12-31-2014, 01:55 PM
Marcus was motionless as he listened, eyes hooded, watching the byplay between the two. Inside he smiled slightly. The tension in the air was plain, though it was clear that Vellas was attempting to be conciliatory. As well he should, given the trust Ascendancy was placing in him. Giving a man, whose loyalty at best was pragmatic, control over men such as them was dangerous. His eye flicked to Ascendancy, trying to understand why he took such a risk with one such as Vellas, knowledge of strategy or no.
Not that he particularly would have wanted the job had it been offered. He was interested in the bigger picture, not simply training weapons to go where they were pointed. Himself, absolutely. Sparring and experimenting, yes. Pyotr had already been useful, after all, and would still be. But training 'children', no.
Then again, the inherent challenge was appealing. One did not build strength without struggle, without a real adversary. He thought back to his many enemies from childhood on. They had made him strong, after all. Seizing the Force was another struggle for mastery and the reward was power.
Vellas asked after Marcus' role in all this. It amused him that he called him 'Sigma Marcus' rather than DuBois. It reminded him of Marveet that night with Elouera. It mattered little, though, attempted slight or not. Power was in what you did, not what you called people.
He was surprised at Ascendancy's answer, unable to keep a slight smile from his face. Touché. The logic was impeccable. Vellas' nod was simple.
He also nodded to Ascendancy. "As you say Ascendancy,"
he said cooly. He would enjoy being a foil. He waited outside with the others while Ascendancy went in and began the process of over-awing the man.
He allowed himself a smile as he watched the process, a simple combination of weaves that were visually impressive. First impressions were important, whether individual meetings or while giving a speech. The place you seized in their mind was one that would not be dislodged without monumental work.
Ascendancy would be the first visceral image in this man's mind of raw naked power. And then, from that point on, he would be a distant figure like the sun, safely far off and less deadly. Vellas would be on point regularly, working with them. His glory would be that of the moon, close and reflected, coming after Ascendancy's.
And him? He would see what he would see. The potentials here were limitless.
Not that he particularly would have wanted the job had it been offered. He was interested in the bigger picture, not simply training weapons to go where they were pointed. Himself, absolutely. Sparring and experimenting, yes. Pyotr had already been useful, after all, and would still be. But training 'children', no.
Then again, the inherent challenge was appealing. One did not build strength without struggle, without a real adversary. He thought back to his many enemies from childhood on. They had made him strong, after all. Seizing the Force was another struggle for mastery and the reward was power.
Vellas asked after Marcus' role in all this. It amused him that he called him 'Sigma Marcus' rather than DuBois. It reminded him of Marveet that night with Elouera. It mattered little, though, attempted slight or not. Power was in what you did, not what you called people.
He was surprised at Ascendancy's answer, unable to keep a slight smile from his face. Touché. The logic was impeccable. Vellas' nod was simple.
He also nodded to Ascendancy. "As you say Ascendancy,"
he said cooly. He would enjoy being a foil. He waited outside with the others while Ascendancy went in and began the process of over-awing the man.
He allowed himself a smile as he watched the process, a simple combination of weaves that were visually impressive. First impressions were important, whether individual meetings or while giving a speech. The place you seized in their mind was one that would not be dislodged without monumental work.
Ascendancy would be the first visceral image in this man's mind of raw naked power. And then, from that point on, he would be a distant figure like the sun, safely far off and less deadly. Vellas would be on point regularly, working with them. His glory would be that of the moon, close and reflected, coming after Ascendancy's.
And him? He would see what he would see. The potentials here were limitless.