The grand ball

[Jensen James]

((Ooc: Okay! Thank you Jacinda!)

Jensen was keen to be led away, if only for conversation as they strolled. He smiled kindly for those that met his eye along the way, but did not bring himself to say more than passing hellos as they went.

All seemed well until Cruz mentioned his awareness of a certain secret. Jensen schooled his expression calm, nodding along to Cruz's request. "I would be happy to, Cruz, but there has to be someone in need of the gift before I can show it to you. Unfortunately, I don't know what you're talking about with Ascendancy."
Lying came far too easily now, but he felt no less dirty about doing so.

This wasn't the first time someone asked him to teach the ways of the gift. Marcus had done so previously, as well. Another debt owed and promise unfulfilled.

[Nox]

The look when Vena took his hand was slightly amused. Nox wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing. She had never answered his prior statement of being here with someone so he was certain that he'd track the wrong attention. But this place was dull. And he was tired of standing still.

Nox lead Vena out on to the floor and Nox grinned at his partner as the music easily changed from the waltz that had been playing before, the string instraments taking on different arrangement as they played through the 1920s era. Big band was mostly brass, but the strings played it well with a little modification.

"Just follow me. It's easy."
Nox said as he started swinging Vena out from where they stood and then pulling her back in. Even if she couldn't swing dance, there was no indication that she hadn't.

If Nox had been at a club there would be a little more action in the partner 'tosses' but Nox didn't show off with that. He could, but this was a fancy party and Nox was pushing his luck with the music change as well as the less than formal dancing.

[Ryker]

Ivan visibly relaxed, enough that Ryker's defenses lowered in concert with the other man. All this trouble just because the kid could channel. If they were on equal footing, no sane man would think to stand up to him. Instead, without his own means to wield the power, he was defenseless as a newborn kitten. There had to be a way to change that.

In the meantime, talking his way through confrontations was going to have to work. Until such time as faster means were in his grasp. Perhaps there was something useful to come out of Yun Kao. She was a small fish, but not without teeth. If that bite could be harnessed, she could be worth all this trouble. Ivan might show him just how to do that. "It remains to be seen. Until an opportunity presents itself, we gather information. I have no interest in toppling her little pyramid of schemes only to run it myself, and if she were out of the picture, someone else, whom we know even less about, may fill the power vacuum in her place. We need to know what we want out of her before we set about trying to--"


He'd been ignoring the giggles and squeals of the drunk woman until she plowed into him. Ryker's drink sloshed over his hand as he stumbled, barely avoiding plowing into Ivan himself. "Fucking drunk bitch,"
he sneered, snaking his hand free of sticky droplets.

Cheeks hot with anger, he glared at the woman and sized up her date. He was pretty enough to be an ass for hire, and absolutely zero threat to him. Unless he was another surprising channeler compensating for what he lacked in physical skills.

[Evelyn]

Jay's travel limitations made more sense after Nikolai explained it. Evelyn smiled reassuringly when they looked to her, but honestly she had not thought about the restriction as a matter of military origin. She knew the complexities of CCD government affairs inside and out, studying them since she was in school. Travel between the Dominances functioned much like travel between states in America. There was little oversight unless someone was moving permanently, taking a new job, or attending a new school. However, foreign delegates of other nations had quite a few restrictions upon entering the US themselves. For instance, foreign delegates and heads of state that travelled with security were limited to how many armed personnel could accompany them, the manner and types of those arms, and where they went. Little miniatures armies couldn't be allowed to roam freely across the countryside. The same went in the CCD.

So she continued to give Nikolai the benefit of the doubt. The more he explained, the more foolish she felt for doubting him in the first place. Then, when the time came, he agreed to the request as Evelyn knew he would. Now, if she hadn't been there to guide his hand, to remind him that soldiers were human beings, he may have forgotten being so focused on the lofty goals of the Custody. But luckily enough, she was there, and when he met her eyes, she could feel the winds catch his sails and steer him the right direction.

She smiled warmly when asked to return to the ball in his company. Perhaps she could even speak with Mister James himself on their behalf. She would like to meet the preacher of fame. He had remarkable trials behind him, and like all, had stumbled with them. But nobody was perfect. Furthermore, his wife was governor of Texas.

Yes, she would definitely need to talk to him before he left (as she was certain he would).

"Good luck to you, Jay. You too, Natalie. Don't hesitate to reach out to me if there's anything else I can do for you."
She smiled sweetly, closed her arm around her escort, and was led from the room.

One of Nik's guards fell into step behind them. It was the same man she recognized from their night together, but Evelyn was careful not to blush. In fact, she avoided looking him in the eye just in case.

"That was good of you, Nik-- Ascendancy."
Her heart wanted to flutter from her chest. "Healers should be shared with all of humanity, not kept aside only for the whims of the rich and powerful. In fact, it's the least of us that need the healers most of all. We should probably include some verbage about skills in our treaty."

