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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Well, I know enough about the candidates to know whom I would choose, were I a resident of Springstar or interested in such things.

Cyrus is... weakened at the moment, but it does require his abdication or death, yes?

[ Silco does not touch on any further details about Aetós, as to be expected -- it's easier to not get caught associating with someone, if one does not speak about them other than the bare minimum. ]

As for our other candidates... [ Silco actually pulled out a sheaf of paper, from beneath some of the others, and placed it on his desk. On the one hand, there is Desmond, who seems to be more interested in war, and is an outlander similar to us. If I were looking for Springstar to thrive, I would pick him.

[ Silco's bias is showing again. Don't worry about it. ]

Voreen, on the other hand, is a businessman. He agrees with Desmond about the fact that Cyrus is caving to Yima too much, [ At this, he offers a sarcastic scoff, ] but seems to be interested in war.

Voreen may be more aggressive, but that certainly would give us the opportunities to... react, now wouldn't it?

[ Hey, if Silco isn't going to talk about Aetós, neither is Amos. It's not like they're really a part of it. Just a catalyst, and the rest of it is up to him — and so, here they are now. ]

Yeah, Cyrus needs to be out. Guess abdication's a possibility; technically he doesn't have to die. [ Although him dying would be the most surefire way to ensure he ends up out of power—

He twists his body some to get a look at the paper Silco pulls out, absorbing his assessment of the candidates — because if he can get rid of Cyrus, then there'll still be an after for them to deal with. And as much as he wants to free Adelfoúla — as necessary as that is — he doesn't want to end up making life harder for Zenith, either.

He hums in thought. ]

More aggressive guy'd probably get this done quicker, but dunno if we want them getting ahead of themselves and attacking us outright. Meridian already pulled that shit with Alenroux, but next time they'll probably take it further. [ Teach someone they can get away with something once, and they'll just keep doing it — and, unfortunately, Meridian does have numbers on them. ] I don't really give a fuck if Springstar thrives, so long as they don't get in our way. Let 'em be happy 'til we got the Oracles for ourselves.

[ Because obviously, Zenith is going to win this war. Obviously. And there's no reason as to why Springstar's residents can't live their lives comfortably in the meantime, right? It'd be weird to want to hurt the civilian population before that's actually necessary. ]

Kinda don't want to end up fucking us over by getting the wrong guy in charge for them, you know?

Correct. I think they would not hesitate to attack us, and with the rumbling of war between the two of them, the question becomes: Do we want the outright aggressor, or someone who would perhaps stay their hand at times.

[ It is a difficult question to ask, and Silco is not quite sure what the answer is. If this were Piltover, someone like Cyrus would be ideal. Weak, unwilling to take bold action, losing popularity with his people. That was all of the hallmarks of a leader who was losing his legitimacy to lead. Gaining power now would force desperate, sloppy actions.

That would be Good for him.

But. If he had to choose... ]

If it were me, I would choose the individual that has the least legitimacy. Not because they would be a weak ruler necessarily, but because they would be easy to topple later, if something were to happen. For example, Desmond is a shard-bearer like us. Which means that their position is weaker as someone who came from another world.

Whereas Voreen would be the sort that would have some measure of resiliency if he were to take an unpopular action that backfired.

[ He shook his head. ]

Personally, I would choose Desmond. He can still be pushed to act irrationally, but would not necessarily start a war that could devastate us.

[ At first Amos is taking a second to think things over, nodding here and there at some of Silco's points. He (mostly) absently casts his gaze around the office as he does so, a quick mental catalogue more of where they are than any specific items in particular.

(Getting in here to plant a bug would've been a lot more difficult, wouldn't it?)

Still perched on his claimed corner of Silco's desk, Amos turns back to him. ]

Makes sense. You know I'm from somewhere more like there — [ said with a cant of his head towards the window overlooking Kowloon's street; not here, where power lies, but there, where you're a pawn for the powerful — ] where if you weren't strong, you were fucked. You get someone aggressive in charge who realizes what they have, and...

[ Amos shrugs. That's it. You're probably fucked. ]

Desmond guy'd probably be better, yeah. Guess one way or another someone's gonna have to take over for Cyrus, might as well be him.

[ He dips his head, huffs a sigh. ]

Doesn't solve my getting rid of Cyrus problem, but at least I got an idea of where things should be steered once he's gone. Which is... also not exactly one of my strengths. [ And, hey, at least he's honest about himself. ] You got any ideas on either of those fronts? Since, you know. You cleaned up pretty nicely for yourself in here.

