Nox hadn't exactly told him about Rachel, nor had Sage, but they had mentioned something about killing a monster who was preying on her. They didn't talk as often as they used to and it was something he was trying to remedy, but his life and theirs didn't mix as often as it did when they all lived together. He really should stop by Nox's to see his new place. And even Sage's to see his new set up. He lived with his boyfriend, who also had money. It was strange thinking they had all been friends because of his untrained talent. Now they barely spoke.
But Cruz wanted to know how Rachel was doing. He could ask Emily, though he was pretty sure that she would blow him off. And Rachel well, that could happen too, but better to go to the source.
She would still be pissed at him for the things he did, but he still cared. Still wanted to make sure she was alright. So he popped off a text to her.
I heard about what happened. I'm just checking in to see how you are doing? I know we aren't together but I still care about you. Want to make sure you are still okay. Maybe we could need for a coffee and talk?
Rachel was in her room reading. She had time now at least to just relax and sort of take things as they come. She hadn’t gone on a date with Elyse. Now that the initial excitement of not feeling terrified all the time had worn off, she wondered if she was ready, and had determined, after bringing it up to Elyse, that she wasn’t. Elyse had been completely supportive. They still liked each other. That was clear, but dates and more were going to wait for a bit. Still they texted all the time and spoke on the phone most days.
For the most part she was feeling okay. She had bad days though. Her trauma was still something. Even Iason’s magic hadn’t healed that part. She found herself sometimes staring into nothing and would get this feeling of pain in her chest. Sometimes she’d start to cry and not know why. She still sometimes had withdrawals. Mostly her hands would shake then, but she felt the need for his touch then too.
Her wallet buzzed and Rachel picked up. She read Cruz’s message. She typed a response, but deleted it before sending. Then another, and another. Rachel wasn’t sure. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to see him or want to talk. She felt embarrassed by how she’d ended things. She understood Cruz now a little better. She had no idea how much she knew and was also worried he might blame himself. It wasn’t his fault at all.
But she cared about Cruz too. She had a feeling that he was being genuine here. Even if they weren’t together - she wanted to be his friend. That won out.
”I’d like that. Someplace quiet - not too stimulating would be best. Bottom of the Cup Cafe in a half hour?”
Sounds good. See you then.
Cruz didn't put on the normal wear he would have if it had been a date, it wasn't a date, it was just checking in on his friend. They'd been that before they started dating at least for a little while. His jeans and shirt were designer, but he was otherwise just another college kid out on break. His research was humming along thanks to Sage and Nox, they just needed more samples. He would need to petition for paid testers but also people willing who could channel and who couldn't but who really wanted nanobots running through their system? No one, himself included really wanted that level of data in them. Why Nox agreed was totally beyond him.
Cruz wore a faux fur lined jacket to the Bottom of the Cup Cafe. He wondered how truly American it was, Though it was owned by Aiden's sister and this was the first time he'd been. He ordered himself a coffee and an order of beignets. Sage said you had to try them so why not. It was no different than a pastry or scone with coffee.
Cruz had asked for a quiet spot so they were in a far corner off to the side away from the bustle of the kitchen, the bar and the door. He didn't know alot about what happened and Nox and Sage hadn't really said much.
Rachel got dressed, keeping it casual. She had a pair of jeans and a long sleeved shirt on. It was nothing special. Just simple. She seemed to be liking that lately. Rachel got a cab from her wallet and rode silently, watching the buildings pass by outside. They arrived right on time, but Rachel waited in a moment.
”You okay, Miss,” the driver asked when she hadn’t gotten out in a several seconds.
She faced him. ”Yeah - I just need a minute or two. Don’t worry - I’ll give you a better tip.” she said with a light smile.
She took a couple deep breaths and paid the man, leaving a generous tip before entering the restaurant. She had felt nervous in the car, and it was why she had waited. She still was a little bit, but it was manageable. She didn’t think Cruz was lying when he said he still cared, but she still found herself wondering if he was upset with her. Logic was hard when mixed with trauma.
Rachel asked the hostess about Cruz and was able to point him out. He was in a quiet corner of the restaurant away from the traffic of entering and exiting patrons and the hustle and bustle of the kitchen. It should be perfect. She was worried about being overstimulated. It could sometimes happen.
She smiled genuinely as she got close to the table, taking the seat across from him. ”Hi Cruz, sorry I’m a little late.” she said. ”Its really good to see you again. How have you been?” she asked, her questions genuine, her voice soft and more reserved than it had been.
Rachel was a little late. He didn't take it personally. He was sure she wouldn't show anyway. Things had been rough but that was all he knew. When she arrive he waved over the waitress. "Whatever she wants." His coffee sat in front of him already, the beignets were still on their way.
After he order was taken he smiled and answered her question. "Been alright. Glad for the break from classes." Not that they had been a bother before they were just nice to not have to go sit still for hours on end listening and taking notes. Some of the classes were utterly boring. And others he totally loved. "I heard you've been going through a rough time. I just wanted to check in, see how you were doing? See if there is anything I can do. If you want me to that is."
Rachel gave him a smile, glad he was doing okay. Cruz called the waitress over. "A hot chocolate and a toasted bagel with strawberry jam, please," she ordered. She wasn't very hungry.
Cruz brought up the reason for this get together rather quickly, and she was honestly she was glad to hear him say he wanted to help. She wasn't sure if there was anything really for him to do to help, but being there always meant a lot. Even just knowing that someone was there for you helped. Perhaps he had some ideas though. It never hurt to ask.
