10-12-2014, 06:34 PM
Nikolai felt Michael's presence pass behind like a wind on the back of his neck. The other man circled the room, studying the scene with an expression carved from ice. Nik remained where he was to study Michael as he studied Valdir. There were gods among ants in this world, and Nikolai now held two in the palm of his hand: but only if Valdir could be salvaged.
He'd gone to retrieve a pen. Nikolai did not care to uphold the pretense that he was some sort of television host; in fact, the very charade made his jaw clench. Nik turned his line of sight away from the seats and considered their positioning. Michael's suggestion did not go unappreciated.
Valdir returned with an old spiral notebook in one hand and a pen in the other. A wide grin bared a toothy smile. It stretched the man's face like an old clown's mask. Nikolai accepted the pen and paper and used the excuse of inscribing a message to distract Valdir. He flashed a glance at Michael. They shared only that one look and a heartbeat later, the universe raged through the house like a storm.
Valdir's starstruck expression melted, but confusion was short lived. He lashed out while the glazed eyes of his family bore silent witness. Rage took the form of tangled chaos, but Nikolai fluidly stepped aside to deal with it.
"Don't kill him."
Despite the visual thunderstorm blackening the air, Nikolai's order was rather casually spoken.
He'd gone to retrieve a pen. Nikolai did not care to uphold the pretense that he was some sort of television host; in fact, the very charade made his jaw clench. Nik turned his line of sight away from the seats and considered their positioning. Michael's suggestion did not go unappreciated.
Valdir returned with an old spiral notebook in one hand and a pen in the other. A wide grin bared a toothy smile. It stretched the man's face like an old clown's mask. Nikolai accepted the pen and paper and used the excuse of inscribing a message to distract Valdir. He flashed a glance at Michael. They shared only that one look and a heartbeat later, the universe raged through the house like a storm.
Valdir's starstruck expression melted, but confusion was short lived. He lashed out while the glazed eyes of his family bore silent witness. Rage took the form of tangled chaos, but Nikolai fluidly stepped aside to deal with it.
"Don't kill him."
Despite the visual thunderstorm blackening the air, Nikolai's order was rather casually spoken.