Flyman Reincarnate

Just as they entered the hotel reception area, the skyclock struck. Terrchel couldn't help but wonder what would happen if he stayed out or sneaked out after hours.

Leghorn registered their stay with the AI receptionist, who already knew why they were there and assigned the rooms customized to each one's preferences on lighting, caffeine preferences and temperatures.

Terrchel took this as an opportunity for a late-night stroll. He snuck out the back emergency security door in the reception area, hidden behind an artificial tree. His swift, fast movement makes him undetectable, and he was able to pass by without anyone noticing.

Stepping back outside to look at the stars from the back of the hotel was like stepping into a tranquil oasis, bathed in soft dark violet moonlight that cast a glow on Terrchels skin. The air was cool and crisp, carrying the sweet scent of blooming flowers but he knew there wasn't any real flowers in sight. 

He sensed it was a perfume, but couldn't see anyone out besides himself. A faint hum of crickets provided a soothing background noise, but Terrchel tracked the sound to a white noise machine in a sitting area close by.

The atmosphere was peaceful. It didn't seem like being outside was a big deal. There was a sense of stillness that enveloped the area.

Being human has many perks, and slowing down to enjoy it seemed like something he was starting to enjoy. Since the journey they haven't been able to do this much with all the rushing that's been happening.

The constant racing of thoughts, trying to figure out what's next, and redirecting the plan when things didn't go accordingly has taken preference in his thoughts. It's been a lot to take in as a newbie to human life, he thought. 

Terrchel's awareness intensified as he sensed a gaze directed at him and the scent of flowers once more. It felt reminiscent of his previous experience at the deserted amusement park in The Undergrid.

This time, his swarm senses locked in, and he knew it was one single being. He instantly became resolute in his decision to confront the stalker. Turning at the speed of lightning to face the emergency door but he saw nobody.

Terrchel immediately opened the door at a fast pace and padded silently down the hotel corridor, with heightened senses on high alert as he tracks the faint scent of perfume and the soft whisper of footsteps.

He thought to himself, 'I've been sensing that someone's been stalking me since I checked in, and I'm determined to catch them in the act. '

Scanning the hallway, his fast speed allowing for ground to be covered much more quickly whilst following the trail.

"I'm getting close, I can feel it". Suddenly, he rounds a corner and catches a glimpse of a female figure with vibrant Crimson red hair darting into a nearby stairwell.

His heart skips a beat as he sprints after her, his senses on overdrive. He burst through the stairwell door, his eyes locking onto hers for a fleeting moment.

For a second, they just stare at each other, the tension between them palpable. Terrchel feels a jolt of attraction, but before he could react, she smirks at him and takes off down the stairs, and out the window her laughter echoing off the walls as she makes her swift escape.

He is left standing there, with his heart pounding in his chest, realizing he had just been outsmarted by a mysterious and alluring stranger, and he might just like the new thrilling sensation.

He walks back to the reception area, and the AI bot informs him that his companion had already checked into his room and gives him directions to his own.

Entering his room shrouded in darkness, his eyes adjusted immediately. The AI assistant of the room asked him if the lights should be turned on, and he declined. Walking in complete darkness, the only illumination coming from that faint glow of his swatch, when received a ping from Leghorn to come over. 

He ignored his texts and walked over to the window to see if he could spot Ms runaway from up here.

The air was thick with heat in the room, making it feel like a sauna, just the way he liked it.

A decaf coffee machine sat silently in the corner, a peculiar comfort amid the room. He walked over and poured himself a fresh hot cup, sipping it sizzling, he walked out of the room, intending to find Leghorn and tell him about this mystery girl that evoked a spark in him.

Leghorn's room was the polar opposite, bathed in warm, golden lights. The air was set to crisp, cool, with a gentle breeze that made the atmosphere feel refreshing and invigorating. 

A high-caffine espresso machine sat prominently on the counter, ready to fuel up on, and the room's decor was a cozy throwback to a bygone era, with plush furnishings, vintage patterns, and warm earthy tones just like Leghorn liked it. The room felt like a warm hug from an old friend.

Leghorn: Oh look who the breeze flew in, my green haired 'companion' 

Terrchel: (scoffs) Yeah, we really need to stop booking into hotels like this. Arcadians will start thinking we're exclusive.

Leghorn: That's one thing that hasn't changed around here. People making assumptions for their own entertainment.

They stood side by side each with their own cup of coffee staring at the city lights out the big window.

Terrchel: So...you're not going to ask me where i've been?

Leghorn: I did. you just ignored my texts.

Terrchel: I bumped into my stalker friend again, it's a woman.

They both sip their coffee.

Leghorn: HMMM, interesting. Your first interaction with a real female you say?

Terrchel: I wouldn't call it an interaction if she ran away in the minute our eyes locked

Leghorn sipped in silence, listening intently.

Terrchel: She just ran away, why would she come all the way? tracking me from The Undergrid to The City just to do that?

Leghorn: I don't know. Nothing surprises me anymore. Women in Arcadia Realm are different. They see something they want, and they go for it. Maybe she fancies you... or she was sent to kill you.

Terrchel: You know nothing you're saying makes sense right?

Leghorn: I think you should'nt worry about it that much and go get some rest.

He took both their cups, placed them on the coffee table and shoved him out of his room.

Leghorn: Goodnight (door slam)

Terrchel stood outside the door dumbfounded, "did he seriously text me over here just to kick me out".

Back in his room, he lies with the hotel windows open, blowing the cool midnight air onto his bare chest. Wrapped up in thoughts of the crimson red-haired woman. There was a strange sensation about her that he couldn't shake. 

"Was she a stalker, and why am I slightly intrigued by this? ahahhah no ways, this is just plain ridiculous to the point where she has me talking to myself staring at the ceiling".

He fell asleep and felt as if he was replaying the incident, but with subtle changes. He sees himself in 3rd person in his sleeping state and closely watches the outplay:

My heart skips a beat as I sprint after her, my senses on overdrive. I burst through the stairwell door, my eyes locking onto hers for a fleeting moment. For a second, we just stare at each other, the tension between us palpable. I walk up to her on the staircase with the intention to question her as to why she's following me. 

With her a few steps up and me standing before her at the bottom of the stairs, we're the same height. As soon as I muster the courage to say something and open my mouth she leans in close, her crimson hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of fire, her voice had a husky tone. Her golden eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint as she whispered, "The shadows are moving, Terrchel... Be prepared." Her breath danced across my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

Her lips brushed against my earlobe, the touch sending a jolt of electricity through my entire body. The words themselves were laced with an undercurrent of danger and intrigue, but the way she delivered them caught me off guard and took my words out of my mouth.

I felt as if she was sharing a secret, a forbidden knowledge that only I was privy to. As she pulled back, her eyes locked onto mine one more time, the connection between us crackled with tension, leaving me breathless.

I grabbed her arm in hopes to at least get her name before she ghosts me again but before I could react, she smirked at me and took off out the window of the staircase.

Terrchel wakes and realizes it was just a dream, but can't shake the feeling that it was real, as if they were connected by some energy and she sent him this replay somehow. 

The thoughts made him feel crazy, shaking his head, he went back to sleep.