InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Sam, where's my car?"

Nox Alekos (in_his_shadow) wrote in haunted_roads,
@ 2008-02-06 15:31:00

Entry tags:

cecily, nox

Week One: Wednesday, February 6th
Who: Nox and ~~OPEN~~ Cecily
When: Early evening, just before 5:00
Where: Old Town Towers, main floor

Another day passed without word from his sister. It had only been three days so far, including today, but when even one flip of the day calendar went by with Hesper's bed being empty, Nox worried. Yes, this behavior was typical. No, Nox wasn't ever going to get used to it. Every time she up and vanished, he expected to be called to the morgue to identify her body... or, perhaps worse, he'd be called by one of his coworkers at the jail to bail her out. Why couldn't she assimilate the way he had? There were good paying jobs among humans, and the lifestyle was fulfilling. He would never understand the appeal of the city's underworld that Hesper seemed to lose herself in so often. He'd spent enough time down there when he'd first arrived in Seattle, and the bad taste still lingered in his mouth.

He looked as though he was tasting it right then. The corners of his lips turned down, and the skin above the bridge of his nose pinched, his mood was obvious. Worry had invaded his features. He kept his head down as he walked through the lobby to the mailboxes, only looking up to unlock the one belonging to him. Standard stuffing could be found inside: a few bills, far too many advertisements for credit cards and home loans, and a paper filled with community coupons. He slid the bills into the back pocket of his jeans, and then he got to work tearing up the junk mail before tossing it in the trash can that sat beside the mailboxes.

It would be getting dark soon, and in just a few hours he'd head into work for his normal overnight shift. Getting the mail at this hour was part of his routine, and he saw the same familiar faces pass through the lobby. Everyone had a schedule, and Nox was an observant man. He kept unofficial tabs on all that took place around him. He knew in an instant when something was 'off'. This evening, everything appeared to be in place, and that was of great comfort, even if he was still upset about his sister being missing once again. Well, at least her absence was 'normal'. Perhaps he'd be more concerned if she suddenly broke routine and stayed put for a solid month.

A man who lived on the same floor as Nox. The two had never actually conversed, but they acknowledged each other politely. Nox offered a warm smile, and the other man nodded with respect before continuing on through the lobby to the elevators. When he was gone, Nox left the lobby and ventured back to the commons area. He sometimes bumped into acquaintances while there. Perhaps someone had seen Hesper when she left the other night and could tell Nox who she was with at the time.

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sweetly_cecily
2008-02-07 01:52 am UTC (link)

Seattle was such a different place to live than Eagle Creek. So many more people walking past and more buildings. More everything, really. It made some feel like they were stuck in the middle of something so big. Such was the feeling that Cecily had every day. The city never really ceased to interest her as she roamed the streets day by day, going from her job as a waitress to the Barnes and Noble she worked at in the evening. Shining brown eyes would take in new things every time, trying to learn something new. New sights, new acquaintences, and new things to know for later.

Cecily had spent this day in the same manner, walking the streets with her mind constantly thinking about one thing after another. Normally, this would cause her to trip and fall on her face as she wasn't the most coordinated girl in the world. Luckily, her balance was actually on her side today as she walked the last few blocks home to Old Town Towers.

As usual, her brother would be waiting there for her to make dinner before she headed back out to work. Today spaghetti with marinara sauce was on the menu. One of Garrett's favorites and one of her favorite dishes to prepare. Cooking was just one of those things that could put a smile on her face. Plus, it was rewarding to make her brother happy. Anything that made her brother happy was fulfilling to her.

It wasn't long until the soles of her ballet flats were treading on the floor of the lobby. She waved hello to some of the people she knew. That was when she felt the buzz of her vibrating cell phone in her pocket. Taking it out, she looked down at the screen, seeing a text from her brother. "Went out with some friends, be back later. Don't worry about dinner for me," she read aloud, softly. With a shrug, the phone was pushed back into her pocket. Now she had time on her hands.

Deciding not to go up to the apartment just yet, Cecily went into the commons area, hoping to see a familiar face and maybe have a nice chat. She only had to look around for a little while before she saw Nox. She'd spoken to him quite a few times before and found that he was a nice guy. With a smile, she walked over to him and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Hey," she said politely and he could likely hear the smile in her voice.

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in_his_shadow
2008-02-07 02:12 am UTC (link)

Nox was peering out a window, trying to decide how cold it would be tonight. He'd been living in the city for more than nine years now, but each winter felt more horrible than the last. If there was one thing he really hated about being away from Hell, it was the bitter weather this time of year. He saw the bare branches of a tree in the sidewalk get swept up in a gust of wind, and the sight made him shiver a bit. Hopefully the cold weather would keep the murderers at home tonight. If he didn't want to go out in it, they usually didn't either.

