08-19-2015, 05:03 PM
A ghost of a smile touched Marcus' face as the man before him responded. Good. The man still had drive and ambition. That was key. Though how useful he could be still depended on more than that.
"It is true. There is always a price."
He paused. "But prices aren't always costly. Perhaps I can help you..."
-his eyes took in the off-the-rack suit again and the gaunt haunted look of his face-"become more than you are. To take your rightful place."
He shrugged. "If so, then we might be allies of a sort. I might need your help from time to time. Or information. Nothing more."
'Allies' was a useful term, though not necessarily accurate.
Suddenly, the club seemed mundane and boring. There would be no more fights tonight. And he was curious. He had no specific plans for this man. An idea, maybe. A hint of something. But at this point, that was enough.
He suddenly stood. All traces of alcohol had seemed to leave him long ago. Malik was once again just a voice whispering counsel in the back of his mind. He would come back here. He knew he would. But he had work to do. The sword in his apartment tantalized him and he knew he was close to something important. It needed more testing, though.
He paused, looking at the man. Yes. Before one knew how to use a tool or a weapon, one had to understand it. 'I can help you on that road. But for that you must come with me."
That ghost of a smile threatened to become more. But it was enough.
"It is true. There is always a price."
He paused. "But prices aren't always costly. Perhaps I can help you..."
-his eyes took in the off-the-rack suit again and the gaunt haunted look of his face-"become more than you are. To take your rightful place."
He shrugged. "If so, then we might be allies of a sort. I might need your help from time to time. Or information. Nothing more."
'Allies' was a useful term, though not necessarily accurate.
Suddenly, the club seemed mundane and boring. There would be no more fights tonight. And he was curious. He had no specific plans for this man. An idea, maybe. A hint of something. But at this point, that was enough.
He suddenly stood. All traces of alcohol had seemed to leave him long ago. Malik was once again just a voice whispering counsel in the back of his mind. He would come back here. He knew he would. But he had work to do. The sword in his apartment tantalized him and he knew he was close to something important. It needed more testing, though.
He paused, looking at the man. Yes. Before one knew how to use a tool or a weapon, one had to understand it. 'I can help you on that road. But for that you must come with me."
That ghost of a smile threatened to become more. But it was enough.