The First Age

Of all the Lights in the city, the Ascendancy's little errand boy flocked to his, like a moth to flame. A great deal made sense when he felt the Sigma's own Light. The Ascendancy sought to surround himself with those like him.

Damien smiled. "A pretty thing, isn't it?"
he answered in a resonate tone. "Rather simple, but useful."


He turned to the Sigma. Oh yes, he had heard of Ascendancy's pet. Unfortunately, that was where his knowledge ended. He almost laughed. This was his pet? Perhaps he didn't give the Ascendancy enough credit. The man radiated danger.

"Witness history?"
he repeated, laughing. "I find history dull and dusty. A power that can change a man's appearance, now that is interesting,"
his eyes sparkled. "No, dear Sigma, I haven't come to witness history. I've come to see the future."

Edited by Damien, Jul 30 2016, 10:58 PM.

Malik smiled- a deadly smile he showed those who deserved his wrath, This man played with him. Mocked him. As if he was a bauble, His time of hiding was gone.

A simple weave, air and earth in such a way, and the distortion was gone. His true face was revealed.

"Mr Oakland. I believe the Ascendancy would like to speak with you."


Marcus stood in front of him, daring him to move. The man thought himself something, So pathetic, The guy acted as if he were among mundanes. A ruler among those who could never challenge him.

What a loser.

Malik looked at him with a smirk. "Do you need an escort or will you come of you own accord?"
Malik hoped it would be the former. He wanted to teach this punk what power meant.


Edited by Marcus DuBois, Jul 31 2016, 01:52 AM.

Damien allowed the man to see through his visage. It was bound to happen eventually.

He wondered idly if the Ascendancy had expected him, or if the Sigma had a natural talent for getting into trouble.

His true face revealed, he smiled at the rage before him. "I believe the Ascendancy is currently occupied. Don't spoil the show."


He smile turned sharp and his eyes glowed. "Sigma, you did not think I came alone?"
He nodded and two men in simple garb took a step towards the Sigma. "Have you ever fought an Ascendant, as you call them?"
he asked. "In Mexico, those with power rose high within the cartel ranks. But they died, just like any other man when shot in the back."


"Don't worry, I'll see Nikolai Brandon soon enough. It's why I came, after all, but I do not take threats from his pets,"
his eyes burned like the storm itself. "I don't plan on harming him, but if you try to do anything to me..."
his smile was savage,

"I will see Nikolai Brandon, and I will do so as the Ambassador of Mexico. For now, I am a man who has come to watch the grand unveiling of our powers, doing nothing wrong, and you stride over here and attempt to arrest me?"
He laughed softly. "I thought you were supposed to be intelligent, Sigma. Leave me. Unless you are in the habit of killing diplomatic representatives and starting wars? I would ask the Ascendancy about that first."


"Now go."


Damien's men were ready to shoot at a moment's notice, and he himself prepared several surprises if the Sigma wasn't smart enough to walk away.

[OOC: Heard about the mix up. It makes more sense now hahaha. Uh, sorry for laying into Marcus so much ]


Edited by Damien, Jul 31 2016, 05:07 PM.

Rage clouded his vision for a moment. He gloried in it before reining it in. He would not act without thinking. There was something about this man that had set him on edge, enough that even innocuous words seemed to drip with condescension.

The men at his back were dismissed with a thought. A barrier of air would be a simple thing to throw up and stop any bullets. In the back. It would be in the back. No, it was the man in front of him that had his focus and he allowed himself to stillness, the eye of the storm that still churned unexplainedly inside him.

He smiled, remembering the fights with his brother, using the Force, after his own Ascension. He longed to pit himself against one such as this, an equal at least in power and skill. The Almaz, writ on a grand scale, smell of blood and fire filling his nostrils. A no holds barred battle. Malik laughed in delight, savoring the thought. He felt his fingers twitch at the opportunity. It truly was unfortunate that it could not be now, however much he had provoked it and wanted it. The man was right in one thing. It would do no good to spoil the show. Still...

He smiled nastily. "I do believe that entering the CCD illegally and under false identification is a crime, Mr. Oakland. Much more so when one led what some call a coup on a sovereign nation, however well intended, using crowds such as these. A man whose own name is undoubtedly on watch lists that would have signaled the government you were here."


He let his eyes wander to the crowds around and behind the man . "And to find you hiding-"
he let the word linger- "in a crowd such as this, people near ready to riot, with your own men armed? A powder keg, not unlike the one you found in Mexico City not long ago, a crowd that you took control of and set off a spark in and...Well, You can see how that looks."


