zauneyete | KENOS IC CONTACT

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?

[ It’s a question that makes him laugh, but it’s definitely a thoughtful one. It’s a funny question to be asked, honestly. ]

Well, I’ll clear up a misunderstanding to start. Ain’t a matter of want. I call the god shit my job because that’s about as good of an analogy as exists, but it runs deeper than that. We exist to serve a purpose to the world at a cosmic level, and there’s no free will involved there, in a manner of speakin’.

[ They (conveniently) make it to the top at this point, and rather than kick Silco back down, he just turns with a flourish to face Silco. ]

That’s the trade-off, at least in my opinion. Being mortal means you don’t have the kinda power a god has, sure, but you have the ability to decide your own destiny. Your life’s yours to live however you want.

[ The glare of the moonlight against his sunglasses hides it somewhat, but his gaze is a bit more intense as he says it. His smile is easy, but there’s a sense through their shared Aspect that this is something that Tezcatlipoca is very serious about. Maybe it’s even advice. But he doesn’t speak to it at all beyond that. ]

But, yeah. Point being, I will be. I can wrestle with the forces that be that might stop it, literal or otherwise. There are gods that may be equal to me, but there are none that are greater.

Edited 2024-03-19 14:00 (UTC)

Hm.

[ He said, and there's a note there of something. Thoughtfulness, perhaps. Observation. Not a matter of "want", and it's so similar to something that Set has expressed to him, that he had Every choice, particularly during their last conversation, after he'd stepped into his office with his daughter's shard in his hand, threatening to keep her away from him.

Though, every choice he had made had been so... wrong, lately. Or perhaps it had always been wrong. Had always fallen short.

However, he does not dwell too long on that, because while the difference is stark, and something he wants to think about, there is also the fact that Tezca has said something that is difficult to wrap his head around. 'There are gods that may be equal to me but none that are greater'

His lips twitch. ]

And I assume that the fact that there are equals is... a challenge, yes? Was your sibling an equal?

Edited (i am not actually editing this but since i updated my un now you will not have a dead link) 2024-03-24 07:23 (UTC)

[ Tezcatlipoca’s smile stays hard to read. Even in their shared Aspect, he seems to be an enigma in many ways. ]

Nope. Quetzalcoatl was a piece carved from me. She’s got raw strength on me. Can’t deny that. But I’ve got power she can’t rival. The power of omniscience and providence are my gifts, and I see the unseen and make the impossible possible.

[ He spreads his hands in a wide gesture with a toothy grin, then beckons them further into the temple. And here is where Tezcatlipica’s work already becomes apparent. The butterflies that had once flown around the interior lay in pieces on the floor, and though most had been evacuated, a few hummingbird corpses are strewn about too. He steps up to the dais, and beckons to their friend. ]

And that’s where you come in, bud. We’re going to do a little of the impossible

[ Odd, how somehow, that expression of where Quetzalcoatl had come from seems to make Silco feel... less about his accomplishment. Though standing atop the corpse of a dead god was an achievement, knowing that there was more power to be found wakes something in him, that hunger that means he wants to gain more of it. The man knew, deep down, that he wouldn't be satisfied with what he had. Not by a long shot.

Though as they walk in, he really sees what Tezca has been up to. The corpses of butterflies and hummingbirds are obvious. He only gives them a cursory glance, before Tezca encourages their new friend to help him out. ]

You heard him. This is what you came here for.

[ It's encouraging, but a touch of scorn. The guy looked at all the corpses on the ground, before shaking his head, and heading up to join Tezca.

Silco decided that unless invited, he should probably not get involved in this... God Stuff. ]

[ Tezcatlipoca nods approvingly as their friend approaches without trepidation, since that’s good. ]

I’ll take care of ya, don’t worry. Just lay down here, since I gotta change. It’s gonna feel weird to both of ya, but don’t worry about it.

[ It’s not much of a warning at all, honestly. It’s frustratingly vague, and it’s only as they start to lay down as instructed that Tezcatlipoca does what he says… Technically. It’s surely not what either of them expects.

