KENOS IC CONTACT
© TESSISAMESS
[ Communion with Silco is like being doused in cold, polluted water. It feels like taking a breath is difficult, like there's fingers around your throat, pain all over. The water is too-slick like it's almost more pollutants than water, and the water crashes against you, inescapable, even if you were to somehow find the ability to breathe, there is still no escape from the sickening undertow. Somewhere, perhaps deeper in the water, or something else, is a simmering, vile hatred, resentment, and it feels like it should be hot enough to make the water around you boil, even if it's almost too-placid, and too cold. Like all of this hatred is buried deep. Then again, the fact that it feels so close means it must burn so hot. ]
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Oh, I am sure she would. As would many in Kowloon and for a wide variety of reasons, even. Kowloon is nothing is not diverse, I shall say that.
[ Even beyond Ryad, Kowloon might as well be hunting grounds for a demon like Sebastian. What brought people to a place like Kowloon was desire. He straightens back with a pleased little smile as he’s given his compliment and nods to affirm the trust. Silco is absolutely correct, after all. It’s a curious (but useful) part of the demon’s personality to be a perfectionist in all things. Along those lines, he makes a thoughtful noise first. His further response makes it clear that Sebastian has been studying on his own time. ]
Hm. It may be a suitable way to extend the usage of what Shimmer we do produce, actually. From what I have been learning about how drugs affect humans, I can certainly rattle of plenty about opiates since they seemed well studied, and I at least have some guesses about what Shimmer may be doing. Not that I can examine it, mind you, since the methods to do so are beyond me, and I do not know if the technology even exists in Kenos. But, considering how the opiates activate in the brain to create their analgesia and sedation, it may essentially “cool” some of the more vicious effects of Shimmer upon the personality. The opiates will provide a calm and an innate addiction themselves, and it may pave the way into pursuing the more manic high of Shimmer over the more sedate of opium. A gateway into deeper Shimmer usage, should that be what you wish.
[ Sebastian shrugs as he finishes folding up his neat little baskets, though one roll is held out for Silco to take after. Again, a sharp contrast against the ruthless scheme that Sebastian lays out. ]
Well, if it does not kill them, anyways. The physiological effects are still something I am looking into, and human bodies are terribly strange and contradictory. For all I know, combining the way opiates depress the central nervous system with how Shimmer does the precise opposite may make their hearts explode.
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I know it can work, if modified slightly. Singed had taken to developing variants here and there. [ Like the one he used. ] And while they all had the potential to create monsters depending on the dosage, only a few drops can impact any number of intoxicants.
[ People lived and breathed Shimmer in Zaun. It wasn't just the drug that made them powerful, but people could be seen smoking it, indulging in it, and taking it. Some even used it as a tincture for illnesses and injuries. It was versatile, at least in the right hands. ]
We'll see how it works, at least. Perhaps that will be something we test at the outpost eventually, once we have a stable product.
[ With that small bit of information out of the way, he finally took a small bite of Sebastian's offering, and it was predictably excellent. ]
I can see why your former master used you as a butler, if this is what you bake.
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Ah, as Paracelsus said, then. “The dosage alone makes it so a thing is not a poison.”
[ So Shimmer probably could be used for something useful and medicinal, he realizes. Perhaps if his master were more noble, that is the sort of breakthrough he would be seeking, but… If he were more noble, he surely wouldn’t have contracted with Sebastian. There’s the other portion of the quote as well, after all. “All things are poison, and nothing is without poison.”
It’s kept to himself for multiple reasons, least of all the not poisoned roll in Silco’s hand, but he wouldn’t want to put the thought in his head and have it go to waste. He smoothly moves on to the lighter subject, especially since it also allows him a favorite activity, even now: complaining about Ciel. ]
I am grateful for your praise, of course… But I must say, if my previous master wished for me to be a butler and only a butler, I would not be cooking. That would have been the job of the chef, but besides the fact that he refused to hire anyone for nearly a year, when we did finally obtain one, he was beyond useless in the kitchen. As with everything else, the duty fell to me, and it was only because he wished to cause me difficulty in everything. I did not know how to cook at all when I entered his service, you know.
