06-23-2018, 08:06 AM
The power ripped toward his back.
It was not that long ago that he barely felt the presence of another channeler. Not all that long after before he learned to react to channeling. Since then, the Nine drilled it into him. No shot was off-limits. To be fair was to be stupid. Not exactly new lessons, even if they were unexpected from this newly adopted group of men he found himself among.
It only took a few bruises for the lesson to sink in. Now, Jay reacted.
The power flooded far. Like a fist slammed into a bucket to wrench out as hefty a palm full as possible. Not to capacity. He didn't hang onto the cliff edge with a death grip clutching at grass. But nothing like what Nox last knew Jay capable.
He spun, expression mired in the darkness of their shared power. Shadows darkened the planes of his face. Like drawing a pistol. The movement was pure memory, and a knife of air slashed at the tunnel of light encircling his face. The knife usually shattered such flows. Jay expected nothing less now. In fact, he was mentally readying to retaliate when he heard his name.
He blinked. Those nearest him were completely unaware of anything occurring. They saw a man clutching an empty flute, expression morbidly grim, aiming down another. None were aware of the proximity of death. Not that he would have killed Nox. Karim taught sparing and mercy; Michael did not. Jay saw the need for both.
He let the weaves drop, as did his shoulders. He handed the glass away to a passing waiter with more manual methods. When he looked back, Samuel had come closer. Not everyone was unaware of the near exchange of powerful blows. Chatter arose in his ear, explaining the misunderstanding to the others and to continue onward. Sam would stay with Nox and Jay, monitoring the situation. Ascendancy would have taken notice. Hopefully they hadn't drawn his attention.
Jay released the power, stepped forward and greeted Nox, voice grim and deep. "For the love of God Nox, please tell me you've seen something stronger to drink than wine."
He smirked, finally. "Sorry for almost obliterating you. I'm a bit twitchy these days when it comes to sneaking up on me."
The smirk expanded, even as he swallowed nervously and let his gaze scan the tops of other nearby heads, seeking hair the color of hay, just in case.
"What are you even doing here? Thought you hated this kind of thing."
It was not that long ago that he barely felt the presence of another channeler. Not all that long after before he learned to react to channeling. Since then, the Nine drilled it into him. No shot was off-limits. To be fair was to be stupid. Not exactly new lessons, even if they were unexpected from this newly adopted group of men he found himself among.
It only took a few bruises for the lesson to sink in. Now, Jay reacted.
The power flooded far. Like a fist slammed into a bucket to wrench out as hefty a palm full as possible. Not to capacity. He didn't hang onto the cliff edge with a death grip clutching at grass. But nothing like what Nox last knew Jay capable.
He spun, expression mired in the darkness of their shared power. Shadows darkened the planes of his face. Like drawing a pistol. The movement was pure memory, and a knife of air slashed at the tunnel of light encircling his face. The knife usually shattered such flows. Jay expected nothing less now. In fact, he was mentally readying to retaliate when he heard his name.
He blinked. Those nearest him were completely unaware of anything occurring. They saw a man clutching an empty flute, expression morbidly grim, aiming down another. None were aware of the proximity of death. Not that he would have killed Nox. Karim taught sparing and mercy; Michael did not. Jay saw the need for both.
He let the weaves drop, as did his shoulders. He handed the glass away to a passing waiter with more manual methods. When he looked back, Samuel had come closer. Not everyone was unaware of the near exchange of powerful blows. Chatter arose in his ear, explaining the misunderstanding to the others and to continue onward. Sam would stay with Nox and Jay, monitoring the situation. Ascendancy would have taken notice. Hopefully they hadn't drawn his attention.
Jay released the power, stepped forward and greeted Nox, voice grim and deep. "For the love of God Nox, please tell me you've seen something stronger to drink than wine."
He smirked, finally. "Sorry for almost obliterating you. I'm a bit twitchy these days when it comes to sneaking up on me."
The smirk expanded, even as he swallowed nervously and let his gaze scan the tops of other nearby heads, seeking hair the color of hay, just in case.
"What are you even doing here? Thought you hated this kind of thing."
Only darkness shows you the light.