He looked back at the man, dark eyes hard and spoke in clipped tones. "Your presence here is suspicious, to say the least. Intentions can change. I will stay with you. To make sure that it is not you who spoils the show."
He let his smile fade. "Perhaps afterwards, the 'Ambassador of Mexico' would like to meet the Ascendancy."


[OOC: Hehe. No worries man. Marcus is an arrogant ass at times so he deserves it. Was a stupid mistake on my part to forget the circumstances of Damien's departure. I'll just have to roll with it.]


Edited by Marcus DuBois, Jul 31 2016, 07:28 PM.

The girl looked to be alright and long-hair was taking care of her, so that was good. The padre, though, did not want to press charges. He was clear on that.

He looked at his injuries. They were minor. "They don't look bad. Should go away in a couple of days,"
he said and then walked over and got the collared guy to his feet. "If you don't wanna press charges, Padre, I have to let him go,"
he said, already removing the cuffs. To the man, "You're lucky. Keep your hands to yourself next time,"


And at the moment, he felt it. It wasn't just long hair, who clearly was here just to watch, having done nothing wrong. He could feel many men out there, some near, some farther, moving through the crowd from the edges, while another lone point stood out strongly. But two of them, both emanating dread, called his attention. The amount of power they had must be a lot, for him to feel it so strongly.

He turned and headed in that direction. The crowds continued to mill around, energy level rising as they vied for attention. This was bad.

Finally, he saw two men, body language clearly confrontational. One of the men was Caucasian and had long hair while the other was black with a shaved head. They radiated power, it came off them in waves, far more than he could ever imagine holding. Not since his meeting the Ascendancy had he felt such power.

And shaved head, at least, looked like he was spoiling for a fight, the way he stood. Ivan took a deep breath. Well he had chosen to come to the square for a reason. This reason. Can't turn back now.

As he approached, he got a better look at shaved head and felt dread. It was the Sigma? What the hell was he doing out here? What did the guy think he was doing? He should know better than causing a scene with the power out in this crowd.

Ivan wasn't exactly afraid to confront the man. Then again, the guy worked at the Kremlin for the Ascendancy himself. But then he remembered the promise he had made to the Ascendancy, to keep his laws. And he remembered his own personal vow. To keep peace and order in his city. Oh well. What is life if you don't take chances?

Ivan squared his jaw, still full of the power- small compared to what they held- and proceeded to risk his career by stepping close to them making his shield visible. With respect, but at the same time making sure that it was clear he wasn't going to go away, he asked. "Everything ok here, Mister Sigma?"


The man turned his gaze slowly to him and his eyes flicked up and down with an arrogant glance. "I believe so officer."


Yeah, Ivan did not like this guy from the word go. What an asshole.

As quickly as it had come, the storm in Damien's eyes faded into a genuine smile. He was glad that the Ascendancy had not filled his ranks with fools. Indeed, the Sigma might have even purposely been sent to test him. The Ascendancy liked his games, so he was told. An unfortunate difference in them. Damien had played others' games all of his life. Now that he had been set free by the Light, there were no games.

The Sigma hated him, of that he was certain. He made no show to hide it. Many men and women had hated him; many of those were now dead. However, it was quite something else with the Sigma. He had power and confidence unlike the Mockingbird, and some authority, unlike the cartel shills.

Another unfortunate difference. Damien held no hatred for the man, nor did he care to kill him.

Damien smiled, however. He smiled, for the Sigma's quick response bode well for the capabilities of the Ascendancy himself. He nodded, and the men backed away, lowering their weapons.

"Much better,"
he said lightly. "I thought I would be disappointed, but you have not been."


He bowed his head slightly. "It seems you are as intelligent as they say."


At the intended barb about hiding, he laughed. "A man so famous as myself, as you have just described, finds that anonymity is very useful."
he cocked his head. "The Ascendancy has used it very well himself. He has hidden himself perhaps the best of us all."


"But that is all about to end, hmm?"


He shifted his gaze from the Sigma back to the audience. "You are right, of course. I could cause a storm, the likes of which has never been seen,"
Damien did not brag, he stated fact.

"But I won't,"
he finished with a smile. "The world is changing. It is full of corruption and chaos. I did not destroy the cartels for fun, Sigma. Why would I throw that away by causing a moments chaos this day?"


He felt the other man approach and speak to the Sigma. Another one in Ascendancy's employ, by the sound of it. Brave, too.

"A good day to you, Officer,"
Damien said. "The good Sigma is simply doing his job. We have a fine spot for viewing the Ascendancy's speech."


He glanced at the Sigma - he never gave his name, it occurred to him. No matter. "The Sigma here will take good care of me."

"Shouldn't we check that out?"
al'Shadis said with a frown. They had been observing the gathering power and Marcus' actions, whatever they were. Perhaps the Ascendancy sent him to investigate significant forces of power.

