Forced Withdrawals [Nox's Building]

[Marta]

Marta smirked at him as he jumped a bit. He was still laying down as he mentioned breakfast and her stomach gurgled a bit in response. ”Yeah that’s probably a good idea.” she giggled and then gave the air a sniff, catching the scent of food in the air. ”Coffee, eggs, and bacon. Smells like good noms!”

Marta leaned down and gave him a kiss before she stepped back and offered a hand to help him stand up. ”Time for noms.”

She took his hand and began to head up the stairs, meeting someone as they came down. It was the woman that Marta didn’t know. The one who came with Maddi and Kenzie. Probably homeless. She didn’t know the connection she had to the people here. She was wrapped in a blanket like a cloak, with a hood and everything. Her scent had changed. She had smelled similar to Maddi and Kenzie - unwashed and dirty, but that was gone now replaced with other smells. Lavender was one - she hadn’t just cleaned - she had some luxuriant bath or something. Underneath it was the light smell of bile - as if she had thrown up. The woman didn’t look like she felt very good either.

Marta stopped and squeezed Jackson’s hand. ”Miss - are you okay?” she asked. It was instinctual, but Marta knew this was more than just being sick. There was something else.

The woman stopped - and slowly turned around - the scent of surprise coming into her signature. ”Just don’t feel well. I’ll be okay.”

The woman waited for a moment before turning and heading down the stairs again. Marta hesitated and frowned. The woman hadn’t really lied, but she hadn’t told the whole truth either. ”There’s more to it,” she told Jackson quietly. Marta sighed and then turned back to head up the stairs. ”Hayden probably knows. I just…I don’t know - instinct tells me I can help. I don’t know why. Gonna need food in think.”

Marta took his hand again and led them both up the stairs to find Sterling and Hayden working on breakfast. ”Morning - need any help? she asked before turning to Jackson. ”Want something to drink.” she moved behind the counter and poured herself a cup of coffee with some cream and sugar.

[Tatyana]

Tatyana prepared to flinch as she felt the blanket move, but Hayden hadn’t opened it much. Just enough to talk. She was grateful. Light sucked. He mentioned the twins and the girl cooking said that they had spent time with the other kids. Even Kenzie got out of her shell. That made Tatyana smile a bit. Good for her. ”Okay,” she said quietly to Hayden’s suggestion.

Tatyana nodded and got up slowly, feeling a little dizzy. She sat for a bit for the room to stop spinning and then stood and headed down the stairs, passing two kids coming up and holding hands. Tatyana was used to being ignored so when the girl spoke to her she was surprised. Tatyana answered the girls question, but didn’t mention the withdrawals. She didn’t want to have that conversation with the strange girl with golden eyes. What had Hayden called her - Wolfkin?

She continued downstairs to find several lumps on the floor. She found Kenzie and Maddi still asleep. She didn’t speak, but adjusted their blankets to make sure they were covered and touched each one on the head - gently enough to not wake them. Then she found a spot by the wall and sat, pulling her own blanket tight around her and resting her head on the wall.

[Sterling]

Sterling let Hayden help though he wasn't really helping just more being bossy. But that was okay he was an adult being an adult and Nox wasn't here to supervise -- he didn't really like people in his kitchen. But he wasn't here. Who knows where he was or what he did all night.

Marta and Jackson came up hand in hand. They were cute together, she wondered if she could get Liam to be cutsey at all but she doubted it. Didn't matter anyways, her parents would her let her go anywhere with a boy. They barely let her hang out at Nox's to begin with, if they knew there was a boy they'd probably shit their britches as the saying went.

"Can always use help. You know your way around the kitchen better than I do. And Hayden's being bossy." She grinned and stuck her tongue out at the man who responded in kind. He was fun. She liked him. Sometimes better than Nox. She sighed. "You think everyone's okay out there? That's a lot of snow." She was sure everyone was thinking it she didn't mention that there were people helping others, they were safe. Though it would feel better if Nox where here. What if the generator lost power too?

