zauneyete | KENOS IC CONTACT

[ Silco isn't really. Amenable toward communion these days. The high of survival and the bitter sting of fear and defeat has dissipated, Set had returned what belonged to him (his daughter) and the raucous threat of discord tipping over had subsided. Though the sting of worry and that ever-increasing discord had left a network of scars on him that were still healing over. At least now, Silco's impression in communion is just cold water, though the depths are deeper than before, darker. Not that Tezca would recognize it, but you know, for flavor.

He is still angry, though, and it thrums through him, that rage, exacerbated and intensified now that it has something to protect. A certain hope that was not there before. Something so cautiously, carefully held that the layers and layers of unending, incessant anger were like armor. ]

Tezcatlipoca.

Around for good this time?

[ He'd noted, of course, that he hadn't been around after their first encounter for long — the second a brief flash in the pan last month then he'd disappeared again. Likely, he suspects, because the force of his brother's (gender neutral) presence had kept him from arriving for good. ]

It's too bad that you missed the show.

[ It’s interesting, Communing with Silco. The sensation itself isn’t strange to Tezcatlipoca, since it’s essentially how he would communicate with humans if he didn’t manifest in the flesh. Most called it visions. But it really is something more like this where it’s one consciousness linked to another. So. There’s information here about Silco through metaphor that Tezcatlipoca is much better at reading than his bird-brained brother. ]

Smoking mirror, cold water.

[ He comments in a way that Silco understands, but it’s like he’s speaking another language simultaneously. Tezcatl ipoca, itztic atl, in his true tongue, but why Tezcatlipoca says it isn’t clear. It’s a combination that just stands out to him because of a proverb of the Aztecs he’d once ruled over. “Our Lord dashes cold water, icy water upon us. This is said when our Lord causes some misfortune to happen to us.” No free guesses for who “Our Lord” is, he’d laugh, but he keeps it mysterious. It’s not important for Silco to know. ]

I sure as fuck did. Crawled outta the tree for the third goddamn time and hear our rulers are dead. Long live the king, yeah?

[ There’s a grin in the dark that’s easy to hear in his voice. He doesn’t care about Cyrus or Yima. Much more important— ]

But I think I figured out why I was getting jerked around. I mean, I get it, whatever’s picking people out probably doesn’t want to mess with a second fated conflict of light and dark. But so far as I can tell? Seems like my half of it’s checked out.

[ He pauses, and the grin subsides. He's serious and almost appraising. ]

You got anything to do with that?

Hm.

[ He gets the impression through communion, that this is something close to Tezca, the words that he doesn't understand, the impression. He doesn't understand the other words, but he has heard a similar language, and cadence before. It reminds him, somewhat, of Quetzalcoatl, the way the words flow.

He wonders about it. Perhaps he will ask, though it is true. The cold water, like it will drown someone. Increasing in vastness, though it still feels... sickly. Too-slick, like polluted water, in communion. Like it sticks to skin, and is difficult to wash off. ]

Well...

[ It flickers toward amusement, now. Enjoyment.

Silco hasn't had the chance to really enjoy this, until Jinx was returned safe. Threatening discord that had very nearly torn his entire body apart. He's only now winding down, these few days after. Tezca will be greeted with the first flickers of victory. ]

The remains of her shard in my office would suggest that I did, certainly.

[ Amusement, coyness. From Silco, they sound half like Plausible Deniability and half like he's just enjoying dragging it out. ]

Aw, don’t give me that coy shit.

[ Tezcatlipoca straightforwardly calls it out, but there’s a grin in his voice that’s full of excitement. It’s cruel, perhaps, but Silco isn’t likely to perceive it that way. Here in Communion, it’s a bit more complex than that. This is the sort of vicious, relieved enjoyment that Silco had felt when he’d killed Vander, fittingly. They both had a special kind of hatred for their brothers. ]

C’mon, brag about it! If the guy that killed Quetzalcoatl ain’t proud of it, then he’s not deserving of my respect.

[ He’s still friendly and flippant, but there’s enough of an edge in the words to make it clear that he means it. What’s not so clear is just how rare that declaration is. When you’re kind of The god of a pantheon, you don’t give out respect casually. ]

And besides, now I owe ya. Remember that blessing I mentioned? I got an idea in mind.

[ A soft, pleased laugh. These past few days, Silco has not been allowed to revel in it. Between the stress of thinking he would die, to the stress of realizing that his daughter was lost, to finding her, but Set's words cutting and flaying him because of what he'd done... he'd not had the opportunity to enjoy his victory.

Tezca's enjoyment is infectious, for him. He'd hated Quetz. No matter what, he did not regret her death.

