Second Chances

[Nox]

"Have you read my proposal?" Sage asked over the phone on one of the rare occasions he actually called Nox to discuss whatever it was. Probably because it was faster for Nox to talk than it was for Sage to communicate.

"I did, not that I understood much." 

Sage chuckled over the line. "Sounds about right. Basically it's the legal stuff that'll help you sell the idea."

Nox nodded not that Sage could see it. "I knew that much I don't need to understand it as long as you do."

Sage laughed. "The lawyers do and that's what matters. I laid out the business plan in layman's terms. So you could understand them.  Ana and Emily both have both documents too. So everyone's on the same page."

Nox nodded again flicking his eyes to the left to change the song streaming into his ear bud. Ashton's voice was a godsend when it came to interacting with people who didn't know him. At the club none of the regulars even really noticed that he was just a little off. They didn't see it, didn't know any better. But the crew knew. They would wince when Nox said something in a wrong tone. He was still getting used to it all, but the normies didn't know anything was wrong, even when he pretened to be threatening someone with a weave of air. Bruno was always ready to swoop in should there be trouble, but Nox's reputation preceeded him in Kallisti. He hadn't been back to the Alamz. There really was no point.

The song switched to the normal happy and content to something a bit more somber and business like -- not completely an emotion that Nox had displayed before, but he knew how to be serious. But even the sarcasm was tight and bitter when he remembered to play to his strengths. Everything was just wrong. Nothing felt right. The world was empty and even now he missed Lily. He missed the warmth of her body against his chest. He missed her babbling, but this was a business meeting and while Ana and Emily probably would have dotted on Lily, that was the exact reason he didn't bring her. This was important to him. He needed help and he couldn't do it alone. Money aside, he knew nothing of running a business or even if the plan was doable. But he had to do something!

They were meeting at an upscale cafe across town. Nox would have preferred his favorite, but this was business and there were better places with more privacy than that so he'd let Sage make all the arrangements. As usual.

It was cozy and warm when Nox arrived first.  He took a table in the far corner his back to the kitchen so he could keep an eye on the front door. He ordered black coffee for himself and a fancy coffees one  with oat milk and the other with whatever they usually made it with and carmel for Ana and Emily. Sage had given him Emily's order and Nox wondered if all rich people drank the same things.  When they all arrived at his table the Caramel macchiatos smelled way too fucking sweet and Nox reached for the power to push the scents away but the power was no where to be found and the stabbing pain of loss ripped through the song that played in his ear.  

Nox took deep breathes calming himself as he bent over his black cup of coffee with his good hand pressing against his temple trying to right his world again.

[Emily Shale-Vanders]

Emily had received the proposal from Second Chances and had looked it over. It was a well thought out plan and she had to admit she was surprised. Her experience with Nox Durante hadn’t been a pleasant one. She wasn’t really a fan of the guy, but it seemed like he had a heart. Regardless of their past, this was a business meeting. Her personal thoughts on Nox aside, she would be professional. In a strange way, she was even grateful for Nox. It had led to her being ready to meet Jared.

Emily was informed of the meeting location by Andrew and arrived about five minutes before the time of the meetings start. Nox was already seated at a table and would see her entrance. She noted he was alone. Ana Vega had not yet arrived. She was dressed in a way appropriate for a business meeting - a professional skirt with leggings and as she removed her coat, it revealed a white blouse covered by a suit coat.

She approached Nox’s table with a true smile. She was a professional. ”Mr. Durante,” she said offering her hand. ”it is wonderful for see you again. May I join you?” her words were genuine and held no animosity towards the man. This was a business meeting and she was here to conduct business.

[Nox]

A familiar voice pulled Nox from the feeling and he flicked the music in his ear to something akin to faking he was alright. He wasn't. But no one had to worry about him. He'd recover, though the stabbing pain in his head said that he might need to take a pain killer or two. It seemed to come with the new territory.

Nox stood up and shook Emily's hand with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Ms. Shale, or would you prefer Mrs. Vanders?" The voice of Sage in his ear reminding him she had recently gotten married. He tried not to roll his eyes at the formality. It was business and Sage had insisted he be present instead of the hacker handling it all from the confines of the computer. Nox wanted the money, he wanted the plan to work, he had to show up. And he agreed. It gave him something else to think about other than the shit hand he'd been dealt. Be rid of the horde mean being rid of the power. It was a hard truth to swallow and it ate at him as every minute passed if he wasn't preoccupied with other things. So everyone kept him busy. It was Ana and Emily's turn.

