Itching for a Fight

[Nox]

The kids were all busy with prep when Arabella climbed from the couch and ran to help. "Sit down. You're grounded. Remember?"

She looked at Nox like he was telling her that she was going to die. "Sit down." The rest of the kids looked at her and Nox and back and forth until the four year old sat down on the couch again and pouted. She didn't cry, though there were tears in her eyes. Nox wouldn't make her suffer too long, but for now she would sit and watch. She'd only get in the way anyway while the others put the tree together limb by limb fluffing and prepping it like it was the most beautiful thing in the world.

And for them maybe it was.

Nox had never had a Tree growing up. Christmas was usually in some trashed out motel with presents by the TV hastefully wrapped and bought from the nearest gift shop. Sometimes it was a weapon or something useful but rarely anything a child might want.

Jared's offer while enticing he shook his head at the offer of healing. "I'm fine. The pain lets me know I'm alive. And they weren't that bad, he'd had worse and lived. But I'd take anything if you think it could help. But maybe you could just poke around see what the power tells you? I'm sure Sage would love the data he'd collect while your power was running through my body, and you can try to explain what you feel, see, or whatever is when you poke around. It might help the scientific folks too. I can show you where to look and before/after images. I don't even know if that would help."

To be honest, he'd thought about asking Liv to do the same thing. "Maybe you and Liv could compare notes."

"Compare what notes?" the eldest of the fosters said. Though she wasn't exactly a foster, just a flatmate -- really.

"Delving my brain to see what you feel, see or whatever it is you do."

"I've never done that."

Nox grinned. "I know. No time like the present."

"I'm not very strong. I don't think I could do anything to actually help you. If there was only a way to add power. Anyone could probably help you with a good healing weave. It was cut out of you right? Like an injury."

Nox shrugged. "I guess so."

Nox looked over at Arabella who was still pouting and watching. "Go ahead. But you're still grounded."

Arabella jumped off the couch and started helping immediately. She stole glances back at Nox from time to time to make sure he wasn't angry with her. He only gave her a reassuring smile that didn't reach his eyes, but she took it for what it was -- reassurance she was doing alright.