He shifted with her thoughts. Beneath her he took in a laborious breath before focusing back before them. His grip around her, still with both hands, became more determined. Angling down a further street he quickened his pace, twisting around corners as finally the appearance of all ten guards became apparent. Stare own pulsed raced, knowing now that it was far too late to change her mind in all of this - that word of how he had carried her would spread and any rumours that had been as whispers would be confirmed. It was a life she was going to have to face, and a life he had stated as his part in the agreement.

There before them was the guard house. Old and lonely as the only used building for three blocks, yet bustling with enthusiasm as morning began. Stare mumbled as Vitruvion started towards the door, his stance rigid and full of purpose.

“Please let me down here.” Her voice was barely audible.

“You do not trust me now to carry you down stairs?” he replied, the happiness lingering in his tone.

She stiffened as she stared at the building coming towards them, and the people it bore. “It is not about that, it is -” she stopped though, as his hand carrying her released her. Loosening her hold around his shoulders she slid down to the ground as he allowed her to, never missing a pace in his step.

And then she was walking beside him, her breath fast, and her eyes blinking fast, as the world in which they now lived came to more of a realisation to her. Vitruvion's guards came into place behind them, and the god bore himself proudly. As they approached the door, polite nods came from those exiting and entering. Stare was filled with the knowledge that her decision was suddenly permanent, that this was it, this was her life. As they came to the door, Vitruvion took a pace to the side at just the right moment so that she angled in.

She paused only briefly, confusion hitting her but understanding quickly. Easily he moved in behind her as she took the lead, heading through the only route that she really knew in this place, down into the depths of the building and towards the Hollow.

Silence was between all twelve individuals as they made their way through the doors, stairs and rooms. Stare imagined that those who were with them made up a large part of the guards who lived in the Hollow anyway, under Vitruvion's command. Naturally there would be some currently holding the doors secure at both Blaze’s and Sable's rooms, but beyond that … of the little she knew of the mercenaries Vitruvion employed, the majority of them had followed them into town.
It showed something of his obsession to keep her safe.

“We're headed to the antechamber,” he murmured behind her.

Simply she blinked, and did not argue. She pushed open the various doors, ignoring as best as she could the various accoutrements. Her rear claws clicked softly on the ground as she gained to the room of soft furnishings and minimalist decoration; where she had been kept that past week. Her sofa was still chaotic, with its pile of cushions and abandoned blanket, and his pouch of papers was on a side table. She stopped close to the centre of the room, pausing by an armchair where she looked around her at the patterns in the fabric. There were sounds that followed her; the beats of feet and the mumbles of voices. They were not for her to hear, and likely did not concern her so she ignored them, instead wondering just to what extent she had allowed her life to change by saying a few simple words.

She remained as she was until a louder voice spoke up. “Zulon, if you could arrange for more mine and Stare's belongings to be brought here.”

Stare turned, her brow rising. “What?”