Welcome to Gaia! ::

It had been a long night, Stryke was pretty sure many more like it were in store going forward. He'd never trained so much in his entire life as he had since the swamp fiasco began. For once the yellowblood just wanted a moment to himself, or at least as close to that as he could afford without shucking his responsibilities. That wasn't entirely true, he was half hoping to have seen someone inside the small bar.

Setting a jar of fireflies on the counter to illuminate the space a bit better he stretched, suppressing a tired yawn as he covered his mouth.

The safety of those in the village were always taken into the highest regards, but Stryke was only one troll afterall. While the night would not yet give way to day for sometime, Stryke slipped around the makeshift bar as he quickly glanced at the different beverage assortment.Surprisingly there was a fair selection, impressive given their remote location. The little establishment reminded him of working at the cafe he'd applied for back in Chittentown. While perhaps a little more rustic, it certainly had promise. He almost felt like he should have grabbed his old apron, but shrugged off the idea.

Life was short, and sure the Outpost didn't need The Watering Hole but it was sure a nice little addition. Not only that, the yellowblood naturally assumed it would attract a bit of attention for trolls seeking a sense of community, and a chance to mingle. Whatever the case was, he poured himself in an worn mug after briefly dusting it off some of the soporific liquid as he didn't want to gag the first alcoholic beverage he'd ever considered trying. Sniffing at the substance he wrinkled his nose as he leaned his elbows on the counter, sipping from the contents. His brow scrunched at the taste and for now set it down on the counter.

There wasn't anyone around presently, but for the moment he would enjoy the silence.

The sound of footsteps had Stryke looking towards the entrance. Coupled with the loud crack that had come before it, the yellowblood couldn't help but wonder who it was. Leaning heavily on his elbows, Stryke peered across the bar just enough to get a better look see who it was. Rasali came into focus as she approached the little makeshift bar. A small smile followed, a sign of recognition, as he knew of her well enough. Mostly in passing, as they had exchanged pleasantries but never really spent any real time extensively deep in conversation outside meetings,on the battlefield. Although as far back as he could remember, the older troll had been an active member in the Phoenix Initiative. They both were some of the few to have remained after all this time.

Adjusting his weight slightly, he greeted her in turn with a wave. "ah! good evening." Stryke replied to her initially as he watched her settle down in front of him. Despite being tired, if not a bit on the moody side more so than normal he couldn't help but shake his head good naturedly. His brow quirked ever so slightly as he noted she looked just as tired as he felt. Still her presence was fine by him, busy as they all where it sounded nice enough.

"i wouldn't know. this is the first time i've drank anything like this honestly. nah. this rom won't be about a detective's swan song. not tonight anyway." He joked, with a slight chuckle to accompany his shrug. The thought of watching some old detective movie was now on his list of VHS tapes to bring back to the swamp to watch without question.

Stryke wrinkled his nose ever so slightly as if to indicate his drink was just as strong as it smelled. "but yes. of courssse you may." He replied his hand sliding over the drink he'd poured for himself, raising it as if offering to toast. "did you want something?" Stryke offered to serve the other, speaking in his usual soft manner. There was no reason to act in disguise here..he was among allies and namely friends.

Stryke didn't mind to much that she was laughing at his expense, and shook his head ever so slightly in a bemused fashion. One sip hadn't left him with more than a mild static buzz, but he felt laid back enough to smile good naturedly at her. "point taken. it's not like i have a good baseline either." Stryke gave a slight shrug, and a bit of a dismissive handwave. It wasn't that bad, he was just being a wriggler about the bitter kick.

"oh? coming right up." He commented thoughtfully as he moved with practiced ease to fulfill the request. Finding a suitable mug, he poured for her a proper helping from the soporific beverage container, all without making it spill prone. Stryke passed her the drink across the short distance the bar provided.

"me..? training, trying anyway. i have powers to deal with now. it's been weird grasping that." He worried at his bottom lip slightly, as if he was reluctant to talk about himself. "i've been working on my cartography project in my spare time." Stryke looked thoughtful. "besides that? patrol duty, kid duty, or helping out with food sssupplies honestly. now that bloodfest is over..i've just trying to get into the swing of things." He replied, his brows knitting together in consideration.

"what about you? anything interesting?" He rest his chin against his palm as he conversed with Rasali.

Pausing in consideration, he grabbed hold of his cup and lifted it up. His offering to a toast with the other troll followed suit. "to a better tomorrow?" He asked, almost like an after thought. Stryke gently wiggled his cup to see if she would return the gesture.

Stryke didn't really remember the last time he'd stopped to just appreciate the moment around him. He was constantly trying to find a consistent balance for everything, he spent more time lost in thought or working on the next thing. It wouldn't hurt him just this once..would it? "i don't think i'll fare much better." His voice trailed off as he chuckled at the situations predicament.

