06-29-2014, 08:35 PM
After the speech Marcus took his seat among the others. Commander Vellas he noted and introduced himself to. As they clasped hands, Marcus looked the man over. Young. Only a year or two older than himself, but there was a competence there borne of experience. Could this man use the Force? If so, he would be a formidable adversary, given the head start he seemed to enjoy. It was imperative that Malik find out.
At the table were also other important members of the government, as well as the man- Scion Marveet- that Ascendancy had singled out in his speech. Malik was affable with the man even as he privately found him amusing. 'Procure companionship' indeed. Malik cared little for the pleasures of the flesh. At least as no more than a momentary diversion. And of course as a tool. Women seemed to think that when you were intimate with them, especially when it appeared you were...reciprocative in affections, then they were seeing the real you. What was the term? 'Pillow talk?' He laughed inside. It was the perceived honesty again. It always amused him. But to have to pay for the attentions of women? Weaknesses like that could be exploited.
There were others at the table, though Marcus didn't really know who they were yet beyond a few names. The former Secretariat of Foreign affairs to the Mexican President, Gabriel Jose Marie Escrivel. A CCD Supreme Court Judge. There was some sort of businesswoman that Marveet seemed to be shmoozing- though for business or for companionship, Marcus couldn't tell. Could be both. Also, there was a military official of as yet unknown rank, his chest decorated with rows upon rows of medals, who seemed to be trying to chat up Vellas without much success. More than likely, he wanted his personal experiences in Jeddah. Vellas' reactions could indicate that Michael had something to hide. Or that there wasn't much to tell other than what was in the debriefing reports. Malik pursed his lips. He needed to know.
And then that thought left him. Ascendancy came over to the table, making introductions. This close, the Force emanating from him became something almost impossible to ignore. The man held maybe 2/3 of what Marcus could right now. But somehow, Malik knew that it was not his full strength. One did not walk around at full strength for hours on end.
It was interesting that he used his power so freely. Did he not know of other Force users? Did he already know those in the audience who could use the Force? Or did he not care? Honestly, it was hard to tell. All of them were equally possible. It was yet another reason he needed to be sure. Before he even considered revealing himself to Ascendancy, he needed to be able to have some idea of how it would be received. If Ascendancy didn't know- a ludicrous thought, he was sure- then Malik suddenly using the Force could set him off. He well knew that the feel of another man filled with that power took some getting used to.
And then Ascendancy turned his attention to Marcus and seized him with his eyes. Those azure orbs radiated knowledge and wisdom. And they knew him. Malik quashed any fear that tried to worm its way up. This was where he'd sought to be, the culmination of a path he had started on 7 years ago. No, a path the Force had set him on when he was 3 years old. Fear was not going to cause him to choke now that he'd, against impossible odds, made it to the Kremlin, hand picked by Ascendancy himself to be a Sigma. That realization calmed his heart and he was able to respond to Ascendancy's gracious introduction and inquiry.
His smile was genuine. "I am honored, Ascendancy, truly honored."
He nodded his head head briefly. "Everything has been perfect. Already I have begun in the Consulate of Communication-"
he paused, as if wondering whether to let on that he had already begun to piece things together- "and also have had interesting conversations with Dr. Alexandrova of the Consulate of Propaganda. I am looking forward to working there as well."
The man was gracious in his encouragement and appreciation. Malik liked that, noted it.
After all had sat, the wait staff came out, Pyotr taking the lead. For a moment, Malik tensed. The man was clumsy, his first use of "Luck", as he called it, being tied to making a fool of himself. And yet had somehow, against all odds, gotten stationed at the table of Ascendancy himself. More than that, he was showing off, flipping the wine in the air. Malik stifled a snarl. If Pyotr gets himself in trouble or even fired....His ability to use the man would be limited. And yet, Malik couldn't deny that there was something different about Pyotr, a confidence and flourish he'd not seen before. His heart slowed a bit, though he'd be sure to talk to the fool. Malik needed Pyotr.
The conversation around the table centered on small talk, with Ascendancy playing the role of gracious host, leading the conversation in a new direction when there was a lull. Of course, individuals also carried on their own chats. Marcus himself ended up speaking to the CCD Judge on his left. Just friendly talk. Malik wanted to speak to Ascendancy about realities, not inanities. Again the desire to get Ascendancy's attention made him want to seize the Force. But the risk was too great. He glanced at Vellas. If you knew what someone else did not, then you had the advantage.
He decided. Looking around, he saw one of the wait staff- not Pyotr- filling the half-empty water glasses. Marcus signaled and the man came over. He was going to have to be convincing. Holding the bottom of his glass with just one finger, he watched carefully as the mam deftly tipped the water from the canter into his glass. Marcus coughed and the man looked at him for a moment, startled. Wait staff were used to being ignored. At that moment, Malik imperceptibly tipped his glass toward him, spilling the water all over himself.
Everyone looked up, the waiter apologizing profusely and trying to mop up the table in front of Malik. Marcus appeared flustered- it wasn't hard, with water seeping down his crotch- but tried to maintain the expected decorum. The waiter looked deeply ashamed and fearful, but Malik dismissed him from his mind. Inside he was smiling. Perfect.
