Linking Experiments (Kallisti)

[Anita]

Hayden came in, giving her a bright smile and a kiss on the cheek. She didn’t read too much into it. They had discussed their relationship. It was fun - nothing serious. The request was there to check on Nox. It was surely something she could do. Nox didn’t know her well even if he probably knew she existed. She nodded. ”Ill go see if he’ll talk to me. He might - at least reaching out should be good.”

She gave her brother and Hayden a hug and with a mock salute to Jared, headed into the other room. Nox was there, alone and seated in the chair he was before. She approached calmly and spoke quietly when she arrived. She didn’t want to spook him, but she also didn’t speak to him like a child. ”Heya - I’m Anita. Adrian’s sister.” she paused briefly, allowing him to digest that. ”You know, when Adrian got sick, I had a dream. In the dream he came here, and he found you. Not shitting you - I saw your face in that dream.” she sighed. Adrian had just found out about this, so Nox wouldn’t have known that part. ”Called him the next day and told him he’d find help here. Would it be okay if I sit - talk to you awhile?” she hoped that showing some sort of commonality would make him more willing to talk. For all she knew he’d tell her to fuck off. It wouldn’t be the first time that had happened.

[Nox]

He was left alone with thoughts. His feelings. He didn't much want that so when the doors opened and Adrian's sister came in he was grateful he wasn't alone. He needed to go home and sit with Lily he felt. It made him smile as he looked up to greet her. He smirked at her words. "Would you be surprised if I told you, you weren't the first person to dream about me in that capacity?" He missed Thalia, they hadn't spoken often lately. Thanks to her strange trip, but she'd have a lot of text messages when she returned. "My friend, Thalia, drew pictures of the dream she shared with me. I don't remember her being there, but her sketch was perfect, so there is no doubting it. I'm glad you sent Adrian here, he's been a great help with the family and a good employee."

Nox nodded to a nearby chair inviting her to sit. "I see you know Hayden. I doubt he'd trust just anyone to come check on me. A paramedic right? Hayden hadn't told him about Anita, but he and Adrian did talk. Nox knew alot about everyone in their little family here at Kallisti, he made it a point to know them. It was the least he could do. Oriena wouldn't do it, though there were all her people too. "I'm fine, you can tell him that. I need to go home and see Lily. And I'm sure Hayden has already or will be messaging Liam soon so I have that extra on guard person."

[Jared Vanders]

Jared shrugged. ”I didn’t do it for the thanks. Just wanted to help, and I think I still did. Feeling something is better than feeling nothing.” he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose before look at Hayden again. ”Its just I’m a fixer. It bothers me that there’s something wrong that I can’t do anything about. And this makes three people now.”

Jared’s mind went to Jay. He had seen him at the wedding and it had led to…well…something. Jared still had no idea what. Emily hadn’t brought it up with Natalie either. Then there was Rachel - laying at home, terrified of everything around her. Emily said she had it taken care of. She seemed to be confident about it. They just had to get her to Christmas Eve.

Jared sighed. ”Speaking of which, I should go relieve Elyse. Not that she minds spending time with Rachel or anything.” Jared smirked and offered his hand. ”You need anything, call.”

[Hayden]

Hayden chuckled. "You sound like Nox. He has to fix everything too. But he's better off feeling, even if it's feral. We'll figure it out. We'll call if we think you can help out." Hayden assured Jared. "Don't want to overwhelm Elyse either. So you go do that and if Rachel needs to talk I'm here. Or you or Emily. Might as well offer my services to those helping him out." Hayden nodded towards the direction Nox still sat.

He watched as Jared left and then went to find Marta. She was probably still with the pop star. He sat down not too far away. "You wanna talk about it?" he asked Marta.

[Anita]

Anita smiled as she took the offered seat. She had also noticed the smile as she had approached. She wasn’t sure what that was about, but a smile was a good thing. ”To be honest - a week ago I probably wouldn’t have - but now - doesn’t surprise me that there are more people with my particular gift. Wish I could control the damn thing, but it chooses to tell me when things are going to happen when they do. Shared dreaming is news to me though. As for sending Adrian here, my motives were to get him the help he needed. It’s you who deserves thanks for that. Thank you for taking him in and getting his magic under control. If he gets out of line, let me know - I’m come beat him up.” she grinned - it was meant to be light hearted fun.

She wasn’t surprised Nox knew why she was here. It was pretty obvious why she had been sent in. ”You seem like one who doesn’t like to beat around the bush. You prefer the direct approach. Yeah - I’m here to check your mental well-being. I’ll be honest and say that I don’t think you’re fine, but you’ve also been through an ordeal. It’s okay to not be fine. It’s how you handle it that’s important. That being said I’m not just here for that. I’d like to get to know you. You’re important to Adrian - you brought him into your family. In some round about way - am I a part of this too? I don’t know,” her smile was disarming. ”Maybe I’d like to be though. Nox - give me some piece of mind that you will be fine. Talk to me - doesn’t have to be about what you’re going through. Tell me why you smiled when I was coming in. I don’t think that was for me, but It seemed genuine. And if you’re in a hurry - you said you need to see Lily - I can give you a ride or walk if it’s close enough. Though you might need some more clothes for that.” she chuckled. ”That way you’re not held up from your other obligations.”

[Nox]

Nox laughed -- really laughed. It wasn't faked or forced wasn't inspired by the song. It was him. And it made him happy. He hadn't realized how much being empty had changed him. He would need to apologize to the others, but for now he was just okay with being himself -- horde or no. They'd deal with it. He had the support system to handle anything -- including losing the ability to channel apparently. And regaining it.