In fact, now? Now? Tezca can feel it. The dark amusement that flickers through communion. He can't hide from another Harbinger, and though there is that soft enjoyment. Tentative, but flickering to life slowly. ]

I can guarantee you, I'm quite proud of it. Do you know what she felt like, crumbling to remains in my hands?

[ He hopes, anyway. Not for him, of course. But for the rest of them. ]

Already settled in and filled with ideas, hm? I'm curious.

[ Silco’s pride is met with warmth. Good, Tezcatlipoca simply conveys, since his approval is beyond words. If Silco shied away from it, then Tezcatlipoca would gut him when they met. There’s part of him that hates losing that savored kill, but it was never destined to happen. So. He’ll take an outside, a mortal, breaking destiny for that. ]

Kinda. Can at least make a good guess.

[ Quetzalcoatl was part of him, in a sense. She was a Tezcatlipoca too, but not the Tezcatlipoca as the god now with Silco was. He intentionally doesn’t mention that, though. Silco isn’t a godly guy, so the theology of it is going to be over his head, Tezcatlipoca figures. ]

A dying universe. All that concentrated power of a Divine Spirit shoved into a little rock could make the Big Bang Part Two, you’d figure. It’s not just extinguishing the sun or killing a star with your own two hands. It’s extinguishing that light, but also every possibility that could have come from it. Annihilation, grand and complete.

[ He laughs ]

But, that’s my cosmic view of shit. I wanna hear it from—and don’t take offense here—a normal guy’s perspective.

[ What comes next, they’ll get back to. For now, he’ll indulge a little on what he missed. ]

Edited 2024-02-10 20:33 (UTC)

[ A "normal guy's" perspective. Silco wondered if he could be called that now, and there's a flicker of something, knowing that perhaps Tezca can sense and feel. The vague silhouette of, if not the fullness of it. Silco had little belief in destiny, after all. He'd never thought it for him, and given where he came from, that is not surprising. It's almost a little disbelieving at the thread of thought, vague though it is before he strangled it.

Silco had learned, there was no good in being confident over promises. ]

That is not unlike what it is. She was heavy in my hand, dense. Like there were multitudes within. I could see it, see her, the... size of what it was.

I had not appreciated what it was, to be a god. [ A mental shrug of his shoulders. ] How big you were.

[ That is because Silco was just a man. So infinitesimal comparatively, and he knew it. Felt it. ]

She burned like the sun in my hand. I held her in the one she cut off, you know. [ There's the impression, of dead flesh. ] No matter what she tried, I came back, and I had promised her, that I would kill her.

When I cut her off from everything, it was as if I were standing at the edge of a precipice, and falling into it.

[ Well. That might be for many other reasons than just killing her. ]

It felt good. To finally silence her.

[ It’s clear that Tezcatlipoca is listening intently. He asked because he was curious, after all, and he meant it. It’s the kind of question that he wanted to ask that little mage from Chaldea, whenever they would have showed up. What’s it like to kill a god? It’s not exactly something a mortal has any hope of doing under normal circumstances.

So, he appreciates Silco’s answer. On one level, it’s for giving it, on another, he just appreciates how he describes it. It’s Tezcatlipoca’s “job” as a deity to meet and hear people as they are, but he favors those who have a gift with their words. There’s a distinct feeling of approval as Silco goes along, and not just for the act itself. ]

That’s what I like to hear. Not gonna lie, thought you might’ve been talking a big game when you explained it. Just besides the logistics, what would you be feelin’ once the deed was done? It’s bigger than your standard murder.

[ In many senses. There’s the literal that Silco had explained, where gods were truly just large existences in a different way from mortals, but also, Tezcatlipoca could practically feel it. The tension in Kenos thrummed through his bones. He drew no power from it here, but he is what he is. Conflict is finally taking a good root in this boring-ass world, and he has a feeling that Silco at least played a role in it by making it clear that not everyone was going to play nice. ]

So, congratulations, Silco. You’ve pulled off a goddamn miracle.

[ It’s sincerely, seriously given, but after that, it’s like Tezcatlipoca relaxes. It’s as if giving that praise was some kind of official duty, and for the rest he’s able to relax. ]

Gotta reward ya for a job well done, since you’re practically my acolyte now! Saw her temple was still out there, so what do you say to doing a little reclamation? I’ll make your blessing in the process. Just need you to bring something with you, since it’s just more of a pain in the ass for me to get a hold of when I’ve just gotten here.

A miracle.

