Seeking Refuge

[Hayden]

Hayden had been expecting the call. Honestly he was surprised it had taken that long. Liam was the one to contact him which was a little surprising. He expected Elyse or Liv to be the ones or a text from Sky. Liam knew he had two uses and Hayden laughed. He would have come over for Nox later, but he supposed he could head over. It seemed it was all he did lately.

Hayden at least wasn't responsible for food. That was a chore on a good day.

He walked in the bitter cold the few blocks. Hayden didn't bother with a coat it wasn't that far and Nox's house had plenty of coats and blankets and such if he needed it.

The outside doors were always unlocked, and the inner ones didn't pose any problem. He didn't bother knocking or even asking for entrance. He was met upstairs by people he didn't know. That seemed par for course. Nox knew so man people.

He wrapped an arm around Elyse and hugged, and then the same for Anna. Liam gave him a real hug and then started making coffee and setting out some snacks. He was a good host, Nox was teaching him well. He offered his hand to the blond. "Hayden. I hope your sister is alright."

[Anna]

Anna left with Elyse to give Emily some space. She imagined she wanted some time alone with her sister. She looked like she had a lot on her mind, and she had reason for that. . At least she didn’t seem angry anymore. That meant things were processing.

Her sister Rachel looked better as she slept, and Anna hoped sleeping worked. She wondered what the poor girl had been through, and hoped it didn’t have lasting damage. They went upstairs and were there waiting for Hayden to arrive.

”she looked really rough,” Anna told Elyse who just nodded.

Emily came up the stairs a moment later. It was clear she had cried for a little bit. ”Anything we can do for you Emily?” Emily shook her head no.

[Elyse]

Elyse found herself quiet. She didn’t know why, but she just didn’t know what to say to the woman. She wanted to offer more, but couldn’t. Emily came up stairs and she smelled worried and uncertain now. The anger was gone. Her mood have shifted pretty quickly and Elyse wondered what she had on her mind. There was something more there, even if Elyse had no idea what it was.

Anna asked if she could help, and Emily shook her head no. Elyse just moved and hugged the woman, compelled by something she didn’t know. Emily hesitated before wrapping her arms around Elyse. Suddenly she felt Anna get Emily from the other side.

”Thank you,” she said.

The pair released her with an encouraging smile right before Hayden entered the room. Elyse returned his hug and so did Anna and he approached Emily.

[Emily Shale-Vanders]

The hug surprised her, but she appreciated it. She didn’t know she had needed the hug. These two women didn’t even know her, but they cared, and for some reason lived with Nox. She had a feeling she had to figure out this guy more. He had changed a lot from the man who had slept and left.

Anger had been replaced with anxiety and worry, and it wasn’t just her sister. That was foremost, but there was more on her mind - business and personal. She had a board meeting tonight and wasn’t going to make it. Andrew knew the plan for Second Chances and could easily be her proxy. The board wouldn’t say no whether she was here or not.

She wiped her eyes as a man came up the stairs and gave everyone hugs before offering his hand to her and introducing himself. According to Liam he was a bartender. Emily took his hand. ”Emily. I hope so too. Please excuse me for a moment.”

She pulled out her wallet and stepped aside. Andrew, I need you to proxy me tonight. Send my apologies to the board, I have a family matter that I need to take care of and will be unable to attend (I’ll let you know more later). Please present the Second Chance proposal to the board. They want to merge with the Orphan Project to create a children’s division. We talked about it as a potential option. You know what you need to say. They’ll accept it. Text me the verdict.

Andrew responded quickly. Got it. Good vibes to you and the family.

She out her wallet away and joined the group. ”Sorry - had some business to take care of.”

[Hayden]

Hayden grinned when she returned. He pushed a light drink towards Ms. Shale. "Figured a drink might help. Nox wil handle whatever he's handling. Liam ordered some food should be her soon. But he's got some raw veggies and cracker and cheese. Could throw some popcorn in the microwave if that's not your thing"

There was little time for her to respond as the herd of children stomped up the stairs .Arabella was first up the stairs, that 4 year old energy never stopped until it did. She saw him and was soon wrapping her arms around his legs. "Hey kid." Hayden lifted her up and smiled.

She turned to Emily and grinned. "Is she in trouble, too?"

Hayden chuckled. "Her sister is."

"Is Nox going to save someone else?"

"He is."

She looked over at Emily "Are they going to live her too?"

Hayden laughed. "No. I think Nox is working on a way to save people and not them move in with him." He set the little girl down . "Why don't you go play with Gen and Sera, just pick up when you are done, Nox won't need the mess when he gets back."

"Okay." She scurried away into the dining area where toybox was.

Liv was carrying Lily and looked like she needed a break. Hayden walked around and took the baby from her. "Go take a nap. We got her till Nox gets back."

Hayden gave the baby a smile but Liam was taking her from him as he went back to his spot behind the counter. "As you can see it's a mad house here."

[Emily Shale-Vanders]

A drink was pushed towards her - apparently the bartender part was correct, but soon kids came up the stairs. Emily had a brief smile hit her lips, but it was only brief.  The little girl was adorable and she went to play with a couple others before a woman about Emily's age came up.  She was carrying an infant and Hayden accepted the child who was then taken by Liam.  It was kind of chaotic. "Does Nox take care of all these kids?" Her voice was surprised.

