( being able to finally cross into a new territory felt like an aggravating relief to james. while there may have been others who were concerned about leaving behind their homes and belongings, james was far too new to have established ties with anything or anyone. so frankly, if he were forced into another territory instead of being allowed to return back to the free cities, he wouldn't care. besides, he had learned and visited the horizon-

if anyone truly missed him, they could always connect again somehow or another, right? at least in his mind, that was how he justified being so cold about the whole thing.

regardless of sentiments and thoughts, he was on a mission to find mary. so he hit the ground running, not caring much for the humility this place seemed to give off. it was less chaotic than the free cities though, and so to anyone who was here minding their own business, they would surely be startled by a man running up to them in military uniform nearly sweating bullets as he spoke up. )

Excuse me-

Have you run into a woman with brown hair named Mary Sunderland? Or maybe Mary Shepherd?

( running into crane at the nether wasn't something james had been expecting and while he had no animosity towards the man, there was something strange about their entire exchange. at the time, when he ran into him in the horizon and had been drawn into his domain, james was blinded to his past and the things he had seen and done. all he could recall at the time was of his initial arrival to the free cities and a burning desire to find someone or something.

now that he was here, and saw his face, he remembered it all. he felt a strange sense of shame of having open up to someone he barely knew but....he said he was a professional? surely he wouldn't abuse his power. yet james seemed to nearly avoid him as much as possible [especially when his potion made him leave trails of sparkles behind him as he walked].

it was only when he found himself draw towards the portals to return back to the free cities, that he found himself nearly surrounded by the man. it was there that he had no choice but to actually be polite and greet the other. )

Oh hello there-

( he managed to say before things took a turbulent turn. there was a strange shaking of the ground beneath them, causing james to lose balance and nearly crash into the man. it was only when things finally settled, that he pulled back and apologized. )

I wonder what that was, speaking of, you're returning back to the Free Cities, right?

( secretly, he was hoping the answer was no. )