zauneyete | KENOS IC CONTACT

[ Eventually, i don't know when, probably a day or so later because Silco's forcing himself to be so busy down in Kowloon -- haha don't worry about it??

Knock, knock Sebastian, I hope you don't mind cigar smoke in your nice new clean house ]

[ In a way, he does mind, but in another way, it gives him something to clean so he doesn’t… your local scary demon, kenos, ]

[ Anyways, the house itself doesn’t stand out on the block, and is one of the narrow, European-styled rowhouse that’s narrow, but tall. But luckily, what amounts to Sebastian’s space is all on the first floor. It’s only a few moments before the door opens, and Silco is greeted with a pleasant smile and light dip of Sebastian’s head. He’s casually dressed (by his standards), which just means that he’s not wearing his suit jacket or his gloves, though the latter is only because he knows who is at the door. ]

Ah, Mr. Silco. Welcome. Please, do come in.

[ He steps aside to hold open the door and allow Silco to step inside. There’s not much to see at first, since the long entry hallway is still undecorated, but. It does smell delicious. It seems the local scary demon is also baking. Once the door is closed, Sebastian will lead the way down the hall which shows a glimpse of the kitchen. ]

You even have fortuitous timing, should you care for pastries. They still have a few minutes to be done, but it will provide a good opportunity to explain Sveinn first.

[ Sometimes, occasionally, Silco has to come to terms with the fact that the Demon he's contracted with is not just a terrifying eldritch being that could murder countless overwhelming and unknowable beasts, but is also a house-spouse, happy to apparently bake pastries for no apparent reason, and probably take the opportunity to clean after he left.

It's weird, okay. It's really weird, but Silco only paused at the door, and then shook his head. He didn't stub out the cigar, now at least familiar enough that if he needed a place to ash it, Sebastian would likely create one. Bonus to having your own pet demon, he supposed. ]

Any special occasion for the... baking? [ He stripped off his gloves, taking the opportunity of a safe space with no curious eyes to peer at his mark, to go without them for a bit. ] Is Sveinn your... pet?

[ Cats he could handle. He owned a cat once! Before... you know. He probably won't be able to handle Sveinn. ]

Ah, I would not say a special occasion, precisely… Merely an excuse to introduce myself to my new neighbors. I have found that an introduction to a complete stranger tends to go over better if there is a bit of a gift offered. It shall seem all the more thoughtful as they can likely smell them baking.

[ So, house-spouse indeed, but also by using shitty demon logic to justify it. Is that better? Worse? He certainly doesn’t seem to think much of it regardless, since he leads the way into the kitchen. Compared to the entry hall, this is much more decorated and clearly has been in use, though it’s still impeccably neat and clean.

It's also significantly warmer in this room, though not uncomfortably so, since the stove and oven is a wood-burning one. It’s what Sebastian immediately goes to check as the continues the conversation. ]

But, yes, Sveinn is my pet. In truth, I was a bit concerned at first, since they are indeed pets in my realm, but they are very dangerous to… Well, most things, to be honest. Training him was what I was working on last month, and it has gone very well. I think he must have been the runt of the clutch he came from, which makes him much more docile.

Hm. I'll admit, I never really considered what a demon's pet would be like...

[ He leaned against a counter, and let Sebastian...bustle? Was that the word? Silco knew enough about cooking to survive -- when you lived poor like they did in Zaun, you had to -- but there's a difference between that and...whatever it is Sebastian does, closer to a Piltovan's Butler than anything they'd throw together where he's from. It's so odd to him, that someone who knows and embraces that lifestyle could murder him in a heartbeat -- could have, before their contract.

He looked about, as if he expected the little guy to come trundling down the stairs, although clearly, if he's dangerous... ]

Now how "docile" is he? Compared to your average cat?

[ Unfortunately (?), as his previous master had demanded the utmost secrecy, which meant in term that Sebastian had to pick up domesticity. Much to his surprise and Ciel’s extreme annoyance, it turned out to be something he greatly enjoyed. Sometimes you try and humiliate your terrifying new pet demon and accidentally give him hobbies instead.

