[center][h1][b]Collab between Pezz and Skycera[/b] [color=mediumpurple]N[/color][color=MediumOrchid]i[/color][color=mediumpurple]a[/color] [color=00aeef]Chres[/color][/h1][/center] [hr] [hider=Hider] Chres sprinted down the halls, firmly guiding Nia by the hand. Despite the blindfold, she navigated effortlessly. Was she a Sight adept? An interesting thought, but one for later contemplation. Their immediate concern was evasion. Chres abruptly halted, his senses alerted by the murmur of unfamiliar voices approaching from up ahead. The urgency of the situation prompted a hushed curse as Chres assessed their options. There was a shadowy room a few steps away. [color=00aeef]”This way.”[/color] He murmured. He gave her a gentle tug just in case she couldn’t see, to assist in directing Nia to the darkened room. Leading the way, he scanned the room looking for a hideout spot until the people ahead passed. Options were limited—a cramped broom closet to the right and a pair of expansive curtains draping down to the floor a few paces away. The broom closet seemed uncomfortably tight, leaving the curtains as the more feasible choice. As if on cue, the curtains crashed to the ground. Its support beam inexplicably snapping in multiple places. “What was that?” Echoed a voice down the hall. Seriously?! For once, could the Divergent’s ceaseless misfortune cut him some slack?!?!?! He turned back to the broom closet. [color=00aeef]”Broom closet it is.”[/color] he whispered, [color=00aeef]”Hope you're not claustrophobic.”[/color] With a swift quiet motion, he ushered Nia into the cramped closet with him and shut the door. The tight quarters left little room for comfort, but to Chres, it seemed a far more decent option than facing down whoever awaited them up ahead. * Nia felt dazed. Part of her felt it would be best to deliberately get them captured. If she could just explain the situation… Her aunt at least would listen, wouldn't she? She could convince the others. Now she found herself crammed in a confined space with a man who only moments before had been her enemy. Chances were if she revealed them, the man, Chres, would kill her. She'd have to bide her time for a better opportunity to escape. He was the enemy after all. The only reason she could imagine he hadn't killed her yet was likely interrogation. That probably meant some kind of horrific torture. She'd heard the stories from Milaine. Nia stood silently as the Crazed, her people, entered the room. She edged up the blindfold and peered through the gap where each door met, quickly realizing the danger they were in. There was no way they wouldn't search the closet. It was the obvious hiding place! [color=mediumpurple]“What now?”[/color] She hissed to Chres, keeping her voice low. * Chres frowned. What now indeed. He wasn’t sure he could trust that she would have his back in a fight. Unless he could garner some trust… [color=00aeef]”I…I’m sorry.”[/color] he hesitated. [color=00aeef]”Perhaps… I shouldn’t have grabbed your hand back there…”[/color] he whispered, [color=00aeef]”If I were to guess, I’ve only made things worse for you.”[/color] * She lowered her gaze to hide her expression though the darkness of the closet made it near impossible to read either way. [color=mediumpurple]“Why are you apologizing to me?”[/color] she asked, her hushed tone sounded more snappish than she intended. This man was her enemy. A few pleasant words and an apology couldn’t change that. * [color=00aeef]”Why?”[/color] Chres repeated. He looked at her and frowned. [color=00aeef]”Well… why did you spare me back there?”[/color] He asked instead of answering her question. * [color=mediumpurple]“I didn’t [i]spare[/i] you” [/color]she replied a little waspishly before adding [color=mediumpurple]“I was planning to capture you.”[/color] She deliberately left out that she had never killed someone before and had been too scared to try. * [color=00aeef]”Capture. Hm.”[/color] He said not quite convinced. Her comrade didn’t quite seem like he was looking to take captives. [color=00aeef]”You can still fix this, you know. It wouldn’t be too hard.”[/color] His eyes lowered to her falchion. [color=00aeef]”Confuse me with your illusions. A few quick stabs to the gut.”[/color] He didn’t mention the part about his death vanquishing his existence from everyone’s memory. He needed garner trust, not further motivation to betray. Outside the closet he could hear the other Crazed slowly entering. [color=00aeef]”You would kill two birds with one stone. Revenge Sillensia and get back on their good side. Why don’t you do it?”[/color] * [color=mediumpurple]“Revenge who?”[/color] She asked, her expression growing confused. [color=mediumpurple]“Look- it's just.. I mean..”