Linking Experiments (Kallisti)

[Nox]

Nox felt nothing as they watched each other. The women saw the glow, the other men felt the tingling of their power, and the menacing threat of Jared's power. But he felt nothing. He didn't feel anything as he assumed they probed his mind, placed the spirit and fire as they had talked about. Nox had no idea what it should feel like what might happen. Or how he'd know it worked.

But it was like a rubber band snapping against his brain when he felt the power collide against his vision. The puddle of dark light just outside of reach taunted him. There was fear -- actual fucking fear coursing through his body. If he grabbed the power -- and he desparately wanted to grasp the power -- if he grasped it would the slimey film still be there? Would the horde still be in him.

Nox gave the group a smile. "I feel the power." He looked explicitly at Marta "You feel me right?" He scanned the room for Mae too who gave him a slight nod. She felt his feelings -- felt his fear. He didn't want to touch the power -- not right now. He didn't want to know. He wanted to give them the comfort that he was fine.

But there were looks all around, they were waiting for him to dazzle them with the power like he'd done in the past. Nox took a long slow deep breath and grasped the power. The thin slick feeling of the horde was ever present and his hopes dashed. From nothing to the worse thing in his life was back and he closed his eyes before he pulled upon the power so deep, so strong. It hurt. It burned. And then he opened his eyes and let spin a caphony of lights, brighter and hotter than any he'd made before. It didn't burn, but the room was several degrees warmer than it had been on this cold day. He let out a long breath and closed his eyes and put his hands to his face as he cried sliently into his palms. Fuck!

[Marta]

Something was wrong. Nox’s power was back but he was upset. She could smell him now, but there was pain there. Fear too. Hopelessness. Deep sadness. He had gotten his power back - but whatever was there before was back too.

Guilt welled up in Marta. She should have said something, but she hadn’t. But she couldn’t let that control her right now. She tried to keep the panic from rising - at least long enough to do something. Her wallet was in her hand and she was calling Hayden. He needed to be here now. No one knew what to do, but Hayden would.

As soon as Hayden picked up Marta spoke. ”Come to Kallisti right now. Need you here five minutes ago.”

Marta’s breathing was beginning to become ragged as the panic began to rise. But Cadence was there, reacting with a speed that told her the musician had seen signs that it was happening. Like she knew what to look for. ”Come on, let’s get you to a different room.”

Cadence pulled her to her feet and wrapped her in a hug, escorting her to a different room so she could calm down. Marta was still on the phone, ready to respond if Hayden had any questions. She hoped she could respond anyways.

[Hayden]

Hayden knew things were happening at Kallisti. He was on standby if he needed to be, but he hadn't been invited, only told by everyone in the house that if it worked... Nox would be better.

So when the call from Marta came in and there was panic in her voice he was already out of the bar and down the street before he realized he'd forgotten his to grab his coat. Thank god he was wearing shoes, not shoes that the slush would be kind too, but still shoes at least.

"I'll be there in two shakes of a hand." He didn't hang up just in case Marta wanted to talk. But he didn't prompt yet either. Somethintg was wrong and it was either her or Nox or both.

He was in the side door with a quick ring of the buzzer and he found Marta with another woman, he recognized her, Hayden knew she'd been around the club a few times. Made sense to teach everyone this new trick. Provided it actually worked. He hung up his phone and squatted down to look into Marta's eyes. "Tell me what's going on."

[Marta]

Cadence got her to a room and Marta’s breathing quickened. Cadence wiped away tears and wrapped her in a hug. ”Breathe, breathe. Five things you can see…”

Marta knew the technique and went through it quickly enough. She got some encouraging smiles and hugs from Cadence. Marta was glad she was here. Her breathing was calmer, but still rapid when Hayden came in the door and got to her level. He asked what happened. Thinking of Nox in there fed the guilt again and her own fear for her friend. She hoped Mattias was still praying.

Marta bit back some sobs as the tears started again. She grabbed Cadence’s hand. ”You need me to talk for you?” Cadence asked, her voice sweet. Marta shook her head.

Marta focused on the scent of vanilla and roses that the woman wore. It helped her get enough breath to talk. ”Nox…he…” she pointed to the main hall. She felt Cadence squeeze her hand. ”Has his power again, but…but…it’s back too. Smells like pain, fear, hopeless, very sad.”

Marta buried her face in Cadence’s shoulder, not even able to say that it was partly her fault. That she had hurt her friend. The guilt was so strong. Cadence held her tight. Marta felt safe at least. ”I can calm her down. I have experience there. Right honey? We got this?”

