Just Why?

[Casey]

Casey sat down and let herself relax a bit. She hoped Nox didn’t mind her company. If he had anything to do, he was certainly free to leave or something. It was nice to just exist for a bit with someone else. No agenda - just talking about things.

Of course things got dark fast. These kids were probably traumatized quite a bit. It explained a lot about how Cadence saw them. Casey had her own issues, but nothing in either Candence’s or the kids’ levels of trauma. Seems like Nox himself had a pretty up and down life too. It was a reminder that things weren’t always what you saw on the surface.

”Sounds like you all have had pretty hard lives. I’m glad you’re all still here though. Don’t know the kids as well, but I met some of them yesterday. Can’t have been easy for them to be in that situation. Same for you. Probably still very hard. You ever want to vent, I can listen. Sure as hell can’t offer advice on any of that, but I’ll listen. Cadence will too.”

Casey looked at him. ”You know, she holds you in pretty high regards. Cadence that is. For what you’re doing for these kids. It’s not really public knowledge, but she has a very traumatic past too. Not like these kids. Hers is different, although you could probably say there was a monster involved. Just of the human variety. Also a victim of the failed American foster system. If you ever really talk to her - like a real discussion - you’ll probably catch on to it. Her social-emotional maturity is pretty low for someone her age - particularly in social skills. Shes getting better at that though.” she gave him a smile. “Just want to let you know you’ve been noticed - and noticed by someone who has experience with trauma and failed systems.”

[Nox]

Nox grinned. "I have an endless supply of unwilling listeners. I tend to talk ... a lot. So thanks for that. I can get advice from Hayden if I need it." He really needed to talk to him, fix whatever was going on, but there really wasn't anything to fix. He was pissed about things that didn't matter. Nox understood Hayden. And his reasons but that didn't make it feel any better, or make him feel any better about the rest of his choices.

Nox sighed and stood back up and shut down the equipment. "I'm not doing any of it for recognition. Even the project for the refugee's I've asked Ana and Emily to help out with. It's the right thing to do. And I think that there is now a group of Atharim who are going to exploit that philosophy. And I don't know if it's a good or bad thing, specially with me as the face of it all." He shook his head and got back on topic. "The kids are great, they are resilient and without the pressures of their former life are thriving as normal kids. Half of them even started going to a physical school so they could socialize -- all their own idea not mine."

"You hungry? I'm sure I can whip up something? I need to feed the hunger." He'd just eaten but inverting weaves took a lot of energy he needed a snack already.

[Casey]

Casey smiled at him. She hadn’t thought he had done it for the recognition and it wasn’t why she had told him about Cadence’s admiration. Cadence didn’t always have the luxury of not being in the limelight for such things. People watched her always. Casey knew she had donated a large sum to Emily Shale’s project and had kept it anonymous for the most part. She was however a vocal advocate for ophaned children. Even if it wasn’t public knowledge that she had a traumatic upbringing, it was know that she had been adopted. Finding out she had been in the system wouldn’t be hard to find out. Knowing she’d been in nine homes in seven years was a little harder to come by.

”Of course you don’t do it for the recognition. That’s part of why she admires you for it. Don’t worry, she won’t be screaming your praises while on tour or anything. Your anonymity will be safe,” Casey stood and stretched, giving a yawn. ”I told you because I’m sure it presents a lot of challenges, and it’s easy to get discouraged in situations like that. Sometimes, it’s just nice to hear that someone sees something and appreciates it. I’m sure these kids do too. From what I se, they seem to be pretty happy.” Casey’s face grew somber. ”I also say it because it’s not likely she will. It’s not easy for her. If she thanks you - just know it’s coming from a six year old girl who couldn’t understand why her only parent hated her so much.” it was an understatement for Cadence’s actual trauma.

Casey sighed and it turned into another followed by a grumbling stomach at the mention of food. ”I could eat. I could also do with a third cup of coffee. That weird dream place really takes a lot out of you.”

[Nox]

Nox's parents hasn't been lost until he was older. Granted he watched his mother for and did nothing to stop it. He found his father dead in his own vomit. But he had Aurora until he didn't. He didn't get list on the system
Didn't have a bag life. His choices were his own.

"I want to say her parents didn't hate her. But I know mine would have hated me. My father at least. She's welcome to come by the house anytime, as are you."


Nox lead the way up the two flights of stairs. "Coffee and good I can manage."