06-24-2014, 04:57 PM
Malik stood near one of the many ornate tables against the wall, watching the other guests as the made their way to the large doors that opened into St. Andrew’s Hall. The men and women that walked through those doors did so in a stately manner, aware of both their position and influence. Some were dressed in full military dress regalia, the grey-orange-black arrangement standing out amid a sea of colorful suits, tuxedos, and dresses. This was a dinner of the most powerful people in the empire, though, along with a contingent of foreign press officers. As such, no one dressed in an overly gaudy or ostentatious manner. This was not the grand opening of a club or a movie premiere.
Marcus himself sported a charcoal-grey tuxedo over a purple striped cuffed shirt, dark purple kerchief in his breast pocket, and black tie. On his lapel was the pin he had been given as part of his internship, the Greek letter Sigma in dark purple. It was the reason he’d chosen those colors tonight.
He kept his hands clasped behind his back, a slight smile on his face. Inside, though, he was excited. Tonight was going to be a great deal of fun even as it was important. Every once in a while, one or two acquaintances from the Communication Consulate would see him and stop to chat. He was amiable. At one point he saw Dr. Alexandrova in the distance. She was quite lovely in an emerald green gown that surely set off her eyes, red hair coiffed in an elegant pattern. The man on her arm, though as tall as her 5’11”, seemed dismissable by comparison, as handsome and elegant as he was.
Other than those few, the rest were strangers. He found himself wondering which of them could use the Force? Though he did need to remember that just because a person did not command that kind of power, that didn’t mean they didn’t have any power. Ascendancy was a good example. Malik was smart enough to recognize his superiors. One didn’t become powerful and influential overnight. Some of the people in this room could no doubt teach him many things. And he was willing to humble himself in order to learn. There was no shame in that. As long as it was just an act, just a means to an end.
He’d have to guard against any unnecessary attachments. It was a good thing he was so far from Andre. Andre was the only person for whom Marcus still had any feelings for. But the path he’d chosen for himself- the one he’d seize one day- would be a lonely one. There would be other things that would make that sacrifice worth it. Deep down, though, a feeling of sorrow at the road ahead of him reared its head: solitude his lot in life. But instead of giving in to that, he pictured the chaos of his childhood, the fear and uncertainty. And the pain. He made himself feel it, and then the desperate attempts of Andre to protect him and his sorrow at failing Marcus. He let that motivate him. The world needed order. Chaos could not be allowed to continue. Ascendancy had made an excellent beginning of it over the last few decades. His work bringing structure to the masses of humanity was nothing sort of brilliant. Slowly, little by little, order was spreading. Malik wanted to add his power to the task, share in the work, and take on part of the responsibilities. And if not before, then when Ascendancy himself died, Malik would be willing to shoulder the responsibility himself.
And tonight would be a step in that direction. Malik decided to take his place inside St. Andrew’s Hall.
Marcus himself sported a charcoal-grey tuxedo over a purple striped cuffed shirt, dark purple kerchief in his breast pocket, and black tie. On his lapel was the pin he had been given as part of his internship, the Greek letter Sigma in dark purple. It was the reason he’d chosen those colors tonight.
He kept his hands clasped behind his back, a slight smile on his face. Inside, though, he was excited. Tonight was going to be a great deal of fun even as it was important. Every once in a while, one or two acquaintances from the Communication Consulate would see him and stop to chat. He was amiable. At one point he saw Dr. Alexandrova in the distance. She was quite lovely in an emerald green gown that surely set off her eyes, red hair coiffed in an elegant pattern. The man on her arm, though as tall as her 5’11”, seemed dismissable by comparison, as handsome and elegant as he was.
Other than those few, the rest were strangers. He found himself wondering which of them could use the Force? Though he did need to remember that just because a person did not command that kind of power, that didn’t mean they didn’t have any power. Ascendancy was a good example. Malik was smart enough to recognize his superiors. One didn’t become powerful and influential overnight. Some of the people in this room could no doubt teach him many things. And he was willing to humble himself in order to learn. There was no shame in that. As long as it was just an act, just a means to an end.
He’d have to guard against any unnecessary attachments. It was a good thing he was so far from Andre. Andre was the only person for whom Marcus still had any feelings for. But the path he’d chosen for himself- the one he’d seize one day- would be a lonely one. There would be other things that would make that sacrifice worth it. Deep down, though, a feeling of sorrow at the road ahead of him reared its head: solitude his lot in life. But instead of giving in to that, he pictured the chaos of his childhood, the fear and uncertainty. And the pain. He made himself feel it, and then the desperate attempts of Andre to protect him and his sorrow at failing Marcus. He let that motivate him. The world needed order. Chaos could not be allowed to continue. Ascendancy had made an excellent beginning of it over the last few decades. His work bringing structure to the masses of humanity was nothing sort of brilliant. Slowly, little by little, order was spreading. Malik wanted to add his power to the task, share in the work, and take on part of the responsibilities. And if not before, then when Ascendancy himself died, Malik would be willing to shoulder the responsibility himself.
And tonight would be a step in that direction. Malik decided to take his place inside St. Andrew’s Hall.