Marta knew the last part was directed at her. She nodded as she cried.

[Hayden]

Hayden knew Marta was blaming herself. It was written all over her body langauge. "This wasn't your fault. Nox is his own person, he did this because he wanted to. No one made him." Though it had been his own words that had forced the promise. He knew how guilt could fuel the bad mojo one felt.

But he also knew that Marta wanted him to go help Nox. He gave her a quick hug before he headed into the lounge where he found most of the people milling around not looking at Nox who sat in a chair with his head in his hands. As soon as he walked in the room most people left. Hayden walked over slowly and knelt down in front of Nox and put his hand on his knee. "I'd ask if everything was alright, but I already got the DL from Marta."

Nox raised his red rimmed eyes to meet his. "The horde is still here."

[Jared Vanders]

Well that was unexpected. Jared hadn’t expected the guy to get extremely sad after he got access to his power back, but then again he had no idea about the whole horde thing. Marta was escorted out while by Cadence while making a call, eyes full of tears. Jared wanted to help, but had no idea how. He doubted Nox trusted him enough to be of much help either.

Then Hayden walked in. Others began to leave the room and it seemed like a good time for him to do so as well. He left with Bruno and Adrian. ”Not much we can do I assume?” Jared asked when they were elsewhere.

Adrian shrugged. ”No, don’t think so. Hayden should be able to help. Would have called him if Marta hadn’t.”

Jared nodded. First Jay, then Rachel, then Nox. Lots of people were struggling with some personal demons. It hurt to not be able to help with things.

[Anita]

Things went to shit fast after the guy was healed. Anita thought she got his name: Nox. The guy she knew had helped her brother survive the sickness. Her heart broke for him. Soemthing was clearly wrong and she had no idea what to do. It seemed like no one did as none approached him. Anita was about to, her calling making want to do something to heal his pain - even if it was emotional instead of physical. As she took a step toward him, an image came to her mind. Hayden, of all people, coming in and kneeling in front of the guy.

Seconds later, her vision manifested into reality. Anita kept moving forward, putting a hand on Hayden’s shoulder. ”You need me? I’ll just be in another room. Don’t hesitate.” she squeezed his shoulder slightly and exited with the guys.

Adrian was there with Bruno and the guy who’d actually done the healing. She gave Adrian a hug and leaned against the wall. ”That’s Nox, eh?” she asked.

Adrian nodded. He had spoken of him. ”For a moment there, looked like you were going to go to him.”

Anita grimaced. She hadn’t told Adrian of this. But hey - these guys had all magic powers. ”Youbhave your powers and I have mine. Prophetic dreams and momentary visions into the future. When you got sick - I had a dream that showed you going to a Kallisti and meeting him.” she nodded to the other room. ”Just now, I saw Hayden showing up.”

”You know Hayden?”

Anita nodded. She really didn’t want to have that conversation with her brother. Thankfully he seemed content with her nod.

The healer man approached. ”Neat gift. I’m Jared.” he offered his hand.

She took it. [#6a6]”Anita. It’s nice if I can understand what the dreams mean. Most of the time those are a pain in the ass. The momentary glimpses into the future have helped a bit though. Sometimes have even saved lives.”[/color]

”Can you control it? Control when it activates?”

Anita shook her head. ”Unfortunately no. It just sort of happens when it wants to.”

Bruno also introduced herself. Anita found herself just hanging out with these guys for the moment. She wanted to stick around in case she was needed. At least her radio wasn’t going off consistently today.

[[OoC: Roll for prophetic vision = 13. Success]]

[Marta]

Marta was in the other room with Cadence. He had given her a hug and tried to make her feel better. She’d need more than that to deal with this. She knew he meant well, and he was probably right. But she wasn’t in a good place. The issue of consent was a big trigger for her and she wasn’t finding it hard to get out of the spiral.

But Cadence was there hugging her tight. She seemed perfectly comfortable in the role of shoulder to cry on. Marta literally was crying into her shoulder. Cadence said very little - only offering small words of comfort like “it’s okay” and reminders to breathe. Then she began to hum. The song was unfamiliar to Marta, but it was pretty. It helped Marta calm down.

”Thats a pretty song. Are you a siren?” she had to wonder.

Cadence let out a short laugh. ”No. just a singer who can use magic. Nothing supernatural about that song. Just the power of music.” Marta relaxed a little, pulling away so she could look at her. ”Just don’t tell anyone. No one’s supposed to hear that one yet.” she whispered conspiratorially.

Marta’s eyes widened. ”From your new album?”

Cadence smirked and gave her the signal to be quiet. ”Anything I can do to help?”

Marta shrugged. She already had a bit. She’d calmed Marta down. ”Not much more than you have. I know you’re busy, but if you can stay a bit, it would help to not be alone.” she had more people here she could be with, but moving seemed hard right now.

”Got the whole day free. Here as long as you need.”

Marta gave her another hug, and the tears started again, even if the weren’t so heavy. Cadence just let her cry, telling her everything would be okay and if she wanted to talk, she’d be there.

[Nox]

Feelings rushed through his body, and if it weren't for the emptiness of the power that lingered ever so closely, he'd have felt every ounce of it. Instead, it slide around the outside of his mind. He was aware of it, but he didn't feel it. Hayden had been called. It hadn't surprised him, not really. Hayden was their go to guy when anything emotional happened.

Hayden got down to eye level and put his hand on his knee. Nox wanted to push it away. It was his fault that the horde was back. He'd talked Nox into the whole thing. "I told you, I'd rather you be feral than not yourself."

Nox pushed Hayden's hand from his knee and stood up, Hayden following with the abruptness. "And where does that fucking leave me. YOU are okay with this." Nox's hands indicated the whole of his body from shoulder to knees in one quick moment and than shoved Hayden away from him. "You don't love me. You don't want to go there. So what the fuck does it matter if you accept it."

Nox stalked away from Hayden, but the other man grabbed Nox's mechanical elbow and spoke softly "Nox. This is better. Trust me."

Nox turned around and jabbed his index finger of his good hand into Hayden's chest. "Trust you. Do you know what it feels like to almost kill someone because you have no fucking control over your instincts and emotions? Do you have any fucking idea?" Nox felt the anger rolling around outside the emptiness and he dropped the power. It taunted him in his periphery and breathed a sigh of releif that it hadn't faded when he let it go. It had been a fear as well -- what if it was only temporary.

Hayden noticed the slight relaxing and tensing of Nox's body, he let go of Nox's arm. "I don't. But we'll get through it. We'll work on it. Maybe it's not as bad as you think. Maybe it's only residual."

Nox's eyes dropped to the floor. Hayden could be right. It could be different. He only felt the sludge on the power. He hadn't heard the horde yet, there was a slight buzz but nothing so distinct he could pinpoint it. Not at this distance anyway. "And if it's not?"

Hayden put his finger under Nox's chin and made him meet his eyes. "Then we'll work on it. And by the way, I do love you, just not in the way you want. I'm here aren't I? I'll always be here for you. Your fucking little quirks burrowed their way into my heart and I can't escape your gravity."

Nox smirked, a real one, it felt good to feel again. "Are you calling me fat?"

Hayden chuckled. "Than a solar system." Hayden leaned in and kissed Nox gently. "You good?"

Nox shook his head. "No, but I'll be fine. Go deal with Marta, I don't think she took my healing any better than I did." Hayden looked at Nox with concern. "I'll be fine. I'm not going to hurt myself. I promise. I'm not starving, or in the mood to fight, even though I'm still sorta pissed at you, and I'm not aching for sex. I'm good. I'll keep you apprised."

Hayden chuckled. "I'll stop by when you are done with work."

Nox nodded and Hayden lingered a while longer watching Nox and Nox rolled his eyes. But he eventually left the way he came and Nox sat back down in the chair that had given back his power. He was grateful. Though he felt too much. It hurt everything that he felt. The power taunted him and he reached through the sludge with sorrow but he seized control of the dark light and fought with the power. It was glorious. It was life. It was everything.

[Hayden]

Hayden wasn't sure that Nox was alright. Much less that he should be left alone, but there wasn't much he could do. Nox was pissed at him, though he didn't let it show except for in the first initial outburst. He listened to reason, and possiblities. Anita was in the other room and he gave her a bright smile and approached, pressing a kiss to her cheek. He didn't want to presume too much, they had a great time together, but they weren't dating by any means. Not that Hayden dated. "Maybe you could go check on him, make sure he's not on some watch list or another. I don't think he'd hurt himself, but it's better to be safe than sorry."

He nodded to Jared. "Thanks for what you did back there. I'm sure Nox will get around to saying it himself. It's nothing you did, you fixed the part of him that needed fixing. But the part that was dangerous I don't think ever left, we don't really know what's wrong with him. I'm gonna talk with Sage and see what he thinks. I theorize that the nanobots are continuely chopping away at the growth at the microscopic level so none of his scan show the tumor. Not a brain guy in the physical sense but it makes sense. He's not feeling the pull of the horde, but he knows they are there, so it's not gone."