At least he’s not bustling at his utmost, since for now it’s just tending to the fire. He opens the tinderbox and with a moment’s evaluation, reaches to the side to add a bit more fuel to the fire. Though as it’s clicked closed after Silco’s question, Sebastian looks back with a slightly sly smile. ]

Why, as docile as I am.

[ It’s a playful non-answer, but it’s given as a joke. He wipes some soot off on a towel, then heads to one of the cabinets to grab the wire racks he’ll have his treats cooling on. ]

He will behave. It is part of why I wanted to introduce the two of you, essentially. They are intelligent enough creatures, so he will recognize you and understand that you are not to be harmed. Loathe as I am to admit it… They are much more trainable than cats.

[ He sighs in a way that might be comedic, if not for what follows… ]

Though I should not continue with the comparison really, lest I give you the wrong impression. This is the smallest I have seen, and he is roughly ten feet long from head to tail, for example. It is not so delicate.

[ Thankfully, Silco doesn't show much of a reaction, beyond the slight narrowing of his eye, at the phrase "smaller than usual" coupled with "ten feet long". It truly is just about as docile as Sebastian is, but if the demon has a beast that is just as dangerous as he is when prompted, and saw Silco as not a threat...

Well, perhaps it's useful to get to know, after all. He isn't inclined toward pets of course. Not simply because pets were extra mouths to feed, and in Zaun, that was an unnecessary and unwanted task, but because they required upkeep and... implied need for companionship that Silco simply didn't indulge in. Besides, he had enough stressors in his life before arriving here, and he wasn't about to get one now.

Silently, he let Sebastian bustle all he wanted with this. Who knew, maybe he'd try one of these pastries -- he was sure it'd be delicious, if decadent -- and he was rather certain the demon would be happy he indulged.

He wasn't totally a stick in the mud. Just mostly. ]

Where do you keep a creature that large?

[ He finally asked, and lifted his head to look toward the second floor, curiously. ]

[ He does watch as Silco’s expression shifts, if only for curiosity to see the reaction. It’s muted, as he’d expect of Silco, but he does wonder what he’s picturing. He’d purposefully given the much larger measurement, since it’s a little less impressive to admit that a fair amount of that length was the tail. ]

Well, he is what prompted me to seek out a new residence! The cats were happy enough in the room I had been given in the manor, but Sveinn was not so comfortable. It is lucky that I do not need to sleep, essentially.

[ He looks up as well and gives a nod towards the far corner ]

So, the master bedroom is his den. It was a better use of the space for me anyways. [ And he looks back down to meet Silco’s gaze again ] Honestly, the first floor may as well be mine, and all the rest are for my pets.

A chef, a butler, and the owner of a menagerie? [ He asked, with that same touch of sardonic humor that Silco couldn't help but let slip into his voice. His fingers rubbed together behind his back, and he followed the direction he indicated. ]

I suppose you need something to do with all the excess time, hm?

[ Should he be asking more of Sebastian? It was likely, he'd suggested a butler role, but Silco had no want for others to be close to him, even if they were promised by the contract. His natural paranoia was a protective layer that kept him from allowing anyone -- other than the obvious -- to get too close. ]

You do have me curious, you know. On how this creature will look.

[ Sebastian laughs pleasantly, since… Silco sure isn’t wrong… It’s definitely not something that he would have ever asked for (minus the cats, maybe), but he does like this sort of thing. Unexpected contrasts were just funny. For example: ]

I do try to keep myself busy. I will leave it up to your imagination what I choose to do when I get bored.

[ it’s. bad. There was definitely a reason that Ciel gave Sebastian so much work and it wasn’t solely bullying... ]

But, I do not need to keep you in suspense long! I imagine even if I were to describe him, he would still be a bit of a surprise…

[ He turns back to the oven at this point, and with the familiar shift of color at his hands, he simply reverts them to the clawed hands that are his real ones. It’s purely practical, since as he opens the door to where things are baking, he simply reaches in and grabs the tray without trouble. No need to worry about things being all that hot when you’re a demon, apparently, even if it’s for such a domestic task… He pulls out two trays of darkly swirled buns, and indeed, once they’re out? They smell delicious. He sets them each in place, then nods as he withdraws and his hands return to their human appearance. ]

There we are. They need to rest for ten minutes, so indeed, no more suspense needed.

