17 Reunion of Solidarity (1/2)

Chapter 17: Reunion of Solidarity

Shane glanced between the intense gazes of Jack and Nye. ”Well, I think I need another drink.” He said, glancing back to Jack, with a wink. ”I'll let you two get better 'acquainted'. Play nice now, Jackyn. This one's a stone cold fox.” Shane chuckled in a playful manner, patting Jack's back before heading for the stairs.

”........” Jack uncomfortably stared at Shane, with a stunned expression.

Nye briefly glanced to Shane, as he passed her to descend the stair case. Her vision returned to Jack. ”I wasn't aware that humans knew about Knothole.” She mentioned, approaching Jack.

”Hmph, well more you know...” Jack scoffed, as he sort of just stared at her, still a bit unnerved.

Nye leaned against the railing beside him. She let out a soft groan of discomfort as her backpressed against the rail, which seemed to soften the Angel of death's expression.Her emerald eyes peered up to him, meeting his. He seemed uncomfortable, glassing away in a near instant.

”well, It's nice to see that you have a friend of sorts.” Nye went on, trying to break the silence.

”Hmph. I doubt you came up here just for small talk. I'm still contemplating your offer, and I don't feel like socializing.” Jack grumbled, his back leaving the edge of the railing.

As his back turned to walk away, Nye grabbed the back of his hood. ”Just hold on a minute...” Without warning, she felt a rush of a memory pass her by. She was left in a brief pause, but she came back to reality.

Jack had his gaze now focused on Nye, with that same odd stare. Her hand was still gripping his hood. ”What is now?...You're spacing out again, aren't you?” He seemed faintly irritated.

”Sorry, just... another memory. I thought for sure I had gotten better at suppressing them by now.” She muttered coyly, as she withdrew her hand from his garb.

Jack exhaled, keeping his mouth shut. He was clearly frustrated by her, leaning back against the railing with a huff of annoyance.He kept his eyes averted, now crossing his arms. ”Well?”

”Well, what?” Nye quirked a brow, pondering briefly as she glanced his way.

”Are you gonna tell me about it, or not?” Jack gritted his teeth, as he scoffed.

”So now you want to talk.” Nye seemed surprised, yet intrigued.

”Hmph. You're the one who stopped me. Not like you're gonna leave me alone either way. So might as well get it over with.” Jack peered over, with scowl.

Nye smirked, in amusement. Her gaze turned to her ring on her hand, growing more somber in expression. ”If you really want to know. This ring plagues me with involuntary memories of my past life.” She said, her eyes peering up to Jack. ”I've seen yours as well,as I'm sure you could guess from that shared memory you witnessed before.”

”Seems more like a nuisance than anything.” Jack remarked, not entirely interested in the conversation. ”Having knowledge of something like that is pointless if you ask me.”

”It may seem that way, but perhaps the knowledge it retains can have it's perks in the long run.” Nye replied, focusing on Jack.

”You're impossible to figure out.” Jack scoffed, in a sardonic manner. ”Just about the only thing I can make sense of, is like all Amygdala, you are obsessed with learning shit. Your motives are entirely unknown, and yet you expect me to just ally myself with you, solely on the reason we have a common enemy? Just quit acting like you know me... cause you don't.”

Nye looked off, with a gloomy expression. ”It's not like anyone really knows me either. This outward facade is little more than a mask to hide whom I am on the inside...”

Jack glanced back to her, taken a bit by surprise by her behavior.

”We all have our fears, and anxieties. I put on a front, so others don't see those weaknesses. I didn't want the responsibilities that fell into my lap, when I learned my lineage. I may enjoy gaining knowledge, but just as much so, do I hate how the templar treat those who aren't Rhyme. I made a compromise, so we can all be free one day. That is why I took this role, and the same reason I think we can benefit from an alliance. Like me, you're scared of those who look down on you... I can see that.” Nye admitted, holding a pensive gaze.

