08-24-2023, 01:14 PM
Nox spoke too much. He also spoke like he presumed Ezekiel had any idea what he was talking about. But there were hidden diamonds in the dross, sharp and deadly little secrets that might be weapons. Zeke listened quietly, with a gaze that spoke of concern and a willingness to understand. There was a need in Nox as deep as a pit to hell, and the vulnerability shivered Zeke through with interest.
“He wasn’t alone while he was Sick, he was here,” he said. Nox’s fear of his own capabilities bothered him, but his feelings about the absent man in question clearly bothered him more. Nox’s eyes were slick before he wiped at his face. Zeke didn’t say he’d given Raffe the contact for Paragon, mostly because he did not yet know exactly what had happened there, and he preferred to wield the weapon of knowledge. “He was well looked after,” he added, voice soft as a soothe. He wondered if the guilt would needle, or if there would be jealousy, or simply gratitude. Zeke would adjust his intentions accordingly; as ever, the player chose the path of the game.
“I could speak with him if you like. He has friends here; it’s a safe place.” It wasn’t incidental that Zeke chose a church to build the foundations of this refuge, though his moniker had existed long before that. He cast his gaze once more around them, then headed back to the steps outside. A gesture invited Nox to follow. If anyone recognised the girls, Zeke would be told, and he clearly decided to spare Nox the discomfort.
Outside the afternoon was darkening into evening. Zeke sat, pulled a tin from the confines of his dark jacket, and began to roll a cigarette. He offered one out too. From the smell it was purely herbal. He knew Nox fought at Almaz, but Zeke’s work there was a life that didn’t cross over much with this one. Still, he was thinking through quietly the things Nox had said. Thinking too about some of the things Oriena had said about her own peculiar malady these days.
“I have a friend you should meet,” he said. “Another time though, for he does not live here. Why did the bunny save Morgan?”
“He wasn’t alone while he was Sick, he was here,” he said. Nox’s fear of his own capabilities bothered him, but his feelings about the absent man in question clearly bothered him more. Nox’s eyes were slick before he wiped at his face. Zeke didn’t say he’d given Raffe the contact for Paragon, mostly because he did not yet know exactly what had happened there, and he preferred to wield the weapon of knowledge. “He was well looked after,” he added, voice soft as a soothe. He wondered if the guilt would needle, or if there would be jealousy, or simply gratitude. Zeke would adjust his intentions accordingly; as ever, the player chose the path of the game.
“I could speak with him if you like. He has friends here; it’s a safe place.” It wasn’t incidental that Zeke chose a church to build the foundations of this refuge, though his moniker had existed long before that. He cast his gaze once more around them, then headed back to the steps outside. A gesture invited Nox to follow. If anyone recognised the girls, Zeke would be told, and he clearly decided to spare Nox the discomfort.
Outside the afternoon was darkening into evening. Zeke sat, pulled a tin from the confines of his dark jacket, and began to roll a cigarette. He offered one out too. From the smell it was purely herbal. He knew Nox fought at Almaz, but Zeke’s work there was a life that didn’t cross over much with this one. Still, he was thinking through quietly the things Nox had said. Thinking too about some of the things Oriena had said about her own peculiar malady these days.
“I have a friend you should meet,” he said. “Another time though, for he does not live here. Why did the bunny save Morgan?”
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