10-28-2016, 10:10 AM
He felt much more like himself once dressed. It was as though he'd shed a layer, like some mask, that obscured his true identity. In a suit, crisp and clean, he was taller and prouder. Once he had a shower and shave, he would finally be comfortable in his own skin. Until then, Alric was credited with foresight even Viktor overlooked.
They returned to Aria's room some time later. This time, when he entered, it was a much calmer state of mind. Aria's explanation made sense, her actions were justified. She hadn't known the Regus had an ijiraq at his command. Nobody could have foreseen it. Nikolai certainly hadn't, despite his knowledge of the legends. He'd need to look them up in his Atharim ledger once he returned to his home. If the ledger survived the battle, that was. He kept it all these years, to lose it now would be disappointing. Although he wasn't sure why that would wound.
He entered, Alric following closely. People they passed in the hall gaped, as much as ZARS agents could. The one guarding Aria stood at attention when the Ascendancy entered. Nik looked from face to face briefly. Jensen was at Aria's side. Ivan and Marcus were near, engaged in conversation.
He rounded the bed to stand opposite where Jensen sat. The young man looked tired, and while Nikolai was aware that fatigue could lead to harm when wielding their power, he was willing to risk the man's life to witness this. Aria's injuries were not life threatening, surely the amount of energy required would not be as taxing as it had been earlier.
"Thank you for waiting,"
he told Jensen, but the sentiment was mere politeness. With little regard for Aria's personal opinion on the matter, he nodded that he was ready of Jensen was.
They returned to Aria's room some time later. This time, when he entered, it was a much calmer state of mind. Aria's explanation made sense, her actions were justified. She hadn't known the Regus had an ijiraq at his command. Nobody could have foreseen it. Nikolai certainly hadn't, despite his knowledge of the legends. He'd need to look them up in his Atharim ledger once he returned to his home. If the ledger survived the battle, that was. He kept it all these years, to lose it now would be disappointing. Although he wasn't sure why that would wound.
He entered, Alric following closely. People they passed in the hall gaped, as much as ZARS agents could. The one guarding Aria stood at attention when the Ascendancy entered. Nik looked from face to face briefly. Jensen was at Aria's side. Ivan and Marcus were near, engaged in conversation.
He rounded the bed to stand opposite where Jensen sat. The young man looked tired, and while Nikolai was aware that fatigue could lead to harm when wielding their power, he was willing to risk the man's life to witness this. Aria's injuries were not life threatening, surely the amount of energy required would not be as taxing as it had been earlier.
"Thank you for waiting,"
he told Jensen, but the sentiment was mere politeness. With little regard for Aria's personal opinion on the matter, he nodded that he was ready of Jensen was.