[ He nods towards the hallway, where they had passed a flight of stairs, but starts to lead the way. ]

Though if you are so inclined, I hope you will try one of the buns before you leave. As they do nothing for me, it is good to have an honest tester for the taste.

[ The worst thing is, Silco doesn't care to control Sebastian. Whatever he does on his downtime, no matter how bad it is... does it have any impact on the two things Silco cared about more than anything else in all of existence? No? Well, as long as he's doing what he must for Zenith, then it doesn't actually matter. So he doesn't have to control Sebastian, and unless given evidence to the contrary, he probably won't.

Mostly because he can't imagine the amount of trouble that Sebastian can get into, can he?

Regardless, the buns do smell good. He'll try one as a gift for Sebastian, but they are far too fine for a man of his particular... tastes. The only things he likes the best of is whiskey, and that's it. He didn't know if he could tell the difference between something that tasted expensive and something that tasted good, but he was a dirty little thing from the undercity, and what did they know about that? Oh, he would say he could tell the difference, but...

Well. ]

If you insist, I'll be happy to give them a taste.

[ He says, instead of protesting. See? He's a kind and congenial demon master.

Also, he's not going to poke a bear in the eye. He followed behind Sebastian, but as they drew closer to the stairs, he asked: ]

Are there any particular motions I should avoid? I don't train animals, but I've heard one can set them off, with the right motions. ]

[ Sebastian nods, pleased that Silco agreed since at least in this, he doesn’t actually mind if Silco’s palate isn’t refined enough to ~appreciate~ it. In a rare area that’s at least mostly pure in intention, he’s just pleased when people enjoy his cooking… But! They’re not here for pure things, they’re here for Sebastian to show off his horrible new pet. So, he leads the way up the stairs as he answers. ]

Hm… I do not think so? I have admittedly never actually seen one around a human that was alive, though.

[ This way be worrying, but Sebastian doesn’t seem to be worried or think much of it. It’s Silco, after all, and he has considerably more investment in his well-being than any other human’s. He wouldn’t hesitate to kill Sveinn if he did try and attack Silco, so it’s as simple as that for him.

He makes it to a door and taps lightly against it as if knocking, though there’s no sound heard from the other side. Sebastian nods with a light noise, then opens the door. It is indeed just a master bedroom, though there’s a collection of blankets and sheets made into a nest-like configuration rather than a bed. Otherwise, it’s fairly sparse, and there’s indeed no immediate sign of any creature of the size Sebastian had indicated.

Until he looks, uh. Up. ]

Ah, it seems he is feeling playful!

[ Sebastian reacts to this with a sunny smile and a laugh rather than anything close to the correct reaction to seeing this horrible monster just chilling on your ceiling. ]

[ From behind Sebastian, Silco peered into the seemingly empty room, other than the nest in one area of the room, and he narrowed one eye, peering in.

Nothing.

Was Sebastian losing it? The flicker of movement toward the ceiling had him looking up though, and that is when he saw... it.

Sveinn, whom Sebastian was gleefully chattering about as if it were a poro, instead of... whatever the hell that was above him.

Silco had seen plenty of horrifying, shocking things in his life. He'd watched companions and compatriots die to Enforcer fire, and watched his entire warehouse explode before his eyes, his lieutenant lose her arm to save him. Shimmer was...horrifying enough on its own, the way it twisted bodies and minds, and he'd seen the... early experiments, when it had been uncontrolled and rife with mistakes.

None of that had prepared him for that.

He couldn't help but take a step back. Just one, but for someone like Silco, who valued strength and the ability to grasp power, it was as good as taking the stairs back down two at a time. ]

That is Sveinn?