[ Sebastian sighs since immediately, all of the days spent grueling in the kitchen only for Ciel to dump it on the floor (for him to then clean up) because it wasn’t perfect come to mind. Or, worse, on Sebastian personally. This may beg the question of why Sebastian continues when it’s absolutely not necessary at this point, but it’s at least a question he knows is coming. ]
…It was surprising to discover I liked it. Cooking and cleaning both, really. I may have been stuck in the service of an incorrigible brat, but at least the day to day work ended up being pleasant once I became well-learned in the various pieces of that responsibility.
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Shimmer had been developed for power, after all. To rise up against the oppressors who kept Zaun underneath their boot heels, and left them toiling away in the dark for ages on end, to die young, leave people behind, only for them to do exactly the same, over, and over, and over. Silco may have become the monster they all feared, but he believed even now in the potential to take out Piltover with Shimmer. He would give it all up, if it meant freedom. Easily. (But never...)
His lips curled, though, as Sebastian moved onto his favorite hobby. ]
You know, I wonder if your former master wouldn't have done better to simply... allow you to do what you wished in your free time.
Learning to be self-sufficient would have served him better, I think.
[ But, he understood, the terms of the Contract. It's an idle comment regarding Ciel more than Sebastian's failing. Then again, he didn't believe in having a butler, obviously. ]
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[ Sebastian shrugs dismissively since he won’t get too much into it. He knows that Silco has a deep distaste for how the “higher” classes live, but even besides that, he also has a good guess that he’d just find it boring. So, rather than get into the finer points of Victorian high society and etiquette, he moves on. ]
Though he never admitted it, part of it was also to keep me on a short lead. Considering the circumstances of how he summoned me, I am sure he would have preferred for me to have no independence whatsoever. In fact, I would say that the freedom you grant me is somewhat unusual. Most of my masters have preferred that I be no more than their slave. It is their right to demand of me, but still.
[ He pauses in the thought with a thoughtful hum as he appraises the baskets, then heads over to a bouquet to collect some flowers from it. He’s also going to decorate them, yes. ]
I needn’t be coy about it. It only offers them an illusion of control and a way to assuage their fears born of a religious context you do not share. I always found it a bit foolish since it is not as if restricting me so will save them. If anything, it only makes things more difficult and contentious for us both.
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[ It's a cold sort of logic, but a valid one. Silco may drug his thugs, bully his chembarons, and murder those that get in his way, but when their goals are aligned? He was an amenable leader. It is why he was in charge of Zaun for so long, and why he survived as a weak, reedy youth. Yes, of course, he could and would take on those who would betray him, but...
He also did not show half the disdain for those he respected, and he did respect Sebastian. His power, yes, but also his attitude and opinions. He had a wealth of knowledge and skills, and was invaluable. He had not betrayed or done Singed dirty, and while he and Sevika had tension... He would hardly say that he was a cruel boss.
Respect was something that carried in Zaun. When one had it, and when one didn't. Treating Sebastian like a slave would do no more than make him quick to be done with their deal, and unpleasant on top of it. ]
Well, I suppose their lack of foresight is no matter now, though it is novel. Interesting, in fact. They remind me of a few people I know of, through this context alone.
[ Of course they do. Because, of course they do. ]
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Well, you did get a much better deal than any of my previous masters. I am sure that the price was part of their ire. Thanks to whoever deigned to bring me to Horos or Kenos, you got to skip the matter of summoning entirely. Now, the rules of that process are not one I ever had any control over, mind you, but they were quite brutal indeed. More than your soul, you must give up something incredibly precious.
[ He pointedly keeps his attention more on his delicate handiwork because he can’t resist bringing it up. It’s a tiny push, one that would seem just as coolly logical rather than personal, but it isn’t. Sebastian knows where some of the cracks in Silco’s heart lie, no matter how the man tries to hide them. He won’t be bold, not yet, but he’ll test the waters. ]
Jinx’s soul, perhaps? Souls of family members were very common as the fare.
