(Continuation of this thing.)

"I don't see any reason why it couldn't be both." Lawrence shrugged in response as he and 'Beatrice' entered the streets. He... actually stops for a second to pull his hood back up, looking around. It looks like they're quite empty at the moment. Hopefully it'll stay that way while they make their way back to the chain. He quite honestly doesn't want to deal with anyone else's crap for the moment. That, and it'd probably bring in some unwanted attention if things got nasty, so there's that as well.

"...Say, do you mind if we move a bit faster? I'd... rather not linger around here any longer than need be." He states rather bluntly, already starting to pick up the pace in his walking, putting his hands in his mantle coat, his eyes slowly and carefully scanning the area, making sure there's no one lurking about. He never really liked being here. At least, not since the Condesce's takeover anyways.

That, and this place... sometimes likes to bring out the worst in me, as much as I'm loathe to say it. Not really something he'd admit to 'Bea', though. Nobody needs to know about that. At least, not some random stranger he just met, anyways. Even if she doesn't really seem to be honest about who she is, but. That can wait for later. For now... walking.

Rose only nodded in reply though she didn't fully understand why he wanted to go faster. Every time she remembered the streets they were always as busy as the market and safe. But then the last time she had been there, or anywhere for that matter, was back before She took over. How much had changed since then? When she had passed by earlier they had been just as empty, something she only realized now.

However she liked the silence and the eerie calm. Just like growing up in the Circle. It was welcome, something that she was used to. Tense as her companion was the girl began walking with a slight spring in her step.

Suddenly a loud noise broke the smooth silence. It was like something large being knocked over. Rose froze midstep, one slippered foot hovering about the ground. Shadows appeared on the purple wall ahead of them and the girl looked around sharply. She had to hide. Hide before whoever made the noise came around the corner.

Wall. Wall. Alley. Wall... Wait! Alley!

Rose almost missed the thin sliver of darkness, her eyes passing over it but there it was. Between two of the brick walls, a gap just wide enough to hide in.

Not asking Lawrence or saying anything at all she reached out from under her cloak and wrapped her hands around his arm, pulling him sharply to get him to follow her. She didn't know what he'd think of her doing this, but if she just vanished and left him alone then she was sure he'd try and find her. Call her fake name even. That would be just as bad as waiting to see who the noise makers were. She vanished into the darkness pulling him after her, completely gone from view of the streets in just a soft rustle of fabric.

"Shhh" She hissed, pressing a finger to his lips before he could even make a noise. Keeping it there Rose turned her eyes and watched the street.

It seemed to be a patrol of some kind but she wasn't fully sure. She stayed silent with her back pressed against the wall until she was sure they passed then peaked her head out to see if they were gone.

They were.

Rose pulled back and lowered her hand from Lawrence's mouth. "Alright, they're gone."

Lawrence stopped as he heard the loud noise, quickly looking around to see where it came from, before taking note of the shadow. Dammit... Guess that was too much to hope for. He thought to himself as he reaches for something in his coat, expecting the worst...

Or at least, that would have mattered if 'Bea' hadn't had just up and grabbed him by the arm as she dragged him into the alley, letting out a small, surprised gasp, eyes widening a little as she places her hand on his mouth. Woah! Wasn't just expecting her to up and do that. Seriously, what. ...Ah well, at least that means I didn't need to get into some sort of fight. He thinks to himself, just waiting it out.

Sounds like whoever was coming around the corner was gone, so any moment now... And there! Once 'Bea' removes her hand from his mouth, he lets out a deep breath, before staring at her. "Alright, I was gonna wait a bit longer, but.. may as well now. First off, why did you just do that? And secondly... who are you anyways? Don't think I didn't notice those earlier slip-ups. I may not exactly be a genius, but I'm not daft."

Rose had sensed it coming, knew the moment she pulled him after her, that he was going to start asking questions. She looked up at him and again met the fabric of her hood. She reached up to shove it back but caught herself, instead grasping the mouth of the hood and pulling it down further.