[Cruz]

Cruz chuckled at his feigned innocence but he let it go. He knew better. He'd seen the information Sage had pulled. He'd heard the tale from Nox who'd heard it from Aria. And she'd been there. Cruz chided himself for listening to gossip but the man who was to be his body guard brought out all sorts of foolish notions in him.

But it was also the very same man who would likely use Jensen's healing. Cruz stopped and turned towards where he'd left Nox and found him on the dance floor with Vena. Cruz sighed, he was going to get himself killed. Cruz nodded in the direction of Nox and chuckled. "You might get your chance. He's accident prone. And dancing with Scion Marveet's girlfriend is probably as dangerous as it gets here."
Cruz didn't mention the fact that the Atharim could be here. Or that was the reason Nox was here in the first place. If there was one thing Nox was good at, it was making sure he took a spot light. Cruz hated it about him.

[Ivan Sarkozy]

A pyramid...Yeah. Ryker was right. Yun was not that old. Maybe 10 years older than him at most. His dad was shot when he was a teenager- by Yun herself, he didn't forget. But he doubted a woman in her early 20s was running an organization like this, what with judges and DAs and cops and anyone else as part of it.

Which was a roundabout way of saying that the organization had been around a while and she had only come to head it (if she truly did) in the last few years.

So....there was a structure here. Getting rid of Yun wasn't enough. His mind froze, realization coming over him, and he felt sick. Blackmarkets always sprang up. Criminal organizations too. Every culture. Every country. As much as it pained him, it was a fact. That didn't mean he rolled over, gave his city to them and shrugged it off as life.

But this was far more complex. "Yeah. Makes sense. Listen. Learn. Plan."
Aside from getting rid of Yun, more was needed. Peace and order was the most important thing. Especially for the little people, those who had no voice or power. The higher ups, the assholes at this party, he didn't give a shit about them, not really. 'Justice' was something they purchased as easily as they did summer homes.

A lot to think about. To be honest, he felt a bit queasy with that realization, as if he were compromising something important. But there didn't seem to be any easy solutions. Ryker was speaking when a woman who had been tripping her way on the balcony ran into him. Ivan couldn't help but laugh, even though Ryker was pissed.

The woman looked familiar, though Ivan couldn't place her. Time to go into cop mode. "You ok ma'am?"
He steadied her gently. Her date- definitely a paid escort- looked surprised and didn't know what to do. Ivan rolled his eyes. He lead her inside and to a free table. "Here, have some water,"
channeling without thinking and snaring a glass from a tray to the woman. Her eyes widened and he realized what he'd done.

Well, it's not like it's a secret. not now. He smiled. The underlying irritation was still there, but for some reason he felt a bit better. Having a plan- or at least the promise of one- seemed to be enough. He winked at her and gave Ryker a smirk.


Edited by Ivan Sarkozy, Jul 17 2018, 05:05 PM.

[Jay Carpenter]

Ascendancy spoke the words, but it had been Jay who rode away from the refinery like a coward. Orders be damned. He knew all too well that he had the capacity to fuck orders when they were wrong. It lost him everything once before. That day in Masiaka, everything was wrong, he felt it in his gut, ones that twisted up even now that Ascendancy tripped the memory, but he rode away from those that needed his defense the most. Why people continued to believe he would earn some future honor was beyond him. But he wore the pin of the Ascendancy anyway. Jay preferred to lie to himself and say he had no choice, but it wasn't true. Nox could teach him control. Jared too. He'd never say it, because what good would that do, but he knew that after his sister was healed, he'd take up the uniform again. He needed Ascendancy as much as the man needed channelers to clean out the filthy places in the world. Unlike his family, Jay felt no strong objections to the CCD. Ironic given his patriotism, but the marines had been more a means to an end, a plug to the hole in his heart, than about deep-rooted love for the Constitution. For that reason, it was probably best that he no longer considered himself American at all. Iowa was home, but it would never be his home again.

Ascendancy and Evelyn's departure left him with the doubt that Jensen may not go. Maybe the man could teach him how to heal someone. Jay would do it himself, if possible. Thing was, he'd never heard of anyone learning how to heal. Jared could do some, but the man already admitted his limits. He'd healed Nox enough to preserve life, but stripping the throes of cancer from the dying was beyond his skill. Jay had to convince Jensen to come. There was no other way. If he refused, well, Jay wasn't above kidnapping. Surely a preacher couldn't refuse a dying girl to her face?

Natalie deflated. For a moment, tension hung on the air like humidity, until her insult tripped a wire in his head.

Jay erupted in laughter. Until tears touched the corners of his eyes, glistening them with the mirth of the moment. It was sure to die soon anyway. But for the few seconds they were alone, he clasped her hand and smiled, grateful. "Thank you. I don't know how you did all that, but it had to be you."
Lips twisted with half a grin, he squeezed her fingers before breaking apart.

