Just Why?

[Claude Saint-Clair]

((Continued from here))

Claude had continued looking through Nox Durante's file. Another Atharim named Zephyr had done extensive research on him. The red light district was a sort of perimeter.  On top of that, a schedule, of all things.  Nox was a creature of habit it seemed. So he found himself entering the Red Light District. There were drones there and at times, he would see them, watching him probably. But they didn't do more than watch. At least now. 

Claude sighed. This was an incredible pain. He wasn't too thrilled about any of this. He wasn't scared of Nox. Nox was an ex-Atharim channeler and from what he could see, he was incredibly skilled. There were reasons why he should be, but given their conversation with Eliot, he wasn't worried that Nox would attack him unless Claude did something to aggravate him.  Eliot had no reason to lie, and Claude had no reason to antagonize the man.

So Claude found himself outside of the man's home. A building - looked like a business building too.  The research he had seen showed that too.  The bottom floor had businesses in it.  Claude hesitated a bit, wondering if he should ring the bell or just go in. He wasn't sure at all. He stood outside for a bit before finally ringing the bell.  He didn't want to intrude or anything and he wanted to do anything he could to stay on Durante's good side.

[Legione Sumus]

SKIE aka Sky

A computerize voice comes over the speaker. "Is this a personal visit, for Durante Security or Borealis Industries? The door is open, come in our of the cold at any measure."

[Claude Saint-Clair]

Claude didn't answer right away. He was taken by surprise by an AI asking him what he was looking for here.  Claude wasn't sure what he expected, but it wasn't that. "Umm...Personal - I'm trying to reach Nox Durante." He wasn't sure he should say that or Durante securities, but he figured that would get to Nox either way.

"He's currently on a run. He'll be back in about ten minutes. I've alerted him to your presences.  You can wait for him in the kitchen upstairs." the AI responded to him.

Claude entered the building and went up the stairs finding a kitchen there. He felt a little awkward waiting begin here, but he guessed it was better than standing in the cold. He sat down at what appeared to be a bar. He was thankful no one else was here for right now. He took a deep breath and waited.

[Nox]

A message came through his ear price from sky, "You have a guest. I'll have him wait in the kitchen."

Nox nodded but he didn't say anything to acknowledge he heard. But she did. He picked up the pace. Last thing he wanted was strangers in his house for long.

He ran up the stairs two at a time and stopped to kick off his shoes and catch his breathe before moving towards the kitchen. "I'm Nox. How can I help you?

Nox walked around the bar and to the fridge and pulled out two bottles of water. "Water?" Nox put the second bottle on the bar and turned to start making himself some breakfast. "Hungry?"

[Claude Saint-Clair]

Claude heard the man come up the stairs. The AI had been right. He had clearly been on a run. He got straight to the point, offering a bottle of water and some food. Claude accepted the water with gratitude, but politely declined the food.

Claude sighed, trying to decide what words to use. ”Claude Saint-Claire,” he said offering his name. ”I was given your name by Eliot Lagueax. He thinks you can help me with my problem. You know - before I get too sick.”

There was a twinge of irritation in his voice. He had also avoiding saying that he could channel. It was stupid really, but saying it would lock in the reality of it. It would lock in the idea that he was once again a disappointment. He was here to save his own life. Then he could throw the power aside. Never to be used.

[Nox]

It didn't surprise him to hear Eliot's name so close to having met with him. He'd said he wanted him to help with others. This must be what he meant. "I can help. How many times have you been sick?" Nox asked out of curiosity before taking an large glug of his own water and then starting his own breakfast. Liam had already made breakfast for the kids, they should be doing their work either upstairs or at Kallisti. As long as it got done he didn't care.

Nox flicked his eyes and the lenses scrolled to some of the commands and the TV popped on and the security feeds popped up so he could check in on everyone. It might be a late start to his morning. Lily was sleeping in her crib while Liam sat by in the chair with his laptop nose to the grindstone. Nox smiled. He'd was a good kid.

The others were all sitting at their own laptops in various places around the building and a handful were at Kallisti including Sterling and her friend Liam. Though Liam didn't look as if he was actually doing his school work as he glanced around watching everyone else. It wasn't Nox's responsibility to keep the kid on task, but he had a touch of ADHD and was often scolded in real school because of it. But Sterling tapped him on the arm and pointed at his computer and he gave her a grin, before turning back to his work. Sterling was like their mom. She kept on top of everyone else.

Nox looked expectantly at his guest sitting across from him. Hoping he hadn't been sick too often, it sucked. And it also meant the closer to death one was.

[Claude Saint-Clair]

Suddenly a TV turned on and a security feed was scrolling through. Claude didn’t pay much attention to it, but the fact that it was done wordlessly was kind of weird. He didn’t want to pry too deep into the man’s life either - especially since he wasn’t invited. He wasn’t really thrilled to be here at all, but even less so because he just showed up on his doorstep. Not that Claude had much of a choice. He had little to go on and was into a situation where he had to stalk the guy. An AI ran the house - maybe it was a schedule. Maybe someone used god powers. That thought was unsettling. The whole thing was unsettling. But Claude caught the hint of a smile on Nox’s face.

”Just once - massive migraine yesterday,” he responded, unable to keep himself from sounding irritated. His head didn’t hurt nearly as bad now, but the remnants were still there. He rubbed his temples lightly, hoping it didn’t flare up again.

[Nox]

It didn't sound like the sickness to him, but it could be he supposed. He was hardly an expert. Nox made a spinach tomatoe and cheese omelette while Claude talked and Sky ran a check on the man he'd let into his house.

"Doesn't sound like the sickness I know of so that's good. Typical fever and chills and all out pain. I take it you want to learn enough not to die? Tell me what you were doing when you channeled last?" He'd learned that this actually might help understand what's going on.

[Claude Saint-Clair]

Nox seemed straight forward enough. Claude had a feeling he wouldn’t need to be here long. Still a part of him felt bad that he was being so stoic, even if Nox didn’t seem to mind. If he was able to help, this probably wasn’t the first time. He was probably used to less than enthusiastic Atharim coming to his door to not die.

”Thats about all I’m interested in,” Claude said as he began to make his breakfast. ”Sorry for interrupting your routine. Eliot gave me absolutely nothing or I would have tried to be more accommodating.”

Nox hadn’t seemed frustrated about his being here. He had taken this all into stride. ”Was at a cafe visiting my sister. The earth trembled.” the answer was vague, but he didn’t want to bring Nora into this conversation - not unless he had to.

[Nox]

A public display. The Atharim would have recorded the anomaly. Not that Eliot hadn't already done that if he sent them this way. "Sky alert Wicked to Mr. Saint-Clair's predicament and make sure the Atharim are unaware of it. If Eliot sent you here then he doesn't want you dead in any sense. And while he might not be a for I still don't trust him completely."

Nox flipped his food on the plate and started eating ignoring the comment about disrupting his day. It wasn't unusual in the least and he had interrupted nothing yet. [color=#0072bb]"This power is like a raging bull in a china shop. You need to take it by the horns and force it to your will. If you look inside you'll find a dark side o just out of sight. You need to grab hold off it and command it."[\color]

Nox leaned on the counter and worked on his food while he waited until Claude tried or failed at healing the power.