It’s a familiar feeling to Silco, because it’s a burst of magical energy that’s similar to Quetzalcoatl’s when she had been viciously fighting. However, the feeling of it is totally different. Quetzalcoatl had been hot against the skin, but Tezcatlipica is pressure as golden light surrounds him. It’s a force that bears down like something unseen demands that they kneel. The sacrifice nearly collapses on the platform in surprise as breath is almost forced out of their lungs.

But the light dissipates, and Tezcatlipoca is indeed completely differently dressed. It resembles the sort of clothing that Quetzalcoatl wore, but of course more dark and macabre. But most notable is Tezcatlipoca’s eyes. That pale blue is piercing, like he’s looking deep into the very heart from just a glance.

This is the presence of a Divine Spirit—a terrifying and powerful god in the flesh. ]

[ Every god was different, and every god manifested in a way that was unique, and completely outside of Silco's breadth of knowledge. he was learning more, of course, and Quetz's heat had been present at times, but Silco had always been so angry that he'd never even really clocked it as Divine. He'd been so... out of it, so in his own mind and in his own head that the prospect of it being her power had never even occurred to him. Set, in contrast, had rarely expelled the sort of power that he had felt from Tezca in this moment.

The only time he had, it had been —

Well. Recent. Ish. The power of something looking at him from behind Florence Deshayes' eyes, when she'd held her hand up, and used a power that he had never seen before, speaking a name that had simply — existed, but he hadn't been able to hear — and the power had been immense. It was like this, and as it happens, because Silco is open to it, because he is looking for a miracle of a sort, he sees this. He... perhaps doesn't fully understand it, but he knows what is happening. Or at least there is a part of him that can put together what happens before him.

His fingers tighten into fists, and then he relaxes them. He closed his mouth, he swallowed, and a single eye blinked.

His eyes flicked to the sacrifice, as if he is watching to see what happened with the body, because the brilliance of wherever it was that Tezca is — it is so much that he has to let his eyes drift away, at least momentarily.

Only for a moment, before he forces himself to look at Tezca again. He should not look away out of...whatever emotion it is that bubbles in his chest — fear/jealousy/anger/longing and something else that he cannot quite put a word to yet. ]

Well.

[ His voice somewhat softer than he intended. ]

Are we doing something with all of this power you've manifested?

[ Tezcatlipoca’s eyes are purely on Silco, too. He’s watching him, and though there’s always some part of Tezcatlipoca’s gaze that feels intense and predatory (it’s why he likes the sunglasses, since it helps obscure the intensity), it’s only truly mighty when he dons his regalia. He may not have his omniscience, but it certainly has to feel like he does to someone else. He is the greatest god of the Aztecs, and he sees people as they truly are.

It's precisely why his gaze stays on Silco. There’s a judgement taking place here, though Tezcatlipoca doesn’t speak to it at all. For now, he’s simply measuring.

And thus, he laughs at the insolence. ]

Are you feeling impatient? [ His speech is more formal too, and even his words carry more weight. It’s not dissimilar to what he’d experience with “Florence”, though there’s not a total ability to back it up here. ] We are. This is my gift of thanks, but it’s also your learning experience.

[ He’s awfully vague about what that means, but he doesn’t elaborate, since his attention turns to the sacrifice. He places a hand on their forehead, and it seems to be a calming gesture for all that sudden pressure. Then with a nod, he quietly tells them to take off their shirt, which they do with obedience that’s a bit in awe and fear as he speaks. ]

And I give my thanks most to you. You’ve come here willingly and bravely. You will be a child of Ipalnemoani henceforth. With your gift, we will take this temple from a dead god and give it a chance to flourish under new power.

[ With the shirt off, Tezcatlipoca pushes them so that they’re laying on the platform, and with a ritual sort of reverence he moves his hand to place it on their chest. Specifically, it’s over their heart, but neither they or Silco might understand the significance or what Tezcatlipoca might mean to do. He looks at Silco before continuing, though. ]

It’ll be fast, so don’t flinch. This is an offering, so it’s to be treated with respect.