”...” Jack sighed, clearly feeling a bit guilty. ”Well, you've made your point. You sure you want to soil your reputation, by having a wanted felon in your ranks though? I'm not sure how apparent it is to you, but since you came up here, everyone has been watching.” He glanced over to Nye, with uncertainty.

This made her tilt her head briefly, before taking in her surroundings further. Sure Ashe had already left, but everyone else within Knothole seemed to be watching her, but trying not to make it too obvious. Nye was a bit surprised by this, but looked away with a grimace. ”It doesn't matter. I've already heard plenty rumors about me, being an imposter... People will think whatever they please, so who am I to control their opinions?”

Jack shrugged, turning to Nye. He peered down at her. ”You're not going to have a good chance against the Rhyme if you can't get allies. You know that, right?”

Nye's eyes met his, staring up to him. ”I am aware. Even so... If something like fighting along side another outcast prevents an alliance, then they are no better than the Rhyme. Even with the stories I've heard, I can tell you're not who they say you are.”

Jack pocketed his hand into his trench coat, looking to Nye from his peripheral vision. ”If that's how you feel, then I'll fight for you...”

Nye was astonished by this, and smiled. ”I'm happy to hear that. I do hope we can become friends, Jack.”

He scoffed a bit, closing his eyes. ”We'll see...” He turned off. ”If I were you, I'd get that wound looked at. The air carries the scent of your blood.”

Nye glanced away. ”I was going to have Finch look at it, once I warned you about the Templar... I was eavesdropping on a Templar war conference of sorts. They have stealth forces stationed in Belmont, on account of you. It would be wise to tread carefully.”

Jack glanced back to her. ”Is that why you wanted to speak with me?”

”Aye, it is.” Nye nodded, seriously.

Jack averted his gaze. ”Hmm...I need to go speak with Shane... after, I'll take you to that secret place of yours.”

”You needn't trouble yourself-” Nye began, but was interrupted.

”-It's the least I can do. I owe you that much, besides... You're bleeding. Just wait here, I'll be right back.” Jack insisted, sternly.

”(From the way his words have changed... Does he mean to protect me?)” Nye had a soft smile, as she nodded.

With that, Jack turned off to go down stairs and speak with Shane, who was at the bar. Shane turned to the Angel of Death, with a crooked grin. ”So, how'd it go, with that lady friend of yours?”

”Knock it off. We have other things to worry about, that she informed me of.” Jack explained.

”Oh? Templar matters?” Shane grew serious.

”Exactly.” Jack nodded.

Nye was left there to watch from the top floor, as the two seemed to communicate further into the discussion. Nye waited as instructed, taking out her sketch pad to draw as she waited...

Wandering the grassy country side, Solitaire was walking beside Miles. Zyron wasn't too far behind them either, stepping over an uprooted vine of a nearby tree. As they trekked onward, Miles decided to glance back at the dog.

”He's still following us...” He grumbled to himself.

”Ya'know I can hear you!” Zyron snapped.

Solitaire narrowed her eyes, peering over to the short feline. ”I'm starting to think you just didn't want Zyron to follow us. That what it is, Fluffy?”

”Fluffy!?” Miles hissed, gawking in shock as he ceased movement.

”Called a nickname, mate. Better get used to it.” Solitaire stated, in a sardonic manner, right as she passed him up.

”I told you before, I'm not following you. There's a fork in the road just ahead, so I'll be out of your hair before you know it.” Zyron grunted.

”Whatever you say, Ronnie.” Solitaire teased.

Miles kinda stood in silence, staring in utter shock at her. Solitaire kept walking, and even Zyron got ahead of Miles, leaving the cat standing there asbreeze blew by. The path ahead was coming up to a tree, that Solitaire was about to pass by.

”Sup.” A voice called from above. It was Ashewyn standing on the tree limb. He jumped down, standing before Solitaire. The red haired Amygdala pretty much towered over the three of them, with how tall he was. ”Nye sent me to find you guys.” He said, in a laid back manner, as he cleaned his ear with his pinkie.

