Second Chances

[Emily Shale-Vanders]

Emily just listened and agreed with Ana. "I'll have Andrew send you all the details.  Nox can talk to this Angel and we can move forward from there."

Emily smiled as they began to talk about Cadence. "She seems like an absolute sweetheart from our talk on the phone.  But she certainly isn't a fan of the foster care system. Haven't been able to meet in person yet though. She's very busy with recording her next album.

Emily's wallet began to ring.  She frowned at it.  When she was at meetings it was sent to send an auto-text to any that texted her that she was in a meeting and would respond when possible.  It also told them to call if it was an emergency.  If her wallet was ringing - someone was calling her. Emily picked it up and looked to see who was calling.  Dorian Vega was a cop - she could think of few reasons why he would contact her.

"Excuse me," she said to Ana and Nox and answered the call. "Dorian?

"Hey Emily. I just saw your sister with a strange man. I won't presume to know what is going on with my son's life, so that's not the issue. This man he's a Sentient. And from her current state, I'm thinking the mind-fucking kind, not just the empath kind."

Emily paused and blinked.  That was a lot and she wasn't sure what he really meant. "Wait...what...what the hell is a sentient? You saying Rachel is in danger?"

"Of the utmost kind. You know all about channelers. There are others with special gifts -- sentients are empaths. Some can push emotions as well as feel or feed on them. Rachel's being manipulated by this man I'm 100 percent positive on this."

Emily's hand clutched tightly and she spoke her voice laced with concern and anger, "Where is she now? And where is he now?"

"She is on her way to the hospital. The other detective here thought she might have been drugged. But I'm sure she'll come back negative for anything. And he is currently on his way to Domovoi for assaulting an officer. I don't know if I'll be able to get anything else on him unless I get him to touch someone -- which I don't really want to know. Only know one person who's trained to resist their touch."

"Who?"

Dorian sighed. "Nox Durante"

The sigh meant something, but she didn't care about that now.  Her eyes went to Nox. "He's here..."

"Why is he always where he's most needed? I don't know if his testimony will put the man behind bars. Emily, I'm gonna talk like an Atharim right now and not a detective. I think we should let him go and let Nox do what Nox does best."

"I can ask...Dorian...I need to keep her safe...how do I defend against this guy? I'm going to the hospital - with Jared - we're both...gifted."

"You don't Emily. You keep her away from him. But if he's got his teeth in and he wants it and I think she's pulled to him. He might stay away if he thinks we are on to him. But honestly -- there is only one way. He won't say no. He doesn't know how."

"Fuck!" she said, her voice a whisper. I'll find a way to keep ahead of him.  I'll call if I need something else.
What's his name?"

"Lucio Pirozzi. Tell Nox, he's Aria's half-brother."

"Alright - thanks Dorian - I'll call if I need to - please keep me informed."

"I will. I'll keep him as long as I can, but he needs to be eliminated."

"Agreed. I'll touch base later."

Emily hung up the call and placed her wallet on the table.  Her hand relaxed and she didn't even realize that she had squeezed hard enough for her nails to dig into her palm.  It was now bleeding.  She turned her eyes on Nox. "I'm sorry - I have to cut this meeting short.  Family emergency. Nox," her voice was cold.  She wasn't upset.  She was pissed off. They had heard the Emily's part of the conversation and could fill in the details; no need to go over it. "Aria's half-brother, Lucio Pirozzi, is manipulating my sister. What will it take to get your help?"

((OoC: with Dorian))

[Nox]

Nox tried not to listen but she didn't even get up to leave so it was hard not to, so he heard half the conversation. If he had his power he could have heard the whole thing, but he didn't really need to hear much more than what he did to get the whole gist of the conversation. Rachel, her sister, was in contact with a sentient. Dorian knew all about them thanks to Aria, not that he'd ever met Aria, but he'd heard enough stories and knew about Giordano.

Nox sat forward and listened as best he could. It was rude, he didn't care.

And when Emily told him exactly who it was she didn't need to say anymore. "You don't need to do anything, Emily. It's my job and if the man is anything like his father he deserves what he gets." Nox pulled his wallet out. "I need to make a phone call."

He didn't step away either, but calling Hayden would reveal a bit too much and he knew Ana would overract, but it was better she learn it from him than from anyone else.

"What did you break this time?" Hayden answered the phone.

"Nothing. Can you get a clean up crew. I got a Sentient who's fucking with family. And without the power, clean up isn't quite so easy as it was. Neither is the other part but I can do that well enough even if I'm rusty."

Hayden laughed. "You called me instead of Jacob?"

