Tuesday: September/3/08
Who: Nox and Dee When: Tuesday evening Where: indoor basketball court What: chatting and playing ball
As was the case most evenings, Nox was working out by shooting some hoops at the rec building. He usually skipped the dinner provided by the school, because he liked to eat later in the evening and make a meal for him and Belle to share. But while she was busy wrapping up classes and office hours, he headed to the court to meditate through basketball.
Dee didn't have much in the way of classes, since there wasn't really anything that catered to something as odd as her, which meant that she had a lot of free time. With homework done, she had grabbed a quick dinner at the cafeteria then went over to the rec building like normal. She'd been at this school since July and had probably talked to three people outside of class. Not for lack of trying, but people here just didn't seem social. She was looking forward to the pool party because maybe she'd get to know someone new.
Walking into the rec center, she headed towards the basketball court for something new to do. Dee paused inside the door, watching the man make an easy two point shot. Looked like she wasn't alone for once. "Hey there!" Dee smiled, happy to see someone who didn't look depressed.
Nox wasn't depressed at all. Everything in his life was quite good, actually. He was engaged to an enchanting woman, his friend had returned from what seemed like a suicide mission, and there hadn't been a campus death recently. He'd found peace and happiness for the first time in a while. It probably showed in how he played, because the shadow demon displayed a great deal of energy with his jump shots. He could hear Dee coming before she actually spoke, but it wasn't until she addressed him that he cradled the ball at his side and turned to look at the visitor. "Hello. I won't be here long, so if you want the court to yourself, it shouldn't be more than another fifteen minutes.. but you're welcome to join me if you'd like." He recognized the woman, knew her name and a few factoids, but they'd never been properly introduced. "I'm Nox Alekos."
Dee smiled, happy and full of energy. "I'm Dezaray Monroe, but call me Dee." Stepping forward, she nodded, not sure if Nox here was a fan of handshakes or thought it was too formal. "I'd love some one on one if you're up for it. It's much more fun to play with others anyways." She was glad it was warm in here, otherwise she'd have been cold with so much skin showing. As it was, she wore a black sports bra and a matching pair of shorts with the waist band rolled over twice all paired with a good set of sneakers. She was comfortable, her hair was up in a ponytail and Dee was ready for a workout.
Nox preferred warmth, as was natural for demons, especially demons who were born and raised in Hell, but he didn't much care for bright light, and sunlight had a tendency to weaken him if he was over exposed. The fluorescent lights of the gym suited him just fine. Still, he wore mesh gym shorts, paired with an old t-shirt and hooded sweatshirt with the letters 'SPD' on it. He was definitely a handshake kind of guy, formal and polite and a firm believer in observing traditional social norms, so Nox took her hand in greeting. "Pleasure to meet you, Dee. By all means, join me." He handed her the ball and took a step back.
Dee shook his hand and took the ball. "Play to ten points or would you rather go higher?" He was a bit taller than her. His five eleven to her five six. He'd be able to block most of her shots, so she would have to rely on out-maneuvering him. Taking a couple steps back, she dribbled the ball, getting back into the feel of it and letting her hands and feet adjust. Catching the ball, she prepared to check, still working out her strategy.
Height had little to do with it. Dee was out of her league. Nox was an excellent basketball player thanks to years of experience and all the strengths that came from his demon blood. But he was only competitive when pushed by his good friends. He wasn't out to beat this woman. "Actually, how about a game of HORSE? More skill, less footwork." And less aggressive.
Dee went back to dribbling the ball, considering his offer. "We could do that. Or," she trailed off, thinking. Her power had been spot on the last few days, which was surprising since they'd been unpredictable the past several months. "You're a demon, right? I could always make you play like an average human." That would make it a little more fair, though she'd be slightly distracted from focusing. At least then he wouldn't have the strength from his heritage to use against her.
"You could.. but I'm still a very talented basketball player. Taking away my enhanced agility, strength, and reflexes won't have a huge impact. I suggested HORSE because it's more about shooting ability, which requires learned skill more than power. Up to you though, I was simply trying to level the playing field." He didn't care either way, and he'd probably hold back regardless.
Dee didn't want him to take it easy on her. She wasn't a weakling and was fast on her feet. She'd fought various races in her line of work and knew how to handle herself. Still, she was here to learn and trying to make friends. No sense in being snarky to a professor because he was trying to be nice. At least, no snarkiness yet. Giving a smile, she nodded. "Alright. HORSE first, then maybe a game if you're willing."