[ He says it frankly, with some measure of... not quite wonder, but it is close. Something that understands there is true gravity to what he's done. He knew it would be something great, and big. He could not respond via communion, but he'd heard the clamoring and fighting in his head, as people reacted to his 'lesson'. People didn't like it. They thought it was Cruel, even Zenites, but they didn't understand as he did that a god's power was great, and vast, and too grand to simply step aside from. To allow to continue, and Silco understood that better than anyone.

Only later, when he had learned what had happened, when the lines of logic had connected, had he felt vindicated. Had the argument come together. They could hate him all they wanted.

It was merely revenge, he would tell them, for the crime of taking out the center of their power. They had murdered a man, and yes, taken many lives, but perhaps the civilians should have prepared better for war.

Well, that is what he would tell them, even as he understood the truth. ]

I suppose I did. I had help, of course, but... [ The less said about the 'help', the better, at the moment. Silco's anger toward Sebastian was fainter, now that he'd survived, but. There was still a sting, from the powerlessness of it all. ]

Well. The deed was mine, in the end. They do hate me for it, of course. Those that remain in Zenith, now that it is inconvenient socially for them to do so.

[ His tone, of course, suggests that he doesn't Care about that. If they didn't accept the scars and spikes of it, then what was the point? ]

What would you need, to... ah. Reclaim her temple? [ Vandalize lurks under that word, is what he thinks. It's what he would do. ]

Eh, fuck ‘em. You’re just a guy that’s gonna draw some haters, right?

[ Tezcatlipoca snickers, since it’s far more than that. He’s flippant, but he understands what Silco has done better than most. He knew Quetzalcoatl as no one else did, so he knew the kind of reception that would be waiting for anyone that struck her down. ]

You killed someone that people loved. Big fuckin’ deal. It’s easy to love something that’s uncomplicated. That’s the difference between Quetzalcoatl and I. The people love her. But me? The people respect me. Just don’t tolerate anything less.

[ His advice is much more serious than how he’d started, but the conviction and truth behind it is clear. Tezcatlipoca was a complicated god for his people. He’s not universal good like Quetzalcoatl, not is he universal “evil” like Set claims to be. But no matter how he was viewed, his power and wisdom were respected above all. ]

Anyways! Ain’t gonna get preachy at ya. We’ve got a fun night out ahead.

[ Which is, uh. One way to put it. ]

I want a sacrifice. So, we need someone. Meridian’s gonna be better, but I’ll make do with whoever you can get. It’s also better if they’re willing, but if you can’t swing it, I get it. But if someone just needs convincing… Tell ‘em they’re going to become one with a god. That’s bound to at least catch someone’s attention.

[ It's good that he moves on, but Tezca's words resonate with Silco in a way that is difficult to explain. It has always been easy to love something that's complicated, indeed. It was the sort of thing that was difficult to explain to other people, that left Silco roiling in anger. He'd said as much, of course they loved her, of course they were going to think she was the greatest god that could live. It was the sort of thing that he had railed at, time and time again. He understood what it was, to be too complicated, too messy.

Even in Zaun, people would so easily drift toward the uncomplicated, the easy. In all things, not just this. Silco did not, however. He knew what it was, to respect something that others could not see the value in.

So there's the faint impression of agreement that flickers through.

Hell, perhaps it was worth it for Quetz's murder because Tezca was here now. ]

I think I can find a willing subject. Which is better, willing or Meridian?

[ He might be able to find a vaguely Meridian aligned npc who's willing, but if he has to prioritize...

Of course, then again, given what he's done... Well. ]

Let us just hope I'm not too unpopular with the Meris down here, though I do have something over them as it is.

[ He loves it, the power. ]

Willing.

[ The answer comes without hesitation. There’s a clear rationale in it because of the conviction, but Tezcatlipoca doesn’t offer an explanation. That’s just not how things work with him. ]

You good to meet at the temple, or you want an escort out there?

[ Though with a laugh, he adds: ]

—Not for you though, to be clear. More for the offering, since we want ‘em to make it there in one piece.

[ The laugh is sharp, almost a touch amused. ]

Thank you for trusting that I can take care of myself, I suppose.

[ To be fair. He had just killed Tezca's sibling. Sure, that was a good portion of Sebastian's doing, but... ]

Don't fret. I'm positive I can make it out there with at least a willing subject. I don't think you would be surprised with the types within Kowloon.

[ but luckily I'm going to bed soon so you'll win in the end ]

[ ...Well. It's not exactly that, naturally. But if that's how Silco wants to interpret it! Sure! ]

Nah, not at all. Definitely got the impression on the grand tour and a little exploration or two of my own since.