[Hayden]

Hayden shrugged at her question. "Everyone's doing the best they can I'm sure. You can call your parents later to check on them. And I'm sure if they were in any trouble our fearless host would certain be there to help. Should he get the call."

"But what about him? He didn't come home last night? He could be dead."

Hayden chuckled and looked over at the television, which showed only one thing, the vitals of Nox's nanobots. He was fine. She knew this. She saw it, just as everyone else had. Though he was being incommunicado and that was worth noting. He was either angry at him, or he was that busy doing whatever it was he was doing. Probably both. "He's fine. I'm sure he's out helping people or staying warm." Probably not both.

[Marta]

Marta couldn’t help but smile with the exchange. They all seemed to be doing okay. Sterling was worried about her cousin though. They all were really. There probably were people out there hurt or struggling. Marta hoped that a lot of them got to safety.

She went behind Sterling and gave her a hug from behind. ”He’s okay and he’ll be fine,” she said and then squeezed before letting go.

Marta poured a cup of coffee for Jackson and placed some cream and sugar for him should he desire it. ”Wake up juice - if you want something else - let me know.” she gave him a wink as she got out some peppers and began to chop. It was a simple way to spice up eggs and was also healthy. Her hands moved with a practiced ease. Ricky let her cook quite a bit.

”Hayden - aren’t you a friend with a emergency worker? The twin sister of one of the Kallisti bouncers? Have you heard from her?” she paused a bit. Her mind kept going to the woman she didn’t know. The one who smelled funny. ”And what’s wrong with the woman who is here.” it was probably blunt, but she tended to be blunt.

[Hayden]

Sterling continued to make breakfast with Marta's help. Marta knew her way around the place better than the red head. Sterling hadn't really hung out here at the house as often. But enough to know she was welcome to use anything.

Hayden was glad Marta had agreed with him, Nox would be alright. He was hardly useless and he was probably out there fixing things. He always was. Busy was his idle.

But Marta asked about Anita. "She's good last I talked to her. Talked to her about the twins. She's in a safe house i beleive." He sighed softly about the woman she asked about. "Tatyana is trying to kick drugs cold turkey." Though he didn't expect it to last long, she was jonsing hard and though he could give her a fix. Though thus far she'd refused it all. She wasn't really doing it for herself -- but for the power. And that might be a poor substituted for the fix she could get with a hit. Who knew. Kensie might not be there for her to help in a while -- thanks that that little stunt, but they'd see if she got taken or not. They'd probably run away again -- that seened to be their ting.

[Marta]

Marta froze after Hayden explained about the woman. Withdrawals certainly explained her scent - sick, but different. For a moment, She looked down, golden eyes narrowed in thought. Marta had been there. She remembered after Ricky had taken her in. She had to go to the doctor often. She remembered the shots that had less heroin in them every time. It wasn’t enough to cause her to lose her cool and have a meltdown, but it was enough to make the scars on her arms begin to itch. Marta’s hands reflexively went to her arms and rubbed. She caught her self and with one hand took Jackson’s and the other took Sterling’s. She drew her strength from her friends and squeezed before letting go.

Then Marta looked up and began working on breakfast again. ”That’s hard. Very hard. Ricky weaned me off the heroin and it was still hard. I remember when I had to wait. All I could think about was getting my fix. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone,” she said, her voice quiet and measured.

Marta stopped again and gave Hayden a level look. ”She shouldn’t go cold turkey - it’s going to be too hard. Has she asked for her fix or anything. A little at a time - small victories. Get her body less dependent.”

Marta b but her bottom lip in thought. She had a thought, but wasn’t sure. She was a kid. What could she do? ”Hayden - I think - I think I can help her, but I’m not sure. I’m…I’m not sure it’s my place.” Marta understood better than most what Tatyana was going through, but she wa just a kid.