wavered from his.

Biting the inside of her cheek, she gripped the front of his shirt with her free hand. The hand around the sheet at her chest tightened as well, but she couldn’t remember why she was hiding her body from him. Ritza’s grip soon lessoned until the sheet fell from her hand to the floor. She tilted her head up at him as she allowed herself to give in to the moment- if only just for the moment. [color=red]”I do care, Ryker.”[/color]

He stared at her, the redness in his face slowly fading. His hands lowered down her back until they rested on the small of her back. His silvery eyes shifted between her’s. He had a lot of emotion bottling up in him since the day of Fenros’s arrest and he was finally starting to let more of it out. He let his anger and tension leave his body and he slumped down just slightly.

[color=slategray]”Ritza, I’m sorry for what happened to you.”[/color] His voice was back to calm, but this time he let some emotion come through. [color=slategray]”I wish I could have been there and stopped it when your father died. I wish I could walk into the throne room and drag the king away. I wish that everything was right and the world didn’t need a vanguard or the Ouroboros. But what can I do?”[/color] It was as if all of the sudden, the events of the past few days had caught up with him and he was just hit with this utter exhaustion. His stare wavered as his focus began to slip away from her. He struggled to bring himself back into the moment as he blinked a few times to clear his vision. [color=slategray]”What can any of us do?”[/color] His voice was quiet now. Exhausted. [color=slategray]”I’ll tell you what...if anyone can do something, it’s you.”[/color]

She noticed when he started to become unfocused. Raising a brow, she kept her hands against his chest, if only to keep him from falling over. The man looked completely worn. He looked about the same way she felt. Ritza gave him a small nod before turning, grabbing a long shirt from off her bed. Slipping it on, she faced him once more and cleared her throat.

[color=red]”Ryker, you need sleep.”[/color] She bent down slightly to grab his bag before looping the handle through his hand. Looking back up at him, she reached up and placed a hand against the side of his neck. [color=red]”You need to go to your barracks and rest.”[/color]

He glanced down at his hand as she placed the bag back in it. He blinked a few times before looking back at her. [color=slategray]”Ritza, I’m sorry. For everything.”[/color] He put his free hand on her shoulder and took what little focus he had left to give her one last intense look. [color=slategray]”I just want you to take care of yourself.”[/color]

Not being able to help a small grin, she gave him a small nod of her head in understanding. She let the fingertips still resting against his neck move softly in a rubbing motion, hoping to ease some tension. [color=red]”I know you do, Ryker. And you know I will. Besides... now I have you around to keep an eye on me, right?”[/color]

Ryker smiled at her comment. Maybe there was a small part about her that actually cared. [color=slategray]”Yes. Of course you do.”[/color] His eyes dropped again and he remembered her nudity. [color=slategray]”Oh, I’m sorry. I should let you rest. You need to be ready for the Ouroboros when they call you.”[/color] He gave her another quick smile and patted her shoulder. [color=slategray]”Good night, Ritza.”[/color]

Ritza rose a brow at the man as he continued to pat her shoulder. She smirked and watched him. [color=red]”Now I know you’re exhausted if you’re going to continue to pet my shoulder like I’m just an old time friend instead of the woman you’ve slept with twice today.”[/color] With a small nod to the door, she kept her eyes on him. [color=red]”Go get some sleep, Ryker. You’ll need to be ready for whatever comes our way tomorrow.”[/color]

He lowered his hand from her shoulder at her comment and let out a small laugh. [color=slategray]”Sorry. I didn’t realize how tired I was. Ah, so goodnight then.”[/color] He leaned down and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before walking towards the door.

He made sure it closed behind him before he walked to his bunk. He placed the small bag down beside it. He kicked off his boots, took his belt and sword off, placing them on the small table beside his bed. He pulled his shirt off over his head and let his body collapse into his bed. He fell asleep almost instantly, not even bothering to cover himself up with the blankets.

She kept her eyes on the door, even after he left. Worrying her bottom lip with her teeth, she finally tore her eyes away from it after a few moments. Ritza bent down and grabbed her sheet from the floor before moving over to her bed. Laying down, she stared at the ceiling before glancing over to the side where Ryker had laid. Could she allow herself to try again? Would she be able to finally open herself to a new adventure?

She wasn’t sure. But she was damn ready to try.