10-10-2016, 12:24 PM
Ivan was surprised at the Sigma. There was none of the posturing alpha-maling he'd seen out in the square. He almost seemed...normal. Even friendly- to the Padre anyway. Him he ignored, for the most part. Didn't really bother Ivan. Not like he had a role here, other than to make sure the Padre didn't try anything. Not that he would. The guy just radiated empathy and concern. Just like in the square. No interest in pressing charges; helping the girl. Ivan respected him.
Which led him to a question. What was gonna happen to him? The man had healed the Ascendancy. Would he be set free? Would suck if the reward for saving the Empire was to be held as a prisoner. He wouldn't expect that of the Ascendancy. But Stepanovich. He was another story. The Ascendancy's attack dog, jealously guarding his master. Ivan didn't like him at all. Something about him screamed 'punk', despite his position.
Ivan resolved to see what he could do to help the Padre. From what the Sigma was saying, maybe he'd help. He knew of the man and it seemed he respected him. He'd been a preacher on TV? Interesting. The Padre didn't ooze that slick fake snake-oil style that he'd seen on most TV preachers. Oiled hair slicked back, permanent phony smile, flashy clothes, eyes trying to grab you and suck you in. It all seemed so smarmy and ridiculous. He couldn't see the Padre do that. Just didn't fit.
Just then, the feel of the power flared- massive amounts- and Ivan's head whipped around. "Stay here!,"
he said to the Padre and left the room. He stood in the hallway. He could feel the power....there. One of the rooms. He listened carefully- with his ears and with the power that he assumed, ready to act. Then moments later the feel of menace disappeared. Ivan held on to his.
The door opened and the Ascendancy came out. The man seemed fine, if a bit shaken. Ivan dropped the power. Despite the loss, Ivan felt good. Somehow, it was heartening to see him standing there. He knew he'd been healed. But seeing him up and about was still something. Ivan watched him for a moment and then walked closer to him. He smiled at the man. "Ascendancy. I am really glad to see you alive and well."
It sounded stupid. But it was true.
Which led him to a question. What was gonna happen to him? The man had healed the Ascendancy. Would he be set free? Would suck if the reward for saving the Empire was to be held as a prisoner. He wouldn't expect that of the Ascendancy. But Stepanovich. He was another story. The Ascendancy's attack dog, jealously guarding his master. Ivan didn't like him at all. Something about him screamed 'punk', despite his position.
Ivan resolved to see what he could do to help the Padre. From what the Sigma was saying, maybe he'd help. He knew of the man and it seemed he respected him. He'd been a preacher on TV? Interesting. The Padre didn't ooze that slick fake snake-oil style that he'd seen on most TV preachers. Oiled hair slicked back, permanent phony smile, flashy clothes, eyes trying to grab you and suck you in. It all seemed so smarmy and ridiculous. He couldn't see the Padre do that. Just didn't fit.
Just then, the feel of the power flared- massive amounts- and Ivan's head whipped around. "Stay here!,"
he said to the Padre and left the room. He stood in the hallway. He could feel the power....there. One of the rooms. He listened carefully- with his ears and with the power that he assumed, ready to act. Then moments later the feel of menace disappeared. Ivan held on to his.
The door opened and the Ascendancy came out. The man seemed fine, if a bit shaken. Ivan dropped the power. Despite the loss, Ivan felt good. Somehow, it was heartening to see him standing there. He knew he'd been healed. But seeing him up and about was still something. Ivan watched him for a moment and then walked closer to him. He smiled at the man. "Ascendancy. I am really glad to see you alive and well."
It sounded stupid. But it was true.