[The Garden] Praeceptor of the Reliquiae

[Helena]

They had discussed the nominations, and Helena was in accord. Though she noted the shift in Nox’s posture when Zephyr Lelantos’ name was spoken. The Consul was the cleanest choice to represent the Custody, and Helena was more than passing familiar with Daniil. The nepotism would not go unnoticed, she was sure, but Myshelov’s son was a savant. And DuBois’ ignominious beginnings balanced the books somewhat. “I am in agreement,” she said smoothly, with the haughty tones of one who had been born into power.

[Eliot]

That did seem to be the last real order of business. There were still details to hash out of course but all in all it seemed to go rather well. Though he could have done with out the death. A poor calculation on his part, though it did seem to quell the overly rebellious figurehead he was planning on using. If only he had that kind of power -- the boy might listen to him like he did the Ascendancy. Those loyalties might get in the way one day -- but for now they worked for him.

"I would ask my leave. I will contact the appointees then and move forward with the tribunal inauguration. I'm sure we have quite a list of Atharim marks to go through." He didn't say he'd send them to the Ascendancy but he expect that the man would learn of those on their list. He had his representative for a reason.

Eliot looked to Nox. "I will have need of you in a weeks time we have things to do and for you to learn." The boy rolled his eyes but didn't balk, which was good. He was being oddly quiet. Eliot wasn't sure he liked that. But it was good for now. Less mess. Less hassle, at least the boy was keeping his misgivings to himself. He was just the liason here, and he would just be a pretty face to show the world.

[Jay Carpenter]

Among the Dominions, it was Jay who volunteered to escort the Ascendancy’s guests from the grounds. No one argued.

Outside, the air held a sharpness, the kind that clung after fire swept a field. Jay kept his eyes forward, though the dark scorches in the paving stones whispered for attention at the edges of his vision. He didn’t look. Not directly. But a part of him wondered if he could call down lightning too. He’d never tried.

He would, though. Before the day was out.

The fact that the thought had come while watching a girl be reduced to cinders was something he chose not to dwell on.

He trailed behind the others, just far enough to fall into step beside Nox, close enough to speak without raising his voice. There wasn’t any real plan to it. He didn’t want anything, not exactly. Just to check in. The man looked rough. But then, who didn’t these days?

“I’m out at this place just outside the city,” Jay said, after a while. His tone made it sound like nothing, though it wasn’t. “Not gonna be in the city much for a bit. Figured that was... probably for the best.”

The quiet of the path out stretched between them, broken only by the distant hum of tech infrastructure and the rustling wind.

“Staying with someone,” he added as if it weren’t an admission. Come to think of it, had he ever mentioned Natalie to Nox? He might’ve, in passing. Or not. Hard to say. The trip to the States had always come with the unspoken understanding that not everything needed to be explained.
Jay glanced over briefly.

“You doing okay?” he asked, frowning.

[Nox]

The Gates were in sight. Eliot and Helena were ahead of them. Eliot didn't need him and they could go do whatever they needed and Nox watched as they passed through then stopped. He reached through the slick the horde left behind and pulled the power to him and wove a bubble of warm air around him. He didn't tie it off he held the power. It wasn't showing off, not to Jay, it was just staying warm unlike before he didn't need to freeze his ass off. And the Ascendancy wasn't close, he wouldn't be struck down for grasphing the power. Though he still saw the weaves of the lightning clearly -- he wished he could forget them.

"Life is good." Nox shrugged with a half smile. It was life. He wasn't dead. He had a life -- a job -- a family. Even if he didn't have exactly what he wanted. Which may or may not be sitting around the corner somewhere. Nox didn't take his eyes from Jay to look around. He didn't want to know. He didn't really want to see if that really was Raffe here. He didn't want to know what Raffe wasn't sharing with him. He didn't want to share so Nox didn't want to know. "I can channel again. I can feel again. What couldn't be better." Though the words dripped with sarcasm. "I'm glad you found someone." Though Nox had known there was someone Jay was with. He didn't know who, hadn't asked. but there had always been someone. And it wasn't him -- it wouldn't ever be him. That seemed to be the story of his life. "And I hope the place is safe from all this bullshit." He looked over to where the car for Eliot and Helena waited. "This isn't going to get any better than what is currently out there."