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A short time ago, coming to Chittentown would not have held such a dangerous notion to it. It had become like a second home for him, given the one by the old beach in Old Hemisect was no more, and the new city he'd visited during Bloodfest had replaced the decimated landscape he once knew as his own. He knew without question there was a sense of urgency when he'd quietly made his way through town. He kept his head down, and minded his own business.

Even with being dressed in a disguise, and and a Stryke had to get everything, at least those things which were easily accessible and readily obtainable. One of those just so happened to be his lusus, and different things to wear, and if he had room a book or two. Anything too heavy would slow him down. While Vremea had healed his injury before he rushed out to go tend to his buisness back home, he feared it would look suspicious with a giant wagon or some sort of cart. He didn't know if his information had been sold out or not, Kursha for all he knew had given up everyone in the rebellion, which included the yellowblood naturally.

He'd made his choices, and the space that once used to be there was out of sight but not of mind. It hurt like hell to even think about it, but he didn't have time for petty feelings and emotions for paths that other trolls took. Once he'd gotten inside, he was immediately aware of three things, his senses alive with the feeling of danger. A trickle of fear rolled down his neck, almost like one might feel a bead of sweat. He inhaled a sharp breath, and looked around feeling paranoid. He couldn't stay here long, lingering was not an option; His time here would have to be short.

First and foremost, Skinkdad was angry and worried he'd been gone so long. He was also relieved to see his troll son, it was evident in the clicking like pleasant noise in greeting he'd used to address him. Secondly, his gerbils while just starting to get hungry were alive and giving him pitiful looks. He quickly fed, and watered both, as they'd need to be added to a box and carried in a satchel, or in his coat pocket perhaps as he trusted them not to chew through the fabric. The last was he felt like he was being watched. Not directly, but the oppressive feeling was there, the sense of overwhelming danger had his psionics firing off like wildfire, although he did not understand it in full.

Quick about his business, he packed up his clothing, changed out his boots for a good pair, grabbed three of his favorite books..and slowed for just a moment as he stared blankly down at his bag. For a third time he would have to lose everything he owned. One day he'd own a hoarded hive, but gradually possessions were becoming less important, and the lives of other trolls had replaced them Stryke realized with a heavy sigh. Shaking off the unhappy feelings, he finished by grabbing both Peregin and Meridoc and stashing them in his coat pocket. He picked up a few other odds and ends, like his old tobi and the small brown wooden box containing it what smoking leaves, and seeds he had on him. He was pretty sure this would be the only time he'd come back to this hive, he might as well come prepared for the future. Stryke then stuffed the last of what he wanted to bring into a third bag, after carefully wrapping everything to support for long distance travel.

All in all, at least Stryke looked like he was going camping or perhaps away to visit a friend.

Out the door, Stryke was soon back onto the streets of Chittentown. With that taken care of, Stryke began walking. The burden of his things weighed on him, and his still healing wound. The soreness was there, even if there was no wounds, he wondered if something had been left behind..there was a greenblood in the village he'd speak with later on the matter. As he walked down the street, he refused allowing himself the opportunity of casting a look over his shoulder back towards his hive...he kept his eyes on the occasional movement of his lusus. He'd gotten what he needed most on Alternia, he could return up north, he'd just use a different path this time encase anyone tracked him.

It was because he was so focused looking ahead, he saw the sight of a troll whose blood color, and outfit momentarily caught his attention. There in the crowd, was a troll he hadn't thought he'd ever see again. He felt himself slow down; whatever it was he'd been saying to his lusus was lost as he felt his mouth drop open ever so slightly. He knew that shade of blue, all too painfully well. It caught his attention so much that he actually stopped walking and bumped into sometroll. Muttering a halfhearted apology..Stryke cautiously shifted, and moved crossing so he could move closer to the direction Sarcel was moving.

Like a strange twist of fate, he'd been granted another chance to speak with her. "...do my eyes deceive me? isss..that you sarcel?" Stryke had moved beside her, and while not dressed in his usual manner, he was half certain she'd know it was him without needing to state things plainly. His lusus didn’t know what to make of what Stryke was doing but remained silent as they moved along the streetway; an alley way was just ahead, the left path headed back towards the main street area. She could choose to leave him..or answer, it wasn't like he'd grabbed for her.

For a brief moment Stryke felt restless, with it his nervous energy forced his psionics to manifest. The barrier and the illusion of clocks gleamed around him. He was glad she’d pulled him out of sight, the brief flicker of his psionics while fleeting came with the rush of emotion he felt. The realization of the danger he’d actually put himself in coming here, and her obvious concern were just enough.

At least he’d been smart and got away as quickly as he could afford from his hive..

Stryke felt his pump biscuit tighten in his chest as he realized it really was Sarcel. The tension in her shoulders said it all even when she didn't initially look at him. This was perhaps some sort of suicide to approach someone who not long ago he'd begged with to spare his life. Yet the strange kinship and familiarity they had shared, and he still now felt had lead him to reach out despite his better judgement. "i..yesss i know i'm on my way to leave i came for a few things and my lusssus." He confessed quietly lowering the hood that had been shielding him even in the darkened night on the desert streets. It wasn't like he was the first lowblood to travel with a cloak, he'd blended right in seamlessly as he fled from his hive he would never return too.

"i won't come back here again, but i couldn't just not come here.." As if to empathize his needs, his lusus had come after them when the blueblood troll had grabbed Stryke.

Although it didn't lash out, as there was no alarm in his son's tone. His gerbils peeked out from his jacket at the other. She was dressed differently; neither were covered in mud and looked worn and haunted. "i'm sssorry i couldn't just pretend like i hadn't seen you." He stated quietly, looking away from her down to his booted feet for just a moment with a slight slump to his shoulders.

"it's nice to see you however.." He agreed rubbed his neck as he gently placed a gloved palm on her hand that had grabbed for him giving it a gently pat before withdrawing to look her over. "if you want to speak, we should find a roof top...out in the open isn't safe." He gestured just down one of the older streets. He knew his way around, and there was several abandoned buildings from lowbloods who couldn't afford their taxes. With any luck they could find a place to sit up top, away from any potential prying eyes.

Stryke had done what he could to cover his basis. The green-yellow on the fake symbol was done deliberately onto the cogwheel, in order try and keep him safe. He'd decided it couldn't be too much different than his own; strange happenings kept causing him to flicker and glow randomly. Based on Sarcel's reaction, it certainly hadn't been his imagining them. Although the reality was terrifying, crushing even. He'd never had powers before. Not until the madness within the mire not all that long ago at least as far as he knew. "i-i don't...know? honessstly...it just happens sometimes now." He whispered in a tiny voice, staring at her with wide eyes in reflection to her own shock. It was the latest addition to Stryke Nvrmor's growing resume of things that had happened while working for the P.I.

Falling silent as she agreed with him, he was glad she didn't pull away or back off from him. It would have only served to heighten his fears about the strange latent powers that had taken effect on him. His eyes watched as she looked down. He felt guilty suddenly, he'd again asked Sarcel to go against her normal life as a troll.. However, a chance to sit and talk..might never happen again he realized. Would it really hurt for them to talk if even for a little while without everything crashing down around them?

Biting down on his lip, he nodded slowly as she explained about her invisibility...it made sense. Even if it felt weird, he trusted her. His eyes trained on that offered hand, hesitantly reaching out for it. Stryke would lead them. The nerves he'd felt for the moment were pushed back waiting for her queue. Stryke gestured with his free hand towards a building, indicating where they'd be heading. His lusus he quietly explained could follow after as not to add further strain onto her powers.

Staring suddenly directly at her..he took in a breath, before slowly letting it go. "thank you...shall we?" Stryke felt grateful once again towards her. A gentle, extra little squeeze to her hand was added as he spoke.

The way she had said 'is that so' had made Stryke momentarily wonder if by chance the blueblood had some kind of experience on the matter. It was just all too familiar the way she'd retorted, but now wasn't the time to pester her. Everything was the same all around them, except his physical form seemingly vanished. It was a strange itching feeling, like he was ethereal in some way. It was similar to how his own weird energy felt when it would bubble out...but this felt physical somehow. Stryke’s mouth hung open in awe for just a moment of her.

Silently he walked with her, excusing the death grip given the situation. Entering the old abandoned building he recalled it had once been a hotel of sorts. There was a nicer one on the other side of Chittentown, this one hadn't been to code or something. It was empty and forgotten now. "yesss..we should be fine in here." He indicated releasing her hand reluctantly. He glanced back, watching as his lusus silently shuffled along after them. Skinkdad found himself a place on the lower level. If anyone came sneaking in, they'd have him to deal with before the two trolls.

Stryke looked around them; while the lighting was dim he could make out stairs. He gestured towards the direction, and began walking towards it to climb upwards. Most places had a rooftop access, it would work well enough even if they had to walk. Stryke remembered he had applied here for a job before the Bar..which he'd have leave behind as well. All of this seemed like an eternity ago after what had happened.

"sarcel, what brought you to chittentown by the way.." He asked glancing over his shoulder at one point. Stryke paused at a landing with a door and the number Two. Just another two flights and they'd be at the rooftop entrance.

Concerned when she seemed slightly out of breathes from having to cover for him as well, he gently placed a hand on her shoulder before retracting the gesture. He nodded when she waved a hand at him, taking it as a sign not to fuss.

Stryke listened agog as she noted her reasoning. "i sssee. that explains the outfit." He made a click-like noise in consideration. "that's a fair statement yes. the desert grows on you the more time you spend out here." He admitted.

Peering from around behind her as she approached the door, they were soon greeted with a thousand, no infinitely billion silhouettes of glimmering stars above them.

Time seemed to standstill as he stood there eyes gleaming with wonder. For a moment his fears and concerns seemed like a dull lull in the back of his mind. Stepping forward, he reached up skyward, as if he could scoop them out of the sky. His hand dropped suddenly when she spoke. "i am fleeing. i have no choice. i have no intentions of being caught. i'm needed were i will go back too." He admitted hesitantly. Even if he trusted Sarcel in relation to his own wellbeing, he did not trust her enough to share too much.

"i'll be safe, i have a place waiting for me." He assured her shaking his head. "i have my lusssus and a few things from home, i'll manage. alwaysss do." Stryke tried to assure her with a calm smile. "hey. i'm glad you’re alright..in light of everything by the way." Ryk didn't need to explain what he meant by that.

After he'd said his peace, Stryke walked forward towards the edge of the building. Carefully he took a seat, legs dangling over the edge. Her concern had him looking across Chittentown. This chapter was coming to a close in his adventure he realized.

Stryke listened to her, patiently smiling when she seemed to worry. It was unusual to have sometroll fuss over him like this; whatever it was that they shared he had to agree it was strange. Only a very small handful of trolls did, and apparently Sarcel was one of them. Not that he wasn't guilty of the same thing of course. They weren't even supposed to be friends; they were on opposite sides according to regulation and laws.

Yet here they were, sharing a moment of peace between them.

The budding kinship they shared may have been hard to place, but he was no less grateful for it. His smile wavered as he sighed suddenly lifting his chin upwards as he considered how to answer her question. "you really don't. you jussst..grab what you can." He admitted hesitantly. "i didn't really have time to plan thisss trip, said i'd be back and left. so i just started walking." Stryke answered her finally with a shrug.

Her question might have been abstract, but he was direct and honest with her at least. There was a pang of regret in his stomach for a moment as he looked out across the city he'd begun to call home. Old Hemisect had become nothing but a distant ghostly memory, and now soon too would this one. Determination however kept him from cracking under the weight of his decision. Long ago Stryke had decided what road he would walk, even if it meant great danger. The hope he believed in, would not be so easily extinguished.

For a long while he didn't reply her comment about his being okay. Closing his eyes he idly tapped his boots on the build wall in a lazy rhythmic fashion of leg swinging motion. He stopped abruptly as he finally spoke up again. "i don't know why you spared me, but thank you..again. i owe you more than words but," He looked at her then, shifting so he rested on a bent knee to face her.

"i can't stay long. i don't know if letters are best to exchange? i wouldn't mind if you didn't.." He looked away then, it was obvious he knew better. Nahori at least as far as he knew not directly involved with the army unlike this troll beside him.

It was unlikely they would meet, let alone on good terms. This alone had been a small little window he hadn't thought he'd be afforded. "either way i have a feeling we'll meet again someday." He murmured, although it was spoken even quiter than his usual speaking voice.

Stryke felt his brow furrow as he glanced at the other before his shoulders sagged slightly. What exactly wrong with his thinkpan he wondered, here he was making friends with another troll he shouldn't.Yet it didn't change he'd already let the meowbeast out of the bag in asking. He was a fool to have offered to begin with. This wasn't like his friendship with Nahori..although the similarities in his wanting to check in with the other simply to keep tabs and make sure she was okay he realized was fairly similar. The older he got..the more complicated the difference in his life's journey was beginning to become. It weighed heavily on the young teens shoulders. In fact, all Stryke could do was look away glancing out across Chittentowns many dimly lit Hives clustered together across the sandy deserts.

The yellowblood realized he needed to say something, besides giving her only silence."no..i know you're right. i'm sssorry i shouldn't have asked." It was fairly selfish of him, he was possessive of what little good things he had in his life. It was a fact about him that stayed true, even after all that had happened to him leading up to even this moment in time. The realization he felt that way was downright disturbing. What was he supposed to make of that? "i won't wassste anything...you gave me a chance to fight another day. i won't forget that..." It was unspoken he owed her, he'd be in the hands of the royalists by now and culled for sure.

Leaning back on his hand he looked to the side then to the blueblood. "maybe we are devoted to what we do, but...i'd still be left to wonder..i'd be lying if i said otherwise." He finally agreed reluctantly letting her know he felt similar in that regard. Stryke clenched his teeth slightly, only hoping his trust in her was not misguided. Quickly producing a pad of paper and pen he jotted down an address to be used for letter dropping. As he handed her the piece of paper he stared at her. "it will be under an alias..unlesss i feel it's sssafe to do otherwise, rip that up if you'd rather not. trussst me, i'll understand. sarcel..? thank you again..." He started to get up, even if he was tired and uncomfortable. He needed to leave, not wanting to linger and force her to wrestle with her emotions any further.

Nor did Stryke want to contest with his own personal demons. Not with a full journey back north still ahead of him.