Seeking Refuge

[Emily Shale-Vanders]

Emily looked towards Anna as she felt her embrace the source. She did something with her magic and it created an illusion that her eyes were gold like Elyse's. Obviously it meant something to the pair, because the pair hugged. Emily got their info and they headed upstairs. Emily turned back to Hayden and nodded.

"Thanks, Hayden. It's just nice to hear sometimes," she stopped. "Did I say something wrong? Is Elyse going to be okay?"

Emily thanked Liam for getting the food and took the offered food from Hayden. "This will be fine - the food and the orange juice."

She began to eat, and eating helped her feel better. Truth was letting it all out helped a lot. "Ashton can sing? So I now know about mages, weird vampire chicks that can see the future, people who can talk to wolves, sentients, and now someone can sing to help my sister? How much more is there?" she chuckled a bit. "Withdrawal - so it's the drug like symptoms she had are kind of accurate. She's addicted to him?"

[Hayden]

Hayden was glad she was eating it was good to eat. He made himself a plate too. And then waved over the kids to eat as he sat down the other side with Emily. "No, she's a bit sensitive lately. Just lost her own parents. She's just feeling your loss and the whole might be pregnant thing, end of the line only child thing. She'll be fine, just needs time."

Hayden took a bite of the chicken, it was pretty good considering it came from take out. "As far as what's out there, that's a better conversation to have with Nox. Same with the sentient information, his last partner was one. But yeah they can make you want nothing else and if she was feeling vulnerable it didn't help. Ashton is a siren. Singing saliors to the death siren."

[Emily Shale-Vanders]

Emily nodded, understanding. It hurt to lose your parents. It hurt bad, and if it was recent, Elyse would be feeling that pain quite hard. On top of that, it sounded like she was the only one left. She probably felt overwhelmed too, if maybe in a different way. She had Elyse’s contact. Maybe she’d keep in touch with her. Anna too. It looked like those two shared a deep connection.

It sounded like Rachel would be dealing with the issue for awhile. It was good to know at least, even if it wasn’t fixed right now. ”As long as he doesn’t sing her to her death it will be okay,” she said it with a smile that indicates she was joking. Humor helped in tense situations. That was something Jared told her soldiers did. It eased the tension. ”Do you think she’ll have to stay here for a bit?”

Before Hayden could answer her wallet went off. It was Jared saying that they were done and he was on his way. ”Looks like they’re done.” she said and took another bite of her food.

[Hayden]

Hayden chuckled. "Ashton's trying to make up for all the luring to their death he's done. He's helping Nox." He didn't want to say more. He didn't know how much Nox wanted people to know.

There was concern in Emily's voice. She was worried about her sister. "I doubt she'll need to stay here. If he's gone he won't bother her and she'll come down like any other addict and family and friends will be the best cure. All Ashton is gonna done is take any edge off and that could trigger something for him. No one really understands this shit."

Hayden was glad that they were done. It's one thing playing house to his family but Nox didn't think that Emily was that, he'd never mentioned her. Though he knew there was history. Not exactly sure what the history was but he knew it was there. Nox did talk, but not about everything. When the text came in Emily looked releived. "Nox okay? Didn't do anything stupid." He knew his voice carried a bit more concern than just a friend should but Nox hadn't texted him a location which could be bad.

[Emily Shale-Vanders]

Emily was glad that Rachel could come home. Also she was on winter break - she'd be able to stay home for a bit. There were always people at the house that could stick around and keep her company and check on her. Emily would make the time too. That was what she did. "Jared said they are done and on their way - safe and sound. That means no issues - they're both good. Jared's pretty straight forward on that." She had heard the twinge of concern. "Don't worry - Jared will get him back - and unscathed."

She finished her meal. "I kind of wonder why he was willing to do this for me. He said it was his job, but our history isn't great. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful. I also don't think he's the man he was when we first met," she looked around at the kids. They seemed so happy. "I'm glad for it though. Glad he's doing what he's doing, and glad he wants me to be a part of it."

Another girl stepped in and Elyse noticed that she had golden eyes like Elyse. She took in Emily with a gaze and gave her a wave and smile. "Excuse me, Miss," she said and turned to Hayden. "Hey, Hayden - you got any work needs doing. I'm looking to make some extra money for a project. I don't want handouts - Anything - clean your place - whatever!"

[Hayden]

Emily reassured him that Nox was okay, but there could still be a problem and between where ever and here. "You don't know Nox very well, he finds trouble walking around the corner." He knew that as a fact. He watched for 3 long months.

"He doesn't need an excuse to help people. It's in his nature. I haven't know him long so i can't say what he was like before but he's not what I expected either."

Marta joined them and asked about things to do "I don't honey and I can't have you working at the bar doing things, but I'm sure Nox might have something. I know Liv could use some help with Lily. She likes you."

[Emily Shale-Vanders]

The girl seemed enthusiastic at the very least. ”Okay - well if you think of anything A let me know. I’ll check with Nox when he’s around. Always willing to help Liv with Lily too!” the girl turned and looked at Emily. ”Im Marta!” the girl said offering her hand.

Emily smiled. ”Im Emily. Nice to meet you.”

The girl smiled back and turned to include Hayden in her wave. ”Bye!” she said cheerfully and skipped away.

Emily laughed a little bit. ”She certainly is energetic. Lily is the baby? She good with kids? If so, maybe I’ll keep her in mind.”

She leaned forward and looked at Hayden. ”No - I don’t know Nox very well, but you also don’t know my husband well. He excels at getting people out of trouble. That’s what he does, and he’s good at it,” she gave him a somber smile. ”But I understand. I always worry when he’s on a mission. And will worry until he walks through that door. I do try hard to be positive about it though. Especially when I got a lot on my mind. But I guarantee you this. Right now, Nox is his brother in arms. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring him back unharmed.” she laughed. ”More than likely if it comes to it - they’ll both end up trying to be the white knights.”

[Hayden]

Hayden chuckled. "Well that was interesting. And yeah, Lily is the baby. I'm sure Marta would love a call should you need a babysitter when the time comes. She has her own trauma's so we'll want to make sure everything's good on all sides." Hayden was a bit protective of the kids here. They were all trauma-torn, and all had different needs.

"We'll see who influenced who then I suppose." He laughed as he finished his plate.

There wasn't a long wait before footsteps headed in their direction. It could be anyone Sky would just let in without announcing it. "I think they are here." Nox was first up the stairs, he looked tired, but Hayden was pretty sure that was the usual look these days. There was no smile, no light in his eyes. He was just there trudging through life.

It wasn't more than a second before Liam was in front of him, whispering something to Nox and Nox gave the boy a half smile and hugged him. "I know what I'm doing. I'm fine." Liam handed Lily over to Nox and the first genuine smile spread across his face as she giggled and cooed up at the man she adored. And he adored her right back. The smile was fleeting, even if it remained on his face. The song on the playlist on shown on the TV screen changed and Hayden took note that Nox was broadcasting his feelings to the whole house -- on purpose. He wanted everyone to know he was alright. He wasn't in a bad place even if he looked horrible.

He was a bit too strong, which meant that he would be crashing later. "You should eat." he said to Nox who was walking past the kitchen.

"I need a shower."

Hayden noticed the blood on his hand and caught his arm "Clean up then eat." Nox's eyes went from Lily to his and his left hand reached across his body to his opposite hip. But it was when Nox's eyes darted to the hand that had automatically slipped just a little under the hem of his shirt that Hayden realized something else had just happened.

There was a smile on Nox's lip when his eyes returned to his. It wasn't a real one, not one that he'd given Lily, but it was a good one. Nox's hand trailed up his side and his thumb caressed the side of his face and over the slight growing stubble he'd have to shave in the morning. He was gentle with the mechanical hand. Hayden's eyes went wide. "You feel that don't you."

Nox nodded and whispered, "You staying?"

Hayden nodded. "I will. Go clean up." he said taking Lily from his hands and sending him off towards the back. Hayden turned his attention to the married couple who had just watched their exchange. "You are welcome to stay as long as you need. Make yourself at home. Nox isn't exactly the best host." He walked over and offered his hand to the man who'd helped Nox. "Hayden."

[Nox]

It didn't surprise Nox that Hayden was at the house. He seemed to be the kids go to. Nox is in trouble or anyone really so we should call Hayden to help us all through it. Nox didn't know why Hayden came most of the time, but he was always glad to see him.

Liam was the first to greet him. He had Lily in his arms and handed her gently to Nox. "You didn't do anything stupid did you?" Liam didn't hesitate before wrapping him in a hug.

"I know what I'm doing. I'm fine." Liam seemed to take the fact that he was standing upright and hugging him back as a good sign as he slipped away to go make himself a plate of food. It did smell good, but the house was full and he was dirty. There was still blood on his hands and he needed it gone.

Hadyen caught his arm as he walked past. Nox reached with his free hand which was the mechanical one, the other held Lily tight against his chest like she liked. She was a warm weight against his chest and that made Nox feel safe and happy. But the tip of his thumb slid under Hayden's shirt and touched bare skin. Normally it wouldn't have been something noticed, but the texture of the jeans and then the soft skin below was a high contrast. But he couldn't feel with the mechanical hand.

His eyes darted to his placement on the hip and Nox realized that the nanobots had completed the nerve connections and he was feeling things for the first time in months. Nox's hand went to Hayden's cheek. An experiment, but more than that, to feel skin beneath those fingers to know he wouldn't hurt his friend and lover and... it pulled at emotions that he didn't want to touch. He missed Raffe, but that was over. He kept telling himself that as he looked into Hayden's eyes. Hayden didn't want more. And that was fine with Nox, he was a good friend. He hated he'd ended things with Jay... he had to reconnect and fix that too. There was a lot rolling through his mind as Hayden asked him if he could feel that. Nox nodded and asked ""You staying?"

Hayden nodded. "I will. Go clean up." Nox gave him a smile and headed back to his room and into the shower. Lily lay in the bouncer just outside the door. His stomach rumbled -- probably should have eaten first, but blood was not his favorite thing.

[Marta]

Marta hadn’t even told Sage what she wanted to do yet. But she wanted to build her own computer. It seemed like a fun project and she was sure that she could build something better than she could buy. She didn’t know how much Sage monitored what she did. Perhaps he knew she was looking at parts. She didn’t know. She had gone to ask Hayden if she could help with anything and was a little disappointed that he had nothing. She didn’t want anything free. She was more than willing to work. The rules were stupid. She couldn’t help because it was a bar? That was dumb. She didn’t want to drink the alcohol anyways.

Still she had been polite and kind. She noticed Nox came in with a man and he embraced the woman who had been sitting with Hayden. The scent between the two was strong. Love. True love. She knew that woman and that man would go to hell and back for each other and more without a thought.

She would have asked Nox, but he was busy. Him and Hayden exchanged words and she saw the way that Nox’s hand touched Hayden and moved to his face. She had known they were lovers. It really didn’t bother her to see, but it was Nox’s scent. It changed slightly. Marta smiled at that. She had to tell Wicked.

Hey Wicked. Gonna build my own computer. Might want some help on that. Finished my assignment. Will send it to you when I get back. But something more important. Nox’s scent changed. Just a little bit. He’s feeling something! :-D