12-02-2013, 09:12 PM
Alric moved behind the Ascendancy as if he were his shadow. His own suit was similarly immaculate and tailored specifically to measurements meant to accommodate a thin layer of body armor beneath, something the Ascendancy seemed to neglect. Confidence or not, immortality was only proven one way, but it had to be divinity that moved him to dismiss such things. Perhaps, once Alric himself mastered his own powers, he would be persuaded to adopt the same practice.
Alric glanced across a room of faces. It was a strangely foreign thought that must have entered the mind of the most powerful man in history to attend a gathering like this with so little preparation for the CSS to take the proper precautions. They should have at least inserted disguised agents into the crowd. But whatever it was, it was none of Alric's concern. He was here both as Nikolai's guard and student. Not just any ordinary man should be allowed presence at a god's side so easily. Best they surround themselves with like beings.
Alric's attention strayed from the Ascendancy for a moment as another of his team took post between coat-check and the entrance. Something caught his peripheral vision, and Alric moved in time to witness an unknown pierce the safety margin around the Ascendancy. For all that it was worth, it looked no more harmless than what it appeared to be: an accident. But the insult followed, and when he placed his hands on the Amulet of Mankind, Alric's instincts fired into action.
He moved, catching Nikolai's shoulder and steadied his teacher with an iron grip just before he fell. His other lashed out, and the knife edge of his palm crushing into the assailant's throat. It was followed by a low kick to the man's knee, driving him to the ground unless he did managed to get out of the way; either way he would be kneeling or bowing for his transgressions. Finally, Alric drew a FN 5.7 pistol drawn from underneath his jacket, and aimed it coolly at his head. He'd managed to place himself between the Ascendancy and the idiot that attacked him.
“Your face on the ground now!
” His voice rung out loudly over all the other nearby noise, his tone and intonation mirroring that of one of his old drill sergeants. It brought with it not only obvious command but the undisguised promise of violence if compliance was not given immediately.
In the pace of the last few moments, Alric finally noticed his partner had gone to the Ascendancy's side. Good.
Alric glanced across a room of faces. It was a strangely foreign thought that must have entered the mind of the most powerful man in history to attend a gathering like this with so little preparation for the CSS to take the proper precautions. They should have at least inserted disguised agents into the crowd. But whatever it was, it was none of Alric's concern. He was here both as Nikolai's guard and student. Not just any ordinary man should be allowed presence at a god's side so easily. Best they surround themselves with like beings.
Alric's attention strayed from the Ascendancy for a moment as another of his team took post between coat-check and the entrance. Something caught his peripheral vision, and Alric moved in time to witness an unknown pierce the safety margin around the Ascendancy. For all that it was worth, it looked no more harmless than what it appeared to be: an accident. But the insult followed, and when he placed his hands on the Amulet of Mankind, Alric's instincts fired into action.
He moved, catching Nikolai's shoulder and steadied his teacher with an iron grip just before he fell. His other lashed out, and the knife edge of his palm crushing into the assailant's throat. It was followed by a low kick to the man's knee, driving him to the ground unless he did managed to get out of the way; either way he would be kneeling or bowing for his transgressions. Finally, Alric drew a FN 5.7 pistol drawn from underneath his jacket, and aimed it coolly at his head. He'd managed to place himself between the Ascendancy and the idiot that attacked him.
“Your face on the ground now!
” His voice rung out loudly over all the other nearby noise, his tone and intonation mirroring that of one of his old drill sergeants. It brought with it not only obvious command but the undisguised promise of violence if compliance was not given immediately.
In the pace of the last few moments, Alric finally noticed his partner had gone to the Ascendancy's side. Good.