[hider=Character Art][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019d3f9d-4ca7-77a2-bca4-babcfd54b701.webp[/img][/hider]
The hills around the ruined officinae weren't completely deserted. Not yet, anyway. War left behind strange pockets of life: people picking at the edges of devastation, trying to squeeze something useful out of what remained. A lone vendor had set up along the lower path, her cart modest but intact, a small pile of apples arranged with more care than the surroundings deserved.

Aren spotted her on the way in. And, more importantly, she spotted him.

That was all it took.

[color=79c875]"Well, those might be the bravest apples I've ever seen,"[/color] Aren said as he approached, his tone light with an easy admiration. [color=79c875]"Setting up shop this close to a place like that?"[/color] He glanced up toward the broken structure in the distance, then back to her with a crooked smile. [color=79c875]"Either they're worth their weight in gold, or you've got nerves I should be jealous of."[/color]

The vendor huffed a small laugh despite herself, already halfway disarmed.

"They're fresh," she replied. "Came in this morning."

[color=79c875]"Fresh?"[/color] Aren echoed, leaning in just slightly as if inspecting them more closely. [color=79c875]"Now that's impressive. Thought everything around here tasted like ash and bad decisions."[/color]

Another smile. A little wider this time. He picked one up, turning it in his hand, testing the weight as he squeezed it lightly.

[color=79c875]"I'll take one,"[/color] he said, already reaching for a coin.

The exchange was simple, clean, and unremarkable.

Which was exactly why she didn't notice the moment his other hand brushed just a little too close, light, and gone before it meant anything.

Aren bit into the apple as he stepped away, expression brightening just a touch.

[color=79c875]"Alright,"[/color] he admitted over his shoulder, [color=79c875]"you win. Definitely worth it."[/color]

By the time she thought to check anything, he was already further up the path, her coin purse nestled snugly in his pocket.
[hr]The shift in atmosphere came gradually as he approached the meeting point. Less life, more silence, more weight in the air. Aren's pace slowed as his eyes settled on the figure near the stele, still and waiting, as well as the bird.

[color=dfffc5][i]Right,[/i][/color] he thought. [color=dfffc5][i]Not just a casual meetup, then.[/i][/color]

He took another bite of the apple as he closed the distance, boots crunching just enough to announce himself. No point sneaking up on someone who was expecting trouble.

[color=79c875]"Hope I'm not late,"[/color] he called, voice easy, almost conversational. [color=79c875]"Got a little distracted on the way. Turns out optimism and fresh produce still exist out here."[/color]

He stopped a few paces off, relaxed, one hand loosely at his side, the other holding what remained of the apple.

[color=79c875]"Name's Aren."[/color]

He paused briefly as he looked around the empty rooftop.

[color=79c875]"So,"[/color] he added, glancing past Neo toward the ruined building in the distance, [color=79c875]"is it just us, or are we still waiting on someone?"[/color]