She chuckled a little as Hayden called it a mad-house.  Emily found herself liking the man quickly, but all the children brought thoughts to her mind.  Thoughts that had been brought up while she was downstairs with Rachel.  She picked up a carrot and began to nibble, but her attention turned to the woman next to her.  It was the golden eyed Elyse.  She had put a comforting arm on Emily's back.  Emily looked at her, curious, but unsure of how to ask the woman what she was.

"I'm a wolfkin," Elyse said, with a smirk. "I can talk to wolves, heightened senses, and pretty eyes. Among other things."

Emily blinked. "Like reading minds?" she asked.

Elyse laughed. "No, but I can smell emotions. When you looked at me and I smelled curiosity, I took a guess."

"That's why you were gagging," Emily said. "So we have a woman who can channel, one who can talk to wolves, and you," she looked at Hayden, a slight smile. "Are you something special too?"

[Hayden]

Hayden laughed. "Yeah he does. Legal and binding. Which is why he was talking with you an Ana today, he's running outta space and as much as he loves them, it's a bit much."

"I'm nothing special, just a guy who can read people and have a bit of insight into what I see " Hayden looked over at Elyse. "You okay?"

"Food is here."

Liam handed Lily off to Hayden to run down to get it. The kid didn't fit as well as she did with Nox. She was all hands and legs when anyone else held her. Marta had been the best with her.

[Emily Shale-Vanders]

Liam went down to get the food and handed the baby off to Hayden again.  "I'm doing alright - learning what family is again." Elyse said as Hayden looked at her.

Emily's eyes were on the baby. It all came rushing into her now.  Everything that had been set in motion since she found out that Rachel was in danger. Emily's breath hitched.  She felt Elyse's hand on her again, heard her murmur something about it being okay. Emily's eyes moved from the baby to the drink Hayden had made - the drink she hadn't touched.

Then she began to speak - feeling oddly comfortable with these people she barely knew. "Rachel was always a little odd...a pretty good deal naive too. She was always good at helping others process their emotions, but always struggled with her own.  Mom and dad's death hit her really hard. Then her and her boyfriend broke up. I thought...I thought her behavior was because of the break up.  That she was processing it in her own way. I did what I thought was best - I told her I was there for her - we all did - but we gave her space.  I thought that's what she needed. And now..." her stare remained. "I find out someone was manipulating her.  Using his powers to take advantage of her."

Emily wiped her eyes. "I know it's not my fault.  It's not Rachel's fault, but I keep going over the past week and thinking if there was something I missed. Something that could have stopped this so that if it happens again - with our other sister, or..." she looked at the girls playing and then at the baby and then back at the drink. The drink that she couldn't drink.  "I'm late..." she finally said, hands going to her stomach. She hadn't wanted to tell them that, but it needed to come out - to give context to what she felt. "It could mean nothing, but it could mean something big. I thought I was ready, and now I'm second guessing. I know - I know it's something I'll learn and I have time, but...my mom isn't even here to help. It's just this all was thrust on me, and sometimes, it's all overwhelming.  It's easier now with Jared but..."

Emily stopped, wiped her eyes again, and looked up at first Elyse and Anna, the first who was openly crying and Anna had a sad, but supportive look on her face, and then she turned to Hayden with the small child in his arms. "I'm sorry, it's just a lot and I'm a little scared and worried and everything...please don't tell anyone. I wanted to wait until I knew for sure before telling Jared." She didn't know who they would tell, but still she said it.

[Hayden]

Women were emotional at the best of times. And now she was very talkative and pulled the drink back and instead poured her a glass of orange juice. "We can get something else from the store down the street if you want something else." He smiled as she continued on Elyse started to cry and Anna looked a bit sad. This was probably a bit too much for Elyse. "Don't you and Anna have to get ready for work, Elyse?" It was a gentle push to make sure the she was alright. Family was still something she was working on figuring out. "Anna you wanna take Elyse upstairs make sure you get all off safe."

"It's definitely not your fault and your secret is safe with us. But I know you can do it. If Nox can do it, you sure as fuck can. It takes a village just remember you don't have to do it all alone. And your sister will be there to help. I'm sure she'll be fine, and the prick who did this will be dead with in the hour. When she wakes up maybe Ashton can sing her a song to help with the withdrawal. Nox might have another idea when he gets back too."

Hayden handed Lily off to Liam again and started set out the food and the plates. "You should eat something. If you want something different we can work on that too."

[Elyse]

Elyse had started to cry when Emily mentioned her parent's death. She had been doing really well, and still was okay, but it really hit close to home for her. Emily missed her mom, so did Elyse. On top of that, Emily was possibly pregnant. Having a child was something that Elyse had been wondering about. Not that she was anywhere close to that happening, but she still felt the weight of her family name. It was something the pair had in common.

Hayden saw it, and told her that maybe it was time to get ready for work. Elyse understood what he was doing. She nodded and mumbled. "I'll be okay." she actually meant it too.

"Hey, Elyse?" Anna said and when Elyse looked, she saw Anna had done here illusion trick to make her eyes look gold.

"Thanks, Anna," she said giving Anna a hug.

The two women quickly gave Emily their wallet numbers and headed upstairs to get ready for work. "You okay, Elyse?"

Elyse wiped her eyes. "Yeah, I'll be okay. It just hit hard when she mentioned her parents," Elyse said.

Anna nodded. "Well we are still here for you," she had dropped her magic. "Showers and then we'll head over. You good to work?" Elyse nodded and got her clothes ready to go.