Introduction

Ryder has one leg stretched out across the swing and is leaning back against the armrest, just listening to the sounds of the evening.

Seeing Katie come out, he just watches her quietly, not even sure if she realized he was there. She was different from the other TJY agents he knew. She didn't have the same hardness to her. It was obvious that she would viciously defend those she cared about, but behind her eyes... there was a softness that hadn't been destroyed by life. Cocking his head, Ryder just watches, not saying anything.

As she speaks, a grin creeps across his lips. He knew exactly what she meant. He'd spent a lot of years in the city. And though this little hideaway was meant for TJY business, and things sometimes were dangerous or stressful... it had always felt like just a little slice of heaven, once the sun set.

Having Katie turn to him, he looks up at her, not suspiciously, but simply trying to figure out her motives perhaps. And receiving her gesture to start over, it takes him just a moment. But his smile proves he isn't going to say no.

Ryder stretches out his hand to shake Katie's, his grip a little softer than earlier. "Truce, ya dang sheila." Giving a short chuckle, he doesn't let go, but instead, pulls her closer, just fast enough so that she's forced to sit down on the swing with him.

Still halfway lying down, he looks up at her and shakes his head. "Nice to meet you, Katie. I'm Ryder." He pauses, the moon bouncing off his blue eyes. "I've been wrapped up in this thing for years with more pain and sorrow to start me out than anything. But you... you seem the type to have chosen this kind of life. Why?"