[ It's a joke, kind of. It's also the truth — Silco demonstrably has more experience than Amos in the overthrowing people department. ]

I don't know what you're talking about, Amos. [ He clasped his hands together, and smiled in that way that said, very clearly, that he will never outright say what happened to Birdie Martinson. He certainly was not going to admit to any wrongdoing, despite the fact that he had taken over her establishment. This was as obvious as it got, but well.

Too few had bothered with it, and those that had... had brought along Vander, who promptly derailed the entire thing. Go figure. ] Birdie merely disappeared. I only took over as a...favor to her memory, wherever she is.

[ He relaxed into his chair, comfortable, like a king in his realm. ] I am as well, you know. From a place like this. Kowloon and my Zaun are different only in that Kowloon is already somewhat free. I intend to see it freer, you know.

Though the way things are going, they may find that they cannot handle Kowloon existing separate from them, and yet right underneath. I expect that they will eventually want to bring us to heel.

[ A smile, and then: ] Perhaps something could happen, during that... incident. Hm?

[ Amos quirks an eyebrow in response to Silco's smile, because no, he doesn't know the specifics as to how Silco landed one of the top businesses in Kowloon, but a favour? To her memory? The doubt is written across his face; yeah, that's bullshit, and Amos isn't going to offer that statement the dignity of a real response. Just a skeptical look before Silco moves on, and Amos along with him.

He blinks, his expression resetting to something more neutral — and then to intrigue at what Silco is hinting at. ]

What're you thinking? 'cause I know I'm the type to just be a grunt. I don't got a problem with that. But if there's any way that you can scratch my back, well. I'll scratch yours.

[ Because for their handful of similarities — their backgrounds, their commitments to Zenith — there are still some very key areas in which they differ. For one thing, the whole freedom angle that Amos can't even begin to comprehend. Society works just fine down here as far as he's concerned; Silco's desire to keep pushing things seems more petty than anything else. A man who can't let things go, whereas Amos is an expert in just that.

... But they are both Zenites. Silco remains his people. And this is as clear an offer a collaboration as any, and one that Amos knows he has to explore.

Because for once, he's aiming big, too. It's uncharted territory for him, and he'd do well to have someone of Silco's caliber along with him.

Amos has no smile to offer; just plain, barefaced interest. ]

[ That Amos is... interested makes this quite a bit easier. Though Silco didn't think Amos would be repulsed by the prospect, he also didn't... really seem interested in most things. Like he could simply accept things as they were, whereas Silco's drive came from change, like a thrumming beat that matched his every heartbeat. There is, obviously, a reason why the mark of the Harbinger rests against the skin of his wrist, like a pulse point. He cannot help it, eternally holding onto those things, and trying to shift and change them.

He wanted to change the land, the city, the very people, in a way that made them harder and stronger and more adept. To make them hunger for more, more power, and to use that power. Certainly, he was an agent of change and power in the same way that Amos was an advocate for acceptance and loyalty.

His lips curled, into a slight smile. ]

We'll know more when they are closer, but... [ An index finger drug across his lips, and down toward his chin, thoughtful. ] I suspect that we could draw him out, could we not? Perhaps... find a reason for him to be eliminated. Either by our hands, or the unruly masses themselves.

Cyrus does seem a personable sort, doesn't he? I'm quite certain he wants to be loved by the people in a way my own ruling council in Piltover couldn't have cared less about.

[ No matter how long Amos has known Silco, the smiling is still kinda weird.

He cocks an eyebrow in response, tilts his head slightly. Still listening, still interested — and remains as plainspoken as ever. ]

Huh. You put it that way, he doesn't sound like that bad of a guy. On the wrong side, but... [ He shrugs. ] Yeah, it'd be easier to kill him if he was out in the open. I guess if you're planning some kind of full-scale revolution, that might be enough to draw him out. Or at least draw everyone else's attention away from him.

[ It's said with a glance out the window, towards one of Kowloon's main streets where he's guessing that full-scale revolution is supposed to start. Where the people who are going to make up most of it are. He's actively considering what that might look like, even though he doesn't know the first thing about sparking that sort of thing in people — not when he'll never feel it himself.

Back to Silco. They really do contrast as opposite aspects. Which, in theory, means they could cover each other's weaknesses... though Amos can't exactly see what help he could provide Silco in all of this, except for one. ]

I don't really know how that kind of thing gets started. Or how I could help you with that... Unless you needed someone to start destroying a bunch of shit and killing people in a mindless rage.