"Sounds just fine," he said politely with a smile on his face. "By all means, ladies first." Nox motioned for her to establish where the first shot should be taken and simply watched so that he could repeat it. Dee: Nodding, Dee started out easy, wanting to give herself a chance to reaquaint with shooting hoops and also an opportunity to check out Nox's form. "Alright." Stepping back to the free throw line, she tossed the ball over hand to the net, watching it swish right in. "Easy shots first,"she smiled.
Nox jogged over to catch the ball as it fell through the hoop. Free throws were simple for him, three pointers as easy as they came, and he was able to dunk the ball despite being on the short side for a basketball player. Being a demon had many advantages. He mirrored Dee's shot, sinking the ball easily without touching the rim. "So who taught you how to play?" he asked, trying to make casual conversation.
Dee positioned herself under the hoop as Nox took his shot and caught the ball, passing it back to him. "You take the next one. We'll switch off." Part of her wanted to see what he could do, and she couldn't really gauge that if he just copied her shots. "My friend Boona growing up. We'd often hang out at the basketball court or wherever we felt like it. Played a fair amount of street ball."
Nox felt like Dee wanted to test him, so he went for a more difficult shot, to the left of the goal, outside the three point line. The ball left his fingertips with ease, only a little rise coming from his heels as he took the shot and followed through. It too sunk without touching the rim. "I didn't learn until I arrived in Seattle and joined the force. I got a late start, but I've made up for it since then."
Dee memorized his position and caught the ball since she was still under the net. "So how long have you been playing then?" She didn't know when he joined the force, so he could have played for two years or ten. Though gauging from his shot, he'd been practicing longer than two. Moving to his mark, she bounced the ball twice and threw the ball. It rolled off her fingers in a smooth arc, though she did have to rise higher than Nox to make up the height difference. The ball tipped on the rim of the hoop before sliding through the net.
"Let's see, I was twenty-three when I left Hell, and now I'm fifty-eight. It took a few months for me to acquire the paperwork needed to apply at the academy. So.. around thirty-five years.. give or take." If he thought she cared for a more exact time frame, he would have done the math, but it didn't seem necessary. "Nice shot," he complimented, catching the ball for her and tossing it back for her to establish their next point on the court.
Dee caught the ball at the same time her jaw dropped. She knew that demons got old and didn't age as fast as humans. But for fifty-eight he looked damned good! Recovering, she shook her head slightly to clear it and said, "Wow, thirty five years? You've been playing a hellvua lot longer than I have. And thanks."
Figuring her next shot, Dee walked to the top of the key. Simple jump shot, one handed. She put a little more force behind it than needed and bounced back on one foot, holding her breath as the ball skated around the rim before sinking.
"It's a rough estimate. Sports were the best way to bond with the other recruits, and I was good at nearly everything thanks in part to my genetics and all my work with weapons and fighting." Nox had his father to thank for that. He took his shot right after her, making it look much easier and clean. After that, he established a much more difficult shot. Mid court. And as with the rest, nothing but net. "My partner in homicide used to be better than I, but he's a shapeshifter, so.. his body is older than mine."
Dee crinkled her nose at the shot she had to take while jogging forward to catch the ball that had bounced back to the wall. "I'll admit I'm much better with a gun or sword in my hands than I am a basketball," she said on her way back. Standing at center court, Dee judged the distance she had to throw and sighed. She was much better in close combat fighting than at range, and this was definitely ranged for basketball. Still. Bouncing the ball, she took the shot, watching as it sailed through the air and hit the rim, bouncing back towards them. "Damn. H for me."
"Likewise," Nox stated. He was skilled with human and demon weapons alike, though he didn't use either these days. He had a pistol in his possession as well as a few blades, but none of them had left the security of a locker in quite some time. Nox felt no need to use them, not even for routine practice. "At least it hit the rim," he said with encouragement, "Most people don't get that close, especially not without practice."
Dee's smiled broaden, thrilled that he wasn't the type of demon to rub his success in someone's face. For a demon, Nox was a really nice guy. Which for Dee was just odd to think about. "Thanks. I've never been able to make a shot from inside the center ring, but I can get close." Jogging over to grab the ball, she made her way back to center. Next shot. Starting from the edge of the center circle, she did a running jump shot, shooting as soon as she hit the top of the key. It was harder for her to make sure the ball went to the right place while running and leaping. Still, the shot went straight, bouncing off the backboard into the rim. "Yes!"
