Forced Withdrawals [Nox's Building]

[Hayden]

Hayden learned a few things in his story. Tatyana didn't like Nox and probably never would. He didn't care one way or another, Nox wouldn't either, but she didn't even know him and there was no point in it trying to get her to see anything different, but it also wouldn't stop him from talking about Nox. He was probably the most fascinating subject he'd ever had the chance of meeting.

He also learned that she too had felt betrayal. And she was still sad about something. Probably the someone she lost. But she didn't want to talk so he just tucked her closer and closed his eyes and let his breathing slow. If she wanted to talk she would, this wasn't about him. And he didn't need therapy.

[Marta]

Marta smirked. Trouble sounded fun. She had no idea what to do though. Pillow fights, forts, snacks, and trouble sounded like a good time. "Also pretty sure most of the adults are getting hammered. They'll be out cold when they go out."

She laughed. Sterling was having a bad influence on her. They were still good kids, but hey - you had to have some fun too and push boundaries. "I believe you are more adept at getting in trouble than I am. What would be a fun plan?" There was sort of a thrill to this that she hadn't expected.

[Tatyana]

There was silence for awhile and Hayden pulled her closer. Tatyana knew he wanted more, but it was nice that he hadn't pushed it. It at least allowed her to come to it in her own time. Opening up wasn't something she was good at.  She had held in a lot in the last two years and hadn't trusted anyone. Part of her still balked at how quickly she was trusting the people here.

Tatyana put a hand on his shoulder. Even this felt weird - physical contact. "Sorry - trusting isn't easy for me." she eventually said. She closed her eyes and focused on Hayden's breathing. It was an odd comfort. "It was my dad. Two years ago." she said and the pain inside intensified.

"He taught me everything. Mom died when I was young so it was just us. When I needed help or guidance he was always there. He taught me martial arts. It was our thing. We trained together and everything. Then two years ago, he died in a car crash," she sniffled and wiped her eyes. "My world shattered then. I miss him."

She didn't go into the issues with the Vasilievs. Telling this much had made things hurt more. It was out and it was real now. "He's gone and he's never coming back." Tatyana felt like he had died all over again and that even talking about it seemed a betrayal. She didn't want to let him go.

[Sterling]

Sterling snickered. "I don't aim to get into trouble. It just happens." She didn't really want to get in trouble or even do anything that would hurt any one's chances of staying in Nox's good graces. It was important for all of them -- even her. she grinned. "And I don't ever plan on it."

Sterling laid down and staired up at the ceiling. "I think we just do what we do planned. It's not like we can sneak out and go to a club or anything. The snow saw to that. Maybe next time. so Pillow fights, blanket forts all the snacks we can eat. That sounds like a really good plan."

[Hayden]

Hayden nodded. "Loss of a parent is hard" He never had to deal with it. "Probably why you connect with the twins." It is a reason she could connect with Nox, but he wasn't going to mentioned it again. She didn't like him. And that was fine by him, he didn't actually care. But it really was her loss. "Getting close is difficult. I get it. You get hurt when you let someone in. But you also miss a lot, too."

"Sometimes it's good to remember them. Talk about them."

[Marta]

Marta smirked and pulled closer to Sterling, sighing. "That sounds great," she said, and meant it too. It was simple enough.

She was comfortable in the room though right now and found she wasn't quite ready to leave. She needed some time before she began to people. "Not right now though. I just want to stay here for a bit with you before we go out and people. If that's okay with you."

Marta closed her eyes and took a deep breath and realized for the first time in a very long time, she actually felt like a kid again. She kept her eyes closed and wrapped Sterling in a hug and squeezed. "Thanks for being here."

[Sterling]

Sterling returned the hug. "Anytime Marta. And we can stay as long as you like. Well until Elyse kicks us out. We did kinda steal her room."

She changed the topic. "I'm surprised to see the twins here, and their new friend. She doesn't like Nox much makes me wonder why she's here at all. It's his good graces that inspire their charity -- specially Hayden." She giggled. "And he's blind to his own feelings too."

