Getting Attention

[Nox]

Nox didn't like the thought of Raffe having suffered. He remembered it like it was yesterday. It hadn't been more than a few years since his own episodes. But his use of the one power had been obvious. There was no denying the fact that he had thrown a fireball. It wasn't like Aurora who had healed him. An unknowing experience. But he wouldn't tell Raffe the danger - he'd scared Sterling that way. Though Raffe had been there for all the same lectures. He knew the risks as well as Sterling had heard them. But it didn't matter. For now, food...

His stomach rumbled again as he took Raffe's hand. His face coloring softly at the mention of what they'd done before. It wasn't being shy, more to the point of enjoyment on his own part. It was something for Raffe and nothing more. "Make sure we get more of that energy for later, too." Nox winked. There probably wasn't going to be much more later. Nox was drained of all life. His arm was killing him, he knew Christian's fears were correct. The bandage showing mostly dirt from Nox's abuse of the bandage. But the pain had brought him back to himself. It was his own as much as his feelings for Raffe. Fear lingered on the edge of himself and Nox reached for the emptiness that brought the power and found solace in the nothingness. Aria had spoken of the emptiness while trying to teach him to use the sword. And when they sparred but Nox never truly grasped it. But now floating in it to keep the darkness at bay he understood what she'd been trying to teach him.

And all it took was evil incarnate trying to take him over to learn that lesson. Nox lead Raffe upstairs to the kitchen where Christian had prepared steak and roasted vegetables of all sorts. A large loaf of bread was already cut and warmed on the island separating the spectator from the cook. Ana perched upon one of the stools watching the love of her life move around his kitchen like he knew what he was doing - and Christian did. It was his job after all to take care of the house and all inside.

"Smells wonderful."

Christian smiled. "Should suffice?"

Nox grinned and sat down next to Ana, leaving the bar stool closest to the stairs for Raffe. A speedy exit if things got uncomfortable for them if necessary. "At this point I'll eat anything to keep the darkness out." His voice sounded strange to his own ears, the distance and cool tone foreign to him. But he'd heard the same in Aria's voice countless times.

Christian looked at him with concern.

"I'm alright. Just keeping myself in check."

It didn't really suffice them, but Christian let it drop. "You will allow the Jivana team to look at your arm?"

Nox nodded. "Before we leave."

Ana was about to interrupt but Christian sat down and put his hand on hers in warning. Nox smiled and gave Christian a welcome nod. "I'm sure they want to get home."

Nox laughed. "I'm pretty sure I have a lotus to take care of." Nox winked at Raffe and griinned happily at him. The darkness still threatened to consume him but with each bit and every passing second Nox felt a little bit more himself.