Nox chuckled as Dee found victory this time, and he hustled over to fetch the ball, dribbling it for a bit before moving to replicate her shot. "I think humans would achieve a great deal more with their lives given more time.. especially if those years were spent in a younger body. I'm actually quite old looking for my age, when you compare me to other demons." He probably should have appeared about ten years younger than he did, but Nox had not been kind to himself over the years.
Dee nodded. "I agree, but only for some. Some people would take advantage of the time, trying to go more places, discover or learn more. Others wouldn't care and would use the extra years to do the same things, over and over." Considering what Nox may have done to his body over the years, he still looked good. Though part of that was personality shining through. People and demons with nasty tempraments just didn't look good, no matter their age.
Nox had an extremely even temper. It was rare that someone got a rise out of him. He attributed that to years of dealing with abusive criminals. He'd been shot, stabbed, spit upon, punched, slapped, and called every name in the book. Most things rolled off his back as a result. But make no mistake, he'd defend himself if necessary, and no one should be foolish enough to hurt someone close to Nox. "There's really no point in living once we stop learning. If you're not constantly trying to better yourself, then why bother existing?" For Nox, that came in the form of sports, art and music history, and learning languages. He was attempting to master Mandarin at the moment.
Grabbing the ball, Dee tossed it to him for his next shot. "Exactly. There's so much out there to learn, do and see and yet there are people that would rather hole up in their house and never explore. That, to me, is just wrong."
Nox took an easy shot this time, a simple layup, before sending it back in Dee's direction. "You worked with the Secret Service, correct?" He made a point to examine new students' files, and Nox had a good memory. He typically memorized a few basic facts about everyone on campus.
Dee caught the ball and licked her lips. It was one thing to lie to humans about her job, lying to a demon who could probably tell the difference was something else. She knew her file said that she worked for the secret service, which wasn't exactly truth. She worked for an unnamed agency in the government that recruited 'supernaturals' as a secondary police force. Dee was an undercover agent for the organization, going in when problems were bad to bring down the bad guys from the inside out.
"Yeah. I did." She spoke calmly, as if this were nothing out of the ordinary. Copying his shot, grateful for something easy, she sent the ball sailing towards the basket and through the hoop.
Big mistake to try and lie to Nox. He was excellent at detecting deception, and Dee's hesitation followed by her brief reply set off a warning bell. "So you were doing something else," he replied simply. "It's all right if you don't want to discuss it, but I'd appreciate it if you didn't lie to me in the future. Just tell me that you'd prefer we didn't talk about a given subject."
Dee nodded and smiled sheepishly. It amazed her that when she wanted to, she could be a damned good liar and never get caught. One of the reasons she was a good agent. Apparently she needed to practice. "Sure thing. It's just more force of habit at this point. Not that I don't want to tell you. I can't." That was the closest she'd ever come to admitting where she worked, and Dee wasn't sure how she felt about it.
Nox nodded in understanding. "It's fine. I know what that's like." Nox was used to keeping secrets, and he was very good at it. He didn't enjoy lying, but it was a necessity given his race.
Nox really was a good guy, for a demon. Dee only trust those from Hell so far, but he was cool. "Thanks. For not prying. Most anything else I'll tell you though." She wouldn't talk about her job, but she didn't mind answering questions either. Taking the ball she walked over to the three point mark on the arc. Never taking her eyes off Nox, she threw the ball, left hand only, to the basket. Peripheral vision was wonderful and the ball sailed right in.
He smiled as she took her shot and sunk it. "Nice. With some practice, you could make that half court shot." He jogged after the ball and set up to mimic her shot. "I'm not really the sort to pry unless there's a reason. I'm not your sponsor, not your teacher, you haven't been in any trouble to my knowledge, and none of my students have complained about you."
Dee grinned, mildly surprised the ball went in. "Thanks. I haven't been able to make the half court shot yet, but I'm still working on it." She stepped out of the way and wandered back over to where he had been standing to give him the same place to look. "It's not prying when you're offered the chance. Not to mention, how else do you get to know someone without asking questions?" She nearly scoffed at the end of his statement. "No one's bothered to talk to me, which is why there haven't been complaints."