[Tatyana]

Tatyana digested what he said, nodding as he mentioned that was probably why she connected with the twins.  She knew that was why, but it was the rest that he said that she needed to hear. Hayden acknowledged her difficult in letting people in, mentioning also that she missed a lot by doing so. Tatyana almost said something in response to that, but held back. She knew deep down that Hayden was right. She missed being with people and being connected. She may not have gotten along with the Vasiliev's as a whole, but she had had friends. The Christmas party before her dad died she had even spent some time with a young man dancing. It hadn't led to sex or anything, but it had been a fun night. She smiled a bit at the memory. He reminded her of Ashton - he had been able to make her laugh too.

It was enough to get her to talk more. "Dad...well... she wasn't sure where to begin.  She had known her dad wasn't a good man. He had been an enforcer for a crime family. "He just seemed to be a natural at raising me. After mom died, he just took over. He was always good to me - never abused me or anything. He didn't even yell much. He sort of took it all in stride. He was into martial arts and when I showed interest, he got me hooked into several dojos and when I got older, he began to spar with me proper. It was our thing. He always said to me 'Zvezdochka*, your opponents will always be bigger than you, so training against me is a good idea, no?" She laughed at the memory. "One time I remember he broke through my defense. Sometimes during sparring, I'd get hit, but he was usually fairly gentle. I told him that I was trying, but he was too fast. He told me 'Zvezdochka, you are faster than I am.' It wasn't often that he was that direct with advice.  He usually encouraged me to figure things out on my own, but that - that stuck with me."

Tatyana began to shake a little bit as she started to cry. Talking about him hurt, even if she was remembering the good things. She wiped her eyes again. It did feel good to talk about it though. She was still a bit confused at why everyone was being so nice to her, but she wasn't arguing about it anymore. "Thanks...for listening." she said.

[[*Zvezdochka = Little Star]]

[Hayden]

Hayden was glad she was opening up. It merited his own story as a reward -- sorta. But tit for tat, he believed. Even though he wouldn't share the whole bredth of the situation. "At least you were close with your father. I rarely spent good times with the man I call my father. Sure there were good ones -- but most of them were him using me for my gifts. Or pushing me to use them. Kinda how I got into the whole 'listening to folks problems' gig. Though my father would rather I actually finish my PhD and become Dr. Sebastian psychotherapists or whatever he had in mind. I kinda like being that guy behind the bar though."

He was only a few classes away from his PhD one of which was his thesis. Though that had actually already been written -- or at least the premise was. The Minds Inside a Cult. Though he probably could write a whole new paper on Nox alone should he decide to actually do it. But Hayden had been analysing the Atharim since he was first brought into the fold. He wasn't one of them, but he knew all about them, and talked with hundreds of agents with in. They always needed someone to talk to -- Nox certainly had and now here he was pushing his gifts with those of his sorta choosing. Though still just a favor to Nox. Except Tatyana -- that wasn't really a favor for Nox. That was Ashton who brought her in, and his own damn good will. Nox was certainly rubbing off on everyone.

"And there is absolutely no need to thank me. Listening is what I do." He grinned at her as he took her wrists and pinned them above her head with one hand and rolled on top of her in one swift movement. "And I listen to things in all sorts of manners." He press a kiss to her lips wanton and hungry. She could say no, but he had a feeling she was up for round two.

[Marta]

Marta laughed. "Elyse won't kick us out unless she wants to go to sleep, and even then she wouldn't care as long as we kept quiet." Elyse was pretty easy going.

It wouldn't take Marta long to be ready. She was just glad to be with Sterling. "I never met the twins or their friend," Marta frowned. "She has a weird scent." Marta still wasn't sure what it meant. "Think something happened though - Hayden was irritated about something awhile back. That's when I was taking a nap."

She returned Sterling's giggle. "Know why she hates Nox?" she asked. "Yeah - Hayden likes Nox - but I don't know - something about those who help other people makes them blind to their own feelings sometimes."