[ Yeah, it's kind of a pointed remark; it's also a serious question. Is he gonna have to suit up as a berserker again, or what? ]

To desire to be liked is to be weak.

[ Silco says this as if it is fact. Some law of the universe, that to be liked, and to be weak are detestable and undesirable. Things that were worthy of contempt, and the roll of his eyes completes it. Certainly, he has no care for Cyrus as a leader is clear. To be weak is to be someone who is to be exploited. And to be weak, is to be worthy of disdain. ]

Whether or not he is a good or a bad man, that fact holds true. Which leads us to how to... push this forward, hm?

[ Silco's lips curled into a slight smile. ]

I have some... balls in the air, with regards to that. Small, subtle things. Being caught in places where we shouldn't, harassing some... long-term Meridian-aligned types.

[ A sharp smile. ]

Perhaps your particular talents could be...used for such things. To... flick their nose a touch more strongly, hm? There is a place of particular note that I think they would be annoyed to find one of us poking around in. You may even learn something while you're there.

[ Amos is someone who doesn't give a shit if people like him. Doesn't care if people hate him, either. But attributing one or the other to weakness just doesn't... sound right? Not to mention, to be so vindictive towards weakness... He gets it, not wanting to be weak himself. Been there, done that. But Amos is someone who still wants to look out for those who need it, who might be weak. He doesn't want to shun them.

Slow blink. He should be used to his and Silco's differences by now. He really should be...

He's just not gonna comment on it. Because Cyrus being weak, politically, is a good thing. Helps him. Makes it that much easier to get rid of him, and that's the objective here. So it's welcome when Silco starts talking action instead, because that's something Amos can actually follow.

Outside of a keen, honed-in interest, his expression does not change. ]

I like that. Small, subtle things. That's the kind of thing I need help with. [ That's the reason to go to Silco, because no matter how much they may differ in philosophy, he offers Amos something crucial he cannot achieve on his own. ] Depends what you got in mind for me, though. If I'm a distraction, I can do that, but I'm gonna need a way out in case shit goes south. Still got that part of me I can't control.

[ A beat as he leans in just a little more. ]

If you want me skulking, then shit, I might be able to do that. Depends where you're thinking of.

[ Though whatever it is, he's probably in. ]

Oh, I think skulking will work. Of course, the point of tweaking their nose is to be seen, "skulking". Think about this as a play at skulking, where the goal is as much to be pleasantly surprised with information as it is to be seen trying to obtain it.

[ Silco's fingers drag against the top of his desk, before he drug them down to a drawer, and pulled out a sheet. It was larger than a standard size of paper, but still rather small, like an unfolded book. He placed it down over the other papers, things like requisitions, and supplies, mostly for Draumahol. Liquor and drugs, and other things that people used to indulge that Actually needed to be stocked. Silco may be a vile, horrible man, but he was a keen mind with logistics and pushing items.

There is a reason the Black Lanes continued to exist, after all, even when he had been ousted the first time. ]

This is a map of Springstar.

[ He pointed to the industrial district, and a large building that he had investigated with Set and Sebastian. ]

We found a... machine there. I do not know what it does, or what it is for, or who is involved.

I do know that it is well protected, and I think that the administration of Springstar would take offense if an obvious, committed Zenite were to sniff around there.

[ He shifts position as Silco pulls out that map, leans over to get a better look at it. Everything else on the table is of no mind to him; none of his business how he runs this place. And besides, they're both highly committed to Zenith, so it's not like he's plotting anything that'd actually hurt them. There's nothing to glean from anything else atop his desk.

The map, though.

His eyes flick right to where Silco's pointing. Amos has been to the industrial district once or twice, but that's about it; never had much of a reason to head over there, considering his waning interest in the island. At his emphasis on the word machine, though, he looks up. Emits a small hm, like he's thinking things over. ]

I mean, I could probably bullshit my interest in it. I worked on spaceships. Good chance I know more about machinery than anyone else they've got over there.

[ Unless it's infused with magic somehow... or if Springstar has anyone from a more advanced timeline among their ranks, which, he might want to know about that too...

But. ]

So, I get that we want someone to check out that machine. [ Shit, now he's curious, too. ] I don't get what we get out of them knowing Zenith's interested in it. Wouldn't we want to keep that under control? We trying to piss them off or something?

