Right Back After This

Season 2, Episode 8

On most planets, you can be assured the sun will rise. On Arbo, it isn't the sun, but Bryten that rises, but it's much the same; Riz can know that, despite everything, he will see golden rays streaming through layers of glass, not to be stopped, and that nothing can take away the gentle sigh in the morning light.

Well, until he realises there's a shadow crossing it.

He jolts up and back, instincts from Majadha taking over- reaching for a weapon by his side, silencing his gasp to keep from drawing unwanted attention- before his eyes adjust to what he's looking at. He sees his room first, and the pink draws him down from the split-second of panic. If the silhouette in front of the window weren't so familiar, Riz would've feared Dahlia, but instead all he gets is confusion.

He blinks away enough shock that he can figure out how to breathe, as Kiel's staring at him, glaring at him, arms crossed. Almost as soon as Riz has properly laid eyes on him, something's thrown in Riz's direction, that he catches on instinct.

"Some of your shit got packed in my luggage," Kiel says, deadpan, and Riz's alarm bells are going off. It's not just that he knows, were that true, Kiel himself wouldn't have to come here to return it- but he's keenly aware that the excuse might just barely pass to the viewers, but it won't pass to management. The fact that he doesn't recognise the white cardigan he's now holding is only slight evidence that it isn't his, considering they have no set wardrobe. What's more evidence is the fact that Kiel came here to deliver it, and that it's heavier than a cardigan should be, specifically in an inner pocket.

"Kiel, how- how did you get in here?" Instinctively, Riz's voice is soft and high and somehow pink, all edges sawn off. He's not angry- but he tries to limit even his fear. He's not afraid for himself, after all.

Kiel shrugs. "Your guard let me in." He pauses for a long moment, arms crossed, as Riz unfurls the cardigan and stares at it. Why would a cardigan be packed for a beach, anyway? What's in that pocket that Kiel needed him to have it now, in a move this fucking risky? "I wasn't trying to fucking scare you, man, I just wanted to return your shit."

Riz narrows his eyes at Kiel, trying to see the angle he's going for. This is dangerous. Riz has never seen Kiel walking so close to the edge.

"Were you..." walk the line, Paloma had said. How the fuck can this possibly be walking the line? "You weren't worried about me, were you?"

Kiel scoffs instantly. Too instantly. Riz is watching not his face, but how quickly he's breathing. "No." Too long of a second. "I just had to return your shit. I didn't want to have to look at it for a second longer."

Riz smiles softly, but he isn't touched- that's just the best angle he can give to try and cover Kiel's tracks. He looks down at the cardigan, and he spots a blue hair on it that the cameras won't quite be able to see. He puts it on, feeling the tiny weight in that pocket against his body- as long as the lump doesn't show...

"Well thank you anyway," Riz says. Let the audience see what they're trying to paint- despite it all, Kiel is concerned, and with the weight of what's just happened to Riz, even his enemy feeling bad is understandable, and human- they're rivals, but Kiel isn't a monster. Riz, however, is too dumb to fully appreciate this, and takes Kiel at his word. "It's awfully nice of you to return it. Um, just- next time maybe don't sneak in while I'm asleep?"

Kiel scoffs. "I woke you up, dumbass. I'm not some fucking creep watching you while you sleep."

Dangerously close to mentioning Ares. Riz shivers a little in response, and he looks down at his hands for only a moment before saying, "I know. I just- y'know. It scared me for a moment."