05-29-2025, 12:19 AM
And an ordeal it was, for at least a while. An unexpected addition to his schedule would required approval from high up, if not from the Ascendancy himself. While admitting Nox Durante wasn't exactly a problem, at least not anymore given the many times he'd proven his loyalty, Nikolai thought it best that even the great Nox be reminded that he was only a cog in the machine of the Custody.
To that end, once he was admitted, he was shown to the Executive Offices. There were plenty of staffers to bear witness to Nox's appearance, but stranger things had happened than allowing a scruffy young man in jeans and a t-shirt an audience with the Ascendancy. They would spill no secret, even if they would gossip as much as they dared.
Nikolai was working at a desk when Nox was shown in and the door closed behind him. When he looked up, he paused almost as if he was startled. Nox was hardly a business formal kind of person, but today, his appearance was even more disheveled than usual. Or perhaps it was only his expression, but something was off. Perhaps it explained the urgency in his request.
"Nox," he said by greeting and gestured. "Have a seat. I am told you have something urgent to discuss. I hope it's not a new campaign by the Atharim."
To that end, once he was admitted, he was shown to the Executive Offices. There were plenty of staffers to bear witness to Nox's appearance, but stranger things had happened than allowing a scruffy young man in jeans and a t-shirt an audience with the Ascendancy. They would spill no secret, even if they would gossip as much as they dared.
Nikolai was working at a desk when Nox was shown in and the door closed behind him. When he looked up, he paused almost as if he was startled. Nox was hardly a business formal kind of person, but today, his appearance was even more disheveled than usual. Or perhaps it was only his expression, but something was off. Perhaps it explained the urgency in his request.
"Nox," he said by greeting and gestured. "Have a seat. I am told you have something urgent to discuss. I hope it's not a new campaign by the Atharim."