[ Give him a second. ]

[ Sebastian speaks again, but it’s clearly not to Silco since it’s a few commanding and clipped words as he gestures down and also in a language that sounds completely alien. The cadence hits his ear strangely, and though there’s a musicality to it, it’s dissonant and harsh. If Silco takes a guess that it’s whatever language demons speak, he would be correct! It also has its intended effect, since as obediently as a dog, Sveinn releases his hold on the ceiling and drops to its feet with the grace of a cat. Without eyes of any sort, it’s a bit difficult to tell, but it seems to be looking at Sebastian expectantly.

He steps forward, and without hesitation… Gives Sveinn scratches under his chin with both hands, which the horrible creature leans into. He gives a glance back to Silco, and his expression is sly. ]

Ah, you reacted well! When Mr. Kathova explained that one of these had appeared for me, I was certainly concerned. As you can see, our pets are not so charming as the ones humans take.

[ He moves one hand to run what must be soothingly along the elongated carapace of its “head”, but it’s still overall just A Lot. At the very least, it’s now at least clear that most of the length Sebastian had cited was in its tail, since the main portion of its body is child sized. But still. ]

But Sveinn is quite charming, so far as they go! Luckily he is not predisposed or able to do their most troubling behaviors, so he is a good boy indeed.

[ Silco, if he did have to wager a guess, would have suspected the language was demon language, but he's still mostly staring at the thing. Staring at Sebastian ruffling under its chin like it's a damned Poro, then he stroked its... "head". Right.

It was mostly tail, which was something, but it was still a lot.

Thankfully, Silco liked monsters mostly. The initial shock wore off, and he watched the creature, mostly with the wary eye that a human should have with a beast like this. It's very nearly respectful. He still kept his hands to himself, this time clasping them behind his back. ]

Lucky for us mere mortals, I assume? I don't know if I wouldn't call him charming -- in a monstrous sort of way. [ It's mostly an attempt to let Sebastian know that he has made peace with the monster existing, but after a moment: ]

I assume it will need my scent, yes? It doesn't appear to have eyes.

Very lucky. I would doubt that Lady Yima would allow one of these creatures at their normal sort of behavior to exist here. Their reproductive habits are… [ He hums thoughtfully for a moment, but it’s definitely more for dramatic effect. ] Well, they are not compatible with mortal life, shall we say.

[ He’d of course have no problem describing the finer details of it if Silco was interested, but as with many of the things Sebastian casually brings up, he leaves it to Silco to ask if he’s curious. He understands Silco well enough at this point to know that if it’s not something useful to him, he doesn’t really care. A bit of a shame, so far as Sebastian has an opinion, but he doesn’t mind it.

He keeps a hand on the elongated head as Sveinn shifts to crouch on all fours, and the long tail moves so that it’s half curved behind Sebastian. Maybe it’s cute if everything else wasn’t The Worst. ]

But that is correct. They have no eyes, but their other senses are very sharp to account for it. He will need your scent, your voice, and my command. [ He looks back to Silco, and his smile shifts to familiarly playful despite (or rather, because of) the question he asks. ] Which, to that! If anyone attempts to attack you, they shall be “food”. Is that acceptable?

Of course. I could care less if it eats something that tries to attack me.

[ He said, and took a slow step forward, waiting to see if the beast would jump for him if he did so. He knew how wild beasts were -- he'd encountered plenty of violent and mean things in back alleys and deep in the fissures. ]

Do they... use bodies? [ He guessed, turning back to the reporductive question. Generally, Silco didn't have much interest in things that weren't of use, but... He couldn't help but be curious with a thing like this. Mostly because it was monstrous, and therefore, he wanted to know a little more about it. It seemed violent, if Sebastian's hints were true, and although Silco was normally curious only about what could be of use... perhaps he was considering if this thing could do the same?

