12-25-2024, 10:36 PM
He extended his hand, accepting the offered shake with measured composure. His grip was firm, deliberate, though devoid of any pretense of warmth. It was an acknowledgment, not an embrace.
“The Vasilevs have been… accommodating,” Adrian replied smoothly to the Ascendancy’s observation, his voice even, his tone carefully controlled. He let the words hang in the air, understated yet confident, implying that his presence here was no accident. The truth—that he had no real connection to the Vasilevs beyond Colette and her mercurial friend Sofia—was irrelevant. What mattered was perception, and Adrian knew how to curate that masterfully. The faint amusement he allowed himself bled into his expression, as if he truly believed the Vasilevs were nothing more than a stepping stone.
Then came the question, and Adrian’s spine stiffened, though his face betrayed nothing. How have your classes been going? The inquiry hit like a splinter beneath his skin, sharp and deliberate. The smugness, the audacity behind the words—it confirmed what Adrian had already begun to suspect. Jay Carpenter was not sent to teach him anything of worth. No, Carpenter’s arrival had been nothing more than a show, a token effort to satisfy the terms of their agreement while reinforcing who truly held the leash in their arrangement.
Adrian’s grip on his glass tightened imperceptibly, though his face betrayed no reaction. The inquiry was polite on the surface, but its purpose was unmistakable. Nikolai was testing him, reminding him of the terms of their previous arrangement. The question might have seemed innocuous to an outsider, but Adrian understood its true weight. It was a pointed reference to Jay Carpenter, the so-called ‘teacher’ the Ascendancy had sent him. Now, Adrian saw the truth for what it was: Carpenter had been a farce, an empty gesture to fulfill the bare minimum of their agreement while underscoring who truly held the upper hand.
The realization stung, not because of what it revealed about Carpenter, but because Adrian hadn’t anticipated it. That misstep—that failure to see the Ascendancy’s play for what it was—gnawed at him, the sting of his own oversight sharper than any external slight. Adrian prided himself on being two steps ahead, and yet, here he was, blindsided.
Still, he would not allow his anger to show. He respected the Ascendancy’s power too much to meet cunning with petulance. With strict discipline, he tempered his frustration, forcing him to swallow the words he might otherwise have said.
Instead, Adrian smiled faintly, the expression cool and composed. “The experience has been... illuminating,” he said, his voice as dry as a desert wind. “Though I must admit, I’d expected the lessons to be more—shall we say—challenging. Perhaps I underestimated how elementary the work would be.”
It wasn’t a complaint, nor a slight. It was carefully constructed, a diplomatic response that conveyed both respect and quiet frustration without crossing any lines. Adrian wasn’t foolish enough to insult the Ascendancy outright, but he wanted Nikolai to know that he understood. He saw the game. He knew exactly how far the man had chosen to go, and no further.
He took a measured sip of champagne, using the moment to calm his mind and consider his next move. This was no place to escalate—he needed time to adapt, to rethink his strategy now that the terms of their arrangement had shifted. Carpenter, inept as he was, would have to remain in place for now. Removing him would only betray how much the Ascendancy had gotten under his skin. No, Adrian wouldn’t give him that satisfaction.
“I imagine Carpenter’s presence serves its purpose,” Adrian added smoothly, the faintest trace of humor threading his tone. “Even if the purpose is not yet entirely clear to me. Perhaps clarity will come with time.” He inclined his head slightly, acknowledging the Ascendancy with the subtlety of a man who knew when to defer, but never fully submit.
There was no demand, no overt challenge. Adrian understood the need for patience, even as his mind churned with plans to regain control of the situation. He wouldn’t act impulsively, not now.
Adrian’s gaze lingered on Nikolai for just a moment longer before he shifted his attention, the faintest smile still on his lips. “It’s always a privilege to cross paths with you,” he said, his words carrying the weight of a man who understood the power of respect—even if it was tinged with the bitterness of frustration. “I’ll look forward to seeing what else you have in store.”
With that, he allowed the moment to pass, leaving the conversation in Nikolai’s hands. For now, Adrian needed to observe, to recalibrate. There would be time for action later. The Ascendancy had made his move, and Adrian would be ready when the time came to make his own.