"Ascendancy, I do have to apologize. With your permission, I will get myself cleaned up?"
After a moment, he got a nod. Marcus got up and made his way to the back. He held back a tight smile.
At the table were also other important members of the government, as well as the man- Scion Marveet- that Ascendancy had singled out in his speech. Malik was affable with the man even as he privately found him amusing. 'Procure companionship' indeed. Malik cared little for the pleasures of the flesh. At least as no more than a momentary diversion. And of course as a tool. Women seemed to think that when you were intimate with them, especially when it appeared you were...reciprocative in affections, then they were seeing the real you. What was the term? 'Pillow talk?' He laughed inside. It was the perceived honesty again. It always amused him. But to have to pay for the attentions of women? Weaknesses like that could be exploited.
There were others at the table, though Marcus didn't really know who they were yet beyond a few names. The former Secretariat of Foreign affairs to the Mexican President, Gabriel Jose Marie Escrivel. A CCD Supreme Court Judge. There was some sort of businesswoman that Marveet seemed to be shmoozing- though for business or for companionship, Marcus couldn't tell. Could be both. Also, there was a military official of as yet unknown rank, his chest decorated with rows upon rows of medals, who seemed to be trying to chat up Vellas without much success. More than likely, he wanted his personal experiences in Jeddah. Vellas' reactions could indicate that Michael had something to hide. Or that there wasn't much to tell other than what was in the debriefing reports. Malik pursed his lips. He needed to know.
And then that thought left him. Ascendancy came over to the table, making introductions. This close, the Force emanating from him became something almost impossible to ignore. The man held maybe 2/3 of what Marcus could right now. But somehow, Malik knew that it was not his full strength. One did not walk around at full strength for hours on end.
It was interesting that he used his power so freely. Did he not know of other Force users? Did he already know those in the audience who could use the Force? Or did he not care? Honestly, it was hard to tell. All of them were equally possible. It was yet another reason he needed to be sure. Before he even considered revealing himself to Ascendancy, he needed to be able to have some idea of how it would be received. If Ascendancy didn't know- a ludicrous thought, he was sure- then Malik suddenly using the Force could set him off. He well knew that the feel of another man filled with that power took some getting used to.
And then Ascendancy turned his attention to Marcus and seized him with his eyes. Those azure orbs radiated knowledge and wisdom. And they knew him. Malik quashed any fear that tried to worm its way up. This was where he'd sought to be, the culmination of a path he had started on 7 years ago. No, a path the Force had set him on when he was 3 years old. Fear was not going to cause him to choke now that he'd, against impossible odds, made it to the Kremlin, hand picked by Ascendancy himself to be a Sigma. That realization calmed his heart and he was able to respond to Ascendancy's gracious introduction and inquiry.
His smile was genuine. "I am honored, Ascendancy, truly honored."
He nodded his head head briefly. "Everything has been perfect. Already I have begun in the Consulate of Communication-"
he paused, as if wondering whether to let on that he had already begun to piece things together- "and also have had interesting conversations with Dr. Alexandrova of the Consulate of Propaganda. I am looking forward to working there as well."
The man was gracious in his encouragement and appreciation. Malik liked that, noted it.
After all had sat, the wait staff came out, Pyotr taking the lead. For a moment, Malik tensed. The man was clumsy, his first use of "Luck", as he called it, being tied to making a fool of himself. And yet had somehow, against all odds, gotten stationed at the table of Ascendancy himself. More than that, he was showing off, flipping the wine in the air. Malik stifled a snarl. If Pyotr gets himself in trouble or even fired....His ability to use the man would be limited. And yet, Malik couldn't deny that there was something different about Pyotr, a confidence and flourish he'd not seen before. His heart slowed a bit, though he'd be sure to talk to the fool. Malik needed Pyotr.
The conversation around the table centered on small talk, with Ascendancy playing the role of gracious host, leading the conversation in a new direction when there was a lull. Of course, individuals also carried on their own chats. Marcus himself ended up speaking to the CCD Judge on his left. Just friendly talk. Malik wanted to speak to Ascendancy about realities, not inanities. Again the desire to get Ascendancy's attention made him want to seize the Force. But the risk was too great. He glanced at Vellas. If you knew what someone else did not, then you had the advantage.
He decided. Looking around, he saw one of the wait staff- not Pyotr- filling the half-empty water glasses. Marcus signaled and the man came over. He was going to have to be convincing. Holding the bottom of his glass with just one finger, he watched carefully as the mam deftly tipped the water from the canter into his glass. Marcus coughed and the man looked at him for a moment, startled. Wait staff were used to being ignored. At that moment, Malik imperceptibly tipped his glass toward him, spilling the water all over himself.
Everyone looked up, the waiter apologizing profusely and trying to mop up the table in front of Malik. Marcus appeared flustered- it wasn't hard, with water seeping down his crotch- but tried to maintain the expected decorum. The waiter looked deeply ashamed and fearful, but Malik dismissed him from his mind. Inside he was smiling. Perfect.
"Ascendancy, I do have to apologize. With your permission, I will get myself cleaned up?"
After a moment, he got a nod. Marcus got up and made his way to the back. He held back a tight smile.