Hearing footsteps and then a voice he recognized, Nox spun around. Immediately, a smile sprung to life on his lips. He had a nice smile... warm and natural... and it was rare for him to show anything else when he was in the company of others. Didn't much matter if he was talking to a friend or stranger, so long as the circumstances were pleasant, he was too. "Hey, Cecily. How was work today?" Nox raised his left arm and glanced at his watch, confirming that she'd just returned. As with many of the building's residents, he had a general idea of when Cecily came and went. This quality of his could be off-putting to some. They seemed to think he was some sort of stalker, but he was just observant, and as a detective, he was constantly on the look out for disturbing changes in his environment. If even the slightest difference presented itself to him, he investigated the cause, making sure that all was still safe and sound.

Nox put his hands in his pockets and walked toward the teen. "You haven't seen my sister this week, have you?" It was common knowledge that Hesper was only an occasional resident at the Old Town Towers. People who met her... well... they didn't tend to forget her. The woman was sorta insane, though Nox thought it was a lovable sort of crazy.

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sweetly_cecily
2008-02-07 02:33 am UTC (link)

That was the one thing about the city that wasn't the greatest. The cold weather during this time of the year. It was something you got used to after awhile, living in the same part of the country your entire life. And winters in an apartment were better than winters in a cabin by far. But it seemed that the chill got colder every year. She barely noticed anymore. It was routine for her. But she kind of felt bad for people who ended up in Washington coming from living in Florida or someplace warm like that. They were in for a shock, that was for sure.

That sweet-as-sugar smile was settled on her lips. It was one of the better qualities about her. A smile that fit so well with her caring personality and a feature of hers that wasn't easily forgotten. With a slight shrug, she replied to his question, "It was alright. Some guy was hitting on me the entire time I was serving him, though. He even wrote his number on the bill. Definitely a first, at least for me." She chuckled lightly. Nox's knowledge of when she normally came and left the building didn't really bother her. He just seemed to be the sort of guy who observed things like that. Not to mention that he was a detective. Having an idea of how things around them worked was part of what they did, right?

Cecily hooked her thumbs in the pockets of her jeans. "I saw her once, earlier this week. Haven't seen her since then, though." She, just like lots of people in Old Town Towers, knew Hesper and knew that she came and went as she pleased. That, and that she was a little out there compared to other people. Much different than Nox. "Why, are you getting worried about her?"

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in_his_shadow
2008-02-07 02:59 am UTC (link)

Nox liked Cecily a lot. She was a sweet girl. He really didn't think it would be possible for anyone to dislike the young brunette. She was kind, wore a winning smile almost always, and there was an endearing innocence about her. Sadly, girls like her were a bit too attractive sometimes. He'd seen one too many such young ladies on a slab in the morgue. Girls like Cecily were tempting targets for the wicked. That was probably another reason why he'd kept light tabs on Cecily since meeting her, because he thought she was definitely the sort who needed someone keeping guard.

So it should have come as no surprise that he was concerned about this customer of hers who had gotten fresh. "Did you tell your manager? You need to be careful about guys like that. If you've still got his phone number, I can run a background check."

At Cecily's reply, Nox sighed in frustration, his head dropping and nodding a bit, "Yeah... as usual. She hasn't been home in a few nights." People who knew Nox could tell when Hesper was missing, it read clearly in his body language. He was already a quiet man, but he was even less chatty when worrying over his twin. "I don't know why she can't just stop in once a day... let me know she's alive and well. I wonder sometimes if she's trying to kill me with worry." He ran his hand back through his hair and scratched the back of his neck, then he rubbed at the tense muscles in his shoulder. "I should put a leash on her."

"Anyway, what about you? How's your brother?" Nox didn't know the man as well as he knew Cecily, but they'd bumped into one another a few times. Nox had yet to form an opinion about the man, but considering that Cecily seemed reasonably well-adjusted and happy, he figured her brother was doing a good job of raising her.

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sweetly_cecily
2008-02-07 09:45 pm UTC (link)

Just as her brother always said, there are those who love to take advantage of innocence. That's was the reason why he was always so protective over her, setting rules for her to follow even though she was technically an adult. But Cecily new he only did it because he loved her and didn't want her to get hurt. It seemed that anyone who knew her was protective of her. Even so, she could take care of herself, couldn't she? Well, maybe she wasn't strong like her brother was from being a were, but she wasn't just a little girl who always had to hide behind someone else.

