[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/mjYhLER.gif[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/Ef90xLf.png[/img] [color=ed145b][b]location ➤[/b] walking around the ranch[/color] [color=ed145b][b]interactions ➤[/b] lauren [@Zoey White]; notices natalia ([@Aamaya]); mentions alek ([@Ever])[/color] [color=ed145b]»»————-　☠　————-««[/color][/center] Ryder had a schedule his body and mind were used to after so many years in this apocalyptic bullshit. He rarely ever fired up one of the four-wheelers to check on everything. It was a waste of gas, and it was loud, too. Vehicles weren't often used these days. The ranch was [i]huge[/i], though, so walking around, checking on things, took a decent amount of time. Not that Ryder minded. What else was he going to do? He was a hands-on type of man. He wasn't going to trust anybody else to run this place, to hand him over papers with their amount of supplies, and trust it completely. He had to see for himself, so everybody knew it was a bad idea to attempt a lie. Thus, he started his rounds. At first, it was pretty normal. Food levels were normal, enough to last another four months, though he'd have to send scouting parties out in the next two weeks to look for more. He never liked to go under three months. The armory was good; all weapons had been checked in and out accordingly. The store was doing well; by the rate of supplies going, they had enough to last them another two months, though that was something else the scouting parties could keep an eye out for. He needed to call a meeting together, and form those scouting parties as soon as possible. Nothing seemed mechanically wrong with the place, though the engineers were still doing their rounds when Ryder had bumped into them. He happened to be upon one of the watchtowers, having a conversation with the man atop it about [i][color=ed145b]not fucking napping[/color][/i], when the bright flare caught his eye. It made him take pause before he snatched the binoculars from the man's hand, and looked. Who the fuck had explosives? It was rare to see things like that anymore. It was a risk to send a group out, since a lot of the infected would be attracted to the noise it surely caused, but most of the shit they had was because they took risks. He lowered the binoculars as the light show kept on, then shoved the bulky thing towards the man. "[color=ed145b]See what you would have missed from [i]napping[/i]? Don't let me fucking catch you sleeping again, got it?[/color]" he didn't wait for a reply, leaving the startled looking man. Usually, Ryder would have said more, even done something, but he had more important things on his mind right now. The most important thing: why wasn't the other watch tower reporting the explosions? If he found another fucking napper... he scowled. He didn't have time to wait for the other watch tower. He'd be heading over there shortly after this anyway. He grabbed the walkie that was on his belt, and pressed a button to make it flick to life. Nearly everybody had a walkie, the numbers building as the years went on. He pressed the button, and rocked back on his heels as he spoke. "[color=ed145b]Hello, hello, Ryder here. I got visual of a pretty fucking light show in town, so get a party of five to eight together, and head North. Don't be fucking dumbasses; watch for the dead, they'll be attracted to the sounds. There's also a meeting at the wonderful Alek's bar,[/color]" he was grinning like a wolf as he said this, "[color=ed145b]at 1400 hours. If you don't know what fucking time that is, [i]learn military time[/i]. I'm not saying that again, damnit. Ryder out,[/color]" he put the walkie back before continuing on. Now, to go to the last watch tower, and see why they hadn't reported. The watch tower he had previously been at, and the one he was going to now, were both facing the direction of town. There was no excuse for not reporting. The walking was brutal; after all, the watch towers were posted on each corner of the ranch. While he headed towards the watch tower, he checked on the fields. He didn't know too much about crops, but they didn't seem to be rotting, and their leaves were intact, so that was good enough for him. As he was walking, he had confirmation that a group of seven was put together. They were leaving in five, in two trucks, to check out the explosions. His group worked fast, yet he wouldn't tell them that. It was expected. It was like telling somebody "good job breathing." It should be fucking natural to follow his orders with no hesitation. He reached that watch tower and saw a familiar figure on top. Lauren. Ryder felt himself grinning, because he couldn't help it. He really enjoyed the woman's company. She was funny, sarcastic, and fucking beautiful. He couldn't complain about any of those. He caught the end of what she was saying, something about luscious locks and a tower. He felt amusement course through him, yet he was briefly distracted. He noticed Natalia, somewhat in the distance, looking in his direction. Yet, he assumed not at himself. She walked off shortly after, more than likely not noticing him underneath the watchtower, slightly hidden by one of its support beams. He knew Lauren and Natalia's relationship was not the best. Their first impression of one another was not a good one, and it had seemed ever since, they hadn't been able to shake it. He knew some of his members had hard relationships. It was a large group, with different personality types. There was bound to be some tense moments. But, these were two women he respected highly. Though, the only time he would step in was if it caused problems for the group. Besides that, honestly, he didn't give a fuck if they hated each other. Sure, it'd be nice if they didn't, but it wasn't like it caused him too many problems. They were as happy and healthy as anybody could be in this world without each other, so whatever. He took a few steps out from the tower, tilting his head up to the sun, having to squint some to see Lauren. "[color=ed145b]Oh, Rapunzel, Rapunzel, stop fucking around and do your damn job,[/color]" he called up jokingly, laughing afterward. He pressed the top of his bat into the ground, using it as a cane to lean against, crossing his ankles. "[color=ed145b]See anything interesting, darling?[/color]" he called up in interest, raising an eyebrow. He had a feeling she saw the explosions, and hadn't reported it, unless she wasn't paying attention. Either way, he'd have a few words with her about it.