Welcome to Gaia! ::

Stryke had been lost in thought as he walked around the different walk ways that connected Salamire Outpost together. He wasn't scheduled for patrol duty tonight..if anything the yellowblood was affording himself a few moments of down time. The sounds of the swamp had begun to become familiar. The stars blanketing the imposing eternal night sky was a site to behold. The moons illumination made it easy to see where he was going coupled with various light sources from the hives decorating the village.

Pausing he saw one particular hive door open. It was on the lower rungs closer to the bottom. The reason was easy enough to understand. Yakmom. She was only getting older and Vremea's kindness had been of her lusus comfort rather than a higher more lofty retreat. She seemed to be star gazing, and lost in thought. Stryke had known her over the sweeps as someone who had always provided guidance. Perhaps it was time he spoke with her again, it had been far too long. Curious Stryke moved closer to the balcony the yellowblood sat on having to descend to the level below he currently had been walking around. It occurred to him she was a psionic as well. Surely he knew..but the realization dawned on him. It wasn't like there weren't older rebels he could speak to about the matter. Stryke had gotten past his fear of his new found abilities and instead wanted to try and understand them better.

The reality was he didn't feel entirely so abnormal the more he thought about it. Really it was comforting in a strange sense if anything. She really was lusus like he couldn't help feeling. More importantly Vremea was one of Stryke's friends.

"why good evening." He began with a wave noticing how she'd grown her hair out to match hers disguise. That was the one thing Stryke didn't compromise on. He didn't want to cut the long mop that had always been his hair. It was his he could just as easily tie it back or braid it as needed. "you..aren't too busssy for a bit of company are you?" Stryke asked hesitantly not wanting to disturb her.

Stryke was reminded suddenly of the ribbon he still kept tied around his hand and wrist like a glove...she had given it to him during the swamp fiasco, leading to the rebellions reclaiming the old village. While the ribbon had seen better days and was a bit worn down from wear, but he still kept the item close. It didn't compare to the real thing, or talking to the troll herself. They both had been busy, and time was always so fleeting especially with the grubs becoming active toddlers at an alarming rate. He'd also been busying himself with working on his map project, he practically needed a new one already and would likely go into the city sometime in the next week or two. For now, his attention was on Vremea who seemed just fine with his approaching the other. ah good i'm glad i didn't catch you at a bad time then. Stryke couldn't help but smile.

When she got up, and welcomed him closer he crossed the threshold to complete the gesture. There were few trolls he could tolerate being in such close proximity too at this point in life, and she was most assuredly one of them. "it's been too long, i'm afraid i've been preoccupied." He admitted, looking to the chair. "sssure, that would be nice. i can grab my own chair it's alright." Stryke offered with a gentle smile that pulled at the scar on his cheek. Taking a step as if to move towards her hive as if to complete that very task.

Stryke's expression lightened at her remark, the yellowblood had always been welcoming as far back as he could remember. Nothing had changed, even after all this time so it would seem. "no of courssse, i understand. i would be just as busy." He agreed in understanding. "i ssshall have to come by more often with tea perhaps to talk with you." He offered politely, smiling. "sometimes i get busy, but never to busy for a friend to spend time with. we live in volatile times, unfortunately." He remarked with a wry smile to match. He saw the look of concern on his face...and for a moment Stryke could only avert her gaze. It wasn't like he thought of them unless he was in disguise, around Salamire he only covered with his hair when he was uncomfortable around the troll he happened to be speaking to.

Frowning as she asked her question he looked at her then. "the neck and arm are..from the caverns when the fires erupted. the face was after i went running, and was my own fault." She already knew about his leg, and the stomach injury she'd healed after he mistakenly tore out the bolt in a panic. It felt redundant to bring them up. Stryke had taken being injured well enough in that he'd been to numb to worry about it once they'd healed up properly. Trolls were resilient thankfully.

"it's quite alright. really!" He tried to assure her, as none of them bothered him beyond the detail of being easier to profile. Stryke hadn't moved as she went past her curtain to get another chair. Her hand received a curious look..slowly walking towards her with a bit of reluctance giving it a gentle squeeze before letting go to shrug of his vest to pull down the sleeve collar. He wasn't about to remove his shirt outright..she really didn't need to see the extent of it. Stryke motioned how far it went but spared her the visual. He didn't want her to worry more than she already had. "they healed fine, and you dealt with the worst of my injuries. you weren't in much better shape. we all had a part to play in order to have gotten this far..." He reminded her with a slight frown as he motioned to shrug back on his shirt and button his vest.