"I know your situation. I know you. All you need to know, Lawrence, is that mine is worse and I couldn't risk being found out here. I'd have left you by had I not thought you'd give me away." She spoke fast, making no further attempt to disguise her voice. "To be curt, I can't tell you who I am. Good evening, mister Gallis, you should hope never to meet me again."

There was little room and she only had a moment to move. She stepped forward from the wall, turning and driving her elbow into his gut. She hated to hurt someone but it was the only way she could keep him from following her short of calling on help from the Furthest. The turn left her facing deeper into the dark alley and that's the direction she began to run.

Lawrence simply listened to Rose speak, listening to her voice, and was about to reply... before getting an elbow to the gut. While it didn't hurt him too badly, it certainly stunned him for a moment, letting her slip further into the alley. Lawrence quickly regained his composure shortly afterwards, thinking for a moment... before his eyes shoot wide open.

Well, now... That actually puts everything into perspective, especially after those two slip-ups. ...While I could head back home... though I kinda feel like I have to say something to her, though... He ponders for a moment before letting out a slight sigh. Ah, to hell with it. May as well try and see if I can get one last word in before she's gone.

Lawrence takes a deep breath as he pushes himself off the wall, turning in the direction Rose ran, before running further into the alley, pursuing her. While she may have had a head start, he's had several years of exercise under his belt, so he could probably catch up easily enough. The real question is though... What the hell should he even say to her? Ah well, it'll probably come to him sooner or later.

The darkness, while usually a blessing, was now nothing but a hindrance. She wasn't scared that she couldn't see where she was going, years in the Circle got rid of that fear. It was problematic however, that she couldn't see where she was going and frequently crashed into walls before realizing they were there. Quickly she lost any and all sense of direction running between the endless walls, trying to find her way back to a street so she could get her bearings.

In no time her chest was aching. The dress she wore was not designed for breathing, let alone running, and smacking against the walls helped that little. Her footsteps made no sound, the thin fabric soles made for indoors only and she could feel the uneven ground with every step she took.

The sensation of being lost was new to her. The tunnels that led through the Palace and the Circle she knew better than the back of her hand and they were far more complicated than this. She slowed to a stop and looked around, trying to breathe quietly to know if she had been followed or not.

Her hands clenched the heavy fabric of her layered skirt, lifting the front from the ground so she could run without tripping. Now she released it to wipe sweat from her eyes and forehead with the opulently decorated sleeves. Cold seeped through her shoes and up her legs and she stayed there, shutting her eyes and listening for only a few, precious seconds.

There. She was being followed. While it was hard to pick up the footsteps over her heavy breathing there they were, and much closer than she would have liked. Rose's hood had fallen back while she ran, but she was glad. She hated covering her head because it muffled everything. It was hard understanding why so many of the Circle liked it, but she hated it. Instead she started running again, hoping it was in the direction of one of the streets. Out in the open she could move without crashing into things and could possibly lose her pursuer.

It wasn't more than a few turns further though before a hand grabbed her upper arm, jerking her to a stop. A yelp of pain as her shoulder stayed back but her body pitched forward escaped Rose's lips even though she didn't even know she had that much breath left in her.

Refusing to turn around or admit defeat Rose struggled a bit more to free herself but the hand's grip stayed firm. Finally she gave in and doubled over gasping for air and wishing she could cut herself free of the tight bodice. Still wheezing she looked back at the person holding her arm, face bright red from running and no longer obstructed.

Lawrence, on the other hand... had little difficulty. Even with that beast of a coat on him, he could still run quite easily. On top of it, he's had to run through these alleyways a couple of times before, but even with those in his favor, he still smacks into a wall or two, taking a few moments to push himself off of it, and another to pull down the hood to make that happen as little as possible.

But, even those few moments would not be enough as he catches slight glances of where Rose went, using that to his advantage as he continued on his path, slowing down slightly so not as to smack into any more walls as he continues his chase, stopping for a moment to listen to Rose catch her breath, nodding to himself before he continues his charge through the alley.

