A Mockingbird In The Crows Nest

When Does The Reason Become The Blame?

He just had to pray the hero didn't follow him on the street or something. Or Prime forbid he call Phil to chase him in the skies. First of all- that would be royally unfair seeing as Tommy can't fly and they know he can't. Second of all- he's not exactly thrilled about the idea of seeing that man again.

"I-" Techno starts, but Tommy doesn't listen. Keeping the ring of concrete up around him, Tommy makes a mad dash for the nearest fire escape and swings himself up onto the first landing.

"Wait!!" He calls, and Tommy hauls himself up the stairs 2 at a time. He hears Techno scramble to cross the courtyard, and Tommy shuts his eyes tight as he rounds past the first landing and keeps going up.

There's the clatter of metal below him, and he flaps his wings in a panic to propel himself up the steps 3 at a time.

His lungs are burning by the time he reaches the roof; and legs ache from how long he's been running. But he still launches himself across the roof to escape. He eyes the next building; preparing to throw himself across the street when-

"Moc- Tommy!! "

Tommy jolts at his name, and he whips around- shooting a couple pieces of concrete in Techno's direction without thinking. Not at him, of course. Tommy would never hurt him. But he needs to make sure the man won't stop him or try to follow him when he jumps.

Thankfully, Techno stops short when the chunk of concrete hits the roof at his feet; and Tommy presses himself against the guard rail. It's only then that Tommy realizes that Techno's mask is gone. The vulture skull is off his face and is instead strapped to his belt.

And when Tommy meets his crimson eyes, he's a little surprised to see he looks..Conflicted, almost. Like he doesn't know what he's supposed to do.

His mouth opens like he wants to say something, but he just keeps staring at Tommy like he'll have the answers he needs. But he doesn't have them. How could he?

Then his eyes snap down, and they blow wide when they see something on his wrist.

Glancing down, he thinks for a second he's looking at the bandages from the cuffs. Maybe he sees blood staining Tommy's hands and has suddenly remembered what kind of person Tommy is.

But when Tommy glances down to check- there's no blood on them. Just the dirty bandages and a glint of something gold-

..Wait.

Shit he forgot he was still wearing the bracelet. The one Techno gave him.

Tommy quickly hides that wrist behind his back; ansty that Techno will try and take it back if he arrests him. But his raised feathers flatten a little as he watches Techno's face swim through a storm of complicated emotions ranging from surprise, to confusion- to sorrow, for some reason.

Techno wets his lips, and Tommy takes a step back.