"Um, I don't think a background check is really necessary. It wasn't like it was some older guy. It was just a guy my age probably looking for a date," she said. Nox, like her brother, got concerned about her easily. "I'm always careful, honestly. I don't want to get into any trouble. My brother would probably flip out if I did."

The look on his face was one Cecily knew well. Not only from him worrying about his sister, but from her own brother worrying about her all the time. Though she and Hesper were two totally different kinds of sisters, the worry over you from a sibling was universal. "I don't think she's trying to kill you with worry. That's just the way she is, isn't it? And even so, she loves you, right? So she won't want to make you upset by getting herself into something really, really bad." And by that she meant death. "Hesper's probably the type who could wriggle out of the leash, don't you think?"

At the mention of her brother, she smiled again. "He's just fine. I've been making his favorites for dinner lately so he's extra happy." When Garrett was happy, she was happy. It was just how she functioned. In her little world without her parents, her brother was the one she wanted to please the most. "He's going out tonight so I'll be home by myself. But I was looking forward to watching some movies. All chick flicks he wouldn't like anyway."

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in_his_shadow
2008-02-07 10:03 pm UTC (link)

For Nox, protecting others came naturally. He supposed it was genetics to some degree, what with his father being exactly the same. But it was also just his strong moral code. He believed in the good in people, and he wanted to keep it in tact. That meant keeping evil at bay, something he strived to do in all aspects of his life... with family, friends, and even strangers through his job. He wasn't doing so great with the family side of it, since Hesper pretty much refused to let him take care of her, so maybe he looked out for Cecily a bit more than necessary to feel like he was making a positive impact in someone's life. The man really did need a dog or something.

"You sure? He may have been one of those guys who looks younger, but is really some thirty-something pedophile. Yes, I know, you're eighteen," he stopped her before she could correct him. He knew she wasn't legally a 'child' in the human world, but she was young and innocent, and he didn't want someone spoiling that. "Keep an eye out for a while, let me know if the guy comes back. And if he does, be careful about leaving... have a friend come home with you or something." He was preaching a bit, but it was only because he cared. "And you still have my cell phone number, right? You can call me night or day. Work does, so you're welcome to as well. Something ever feels wrong about a situation, I want you to call me immediately." He'd told several of the building's residents as much. While he wasn't employed as 'security', the management staff knew him, and he'd been asked to help out before with domestic situations.

He nodded with a grin, "Yes on both accounts. She loves me, I know she does, and she could definitely wriggle out of a leash. I should get one of those parole anklets instead. Much more reliable." So, yeah, that was Nox's attempt at a joke. It wasn't great, but he wasn't a comedian. He did have a sense of humor, it just missed the mark sometimes.

Nox gave her a curious glance, "You're welcome to join me for dinner. As usual, bought too much food thinking that I would be cooking for two. No sense in letting fresh vegetables spoil in the fridge. I was just about to head upstairs and start making something. I have to head in to work in a few hours." His cell phone vibrated then, and Nox pulled it out to see who had sent him a message. Nothing urgent. Some lab results were in. "So, yeah," he continued, putting the phone back, "You can stop in for some free food if you're interested."

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sweetly_cecily
2008-02-07 11:20 pm UTC (link)

She was grateful that she had people who cared and looked out for her the way they did. Some people weren't so lucky. And even though she did sometimes pull the 'I'm not a kid and I can take care of myself' card at times, she did love knowing that there was a watchful eye over her when she really needed it.

Cecily brushed her hair out of her eyes and back behind her ear. "He could have been. But I really don't think he was...but I'm not a ki--" He'd stopped her before she could say that she was eighteen and not really a kid. At least, by human standards. She listened as he told her to be careful and to keep an eye out for the guy. He was kind of preaching, but she wouldn't say that. "Yes, I will. I promise," she replied, nodding. "Yeah, I've still got you're number and I'll be sure to call if something happens. And once again, I promise." She added on that last bit in a teasing way with that lovable smile of hers.

She could recognize his joke, and a slight chuckle passed her lips. "It probably would work better than a leash."

Hands were stuffed into the pockets of her jacket as she thought about the offer. "Sounds good to me. Better than sitting around by myself." Besides, she could save the movies for a bit later on, after her shift at the bookstore. "Now the question is are you as good at cooking as you are at looking out for me?"

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in_his_shadow
2008-02-07 11:53 pm UTC (link)

Nox shrugged as a light blush came to his cheeks. The flush rose to the surface to surround his dimples, which were slightly bigger than normal just then. "Sorry. I know I'm... uh... preaching a bit. Just trying to look out for you. It's habit for me." Cecily was nothing like Hesper, but she was someone's sister, and he played the big brother role quite well. Though, Cecily's protests were nothing compared to the outright yelling and shoving he got from Hesper at times. When she objected to his actions, she let him know... forcefully. Cecily was nice about it.