Sitting down beside her...he looked at her then with a strange seriousness. "i have a question for you...you're a psionic...right? when did you discover them. i'm not sure i ever inquired properly." He asked unexpectedly, trying to distract her from the events in the swamp. He swallowed down the lump in his throat, although he wasn't sure why. He'd used his powers several times over since learning he had them. It had more to do with not wanting her to worry, she had enough on her plate. He wasn't a small child anymore..he was learning how to fight properly, so he could do what was needed rather than merely surviving to see the next day.

Stryke regarded her as she said tea sounded nice. "i'll be sure to in the near future..i promise." On an intellectual level Stryke knew realistically the life they now has here in the swamp was on delicate grounds balancing act wise. The battles they as a movement had been vast in numbs..and things were dire. They had managed..little supply runs and those willing to help them had made things move along well enough. Stryke lived with the knowledge he might one day suffer a bad outcome for his beliefs and alliances.

Distracted from his musing he looked to her..noting her frown and the comments that followed. His...handsome face? Stryke flushed citrine. "i"m not..but thanksss." He murmured softly the hand with her bow gently touched the hand on his face. Thankful she didn't press him to see more he silently thanked her as he listened to her comment she'd rather be hurt if it meant protecting others..or especially him..? "...you know. you helped me not die, and have the strength to keep going." He assured her..a small smile on his face as he glanced down at his lap briefly patting the spot over his stomach.

His leg hooked over one knee leaning as he listened to her explain her account of how she found out her power..and the fact she'd saved Odette. He remembered it all now...the memory of that night in Old Hemisect at the height of the drama. "i remember seeing you both...it was happening so fast. and then we had to evacuate before the bombs went off. i'm glad then you were able to save her...you're gifted beyond words." He murmured softly with a gentleness about his smile. Stryke could almost see it..like a window in time. The blueblood captain had brought a great deal of change in a rapid onset of events. Stryke had to wonder...was it the extreme nature of stress and the surrounding situation that onset the rapid development of psionics? Stryke could only speculate he wasn't an expert.

It seemed like a logical speculation.

Taking a deep slow breathe Stryke closed his eyes. Retrieving the pen he has on him he tossed it up in the air. Concentrating hard on it as it came down for his think pan he reached a hand out...a focuses point of yellow light shaped like a clock appeared around the clock...freezing the item in place mid twist as it fell.

"i do...now yesss..after everything happened..the glowing started first when i reached the end of my wits..it seems like traumatic experiences trigger it given your account with odette.." Stryke chose his words carefully neither of them needed a sob story. He forgot about the pen as he talked to her...his concentration ruined as the pen bounced harmlessly off him to the floor below. Stryke looked incredulous when the pen tapped him. He couldn't help but smile sheepishly as he retrieved his pen..glancing at her almost shyly given he still wasn't comfortable using his power in full just yet.

Stryke's smile widened when she mentioned waiting for his invite. His cheeks flushed yellow at her following statement. He didn't think he was much to look at but he trusted the older yellowblood he supposed. Stryke watched her with a silent curiosity. He tsked the sound an awful lot like hissing as if he was contemplating. He noticed her reaction to the ribbon. Stryke didn't need to explain why he still wore it..he valued the gift. His eyes closed briefly at the hand that was on his shoulder. He thanked her softly nodding in understanding. "you can alwaysss count on me as well." He inclined his head slightly to her.

One day he would tell her everything..maybe when he was older and less haunted. Even thinking of them now made him uneasy..and want to push them away. "well...if it's practice perhaps we should find a way for you to work on that. i believe in you." He murmured softly. Stryke unconsciously moved his tied back hair to cover his right side so she wouldn't be forced to look at his scars. They weren't her fault..her worried expression made him feel guilty in a small sense.

