05-29-2018, 11:05 AM
Jaxen was practically giddy as he dressed for the night. Not that he was all that in love with marcella and wing collars, but he did cut a fine fucking line out of it when he did. That he had a date on his arm that promised an evening of mischief was part of excitement. Rubbing it into Matvei's face that he was going with Scion instead of the older brother was certainly another perk. Luckily, his oldest brother didn't have ten million to waste on a ticket, and they were sold out anyway, with second-market prices tripling or quadrupling that cost at the least. The dark shadows of jealosy hanging over Mat's expression only made it better.
No. None of those were the reason a perpetual grin smirked Jaxen's freshly shaved lips. It was the promise of walking the inside of the Kremlin, a place off-limits, with a free reign, and when cloaked in the illusion of another man, a free leash. He had every intention of learning the Kremlin's secrets and exploring the palace as his own castle. Of walking up to Ascendancy, looking him in the eye, and telling him he wasn't as special as he thought he was. Plucking the god of a man off his high-pedestal would be gloriously amusing. Even if only for a second.
Scion had other plans for Jaxen, but he didn't care. Let his father make his play for the seat on the Ascendancy's knights of the round table. In fact, if Scion was such a knight, it may play to Jaxen's advantage in the long run. Perhaps. They would see.
In the limo, Scion fixed him with a familiar, albeit stern look. "Cut the shit grin from your face, Jaxen. Remember why you're here and what happens to you if you try to fuck me over."
Yep. Familiar line. He'd heard that threat once or twice before. Though, he was rather fond of being back in his father's fat wallet again. Mom provided fine, but nothing like the limitless funds Scion offered.
He shrugged and shared a glance with Oriena at his side. She was probably the same age as Scion's date (and newest girlfriend). Jaxen saw the appeal Scion appreciated in the leggy, dark-skinned beauty, but knowing that she was fucking his father completely erased all attraction he may have otherwise felt for her. Oriena, on the other hand, Scion scrutinized openly when they first saw one another. She was not the woman of society Scion hoped Jaxen to entice. Yet there was nothing obviously disapproving about her, so he permitted her presence. Good since he paid for the ticket.
"Don't worry, Scion. I know our terms."
The promise did little to ease his father's apprehensions. As well it shouldn't. But there was little else he could do about it.
They flew through security at the Kremlin itself. There was little to hold them up. Not even Oriena flagged anything in their system. Which only proved the falliability of the system itself. He recalled quite clearly how she worked her way through the Atharim's basement sanctuary.
Admittedly, this was the first time Jaxen had been inside the Kremlin. It wasn't his first invitation by any means, but it was the first one he accepted. Balls and government events were hardly the sort of nightlife he found tempting. He made sure to snake his arm through Oriena's as they walked the grand halls and lean in close to her ear, "like a proper princess,"
he toyed with the inside of her wrist as they walked. "I bet every single one of these idiots are pretending they are the tsar and tsarina of old."
he nodded at one russian woman adorned in an actual tiara.
"Now, this ball will be crawling with channelers. Care to play a game? Who of us can get someone to channel first? Let's find someone and poke them into showing their hand."
Just to see what would happen, of course. And who would respond. They were surrounded by tuxedos and ballgowns, but for all Jaxen knew, every single person in view was a channeler. How else better to test the waters than to toss in a few pebbles and watch for ripples..
No. None of those were the reason a perpetual grin smirked Jaxen's freshly shaved lips. It was the promise of walking the inside of the Kremlin, a place off-limits, with a free reign, and when cloaked in the illusion of another man, a free leash. He had every intention of learning the Kremlin's secrets and exploring the palace as his own castle. Of walking up to Ascendancy, looking him in the eye, and telling him he wasn't as special as he thought he was. Plucking the god of a man off his high-pedestal would be gloriously amusing. Even if only for a second.
Scion had other plans for Jaxen, but he didn't care. Let his father make his play for the seat on the Ascendancy's knights of the round table. In fact, if Scion was such a knight, it may play to Jaxen's advantage in the long run. Perhaps. They would see.
In the limo, Scion fixed him with a familiar, albeit stern look. "Cut the shit grin from your face, Jaxen. Remember why you're here and what happens to you if you try to fuck me over."
Yep. Familiar line. He'd heard that threat once or twice before. Though, he was rather fond of being back in his father's fat wallet again. Mom provided fine, but nothing like the limitless funds Scion offered.
He shrugged and shared a glance with Oriena at his side. She was probably the same age as Scion's date (and newest girlfriend). Jaxen saw the appeal Scion appreciated in the leggy, dark-skinned beauty, but knowing that she was fucking his father completely erased all attraction he may have otherwise felt for her. Oriena, on the other hand, Scion scrutinized openly when they first saw one another. She was not the woman of society Scion hoped Jaxen to entice. Yet there was nothing obviously disapproving about her, so he permitted her presence. Good since he paid for the ticket.
"Don't worry, Scion. I know our terms."
The promise did little to ease his father's apprehensions. As well it shouldn't. But there was little else he could do about it.
They flew through security at the Kremlin itself. There was little to hold them up. Not even Oriena flagged anything in their system. Which only proved the falliability of the system itself. He recalled quite clearly how she worked her way through the Atharim's basement sanctuary.
Admittedly, this was the first time Jaxen had been inside the Kremlin. It wasn't his first invitation by any means, but it was the first one he accepted. Balls and government events were hardly the sort of nightlife he found tempting. He made sure to snake his arm through Oriena's as they walked the grand halls and lean in close to her ear, "like a proper princess,"
he toyed with the inside of her wrist as they walked. "I bet every single one of these idiots are pretending they are the tsar and tsarina of old."
he nodded at one russian woman adorned in an actual tiara.
"Now, this ball will be crawling with channelers. Care to play a game? Who of us can get someone to channel first? Let's find someone and poke them into showing their hand."
Just to see what would happen, of course. And who would respond. They were surrounded by tuxedos and ballgowns, but for all Jaxen knew, every single person in view was a channeler. How else better to test the waters than to toss in a few pebbles and watch for ripples..