Forced Withdrawals [Nox's Building]

[Sterling]

Sterling shrugged. "He's been pretty open about why. He doesn't want to lose a good thing. It's bad enough we hang at a burlesque club. He's afraid if Nox get's angry at him he'll send him away." Which was a logical fear. Like most of the other kids here, Liam found safety in the makeshift school. He could be himself -- in all his handsome and annoying glory. He wasn't a kid getting in to trouble here. He was smart, and handsome, he could learn from Wicked, he had friends, he could still work. He was getting straight A's for the first time and he was advancing through classes like there was no tomorrow -- and he wasn't cheating. His parents were extatic he finally found a place -- even if it was questionable.

He parents would do anything to get her out of here so she understood. One screw up and she could be gone too. One missed lesson. One failing grade. She sighed. It's still annoying."

Elsye asked about the date and Sterling grinned. "It's not like a date date, but it's a date. They are going to mall with Hayden as chaperone. From what I understand it was Hayden's idea. It's about time they stopped skirting around the problem and just learn together." Sterling knew why they both were taking it slow -- they hadn't been kids and if that's one thing Hayden is big on, it's all of them being kids.

[Tatyana]

Tatyana nodded. She was making them try new things. The healing had probably not taken away the cravings. It had just taken away the effects. Hopefully it didn’t make things worse when it wore off. With Tatyana’s luck it probably would.

Hayden brought up good points. She stood up and went to the drawer, pulling out some pills and taking them for the headache. ”Sky does anyone here have some Anita-nausea meds here I can use.”

Tatyana wasn’t sure what the AI did, but a moment it told her that a woman named Elyse had some in her room that she was willing to share. Had it texted everyone? The AI then told her where the room was.

”Yeah - sleep sounds good.” she said to Hayden. She asked Sky to ask Ashton if he would help. ”thanks Hayden. I’ll be back.” the walk would do her good.

She got to the room and knocked. A voice told her to come in. A girl with red hair was there and an adult with golden eyes like the other girl. What was that about?

”Tatyana?” the woman asked.

Tatyana nodded, got the pill and thanked the woman before heading back downstairs. She climbed into the bed and took the pill before laying down. ”Whats with the golden eyes. Two of them.” she asked.

[Hayden]

Ashton came in to the room and started humming. The twins were already curled up in the bed after their food finished. He often sang the kids to sleep this wasn't much different.

Hayden answered her question. He didn't want to fall asleep so he stood up ready to leave -- he'd just woken up. "The simplist answer is they can talk to wolves, and one of the side effects are the golden eyes of a wolf. Elyse and Marta are both wolfkin. They can also enter the wolf dream -- kinda like dream walking but different. Ashton is what they call a Siren, you've noticed his abilities -- we've been using them. Sterling, Liv and Nox are as you know Channelers as are several of the dancers and bouncers of Kallisti -- like you. There things beyond your wildest dreams out there."

[Tatyana]

Tatyana listened to his description, but she felt her eyes getting heavier. She wasn’t trying to resist Ashton’s song at all. Maddi and Kenzie were lying in the bed too. Tatyana was able to hear Hayden’s words though. At least she got the gist of it.

”Wolfkin…” she said with a yawn. She curled up on top of the blanket. ”Dream…wa…”

Her voice trailed off as she fell asleep. She didn’t know what he meant by dream walking. She had dreams, but only normal ones. She had no idea how long she was going to sleep.

[Hayden]

Hayden let her sleep. He went back upstairs and hung out with the rest of the crew. He'd let Marta and Lily sleep. He needed remove himself from the children and the drama of Nox's life even for a little while.

[Marta]

Marta woke up and was immediately sent a message that Sterling was hanging out with Elyse in Elyse's room and she was invited to join them. Lily was still asleep. How - she didn't know, but hey she'd go with it. Marta put Lily in her carrier and headed to Elyse's room. Sterling and Elyse were there, sitting on her bed. Marta put Lily in her carrier on the floor and joined them on the bed. It looked like they had eaten some ice cream.

Marta laid down and rested her head in Sterling's lap. "You disappeared for a bit," she said, giving a knowing smirk. "Where did you go?"

It had been a long time since she had just had a chance to hang out with Sterling and Elyse. Lily and computer work kept her pretty busy. It was nice to lay down for a bit.

"So what are you guys talking about?" she asked.

[Elyse]

The woman Tatyana came in and got some anti-nausea meds. Elyse didn't really know the woman. From what Elyse did know, Tatyana was a drug addict. She didn't think anti-nausea meds were a part of that, so she had no problem with sharing. The woman didn't look so great, but eh was grateful as she took the meds and left.