Or he could just be curious because it was monstrous and disgusting. Even Silco had whims occasionally. ]

[ Well, well! It seems he’s found something Silco is a bit more interested in after all. Sebastian nods, but the fuller answer will wait for a moment. He leans closer to Sveinn and speaks that strange language again, but even from its tone, the commanding nature is clear. It’s only a few words, short and clipped, and with an undercurrent of a threat. But, command given, Sebastian pats Sveinn’s shoulder encouragingly, then steps a bit further into the room and away from Silco to go tidy up the nesting spot while he explains.

Sveinn, on the other hand, walks closer and starts to make sounds that alternate between soft screeches and clicks. At first he’s on all fours, but once its close to Silco, it draws up onto its legs as if he were looking at Silco. The tail sways back and forth rhythmically behind him, and even though it’s shorter than Silco by a foot, it’s still intimidating when his teeth really have no choice but to be bared threateningly. Sebastian’s explanation also doesn’t help. ]

Their life cycle begins as an egg, but it simply contains their most basic form. They wait in the eggs where it's safe, but when a suitable host approaches, the egg will hatch. It latches onto a human's face and wraps its tail around their necks until they fall unconscious. They have an organ to insert in the host's mouth, which keeps them alive by breathing for them, but it also allows them to insert an embryo into the host's chest. The host will show some signs of illness, though usually not extreme, but the embryo will stay there for a week at most until it is a little less than a foot in length, at which point it will burst from the host's chest. A process which kills the host, naturally.

[ Truly a very normal explanation to give while fluffing and changing sheets… But once he’s done, he turns back and gives a little nod. ]

They grow to their full length of about fifteen feet in a week or two. So, as you can see, Sveinn would have been quite the runt of his clutch.

Hm, they wouldn't be able to... look? Me in the eye, then.

[ Look? Grimace at him in the eye? Silco was all affected cool. He didn't flinch away from the creature and kept his back straight, hands still clasped behind him. He stared at the thing, at its teeth -- because where else could he look? -- but didn't cower for it.

This was more an effect of will than a lack of fear. The creature was ghastly, and Sebastian's explanation made it Worse. Thankfully, there were no eggs around he supposed, bu the prospect of having one of those strangle him made a slight, sickening shiver crawl down his back, at the thought. After all, Silco had been strangled before and died of it too. At this point, asphyxiation was an old friend, but one that he didn't like the thought of.

This thing would have provided a gruesome death. ]

I don't think that sounds very pleasant. You weren't kidding, though. It's certainly not conducive to living. It sounds like they could spread fast, too.

[ A tip of his head, at Sveinn. ]

No chance of an outbreak here, then?

[ Sveinn is seemingly satisfied with whatever he was appraising Silco for and drops back to all fours to go skitter after Sebastian. It’s something he looks pleased by and nods in the same way someone might be proud of their dog for behaving in front of company. And in fact, with a little dark flourish of his hand, he creates a piece of meat that’s instantly recognizable as a heart still wet with blood. Based on the size, it could be human. ]

Not at all. They are not unlike bees in their hierarchy, funnily enough. He is a drone, so he is not capable of reproducing in the first place. They merely protect the queens and clutches.

[ As Sebastian gives his explanation, Sveinn is clearly very excited by the “treat”, but waits relatively patiently as it just stalks back and forth in a small area. Sebastian makes a clicking noise that’s similar to the sounds Sveinn is making, then tosses the meat towards him. It’s another horrifying little display, since when the toothy maw opens, out shoots a small, secondary jaw that grabs the meat and then tugs it inside the main jaw. Everything about Sveinn just sucks apparently, but at least Sebastian does at least seem to have him well-trained. ]

So, guarding is somewhat in their nature. I imagine it would be a rather striking comparison considering his appearance, but they really are the equivalent of guard dogs in my realm. Even demons are not free from things like assassination attempts, so they make quick work of lesser demons with more ambition than common sense.

[ Thankfully, Silco isn't really put off by the gore of it all, or seeing Sebastian just manifest what he can only guess is a human heart out of nowhere. He wondered if the man had gotten it from elsewhere, or if there was a sad stooge in his basement, rotting to serve as treats for Sveinn when he was a... good boy.

