“Oh—uh… hey.” He pauses, shoulders drawing in slightly as his tail flicks once behind him. “Didn’t hear you come up. I, uh… don’t usually get visitors back here.” A small, cautious smile tugs at the corner of his muzzle. “But… hi. Name’s Riven. If you’re not here to cause trouble, then… you’re welcome to stick around.” He rubs the back of his neck, eyes darting away for a moment. “Kinda nice not being alone for once.”

He pauses for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studies you. You can practically see the gears turning in his mind; assessing whether you're a threat or not. But then he visibly relaxes, taking a step back so that he doesn't appear quite so threatened by your presence. "I'm... glad I don't have to deal with that," he mutters softly, giving you another small smile before looking away again, tail twitching nervously behind him.

"So, uh..." He trails off, seemingly at a loss for words. Despite his quiet demeanor and keen intellect, Riven isn't exactly accustomed to making small talk with strangers. "You can probably tell this place is... special to me," he finally manages after another long pause. "I mean, I know it's not much..." He gestures vaguely around the cramped little hideaway, taking in its makeshift furniture and eclectic collection of trinkets. There are books everywhere - some neatly stacked on shelves built into the walls, others sitting precariously atop precarious piles of boxes.

"I like it here," he mumbles eventually. "Even if it is just... well, you know..." He gives a half-hearted shrug, letting his gaze drift once more to the mess of cables and gadgets littering his worktable. Riven's fingers twitch, as though aching to get back to tinkering with something small and intricate. "So... uh..." He pauses again, evidently at a loss for words yet again. It seems you might have found yourself in the unique position of making conversation with one of the more reclusive figures among the city's rat population.

He watches you carefully as you move about his hideout, studying your reactions to everything he's showing you. You seem genuinely interested, and that warms him up a bit more. "I... I didn't mean for it to come off like I was bragging or anything," he admits, sitting down on one of the makeshift chairs with a soft sigh. "It's just... this place means a lot to me."

A faint blush creeps up his neck and onto his ears as he continues. "When I first arrived in the city, I... well, let's just say I didn't have anything like this. It was tough," he says with a small shiver. "I had to scrounge for food every day, and sleep wherever I could find shelter. But then I found this place..." His voice trails off as he gazes longingly at the walls covered in his artwork and oddities. He runs a paw over one of the smooth stones, fingertips tracing its shape absently. "It took me a while to make it my own," he says quietly, "but once I did... it just felt right."

Riven glances up at you again, uncertainty written across his features. He's not used to sharing so much with someone he hardly knows, but there's something about you that makes him feel comfortable enough to open up a little. Maybe it's because of the kindness in your eyes or the genuine interest you seem to have in his life here. Whatever the reason, he finds himself telling you more.

"I... I used to think that this was all there was for me," he says softly. "That being a rat, living in the sewers and scrounging for food... but then I found this place." A

He nods understandingly and blinks a few times before continuing softly. "I've seen the worst of what humans can do to each other, and I've been through some...dark times myself. This place, it's my escape from all that," he says with another small smile. "A little sanctuary where I can just be me." Riven gestures around him, indicating his artwork, books, and gadgets. "It's not much, but it's mine. And as long as I have this...well, I can face whatever else comes my way." He pauses, thinking of something he wants to add. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that even if you feel like your situation might be hopeless now or that there's no place for you here... well, just remember that there are always options. There's always a way out." He looks down at his feet, feeling slightly embarrassed by how emotional he's gotten. "I-I don't usually talk this much about myself," he mumbles sheepishly. "Guess I should let you get back to your...uh..." He gestures vaguely toward the entrance, not quite sure what to say or do next now that he's spilled his guts.

He watches you carefully, studying your reaction to his words. It's... different than what he expected. You don't seem uninterested or disbelieving; in fact, there's a sparkle in your eye that makes him feel a little warmer inside. You nod thoughtfully, and after a moment say something surprising: "I believe you." Riven blinks, taken aback by the sincerity in your voice. He finds himself leaning forward slightly, his interest piqued. "You do?" "Yes," you reply simply. "It's clear that this place means a lot to you. I can see how hard you've worked to make it yours, and how protective you are over it." You smile gently. "I think it takes someone special to create something like this out of nothing, especially in a world as harsh as the one above us."

Riven feels his cheeks heat up under your gaze, but he doesn't look away. It's strange, feeling so understood by another rat - especially one who is a stranger. He'd grown used to being dismissed or belittled for his choices, but here you are, telling him that what he's done is important and admirable.

After a long moment of silence, he finally finds the words to express his gratitude. "Thank you," he whispers softly. "It means a lot coming from you." He pauses again, searching for something more to say. "I hope that maybe... someday I can repay your kindness in some way."

He smiles warmly at you, feeling genuinely grateful for your understanding and support. "Maybe we'll find a way to help each other someday," he says softly, his tail twitching behind him in agreement. He glances around the room again, taking in all the little details that make it special to him. "This place may not be much compared to the world above us... but it's home. And as long as I have that, I can face anything."

There's a moment of quiet between you, broken only by the distant sounds of traffic and the patter of water droplets against metal. The air in the small room feels thick with emotion, and Riven can feel himself growing more comfortable in your presence. It's strange, this feeling of closeness that has developed so quickly... but he doesn't mind it. Not one bit.

He takes a deep breath, pushing back any thoughts of doubt or unease. There's no use dwelling on the past when there's so much left to do in the present. And with someone like you by his side, he knows that anything is possible. "So," he says finally, mustering up a small laugh, "what brings you down here anyway?"

Your answer surprises him, but also fills him with hope and excitement for whatever the future may hold. Perhaps this chance encounter wasn't just a fluke after all... perhaps it was fate calling out to him from the darkness, offering a glimmer of light and the promise of something more.

He listens with interest as you share your story with him, nodding along in understanding. "I can see why you'd feel so driven to find a way out of there," he murmurs sympathetically. "It must be awful, being trapped in such a place." His tail swishes gently back and forth behind him as he continues. "But know this: if ever you need a hand escaping or just somewhere safe to stay for a while, you're welcome here. This place might not be much, but it's better than most places the surface rats would take you." He pauses, casting a quick glance around the room before meeting your gaze once more. "I don't suppose... there's any chance we could work together on this? Maybe pool our resources and skills?" The thought of teaming up with another rat who understands his world and isn't content to simply survive fills him with a new sense of hope and purpose. The possibilities seem endless, limited only by their imaginations and determination.

"I mean," he continues hesitantly, "you obviously have your own life and goals... but if there's ever anything I can do to help you reach them or even just make your life a little easier down here, just let me know." The sincerity in his voice is unmistakable, and for the first time in years, Riven finds himself genuinely looking forward to whatever the future might hold.