08-16-2016, 03:51 PM
Ivan's drive back was slow, as the crowds dispersed, and he had time to think. Many of the crowd remained behind, still milling about the statue and archway, seeking to touch it or whatever. It reminded him of something he's seen in school on the vids. DV was it? A sea of people circling a big cube building, people moving in unison, bowing and sitting up. It was just a flash of an image and he couldn't remember more except the surprise at seeing so many people....united he guessed was the word.
He wondered if that would happen here. Would people start going on pilgrimages to Red Square like they did to the different monasteries and other holy places. Would they crawl on their hands and knees in penitence?
Somehow, he wasn't sure how he felt about that. He understood that what Ascendancy had done was, well, necessary, he supposed. And the man was the Dominion. That was ingrained in him since childhood.
But worship was different. If he had to put a finger on it, it was that that bothered him. Awe or fear or devotion was one thing. A person could feel that way about a mentor or a parent or someone else they looked up to. But there was a line, a mental one. An attitude, maybe, where...he trailed off trying to put his unease into words. Worship. Adoration. Giving that to a man- however powerful- it just made him uncomfortable. Ascendancy had his loyalty, his devotion. And he would keep his oath. But he didn't think he could ever cross that line in his head.
Somehow, he felt guilty about that.
Back at the station, the cap was out speaking with the others. It had only been a short while that he'd been gone, but it felt like a lot had happened. The new guy looked irritated, which was odd. Usually new guys liked to keep a low profile and learn the ropes before sticking their heads up. Especially one so fresh from the academy. Dorian had his sleeves rolled up, his large tattoos visible. For a moment, Ivan wasn't sure what was going on. Tats were fine but usually needed to be covered up at the office.
But no. Dorian was exposing himself to the Cap as Atharim. Despite himself, Ivan smiled and saluted him with a nod. In for a penny, in for a pound, as the saying went. The guy was serious. That's a good dad, he thought.
Alex was intent on everyone. Ivan sat down and nodded to the captain. He would not interrupt, not until he was called upon. He'd probably get a private dressing down for having left, but it had been the right thing to do. Until Ascendancy had performed his miracle, the crowds were this close to going off, supporters and protesters at each other's throats. He hoped the Pastor was ok. The bruises weren't bad, but the guy didn't look like he got into fights, even when he was younger.
He wondered if that would happen here. Would people start going on pilgrimages to Red Square like they did to the different monasteries and other holy places. Would they crawl on their hands and knees in penitence?
Somehow, he wasn't sure how he felt about that. He understood that what Ascendancy had done was, well, necessary, he supposed. And the man was the Dominion. That was ingrained in him since childhood.
But worship was different. If he had to put a finger on it, it was that that bothered him. Awe or fear or devotion was one thing. A person could feel that way about a mentor or a parent or someone else they looked up to. But there was a line, a mental one. An attitude, maybe, where...he trailed off trying to put his unease into words. Worship. Adoration. Giving that to a man- however powerful- it just made him uncomfortable. Ascendancy had his loyalty, his devotion. And he would keep his oath. But he didn't think he could ever cross that line in his head.
Somehow, he felt guilty about that.
Back at the station, the cap was out speaking with the others. It had only been a short while that he'd been gone, but it felt like a lot had happened. The new guy looked irritated, which was odd. Usually new guys liked to keep a low profile and learn the ropes before sticking their heads up. Especially one so fresh from the academy. Dorian had his sleeves rolled up, his large tattoos visible. For a moment, Ivan wasn't sure what was going on. Tats were fine but usually needed to be covered up at the office.
But no. Dorian was exposing himself to the Cap as Atharim. Despite himself, Ivan smiled and saluted him with a nod. In for a penny, in for a pound, as the saying went. The guy was serious. That's a good dad, he thought.
Alex was intent on everyone. Ivan sat down and nodded to the captain. He would not interrupt, not until he was called upon. He'd probably get a private dressing down for having left, but it had been the right thing to do. Until Ascendancy had performed his miracle, the crowds were this close to going off, supporters and protesters at each other's throats. He hoped the Pastor was ok. The bruises weren't bad, but the guy didn't look like he got into fights, even when he was younger.