06-03-2014, 06:43 PM
It would be many hours later, in a bar frequented by younger Kremlin employees, when Varcim realized how freely he spoke to Marcus. He would chalk it up to simply liking Marcus. That he was easy to talk to. In fact, the longer Varcim thought about it, all unease with his strangely talkative mood was brushed aside and he enjoyed the rest of his night.
After Krasivolkya left Marcus in the staffer's capable hands, she headed toward the EoA offices. They were primarily located in this very building, but smaller divisions were spread across the rooms in the Senate and Arsenal buildings as well. As chief Liaison, Krasivolkya's own office was located on the second floor of the Palace and situated in a nicely sized office. She had hopes that promotion would bring a grander scale to her title, but for now, these would serve.
First on her agenda was to take preliminary notes on Marcus' first impressions. These would be consolidated with those of various Consulars he would meet during the afternoon's orientation. It meant a hectic afternoon, as KV would spend the rest of the day analyzing the patterns and submitting the memo to the Ascendancy before tonight's dinner.
Polite. Was her first thought of Marcus. Those keen eyes struck out at her, but she couldn't talk about his eyes like an imbecile. Hungry. She recalled. The scent of his desire permeated the car with such potency that she had trouble tuning it out. Intelligent. She noted the way he'd appraised her and immediately adapted to her standards. Polite, hungry, and intelligent, three attributes the Ascendancy demanded in the Sigma program. He'd be pleased with Krasivolkya's assessment.
A tap and the holoscreen fell from the air. Other agendas demanded her attention, and there was only a short time remaining until lunch.
***
The meal took place in a seated dining room reserved for higher echelon government workers. Krasivolkya had to pass through the pale yellow light of the identity gates first in order to punch in the proper code that would allow Marcus to pass uninterrupted.
She spoke a few moments with more than one table as they passed. She exchanged pleasantries more than once, but always kept the conversation to the point, but polite. However at each she introduced Marcus DuBois, the Ascendancy's newest Sigma apprentice. Immeasurable looks of astonishment and praise were given to him. While the general public may not have heard of the program, those in this room knew exactly what kind of an honor it was. Marcus' accent was not lost on them, however, and Krasivolkya sniffed more than one scent of disdain in passing.
"You're the first American in the program, Mister DuBois," she told him as they sat. "For those of us who deal frequently with the Americans, you'll find there is no love lost. Soon they will see you as a Sigma and not an American." Her smile was cold as she unfurled the napkin to place on her lap.
The rest of their conversation was politely personal. Of course she knew Marcus down to the last hair on his head, but she inquired none the less about his life and ambitions. The lunch itself was short, despite butler service. Such was testament to the efficiency by which the kitchen staff worked.
Soon they were parting ways. Yet another staffer would see him to his living space for the next year.
After Krasivolkya left Marcus in the staffer's capable hands, she headed toward the EoA offices. They were primarily located in this very building, but smaller divisions were spread across the rooms in the Senate and Arsenal buildings as well. As chief Liaison, Krasivolkya's own office was located on the second floor of the Palace and situated in a nicely sized office. She had hopes that promotion would bring a grander scale to her title, but for now, these would serve.
First on her agenda was to take preliminary notes on Marcus' first impressions. These would be consolidated with those of various Consulars he would meet during the afternoon's orientation. It meant a hectic afternoon, as KV would spend the rest of the day analyzing the patterns and submitting the memo to the Ascendancy before tonight's dinner.
Polite. Was her first thought of Marcus. Those keen eyes struck out at her, but she couldn't talk about his eyes like an imbecile. Hungry. She recalled. The scent of his desire permeated the car with such potency that she had trouble tuning it out. Intelligent. She noted the way he'd appraised her and immediately adapted to her standards. Polite, hungry, and intelligent, three attributes the Ascendancy demanded in the Sigma program. He'd be pleased with Krasivolkya's assessment.
A tap and the holoscreen fell from the air. Other agendas demanded her attention, and there was only a short time remaining until lunch.
***
The meal took place in a seated dining room reserved for higher echelon government workers. Krasivolkya had to pass through the pale yellow light of the identity gates first in order to punch in the proper code that would allow Marcus to pass uninterrupted.
She spoke a few moments with more than one table as they passed. She exchanged pleasantries more than once, but always kept the conversation to the point, but polite. However at each she introduced Marcus DuBois, the Ascendancy's newest Sigma apprentice. Immeasurable looks of astonishment and praise were given to him. While the general public may not have heard of the program, those in this room knew exactly what kind of an honor it was. Marcus' accent was not lost on them, however, and Krasivolkya sniffed more than one scent of disdain in passing.
"You're the first American in the program, Mister DuBois," she told him as they sat. "For those of us who deal frequently with the Americans, you'll find there is no love lost. Soon they will see you as a Sigma and not an American." Her smile was cold as she unfurled the napkin to place on her lap.
The rest of their conversation was politely personal. Of course she knew Marcus down to the last hair on his head, but she inquired none the less about his life and ambitions. The lunch itself was short, despite butler service. Such was testament to the efficiency by which the kitchen staff worked.
Soon they were parting ways. Yet another staffer would see him to his living space for the next year.