Meanwhile, he needed to find another teacher.
“The Vasilevs have been… accommodating,” Adrian replied smoothly to the Ascendancy’s observation, his voice even, his tone carefully controlled. He let the words hang in the air, understated yet confident, implying that his presence here was no accident. The truth—that he had no real connection to the Vasilevs beyond Colette and her mercurial friend Sofia—was irrelevant. What mattered was perception, and Adrian knew how to curate that masterfully. The faint amusement he allowed himself bled into his expression, as if he truly believed the Vasilevs were nothing more than a stepping stone.
Then came the question, and Adrian’s spine stiffened, though his face betrayed nothing. How have your classes been going? The inquiry hit like a splinter beneath his skin, sharp and deliberate. The smugness, the audacity behind the words—it confirmed what Adrian had already begun to suspect. Jay Carpenter was not sent to teach him anything of worth. No, Carpenter’s arrival had been nothing more than a show, a token effort to satisfy the terms of their agreement while reinforcing who truly held the leash in their arrangement.
Adrian’s grip on his glass tightened imperceptibly, though his face betrayed no reaction. The inquiry was polite on the surface, but its purpose was unmistakable. Nikolai was testing him, reminding him of the terms of their previous arrangement. The question might have seemed innocuous to an outsider, but Adrian understood its true weight. It was a pointed reference to Jay Carpenter, the so-called ‘teacher’ the Ascendancy had sent him. Now, Adrian saw the truth for what it was: Carpenter had been a farce, an empty gesture to fulfill the bare minimum of their agreement while underscoring who truly held the upper hand.
The realization stung, not because of what it revealed about Carpenter, but because Adrian hadn’t anticipated it. That misstep—that failure to see the Ascendancy’s play for what it was—gnawed at him, the sting of his own oversight sharper than any external slight. Adrian prided himself on being two steps ahead, and yet, here he was, blindsided.
Still, he would not allow his anger to show. He respected the Ascendancy’s power too much to meet cunning with petulance. With strict discipline, he tempered his frustration, forcing him to swallow the words he might otherwise have said.
Instead, Adrian smiled faintly, the expression cool and composed. “The experience has been... illuminating,” he said, his voice as dry as a desert wind. “Though I must admit, I’d expected the lessons to be more—shall we say—challenging. Perhaps I underestimated how elementary the work would be.”
It wasn’t a complaint, nor a slight. It was carefully constructed, a diplomatic response that conveyed both respect and quiet frustration without crossing any lines. Adrian wasn’t foolish enough to insult the Ascendancy outright, but he wanted Nikolai to know that he understood. He saw the game. He knew exactly how far the man had chosen to go, and no further.
He took a measured sip of champagne, using the moment to calm his mind and consider his next move. This was no place to escalate—he needed time to adapt, to rethink his strategy now that the terms of their arrangement had shifted. Carpenter, inept as he was, would have to remain in place for now. Removing him would only betray how much the Ascendancy had gotten under his skin. No, Adrian wouldn’t give him that satisfaction.
“I imagine Carpenter’s presence serves its purpose,” Adrian added smoothly, the faintest trace of humor threading his tone. “Even if the purpose is not yet entirely clear to me. Perhaps clarity will come with time.” He inclined his head slightly, acknowledging the Ascendancy with the subtlety of a man who knew when to defer, but never fully submit.
There was no demand, no overt challenge. Adrian understood the need for patience, even as his mind churned with plans to regain control of the situation. He wouldn’t act impulsively, not now.
Adrian’s gaze lingered on Nikolai for just a moment longer before he shifted his attention, the faintest smile still on his lips. “It’s always a privilege to cross paths with you,” he said, his words carrying the weight of a man who understood the power of respect—even if it was tinged with the bitterness of frustration. “I’ll look forward to seeing what else you have in store.”
With that, he allowed the moment to pass, leaving the conversation in Nikolai’s hands. For now, Adrian needed to observe, to recalibrate. There would be time for action later. The Ascendancy had made his move, and Adrian would be ready when the time came to make his own.
Meanwhile, he needed to find another teacher.