[ Silco feels it, the measurement that is taking place, and he does not shirk, but instead he stares at Tezca head on. It is not fearless, because he is mortal, but what it is, is spiteful. His piercing gaze seems to try to weigh the measure of him, but in retaliation, Silco stares back, as if to imply: 'your gaze cannot measure the sum of me'. He meant it, too, a half-unblinking gaze that was...perhaps not as intense as a God's — for how could it be? — but it was something... to the side of a human's, or even a Vampire's.

When Tezca turned to direct their target, and Silco watched him, he put a hand in his pocket, idle.

His lips twitched, and he tipped his head as he said: ]

By all means. I think we should offer respect to our friend for their willingness to participate.

[ He gestured but did not flinch. He fully expected the man to die, and though he feared for his own life... he had no worry about that at the moment. Not when there was someone ripe for the taking right before Tezca. ]

[ Tezcatlipoca nods, and he looks back to the sacrifice with his piercing expression. His voice is reverent and gentle. ]

Then, give all to I, Ilhuicahua, Tlalticpaque, for your life is a gift that is my sovereign right.

[ Those words are clearer to the threat that Tezcatlipoca possesses, but there’s no time to react. It’s nearly impossible to see how Tezcatlipoca’s hand suddenly pushes forward and cuts through flesh. There are no claws or anything of the sort like Silco had seen on a certain demon, but he’s still able to break through bone and muscle like it poses no obstacle. There’s a crack, a crunch, a wet, wheezed gasp, but it’s still incredibly fast. It’s brutal, but this is mercy.

Because in the moment it takes Tezcatlipoca to push his hand in, he withdraws just as swiftly. Yet, he brings something with him. He leans forward to cradle it in both hands like it’s something precious (for it absolutely is), and he holds it up over the rapidly dying victim.

The heart still beats strongly in his hands, if only for a few moments. ]

[ If Silco were a lesser man (ie: more compassionate) he would have flinched, for flesh leaves a bloody mess, and some flicked off, and spattered in his face. He still doesn't flinch. Silco has watched men die before, and this one is only different in that there is an odd... reverence to it. Weight, or something holy, something he doesn't really understand but is starting to want to, because the presence that Tezca levies is too great and terrible for Silco to turn away from it.

His language is power, after all, the hunger for it, the pursuit of it, the dogged, unending clawing forward toward progress.

Watching this man willingly give up his life for Tezca is unreal to him. Odd, but welcome.

He blinked his single eye but did not even remove a kerchief to mop it off of his face.

He watches the heart beat in his hand, once, twice, thrice. The squelch of blood, the soft thump, thump, thump that fills the space between them. Silco holds his breath and does not speak.

Even a godless man like him can sense the moment. ]

Edited (less southern prose lmao) 2024-04-02 05:57 (UTC)

[ For those moments, it’s like Silco isn’t there. Tezcatlipoca closes his eyes and feels the beats in his hand and the gush of blood that drip thickly from his hands. Their shocked gazes fades to death, and he opens his eyes again slowly. It’s strange to not feel divided in the moment, for normally he’d be just as present somewhere else to welcome the soul passing by him. That’s just as much the true expression of a god—his existence is large and multidimensional, brutal and gentle in the same stroke.

The heart stops beating, so he shifts to hold it in one hand while he leans down to close the victim’s eyes with his bloody hand. It smears over their face not unlike the paint that Tezcatlipoca now wears. Yet despite the caring gesture, there is no sense of regret. He’s still strong and certain, and once he’s given them that proper respect, he stands straight again and looks at Silco. He’s appraising yet again. ]

They give their life because they understand the role of gods. All life is because of our efforts. And even gods make sacrifices to create and sustain the people below us.

[ He shifts the heart in his hands in a way that’s clearly readying it, but it’s not totally clear for what. ]

Quetzalcoatl disliked the fact that they needed to give back to us. But that’s the way of things. Life is nourishment, and it’s needed to endure the trials laid out before you. So. Let it be known that this temple is dedicated to those that persevere, not the cowards that allow others to do their work for them.

[ And, with that. Tezcatlipoca bites into the heart. Or rather, tears into it with his more feline teeth as he starts to eat it, warm and raw. ]

KENOS IC CONTACT

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