[ Help. ]

[ Silco smiled. It's not the usual ghost of a smile, but something a touch more vicious. It's a touch more like a man who knows how to plot and find all the little ways in which a system can work, and how to manipulate it, and then topple ]

You would think, yes. However, you are not the only one who will be caught, or seen, by them. They will see several Zenites, in somewhat rapid succession. Alone, yes, they would think to take issue with Yima, but combined with everything else...

[ Amos is not the only one, after all. There are more. There's Childe in the church. Dark harassing and bullying Birdie Martinson's family. Gen assisting with smuggling Shimmer topside.

They've already lost two strong handholds in Kowloon. It's easy to see the way at which the winds change. ]

Alongside the others, and alongside their losses within the council here, it becomes easy to point a finger.

I want them to overextend their reach, and try to grip us too close. We are technically beneath Springstar here in Kowloon, and I wish for it to be fully under Zenith's sway. Right beneath their noses.

They have family here, friends. Those whom they are close to. They have connections, and even though Kowloon is techincally neutral -- and should stay so -- it can be much friendlier, and more favorable to us, if we play this right.

[ Amos considers.

He's watching Silco, trying to suss out what his game is here. If there are any alternate motivations. And, there... probably aren't. Not anything outside of the usual for him, anyway; nothing outside of the typical pettiness and Harbinger bullshit that Amos can't make heads nor tails of, doesn't care to.

It's still a long moment of considering, though, Amos watching Silco with a gaze that could be considered dull, were it not for the amount of time they've known each other by now. He might recognize a glint of actual intelligence in the midst of the no thoughts head empty stare.

Creating chaos for them, though. ]

Alright.

[ And just like that, it's an easy agreement. ]

I can snoop around some, sure. Can even make it obvious. I get misdirection and all that shit. Just wondering how I do it without them locking me up.

[ Since he really would prefer to not be held at Meridian's mercy, after all. ]

I'll pull some strings.

[ He says, with a wave of his hand. ]

Make sure those that locate you are... locals. They'll spread the word to the appropriate ears, but you can be long gone before they get word of your presence.

[ There's a quirk of an over-confident smile. Brief, though it is. Silco is an angry, and hateful person most of the time, overburdened by the eyes of his "betters" that he slumps his shoulders to guard himself against them, and it's no different here. He thinks of the Meris as similar to "Pilties" in his mind, and it would not be long before any shred of patience leaves the man yet again.

He tapped his fingers on the desk, thoughtful. ]

And then, when they get all... roused up about it, I can start nudging things to fulfill your intended outcome. I do enjoy it when the pieces fit together like this, don't you?

[ Amos can't help but stare at Silco for just a moment longer, because he's... Silco. He talks about pulling strings without a word as to what those are to the person who will actually be sticking his neck out; that stupid smile of his. Even when they're on the same side — and when have they not been on the same side — there is always a part of him that Amos simply does not, will never understand.

And yet — they're still on the same side. And — of course Silco would want something in turn for helping Amos. Which means he is also unlikely to go back on his promise of helping him.

And it would be good for Zenith. So. He stares that little moment longer, and then nods, pushing himself off of the corner of Silco's desk that he's been perched on and turning to face him properly. ]

Can do. I ain't complaining if one thing leads into another.

[ A beat. He'd thought there might have been more to cover, but Silco is legitimately efficient. Good at the things he puts his mind to. Determined. An ally. So if that's that, then... ]

Thanks. 'ppreciate it.

[ Silco stared right back at Amos, one eye unblinking, the other blinked once, twice, just for the effect. A reminder that the man was unsettling at his core, and just in case Amos forgot it. He even smiled again for him, as if in emphasis. He could look all he wanted, it said. Silco was perfectly placid, and lacking in guilt.

Of course, in this, it actually was for the best of them. Deals were best when they were mutual, when both could obtain something, and there was little worry about things going awry. Silco wanted honest dealings, simply because they were so much easier to manage. There was no stacking house of cards, no promises that he wouldn't keep.

If he could, he liked this. It wasn't always possible, and he certainly wouldn't shy away from not doing so, but in this... Well.

Supporting what A wanted was in his best interest as well. He had until one side or the other had three oracles. Thus far (as of the time this log happened) there was one in play, and possibly another soon.

If Zenith won, and they were two for two...

Well. Wouldn't that be nerve-wracking? ]

I won't either. This works out best for the both of us, I think.

[ He picked up a sheath of paper, and leaned back in his chair. ]

We'll keep in touch, Amos. Once the ball starts rolling.

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KENOS IC CONTACT

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