Viper: The Official Remaster

Chapter 8: Only Human

A steady, heavy rain tapped against the windows of Ryker's home, the droplets of water only adding to the soothing ambiance. Opening the refrigerator, he produced two pitchers of juice, giving a smile to the embarrassing situation as he turned towards Flores, who was sitting at the counter.

Viper: You know, I really thought I'd have more to offer than apple and orange juice from concentrate and water.

Santiago chuckled, sending several files to Ryker's email and shrugging his shoulders.

Flores: How'd ya know apple was my favorite? Here. Just sent you every NIGHTHAVEN file I have. Now I just have to bust this hard drive...

Ryker poured two glasses before sliding one across the countertop to his guest. Santiago had asked to come by on a rather urgent notice. Thankfully, Ryker was happy to oblige. Not a lot of friendships were born from gunfights, but Ryker would take one wherever he could.

Flores: Could you pour another glass? Our lady-friend is going to be here any second. She's going to help with our NIGHTHAVEN dilemma.

His eyes flicked to Santiago's, the Rainbow operative simply following up his comment with an obnoxious "ah" from sipping his drink.

Viper: Sure. Lady friend. Why not? Would it be too late to ask her to bring something other than apple juice and tap water? I-

The doorbell rang, cutting him off mid-sentence.

Viper: The door is open! Wipe your feet.

He heard another chuckle from Flores as the door burst open. In stepped an Asian woman just barely reaching 5'8, dressed in a damp sweatshirt and tactical jeans. She'd likely just come from the R&D Department. Still, despite the familiar face, Ryker's gaze habitually shot to the coffee maker; behind the appliance laid one of his blades within calling distance. The woman stopped in her tracks at the entrance to the kitchen as her eyes flicked to Ryker's, then back to Flores.

Hibana: Viper...

Viper: Hibana. I assume you have a preference?

Hibana: Yumi is fine. Uh... Is that apple juice?

Ryker offered a hesitant hand as Flores smirked with laughter, Ryker already feeling the mental tug of the metal hilt of his knife hidden to his immediate right. With a genuine expression, Hibana took the greeting while setting her gaze to Santiago, the latter finishing his glass and outstretching his arms in a welcoming gesture.

Flores: So, yeah. I forgot to mention this was Ryker's home and uh... that you'd also be meeting him. Lo siento...

Yumi raised her hand to cut him off, her expression already hard to read as she set a plastic bag on the countertop.

Hibana: I apologize for Santiago's idiocy. That said, I won't pretend I haven't been hoping for an unlikely coincidence like this to come around.

Viper: Been trying to find me? How ominous.

She smirked, noting the dry satire Ryker liked to lean on to defuse a situation. Admittedly, Ryker hid his lethality quite well. She'd maybe believe the facade he didn't have his guard up if she wasn't trained for it. Lucero remained quiet, wisely letting Yumi continue her improvised greeting the best she could.

Hibana: Dryness aside, yes. Pondering the mystery of who and what you were did help shorten the recovery time.

He relaxed into their conversation, reaching for his glass of water and taking a sip, nearly talking into the rim.

Viper: Finka mentioned to me that Alexsandr made a full recovery as well. I was glad to hear it.

Yumi straightened in a clear reaction; Ryker had unknowingly given her information she hadn't heard before.