"Rough time," she said with a disarming smile. "Is kind of an understatement." Rachel ran a hand through her hair as the waitress brought her hot chocolate. "Thank you," she said to the waitress before taking a sip and turning back to Cruz. "Help given in good faith I won't refuse, and it would probably be good for me to talk about it a bit. I just want you to know that the past few weeks have been pretty traumatic. I'll probably cry at some point. I also need you to understand that none of this at all is your fault. Is that okay?" This all started with their break up. She didn't blame Cruz for any of it. She had responded badly. She had made bad decisions. It didn't mean she had deserved what happened, but it wasn't Cruz's fault.
Their pastries arrived and Cruz was surprised by the pile he was given. "Feel free to help yourself." There was no way he could eat that all by himself and he doubted they would be good later.
When the waitress left Cruz nodded. "Tell me first you are talking to someone else, not just me. Someone professional. Cause it's important." It had been important when his parents said the same thing to him. Though he hadn't taken their advice himself and still didn't think it was necessary. He'd figured out a problem and it was remedied now.
"But crying is okay. And I'm here to listen even if I can't help."
Rachel started by taking a bite out of her bagel. She took a few of the pastries from Cruz when he offered. She took a dip of her hot chocolate after he asked his questions, gathering herself. She didn’t want to lie to him, but she also didn’t want him to worry. She had enough people worrying about her.
Rachel put her mug down. ”Yes and no. Yes as in I’m currently looking for one. No as in I’ve not found someone yet because I need a very particular therapist - one who knows more about the not-normal part of the world,” she sighed. ”I don’t know how much you know, so I’ll start from the beginning. After the break up- I wasn’t well. I made some stupid mistakes that led to me meeting someone. Lucio wasn’t a normal man - he was able to feel and influence the emotions of people. A sentient is what I was told he was called. He…” a few tears dropped and she sniffled. ”Felt my pain and took advantage of it. Got his claws into my mind and started playing. I honestly don’t remember much. Not much more than the emotions - fear, lost, dedication. They were able to get me out with Nox’s help. After that I felt fear - all the time. A never ending nightmare. That parts done now, but there’s been some changes. I get scared easier for one. They told me it’s like a drug too. Sometimes I feel like I need his touch again. Hands start to shake and all that.”
Rachel wiped her eyes. ”some days are good, some okay, and some bad. I have daily check ins with several people to make sure I’m okay. If I don’t call, they do. I even have a nanobot in my body to track in case I run off. It’s in with my permission. I’m not left alone often. I don’t have any plans to hurt myself or anyone else, but I understand and accept the precautions. But I’m trying to get help I promise.”
Cruz listened intently and offered his hand in comfort though he didn't touch her just let it on the table for her if she felt she needed to know someone was there -- someone solid.
He knew Nox had helped, and it didn't surprise him that Sage had gotten into the foray either with the nano-tech.
"I know Nox has a guy he talks to. He knows more about weird shit than you and I combined. I don't know his name. I'm sure you've already met him, if Nox has been helping out. Sage too. And I know it's weird to talk to your sister's one night stand, but I can guarantee you Nox would have a billion and one coping mechanisms for weird shit." Man was a lot messed up and he survived -- he even had a family as Cruz understood it.
"I'm glad you are getting help. And I'm sorry I left you in a bad place. Where you could be manipulated like that. And honestly I'm glad he's out of your life." That was one think he knew Nox had taken care of. And Nox's methods weren't legal to say the least. It was the one reason his dad had introduced the two of them in the first place.
"Just be careful with that nano-tech. Sage might be doing this outta the goodness of his heart and a favor to Nox, but he always gets something back in return. So don't be surprised if one day you have a strange message on your phone that says "Would you like to play a game?" He smiled and winked. "I'm sure he won't do that to you, but I've heard stories of when he did do that. I'm sure Nox is paying off the favor and you won't be troubled by it. Have you met Sage?" Cruz didn't recall if Sage had been around when Rachel was at the house. He had lived there of course but he kept to the basement most of the time.
Rachel was cognizant of Cruz’s hand on the table. An offer for contact. It was one she took. They weren’t together and weren’t getting back together, but they were friends and that meant something. It was the touch the opened the floodgates though. She squeezed his hand and leaned her head on the other, allowing herself to cry for a bit. It had hurt to recall, but it had felt good too.
She took a deep breath and wiped her eyes before taking a drink of her water glass on the table. She didn’t apologize for her tears or being upset. Elyse had struggled with that and had been on Rachel for doing it too. Her feelings were valid. She looked at Cruz. ”One moment.”
She pulled out her wallet and sent Nox a message. ”Heya - it’s Rachel. I’m still kind of dealing with things from the whole sentient situation. Been looking for someone to talk to about this kind of stuff, but I can’t just talk to anyone. Cruz said you might know someone - wanted to see if that was true.”
Rachel put her wallet down. ”There! Message sent. I can’t back out now,” she smiled. ”Im not sure I know who Sage is. Maybe if I saw him, but I’m not recalling. she got serious. ”Cruz - I was perhaps a bit harsh when we last saw each other. This situation has shown me that. I may not fully understand it all still, but I think I understand better than I did. I’m sorry.” it was a genuine apology for someone who thought she had done something wrong. ”its led me to make some changes in my life though. I got to get to know me a little better. Don’t think I can continue with my Master’s right now, so I’m not returning to university in January. I have a job, and it’s going to provide me with a place to live too. Be living with someone who has some experience with working with trauma victims too. I’m pretty excited about it actually. she leaned in conspiratorially too. ”Turns out I can use magic now too.