"Sage, Mr. Parker." Nox growled. "I can't do this so forgive me for just being me. Sage told me what you'd order -- a Carmel macchiato, though it might be at a drinkable level now, it's been sitting a bit." He didn't mention that normally it would still be piping hot except he lost his ability to fucking channel. It was a never ending reminder of his new life.

"Ana will be late. I've never known her to be on time much less early." He pulled out the chair for Emily which wasn't the business side of things, but purely a Nox thing to do. At least he was pretty sure being flirty and polite was something he'd do. Specially with someone who could potentially hate his guts. He didn't blame Emily for her dislike of him. He had left. He'd been a jerk. He wasn't that guy anymore. A lot had changed.

Nox was well aware that she wore the tenements of a business deal and he wore jeans and a hoodie -- at least neither were his classic ripped jeans and old worn hoodie -- He really needed to get that back from Raffe, it might make a few things a bit easier on his mind. Though it would be a small comfort to have the last thing his mother had bought him around his shoulders but it would be a comfort. He was advocating for the refugees with much less and he didn't own a suit or tie and if he did they wouldn't be suitable for a business meeting -- more likely to be tear away or holes in the cheeks. Not that he actually owned anything like that anyway that was all Kallisti. But he didn't apologize for his wear or his behavior, if they liked the idea they liked it and if they couldn't deal with him like this then helping the refugees was probably too far down their line anyway.

Nox flicked his eyes to change the mood in his mind. Something less serious, he was drowning in it. He'd have to see if Ashton could nail the right feeling he wanted for normal days of self reflection without the haunting of his past and nightmares and all that was shit with the world. They'd find something -- eventually.

[Emily Shale-Vanders]

Emily had to smile a bit. Nox wasn’t dressed professionally, but in all honesty she hadn’t expected it. It also didn’t bother her. She had met all sorts in business meetings; Those who dressed more stylish than her and those who dressed more casually. Nox was of the latter. It also didn’t bother her that Ana would be late. She was who she was, just as they were. Emily cared about the ideas and whether or not they could pull the ideas off.

Emily took the offered seat and responded to his question. ”Thank you. Either is fine or even Emily if you prefer.” she sipped her macchiato. ”My favorite. If you’d prefer a more casual meeting, that’s fine. I’ll even call you Nox if you would prefer that.”

She looked at Nox and noticed he had changed. It was small differences even if she couldn’t lay her finger on it. She wouldn’t pry. That wasn’t her business here. ”I looked at your proposal. It seems very well thought out.”

[Legione Sumus]

Anastasia Vega

This meeting was unnecessary, she would sign whatever business agreement Sage had drawn up, but hearing it straight from Nox would be interesting, he'd either be super casual about it, go over the edge professional or just be his cocky self and present it like it didn't matter. She had a bet with Christian that he'd be rather blasé about the whole thing. She was late. But in reality today she was on time, just that Nox and Emily were early and already talking. Nox was just sitting down. "Nox is great. Mr. Durante was my father." He visibly shuddered at the thought. He did not like the comparison, even a little.

As soon as he saw her he was back on his feet and pulling out her chair. Ana removed her fake fur coat and hung it behind her chair and sat down in the proffered seat and smiled at Emily. "How good to see you again Emily. I hear the wedding was beautiful." She didn't say from who she had heard, no need to bring up bad situations. Cruz was going through a rough patch, and there was nothing anyone could do about it. Maybe Nox could set him straight but the boy was drowning in his own problems. Most of which Christian did not share with her.

Ana took a sip of her coffee, it was a little on the cold side considering the boy next to her could keep it warm. He didn't look well. Sure there was a smile on his face and he presented like he always did. This was the same sad look he had when he lost Aria and his sister. This was more than drowning in his life. This was worse and Christian wasn't telling her.

"Sage did good work with the written proposal. I'm surprised he's not here."

[Nox]

Ana arrived and pretty much said exactly what he was about to tell Emily when she arrived. Nox pointed to his ear. "He's here."

Ana rolled her eyes. "Of course he is. He couldn't bother making an appearance." It was meant as a jab at his character but it wasn't his idea.