[ But, he doesn’t linger, doesn’t twist the knife further. He likely doesn’t need to. It’s Sebastian’s impression that the mere mention will be enough for this moment, and Silco’s thoughts about it will carry it much further. Sebastian’s manipulations were deft until the precise moment he wanted them to be known. So, he continues without so much as a beat. ]
Ah, but I am not surprised that it would draw a reminder! Would the young Earl ever be so unfortunate as to come here to Kenos, I imagine you two would utterly despise each other. [ TRUE, AS THAT ONE MEME PROVED, LMFAO ] It is my impression from how you and Vander have talked about it that he would be perfectly at home in Piltover. Far worse than that, he would even have a job keeping Zaun to heel, were it at all similar. Why, you would be the worst of enemies!
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Well. Sebastian knew better. The tightening of his jaw may as well have been a neon sign pointing toward it, and the way his fist tightened at his side. ]
Power only comes to those who will do anything to seize it.
[ He says, his tone carefully neutral. He would have given anything but that, of course, in a heartbeat. He cannot imagine being this desperate to summon Sebastian in his own world. Then again, if he had been younger, perhaps... perhaps...
He'd been on the cusp of it on his own, he justifies. He, and Jinx, and Shimmer -- the entire operation. They just had to weather... everything. The Sister, the heightened tensions, it would have happened. It's used as a balm, to soothe his ire, that flash of fire from an unblinking eye, before he smiled smoothly, hands gesturing, moving along to more pleasant talk -- people he hated! ]
Ah, yes. I would suspect so. What a shame that would be, hm? [ A scoff. ] Although I have been known to work with them if needed. Hatred does not keep me from reaching my goals.
[ Except. You know. The Vander thing. ]
Better that he is not here then, hm? Would he be pleased to be out of your contract, if he arrived?
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Well, in the theoretical, you probably would have worked together, true. The Queen’s Watchdog had a little council of ne’er-do-wells, and you would have been perfectly in place there… Just also rather subject to his authority, so unhappily so.
[ He laughs since the idea of it is rather delightful, actually. He’s sure that had someone like Silco been a part of Ciel’s inner circle, they would have been at each other’s throats. A shame, almost, because it also would have meant that Ciel’s temper would have eventually won, and he’d have to kill that person. Ah, well.
Now pleased with his handiwork and moving away from the more personally sensitive subjects, Sebastian sets the bread baskets aside to engage fully with the conversation. His kitchen is already so neat that there’s not anything to clean up, so. At least teasing Ciel will always be an eternal hobby. ]
I believe he would have mixed feelings, though that seems an understatement for it. On one hand, he would be free. He would have escaped my grasp and I would have no claim to him whatsoever. He survived the impossible and could go on to live a full life that he was denied. Most would call that fortunate.
[ But— ]
He would despise it and himself. To be gobbled up by a demon means you needn’t think too hard on your sins. The ends justify the means, for your fate is certain. Denied that, then what? All your crimes now rest squarely on your shoulders with no reprieve. [ He shrugs ] …And besides. He would agree with you about power. If someone were to snatch up my Covenant with you, how would you respond?
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[ He says, bluntly. ] I, however, do not think much about my "crimes", as they are. It helps, when you're a born criminal and live a life of it. What's a few more?
Silco thought of himself as better than this Ciel. This is likely because Sebastian likes to make fun of the boy, but (as memes have shown) he can tell that some posh child of luxury would have been an enemy to him regardless. It is not like a moneyed child would be anything but. Even if he would have worked with them in some regard, Silco was the type to have a few tricks up his sleeve.
Then again, he wouldn't have been able to deal with a demon like Sebastian, so it's all the better that he has the demon here, and he isn't in some other world. ]
Barring murder in the streets... and given that you are a powerful demon that could put an end to me rather quickly if I threatened the life of your master, I would likely do something more... subtle. Perhaps a poison, during an event, seek out someone to neutralize you only momentarily until I could offer you a better deal after your master is murdered.
It's a shame I couldn't turn you on them, but... Oh well. I suppose I should be pleased for that, given...
[ You know. If he could, someone else could ]
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It's only for a moment, though. That flicker of vicious delight softens (if only slightly) in his amusement as Silco describes his plan further. How fun indeed! ]
Oh, very! There are certainly demons less principled than I who will bite off their master’s head given the first opportunity. Literally, of course. [ demons… ] But my high personal standards also allow things to be more agreeable for me. More treacherous sorts tend to wear chains that are a bit more literal… And I shall be no one’s pet.
