Christmas “Celebration”

[Ashton]

She was an odd one. Didn't beleive in people helping others. But that's alright. Lots of people were cynical like that.

Ashton nodded at her request. And he finished his drink, if it were Nox he'd have asked him to keep it warm for him, but it was easy enough to just finish what was left. He got up on the make shift stage and flipped to the right song and started singing. He kept the song light of the siren's song, but it was still warm and friendly and calming. It was easy enough to do. It was manipulation, and he knew that, but he also couldn't help it. He either controlled it or it lured people to him like moths to a flame and he didn't like that sorta attention.

[Hayden]

She didn't beleive them. It was hard to understand and Nox didn't really do anything for any other reason than it was the right thing. Or it was the Atharim way. It was a bit hypocritical but it was the way he worked. Nox was far from a saint. And he didn't want credit for his helping others. He just wanted to fix what he broke. And save people while doing it, even if it messed him up.

But she was starting to come clean. At least with information. "Magic eh? There is a lot of that going around. I know a few people that might be able to help with that."

[Tatyana]

Tatyana didn’t look up or react to the news that Hayden knew people who could help her figure out her magic. She just looked over at Ashton singing, considering. She joined as he sang ”Rocketman, burning out his fuse out here alone. And I think it’s gonna be a long, long time.” It was out of tune and the words were slurred. She certainly wasn’t on the level of Ashton, but she was beginning to calm again.

She lifted her head off the bar again and looked at her bottle. ”Can’t use it when I’m sober.” She reached out her hand, but used her magic to pull it towards her. The bottle had a couple of swallows left, so she finished it off and put the bottle back on the bar with a final clink. She looked at the empty bottle, a look of disappointment on her face. She still had her pills, but she didn’t think it’d be a good idea on top of all the alcohol even though she wanted to.

Tatyana remained silent, thinking. There was an offer in Hayden’s words. He knew people who could help her figure it out. Maybe they could help her access it at any time. It still didn’t make sense that they were helping her, but she couldn’t deny that they had. But asking about his offer or taking it would mean she’d have to trust someone else. Possibly more than one person. She didn’t know if she could do it.

”Do you now?” she said, her voice interested, even if she tried to disguise it by turning back to face Ashton again. Learning how to use it could help her fights so much. She didn’t know if Zeke would approve.

[Hayden]

Hayden chuckled at the display of power. It could have been worse things.

He picked up the empty bottle and tossed in with the recycling. "I do. Nox and his friends have been known to help those with similiar problems. He calls them blocks. He's helped several people through the problem. And while he can't teach you himself, the girls at the club can be of assistance. They have quite the collection going now. And just so you are 100% aware, they aren't asking for anything in return. It costs nothing to learn. And it's safer if you do you anyway. And being under Nox's wing, also gets you some particularly useful perks -- such as not being hunted by the Atharim."

[Tatyana]

Tatyana looked at him curiously. She couldn’t think of anything he wanted from her. She didn’t understand these people at all. The bitch at the church had mentioned the girls at Kallisti when she was sick. Apparently Hayden, Ashton, and this Nox hero-guy were affiliated with them. Tatyana was hesitant to get involved. If they were all nice and then she made friends it would only hurt worse when they threw her aside.

”I’ll think about it,” she said, and despite her reservations, she was sincere. She would think about it.

She turned her attention back to Ashton and listened. She even clapped her hands in applause a bit when he finished. She was bothered though. Hayden had mentioned being hunted by the Atharim. He’d said it like she should understand. She didn’t really pay that much attention to things outside her immediate circle. There wasn’t really a reason too. ”What are the Atharim.”

[Hayden]

Was no skin off his nose either way. Hayden didn't really care. Nox would take in anyone under his wing if they needed help, he didn't feel guilty about sending them his way. Eventually he'd have Second Chances to send them too, and all that entailed, but right now Nox was the only resource he knew.

Hayden almost asked if Tanya had been living under a rock but he knew that was probably exactly it. Most of the homeless didn't catch the latest article in the news, or see the last message on the TV. So it made sense she didn't know.

But it was Ashton who giggled and answered. "Oh just some zealot fanatics who hunt and kill people like you." Ashton didn't mention that he was also hunted, that Nox or even Hayden were associated with them, both things he knew. And for that he was grateful, but this was an Atharim safe house and that was in full operation since he'd taken over the place.

"This is also an Atharim safe house. Though because of my location inside of Nox's perimeter, the Atharim avoid it -- for now. Only friendly come here. And there are friendly Atharim"

[Tatyana]

Tatyana made a face at Ashton’s comment. ”Great - another group of people who think I shouldn’t exist.”

Tatyana turned back to Hayden, her eyes questioning. He admitted this was a safe house for the group. That meant he had ties. But some of them were friendly. This being a trick made no sense. He had plenty of opportunities to take her out - poisoning her drink being the easiest. She had her head on the counter most of the night.

The truth hit her. ”You’re not lying to me or tricking me,” it was a statement, not a question. ”You’re actually helping me because Ashton asked.” She turned to Ashton. ”You brought me here because you wanted to. Neither of you want anything from me.”

She sat up straighter and then leaned back down as the room began to spin again. She wasn’t feeling so great. ”And the dancers would teach me…wanting nothing in return - not going to stab me in the back? What if I took what they taught me and never came back? They wouldn’t try to find me?”

She felt like crying then. She wasn’t sure if it was the drugs, booze, the fact they were being kind, or the fact that no one had done this for her since her dad. Memories of her dad always hurt - especially the good ones.

[Hayden]

She was finally starting to get it!. "No one is going to stab you in the back. I won't say that if you never came back they wouldn't go looking for you, because I know they would. Nox certainly would. Once you join his little clan of misfits you are a lifer and he'd get worried if we couldn't find you. It's just who he is. But it wouldn't be malicious in nature. We don't expect servitude. It really is a just a big messed up family."

Ashton nodded emphatically "Nox didn't have to take me in, even if he took in the rest of my family. But he did. I hurt him. Tortured him even. And he trusts me with his family."

Hayden nodded. "You have nothing to fear from us. And we know it's a lot -- there is a lot going on to unpack. And we won't push or pressure you either. Just know that if you want help, you can come here and we'll help you find it."

[Tatyana]

It had been a long time since she had felt kindness without any strings attached. She wasn't sure how she felt about that. Part of her knew that she should feel good about it, but it felt wrong. Only one had really ever treated her that way, and he was gone. He could never come back either. It felt like kindness should be reserved for him, and that accepting it from others was something that shouldn't happen.

She didn't tell them this. Honestly she liked that they were being kind. That made her feel a little guilty, but she buried it. They didn't need to hear about that.  She didn't want to talk about it either. For awhile she didn't say anything, just kept her face buried in her hands with her eyes closed so she couldn't see the spinning room. She was thinking about actually going to see this club, but she didn't want this Nox guy trying to find her if she didn't want him to. She didn't trust him and couldn't even attempt to trust him unless she met him. She wasn't sure she wanted to meet him. But then Hayden said the one word that made the decision for her.

Family.

She cringed when he said the word, and then again when Ashton said it. They might have said the word before, but now that she was trusting them and she was hearing what they were saying clearly, she wasn't sure she liked that word. There was an offer there, an offer to be a part of a family again. She had only called her dad family. No one else could hold that title. He couldn't be replaced. Tatyana felt herself shaking a bit. She was feeling again now. Pain was radiating from her gut, even from her drunken state.

Tatyana had to bury it. She didn't want to feel it.  Tonight was about forgetting. "Can I have another drink?" was all she said when she worked up the courage to speak. She needed to forget.