[ANNI-24] Together

The sound of rapid footsteps was all too common in a bustling city like this. But their source, this time around? Not so much.

A man who looked considerably out of place was running through the busy streets of Entiam, occasionally glancing over his shoulder as he did. Despite being in such an unfamiliar environment, Nick thought that no one would notice if a few personal items went missing. He was wrong, and now he was running like his life depended on it.

"There's gotta be somewhere I can hide..." he muttered to himself, the sounds of his pursuers starting to get louder amongst the sounds of the city. Nick had just rounded a corner, when he felt a hand grab him by his shirt collar before suddenly being yanked into a nearby alleyway. Everything happened so fast, the Mignyan hardly had the time to process what was happening. Nick began to struggle, when he noticed the stranger who had grabbed him was holding a finger up to their lips.

A flash of understanding washed over the pirate as he quickly put his back to the wall, alongside the stranger. They watched with baited breath as the pair of miscreants who Nick had stolen from passed them by. After a minute or two, just to be safe, Nick let out an exhale he didn't even know he was holding before finally addressing his inpromptu partner in crime.

"Thank you. Genuinely." He said, before quickly adding a question he had been meaning to ask since the moment he met this stranger.
"...who are you, exactly?"

The stranger took a step towards him, letting Nickolas get a better look at them. They were wearing some kind of suit, or maybe it was a uniform. Their hair was a bright red, but probably their most noticeable features was their fleshy horns, and teeth-like protrusions emerging from their back. This was no random civilian. This was a Mignyan.

"I was just walking back to my place when I got the strangest feeling to turn around." The stranger explained.
"And wouldn't you know it, I see a fellow invader. Running like a bat outta hell."

Nick sheepishly put a hand on the back of his head. At least he didn't need to keep up his disguise anymore.
"Mignyans always know." He added. It was a peculiar ability for Mignyans to be able to recognize their own, but Nickolas was certainly not complaining now.

"...I'm Aliya, by the way." The red-haired mig added, extending a hand.
"Nick." Said the other, shaking it.
"You...wouldn't have a place I could lay low in, just for a little bit. Would you?"

"I suppose we can go to my apartment." Aliya said with a chuckle. "But you're going to owe me one."
Nick hated the idea of being indebted to someone, especially considering how he was already indebted to his captain. But he did get his butt saved back there. It would only be right for him to pay her back.

"Deal."

Aliya poked her head out to make sure that the coast really was clear, before emerging from the alleyway with Nick in tow. Anyone who passed them on the street woul hardly even suspect that not one, but two disguised invaders were walking amongst them; chatting away as if they were old friends.

"So. What's your deal, exactly?" Asked Aliya. "No offence, but you look like you stepped straight out of a time machine."
"It's a long story..." Nick trailed off, before being playfully elbowed by Aliya.
"That's good. Since it's a long walk to my apartment."

Nickolas let out a soft sigh, unable to hide the smirk on his face.
"Well in that case, why don't I start with where I'm from. You see, there was this weird-looking portal thing, and-"

Nickolas didn't expect much from a city. He preferred the open sea and small towns, anyways.
He most certainly didn't expect to make a friend.