"He doesn't need to be here. It's my idea. He can listen and advise just as easily this way as in here. Having a guy who looks high at a business meeting is probably a lot worse than having a guy who's underdressed."

"He can make himself presentable."

Nox laughed. "No, Ana, he cannot. He cleans up nice, but he still always looks high and there is no taking away his drug of choice unless you fuck the entire city."

Ana laughed. "Language. There are women and children present."

Nox grinned at Ana, though it was a facade of humor. "Which brings us to the exact point of the meeting. Moscow has a excess of refugees living in the tunnels who have recently been displaced because of supernatural reasons. I can't house all the children I display, reasonably the ones I have now are probably too much for my childish self to handle, but it is what it is and they are mine. Which is why I had Sage reach out to you Emily. These kids need homes, but they need more than that. They've all seen too much of my world. Seen things no kid should ever see. They need help to process it or they'll become like me or worse they'll try to do what I do and they'll die trying. Vengence and hatred can lead a child wrong. Specially when the thing you are fighting against shouldn't exist. We need to have people available for the kids and displaced to talk to and beleive that what they saw was real. And there is no fucking way Hayden can talk to every person who's been traumatized by a monster."

[Emily Shale-Vanders]

Emily greeted Ana with a smile and thanked her for the comment on her wedding. In truth, Emily had trouble remembering most of it. It had all passed by in a blur and after things had started she had become tunnel visioned on Jared. Cruz had been there as Rachel's date, and that was over. It made Emily think of her sister. She had been odd since the break up.

Nox and Ana seemed to have a very good rapport. Both of them mentioned Sage, and although Emily had never met the man, she'd heard of him from Rachel. He was an associate of Cruz's if she recalled correctly. It also seemed he was an associate of Nox and had written the proposal - apparently while high. High people didn't bother her as much as people thought it did. She personally didn't advocate drug use - especially the illegal kind - but mostly she didn't like it when people used to hide from their problems. Even so - if Sage had written the proposal while high, that was impressive. She did know that some drugs made people hyper-vigilant. That also made her think of Rachel. She had been incredibly focused on her thesis lately. Emily hoped she wasn't burying her break up with Cruz on drugs. She'd have to talk to her soon.

Emily listened to what they said, but she also watched. Emily noted Nox's posture and his choice of words. She picked up on the word "childish", "they'll become like me", and "try to do what I do." The man's guilt was palpable. All people had their flaws, and one of Emily's was that she wore her emotions on her sleeve. She could usually temper it in business deals, but her eyes revealed her compassion. The man was beating himself up. She didn't know him well, but whatever sins he had committed he was truly sorry for. She sensed that this wasn't a ploy - it was genuine. He hadn't asked for it, but it was in that moment that Emily forgave him for what he had done to her.

After Nox finished, Emily let silence pervade for a moment, hands steepled in front of her in thought. She had read the proposal and hadn't lied when she said it was well thought out. It was one of the best written and thought out plans she had seen. Normally in meetings like this, she'd have feedback or criticism to give, but she had none. She had ideas to add, of course, but now wasn't the time for that. Usually she'd ask questions that she already knew the answer to - a technique to get the person talking about their idea. It showed her what the client viewed as important. She had a feeling that route would annoy Nox. He had been straightforward and unapologetic in his approach. He would appreciate not having to wade through bullshit to get to the point.

Emily took a deep breath and put her hands down. "First things first - what are Second Chance's immediate needs, what can I do to meet them, and how does Shale fit in. Are you looking for financial backing or more?" Emily's choice of words was deliberate. A way to let them know that they weren't just petitioning for her company's resources, but also for something more personal for her.

[Legione Sumus]

Anastasia Vega

Ana put her hand on Nox's before he could speak. "Second Chances is geared towards adult homeless. So we target high school and university education, resume building and career oriented skill sets. We have lawyers and others, what Second Chances needs is the child sector covered."

Nox pulled his hand from underneath hers and she frowned even as he gave her a smile that didn't reach his eyes "Money is great and needed, someone needs to pay the semi-volunteers for their time and effort. But Ana's right, we need the resources of your Ophan project to combine with Second Chances adult programs. We need to get these kids computer access, health check ups, reliable food sources, a warm place to sleep off the ground. The online school the fosters all attend is willing to provide us rotating licenses to educate these children. There is a section of land that was recently cleared, the destruction was all encompassing. Authorities say a bomb went off, but I know better. It wasn't a bomb, at least not one of human design. Anyway..." Nox paused to collect himself. He seemed to pause at the idea of someone strong enough in the power they both held to blow away two blocks of warehouses.

