Paranoia Abounds

[Nox]

Sleep was elusive. Nox had walked home from Cafe MIO. He'd spent most of the wee hours of the night pounding the punching bag until Sage groggily came out to ask him to keep it down. So he'd moved his attention to the dojo floor and played with the aurora borealus light show weave he'd learned at the Methos concert and dancing to the classical songs in his ear buds.

Nox had focused on how his body moved, and how the lights moved with him. It was peaceful and Nox eventually crashed, though sleep was always tinged with darkness and nightmares. And Nox was up before everyone else. Yoga, shower, coffee and breakfast were all had before Christian was up and moving about doing all his morning chores - except breakfast - that was taken care of. Nox was sure that Christian enjoyed waking up to a hot pot of coffee and breakfast.

Dorian was coming down the stairs when Nox was leaving. "You're leaving early."

Nox smiled and glanced at the door that lead down stairs. Dorian only nodded. "You can't keep avoiding them."

"Watch me." Nox was good at avoiding things. He'd been doing it most of his life. Today he had a meeting with a big bad cronie who was some evil leader of some police thing who wanted to know about gods and the Atharim. The price of Dorian's freedom. Nox was the only one who knew, well Sage did too, and Christian. But no one else. Ana and Cruz knew that the people outside were there to protect them. Why was asked, but Dorian evaded the question. And Ana and Cruz were used to it. They didn't like it but they were used to it.

Nox was out the door and walking to the market where he was going to meet Yun Kao. For a so called talk. As long as she didn't try to kill him or kidnap him he'd be fine. Nox picked up another cup of coffee on his way past the first coffee shop. And a thrid and forth before he actually made it to the open air market. He was early. He liked it that way.

And the Market was always someplace fun to wander. Always something new to see, someone new to meet.

Nothing caught Nox's fancy but then he wasn't looking for anything specific either. Just looking. Nox was finishing his fifth cup of coffee by the time he reached the coffee shop. Yun Kao was easily identified. Dorian had told him about the scar and the woman sort of held this air about her. Like she owned the world. He put on his best smile and sat down without an invitation. "I'm Nox." He said offering his hand. "Dorian said you had some questions I might be able to help you with?"