04-20-2025, 01:46 PM
Zeke ordered her a water, but at first she did not pay attention to it. Her mind was on his simple statement. She was with him now. The Vasilievs didn't matter. She was with Zeke and that did. It was an odd feeling for Tatyana. For the first time in two years, Tatyana felt like she belonged somewhere. It brought with it feelings of safety and security. She would be okay now.
She grabbed the water and followed Zeke. He didn't command her to follow, but he didn't need to. For one she felt safer in his presence and for another he brought her here for a reason. Tatyana had asked for purpose, and Zeke had never revealed to her what that purpose was. He also had been completely quiet as to his reason for bringing her here. Perhaps he wanted to reintroduce her to the life of fine living. She doubted that. Zeke had said he thought she'd enjoy this place, and as they descended the narrow staircase, she contemplated this. She had no idea where he was leading her, yet she was okay with it. There was an anticipation with the increasing chill in the neon lights of the staircase, and Tatyana tried to reach for her magic, but found it wasn't there. She had practiced with it, but sometimes, it just wasn't there.
Then he turned and grinned at her. The name of the club rang in her ears. Almaz. She had heard of the club. Her father had told her of it, although he had never taken her. At some point he was going to, but that had never happened. As they reached the bottom of the staircase, Tatyana looked around. Various cages and fighting rings with ringside tables dotted the underground portion of the club. Her eyes widened in amazement.
"You brought me to see the fights," Tatyana's voice was in awe, even as it was twinged with sadness. This would have been a great thing for her to do with her father.
Still she was glad to be here with Zeke, and the awe overshadowed the sadness of her father's loss. In many ways she was overwhelmed by his care of her. Tatyana hadn't known what to expect, but it hadn't been this. She found herself having a slight smile on her face. "I...I don't know what to say." she finally spoke, her voice filled with gratitude.
She grabbed the water and followed Zeke. He didn't command her to follow, but he didn't need to. For one she felt safer in his presence and for another he brought her here for a reason. Tatyana had asked for purpose, and Zeke had never revealed to her what that purpose was. He also had been completely quiet as to his reason for bringing her here. Perhaps he wanted to reintroduce her to the life of fine living. She doubted that. Zeke had said he thought she'd enjoy this place, and as they descended the narrow staircase, she contemplated this. She had no idea where he was leading her, yet she was okay with it. There was an anticipation with the increasing chill in the neon lights of the staircase, and Tatyana tried to reach for her magic, but found it wasn't there. She had practiced with it, but sometimes, it just wasn't there.
Then he turned and grinned at her. The name of the club rang in her ears. Almaz. She had heard of the club. Her father had told her of it, although he had never taken her. At some point he was going to, but that had never happened. As they reached the bottom of the staircase, Tatyana looked around. Various cages and fighting rings with ringside tables dotted the underground portion of the club. Her eyes widened in amazement.
"You brought me to see the fights," Tatyana's voice was in awe, even as it was twinged with sadness. This would have been a great thing for her to do with her father.
Still she was glad to be here with Zeke, and the awe overshadowed the sadness of her father's loss. In many ways she was overwhelmed by his care of her. Tatyana hadn't known what to expect, but it hadn't been this. She found herself having a slight smile on her face. "I...I don't know what to say." she finally spoke, her voice filled with gratitude.