Checking In

[Nox]

Nox sent Rachel a quick reply and Hayden's contact. And one too Hayden too.

I do. I'll send you his contact and him yours.

[Cruz]

It's was nice to get the apology but it wasn't necessary. "It's okay. I've a handle on things." want the exact truth but it wasn't a lie. They weren't here to remark old things.

"Sage spent most of his time in the basement when he lived with us. I'm glad you have a job and housing what are you going to be doing?" His eyes went wide when she mentioned she could channel. "like Emily that's cool. You didn't hurt anyone did you? "

[Rachel Shale]

Rachel was feeling a bit better. She ate one of the pastries. Her wallet buzzed as he spoke but she waited until he finished to look at it. She saved the contact data and sent this Hayden a message, asking once more for Cruz to give her a minute.

Hi Hayden. My name is Rachel Shale. Nox gave me your contact because he thinks you can help me with my issue I’m having. I dealt with some trauma of the supernatural nature and he thought you might someone good to talk to if you’re willing. Let me know and we can work out a time. I’m with a friend now, so might not respond right away. I can give you more details later.

She put her wallet down. ”Sorry. I wanted to get the ball rolling on getting help before I forget or get cold feet. she sighed. ”im going to be working with one of Emily’s friends. She has a big project she’s working on. Still working on the details. Just going to be doing random things to help out. As for channeling - well - from what Em told me, I’m not normal. My magic didn’t reveal itself through any magic. I just embraced the source. I was working on some of Jared’s meditation to calm down and I just sort of fell into it. We’ve been able to reproduce it. I can’t do it everytime, but I lit a candle once. Em doesn’t even think I’ll get sick.”

[Hayden]

Yeah. I remember you. Sure. Just let me know when's best for you. I can make most things work.

[Cruz]

Cruz smiled. He didn't mind her taking care of business while she thought of it. He was glad she was. It meant she wasn't going to back away and just say yeah I'll do that. Kinda like he did most of the time.

"I'm glad that you didn't hurt anyone, or didn't have to go through the sickness. It's horrible." He remembered it vividly. It was Ivan who had helped him figure it all out, and then it was Nox who was set to guard him so he could live a relatively normal life. And then the Ascendancy revealed magic to the world. And the Atharim, and things got a little safer. Not much. But the heir to Jivana going missing would be a big deal. And Nox had him on his protective list for whatever deal he made with the Atharim. Man got around, Cruz was pretty sure he was on a one on one basis with the Ascendancy himself. Not exactly sure how that happened but he was.

"I know it sounds strange but you should go check out Kallisti during the off hours. The girls are really nice I'm told and they have a little coven of like minded women who learn from each other."

He squeezed her hand and gave her a bright smile. "I'm glad you are doing better. And seriously glad that douche is gone. I almost wish I had been apart of it." Though Cruz wasn't sure he could kill a man. He was actually almost 100% positive he couldn't.

[Rachel Shale]

Rachel actually knew about Kallisti. Emily had taught there once when she was in the midst of her terror streak. She had taught the people there how to link. On top of that, Elyse had let her know about it. Elyse worked there. Rachel hadn’t gone. She wanted to see Elyse dance, but given they were interested in each other, Rachel had decided it was best not to. She didn’t disapprove or anything, but she knew there was some sort of unwritten rule about not dating customers. With that she was worried about getting overstimulated. Maybe she’d stop by during a rehearsal.

As for learning, she didn’t think she’d be a permanent fixture at the club. Not because she didn’t like it there or didn’t approve. She just happened to be moving to Natalie’s school to help women and girls learn how to channel. She was going to be living and breathing it. It was an opportunity and Rachel was glad for it. She wasn’t telling Cruz though. The project hadn’t been announced to the public and she didn’t think she was allowed to. Even if it was, better to be safe than sorry.

Rachel nodded at his statement about Lucio. ”Im glad he’s gone too. Most of the time anyways. He comes back to haunt me sometimes. Stupid withdrawals.” she looked down, embarrassed. ”I was so stupid.”

[Cruz]

That something everyone said. Everyone self deprecated and he didn't like hearing it from Rachel. Even if she beleived it she wasn't stupid. "You aren't stupid and you know this. Trauma is hard no matter what and you will feel like that." He gave her a bright smile. "So other than getting better, you have anything else going on? Other than no school and a new job?" He was trying to change the topic to better things.

He had no real news to share. Nothing big happened in his life. He was working, he wasn't seeing laughing or angry skulls anymore, and he hadn't see Cam or Sis in a while. They were probably off with some one else trying to see what games they could play. He missed them a little bit, but it wasn't too bad.

[Rachel Shale]

Rachel smiled. She knew she wasn't stupid. It just felt like that. Especially in hindsight. The red flags were there, but she had ignored them. "Not a whole lot really. Mostly just trying to recover. I practice with the power a bit. Can't get it every time though. Em says that it's because I'm trying too hard. Can't surrender when I'm trying too hard."

Rachel looked around and focused on a candle on their table. She closed her eyes and breathed, remembering finding that river. She allowed it to carry her and then she felt it. She had it. She smiled a pulled a single thread of fire, lighting the candle. She let out a chuckle and then blew the candle out.

Rachel turned back to Cruz. Besides that stuff, there was nothing much going on - besides Elyse. She hoped it wouldn't hurt him to hear about it. "I've been kind of talking with someone," she said. "We met shortly after Nox got me out of his clutches. We talk everyday. Nothing serious. I'm not ready for something like that, but we like each other. Just going really slow."

[Cruz]

Cruz felt the tell-tale sign that Rachel had touched her power, and then the candle came to life and he grinned. Wasn't like Rachel to show off but it made him chuckle at the display. "Surrendering for me would be bad." That was one of Nox's first warnings. Never give in. It'll burn you up he said.

He was glad she had moved on, though he wished it hadn't required that idiot in between. "That's good. Slow after what you went through is good. And helpful too I imagine. When you talk with that guy Nox's knows don't leave it out. It's important that you are forming relationships beyond him. I'm sure you know that, this is your area of expertise after all."

There wasn't much left to talk about. She was doing well and he didn't want to push it. "You'll let me get you a ride home?"

[Rachel Shale]

Rachel gave him a smile. "I will, and a ride would be great, but I might not be going home."

She pulled up her wallet to see the message from Hayden. She frowned at it. He remembered her, but she didn't remember him. I feel terrible, because I don't remember you D: It was a really rough few weeks and so much is blurred. I'm very sorry. If you're not super mad at me, I'd like to meet as soon as possible before I chicken out. At least to get to know you.

She put her wallet back down and turned back to Cruz. "We will see when Nox's buddy wants to meet up. If you're okay to wait for a minute," Rachel touched his hand again. "I'm really glad we did this, Cruz."

[[OoC: Ride to her house or ride to wherever Hayden wants her to go - feel free to mod that and/or end thread]]