zauneyete | KENOS IC CONTACT

KENOS IC CONTACT

SILCO

CONTACT

WRITTEN ◦ ACTION ◦ COMMUNION

[ 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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[ Silco's head does roll with that one. He knows, of course, what they used Shimmer for deep in the lowest reaches of the Sump level, where people did no have anything, and who languished in darkness and obscurity. It could be medicinal, but Silco had not the inclination.

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. ]

It is a thought I did entertain at times… But it would have not been proper, really. The self-sufficiency you speak of would have been lightly scandalous for an Earl of the young master’s importance. Why, all that was acceptable was when he went to school for a time, really….

[ 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.

More the fool them, I suppose. This is a business transaction, and burning the bridge of your business is unacceptable.

[ 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. ]

[ Sebastian hums out a thoughtful little laugh. It’s a sentiment that Silco has expressed before, but still, it’s no less surprising to hear in earnest. The last time it had briefly been mentioned, he’d kept the elaboration to himself, but now, there wasn’t so much need. ]

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!

[ Surgical is one way to say it, the way Sebastian's words cut against that open wound that lay at Silco's heart, the one weakness the man tried so hard to cover, but those that had an inkling could see it clear as day, and Sebastian had a map to lash at it whenever he wished. It would not be difficult to notice that Silco had not purchased his own house, or that if he was in Highstorm, he was much more reclusive, and stuck to his quarters more. He could say it was doing paperwork, strategizing, or any number of tasks, but...

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?

[ Sebastian’s attention is casual, but he’s pleased to see his sly little words hit their mark and so surely. Silco is guarded and clever and had almost avoided Sebastian knowing about this little weakness entirely. But almost fittingly, Jinx had arrived and left in a whirlwind of chaos and part of that wake was making Sebastian aware of one, tender little part of Silco’s heart. Eventually, it’s something he’ll taunt him for. But he can be patient and wait until it’s all the sweeter. ]

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?

I would have them slaughtered in the streets.

[ 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 ]

[ That immediate, blunt response gets Sebastian’s smile to widen sharply. It’s just a little bit more, but it shows a peeking of more vicious teeth. A slip, perhaps, but here in only his master’s presence who has no distaste for what Sebastian is, he finds it to be no harm. There’s no need to hide how he enjoys the idea that he’s such a valuable resource to be fought over. It’s beautifully, perfectly human, because given an impossible freedom from his grasp, they’d still foolishly try to recapture themselves.

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.

[ Silco laughed, a soft and sharp thing. He doesn't mind when the viciousness peeks out of Sebastian, and in fact... it makes him feel a little more at home. There's a lot of pretenses here in Kenos that kept Silco feeling... restrained in so many ways. So many ways to play along, hide the beast, and although there were often ways to let it out, so many people weren't... sharp, biting, or desperate enough, compared to Silco. He thought of himself in another class, and seeing Sebastian's sharp edges was often a reminder that yes, this had been the right decision.

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. ]

Ah, yes, that would be the most efficient! And safest, naturally. Why, to finish one job and have another immediately lined up is even convenient. To have a gap in work is such a bore…

[ 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?

I think Vander would rather we not have conflict at all.

[ 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. ]

[ Sebastian cants his head with a slightly more pursed smile at what Silco says first. It’s not a surprise. Rather, it confirms an impression that he’d already made a guess of. It wasn’t like Vander was so unwilling to dive into an old grudge considering how little it had taken for him to murder Silco… But it was definitely Sebastian’s impression that he was the sort of man that likely disliked that part of himself. It’s very much unlike his master, who relished in it.

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?

[ Silco also would likely have never caught Sebastian's eye as a master if he were the type to swallow his pride for reconciliation, would he? Good thing that Silco doesn't surround him with kind and good influences to encourage such things.

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. ]

[ It’s deeply amusing to have his suspicion confirmed that this entire conflict was so heavily skewed to one side. It’s nothing short of delightful, as it’s precisely the contradictory thing that Sebastian loves about humanity. Silco could make this simple. He and Vander could reconcile, and while Sebastian is certain they would never be friends, they could at least come to terms with a truce. Yet, Silco would never take it. That hatred and bitterness burns too deeply for him to even consider it.

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.

Does it?

[ 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.

[ That laugh sounds sweet to Sebastian’s ears. He doesn’t know the thoughts going through Silco’s head, all the complicated feelings and the past that goes with it, but it doesn’t matter. Not really. Sebastian simply knows that they’re ugly, twisted feelings, because how else could you laugh at drowning a man with such delight? That thought might as well be as delectable as the smell of his meticulously baked treats.

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.

[ Silco is a great target, in fact, because he wants to indulge in that darkness, give into it little by little. He is a monster in every sense of the word, and he has often been considered the monster -- and thus he became it. The vicious cycle of those from the Undercity.

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.

And I am nothing if not gracious.

[ 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.

Mm, yes. Hopefully next time I'm by, Sveinn will remember me, hm?

[ 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. ]

Oh, absolutely. They have quite good memories, so I am sure he will be happy to see you. So to speak, of course.

[ 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.

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