[ He loves it down there, which is why he'll promptly bother Silco to give him a place once this fun little outing is all said and done. ]

But sounds good. I'll see you out there in a bit. It's a whole thing to do it right, so I'll meet you at the bottom of the stairs that ascend to the North. Lucky for you that you only have to go up one set, at least.

[ Tezcatlipoca is not so lucky... But he'll at least do the other three before Silco gets there. No need to waste that time, especially since he doubts Silco will be all that interested in the ritualistic aspects, save for the grand finale.

But indeed, some time later when Silco has found his lovely volunteer and made it out to the Beyond, he'll find Tezcatlipoca waiting for him. He's dressed as casually as ever, sunglasses and all, and he's smoking a cigarette while sitting on the bottom step of the stairs. However, he has something new in his hands this time. He has a very large, bladed gun in his hands, and he seems to be in the process of cleaning it when Silco makes his appearance. ]

[ He does indeed find a willing subject, complete with a very light alignment to Meridian. Convincing him had been more difficult, until Silco had explained that it was a final sendoff to their sun god, including her brother. Sure, Silco may have killed her on live Communion, but a shake of a free shimmer vial, a few vouchers for free hits at Draumahol, and the promise to become one with a god had certainly drawn the attention of one of them.

When he tugged him along with the cornerstone — he had even taken the man through his private, exclusive one (lol) before they showed up.

The man was th in, reedy, and looked to be twitching as he held the vial of shimmer in his hand. Silco had a cigar clamped between his teeth, and though he looked mostly like he had when he and Tezca had spoken all those months ago, there were differences. Namely, the graying, desiccated hand now replacing the missing one, and the scars on his face were still slowly healing over. It was rough enough that the man's usual makeup couldn't really cover it still, so Tezca got to see him fresh-faced.

Which, you know. Not exactly pleasant. ]

Hopefully, you didn't wait for long.

[ He said, eyeing the gun.

And of course, there was another momentary thought in which he wished this world would grace them with a person who could appreciate people like Tezca and Set all the more.

But of corse, it wouldn't. ]

[ Tezcatlipoca raises a hand in greeting to them both as he stands, and with deft movements closes the barrel of the gun again. As he speaks, he opens up his jacket to show a hidden holster underneath that he tucks the gun into, but this is all perfectly casual. ]

Nah, not that you need to worry about anyways. Did some preemptive pieces, sniffed out a little spell and pressed its off switch while we do our thing, y’know.

[ He’s sure that Silco doesn’t, actually. Tezcatlipoca’s attention turns to the man that Silco has brought with him, and from behind his sunglasses, he looks him over critically. He’s definitely not ideal so far as sacrifices go, but… It’ll do. Rather, has to, since this is a better candidate then spending the time to find someone actually ideal. So, he steps forward and claps a hand on the man’s shoulder before assertively taking a hand to shake. ]

Nice to meet you. I’m Tezcatlipoca. Lord of the near and nigh and plenty of other titles. You’re helping me with something important, so I appreciate you. I’ll take care of you, so don’t worry.

[ The informality of how Tezcatlipoca drops as he addresses him, even if it’s still cool and casual overall. But that change in speech is a sign that this is something Tezcatlipoca takes seriously. He preferred someone that volunteered for this duty because by doing so, they fall under his dominion in death. …In theory, at least. There’s also a part of this that’s so Tezcatlipoca can test his role in this new world. It’s still fuzzy to him.

He steps back and nods to the stairs as he looks to Silco. ]

So, you ready to make the ascent? Gotta take every stair. Kinda doubt she mentioned it, but the number of stairs on the temple's actually important.

[ Silco doesn't know, it's true. He only looks with a mismatched gaze between Tezca and the sacrifice as he introduces himself as something else than what he'd introduced himself to Silco before, and he wonders if this is just a god thing, and whether —

Well.

That was an idle thought for later, he supposed.

He looked up at the stairs when Tezca says that they have to climb every single one. Ugh. Did he know how bad his lungs were? ]

Hm. [ He says. ]

No teleporting to the top, I assume?

[ Can't Tezca and the sacrifice do that part? ]

[ He laughs, and with a grin, he takes a step to slip in next to Silco and give him a pat on the back. It’s the appearance of encouraging, of course, but he’s definitely just ribbing the old man. ]

What, afraid of some exercise? It’s only ninety-one steps. I already did the other three sides for ya, so you’re welcome.

[ He steps away and starts to make the ascent, but his steps aren’t very quick. It’s not so much the speed at which it’s done, at least. It’s just doing it. ]

Think of it as your first Trial as my acolyte, bossman. We’re even startin’ out easy.

