[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/mjYhLER.gif[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/Ef90xLf.png[/img]
[color=ed145b][b]location ➤[/b] front gates[/color]
[color=ed145b][b]interactions ➤[/b] lauren ([@Zoey White]); npcs; mentions strange singing woman ([@RumikoOhara])[/color]
[color=ed145b]»»————-　☠　————-««[/color][/center]
It wasn't uncommon for Ryder to feel overwhelmed. He ran a decent-sized operation in the middle of an apocalypse where not only did they have to worry about getting eaten, but they also had to worry about people putting a bullet in their heads. Being overwhelmed was almost normal at this point. The real trick was how a leader handled being overwhelmed. Before shit hit the fan, Ryder worked an overwhelming job. He had his own business - of course it was overwhelming. He had to make sure his business was the best of the best, not only stayed afloat but was [i]successful[/i], and that he kept everybody in line. This gig? Wasn't too terribly different. He had to make sure his group was the best of the best, not only survived but [i]thrived[/i], and that he kept everybody in line. He had the mindset to deal with all these stressful things going on at once. Natalia, this injured woman, the possibly crazy doctor outside their gates. He was able to keep the tension out of his shoulders, and the stress from causing a hardness to form around his mouth.

Ryder stopped his frown from being too obvious when it was confirmed this was Natalie's idea. That shit wasn't going to fly. He taught her better than that. At the pause, he gave Lauren a once-over, and waved his hand at her. "[color=ed145b]C'mon, darling, spill the fucking tea,[/color]" he used his bat like a cane, putting his weight on it and returning his gaze to the injured woman and a fidgety Walter. They did need to speed this up, after all, since that strange woman was about to be at his gate. He didn't like that at all. The gate was well-built, like the walls, of course. He wouldn't let this place be open game, but he still didn't like strangers just waltzing up on horseback singing.

At the mention of the Saint, his eyebrows rose up. He had always been interested in the mysterious person that left angel wings on walls around the city. He clicked his tongue, straightening back up, and chuckling. He smiled so big, his teeth could be briefly seen. "[color=ed145b]Well, well. You might have saved this woman's life, after all. I would not fucking mind having the Saint as a guest in my oh-so humble home,[/color]" he gestured around, winking at Lauren. "[color=ed145b]Fun, indeed, darling. Fun, indeed.[/color]" his smile slowly dropped, his playfulness giving away to seriousness, going straight back to business.

He pointed his bat at Walter, who immediately straightened up the best he could while having the woman's dead weight on his shoulder. "[color=ed145b]Bring her to the infirmary. [i]Watch her[/i]. I doubt she'll be moving anytime soon, but don't let her out of your sight,[/color]" he demanded, always mistrusting of newcomers. In this world, one had to be. Honestly, Ryder was mistrustful of everyone before this new world. It benefited him much better in this world. Walter nodded and rushed off to do as Ryder said, heading towards their makeshift infirmary that was stocked with their medical goods.

He turned his attention back to Lauren, and stepped closer to her. "[color=ed145b]I want the story on what the fuck went down out there later. But, right now, we have to deal with this bullshit outside. You know the drill when a stranger approaches - stay. On. Fucking. Guard.[/color]" with each word uttered, he motioned at her with his bat, looking her straight in the eye. After a moment, though, he grinned, reaching out to give Lauren's shoulder a quick squeeze, his touch lingering. "[color=ed145b]You damn well know that, though, don't you, darling?[/color]" he didn't bother waiting for acknowledgement, turning around and giving a sharp whistle while spinning his pointed finger up in the air. "[color=ed145b]Open up the gate![/color]"

The gate was operated by a lever on a platform secured to the top of the gate next to it. Somebody was always there, much like the guards on the watchtowers, to see who went in and out. Of course, there were more exits, but only a selected few knew about those. Two men came up behind Ryder and Lauren, guns drawn, as the gate began to slowly slide open. Ryder didn't bother drawing the pistol on his hip. He had enough firepower around him, and he didn't need to a gun to be intimidating. "[color=ed145b]It seems like this Doc makes house calls,[/color]" he said to Lauren, a large grin on his face as he spun his bat before using it like a cane again. He looked very relaxed, not a care in the world, a happy man. He was anything but, though everybody around him would never know that.