12-22-2017, 06:01 PM
As they entered yet another room gilded with a shameful history, Evie did not suppress her smiles. Brandon was likely to interpret her starry-eyed gaze as the starstruck wonderment of a girl from the sticks, and Evie was glad to let his presumptions rule. In truth, she was gleefully proud of how quickly she had charmed her way into Brandon's world. He shared stories of his time living in these buildings. He showed her trinkets that caught his fancy, and unfurled opulence as though trying to win her fascination. He wasn't far off on that, though. She was impressed by the resplendent interiors. If only the Secretary could see her now. Word of their evening together would spread. They passed cleaning crews, roaming security, and random Custody officials. She flashed each and every one a warm smile. Most responded with expressions that made her think them unused to the kindness. Well, the Custody wasn't known for its nurturing embrace, although it was clear that the man at her side intended her to think otherwise.
She did take note of his scattered glances. Brandon kept an easy pace, but it was obvious that he was the leader. She didn't mind being led along, if only for the fact that she was utterly lost in the maze of rooms and fervently intended to avoid looking like a lost little girl searching for her way. She intended to learn the path, however, at whatever cost.
Finally, they ended in a room she recognized. The throne room that Ascendancy clearly declared as his. He never uttered the words, but the symbolism in his Archway and crown were obvious. He thought himself a king, or more, perhaps emperor was more befitting his control of an empire. He sat in that throne when they were introduced. Evelyn's gaze darkened with disgust as she caught sight of the seat looming behind Ascendancy's shoulder. He thought himself above all of them, herself included, but atop those stairs, he sat alone. All emperors fell, eventually. They died or their forces turned against them. And Brandon had no legacy to carry on after his passing. Despite what he claimed, he was certainly as mortal as she was. Thank God he had no partner to uphold this half of the world. He would be unstoppable then.
He strolled away from her, lost in his own thought, but the gleam in his eye when he about-faced caught Evie off-guard. Her breath caught in her chest. His persona was always cast to as cold and strong, but the golden glow of the room cast warmth on the paleness of his face. It lit his eyes with a fire as though the flames of a fireplace reflected in the blackness of his pupils. Perhaps it was more. Perhaps she was seeing a soul in the soulless after all. Trano hated this man; Francis hated this man; most of America hated this man; but so many, so painfully many, loved him. It was maddening.
"A ball?"
She sputtered, immediately hating that his proposal caught her by such surprise as to make her stutter. Three billion dollars? She fumbled over the math, vexed by the slow crawl of her mind. His suggestion to raise funds for the Africans underminded so much of what she knew about him, that her thoughts raced for a clever answer. "The Custody is not in the habit of charitable causes. I would ask myself why you would propose such an event, but I have an idea as to your motivation."
She pursed her lips thoughtfully. He was doing this to show off for her, that was clear, as much as he had by taking her through the palace. Only instead of showing her trinkets and wallpaper, he showed off his rich bourgeoisie friends.
He came closer, and her smile flattened into a serious purse of her lips. His proximity loomed and she suddenly wished herself taller, but the desire was futile. She would meet his piercing gaze with strength of her own. If she couldn't match him in the power and if not in authority, then she would by sheer presence of will.
Seconds passed, maybe minutes. Her heart raced.
If he was going to go to so much trouble, the least she could do was respond. "Alright. I will attend as your guest. If only to make sure that the fundraiser supports the promises you make."
Edited by Evelyn, Dec 22 2017, 08:03 PM.
She did take note of his scattered glances. Brandon kept an easy pace, but it was obvious that he was the leader. She didn't mind being led along, if only for the fact that she was utterly lost in the maze of rooms and fervently intended to avoid looking like a lost little girl searching for her way. She intended to learn the path, however, at whatever cost.
Finally, they ended in a room she recognized. The throne room that Ascendancy clearly declared as his. He never uttered the words, but the symbolism in his Archway and crown were obvious. He thought himself a king, or more, perhaps emperor was more befitting his control of an empire. He sat in that throne when they were introduced. Evelyn's gaze darkened with disgust as she caught sight of the seat looming behind Ascendancy's shoulder. He thought himself above all of them, herself included, but atop those stairs, he sat alone. All emperors fell, eventually. They died or their forces turned against them. And Brandon had no legacy to carry on after his passing. Despite what he claimed, he was certainly as mortal as she was. Thank God he had no partner to uphold this half of the world. He would be unstoppable then.
He strolled away from her, lost in his own thought, but the gleam in his eye when he about-faced caught Evie off-guard. Her breath caught in her chest. His persona was always cast to as cold and strong, but the golden glow of the room cast warmth on the paleness of his face. It lit his eyes with a fire as though the flames of a fireplace reflected in the blackness of his pupils. Perhaps it was more. Perhaps she was seeing a soul in the soulless after all. Trano hated this man; Francis hated this man; most of America hated this man; but so many, so painfully many, loved him. It was maddening.
"A ball?"
She sputtered, immediately hating that his proposal caught her by such surprise as to make her stutter. Three billion dollars? She fumbled over the math, vexed by the slow crawl of her mind. His suggestion to raise funds for the Africans underminded so much of what she knew about him, that her thoughts raced for a clever answer. "The Custody is not in the habit of charitable causes. I would ask myself why you would propose such an event, but I have an idea as to your motivation."
She pursed her lips thoughtfully. He was doing this to show off for her, that was clear, as much as he had by taking her through the palace. Only instead of showing her trinkets and wallpaper, he showed off his rich bourgeoisie friends.
He came closer, and her smile flattened into a serious purse of her lips. His proximity loomed and she suddenly wished herself taller, but the desire was futile. She would meet his piercing gaze with strength of her own. If she couldn't match him in the power and if not in authority, then she would by sheer presence of will.
Seconds passed, maybe minutes. Her heart raced.
If he was going to go to so much trouble, the least she could do was respond. "Alright. I will attend as your guest. If only to make sure that the fundraiser supports the promises you make."
Edited by Evelyn, Dec 22 2017, 08:03 PM.