"Sadly... she'd have to be convicted before I could get approval to put one of those things on her. So, guess I'm stuck with the worrying each and every time she up and runs off." He glanced around, hoping, in vain, that Hesper might appear, and let me declare, 'speak of the devil'. No such luck. He'd have to check all the beat reports thoroughly tonight, and, yes, he'd visit the morgue. He wondered sometimes if Hesper really understood the torture she put him through.

Nox brightened considerably when she accepted his offer, and he gave her a confident nod. "No one has died from my meals. Though, that's probably not enough of a reassurance," he stated as he walked toward the elevators and pushed the button. "But, yeah, I'm decent in the kitchen. I hope you like vegetables... I'm making stir fry." When the elevator door opened, he put his hand in to keep it that way for her to walk in first. Nox followed and pressed the number four. "You need to return to your apartment?" he asked, his finger hovering over the button for the second floor as well.

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sweetly_cecily
2008-02-08 08:20 pm UTC (link)

Aww, he was blushing. How cute. "I know you are. But you should know that I greatly appreciate it. You're kind of like my second 'big brother', so I'm lucky enough to have two great guys looking out for me." Cecily smiled that ever charming smile at him. It was true, her protests to the protectiveness weren't bad at all. She knew Nox or her brother were just going to insist on some things, so she did as she was told to make them happy. Always the people pleaser. Always was and probably always would be.

"I guess that's just the fate that comes with being a sibling? To worry about your brother or sister whenever they go off doing something stupid or dangerous," she said with a light shrug. Not that Cecily knew that kind of worry as well as Nox did. Garrett did do some stupid things every now and again, but for the most part he didn't. He wasn't like Hesper, running off all the time.

Following as he started to walk toward the elevators, she replied, "No one's died, hm? Yeah, you're right. That isn't enough of a reassurance." Decent in the kitchen. Most guys said that about their cooking skills, but the taste would prove it. "I love vegetable stir fry. I'd eat it every day, but then I'd probably get too skinny." She chuckled a little bit before responding to his other question. "Oh, no, I don't need to." Everything she needed for the day she took in her bag which was hanging from her left shoulder. Cell phone to keys to just about anything. Hey, it was better to be prepared than not, right?

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in_his_shadow
2008-02-11 10:44 am UTC (link)

Nox liked hearing that... that she thought of him as a second 'big brother'. He often felt like a failure in that department where Hesper was concerned. No matter what he did to try and keep her safe, she seemed to fight him and try just as hard in return to get herself into trouble. He did wonder if maybe he was partially to blame for her behavior. Maybe she was only acting up to irritate him. "You little sisters can be a pain, but we big brothers act the way we do because we care. Don't ever forget that. The next time you're upset with your brother for being overprotective, just remember that he loves you, and that's one of the ways he shows it."

With Cecily not needing to take a trip to her place, Nox let his hand drop, not pushing the button for the second floor. He usually took the stairs over the elevator, because it was only four floors for him, but it was easier to converse with another when you weren't jogging up multiple flights. "Stir fry is probably the easiest thing in the world to make... which is why I make it so often. I could cook up some chicken breasts too if you want. I've got a few in the kitchen."

The doors slid open and Nox stepped out, holding his arm in the doors' path while Cecily followed. Often times, he stepped through doors first. Some thought that odd, considering he was such a gentleman in other ways, but they understood when he explained himself. Who knew what was on the other side of the doors? If he let a lady walk through first, she could be hurt. He always put himself between danger and the people he cared about. He was exactly like his father in that regard, a born protector.

Nox walked down the hall and opened the door to the apartment. He was quiet as he did so, concentrating on the way the lock felt in his hand, trying to decipher if it had been touched by another. And when he walked inside, his ears and eyes were on high alert, checking for signs of any sort of invasion. Nox was constantly on guard. He was always on the job. "It's safe. Come on in."

He flipped on lights as he walked in and toward the kitchen, stopping by the sitting area on the way so he could flip on the TV, turning on the local news. He was obsessive about it. Granted, he knew the full details behind every crime story that made air, but reporters could be useful, sometimes getting interviews that police couldn't. He listened keenly, hoping to hear any little detail that might help him break a case.

"Make yourself comfortable," he insisted, motioning around his absolutely spotless apartment. "It'll take me a bit to cook up everything."