Marta joined them and got comfortable resting her head in Sterling's lap. Marta had been working hard. Elyse knew she struggled with being a kid sometimes. That was one reason she kept working so hard. Elyse also knew that Lily brought Marta a lot of peace. It was a multifaceted thing.

"We were talking about you going on a date," Elyse said with a smirk. Marta actually blushed. Elyse gave her a laugh and a smile. "Sounds like a big step for you - both of you."

Marta smiled even as she blushed. "It's just a trip to a mall. Just something low key and fun," Marta said, trying to make less of it than it was, but Elyse could see Marta was ready to burst. "With a super cute boy and I'm so nervous and excited, but mostly excited. We got to talk a bit today and held hands. It was nice. We didn't freak out or anything. I thought I would. We talked and are going to make sure we tell each other if we're too much. We want each other to feel safe as we sort of explore all of this stuff."

Elyse smiled. "It will be a lot of fun I'm sure. And communicating is important." It was cool to see. Marta and Jackson both needed to learn how to have healthy relationships.

[Sterling]

Marta joined them. She brought Lily who was still sleeping. She was cute but Sterling didn't much like babies, they cried to much and diapers -- she hated diapers. Marta laid her head in her lap and Sterling couldn't help but run her fingers through her dark hair. It was comforting for her, she hoped Marta didn't mind.

"That's what she told me about Liam too." She playfully rolled her eyes at adult advice. "He's a stupid boy. We went off to the room behind the mail boxes for quiet. But that didn't last long -- Juls didn't like it, which was annoying."

She turned the topic back to the mall though. "The comic book store will be on your list. But you should also make him stand around uncomfortably while you try on a new dress. And hold your bags like on the stupid TV shows." She giggled. "There is a photo booth there. And candy floss that you can have made into a cute animals. And don't forget the big cookie cakes. They are always fun to look at."

[Marta]

Marta didn’t mind Sterling running her hands through her hair. It was actually a bit comforting, but the fact that she allowed it did show a lot of trust in Sterling. Sterling wouldn’t hurt her - ever. Marta shifted a bit to get more comfortable, but she had no problem with the closeness.

She smiled at Sterling’s annoying comment. She was willing to bet that had Jul’s not stopped in something might have happened. But it was what it was. Liam had probably chickened out and that was probably not something Sterling took to well.

Marta laughed at Sterling’s suggestions. ”I’m trying to not make him uncomfortable,” she giggled. ”But it’s been a long time since I’ve worn a dress. I should get one. What do you think I should get.”

Lily woke up then and began to cry. It could be anything. Marta let out an annoyed breath. She loved Lily and didn’t mind taking care of her, but it had limited her time a lot, and she wanted to hang out with Sterling.

Marta moved to get up. ”I got her, Marta. Stay here and relax. If I need help there are plenty of people who can.”

Marta didn’t fight it, only gave Elyse her thanks as she picked up the infant and headed out. Marta shifted again, getting comfortable as she relaxed with her head still in Sterling’s lap. ”So dress - what do you think. What color? What fit?”

Marta shifted gears to something else. She did want to know about the dress, but there was more too. ”How far did you get before Juls found you? And what’s it like…to kiss someone…someone you want to kiss?”

Marta had thought about it, but it always scared her. Marta knew why, but that didn’t make the fear go away. ”I know it’s nothing crazy or anything, but I am a little scared of this date, Sterling. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited too, but…” Marta trailed off. Sterling knew her story. She’d know why she was afraid.

[Sterling]

There was a lot to talk about. But first she sat up and took Marta's hands in hers and looked at her and leaned in real close. "You can be scared and excited at the same time. But you and Jackson are still just friends. You don't have to kiss him yet. Holding hands is good. Go slow sweety. He's not going anywhere. He's just as traumatized as you are. You both grew up too fast and sex was part of it for both of you. Be kids. Go slow and when you are ready you'll both know. And kissing will be amazing."

Sterling leaned in even closer and whispered. "We didn't get nearly as far as I wanted, but it was nice. Though I don't think he'll try anything again."

Sterling leaned back and smiled"I think you'd look great a strapless or spaghetti strap but I think you'd feel more comfortable in something with sleeves, maybe backless so you can't see it, but everyone else can see skin." Sterling pulled out her wallet and started flipping through dresses. "I bet Sky could let you try them on in here. Vitrual fashion show -- no boys needed."