[/color] she struggled to articulate what she wanted to say. There was just too much going on to think clearly. [color=mediumpurple]“I don't know what I'm doing yet,"[/color] she finally admitted. [color=mediumpurple]“I’m worried they'd kill me before I could explain and I don't know what to do about you either”[/color]. * His eyes met hers uncertainly. Was she not out for vengeance? She must have known Sillensia. Must have been friends with her. Otherwise, how could she have made those illusions so personal? [color=00aeef]”Well…”[/color] He said. [color=00aeef]”Seems like you’re in good company then. I wasn’t sure what I was doing either when I grabbed you earlier. And for that, I am sorry.”[/color] Outside the closet, the Crazed drew in and examined the broken curtain pole. “What in the senses?” One of the Crazed said. He looked at the others confused. Things like this weren’t uncommon in a Divergent, but given the circumstances… They looked to the closet. [color=00aeef]”Here they come.”[/color] He said. [color=00aeef]”Time to roll the dice. One way, or the other.”[/color] * Nia let out a soft sound of frustration as she watched the Crazed in the room beyond. Why was she even considering this? It was madness! As she teetered on the edge of decision, a thought arose within her. ‘These people don’t really care about me’. Melaine had said they thought she was a liability and didn’t trust her. They called her a traitor without even so much as a moment's hesitation. An ugly ball of resentment began to well up inside her stomach as she considered how they treated her, how they made her an outcast among outcasts. With one hand she slid the blindfold down once more. This wouldn’t be her final decision but it would give her more time to think. Focusing on the others in the room beyond she reached out and played with their perception. They froze in place, then looked to each other in alarm before rushing from the room as one. The exertion of such a controlled hallucination on multiple people at once sent a shiver through Nia and she almost fell over drunkenly inside the closet. She felt suddenly… Elated. Yes, this was the right thing to do! How had she ever doubted herself? If they wouldn’t trust her she certainly couldn’t trust them. It was only right that she proved just how powerful she was. At once she pushed open the doors and turned to face Chres, a somewhat unsettling and manic grin now on her face. [color=MediumOrchid]“What now?”[/color] she asked, her tone unsettlingly light. * Chres blinked. His brow furrowed. He wasn’t quite sure what had just happened or why they had left. He glanced toward Nia, the sudden change in attitude somewhat unsettling. She had used her magic, hadn’t she? Chres exited the closet hesitantly. So, she was Crazed then. Senses, they probably all were. What had Sillensia been thinking of making friends with a Crazed?! Scratch out his eyes! What was he thinking? Lips pursed, he swallowed his doubt and concern. She was the only lead he had. And so it was time for him to roll the dice. [color=00aeef]”I don’t suppose,”[/color] He started, [color=00aeef]”you know where they might have taken the princess?”[/color] * [color=MediumOrchid]“Hmm”[/color] She tilted her head thoughtfully, tapping a finger to her chin [color=MediumOrchid]“I miiight have heard them say something?”[/color] She shrugged her shoulders in a helpless manner [color=MediumOrchid]“But I’m not sure why I should tell you. Perhaps if you gave me a good reason..?”[/color] If he wanted her help he’d better offer her something good. Afterall, being as powerful as she was, she couldn’t be expected to help people for free. Especially someone who might turn on her at a moment's notice. Nia found herself eyeing him suspiciously. What was he planning? * Chres arched an eyebrow. Her attitude had changed entirely. He glanced towards where the other Crazed went. Chres shrugged. [color=00aeef]”That’s twice now you’ve spared me. I understand that your actions may not sit well with your associates. Perhaps, it might be mutually beneficial if you lent us a hand, or at least for the time being.”[/color] * [color=MediumOrchid]“My Associates?”[/color] Nia let out a soft chuckle and set her hands upon her hips. [color=MediumOrchid]“I care as much for them as they do for me. That is to say, I don’t”.[/color] [color=mediumpurple]‘A lie’[/color] Some distant part of her thought. She moved one hand to her forehead for a moment and grit her teeth. Why did that feel like a lie? She didn’t need them. They needed her. Just as this man now needed her. So powerful was she that others would beg for her aid. [color=MediumOrchid]“I‘ll help you for now I suppose, just until I decide what’s best for me”[/color] * Chres gave her a nod and a smile. That worked for now, but he needed a way to keep her around after. He still had questions he needed answered. It was a problem for another time. For now, he had other matters to focus on. [color=00aeef]”Well, let’s go find the Princess then.”[/color] He said. [/hider]