He watched the creature go for it with two jaws. Disgusting, and Silco did not want to encounter him without knowing for certain that he would not go after him.

Oh, if Sveinn was on his side, though, even Silco would give him a pat on the head, if he were amenable. Not that he was willing to Try, but the creature being able to protect him was find. He took a step forward, to watch. He was used to staring at unpleasant things until they became normal. ]

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that other demons would try to make off with the lives of another. They must be rather fierce, to serve as appropriate guards against another like you. [ A beat. ] Or a lesser you, as the case may be.

I assume I passed his muster?

You did. They are not so affectionate as cats, which is a terrible shame… Humanity certainly domesticated the cuter animals.

[ Sebastian answers that first with a laugh as he similarly materializes a towel to wipe off his hand. He watches Sveinn idly, and the process is definitely unusual. For it being a “treat”, the outer jaws don’t need to move further to make the bites smaller. It’s clear the smaller internal jaws are doing just that, though, since there’s the sound of tearing mixed with a bit of blood dripping from between his teeth. Absolutely charming. Sebastian shrugs with a little sigh. He’ll clean it when he’s done making the mess… ]

But that is why our taste tended towards the practical, I suppose. There is a rather strict hierarchy in my realm with a limited number of spots at the top. The closest analogue is titles of nobility, but it is a bit more vicious than that. If you want to claim a “title”, you murder the demon who currently has it and eat them. Not an easy feat when we are essentially immortal, so it generally takes a few centuries of scheming to get a chance. So, little fellows like this are helpful for keeping the ambitious sorts at bay.

[ He gives a little nod to Sveinn, then looks back up to Silco with a slightly wry smile. ]

And naturally, Sveinn is at your disposal as well, should you wish. If you ever find you need to close up our little shop down below for a time, Sveinn will be an excellent ward against any trespassers.

Hm, agreed. Cats are not so bad, are they?

[ But they were better used as... experiments? Don't ask Silco about the cat he and Singed had in the canning factory. Whose cat was it? No clue, but Silco probably at least pet it once. You know. Before the Thing that happened. We won't talk about it.

He watched the pet for a moment more, observed the blood that dribbled down its chin, and the way its jaw worked as if it were chewing, but there was little he could discern, without looking inside the gaping mouth. Was that second jaw doing all the work? Horrific! But delightful. ]

That's a fair point. I'm certain at some point we'll be leaving at Yima's bidding. I would hate for our supplies to be put into danger. [ Or for someone desperate to break in. ]

Does he require anything, or is he like you? Functionally immortal?

[ Sebastian nods to the statement with a gentle sort of seriousness that right away gives the impression that perhaps Silco should. Not mention the fate of some of those cats. I hate that if there’s a line to cross that would be one of them. But luckily, with no inkling otherwise, Silco is saved from Sebastian’s diatribes about how great cats are by the more practical matter, which he nods to. ]

Indeed. It was something I had been lightly considering, but Sveinn will likely be the most efficient option.

[ There’s no need to pay him off or scare him into silence, after all. Sveinn may only be able to understand relatively simple commands, but “anything that comes in here is food” is very simple indeed. The question gets Sebastian to laugh, though, and he shakes his head. ]

Oh, they are not immortal at all. Difficult to kill, certainly, but they absolutely can die. Though their blood is very caustic to flesh, so it is a nasty surprise even if you do manage to take one down, generally. [ Truly, a monster… But now that he seems to be done with his meal, Sebastian walks back to mop up the blood and gently hold up Sveinn’s head to catch the remaining on those awful teeth as well. ] I believe he would get hungry after a few weeks, but they are not terribly needy beyond that.

How useful.

[ Silco continued to watch Sveinn's chomping with a mild sort of interest, since it was so odd and unusual, before his scarred lips curled into a slight smirk. ]

I suppose it comes in use, if they aren't so easy to be rid of. He'll be a fine guard.

[ After a moment, he shifted. ] I assume he's tame enough to leave, as well, if needed?

action; gross...empathy

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject