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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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You're saying they're his idea.
[ And, perhaps obviously, Amos isn't buying it β but at the same time, he's willing to overlook the silver-tongued technicalities. He isn't here for semantics; he never is. Rather, he has work to do coming up, and he needs Silco's help for that β help promised months ago.
So he moves on, voice as casual as though he's remarking on the weather. ]
I scratched your back. Skulked around a bit in the industrial district, like you said. Made it obvious enough.
You wanted them riled up? This is doing it too. Only time's coming up I'm gonna need you to scratch my back.
[ An edge creeps into his voice β not directed at Silco, but turned to the future. What is right on the horizon. ]
You know you don't have to be coy with me. Nobody else is here, just us two. And I need a way to get to Cyrus, so I can kill him. I don't give a shit about anything else β so whatever you got planned, I'm on the need-to-know list now.
[ It's not a request, nor is it a demand. Just a simple matter of fact: they're on the same side, their causes one and the same in the here and now, and so there's no reason to play games. ]
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There's the impression of a sigh, as if Amos is really putting him out, for forcing him to give up his little game.
It's all dramatics, of course. Silco had always intended to help Amos for this. Always, because it was in his interest too. ]
Do you know what day you're planning? That is truly all you need to provide. [ It's short, clipped, businesslike. None of that same amusement or coyness now. The sharp cold industrialist that lies underneath the pretense and cattiness. The man who'd made a threat of poor street kids and criminals twice now. ]
The legionary will be distracted plenty, and in the meantime, we whittle away their numbers, bit by bit. They can only fight so many off, after all. For those whom do not frequent Ryad, we've ramped up our production of shimmer as well.
[ A thoughtful sound, or perhaps the impression of one in communion. ]
Speaking of: Do you think you will have need, to deal with our dear Cyrus?
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He's just ready to get things in motion, is all. AdelfoΓΊla was one thing β and a very, very big thing according to him, although Oracle trials have disrupted his ability to make progress on that front. Now that this is something Yima wants? The sense of urgency has ramped up. ]
Figure it'll be within a couple of weeks. Second half of the month. I'll give you notice as soon as I know the exact day. [ There is not a whole lot to like about Silco; probably anyone would say as much, and Amos would say it to his face if it came up. But this part, the direct businessman? Maybe like isn't the right word, but he respects the hell out of him for it. And if Amos isn't going to indulge Silco, at the very least he isn't going to waste his time, either. ] Just... figuring out how to direct some moving parts.
[ People. Other people. Amos isn't a leader; he can take control in a disaster situation, but this is not that. This is a tentative peacetime he is about to violently interrupt, and he needs to get this right.
So, mixed in with that respect? Is gratitude for the other man, even as Amos' metaphysical eye is still turned towards the future.
Snaps back at the mention of shimmer. The other question Silco's asking of him. ]
I still have the vials you gave me. I'll keep them on me just in case, but... [ hm. How to put this. ] But this is a targeted attack, and that shit makes me stupid. If I had my way, only the one guy would be dead. I know that's not possible, so if I gotta break glass in case of emergency, I will. Probably take a lot of them out if I do that, but not necessarily Cyrus.
And when they eventually get me β which, they eventually will β then I'm pretty sure the next thing they'll do is crush my shard.
[ A pause, a solemnity filling his communion space. Deep, and dark, and absolutely flooded with Zenith to the point that it just might be notable. ]
I can't do that to Yima.
[ She wants Cyrus gone, so he has to go. But now? Now Amos can't be a casualty. ]
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[ It's not quite mocking, but it is nearly there. ] Give it to the help, perhaps. I'm certain Yima's resources will be made available to you. Or if you need some with a touch more direct control...
[ A shrug. It's implied, perhaps, that Silco has a bit more control over the shimmered than he has let on. Amos has never had to deal with it, as Silco understands that his use of shimmer has been to acclimate to it, and learn to not lose his mind over it, but Silco's thread of confidence in that is clear. ]
For the most part, I have planned to stay low during whatever situation you orchestrate. But should the need arise... particularly if you have need of an out, well.
Just keep me aware, hm? I have my ways of getting to where I need to go.
[ It's almost too confident, but he does understand what Amos means. He doesn't like Amos, of course. He reminds him too much of Vander, too much of someone fully invested in the wellbeing of others, instead of the Cause. Too invested in people like Gen, who were still traitors to the cause, had attacked him for no reason. (Yes, he's still mad.)
But, he also recognizes that of all the people amongst Zenith, he is one of the few who is loyal. Fully loyal to the cause, even if he favored others. Losing Amos would be a blow, and one that Yima likely would hold other Zenites at fault for.
So he knew better than to deny him the offer. Particularly when he would be lurking underneath Springstar the entire time. ]
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Hm.
It's like he's watching Silco, through this space. As though his eyes were keenly on him, looking for any shift in expression or body language that'd tip him off to anything going inside the other man β although here it's more like tics and tones of voice, wisps and impressions picked up through communion. Not his forte, but a deep consideration, nonetheless. ]
You staying low is a good thing. Figure it's going to get messy. [ And, well, Silco looks like he could be snapped like a twig. Amos does not have a high degree of faith for the man to survive, should he be caught in a melee.
But also: ] Better to have an ace in the hole, too. [ That's you, bud. For as much as he cannot understand what Silco's deal even is, why he is the way he is, he is undeniably Zenith. Even if they can't β are incapable of? β seeing eye to eye, he's still an ally. ] Yeah, I'll keep you aware. The day it goes down, the line of communication between us stays open.
[ A long, long moment as Amos thinks, near-silent but for the gears turning in his head. But for the obvious sensation of someone considering. ]
And when it comes to Yima's people, you only shimmer the ones who want it.
[ He doesn't know anything about Silco having more control; hasn't seen it in action. That's fine; he believes the guy.
But Yima's people are his people too β now all the more, as far as he's concerned. So that's where he's drawing the line: the willing only.
Of which, well, there probably are some, so seems fair enough. ]
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[ He said, idly. His tone was not quite sharp, but the inflection is like a slowly pulled blade from a sheath, his unblinking eye's star implied in that space in communion. ]
For your attack, however, I am happy to follow your direction, should you deviate from our fearless leader.
[ His words imply that he is idly gesturing with a knife, not backing off, but laying terms. Silco feels no such loyalty to these people, the masses of Highstorm. Yima had, after all, spoken to him personally, so long ago, about monsters, and their necessity. Silco did not venerate Yima, because at the end of the day, she had been unable to provide the one thing Silco wanted more than anything, for longer than a month. A brief flash in the pan, and Silco's anger is yet again barely held back, like simmering under the surface.
He would do anything to see Zenith succeed, including burn up those around them to find their place. ]
And should it be necessary, rest assured, I will ensure Zenith's investment will not be squandered.
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[ Amos' presence grows level. He will never be the kind of person Silco is; he also understands how to deal with them when conducting business. Setting the terms is fine. Makes all of this feel that much more tangible, really. ]
You and I are both from the slums, right? Different world, but slums are slums. So I know what you're talking about when we say necessary. Fight dirty. Don't give an inch. Just like any other raid, except for who the target is.
[ The leader of an entire nation, essentially, is a lot different than taking out a competitor gang. Amos exhales, a degree of finality to it. ]
I trust you.
[ It's just about a carte blanche. He trusts Silco's commitment. He trusts that Silco will deliver on everything he's said, that he won't leave Amos twisting in the wind, that he'll help see this through to its proper end. Whatever it is he's mad about now, Amos trusts him on this. ]
I picked up a bit of magic that should help get me where I need to be. But if you got other ways of getting where you need to go... If it doesn't quite work out, or it does and I need an extraction anyway. You're good to help with that?
[ Ironing out the details. The more he can figure out now, the better. ]
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[ He says it simply. Silco has several things in his arsenal that can help, because he'd always been the kind to plan, and evasions, tactics, and getting in and out quietly and efficiently were all things the crime-lord did best. Yes, he could certainly say that he was capable of getting in and out of Springstar quickly, quietly, and efficiently.
After all, they didn't know that Silco had a cornerstone, and one that connected to interesting places, like Birdie Martinson's home, and the Seat of the Tribune.
The biggest worry would be those who had true sight, but Silco wouldn't bank on them looking particularly closely at the shadows when there were monsters happening. ]
I don't need a play by play, but I will be focused on the events that day, obviously. Coordinating the attacks in Kowloon, but should you need a personal touch, I can be there. Just keep the line open, and give me enough time to get in, so as much forewarning as you can, should you need it.
[ At least in this they were united. Silco was still angry with Amos, with the fact that he had sided with Gen for no reason, but he could ignore it for this. To do something that would send Springstar reeling. ]
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[ Simple is good. Amos doesn't need every detail; then again, he isn't that much of a planner. Hasn't needed to be when he was good at assessing a situation on his feet and able to fight or shoot his way out of it β it's just that a safe house of a gang leader was one thing, and the capital of a highly populated city-state is another.
That's why he's talking to a planner now. No animosity between the two of them for something like this; everyone's on the same team here. He's plenty happy with this, Silco's weird beef with Gen not even remotely on his mind. ]
Will do. I'll give you advanced notice when I find him, so you'll know where we are.
[ Hoping for the best is stupid; planning for the worst isn't, so that's where he's at. Simply, and satisfied with what they've accomplished for now.
Though there is still that genuine gratitude in his voice β because while he might be able to pull this off with Silco's help, it'd be substantially more difficult without it. ]
Thank you.
[ And if Silco doesn't have anything more to say, he'll cut the connection β because there's still a lot more to do. ]