A Strange Coin (Three Trinities Haven Church)

[Roza Vas]

Roza shrugged. "Not because you can't use it. You have used it, that's why you are sick. But you didn't control it, it controlled you. You have to find away to embrace your gift and let it flow through you otherwise it'll kill you."

Though Roza had never heard of it being blocked like that. Like it was there but couldn't touch it. Like a wall. She didn't know how to help only that she had to learn. Roza knelt down again and smiled, though it probably wasn't friendly. "If it's a wall you need to break it, or find a way around it. I've never heard of such a thing. Maybe it has to do with your addiction." She was clearly high or coming down... on top of being sick... poor lady. Though there was little empathy in Roza.

"There are rumors of help to be found at Kallisti." Though she didn't say from whom, but it was a rumor and she might not like the help she got or from whom. Esper didn't like the male help. And she avoided thoughts of the man, and the singing boy. Roza didn't want to fall down that rabbit hole again. Esper depressed was not a very fun Esper. "But you need to learn or you die. It's simple and the hardest thing you'll do. I watched my brother struggle and then I struggled myself. It's not pleasant. But you will learn."

[Tatyana]

Tatyana listened, coming to an understanding of the situation she was in. This woman apparently couldn’t help her, but heard rumors of somewhere she could find it. Kallisti - Tatyana was familiar with the club even though she had never been there. The question was if Zeke would allow it. Her eyes went to the front of the room where he sat, and she wondered if he knew what was going on right now. He seemed the type to be aware of things within his domain. Hell, he’d even known her name.

The mention of her addiction didn’t phase her at all. If these two spent any time in the area, they likely knew about it. Tatyana didn’t really try to hide it. It was more than the food, clothing, blankets, and shelter that had brought her here. There were dealers here too.

”Well - doesn’t matter now - not gonna be able to do shit until I survive. Survive or die - sounds like a normal day to me,” she coughed, the nausea within her still churning. ”Tatyana,” she said, offering her name. ”And thanks - I’ll ask Zeke if he knows more if I make it. Is there a place here for sick people to go or what?” Tatyana’s gratitude was genuine. Even if she hated her life, she still didn’t want to die. At least she had a possible option.

[Esper]

The emotions inside the woman changed like she was a bottle someone had shaken up. Esper half closed her eyes and focused on Roza instead, letting her chin rest in both hands. She probably looked bored, but it was just her way of avoiding things she didn’t want to feel, lulled further by Roza’s playing with the power inside her. She didn’t intrude or add to the advice offered. If Roza couldn’t do anything to remedy the situation now then all Esper really wanted to do was remove herself from it, but she would at least wait until the conversation was over.

[Roza Vas]

Roza shrugged. "Anywhere I guess. Nothing they can do about this if there were. You could ask about his super secret connections. I heard there might be a cure." Roza was pretty sure that Zeke wouldn't be happy about that rumor. But they had to find people for the trial somehow.

"Let's find someplace quieter for you, my love." Roza stood up. "We should get Cruz to invite us home." She leaned in and whispered in Esper's ear. "I won't mind you making him do things."

[Tatyana]

The two left and Tatyana was wondering what she meant by “quieter.” It wasn’t loud over here at all. She shrugged and sat against the wall. She was still feverish and everything still ached, but she was either getting better or just getting used to it - probably the latter. Tatyana eventually stood, and even as she stood slowly, the room stilled seemed to tilt as she did so. She made her way back to her area and lay back down. Her pill case was there. She really wanted to take one, but even she knew that she shouldn’t right now. Her body needed strength to heal. It was going to be a long couple of days.

It wasn’t long before he thoughts drifted to her father and she began to cry in earnest. The pain inside began to manifest. She missed him so much and when he died her world had shattered. Her body now shook with sobs and the pain of her illness. She grabbed her pill case and put it in her bag so the temptation was less. Fighting was something she was good at, and she’d fight any opponent, but this fight she dreaded anytime she was forced to do it.

---

The next couple of days were rough, but Tatyana was a survivor. She made it though. She woke with only the familiar feeling of withdrawal. She was left with the thought that she had to learn how to control her power, or she would die. She stood, resisting the urge to take her pill for now. It was there and she needed it, but she needed to make sure she comprehended Zeke when she went to talk to him. She stood up and headed to his customary place, feeling scared of dying and agitated from withdrawal. Her hands twitched slightly at random intervals. 

”Zeke,” she said approaching him, her fear taking control. ”I need help…I…The girl said I have magic powers or something and im going to die if I don’t learn to control it. I used it the day we met - in a fight. She said maybe Kallisti could help. I’m not sure what to do…” she really didn’t want to die.