"No."


He could almost feel the questions throwing themselves at his back. Michael suppressed his irritation. "We are not detectives, Karim. What the Sigma does is his own affair."


"Coward,"
Petrovic muttered.

Michael did not turn. "Do you think the Sigma needs your help? Both of those men could snuff you out without blinking. Or do you think to solve every concern on your own?"


Silence.

"Good."


If Marcus DuBois needed help, Michael was sure he would wave his Sigma status in his face. Loathe as he was to admit it, the man was not a complete fool.

It was as Nikolai had said. One thing he could trust was the man's lust for power. He would do nothing that he was not confident of being successful in.

And if Michael was wrong.....

Well, the man would get what he deserved, and Michael would pick up the pieces.


Edited by Michael Vellas, Aug 1 2016, 03:02 AM.

Her uncle had sometimes returned injured. Mostly he had tried to shield her from the impact of it, but there were times in the desert or the wilderness when all they'd had was each other. She'd sutured wounds and felt every puncture of the needle, and setting the rare broken bones sprung tears to her eyes. It didn't help that she loved him dearly; it manifested the affect two-fold, her own guilt tightly wrapping every scrap of pain she felt from him.

The man's face looked bruised, but nothing looked flattened or sunken in his features. There was certainly no obvious break, and he was talking fine. "You could probably use some ice,"
she agreed. He hadn't deserved the punch. He didn't even want to press charges. In the midst of a crowd it was difficult to unpick the complexity of his emotions, but inexplicably she felt sad for him.

"Yes,"
she answered Elias bluntly, voice a murmur, while the police officer addressed the punched man and unclicked the cuffs from the agressor. "I could drown in it."


For a moment she tried to see what others saw when they looked at him; a face pale and unsmiling, black smudges for eyes, a curtain of inky hair. He gave little away. And yet the sincerity of the offer filled her up warm and bloomed a shy smile in response. She could still feel the residual blush in her cheeks. It didn't seem to be going away.

The words curled around her soul, bitter sweet. She missed her uncle.

"That's why I came too. I don't want to miss this."


A heartbeat passed while she contemplated her next words. She leaned in closer, spoke quietly. "When there's too much going on, I focus on people. Try and process things on a simpler level. Do you remember what Nox said, about disappearing? When you,"
she made a vague gesture, not sure what to even call the power the godlings used, "it wasn't just you that disappeared - everything else did too. I think it was the touch. It works like an anchor, makes it far easier to focus. Then when you let go, it all rushed back in, and I couldn't."
She paused. Her body was accustom as it could be to the undue stress, and her control had improved with age. But she had limits. "The anger. And the pain. Fear rippled out from the confrontation. And that in the midst of everything else."


She let him work out for himself that it was his hand on her arm that had calmed her storm. Her shoulders lifted into a half shrug; she didn't know why, or how. It was a new quirk of her abilities. "The cop is one. There are so many others in the crowd. This could really go very badly, couldn't it."
What would they do when Ascendancy showed himself?

[[Asha has spoken quietly, but she's not by definition a very secretive person. Jensen, it's up to you whether he hears any of what she said to Elias.]]

Ivan removed the cuffs and Jensen held the gaze of the man that accosted him. Having been shown the consequences of his actions, he thanked the officer and departed, but not without shooting Jensen a final scowl that shivered his spine.

Ivan then departed himself, and Jensen followed him with eyes alone. He made his way to a focal point of powerful Gifts flowing through the atmosphere like electricity. Jensen had never been in the presence of such depths of strength before. Worse, the presence seemed to multiply!

There were so many. All in one place. Congregated. What must the Hebrews felt in the presence of the Almighty? How did Moses not simply weep with awe? Jensen almost did.

Fixed between all these focal points of powerful Gifts, he remained in his spot. Meanwhile, others moved in to ask how he was doing. Including a number of young women genuinely concerned for his well being.

((Jensen is too distracted to have heard Asha.))

((How close by are Marcus and Damien? And Michael and the boys?))

Giovanni could feel the power radiating. It thrummed with life - a distant memory tried to reach out to him, but it eluded him. Giovanni closed his eyes and smiled. Truly smiled.

Caos and Ordine were silent - no words from the Caos and no mumbling from it's nemesis. The potential in the air was almost too much - and it was growing.

Temptation was there. A small spark could start an inferno. The potential was there - and the power was too. But amidst it all was patience. Now was not the time.

Giovanni turned to leave. The pull was strong, and it was time to rest and plan. Things would change - but the timing had to be right. Like it had been in that distant memory - the one he couldn't recall.