[ Which may be an interesting choice of words considering how Aetos refers to Sebastian, but. That probably means nothing! It’s definitely not that it successfully irritates him! ]
Though, your plan, while delightful, does have one flaw! I am terribly vindictive. If someone were able to kill my master and pull a meal out of my hands, I would be hard-pressed to take their offer under consideration. It would please me more to show them why demons have the reputation we do.
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After all, what was the cost of his soul? ]
Mm, what a shame, that you would be so principled. [ He says it, but his tone says, obviously, that he appreciates it.
Since, after all, Silco is a remarkably paranoid man, and knowing that Sebastian would kill his killer was. Actually reassuring?
That he refers to him -- or any other master -- as simply a meal is mere pragmatism. His mind catches on it, but it's easy to simply dismiss. He knows what Sebastian is, even though there will be a moment later on that this nags at him. ]
I'd perhaps have to be a bit more creative. Help them with their wish, perhaps?
[ That does give him pause, though he hides it well, with an unassuming smile. Here, when revenge is exacted, would he be able to still raze and burn it to the ground? He asks for so little. ]
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[ He agrees with a laugh and a nod. The laugh is perfectly genuine since, well. It’s very funny to be openly discussing such a thing, honestly! Really, the longer he spends here in Kenos and in the service of Silco, the more that he’s really just glad that his old world and its conventions are gone. This is a much more fun way to do his business! ]
At the very least, I doubt you have much to worry about in that regard! I can imagine someone wanting to help you with the intent of your wish, perhaps… But the extent, now that is a different matter entirely.
[ He waves his hand with a little flourish as he considers it and continues. It’s not hard to imagine someone wittingly or otherwise getting dragged into Silco’s desire to get revenge on Vander. He imagines that the real limiter is Silco’s own unwillingness to explain it. ]
…Though, in a sense, I suppose simply having someone wanting to help you could be enough. I would venture to guess that Vander would find it despicable indeed were you to bring others into your conflict. Correct?
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[ Silco said, his tone biting. ] Too bad he decided to create it anyway. Both here and in Zaun.
[ Would they not have conflict if Vander hadn't killed him? Oh, no. It would still have existed, because Silco was a vile and petty man who would never let the betrayal he'd suffered go. Vander would have had to make amends years before -- and that would likely have never soothed the burning fire of hatred in his heart -- and Vander had been happier to pretend that Silco didn't exist rather than acknowledge him until it had been too late.
He scoffed, either way. ] He finds everything about me despicable. Even this deal would be too much for him.
Unless one is meek, and does what they are told for "peace", he wants nothing to do with you.
[ Hyperbolic, perhaps, but it was Silco. ]
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But it’s funny when he runs into conflicts like this. From Sebastian’s perspective, there could be peace if Silco was able to swallow his pride and attempt to reconcile. It’s also something he’d never encourage. ]
Oh, I imagine the deal would be a shock indeed. Thinking of myself as naught but a tool, I would be quite the escalation, I assume!
[ His tone is light and playful, but it does smooth back to something more serious as he has a question in turn. He has a guess at its answer from Silco and Vander both… But hearing Silco actually say it is far more than his simple guess. ]
How would he take it, do you think? That you despise him to the point of giving up your own soul?
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He scoffed, at the question. ]
I would think that he would despair over it, that I hate him that much.
[ he lifted his fingers, and drug them across his lip, considering. ] Or he would call me childish, I think.
Laughable, considering who made the first move both times, you know. I didn't lose my temper and try to drown him in the river.
[ He just continued to escalate it. Over and over, and over. Unwilling -- and perhaps unable -- to see past it. He has not found that common thread between them, that understanding, and even if he would, Silco would likely never reconcile, words to the dead were one thing, to a person is something else. ]
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Privately, Sebastian agrees. It is childish. But it’s childish in a way that most humans tended to be, in his view. His agreement comes with no judgement, only the small pleasure of affirmation that Silco was precisely the sort of human that would end up in his grasp. ]
Ahhh, drowing, was it?
