02-09-2018, 08:35 PM
Nikolai stepped forward, laying a hand on Carpenter's shoulder, nodding and holding his gaze carefully. "That you will have, son. I'll spend time with you myself. Until then, leave the power be for now. For the safety of those around you, I'm going to ask you to stay here for a little while. It's for the best. Dr. Weston may need your help a little more, but it will be easier from now on."
His gaze flicked briefly to the doctor. Her work here was important, and while Nikolai confessed to not completely comprehend the science behind it, he appreciated its purpose. He himself assigned her the task, after all. Ultimately, she would be able to tell him who was and was not a channeler long before they touched the Source of their powers. Long before the Sickness took hold. A biometric screen, so to speak. Once science grasped the integration of this power with biology, fears would be alleviated. With knowledge came confidence. With understanding came control. Fear itself was a source of crowd control, but it was a poor campaign. Much as sadism so prevalent among the dictators of the 20th century, it would fail to establish a long or meaningful rule.
That wasn't to say that fear was not useful. Carpenter feared his powers. That much was obvious from his desperate plea. "We will get you settled with Commander Vellas' men for now."
Speaking of Michael, Nikolai swivelled his attention briefly toward Marcus. Pitting the two channelers against each other, testing their loyalties both to himself, to the empire, and to the greater cause, was another useful campaign. So far, Marcus was a valuable asset. He was young, but talented in a rare way for his youth and education. He was also a skilled and powerful channeler in his own right. For all his talents, he was a huge contrast to Michael, whose skills and talents were decidedly more morbid. Nik used his tools carefully, to both extend their longevity but also to protect himself from being wounded in the wielding.
"You'll introduce him to Vellas' ascendants, yes? Thank you for doing me this favor by helping Carpenter find his way so far. Your services will not be needed after this, Consul. I am sure you'll appreciate the time back among the Consulate. There is much to do."
His gaze swept from Marcus back to Jay briefly. "You'll learn to be more careful. No more window explosions, son."
He pat him on the arm then asked the good doctor to walk out with him.
She was quiet, but she was always reserved, a result of her military career. "An expired director and two deaths better have been worth the cost. You are close, I presume. Until I determine how to proceed with your research here, I am appointing you interim Director, Doctor Weston."
He turned to regard her, the power continued to swarm behind the glacial blue of his eyes. "For your sake, I hope you are not the next one to expire."
He departed with Alric as his shadow, seeking one last channeler. Whereas Carpenter was too ignorant to know what he was doing. Nox knew better. He studied the screens outside his cell of the video feed from within. Anyone was likely to be driven insane in solitary confinement with nothing to pass the time. Nikolai disengaged the gas infusion and had Doctor Weston open the locks a minute later to give it time to filter out. He wasn't sure how long it would be before Nox would regain his ability to seize the power, so Nik drew more deeply on his own. At this proximity, Nox would be dead to not notice.
When the door opened, Nikolai took up its frame. The moment the boy looked up at him, Nikolai prepared the weaves that lifted him from the floor like a child gripping a rag doll tight in its fist.
"I gave you an ultimatum once, Nox Durante. Tell me why I shouldn't just kill you here and now and rid myself of being bothered by you again?"
((ooc-Nox moded with permission)).
His gaze flicked briefly to the doctor. Her work here was important, and while Nikolai confessed to not completely comprehend the science behind it, he appreciated its purpose. He himself assigned her the task, after all. Ultimately, she would be able to tell him who was and was not a channeler long before they touched the Source of their powers. Long before the Sickness took hold. A biometric screen, so to speak. Once science grasped the integration of this power with biology, fears would be alleviated. With knowledge came confidence. With understanding came control. Fear itself was a source of crowd control, but it was a poor campaign. Much as sadism so prevalent among the dictators of the 20th century, it would fail to establish a long or meaningful rule.
That wasn't to say that fear was not useful. Carpenter feared his powers. That much was obvious from his desperate plea. "We will get you settled with Commander Vellas' men for now."
Speaking of Michael, Nikolai swivelled his attention briefly toward Marcus. Pitting the two channelers against each other, testing their loyalties both to himself, to the empire, and to the greater cause, was another useful campaign. So far, Marcus was a valuable asset. He was young, but talented in a rare way for his youth and education. He was also a skilled and powerful channeler in his own right. For all his talents, he was a huge contrast to Michael, whose skills and talents were decidedly more morbid. Nik used his tools carefully, to both extend their longevity but also to protect himself from being wounded in the wielding.
"You'll introduce him to Vellas' ascendants, yes? Thank you for doing me this favor by helping Carpenter find his way so far. Your services will not be needed after this, Consul. I am sure you'll appreciate the time back among the Consulate. There is much to do."
His gaze swept from Marcus back to Jay briefly. "You'll learn to be more careful. No more window explosions, son."
He pat him on the arm then asked the good doctor to walk out with him.
She was quiet, but she was always reserved, a result of her military career. "An expired director and two deaths better have been worth the cost. You are close, I presume. Until I determine how to proceed with your research here, I am appointing you interim Director, Doctor Weston."
He turned to regard her, the power continued to swarm behind the glacial blue of his eyes. "For your sake, I hope you are not the next one to expire."
He departed with Alric as his shadow, seeking one last channeler. Whereas Carpenter was too ignorant to know what he was doing. Nox knew better. He studied the screens outside his cell of the video feed from within. Anyone was likely to be driven insane in solitary confinement with nothing to pass the time. Nikolai disengaged the gas infusion and had Doctor Weston open the locks a minute later to give it time to filter out. He wasn't sure how long it would be before Nox would regain his ability to seize the power, so Nik drew more deeply on his own. At this proximity, Nox would be dead to not notice.
When the door opened, Nikolai took up its frame. The moment the boy looked up at him, Nikolai prepared the weaves that lifted him from the floor like a child gripping a rag doll tight in its fist.
"I gave you an ultimatum once, Nox Durante. Tell me why I shouldn't just kill you here and now and rid myself of being bothered by you again?"
((ooc-Nox moded with permission)).