"Ever been to Iowa? I'll tell you what. You'll see more corn than you ever knew existed. It's like a wonder of the world."
It hadn't escaped his notice that she had been requested to travel as some sort of unofficial ambassador, should it come to that. Jay had no intention of strolling into the United States wearing a Custody uniform, but he would wager good money that the Pentagon had a file on him. Any number of flags might be tripped when he crossed the border. Natalie's connections might become necessary, especially if some clerk thought to stand between him and Cayli over bullshit paperwork and a dead drug lord. That was unlikely to end diplomatically.

The power tugged the door open on their behalf just as he turned and offered a completely gentlemanly and not at all dastardly crook of an arm, grin inviting. "Here's hoping you can work your magic on Jensen, next."

[Ryker]

Ryker finished drying his hand while Ivan fawned all over the chick. Spots darkened the tops of his shoes. But none were as dark as the glare of his eyes upon those around him.

Without interest in helping the woman, nor in helping Ivan paw over her. He broke away from the group in search of a sink to wash up.

A dark ribbon of the power slashed the air, and Ryker turned to scowl at it one last time before disappearing inside. He hurried his pace and got away from it.

His gaze swept the crowd, instinctively searching for the beloved leader of legend. His absence only spurred him faster from the room.

Rounding a corner, he stopped in his tracks in front of Brandon himself. Ryker recognized the bitch on his arm, a pretty little thing that he peeled his eyes from regrettably. In her place, he latched sights upon Brandon.

[Jensen James]

It was mesmerizing to watch the couple dance. To sway and swing with the music, Jensen caught himself smiling. There seemed to be something of an audience gathering as well. It would be fun to dance. How long had it been since he even considered it? Jessika was a great dancer. He could still see her bejeweled in her debutante ball gown, twirling and spinning, her hair curling in spirals down her shoulders.

Jensen laughed at Cruz's suggestion that Nox was endangered. He danced well, himself. Jensen found himself swaying along with the music. Nox was dark enough to be Hispanic, Jensen oddly thought as he watched. Just seemed out of place in Moscow, was all. In fact, he reminded him of...

Jensen looked away like he was in search of someone else. "So who is Scion Marveet?"
He asked off-handedly, thoughts distant.

Edited by Jensen James, Jul 18 2018, 08:05 PM.

[Natalie Grey]

She tipped her shoulder into a dismissive shrug. "I don't know what you're talking about, of course. It was only a hunch."
Not exactly a facet of her nature she was proud of, nor worthy of much praise considering how little effort it had required on her part. Jay's laughter worked something loose in her chest, like rushing starlight; a freefall through the night. But it only made her think about the roughness of the inevitable landing. His touch started an accidental brushfire, only to break away ignorant of the consequences. She focused on his relief instead. Not the residual warmth of her palm.

"Iowa? Jay, I've never been to America at all. It's hardly at the top of my family's list for vacation spots."
She didn't have the sorts of contacts that were going to help if things turned sour. That was simple fact. All she had was the motivation to try, and thanks to Brandon, a stake in the outcome. Jay knew she was a Patron's granddaughter, but did he know the rest? Did he realise what she'd risk? It didn't much matter; it had no bearing on her decision, and she didn't want to feel any shade of his guilt. She made the choice to follow him into the eye of the storm regardless of the consequences.

The door moved of its own volition, the empty corridor yawning beyond. The sound of strings rose in a new melody, and all the echoed sounds of a party she had no enthusiasm for rejoining. "You're just showing off now."
She smirked, running her finger's along the door's edge. She already knew she could sense nothing of what he did, or how, but there was fascination in the unfathomable. "There's no magic in manipulation, believe me."
She laughed a cynic's laugh, then glanced back up to find him grinning.

It was because of the way it squeezed her chest that she did not take his arm.

Her expression shifted. Masks kept others at arm's length, not because she had something to hide, but because she so rarely had something to share. Beneath the artifice was blunt honesty; not what people usually expected to find once her cold demeanour swept away. She hadn't planned on being here tonight; had fought it until only bare-boned duty remained. Would he have sought her out if need and coincidence did not conspire? Unlikely. But need and coincidence did conspire. Standing on the precipice, staring down, she took the moment. Not the one offered, but one she chose to claim; the one that had been burning her up since police cuffed him in the back of a car.

"I looked for you. But you weren't anywhere."
It was difficult to say, even as something primal in her nature revelled in the pain she caused herself with the honesty of admitting it had ever affected her. The memory of fear in his voice was like a brand, still strong enough to leaden her stomach. Not that she was going to remind him of the voicemail. Nor reveal that seeking quiet enough to hear the message had placed her beyond the relative safety of the crowded club. "That probably sounds foolish to you. You were paid to keep me safe, I know that. But I looked anyway. Only I didn't find you in time to make a difference."


A painful truth; not one she'd anticipated sharing. But it was a promise of sorts too. That this time, they would not be too late.