"you would be surprised what you could learn here..namely from those around you...i've learned there's always away even when all seems lost...don't give up now." He encouraged gently. There was always another way...always a way to keep going. Stryke had learned this the hard way in life. Giving up meant failing after working so hard which was unacceptable to him now. Life was still a one day at a time for their current situation. The rebels were always in one dire state or another. They had been fortunate to establish Salamire Outpost and develop a new standard for normal. Stryke wanted to learn..and to protect those around him. The overall quality of life had changed for him but Stryke's fascination to learn out weighed his being upset. Not only that..he felt Vremea understood him in a way neither had been able to relate on until now anyway.

With his brief overview of his talent and story of how they came to be he smiled shyly almost at the older troll. He glanced up from the shadow of long hair at her. "i..appreciate it." Stryke managed to say properly as he glanced down at his lap. Learning to manage them had been more of a front running concern. Stryke hoped she was right. The more he practiced or had episodes in which he used his psionics the more comfortable his mind and body seemed to become with the situation.

Broken from his musing when she touched his knee he looked to her with a blank expression. He felt tired but was alert and attentive. His hand gently laid over her hand and squeezed the top of the others palm before evenly patting it reassuringly before withdrawing his hand.

"yesss...that's why i came tonight. i can't think of a better troll to ask help from. perhaps we can help one another?" He smiled finally looking less serious..and almost like he'd brightened up some at her offer to train him. "i've been training with byakko regularly..it has helped. this is a different sort of practice." He agreed with a nod of gratitude to her. Stryke felt the burden on his chest lifting some..yet he felt heavier knowing he kept information from Vremea. It was just relieving to get some of this information off loaded and the hurdle passed.

Stryke settled for a comfortable smile as he and Vremea continued speaking. Her worry had kept him from really opening up too terribly much...he didn't want to overstress her. Everyone's life in the rebellion was a constant source for danger. He'd just been glad to at least get a few things off his chest. More than anything he was glad she was smiling...he hated to see her upset. They all had enough on their plates...Stryke didn't want to be a burden to one of his closest friends. "ah yes..documented information would be rather nice." He agreed with a nod of his head.

His eyes widened slightly at the idea of sometroll breaking their arm or leg...and her being able to fix that. Pursing his lips in consideration he shook his head. "that is rather curiousss! The fact you can even accomplish that is beyond words." Stryke's brows knit together in consideration. Vremea received a gently squeeze from his hand, meant to be a comforting gesture for the older troll. He listened to her words on hope..and felt a lightness in his chest. "that hope we all fought for, is in the face of the kids we protected...and seeing them grow up. hope is the future we are fighting for, and what this cause stands for." He agreed finally with a gentle smile. "i learned to never give up hope either..i'm glad to hear that from you..it's a nice reminder." Stryke concluded finally.

The tension in his shoulders relaxed, bemused as he chuckled a bit. "yesss..i'm grateful to have her presence." He felt a sense of calmness and focus when with the pinkblood. Much the way Vremea seemed to light up when she was with Odette, he could relate in a sense. It was hard to explain exactly, but whatever it was it felt comfortable. Time over the sweep living next door and occasionally helping with the kids had become a part of every day life. Stryke hadn't imagined this was how his life would turn out..but he wouldn't change it. "i think you should..! it would be a fun occasion she might feel awkward but it would be good for her." Stryke drummed his fingers.

"i look forward to it then," He responded to the topic change willing to touch on something lighter..it was nice having the calm peaceful moment. "crafts...? certainly!" Stryke got up, following after her. Once inside..he walked around, taking time to admire everything, including the details..and how she'd arranged them. The evening went on with them chatting, in the back of his mind he tucked away an idea for her.

After their visit, on the following evening Vremea received a small piece of paper slipped inside her drapes leading into her hive. Stryke had been restless, memories plagued by explosions, bitterness and echoing sounds of gunfire. He'd poured his energy onto paper, giving himself a distraction. The words on the paper read "i thought of your collection and wanted to add something to it. - stryke" On the other side, a detailed drawing of the older yellowblood done in pen. Stryke had spent a considerable amount of time on the details, including the shading. Her expression was a peaceful one, and he'd taken care to even add her symbol at the corner of the drawing.

Stryke himself didn't linger at her hive...he had training that morning. It had just been a gift to her, as a way of saying thank you. Hopefully she'd like it...it was the thought that counted right? He smiled as he pushed his hands into his pockets as he walked along one of the many bridges to his destination.