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sweetly_cecily
2008-02-13 02:23 am UTC (link)

He wasn't a failure as a brother at all. Cecily would have been so very lucky to have him as a big brother for real in addition to Garrett. Just because Hesper did rebel and did get herself into trouble didn't mean that Nox was doing a bad job as a big brother. He cared, didn't he? Some siblings didn't even do that! "We're only a pain because that's our purpose in life. To annoy our big brothers to death. It's in the unwritten little sisters' handbook." She smiled up at him. "I'd much rather have him be overprotective than not care at all. And I don't think it's possible not to remember that he loves me."

She tucked her hands into the pockets of her jeans, brown eyes still looking at Nox. "Easy but effective. Though why not try something challenging? I would be more than happy to lend you my amazing cooking expertise to teach you something new," she said with a slight chuckle. "Chicken and stir fry. That sounds really good, actually. That is, if you don't mind."

As the doors opened, Cecily followed him out. She knew that he stepped out of the doors first to check for trouble. He wouldn't allow someone to get hurt while he was there and able to stop it. Seeing him do it was just something you got used to.

She stood outside the door as he checked the lock and then made sure all was well. If he did this day to day he must have been really good at his job. Once it was deemed safe, she came inside, looking around. His apartment really was nice. Nicer than the one she and her brother shared.

"Alright," she said almost absently, going to sit down by the TV. Her messenger bag was slipped over her head and set on the floor. "Geez, you're really neat. Can you come by and help me clean at my place sometime?" she asked, loud enough to he could hear. Even though she was good at those domestic skills, she couldn't really get things all the way to spotless.

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in_his_shadow
2008-02-18 08:52 pm UTC (link)

Nox laughed lightly. "Little sisters' handbook. I think Hesper has it memorized... or at least the chapter on driving me nuts. That is just one chapter, right? Or is it the entire book?" He wouldn't be surprised. Hesper was an expert at making him crazy. And if he didn't love her so much, he likely would have washed his hands of her long ago. Nox liked order in his life, and Hesper constantly upset that order. She was about as unstable as you could get.

He shrugged at her suggestion, "I don't know. Thought about taking cooking classes actually, but I never have enough time. I'm essentially on-call 24-7. I can just imagine being in a class... learning to cook a souffle... when I get called away to a scene. I'd hate to let food go to waste like that." That was one of Nox's pet peeves... wastefulness... especially where food was concerned. "But if you want to teach me a few tricks in the kitchen, I promise to be a well-behaved pupil."

Nox got to work in the kitchen, but because of the open layout of the apartment, he was able to carry on a conversation at the same time. "Hesper says I'm anal about keeping things spotless. I just think it's easier to be comfortable in a clean home. Besides, when I'm cleaning, it's a bit like meditating. As my surroundings get cleaner, my spirit does too. If that makes any sense at all."

When the pan was hot, he pulled several tupperware containers out of the fridge, having already chopped up veggies earlier that day. He set them aside, getting the chicken out next. Prepping it didn't take long at all, and soon enough it was sizzling away in the pan. He waited until it was about half-cooked before adding the veggies and some various seasonings.

His ears perked up at one of the anchors discussing the murder of a seven year old girl the night before. Nox had been at the scene, and no matter how many cases he'd worked over the years involving kids, it never got easier. Each and every time it made him sick to his stomach. "You can change the channel if you want."

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sweetly_cecily
2008-02-20 12:36 am UTC (link)

"Yep, the little sisters' handbook. And driving your sibling insane is pretty much the entire thing. It's very important to being a good little sister." She nodded as if that were a well known fact with a childish grin on her face. "Besides, it only makes you love us more. If we weren't around to bug you, you'd probably get really bored." Or maybe not. But she liked to think that.

Cecily wrinkled her nose at the mention of cooking lessons. Just like she had the same reactions to singing and dancing lessons. Those skills were things that had come to her naturally, so taking a class now to learn them seemed entirely unnecessary. "Of course I'd be more than happy to teach you some things. And I bet the food will taste better from being in my presence." She laughed a little, smiling that smile of hers.

"Hey, there's nothing wrong with wanting to keep things clean. I try to keep my place as clean as possible, but it's kinda hard with my brother leaving his stuff all over the place..." she said, eyes still wandering around he place. Nox's apartment was really clean. And pretty open as well. Nice.

She sat down in front of the TV just as the mention of a murder came over the news. She stared blankly at th screen for a moment, trying to overcome that strange numbness she always felt at the mention of someone being killed. Not because she didn't care, but because it reminded her of he night her parents were killed. Shot dead...and there had been nothing she could have done to save them. Shaking her head, her fingers closed around the remote as he said she could change the channel. She changed it over to some movie that was on, but didn't really pay attention. That numb feeling still hadn't gone away.

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