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As the moments ticked on Murphy knew he couldn't merely go on staring at the damn thing, not with Bellamy watching him. He had to either discard it or choose to reclaim it, and with Bellamy's comment came the urge to do one or the other quickly. Before the other man mistook his silence for sorrow, although it wasn't entirely absent, buried beneath. If it had been anything else, Murphy may have cast it aside, belongings were just things after all. But this torn emblem held significance. Its origin, its meaning, the memories it carried, and to Murphy's discontent... the relevance of Mbege saving it. It may have been a poor attempt to undo events, to retrieve a part of their friendship once Murphy had gone, but perhaps that in itself meant something. 

With the emblem still in his hand, he looked to Bellamy, the other's comment requiring some sort of response at least. To share the story with him seemed redundant yet there was an urge to tell it anyway, but Murphy pulled his gaze away before he gave it any further consideration. He didn't owe Bellamy any explanation, not that the other had yet pushed for one. "Not really." Despite the reply to infer it was nothing special, he slipped the emblem into his pocket, the action seeming a contradiction to his claim. One of which he was aware of enough to refocus on Bellamy to offer a faint smirk, to at least attempt to distract from the fact he'd kept the item after his feigned nonchalance over the contents of the pack. Wondering whether or not Bellamy knew anything of his history on the Ark, and figuring it was unlikely. More reason to keep it to himself perhaps. "Surprised you didn't confiscate it... now you're a 'real' guard and all."

Bellamy Blake

There was a vague intention to form an answer to the query about the leaf, but it had been immediately forgotten once Murphy had spotted the emblem, and for several moments he merely stared down at it. Back on the Ark, Murphy had torn it from the uniform of one of the guards, though they hadn't been wearing it at the time. Rather Murphy had been trespassing, entering the guard's quarters with the intention of causing some damage although he hadn't known exactly what that might be. Until he'd torn the emblem from the hanging jacket, set it alight and watched as the flame had singed one side of it before inspiration hit. And in one calm movement he'd used the dying spark on the emblem to light the jacket before it went out, the piece of fabric smoldering out in his hand while the second fire caught and grew.

He'd managed to keep the emblem, through his arrest, throughout his time in the Sky Box and on the ground. Until his banishment. Aside from Murphy, Mbege alone had known the significance. While several others were aware of what Murphy had been arrested for, they knew nothing of the details, the reason, until Pike had so brazenly revealed it not long before the delinquents were sent to the ground. Prior to that, Murphy had no call to tell them. The act hadn't been for recognition or notoriety, but for his father. And for himself. 

Bellamy's comment drifted in to snap him back to the conversation, but Murphy kept his gaze fixed on the scorched emblem as the fact that Mbege had kept it sank in. Now emotion hit him, sadness and gratitude and yet shaded with anger. Regardless, he attempted somewhat unsuccessfully to cover it up with another smirk, unconvincing, as he reached into the pack to take out the emblem. "It's mine."

Bellamy Blake

What any of them wanted? He was pretty sure that some did, or at least some portion of the events. Still, nothing Bellamy said in reply stirred any faltering in Murphy's gaze, until he spoke of second chances. There was that term again, prompting Murphy to look away but not without another flash of a smirk, even if it faded sooner than he intended. Here they were back to talking about what people deserved, even those gone for good. Why did his 'friend' deserve anything, now that he couldn't even atone for any failures, correct any mistakes? Or even say sorry. 

You got one. After everything. That coaxed Murphy gaze back up. It was beginning to feel as if Bellamy was using the entire 'second chance' mantra against him, and now he searched the other's features for some telltale sign of pride, of superiority. But he found no trace of either. Regardless, the other still always held a natural air of authority, whether Murphy felt himself under it or not. He didn't. Not now and not for a long time, if he ever really had. Yet it was there all the same, troubling Murphy to wonder Bellamy's true intention of pointing out what he had been given. 

As Bellamy went on his feelings on the matter seemed to show momentarily, Murphy thought, and although nothing in the other man's tone sounded contentious, it still felt like an accusation. But the significance of the question swiftly pulled Murphy's thoughts to all he had done that would warrant any regret. His gaze fell to the pack once more but eventually drifted elsewhere. Regret, sure he felt it. Perhaps not for everything others might say he should, but it was there. Intertwined with justification and grievance, but there all the same. Though vocalizing such a thing to Bellamy wasn't going to happen. Instead he met the older man's gaze without any real suggestion of defense in his own, meaning to answer, if indirectly. And finally, a halfhearted gesture to the pack. ".... What am I supposed to do with it?"