"There's a difference between asking questions in the name of getting to know someone new and prying. Prying implies more than simple curiosity. I don't pry.. as a general rule." He did when he felt someone was holding back information and it could cause harm to that person or others. Nox took the same shot as Dee and made it. At this rate, they'd never finish their game of HORSE.
Dee wagged her head then nodded. "Alright, I'll give you that. You didn't pry about my job, and now you've free reign to ask about anything else. Which is not prying." She smiled, watching as, of course, Nox sank his shot. "Ugh. Is there any shot you can't do? Running dunk off handed backwards and blindfolded maybe?" She threw it off as a job, but there was a good chance he could probably do it anyways.
He had to laugh at her astonishment. "Years of practice. Playing basketball helps me think. When I was still on the force, and my partner and I were stuck on a case, we'd shoot hoops until an idea came to one of us. Sometimes we'd play all night, but it never failed to work." He demonstrated just how good he was by going to the free throw line, turning around so his back was facing the goal, and made the shot by throwing one handed over his shoulder. "So what do you do to clear your head?"
Dee watched him make the shot and dropped her head sighing. "Well, one thing's for sure, basketball's off my list." Chasing after the ball, she walked to the free throw line and faced the opposite goal. Dee glanced over her shoulder. "I'm so tempted to just take the O but that's a cop out." Centering herself, she threw the ball over her shoulder one handed and didn't look. She heard it hit the net then bounce, but couldn't tell if it went in or not. "Did I miss? And to answer your question, typically I'd go to a shooting range, but we don't have that here, so I beat the crap out of the heavy weight bags."
"Sorry, the throw was a bit low.. it grazed the bottom of the net." Nox jogged after the ball and scooped it up, dribbling it a second later. "I think Charlie goes to a shooting range in town sometimes. You could ask him to take you. I haven't fired a weapon since I came to Danvers."
"Damn. Oh well." Turning she watched Nox pick up the ball and she shifted her weight, cocking a hip and balancing on her back foot. "Why haven't you gone shooting?" Dee hadn't really talked to Charlie since the inspection week, and even during that time, it was to figure out where to go and what shift to cover. Still, he seemed like a fair boss. Didn't hurt that he was cute to boot.
Nox shrugged. "There's no reason for me to use weapons anymore. I'm a teacher, not a detective. I kept a side arm, and I have some blades that are of sentimental value, but they're all kept locked up. I'm good with weapons, but I don't really care for them."
Dee nodded. "Makes sense. And being a demon it's not like you really need to use the guns, right?" Frowing, she wondered for a moment, then decided to ask. "If I may, what kind of demon are you exactly?"
"I'm strong, but I'm not match for firearms. It takes a gun to defend against guns sometimes, that, and I couldn't draw attention to myself with my increased strength and speed." At her second question, he answered simply, "I'm a shadow demon. I can manipulate shadows, move through them, and even become one."
"Yeah, I get that. A bullet in the chest hurts, no matter who or what you are." Curious, Dee asked, "If you could join a force with them knowing what you are, would you?" She chewed on her lip for a moment, wanting to ask something else, but not sure how to bring it up. Her partner had been apprehended by an unknown demon and was still missing. She really wanted to talk to someone about it, but how do you discuss confidential information? Ugh. So frustrating.
"You mean in an ideal world where supernaturals are accepted?" He thought about it for a moment. "I suppose. I'd probably still be a law enforcement officer if that were the case. Only my partner was aware of what I was. We figured it out and arranged to be placed together."
"Fair enough." She took his answer to mean that, should she mention to her boss a law enforcement officer that was a demon, Nox might be interested. Of course, she wouldn't do that without talking to Nox first which meant telling him about the agency. Sucky.
Nox had no interest in leaving his current job. He enjoyed teaching, and Belle was here. Their life was stable and fulfilling, and he wasn't about to disrupt that. "It's in the past though. I'm here now, and I'm happy."
Well that dismissed that thought. Still, her other idea was niggling the back of her mind, but Dee would let it be until she could figure it out better. "Good to know. TJS seems to be pretty cool, except for people liking to stay in their rooms. Does anyone ever get out here?"
"Lots of people go out. In fact, some of them are out a bit too often. I mostly stay on campus during the week, but Belle and I often spend weekends at my off campus apartment. It's nice to get away."
"Belle," Dee glanced down at the ground, trying to place who that was. "Oh! The elemental professor. Is she your girlfriend?" She was still learning who was who around here, and it got so confusing sometimes, and she was good with names.
