Afterward, finding a brief moment to slip away from Venus' group, Ryuzen made his way toward the little girl he had been quietly watching since the inspection. Runa.
She was standing near one of the supply tents, chatting with a girl at least a head taller than her. The taller girl had dark reddish-brown hair tied up in a loose ponytail, a pair of crystal earrings dangling with each nod of her head. Runa giggled at something she said, her tiny fingers clutching a pouch of dried fruit.
Ryuzen approached with an easy gait, hands in his pockets, his tone casual but faintly teasing.
"Hey, little girl. You look kinda alone," he said, pretending to glance around. "What's your name?"
He couldn't risk being recognized outright. Not here, not yet. Not in front of civilians. And especially not as the Frost Dragon.
So, he played dumb— like just another survivor trying to mingle.
