[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/x4LLGrV.gif[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/Ef90xLf.png[/img]
[color=ed145b][b]location ➤[/b] main house[/color]
[color=ed145b][b]interactions ➤[/b] natalia ([@Aamaya])[/color]
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The sky was a black canvas, the rising sun a paintbrush that transformed the darkness into brilliant hues of colors. The paint bled into the canvas beneath, colors leaking into the trees, the ground, the lake. Slowly, the world was painted, being brought to life with an array of colors. The birds provided a gentle song as the world came to life, and Ryder witnessed it all through a haze of smoke, the taste of bitter coffee and smooth nicotine on his tongue.

Ryder had never slept much before the outbreak, and he slept even less after. He always found himself on the back porch overlooking the lake, a cup of hot coffee warming his hands, cigarette smoke filling his lungs. Almost every morning, he had this view, something that helped center and prepare him for the day ahead. The caffeine and nicotine probably had something to do with it, too, in all honesty.

His coffee cup was empty by the time the painting was done, all the colors in place. He flicked his finished cigarette into the empty mug. He didn't like seeing cigarette buds all over the place, something he had made clear to the other smokers of the group. He got up from the lounge chair, stretching his arms over his head, and breathing in the fresh air. The top of his robe splayed open, revealing his chest, but he didn't bother closing it. Living in close quarters with his tight circle meant he had seen some of them he never wanted to. At least he had boxer-briefs on.

Though, he knew nobody else would be up at this hour. At least, not anybody but the ones on shift for the watch towers. He made sure nobody saw him like this. Half-clothed, relaxed, with no weapons or dark colors on his body. He didn't want anybody to see him in such a vulnerable state like this. Ryder walked inside, not seeing anybody up at this hour as usual. He knew soon enough, the house would be a little more full. Besides his tight circle that lived here, he also allowed lower members of the group into the house. He didn't very much mind others trickling into his house, though his master bedroom and private bathroom were strictly off limits. So was his lounge chair on the back porch. That was his favorite chair outside, and it was [i]his[/i].

His shower didn't take long. He may have lingered some, the warm water beating against his muscles feeling amazing, and because it was his right. He didn't put on anything amazing. A dark green v-neck t-shirt, with his leather jacket slipped on over top. Dark jeans, with his usual biker boots. He had his two daggers in his boots, just in case. He could never be too careful, even within his own walls. Naturally, he had his favorite weapon, his bat, on him at all times. He had to keep up an image, after all. As he made his way downstairs, he heard some activity in the kitchen. He ignored it, in favor of stepping onto the front porch. He had to start doing his rounds, checking in on everybody, making sure everything was running smoothly.

When he stepped out onto the front porch, he grinned big at the sight that greeted him. "[color=ed145b]Well, well, well,[/color]" he said, upon seeing Natalia sitting on the edge of the front porch. "[color=ed145b]Didn't expect to see you here,[/color]" he joked, stepping down a couple steps to be more at eye level with her. He propped the bat on his shoulder, dark eyes taking the young woman in. "[color=ed145b]Lose something, sweetheart?[/color]" he asked curiously, tilting his head at the backpack in her lap, eyebrow cocking upward. He didn't say sweetheart in a condescending way; towards anyone else, it may have come out that way, but Natalia was different. He respected the hell out of her, and he said it in a way a concerned parent might say it to their child.