What was she even thinking, running around in that thing? Sheesh... After a few more turns, he then sees Rose, who's just about to start running again. Well, that is until Lawrence grabs her by the arm, keeping a firm grip, though making sure not be too rough, keeping a good hold on her until she stops and looks at him.

"Oh dear... You should at least rest a moment..." He says, a tinge of worry in his voice as he shakes his head slightly and... draws Rose in for a hug? Huh. "...In any case, before you run off again, I just kinda want to say one last, little thing." He takes a small breath, before leaning in to whisper. "...I still believe in you. Even if the others see you as a traitor, I... refuse to accept that. To me, you're still the one who'll keep Derse's future a bright one ...Or lead it back into one, such is the case" He says, a slight hint of sadness in his voice.

"...Regardless, call me a fool or whatever, but that's what I honestly think. And nothing is going to change that." He says with a small smile on his face, pulling away from the hug as he goes to walk away, albeit a little slowly, as if giving Rose a chance to say anything before he gets moving.

Rose shut her eyes as he pulled her closer, too tired to fight back and bracing herself for an attack. A knife in the back, or in the ribs perhaps? Maybe he'd just bind her wrists and lead her somewhere else. She waited, but pain didn't come. Instead his arms wrapped around her, stopping her body from heaving while she fought for air.

She stood stiff as wood in his embrace, not really knowing what to do. If it was Jade or one of the others she wouldn't think about it. Maybe if it was a different situation she would hug him back. As was she didn't have any idea what to do. So instead of doing anything, she listened. He.. believed in her? Opening her eyes Rose looked up at the male, able to feel the sadness but only seeing the face of the young boy not yet initiated, who always seemed to be slack off. She'd never spoken to him, not wanting to waste time from her studies, and almost regretted it now.

The others. Her eyes widened as realization dawned on her. Did that mean he was one of the rebels? Did he know where Dirk was? Did he know- A thousand questions stormed through her mind but she swallowed back her words. The less she knew, the safer they all would be. Plus she didn't have time.

He released her and started leaving, leaving her to stand there watching him vanish into the alley.

"Wait!" She said before he was gone, hands clenched at her sides to keep from going forward to grab his cloak to stop him. "I- I... If you know where he is. If its safe to find him, to tell him... If he is safe.. Tell Di- the prince.. Tell him the Palace is no fun without him around." It was the most Rose could think of to reply, not wanting to just go without saying anything but not knowing how to reply to what he said. She knew everyone else thought of her as a traitor. It was what the Furthest had told her and it was what she assumed for staying with the Condesce, but hearing it said by a person... It was different.

Violet eyes stayed fixed on Lawrence for another second before she reached back and pulled her hood over them. Silently she turned and walked away quickly, blending into the shadow like she had always been part of it.

Finally, after she had found her way out of the alleys and was able to head down the streets again, Rose reached the shuttles. Still blending with the dark she snuck aboard and traveled back to the moon, through the tunnels, and into her room.

Exhausted she forced herself to stay up until she was changed from her dress, now the bottom of it in such a condition and reeking of sweat she would have a hard time explaining what happened. She brushed her hair and crawled between the lavish frilly sheets. She knew what she'd write tomorrow.

Lawrence stopped as Rose spoke up, making her request known. He simply nods in response, that small smile still on his face. "I'll be sure to tell him that somewhere down the line. Stay safe." He says, waiting a few seconds after Rose leaves, before pulling up his hood and letting out a deep sigh of relief. "...I'm glad to have heard that. I do wish to talk to her some more, even if it takes a while. Definitely."

With that statement out of the way, makes his way out of the alley, slipping by in the shadows. Well... Today certainly was a day. What to do now, though? Head back home, maybe? Or perhaps I should drop by and tell Dirk the news now... decisions, decisions... He idly taps his fingers against his head as he stops to think for a moment, before just... shrugging as he suddenly darts out of the alley.

Ah, what the heck? I'm not exactly tired and I'm sure the boss wouldn't mind a little company droppin' in. Even if it is li'l old me, but still! He thinks to himself as he goes to carefully make his way to the HQ, making sure to cautiously avoid any patrols.

(Aaaaaaaand... SCENE!!)