"Fiancee," he corrected with a sweet smile upon his face, clearly in love. "We got engaged over the summer. And yes, she's a professor here as well. Fire elemental."
"Congratulations." Her smile was sweet and sincere. No wonder he didn't want to go back to the force. Belle was a beautiful and sexy woman. "I thought I'd recognized the name, and something in the way you talked about her told me you were more than just colleagues."
Nox nodded, his smile growing. "We started out that way, but it's grown from there. She's a remarkable woman. I'm very lucky." And he was immeasurably happy too. Nox had concerns at first, mostly because of the fact that Belle would never age and be unable to conceive children, but he'd put most of those worries aside. It didn't matter in the present. He was happy with her.
Dee could just tell from the grin on his face that he was thrilled. It was kind of odd for her, seeing a demon so happy and in love, but sweet. And a nice change. Since she'd spent several years putting people behind bars, it was nice to be reminded that not everyone was bad. Demons included.
Demons weren't really all that different from humans. They experienced all the same emotions, including love. "And you? Is there someone special in your life? You told me to ask questions, so I hope that's not prying."
Dee shook her head. "No, it's not prying, and no I don't have anyone. Kinda hard to keep up relationships in my line of work." Most people didn't like that she went around going undercover and seducing people to get the information needed.
"Right.." he said. Since he didn't really know what her line of work was, it was hard for him to understand why she wasn't able to maintain a relationship.
Dee scrunched her nose, trying to figure out how to best explain to him. "Suffice it to say that I'm often not around and out in the field. Most people I know don't like being second to a job."
Nox nodded. "I see. Yes, it would be difficult to have a relationship. I don't know that you could even keep plants alive if you're away from home often."
"Exactly. I don't exactly have a green thumb anyways. I think I managed to keep a cactus in my apartment once, that's about it." Dee didn't want a relationship just yet anyways. She wanted her partner back, but she couldn't rescue him with her powers fritzing out.
"I have quite a few plants in both of my apartments. We've been thinking about getting a pet as well, but for now we're just too busy with wedding planning."
Since they'd stopped played the game, Dee crossed her legs and took a seat on the floor, giving a look that invited Nox to join her, since they were having so much fun talking. "So tell me, when's the wedding?"
Nox chuckled as Dee took a load off. He set the ball down and then joined her on the court floor, stretching his legs out in front of him as he leaned back on his palms. "I'm ashamed to say we haven't picked a date yet. Terrible, I know."
Dee chuckled and arched a brow. "Planning a wedding, but you don't have a date?" She tsked and shook her head, teasing. "Shame. Don't make her wait forever."
"But she has forever. She won't age or die. We're not in a hurry. We're.. gathering ideas still." Actually, they'd been really busy since returning from their vacation, and so they hadn't had a lot of time to get into full on planning mode. But they really did need to pick a date.
"True," she chuckled. "Still. Most women don't want to wait two, three years from the engagement to actually say 'I do'."
"Oh no, no. We won't wait that long. Neither of us wants anything elaborate. Simple, tasteful, elegant.. obviously not religious." Belle was not one of those women who liked extravagance. In fact, she rarely wore jewelry, just the engagement ring. It made shopping for her quite a challenge.
If Nox wasn't up for a challenge, then he should really reconsider the getting married part. "Good. I know I'd hate to wait awhile if I ever decide to settle down. For now, I'm happy as I am."
Belle was different from any other woman Nox had dated. She wasn't 'girly.' And maybe that was part of the reason he was so sure that she was the one. Different was good. No other woman challenged him the way Belle did. He liked that it was hard shopping for her. She was complicated and interesting. A simple woman wasn't right for him. "Well, I hope you're happy playing alone, because I'm going to have to end our game before either of us reaches HORSE. I need to get back to the apartment and cook dinner."
Dee smiled and nodded. "Yeah, that works for me. I can play for a little while then go work out. It was nice to meet you, Nox." Wanting to get up the easy way, Dee rocked back to her hands and shoulders then flipped to her feet, a well practiced move that she'd perfected over the years. Walking over to where the ball had rolled, she picked it up, starting to practice some of the moves she remembered.
Nox picked himself up at the same time as Dee, dusting off his backside seconds later. "It was a pleasure, Dee. Let me know if you'd like to play again sometime." She was good company, and Nox was always happy to play a game of pick up. He gave her a friendly smile and nod then made his exit.