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		Ryder considered Loona's explanation.  Size manipulation, healing, the ability to defy gravity... The last of which was the most alluring in terms of his personal interest.  The ability to shrink and grow things, though, could become a resource that could turn the tide in any battle.  Needless to say, he was interested and impressed.

	[color=lightgreen][b]“M-Might I ask about some of y-your missions as a Red Hood? I-If you don't mind that is...”[/b][/color] As Ryder trudged on, he made sure to keep his attention split.  Figuratively speaking, he had one eye on Loona while the other constantly scanned the area.  This dark town was relatively quiet.  Footsteps, the clomping of horses trotting, muffled murmurs and crickets were the only audible evidence of life besides their own voices.  The trio definitely stuck out.  Wolves among sheep.

	"[color=f7976a]They've all been a little different,[/color]" he began to explain.  Though he was speaking to Loona, he kept his eyes ahead, scanning the road.  "[color=f7976a]Some are exciting, some are boring, but there's always an element of danger.  If it's not the monsters, it's the people.  It's like they appreciate us and resent us at the same time.  Unless you're in the keep, you better keep your guard up.[/color]"  Though he didn't speak on it much, he could spin many tales about the confrontations he had with the people he was trying to help.  The Red Hoods were a lawless enforcement agency.  Untouchables.  Self-governed.  These were all terms that made the common folk uncomfortable and when anyone gets too uncomfortable, they lash out.

	"[color=f7976a]This lady we're going to see...[/color]" he continued, speaking of their current mission.  "[color=f7976a]Just because the dead aren't staying that way doesn't mean she isn't crazy.  I've never heard of a walking corpse paying someone visits without trying to eat them.[/color]"  He looked to Loona, a thought flashing in his mind.  "[color=f7976a]Are you prepared to kill her if that's the way this goes down?[/color]"  His eyes glanced to Kiri as well, though the way the latter carried herself, he had less doubt in her hesitation in the midst of a confrontation.

	[color=lightgreen][b]“That...m-makes sense. I'd even argue that keeping y-your guard up in the Keep m-might even be more important.”[/b][/color] Loona spoke up after the man gave a brief idea of what his missions were like. While he did have a good point about being prepared for anything on a mission, being just as careful in the Keep was probably even more important. It was a sad reality, but in a world like this, being wary of everything and everyone was always the best way to go; at least until you get a better idea of what's going on. [color=lightgreen][b]“I-I mean, nowhere is r-really safe, if that makes s-sense.”[/b][/color]

	Green eyes found their way to Kiri for a moment before glancing back ahead of them. Ryder had a point, this woman had something going on about her. And it was something they'd need to figure out before making any drastic moves.
[color=lightgreen][b]“Yeah, it doesn't make sense, but that's what we're here for I guess.”[/b][/color] She mumbled, straightening when she felt Ryder's eyes on her.

	[b][color=f7976a]"Are you prepared to kill her if that's the way this goes down?"[/color][/b]  

	[color=lightgreen][b]“Yes, if I have to.”[/b][/color] She answered quickly, eyes now downcast as she stared at her lap. [color=lightgreen][b]“If it p-pertains to the mission, I-I have no choice. It's the same for all of us, right?”[/b][/color] She spoke, the question seemingly guided to towards Kiri instead of Ryder.

	Kiri kept her chin up, her eyes straight ahead as she walked slightly behind Ryder and Loona. The muffled sounds of their boots against the ground was a steady metronome, driving her forward with its rhythmic momentum. They kept... [i]looking[/i] at her when they spoke of killing. Like [i]she[/i] was the expert. Like she wore a dark shroud around her shoulders instead of the stiff yellow fabric of her hood, like she was a killer, [i]murderer[/i]--

	[i](Sulfur and fire and screams, the knick at the end of her blade, Colin's dagger at her throat, accusing, 'Monster' --)[/i]

	Her face was a mask of calm. Only her jaw tightened imperceptibly as she forced herself onwards. Her dark eyes cut to Loona for a moment. Then forward again. She swallowed, pretending the painful lump in her throat was all this useless [i]emotion[/i]. She forced it down, deep into her core. She wouldn't let it get in the way of the mission. 

	Kiri cast her attention back out on the surrounding environment. She hoped they reached this damn woman soon. 

	(She hoped... she hoped they wouldn't have to kill her.)

	"[color=f7976a]Aye.[/color]"  The solemn answer was the only one Ryder had to offer the fairy.  The mission was the priority.  Their principles came second.  Despite enforcing the rule, it was a lesson that Ryder still hadn't learned.  He had a habit of following that Hoods' laws that suited him, but the knew how to play the role of the Dutiful Soldier.  At least, up to a certain point.

	An old, unkempt house soon came into view.  The wood that shaped it was covered in pale, chipped paint.  The roof showed signed of weather damage the porch was decorated with pots of dead plants.  No maintenance had been done to this home for quite some time.  Ryder paused for a moment to take in the structure.  The windows were dark.  If someone was inside, they had not lit any candles.  The hairs on Ryder's arm raised up a bit.  This felt like a trap.  Like an ambush.  It's not as though they could simply turn away, however.

	Ryder took in a deep breath and drew his sword.  He gave a quick glance to the others, a silent order to do the same; prepare for the worst and hope for the best.  Ryder took lead as he walked up the wooden steps that led to the porch.  With each stride, the wood screeched out under his weight.  The trio passed a withered rocking chair as they made their way to the front door.  Ryder gave it a knock.  As they waited for a reply, he turned to Kiri and used two fingers to point at his eyes.  He then pointed those same fingers out behind the group.  He would confront whatever met them at the door. He wanted her to watch their back in the meantime.

	After a few moments, there was no response.  He couldn't even discern any movement from within.  Ryder, in a whisper, said, "[color=f7976a]We can bust in, but it might be a trap.  We can wait longer or...[/color]"  He kind of already knew what he wanted to do.  "[color=f7976a]What do you think?[/color]"

	Loona nodded once again before looking back ahead of them, frown evident on her face. There was no point in continuing a conversation where everyone had no choice but to agree...

	A few moments later, the trio arrived at their destination. The fairy's eyes immediately went to the dead plants cascading over the wooden porch floors, the urge to tend to the withered plants tempting her to no end. There's a time and place for everything...maybe if they can take care of this problem with little casualties then she'd be able to do something to help out this little house.

	There weren't any signs of anyone being home from what they could see, but none of them could be sure. Loona's glowing form hovered off of Ryder's shoulder just as he drew his sword, her doing the same. After Ryder tried the more civil way of getting into the house, Loona dropped down to the floor and ran toward the gap the door left from the porch because it was too short. It was pitch black on the inside, just as they saw from afar.

	[color=lightgreen][b]“I can squeeze underneath this gap and open the door from the inside?”[/b][/color] She offered, half of her body already peeking into the house. Even with the natural light covering her body, the room was still dark and nothing really stood out to the young fairy. Pushing the rest of her body in, Loona quickly flew up to the door, and started picking at the knob with her rapier, waiting for the oh so familiar click that came with an unlocked door.

	Kiri was quick to follow Ryder's silent order, drawing her own sword. The muted sound of the blade gliding out of the sheath as little comfort as suddenly her heartrate spiked in anticipation. Though she was loathe to do it, she turned her back on the door. She was being trusted. They were counting on her to watch their backs. Kiri's eyes scanned the empty horizon of the town.

	...She peaked back over her shoulder in time to see Loona squeezing under the door. Kiri forced her eyes back forward, lest Ryder see her not doing as she was told.

	The lock clicked free and Kiri couldn't help the small spike of adrenaline that accompanied it.