[ It’s definitely an “ah” of understanding, since the method does feel like a piece sliding into place. The circumstances alone were enough for Sebastian to understand Silco’s hatred, but there is something much more personal (and symbolic, he thinks) about drowning. ]
How brutal. I admit, it is not possible for me to drown, but it does seem a particularly unpleasant way to go. Or, well, to nearly go, in your case.
[ He hums thoughtfully, then laughs ]
…Well, it does give me a few ideas for how to torment Vander when we get to that stage of things.
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[ He asked, with a somewhat delighted-sounding laugh. He cannot disagree, that it would be truly something for Vander to experience that pain, that fear, to feel the chill at his back, and feel that voice in the back of his head telling him to let go, the promise of silence and quiet, and knowing that if he just gave in, the misery and the pain would be over --
-- and knowing that giving in would mean certain death. To know that it would all be over and that it would be a victory for his brother, hunched over him, trying to strangle the life out of him as he struggled for dear life, fought for it as hard as he fought for a free and independent Zaun. Silco had always been a fighter -- the both of them had -- but Vander had banked on him going quietly. Being discarded.
Silco hates it, being considered unsightly, or something to toss as soon as they were inconvenient.
Wasn't that why, no matter how many problems Jinx caused, no matter how many times Sevika had said that she didn't need to be involved, and that she was a problem, he had always kept her close, and refused to discard her? He knew what it was, they both did. They would have shown them how wrong that was. He'd promised her.
He still would, once this was all done, he thought. ]
I would love to watch -- if I'm not able to do the deal myself. You and I both know I want to watch him suffer.
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So, he pushes for a little more. He’s greedy when it comes to food. ]
Ah, it would be a shame for you to just watch… Even if I am your tool to use, it would not be quite so fulfilling if I were to be the one to do it, surely.
[ He hums thoughtfully as he considers it ]
I will see what I can do. Surely there is something here in Kenos that would allow me to lend you my strength… For a time. I imagine you would enjoy Vander’s reaction to simply that as much as the act itself.
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Sebastian's proposal is something that incited delight in Silco, it's obvious. His eyes flash, and his lips curl into the ghost of a cruel smile. ]
My. That would be fun, to watch him when I did it.
The reason I don't do shimmer is because I do not wish to lose all faculties. [ Well. Not do more than the very controlled drops of it. That's fine, right? He's not really lying.
Much. ]
To be able to do it... would be quite the gift you've given me.
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[ It’s a response with a snicker since he’s well aware that it’s not exactly accurate. Could it be called generosity when it’s so self-serving? It’s at least something he jokes about openly because he’s also sure that in this matter, Silco doesn’t care. So long as he could be the one to strangle the life out of Vander, Sebastian doubts that his master would care where it came from. ]
I will see to it, in that case. I cannot promise it quickly, mind, as I admittedly barely know where to start… But if it is at all possible, it shall be done by the time you need it.
[ and thanks to them being awful people I have my next power buy set!! Thanks, assholes!! ]
Though with that charming thought, I believe I have kept you long enough at this point, hm? I am glad meeting Sveinn went well, and I have a few interesting tasks to investigate. A quite productive little visit.
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[ It's mostly a joke, since Silco probably hangs out sometimes plotting little evil plans or Shimmer things because while he'll complain about Pilties and butlers... Sebastian's cooking is good, despite how he puts on airs about it all. ]
I'll let myself out, then. I'll see you down at the outpost later?
[ Implied, of course, where Silco was planning to head, even as he headed toward the door. ]
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[ What with the lack of eyes and all, etc., etc… Sebastian thinks he’s funny, unfortunately. His rather smug smile brightens back to genial and friendly, and he nods in confident affirmation. ]
Indeed. I shall drop these off [ He gives a nod to the baskets ], and then head out to the market to procure a few more supplies, as there are a few things we are running low on. It should be no more than an hour or two after you.
[ At least Silco doesn’t have to worry about keeping the outpost stocked and running with Sebastian under his employ. He’s diligent to a fault, so everything about how it runs practically is perfectly maintained. It’s the benefit of a perfectionist, at least. ]
So, I shall see you shortly, Mr. Silco. Take care on your way down.