"What you don't think this is perfect Moscovian winter attire?" Nox grinned as he reached through the sludge and pulled at some fire and air and made a nice little ball of warmth around them. It wasn't like before it was controlled and just enough to keep them warm on a cool Moscow day. "It's perfectly fine attire for the weather. Though I do have a coat and I will definitely change before going home. Lily is fine. I just want to see her smile, feel her little body against my chest and be one with the baby that kept me sane while I was losing everything."

He stood up and offered Anita a hand. "You are Adrian's sister, you are of course family, if you want to be. You'll fit in just fine around here. And I don't mean the club, though it's as much of home as it is any other place." He leaned in when she took his hand and whispered. "I may not be fine. But I will be. Hayden worries too much, and he's afraid of me again now that I have the power back, and the horde too. Not that he wasn't afraid of me before, though there was less damage to be done when I couldn't wield the power of the gods."

[Anita]

Anita smiled at his laugh. It was a genuine one. Fake laughs were easy to spot, but she saw something else there - recognition - as if he had come to some sort of conclusion about things. Yeah, Nox would be okay - eventually - and that was enough to keep him going. Apparently Lily was a baby, and Anita suddenly remembered Adrian mentioning something about that. A child would keep him in line as well. She took his hand and listened as he whispered.

She kept close and whispered in. "I think a lot of people worry about you - at least from what I've seen. It means you're loved. Keep that in mind. I have no doubt you'll be fine in time." She gave him a quick hug and the removed herself gently. "And remember that - you don't have to go at this alone. If you need anything - call anytime. Phone number is 9-11." she smirked as she pulled out her wallet and sent him her contact information. "Seriously - you have my deets now. Call anytime. Having to wake up to the call has made me a light sleeper." she tugged at her radio harness, showing the radio she used to receive directions from emergency services. "The only time I'm not picking up is if I'm otherwise engaged - you know - saving lives, fighting fires - sometimes literally, or have my legs wrapped around someone," she smirked. "You know - the important things."

She turned towards the door. "Well - I'm sure Lily would love to see you too, so I won't keep you, but I'm serious about that walk back to your place. I found out what I needed to mental healthwise. I'd be okay with walking with you - if you're interested. As long as an emergency doesn't happen, I'm good to go - at least for a bit. Boss will get pissy if I don't eventually go back to the station." She laughed. Cor would be okay - and technically she did deal with a situation.

[Nox]

"Company wouldn't be a bad." Nox smiled. "I will add you to the if I need help list." He had a long list of people to call for help for various reasons. "Though if you and Hayden are together in a time of need that might make my phone calls rather annoying." He smirked knowing Hayden well enough to know he wouldn't just send anyone to talk to him.

Nox made his way into the changing area and changed into his regular clothes. Though because he was in company of a non-performer he was a little more discreet than he would have been with just Kallisti people. Though the newer scars were clearly visible as he disrobed and donned his jeans and t-shirt. He moved through the scars that pulled when he moved. He was still a bit stiff even after that work out. But he couldn't wait to dance in the dojo again. He was looking forward to it. To dodging the balls and holding the power. It was good to be himself. Though there was a distinct noise he couldn't quite pinpoint. It wasn't the same as the horde, but it hadn't been there before.

[Anita]

Anita smiled at the quip about Hayden. Nox had deduced the nature of their relationship. Hayden was a player so that made sense. Still it made her mind turn to Quillion. They were only acquaintances, but she wondered if it would go anywhere, or if she really wanted it to. A trip to the Temple would happen sometime. At the very least she should send him a message. They weren’t together - she wouldn’t feel guilty if she did anything with anyone, but it was something to keep in mind.

Nox was somewhat discreet about changing, but it didn’t seem like he minded so much. Probably being repsectful. She responded in kind by not looking, but naked bodies didn’t bother her. The number of naked people she had seen had desensitized to her for it. She took the time to send Hayden a text.

He’s not fine, but will be. You can’t fake a laugh like that. Keep an eye on him to make sure - but not sure he needs to be on a list. Think he’s realizes this is better than where he was. Gonna walk home with him, get to know him a bit before heading back to the station.

When Nox was ready, she gave him a smile. ”alright - let’s head out. I’ll keep you company for a bit.” she said beginning to lead him out of the building.

[Cadence]

From the first time Cadence had seen the girl with the golden eyes, Cadence had felt a sort of kinship with her. She didn't understand it until just before they had tried to heal Nox. She saw the way Marta had pulled into herself. She saw how she tried to disappear and how her crying was as quiet as possible. Cadence had been there. She had done this herself. Marta carried trauma, and Cadence couldn't help but be there for her.

When things started to go awry, Cadence knew that it was best to get Marta out of the room and into a place where she could calm down. Marta seemed to trust her, and Cadence thought it was more than just her celebrity status. Marta likely sensed something too. It was something you just sort of knew. A man came in, spoke a few words to her and Marta explained what had happened. Cadence didn't understand it all. She didn't know what came back besides Nox's power, but the man seemed to understand.

Cadence got her calm, holding her tight. Marta climbed into her lap, still trying to make herself small. Cadence spoke soft words of comfort and hummed. Marta seemed to like that, and the singer would stay as long as she needed. The man came back in, asking if Marta wanted to talk about what happened. Marta seemed to trust him too.

"Would you like me to leave so you can talk?" She asked.

"You can stay, but if you have somewhere else to be, that's okay. I'll be good with Hayden." Marta's voice was quiet and reserved. It still seemed like she was trying to be small. She was in her teens it looked, but she sounded younger, as if she was reverting to habits when she was younger. It wasn't unheard of. Cadence did at times too.

"Do you want me to stay?"

"Stay please," she said, wiping tears from her cheeks. "This is Hayden. Hayden, this is Cadence. She's my friend."

Cadence smiled a bit, feeling please to have been accepted into her trust. She gave a brief wave to Hayden as Marta began to speak.