Nox gave his friend a wry grin he couldn't see and it was more for show than any feelings whatsoever. "I'd rather owe you than him. He's wound up in a zealots grasp, I'd rather not owe the organization officially. Least with you I know where I stand."

"You'd rather have me fucking you over, eh?"

"Something like that. You got me covered?"

"No problem. Just text me the details. You need back up?"

"Nah, I should be alright. You could tell Sky to get me a gun safe so I can keep Damnation and Salvation at the house out of reach of ..."

"I'll let Sky know. And you really named your guns?"

"I'll tell you about it when I see you next. Thanks man. I gotta go."

"Happy Hunting."

The second that Nox hung up the wallet and was putting it back in his pocket Ana started speaking, his eyes darted for hers the moment she began. "What do you mean without the power?"

Nox let out a soft laugh. It was neither funny nor filled with any emotion it was more like a huff, he was tired of explaining but he hadn't told everyone yet, so it was going to be like that for a while. "Let's just say that curing the Horde had some ramifications that are less than desirable."

[Emily Shale-Vanders]

Emily listened and sighed in relief when he said he’d help. She listened to his end of the conversation. Nox had clearly lost his ability to use magic. Emily couldn’t imaging what he was going through. If she lost her gift - well it was probably like losing a limb. But that sweet power just being gone. That would have been enough to make her weep.

im…sorry,” she said, her emotions changing from anger to empathy for the first time since she heard about her sister. But if you need someone with the power, that can be arranged. And before you go all white knight and say that I can’t handle this. I’m not talking about me. I’m talking about Jared. He’s former MARSOC, former SWAT, and currently an officer in the Legion. He won’t be a liability. He’ll be an asset. He’ll have your back - “Leave no man behind” he told me once. It’s not just a saying. It’s law to him. And he’s good - also has a talent for minor healing. He’s not interested in dick measuring - you’re the expert he’ll follow your lead. That’s how he operates. Take him or not - your choice. But I think it’s a good idea.” she sighed. ”But make your decision quickly. They’re taking Rachel to the hospital. Think she’s been drugged. When they find nothing they’ll release her. And if Lucio doesn’t mind fuck the police taking him to the station, they won’t be able to keep him long when the lawyers become involved. I have to get her somewhere safe. Don’t know where the fuck that is. Probably get her out of the city.” she rubbed her temples. This was going to be a long day.

[Nox]

And there was the pity. The loss of something she could only barely imagine losing. He never thought about what it would be like to go back to normal -- to be normal. "It is what it is." Nox shrugged off the apology, it's not like she did it. Even Sage didn't say he was sorry and he did do it. He removed the Horde -- while totally unintentional and not his fault, he never apologized for it.

And Nox wasn't angry at him. Or even the whole thing. He was nothing really. Marta said he smelled numb. He was numb. The whole world was nothing now. It was empty, devoid of all color. Sure it was still beautiful, he hadn't lost his sight, but he'd lost the thing that made the world turn. His everything, his all. That light in the darkness. And now it was gone.

But Emily's offer was interrupted by a text from Dorian. He sighed. "I could use all the help I could get. I don't need power, but help I will take. Have him meet me outside of Domovoi precinct. We'll have to track him, he escaped the uniformed officers custody a few minutes ago." Nox stood up and pulled on his puffy jacket. At least this time he didn't have Lily with him.

Ana grabbed his hand before he was out of reach and he looked down at her small sitting form. "Bring the whole family by this weekend, we'll do dinner. You and Christian can cook and I'll help with the children. It's been a while since you've brought any by."

Nox nodded. "Yes, ma'am." Seemed he had dinner with Ana and Christian this weekend, "Sunday is best." He said as he stepped away from the table. "Sky pull up the cameras outside Domovoi and send Emily the coordinates of the precinct so she can send them to her husband."

In his ear he heard. "Sure thing. I have also pulled Jared Vanders profile if you wish to read it."

"I'm good. He's Legion Premiere, he worked with Jay, I don't need to know more."

[Legione Sumus]

Anastasia Vega

Nox was off to be savior but he'd forgotten one little thing -- to watch out for the girl who was actually in trouble. But she'd let it slide, he had a lot on his plate, and this wasn't helping matters any.

"If you need a safe place to take your sister, Nox's place is probably the safest around. I can text the girls and let them know you are coming. And make sure there is an off duty channeler sitting with you. No one will get close. It's even safer than my home. I do miss having him around." Ana lamented. The large house was empty and more so now that Cruz had left too. It was just her and Christian and the staff -- all very empty.

[Nox]

delete me