Somehow the yellowblood doubted it, at least here in this Village he could let his gaurd down. It was a little strange being so upfront with her, but it went over well enough. There was a pause of consideration at her explanation. "i think we've all had to in order to make thisss work really." He murmured thoughtfully, a considering look on his face at the resounding clink of the mugs. In good faith, he drank along with her. There was a brief moment in which his nose wrinkled and he coughed slightly with a hiss'd sound following as he cleared his throat.

He could just imagine Zeffer making something like this, it seemed fitting. "hm..you know? you're likely right. i wouldn't put it past him to make something that packs a kick like this." He mused, shaking his head slightly. Swirling the contents in his glass, he looked down for a long while as he frowned in consideration. "a distraction?" Stryke realized she wasn't wrong. "yeah i guesss every once in a while can't hurt." He finally smiled, although it was warily so.

For a moment he didn't say anything, looking thoughtful as he placed his mug down. Glancing back at her from the dim light as he spoke. "say, what keeps you going along this road? you've been around since the battle for ohc yes?" He realized he didn't know her nearly as well as he'd have liked to. Strange, given they worked together on and off constantly. Now seemed a good a time as ever to ask.

Stryke was grateful the next sip didn’t taste like much. Maybe he should have been concerned he’d burned out his taste buds, but he was pleasantly taken by the sopor-rich beverage. It took a little bit of willpower, but as she began to talk Stryke Nvrmor did what came naturally to him. He listened. Even with a slightly hazy quality to his mind it was easy to focus on the other’s commentary in the dimly lit bar.

“that event was my first experience too with violence. wait they took you into the woods that way too?” He admitted as he listened to her, his eyes widening slightly. He’d almost forgotten about that little detail. “i’ve alwaysss been a thinker. my lusus calls me a dreamer. scheming seem to be what i’m good at. it’s a wonder i stayed sometimes. i liked feeling like I was fixing something, and contributing to a greater cause.” Stryke went silent as he let her continue to speak. He regarded what she said with wondering expression.

“ha kursha really? he found me sneaking around and brought me in to work on demolition with him. he was older, and i think i must have idolized him in a way. i felt compelled to watch over him, and make sure he didn’t do anything to ssstupid. it was weird.” Stryke admitted rubbing the back of his neck. “i was on his team too which started out well enough, but ended badly with ganyma and kursha on bad terms.i don't really know what happened but something was really wrong? they wouldn't speak, and the team fell apart suddenly after we got back from blowing a site up. then my foolishly trying to interfere with kursha’s wanting to be alone.” The memory made him clench his teeth kursha’s a*****e self-had betrayed so much. It was nice to think of him before he'd chased military glory and threw himself at the Queens beck and call, but it was not something he would linger on. The other troll had made his choices, just as Stryke had. “he is a real piece of work isn’t he? assshole.” Stryke rolled his eyes, growling under his breath agreeing with Rasali with a prompt nod of his head.

Her abrupt giggle fit caught him off guard as he snorted with a small fit of laughter to match. “you okay?” Stryke drawled giving her a bad time, in good spirits of course.

Nodding to her next comment he grimaced. “yeah..my attitude towards the rebellion changed after i became closer to more of the members. but honestly? i use to chase vidari around like a lost puppy dog even after he kicked my a** as a kid. realized i needed to do some ssserious growing up after an adult died saving my life during the errade trial.” Stryke drummed his fingers slightly. “i knew it was highly irrational to keep along this path, however i guesss i’ve always felt like it was where I belonged. felt at home regardless of my hive status. i've had my doubts, but i believe in the cause and in byakko.” Byakko had always treated him with respect, and pushed him to improve himself from the meek little boy he'd been. There was no denying the sympathetic pity he felt for the pinkblood troll he followed now with his own measure of pride, and reasonings.

Yet Stryke slumped slightly as his eyes dulled at Rasali last question about his living arrangements.

Stryke remembered Old Hemisect like it was yesterday. “yesss, in fact my lusus was from the area. I was raised there for the first few sweeps of my life.” His old hive had been down near the coastline, and much like his Chittentown one had been slightly underground and had a large wooden door. His lips pursed slightly remember those days. He’d slipped out of his hive and did some exploring. By chance he’d overheard some trolls talking. “i had to leave it all behind. the place was wiped out to make room for what’s now new hemisect.” Stryke paused for a moment, a biter smile curving at the corners of his lips.

“i applied for a hive voucher, and they sent a lowblood like me over to chittentown. i remained an active part of the rebellion. the rest you know mostly I think?” He’d been the youngest member of the initiative at the time as he recalled it. That wasn’t the case anymore, not after the addition of the mother grub.

