Tags: [member="Adron Malvern"]
[SIZE=12pt]The gesture of the alien woman may have come across rude to him, had he not had at least a fragment of knowledge of their culture. At least in the brief experience he had with the species, Alden had come to see that the Chiss was a very task oriented and driven race. Focused on logical and strategic dispositions more so than they were political or emotional attachments. Really, though, thinking more on it, Alden had only the handfuls of encounters with but a single member of the species and to form his opinion in such away was unfair to the woman as a whole. But then again, he was only human and humans have a certain habit of seeking out behaviors which confirm their own preformulated opinions. Confirmation bias was the term they had cast for such things. But alas, this was irrelevant for he didn’t have longer to dwell on the likely misplaced opinion. Without even so much as sharing her name, much like he hadn’t before, she looked back to him from her data pad and ushered her own reply. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]It was strange to him however that she was able to confirm his appointment, without him having presented her with some form of identification. Perhaps she knew his face from a file a physically recognized to be who he was, or perhaps she simply trusted it. Maybe Alden was the only meeting on the Exarch’s, no doubt, extremely busy schedule. Whatever the case was, there was literally reason to try and dissect it in his mind; there was plenty more that he had to think about here. Namely, just why he was here, which was still unknown to him. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]As the door opened into the Exarch’s office, Alden stood rigid, his arms straight, and hands pinned to the seam of his trousers. His legs where straight, though he had not locked his knees and his heels were snuggly together, forming a forty-five-degree angle between his feet. It was the proper form of ‘attention,’ at least the one he’d been taught and had utilized for years now, and it displayed a sign of respect and discipline toward a superior. And that is exactly what an Exarch was, a superior. Although the inclination was there, he did not salute yet, for that moment would come one his actually reported in formally. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]As the Exarch dismissed the woman, Alden felt a chill run its course along his spine. Something about the man’s voice just put him off, whether such an effect as intentional or not. He remained rigid and focused, however, not once losing his bearing. Not even as the Exarch rounded his desk undoubtedly to get a better eye of him. Perhaps sizing him up and simply wishing to gauge the man he’d summoned here today. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Alden’s right hand flashed quickly in front of his chest before coming to a halt, the tip of his index finger resting upon his brow, as he presented a salute. Whether or the not the salute would be returned, did not matter. What mattered, was that he still presented that proper customs and courtesies to the man that stood far beyond his station. A man, he made a mental not up now, that appeared to be quite young to hold a seat of such authority. That, however, was none of his business. The man had obviously been placed in the position of Exarch for a reason and would likely serve in the capacity until he either stepped down or was removed from the position in some form or fashion. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]As the Exarch began to speak, speak to him, Alden lowered his salute, yet did not leave his rigid posture. He listened intently as the man spoke, and sought to pushing the chill inducing tones to the back of his mind to allow himself to remain mindful and in the present.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]The Exarch’s opening remark gave Alden that glimmer of hope that the anxiety inducing suspense as to the exact reasoning behind his being here would be revealed quickly, but that shifted quickly as the pause set in, followed swiftly by the offer to be seated. Even though he didn’t wish to, he knew to accept the offer from the man, as it would be rude in this case to refuse and even though the phasing may have been polite and generous in delivery, the words more likely than not were an order more than a suggestion.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Alden gave a slight bow of his head before he uttered three simple words in response. “Thank you, sir,” he said and moved the few steps toward the seat the Exarch had just motioned toward. He came to a halt in front of the chair and centered himself, his calves a mere two inches from the edge of the seat. He’d reformed his position of ‘attention’ before crouching down until he cam to a rest upon the soft, cushioned fabric. His ran along the back of either pantleg before finally coming to a rest, hands open and flat, palms resting upon his thighs. His heels remained together and his postured was straight and forward. His back found not resting place on the vertical back of the exquisite furniture. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Then the Exarch’s first question barreled in on him. Why had he joined the Confederate military? It was a question he, himself, wasn’t even fully certain the answer to, so he had no immediate answer to give. However, after the brief moment of moment of awkward silence, the Exarch elaborated, steering the conversation in a direction he desired it.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Alden breathed in deep, exaggerated a single blink and refocused himself once more on the Exarch.
“With all due respect, sir, I do not have a perfect answer for you. I’ve always felt drawn to serve others – those that cannot fend for themselves – and give back in a sense for something that has done so much and given so much to me. It is not about the money for me, nor the fame. It’s about giving back to others for me, sir.” His gaze cast down toward his feet for a very brief second before they returned to his. The blue similar to the ones the man he spoke to bore. He hoped his words were have been well received as no part of them had been even the faintest of a lie. But, then again, there was the nervousness in this situation that had the tendency to fester into self-doubt if not properly managed. That doubt and uncertainty was not something he needed at the moment as his feelings and suspicions still made him believe that perhaps this visit was not a simple nor pleasant one. That perhaps, the truth of his past was coming back to haunt him as he tried to dig into his new life within the Confederacy.[/SIZE]