12-09-2018, 06:03 AM
(This post was last modified: 12-10-2018, 07:28 PM by Marcus DuBois.)
Marcus was glad Danika took the bait, felt the tension disolve. So much easier this way. Her work was her life. He hoped she didn't think this was more than what it was.
He was willing to admit a feeling of claustrophobia still lingered. A touch anyway. Foolish, he knew, to strike up a bond with a coworker. More than that. One who answered to him.
But the ball had been about experience. Unfettered. Free. Malik surged and slinked, trying to userp control, but Marcus was fairly at ease as they sat and ate. Enough, anyway. He definitely wasn't going to be a dismissive dick to her. For many reasons.
But he was glad she'd shifted her focus to the creature from last night. He very nearly smiled at her dedication. Or maybe predictability. Still radiant, of course, even in simple shirt and jeans and freshly brushed hair. None of her beauty was artifice or on the surface. A living animated princess, if he had to be pressed. But a scientist first. Marcus liked that.
A voice cut in and he turned his head. For a single infinitesimal moment time stopped. Malik reared to full power, enveloping him, and the universe changed in the twinkle of an eye.
Dark shadows seemed to coalesce around his vision, to beat in time with his heartbeat. Spectra. His smile- feral canines flashing, eyes dark- came unbidden.
Death and heartbreak in living form. God, Malik had missed her. Beauty wreathed in darkness and rage that promised all and delivered nothing. Danger. It had always been a siren to him.
He stood, taking her fur lined hand with a gentle touch and a kiss. "Ah. Mi amore. It is good to see you again." Green eyes of emerald fire burned and he felt the kindrid flames flickering.
Malik's eyes flashed to Danika and a smile formed on the inside. This could be fun. "Please join us," he said, pulling an empty chair for her. Their last encounter had not been forgotten.
He sat, his hand purposefully lingering near Danika's, flashing the seated woman one of Marcus' most sincere smiles. "This is my friend Dr. Danika Zayed. A recent- and brilliant- addition to my research team at the Consulate." His smile widened as a memory from last night came to him. "And a good dancer too,", he said before winking at her, smile set to show easy humor. Danika would remember the flying shoe.
As to Spectra....Malik had enjoyed her company greatly, feeling a point counterpoint reflection to the rages and hungers that boiled beneath her surface. It was not often he saw that in someone else.
And now she was here. And he, for one, was glad of it. His smile was open, displaying a hint of friendly tease."And this, Danika, is Spectra Lin. Queen of all Media. And Destroyer of hearts." Malik looked at her, smile remaining purposefully innocent. Perhaps too flowery, he knew. But Spectra loved attention.
Spectra knew this was just a game. And Danika simply a bystander, someone to shine on. Malik seethed with possibilities.
"How have you been?" He looked around, searching. "Are you doing a shoot here?"
He was willing to admit a feeling of claustrophobia still lingered. A touch anyway. Foolish, he knew, to strike up a bond with a coworker. More than that. One who answered to him.
But the ball had been about experience. Unfettered. Free. Malik surged and slinked, trying to userp control, but Marcus was fairly at ease as they sat and ate. Enough, anyway. He definitely wasn't going to be a dismissive dick to her. For many reasons.
But he was glad she'd shifted her focus to the creature from last night. He very nearly smiled at her dedication. Or maybe predictability. Still radiant, of course, even in simple shirt and jeans and freshly brushed hair. None of her beauty was artifice or on the surface. A living animated princess, if he had to be pressed. But a scientist first. Marcus liked that.
A voice cut in and he turned his head. For a single infinitesimal moment time stopped. Malik reared to full power, enveloping him, and the universe changed in the twinkle of an eye.
Dark shadows seemed to coalesce around his vision, to beat in time with his heartbeat. Spectra. His smile- feral canines flashing, eyes dark- came unbidden.
Death and heartbreak in living form. God, Malik had missed her. Beauty wreathed in darkness and rage that promised all and delivered nothing. Danger. It had always been a siren to him.
He stood, taking her fur lined hand with a gentle touch and a kiss. "Ah. Mi amore. It is good to see you again." Green eyes of emerald fire burned and he felt the kindrid flames flickering.
Malik's eyes flashed to Danika and a smile formed on the inside. This could be fun. "Please join us," he said, pulling an empty chair for her. Their last encounter had not been forgotten.
He sat, his hand purposefully lingering near Danika's, flashing the seated woman one of Marcus' most sincere smiles. "This is my friend Dr. Danika Zayed. A recent- and brilliant- addition to my research team at the Consulate." His smile widened as a memory from last night came to him. "And a good dancer too,", he said before winking at her, smile set to show easy humor. Danika would remember the flying shoe.
As to Spectra....Malik had enjoyed her company greatly, feeling a point counterpoint reflection to the rages and hungers that boiled beneath her surface. It was not often he saw that in someone else.
And now she was here. And he, for one, was glad of it. His smile was open, displaying a hint of friendly tease."And this, Danika, is Spectra Lin. Queen of all Media. And Destroyer of hearts." Malik looked at her, smile remaining purposefully innocent. Perhaps too flowery, he knew. But Spectra loved attention.
Spectra knew this was just a game. And Danika simply a bystander, someone to shine on. Malik seethed with possibilities.
"How have you been?" He looked around, searching. "Are you doing a shoot here?"