[Ezekiel]

Zeke reclined on cushions, smoking and relaxing. He’d ensured he remained present and visible at the church the past few days, though there was little he could do about Sickness. He let Tatyana ride it out as she may – if she couldn’t find a way to survive it, her future would likely be short-lived.

His attention flicked up at her approach. She was blunt, no preamble. Her hands twitched at her sides.

“Magic powers,” he repeated, as though intrigued or perhaps sceptical of the possibility. Of course he’d seen the evidence already, with his own eyes. He offered out the joint he’d been smoking, which would take the edge off her anxiety if not provide the true hit her body craved. “They say Kallisti has women who’ll teach what they know,” he said. Sasha had recently asked the same question, and he’d been content to encourage his path in that case – but Sasha was a powderkeg Zeke had no interest in toying with, especially when his loyalty was already assured. Tatyana might have the same kind of power for all he knew, but her use to Zeke was a different one. ”If you think you need the guidance, of course.”

[Tatyana]

Tatyana listened and took the offered joint with a grateful nod. With shaking fingers she took a drag off of it before handing it back to Zeke and taking a seat nearby. Inhaling wasn’t new to her. About the only tho of drug she hadn’t really used were those that required injection. She had done it before and only preferred the pills because they were easier. They didn’t have to be lit. But then again, now that she had magic powers, maybe she wouldn’t need to light them anymore.

Tatyana contemplated. She didn’t want help from Kallisti. She wanted to stay here and get started with whatever purpose he was going to give her, but the keyword that Zeke had said was need. She needed it. Dying wasn’t an option for her, and it seemed there was no one here who could help her. Not even Zeke.

”I don’t want to die, Zeke.” and she meant it. Life had given her plenty of opportunities to take that road. It was an unappealing one even with all the bad shit in her life. She sighed as the tremors in her hand began to happen less frequently. ”I’ll check it out and see what they can do. I asked you for purpose. What’s the plan for me when I get back?” she actually smiled as she asked it, her soul glad that this what they had agreed on. ”Or is that a secret?” she said it not only for her own curiosity, but she wanted Zeke to know she had every intention of returning. She had no idea what the dancers at Kallisti would want for their services, but Zeke had her loyalty. Not them.

[Ezekiel]

He watched all the thoughts moving around behind her eyes, albeit not in a way that particularly suggested he was paying attention. Zeke always looked comfortable here, and now was no different. He stretched a hand behind his head, luxuriating deep into the cushions. When he spoke of need, it was to goad her stubborn nature – Tatyana wasn’t the sort to go easily down a path. He wouldn’t stop her going to Kallisti if it was what she chose for herself, but he had no intention of handing her off to learn someplace that might earn her loyalty in the process. Guidance from others helped ease the Sickness, but it wasn’t the only way to survive.

He shrugged at her declaration. But he knew the seeds were already taking root. Tatyana didn’t want to rely on others.

She was direct in her questioning. Apparently she hadn’t forgotten that little moment, or the promise between them. Zeke smiled as he took another drag. “How did the fighting make you feel?” he asked.

[Tatyana]

Zeke answered her question with a question and even though it avoided the information she actually wanted, she had a feeling there was purpose there. Her hands were quieting. The thing about inhaling was it usually started to take effect pretty quickly. Whatever Zeke had given her was quality shit too. She might have to start smoking more than taking pills.

”May I?” she asked, indicating his joint. She was a thief, but there were certain people she wouldn’t steal from - primarily her dealers. Zeke was one of those now too.

He handed her the joint and she took another drag, feeling the calm overtaking her. This was another good thing about inhaling. The pills numbed everything - it could be hard to get through the mind fog - especially if she was binging. But this - she was still lucid while feeling the effects. Deep inside she felt a warmth. The warmth she felt when she had been angry at the woman when she was sick, but this time, she felt herself relax into it like a warm bath. She luxuriated in that warmth and looking at the joint, wondered if the ember at the end of it burned a little brighter as she handed it back to Zeke.

”That’s really good stuff,” she said with a smile before turning to Zeke’s question. ”Most of the people I fight don’t know how to fight back. They try to take my stuff and I show them that’s not polite,” of course after the fight, she usually took their stuff, but that didn’t matter. ”Yesterday - with three of them - it was a challenge at least. I was lucky - should have lost. But anyways - it’s more fun when they hit back.”

[Ezekiel]

Zeke wagged a playful finger. “No, no, no – how did it make you feel, Tatyana. You said you used magic in the fight. If you’re going to control it, you need to know what it is you’re controlling.” He couldn’t guide, not like the women at Kallisti could, but by the prickle across his arms he wasn’t sure he needed to. Which was good; her value was in her ability.