”It is better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you are not." ~André Gide
Hex Code ~ #088A29
It was going to be a busy day, he could already tell. Ryder stood beside his Queen as she drank her tea when they were almost immediately interrupted by the entrance of Jaiyi Lang and Aetherius Ruelle. The sight of the duo was strange - they made an interesting pair, and Ryder couldn’t recall any of his Birds having mentioned the two as close. Perhaps they had simply bumped into one another on their way to meet the Queen?
Moving on from the thought, Ryder tuned in at the end of Aetherius’s report, just catching the jist of what he had come to tell their Queen. He would be stupid to not notice the disdainful look that the rough man gave him, and simply chalked it up to jealousy, as what else could it be? Of course the other man was jealous of his position - he had everything he could ever want or need, delicious food, and never had to leave for extended trips. Ryder, on the other hand, could find nothing to be jealous of when it came to Aetherius, He would be lying if he said he wasn’t impressed by the man’s skill in combat and navigation, though, so he simply ignored the look that he was given, glancing over at Jiayi as he moved on.
When Aetherius finished speaking and Ivelda disappeared into her private potion room, Ryder fixated a piercing gaze on the two other men but said nothing, ever the one for stoicism.
It wasn’t long before their Queen had returned with a hovering tray of drinks, and he made a slight face at the swirling liquid as she passed one of the goblets to him. For Ryder, it was always a sad day when he had to drink his Queen’s potion - he knew it was what was best for him, but like a child and medicine, he simply could never get used to the taste.
Once he had tossed the liquid back, his features scrunching a bit, he returned the goblet to Ivelda’s tray. Almost instantly, his mind felt misty, and his eyes took on a blank, glossy sheen, his expression just as empty. After a few moments of this sleepy-fog, Ryder felt himself returning and he shook off the sensation that had become something he was rather used to, and ever the studious Advisor, he moved to his Queen’s side, making himself available to help in any way she see fit.