[ Silco didn't bother explaining that it wasn't fear, but there were still some things about his own self-perception that continued even to existence as a shard bearer, or even his vampirism. When he forgot about them, yes, they did not exist, but when he is focused? He remembers how his lungs burn on each breath, and the way he feels they're still rotting to the core even today.

He doesn't voice it, and instead simply starts. ]

Right, right. Worship is not supposed to be simple, and all of that. Yes? That's how I have heard people say it, at least.

[ A crooked quirk of Silco's lips twitch into being, for just a moment. ] I've never been one for belief, but perhaps I hadn't found the right one.

[ With little complaint? For Silco, this is pretty damn good. ]

[ Tezcatlipoca may not know Silco well at all, but even he gets the sense that this is a pretty big accomplishment, so he doesn’t rib him too badly. After all, the ascent isn’t super easy even for people in good health, since he just gets the impression from his appearance that Silco isn’t. ]

Yep. Least not mine. Faith doesn’t mean as much if you can give it easily. And considerin’ compared to other pantheons in my world, we took the harder route as gods for sustainin’ the world, we demand a little bit more.

[ He casts a playful little smirk back at Silco ]

So, y’know. Lucky for you that you ain’t from my world! But if you want to give offerings and sacrifices for my blessings, I wouldn’t complain.

[ His smirk is a twist of irony borne out of a private joke. ]

Well, since I've always rejected religion in the past, I suppose we are all learning to live with the new realities of this world, hm?

[ Who knows, maybe he'll learn to give a sacrifice for Tezca. Then again, wasn't Quetz? His smile sharpened slightly, as they ascended. ]

Besides, haven't I already given you the greatest sacrifice of all?

[ His arm gestured at the steps of the monument beneath them, in a grand gesture. ]

Your brother herself?

[ He scoffs playfully in return, and raises a hand to wave it dismissively. ]

For now maybe. If you think I ain’t takin’ the reigns of our world to come, c’mon. But I don’t demand worship, at least. That’s more a society thing.

[ Just, you know. He doesn’t complain for it either. ]

But, yeah, you’ve already got a head start in that department. That’s why you’re getting my first blessing. At least of a sort. I’d give you a real one if I could, but between being a Servant and this world clearly not wanting me to fuck with it too bad, no can do. But it’ll be a nice little gift, and should the opportunity arise? We’ll make it legit.

[ They’re making good progress, at least! The stairs don’t seem to bother Tezcatlipoca, but he is more used to this. ]

[ Silco's newer vampiric nature means it takes him longer to tire, but the damage was already long-done before he arrived in Kenos, or Horos, or even before he'd reached adulthood. Years of cigars, toxins, and harsh dust and sediments meant he was a creature with too-weak lungs and by the time they were halfway, he was breathing a bit harder. Playing it off still, but breathing hard.

To Tezca, it was like a signal flare. ]

I had to fight this world for you to even arrive, apparently. I suppose it should not be surprising that it decided to cull too much from you as well.

[ Silco did not sound like he had a good opinion of Kenos, but perhaps it was a personal offense that this world continued to get its way. ]

That is why something better needs to replace it sooner, rather than later.

Oh, trust me, not surprised.

[ He takes a last drag of his cigarette (is this to rub it in for Silco or just finishing off what he had? Who can say), then flicks it off to the sides of the stone. Truly, the worst thing about Tezca: litterer ]

I’d trivialize the whole damn thing, after all. Can’t do shit for what Meridian wants, but Zenith? You wouldn’t need the Oracles. You’d only need me. Been a long time since I really made a world from scratch, but it’s like ridin’ a bike. You don’t forget how to do it.

[ He laughs, since he’s amused by his own comparison, but it comes with a shrug right after. ]

—But doesn’t matter. Left me with enough. I got my nature as the king of the jaguars to fight, and I got my nature as the god of providence to really make the world tremble, if need be. Even this place can’t take away all my omniscience. It's just pricey to take a peek at the future.

[ It's... fascinating, really. Even months ago, Silco would have looked at these sorts of conversations with a touch of derision, but since living through Sebastian's contract, Silco had gained something of an... appreciation for the metaphysical. For all these things that he'd so often thought of as beyond anything he'd ever known. Perhaps it was idle interest, but Silco's mismatched gaze remained on Tezca as he said it.

His lips twitched, before finally: ]

I suppose they could not leave you fully bereft, hm? They needed to give you something to preside over.

[ Another heavy breath, but he ran a hand through his hair as they continued. ]

Would you want to be restored, in the new one? Do you think you could be?

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🔫 me pointing a loaded gun at your attempts to clear the inbox

🧗‍♂️

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