Without warning, Solitaire had taken both of his hands in hers, holding them together in the air. She was blushing, staring deep into his confused yellow eyes. ”Hello there. You're pretty hot stuff, mate. I'm Solitaire by the way.” She said, in the most alluring way possible.

”Uh, Ashewyn.” Ashe blinked, totally unsure of what was going on.

Both Miles and Zyron seemed caught off guard, as their gaze focused over to them. Miles' ears sharply shot back, as his tail's fur stood on edge. He leapt to the ground on all fours, rushing over. His body slithered between the two, pushing Ashewyn away from Solitaire, in jealousy. Ashewyn seemed confused still, but caught his footing without issue.

”Alright, back off! No need to get up close and personal, pal.” Miles snapped.

”Oy! Whad'ya do that for, Fluffy!?” Solitaire snapped, grabbing him by his ear roughly.

”OW! HEY! CUT IT OUT! THAT HURTS!” Miles whined.

Ashewyn was completely dumbfounded by this, sweating uneasily. Zyron on the other hand, was still at a bit of a distance. His tail drooped a bit, as he stared over. ”(What have... I gotten myself into?....)” He thought.

Solitaire was gripping Miles' jacket collar, shaking him vigorously at this point, but neither had seem Zyron collapse forward onto the ground. There was a thud, which finally got both of their attention, causing the two to turn around. Even Ashe glanced over, seeing Zyron laying face first in the grass.

Solitaire looked scared, immediately rushing to the dog's side. ”Zyron!?” She called out, crouching down to his side. She turned him over, to see his face. He was sweating, and didn't look so good.

He weakly looked up to her, as she held him on her lap. ”Fuck... Something's not right... Urgh...” He winced, softly.

Solitaire felt his forehead with her palm, just as the other two approached her, they too seemed concerned. ”You're burning up...” Solitaire said, with furrowed brows.

”...” Zyron's eyes were growing heavy, right before they closed. His breathing was starting to sound distorted again.

”Ronnie, come on, talk to me?” Solitaire grew nervous, but received no response. She pressed her ear to his chest. ”...He's still breathing... it's all wonky though...” Solitaire shifted back up, looking to Zyron with a worried expression.

Ashe crouched down beside her looking to Zyron. ”Looks like the color in his cheeks have vanished as well...”

”... Pfft, no wonder he kept close.” Miles muttered, with an annoyed grimace. He crossed his arms, turning off, with a huff.

”Bleeding hell... I thought I got jammy when bodging up his wounds... I'm blooming daft. This is all my fault...” Solitaire held her face, restraining tears of panic.

”Alright, simmer down. I got cha covered. Solitaire, right?” Ashe said, getting Zyron up, and onto his back.

Solitaire was staring up to the red haired man, behind tear filled eyes. ”...M-Mhm.” She timidly nodded.

”If we get back to Wynorex, Finch can figure out what the matter is with your bud. Kay?” Ashewyn smiled. ”Now come on, we should get moving before it gets worse. I'm not a fan of doctors, but Finch knows his shit.” He said, taking Solitaire's hand to help her to her feet, and leading her along with him, still carrying Zyron.

Miles grew furious, leering to them, as they rushed ahead.

”Move it or lose it, Stripe.” Ashewyn called, getting the feline to begrudgingly hurry after them.

Sometime later, back within the Wynorex under city; Nye was in Finch's chambers, as he mended her injured wing. She sat on the strange chair inside, as Finch was at work. Nikolai seemed to be lingering around them, glancing a bit to the doorway at times. Out there was Jack, he was leaning against the wall, with his arms crossed. His electric blue eyes glanced up, as the entrance gates opened. Walking inside was Miles, followed by Solitaire and Ashewyn, who carried inthe unconscious canine Leashed.

”It's that one bloke.” Solitaire grimaced, hiding behind Ashewyn.

Miles was flaring his teeth, with his ears back and tail on edge. ”Grr....”

”Hmph. ” Jack scoffed at them in annoyance.

”It's fine, just take it easy you two. Hey, where's Nye?” Ashewyn inquired, approaching Jack.