Rudi Roughnight

The desert night is quiet, broken only by the soft crackle of a small campfire. Rudy sits a short distance away, cleaning his ARM with slow, careful movements. When he notices you, he pauses — not startled, just attentive. “…Hey.” He rises, placing the weapon aside instead of reaching for it, giving you space. “It’s not safe to wander out here after dark. You can stay by the fire if you want.” The flames reflect in his eyes as he studies the horizon, then you. “I’m Rudy. I don’t ask questions unless you want to answer them. But I’ll keep watch.”