"The land is cheap and the building design you've sketched out is plausible, though we should hire an architect and get that started right away. Emily we could use whatever other resources you want, but we'd like to combine Second Chances with your Orphan Project in a New Beginnings program. Nox's vision is greater than what Second Chanes offers. He's not just preparing them for a job, he's giving them one. How well that secondary buisness goes, we'll have to see, but I know it worked well in Madrid, and we can expand to a coffee shop, varying cuisines. And they can also learn to be nurses and help out in the free clinic. A totally self-service project is the overall goal with donations being what pays the teachers, lawyers, doctors etc."

[Emily Shale-Vanders]

Emily listened intently. They wanted a partnership, and a partnership made sense. Ultimately they had the same goal - it would be best to work together. Emily smiled - genuinely smiled. They could do this. ”Great minds think alike. A partnership is a great idea. On the record, I do need to answer to the board - I can’t unilaterally form a partnership. On the record, the board isn’t going to turn this down. Our meeting is tonight - I’ll have the official go ahead tomorrow.”

Emily sat back and looked at both of them. It was odd, even when Nox smiled, it never reached his eyes. ”I imagine with them being refugees, you’re in a bit of a scramble. I can personally offer funds now to get people fed and housed until we get things rolling for an actual building, and as far as architects go, the one who designed our building did a great job and I’d be willing to get you his information.”

She turned to Ana. ”Shale also has a job program to teach people jobs and initiate them into careers. That is available to you as well - I can have my PA send you all the information. I don’t know how you are for medical yet, but you can reach out to the fire department. When we in Chicago, CFD would post it for their paramedics and you’d often get many of them to volunteer on their non-work days.”

She smiled broadly, and included Nox in her gaze. ”This is a good plan. One of the best I’ve seen. This will work - we will make it work. We have a good start on funds for the orphan project with just my wedding gifts and apparently Cadence Mathis wants to talk to me about donating more. With that and what you have - we have a good start to get this rolling. As far as I’m concerned the more kids and teens we get out of foster care the better. Let’s get them homes and a life to go with it.”

[Nox]

Nox was grateful that it was easy to get the cooperation needed to help put things together for the refugees. The only problem was he couldn't just help them, they didn't trust him. He was the reason they were without a home -- as such as it was.

"Right now they have shelter, not great, but it's warm and dry and plenty of space. The Angel of the Undercity takes care of his own. And I want this to be his venture, not mine. I need to talk to him, see if he's willing to push his people towards this. The illusion that it's his doing. I don't want credit. I don't need credit but I did this to them. I will fix what I can and help others in the process."

Nox didn't know what to do with the other information. It wasn't like he knew what he was doing at all. He was just here with his ideas. There were smarter people to do the business side of things.

Ana seemed to grasp the situation. "Give me the name and Christian and I will handle the rest. Nox can talk to this Angel of the Undercity. Not that I trust someone who wants to be worshipped. But if you trust him Nox, then so will I."

Nox gave Ana a wry smile. "I don't trust him. I don't trust most people. But he won't hurt the refugees and he'll do what's right for them, as long as they keep worshipping him."

Emily mentioned Cadence and Nox chuckled. "She was at the club a bit back. I think she had a connection with the girls. Taught Liv how to improve her healing weave, for which I'm grateful."

Ana growled. "What did you do this time, boy?" Her tone was motherly and Nox ducked his head as a proper son should.

"Nothing I couldn't handle. I had back up and I'm alive. That's all that matters."

"And what if you hadn't? Nox..."

"I have already been lectured on the fine art of being a parent. I won't rush headlong into a fight without the proper tools. I promise."

Ana nodded. At least his word was still good with someone.

"You've met Cadence Matthis?"

Nox shook his head. "I have not, but Sterling was full of fan girl stories afterwards. I heard about it. I think she'll be around for lessons or at least companionship. Ori's little club is growing ten-fold."

Ana laughed. "As if you have nothing at all to do with that."