Bellamy Blake

How long would this altercation go on? Though others were looking from a distance, it seemed Bellamy alone was staring down the grounder mob. They had stopped their approach at least, for now, but they showed no sign of backing down enough to be sure they wouldn't charge them at any moment. They needed to get out of there. All of them.

Another order came from Bellamy in response to his urging for the older man to leave with them, but Murphy hesitated a few moments more. Though there was a chance his presence or at least him remaining in the grounders' view was merely infuriating them, making the already tense situation far worse. Perhaps he should go, but that in itself might be the deciding factor for the crowd to act. The next order came and Murphy responded as he watched Bellamy back away from the grounders, climbing up onto the horse behind Emori. He had never sat on a horse prior to this never mind ridden one, so Emori took the reins, seeming to know what she was doing. Once Bellamy was up on his, Emori was already leading their horse away at a trot. A little too quickly as Murphy attempted to keep an eye behind. Ready to ask her to slow down if Bellamy didn't join them soon.

Bellamy Blake

Bellamy's step between him and the grounders took him by surprise, and had it not been for the urgency of the situation, he might have made a remark. But he kept quiet as Bellamy moved in front and pushed him further behind, with Murphy simultaneously nudging Emori behind himself. Even so, there were plenty more facing them and still nearing, the crowd or at least a fair portion of them still growing more angry as they continued to approach. 

When the words left Bellamy's mouth, Murphy found himself staring at the other a moment from where he stood, the language sounding odd from the other man's lips. Were all Arkers fluent in grounder speak now? Wherever Bellamy had picked it up, it would hopefully come in useful, the other seemingly speaking up in defense of some kind, evidenced by his following statement and one that Murphy could understand. An explanation. So they thought Murphy had murdered Ontari, it was no surprise. Remnants of her blood still stained his hand and shirt despite him wiping it off as best he could. And he was the one the grounders had seen at her side while she was alive, at her side once she was dead, and now leaving with the sky people and caught with her unmistakable blood.

Jus drein jus daun. Okay that one sounded familiar, though once again the exact translation escaped him, but it was again clearly a threat as Emori gripped his arm, stepping in closer with a quiet 'John'. His eyes were on Bellamy as the other glanced his way with an order, one which Murphy was more than ready to follow, backing up now until they reached a horse and urged Emori to climb up first while he remained standing reluctant to join her just yet, gaze shifting between Bellamy and the crowd. Whatever the other man had said after his mention of the flame had stopped them in their tracks, their expressions less sure than a moment ago, though still far from friendly. Murphy took it as an opportunity. "Bellamy, let's go. While we still can."

Bellamy Blake

Relief. He felt relief. That it was over, or at least this part of this whole battle was over. It seemed Clarke had succeeded and those under A.L.I.E.'s control were back under their own, albeit disoriented. Emori was herself once more, and still clinging to Murphy as he assured her, holding her close. It was in this embrace he watched as Octavia ran a blade through Pike and headed out of there as if she were leaving alone. Her animosity towards Pike had been no secret since they'd all met up, clear it seemed to each of them. But the post-battle execution appeared to somewhat stun at least a few of those watching, however briefly. Regardless, it was done and they would soon be leaving. He and Emori, even if nobody else chose to go soon.

He'd had enough of this place and if the hostile attention he was getting from the de-chipped grounders was anything to go by, he was less than welcome anyway. Now away from the tower and outside, Murphy stood near the Arkers as they readied to leave and head back to their camp, while he discussed with Emori where they might go themselves. Would he even be welcome back in Arkadia? Or Emori. Possibly, after everything that had happened, yet it wasn't necessarily the right choice though perhaps a beneficial one for now. Their discussion was cut short once Bellamy approached, apparently pulling him towards a quick decision, which Murphy answered with a nod. He'd certainly be leaving Polis with them, just how far he'd go was still undecided. 

The glares from the surrounding grounders directed his way had not gone unnoticed, and now they were moving in closer still with an air of discontent. Time to leave. "Let's go." Definitely time to leave. Fragheda! The exclamation had Murphy's attention snapping to the crowd, though precisely where it had come from was unclear. 'Heda' he recognized but the rest was lost on him. Still, he needed no translation to know it was likely an accusation of some kind, and given the look on Emori's face, he was right.

Bellamy Blake

How can you hand me decision making duties, Bellamy Blake ??!
Your call, future chancellor 
I'm cool with either!