Finally Stryke stopped talking abruptly. His cheeks dusted with a yellow color as he gripped his mug with a bit of a death-like hold as he laughed awkwardly, shaking his head. “ah. i'm sssorry.” He blurted abruptly as he turned his attention on her. It was pretty funny all things considered. Here they were, trading bits and pieces of background. While the scene could be crashed at any moment by another patron, Stryke felt comfortable. Stryke wondered if that was the drink talking. There was no clear line; everything was pleasantly fuzzy. “i think I got carried away.” He murmured sheepishly as he covered his hand over his fanged mouthed smile. Stryke lifted himself up moving around to sort of half walk, half shuffle around the bar. Stryke sat down beside her and groped for his drink sipping from it as he glanced at the troll he now sat beside.

Stryke gave her a quizzical look as she talked about pale feelings. Had that been what it was he'd experienced? Stryke had done a terrible job listening to his lusus on the subject. It had always been so embarrassing..and easier to just change the subject. Still that certainly made more sense rather than the jumbled chaotic mess he'd just tried to describe. "yes..i suppose. ah..mm. i let those feelings go rest assured. it's beyond me to be able to try anymore." Stryke mused, indicating the bridge had been burned. Analyzing the difference in how he felt now versus then regarding a particular troll as his mind wandered. The subject was still too early to discuss openly come to think of it.

At some point during his rambling, when he brought up Ganyma the look on Rasali's face told him he'd just hit a sore subject. He had not heard from, nor seen the older troll mentioned since the day he left with Puchen. It was one of the first betrayals the rebels had suffered. Stryke had resigned to forgive the teal, believing he had to have his reasons. Like any troll, everyone did what they did ultimately based on their choices in life.

Stryke looked at her pained expression and a pang in his chest made his protein chute tighten. His eyes looked to her, even with the drink's effects in him he wasn't so far gone he couldn't express his concern as she called herself an idiot. He didn't realize he'd unintentionally given her pieces to a greater puzzle. His eyes widened as she explained a memory of the tealblood. It made his teeth click together in snap of teeth.

"so..he was playing us the whole time...?" That felt like a knife being twisted deeper in his pump biscuit. Stryke killed the last of his drink finally in retort as he glared at nothing in particular. Angry, he huffed in frustration at the greenblood beside him shared her revelation. When she slapped herself, his hand instantly shot out to grab her wrist. While his hand was small, his slender fingers curled around her wrist and gently pulled her hand away as if to say don't do that. Even intoxicated, his protective nature reigned supreme.

"rasali..none of us dessserved to lose our hives. none of us did. we were all being played. don't look at it that way." There was a flicker of pain in the younger trolls expression as he gently squeezed on her wrist before letting go.

"we've all come this far, don't let him rob you of your dignity any further. we've fought hard to survive, and keep the hope we all fought for alive. ******** him and the rest of those who think it's okay to evaluate worth based on a color alone." Stryke hissed, in a distressed tone as if disgusted. Any mutantblood was subject for culling and it wasn't right. Lowbloods got thrashed just because they look at a highblood funny wasn't either. A slight difference or oddity shouldn't influence discussions like life and death. Little things like these could in the current Alternian model set of an outright riot under the right conditions. That was no future, unless you were deemed “worthy”.

"we we're all blind...but in the end. it's only made us all stronger as a team..he'll get what's coming to him i'm sure." Stryke encouraged gently, with a little hiccup noise from his sudden outburst. "i must sound like a wind bag.." He muttered frowning a bit as he glanced across the bar to nothing in particular.

Stryke watched her, offering her his own hesitant smile in return. "tonight...is not about fighting i think we've decided that..don't you?" Stryke quipped, taping his empty mug with a wide smile. Eyeing the smear of green ended up on her forearm his brow furrowed. Social inhibitions aside, he actually wiped the smear off after grabbing a rag off the counter..even if it meant invading her personal space. In that moment it seemed perfectly logical to remove the green smear.

The misplaced detail as enough to bother him into fixing it whether she was worried about it or not. "'sides. it's a proper well deserved one. it's not like i plan on doing this every night anyway. now that would be a tragedy." He winced, making a face at the idea of drowning out his sorrows like some of the trolls that patroned the local taverns back in Chittentown.

Stryke waved his hand then in a dismissive manner.

"i'll be glad to lisssten to you then if that's the case so you know." He offered lightly tapping his knuckles against the bar table as if to confirm it with the small noise addition. Pausing as she said the word Important, and even stressed the tense..he quietly thanked her in return. Stryke found it in him to get up, stumbling out of his seat as he looked to find his sense of balance. "so. no thank you. for listening.." He added, relieved it hadn't been the end of the world to get a few things off his chest.

Stryke then gestured to fill her cup if she wanted as he shuffled around the bar another time to do just that. One more was enough, he'd just nurse it while the night went on.