Chapter 16: 16:A painfully awkward first meeting.

Ravenna blinked slowly. Her suspicion worsening.

"... That sounds deeply concerning."

Silver immediately froze.

"I phrased that wrongly."

Silver looked genuinely pained by that.

"Yes."

Ravenna narrowed her eyes slightly. This wasn’t what she had expected.

Where was the smooth manipulation everyone talked about?

He looked like someone improving social interaction against his will. Like he was experiencing a social crisis in real time.

Silver tightened his grip on the bags.

’Recover the conversation, immediately’

He glanced down quickly like he was thinking too hard before lifting one of the shopping bags awkwardly and somehow heard himself say:

"I bought too much food."

Absolute silence. Ravenna stared at him like she was witnessing a psychological breakdown in real time.

’Are you nuts’ Ravenna wanted to ask but her manners prevented her from doing so.

"...I don’t know how to respond to that. "

"I don’t know why I said that."

"Okay..."

His expression twitched slightly.

"I’m sorry, I think I panicked."

That somehow made things worse. Silver could physically feel her becoming more suspicious.

’Amazing, perfect, this is going terribly’

Behind Ravenna, Mallory made a choking noise trying to prevent herself from laughing, and subtly moved further away.

Traitor.

Ravenna kept her guard up firmly. Men like this were dangerous precisely because they acted harmless at first.

That was how manipulation worked.

Step one: Lower defenses.

She ran a hand through her hair, accidentally pulling on her wound but she remained expressionless.

"Do you normally approach strangers by announcing an excess food purchase?"

"No."

"Is this a special occasion?"

"I wasn’t planning for there to be one."

Ravenna almost laughed at the answer. Almost.

Silver was starting to realise he was losing the interaction rapidly and he couldn’t have that. He had this one shot to leave an impression.

He exhaled once before trying again.

"You’re Ravenna."

She immediately frowned. "How do you know that?"

"My grandfather described you," Silver lied through his teeth.

She seemed to accept his answer.

She crossed her arms." What exactly do you want?"

A reasonable question.

Silver opened his mouth then paused. What was he supposed to say? He forced himself to answer honestly.

"I wanted to meet you."

"Why?"

Because the system revolves around you.

Because I don’t want you to die a meaningless death.

Because you’re strong.

Because you’re pitiful.

Ravenna noticed he looked genuinely confused and conflicted when she pressed.

"I’m currently trying to figure that out myself."

That answer was somehow worse because it sounded honest. Ravenna’s suspicion sharpened further.

’Definitely dangerous’

Unstable people were harder to predict.

"You know, " she said carefully," most people introduce themselves before cornering exhausted women in hotel lobbies."

"I didn’t corner you."

"You walked directly towards me the moment I stepped in. How was I supposed to go forward?"

"That’s fair."

Silver exhaled once before straightening slightly. He extended his free arm towards her.

"Silver Ruddington."

He could already hear the gasps as people finally recognised him.

"I know."

"Right."

Another painful silence followed. Silver awkwardly dropped his arm. Nearby contractors had absolutely started listening now.

Ravenna could physically feel the gossip forming around them now. Just wonderful, her peaceful independent life was going down the drain slowly before her.

Silver suddenly frowned slightly while looking at her. He had been doubtful at first but being near her confirmed everything.

"You’re injured."

Ravenna instantly stiffened because he was correct. The cut near her side had reopened during the walk back, though hidden beneath her jacket.

Her hand moved instinctively towards the injury. Silver noticed it immediately and looked vaguely alarmed.

Just from the way her face went cold Silver felt more walls forming between them.

"I wasn’t trying to..."

"How did you notice?"

"... You’re leaning slightly to your left to avoid pressure."

Ravenna blinked.

That was oddly... observant. She had thought she was standing straight.

Silver seemed to realise that saying that made him sound worse somehow.

"I notice things."

"That sentence also sounds threatening."

"I’m aware."

Silver looked at her for another second before he spoke again.

"Can I help you with anything?" He cautiously asked.

A small chuckle left her but it wasn’t filled with amusement or anything.

"No."

Silver nodded and silently observed her. She looked exhausted and wary. Honestly, he couldn’t blame her.

Ravenna glanced briefly towards the bags.

"What are those?"

"Supplies."

"... why?"

"Because you need them."

That made her eyes narrow instantly. Silver realised the problem instantly. A stranger knowing she lacked money sounded dangerous.

"I guessed," he added quickly," you’re staying here voluntarily. Which means you’re either independent or broke."

Silver closed his eyes briefly.

After several seconds, Ravenna finally signed.

"You’re not what I expected."

Silver looked at her carefully.

"Good or bad."

"I genuinely can’t tell."

She extended her arm towards him. Silver was stumped for a second before he understood what she wanted. He passed her the bags.

She took it naturally and glanced inside just to confirm.

"Thank you, I needed those."

Ravenna saw no reason to act high and mighty when she was really broke. The things he had brought were naturally expensive and good,she wasn’t about to refuse.

If things went south she could just bail for the next sanctuary. The Silver she saw now was totally different from the rumours, so she couldn’t help but just want to observe him a little.

"Can I see you tomorrow?" Silver asked.

She was quiet for a moment then nodded.

"Okay. "

Silver couldn’t help but smile. He extended his phone towards her.

She didn’t take it.

"I lost my phone."

"Oh."

"I’m going upstairs. "

Silver nodded and stepped to the side. He watched as she disappeared down the corridor.

The system window finally appeared quietly near the edge of the vision.

[Interaction completed.]

[Reward conditions not met.]

Reason:

Target trust level insufficient.

Current emotional assessment:

• Wary

• Confused

• Defensive

Affection Points gained: 0

Silver resisted the urge to sigh aloud. Of course, she didn’t trust him.

Honestly, he was lucky she hadn’t stabbed him already. He chuckled softly to himself.

’She really lived up to her name’

If she really accepted things that easily it would have been more unreal.

’Let’s just wait for tomorrow’