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[zauneyete]

SILCO

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© TESSISAMESS

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[zauneyete]

I see.

[ Once Hugo gets to know Silco, he'll probably understand something. Silco is an artifice of drive, and rage. Taking the time to self-reflect is an atrophied muscle that he hardly indulges in, except for the very rare occasion. ]

I remember that very early on, the requirement was for sustained, willing contact.

They tried to force me to imprint with someone. [ And oh, how that had gone... poorly. To be fair, trying to force Silco to imprint with Vander had been a losing battle right off the bat. ]

I suppose it must have happened when I started to pull you free from the water.

So, the reason to bring it forward was to... what, precisely? You don't seem the type willing to warn me.

and then. stupid,

[totalize]

Because of the practical benefits that I recently learned of, though they're as irritating as the entire imprinting process itself.

You see, the fellow that gutted me had completely lost control of his Natural Soul. I assume that you're not inclined to become a mindless, raving beast either, so. What soothed it for him was proximity with someone he had imprinted with.

[ he is NOT going to phrase it like takasugi did, though. "getting intimate with a partner" like... no, sorry silco, you're not his type for that. ]

Hence why I wanted to be clear that I'm not a young man anymore, since that would be awkward, to say the least. It's a purely practical consideration.

[zauneyete]

I see.

[ No lbr they have the same type for that clearly ]

Well, consider it clarified.

And have you lost control of it, recently? Or have you started to appease it, now that it has fully come into itself?

[ aka...now that he has died... ]

[totalize]

I haven't lost control, no. But appeasing it is something I'm concerned about.

The raw irony of my name would make me think that fate would be annoyingly ironic. But the idea of consuming blood doesn't seem appetizing in the slightest.

Yet, there is a hunger. That's the best way I can describe the feeling, at least. Do you feel anything similar?

[zauneyete]

What makes it ironic?

[ look, sometimes u are from steampunk world where bram stoker didn't exist and vampires probably do so he doesn't get it. ]

I'm hardly more amenable to it than you are, however, I've had worse to consume in my life. There's little shame in eating what must be eaten to survive, and my soul has made its needs well known.

We have learned to cooperate. The hunger is insatiable. Unending.

Yet I know that the longer I force it to stave it off, the worse the rampage will be when it is unleashed. Is it not better to find a balance between the two?

[totalize]

”Hugo” and “Vlad” are both names that are deeply associated with vampires where I’m from, and based on some of the reactions I’ve gotten in introductions, it’s not just my home. So, consider it a sign of my mother’s love.

[ sarcastic, obviously ]

That aside.

I was unclear, I think. My soul doesn’t crave blood. That’s the irony.

I think I know what it wants, but it’s concerning.

[zauneyete]

It doesn't crave blood? How curious.

[ Well, he'd encountered dante draining the life force from a bunch of people, so perhaps it's less of a surprise, but still shocking. ]

What does it want then, exactly?

[totalize]

[ This is something that he wouldn’t admit to anyone else. He doesn’t think he will admit it to anyone else, because far more than being a thief, far more than the way he detests the upper classes…

This? This is something truly taboo. Only Silco could understand it too. ]

Death.

Killing those that deserve it.

[ But, if he were being truly honest. That caveat of who he wants to kill… that’s more himself than his Soul. ]

[zauneyete]

[ Oh, he does understand.

If anything, his feedings have been focused on certain areas of the city that he normally doesn't frequent. They are as familiar as where he works, for how often he treats them like hunting grounds. ]

Those that deserve it.

And what is your standard, I wonder?

[totalize]

Those whose very existence causes nothing but misery for others.

[ He’s sent it before he even fully thinks about it. About how he would usually hide such passions. He sighs, then follows it up with his more usual, indirect explanation. ]

Unless that question was rhetorical, of course. My death certainly hasn’t changed my distaste for those who wield their status for cruel means.

[zauneyete]

I wondered if there would be a change in that.

I assume you mean the type that profits off the backs of others? The cruel and rewarded for such cruelty, then?

[totalize]

Essentially, yes. Profit doesn’t factor too much into my definition, admittedly, but that’s likely also a matter of semantics.

If my dear friend and parasite craves deaths that are just then I don’t know how much room I would have to argue such a point.

It’s better than going mad and killing very much unjustly.

[zauneyete]

Indeed not, and why would we?

I wonder how much the nature of these things was chosen to suit us. Our... dear passengers seem to match us all, in some way, to bring out our natures.

Or perhaps compliment them.

I cannot say that a just death is unwelcome, after all.

[totalize]

Well, I can only speak for myself, but it does feel as if the match was a fated one, I admit. Whether it was a choice or just chance, I can hardly deny that it suits me. Troubling as that may be.

…You seem much more at ease with it all than I am. I’m a little jealous of that.

[zauneyete]

I don't know if mine was fated, exactly.

But we have come to an understanding, regardless. Perhaps the ease is what you see, but to me, it's hardly a choice at all. After all, I've never seen anything like this where I am from. No powers, no nothing.

How could I reject what this offers me, when the other choice is to wither away with nothing here?

[ When would silco ever say no to power? ]

[totalize]

[ Hm. That's a concerning answer, and it brings that thought to mind of how Silco... clearly isn't a good person. More than that, though, he sees a sliver of the kind of behavior that Hugo (and his soul) are eager to strike down. There's nothing good that ever comes from those hungry for power. It's something to keep in mind. ]

For what it's worth, I haven't either. Or, not without madness following in its wake. It's a very long story, since I haven't heard of anyone else from New Eridu, but in short, any "power" comes with a loss of self.

So, be careful, is perhaps my point.

1/2

[zauneyete]

I am well aware of what one must often sacrifice for even a scrap of it.

[ And well... ]

[zauneyete]

[ After all, he knows what he will not. He'd been given that option, hadn't he? ]

I know where my line is.

[totalize]

So long as you know it, I won’t stress the point. I just wanted to be sure you’d considered it.

[ Does he feel a little bit of care for Silco? Who knows, since he playfully adds: ]

It would be a shame to lose my first imprint! I suppose that makes us partners, in a way~

[zauneyete]

Are you worrying after me, Hugo?

[ A moment of consideration, because... ]

You are mine as well, and I don't want to make a habit of doing so. Let's keep this under wraps, hm? As good partners should.

[totalize]

I am. My teasing aside, crossing that line isn't something I'd wish for anyone. I've seen it firsthand here, obviously, but even back home, I saw my fair share of people become, well, monsters. The sort that are truly mindless and hostile. It's a sad, lonely fate.

But, yes. I don't have any inclination to share, don't worry.

[ like he knows how fucked up it is... he's so fucked up... he's never telling a soul about this as long as he has the choice ]

Though, I'm curious, just for the hypothetical. Why keep it under wraps? It's not my impression that imprinting is anything, say, taboo.

[zauneyete]

Good. I don't either.

[ Obviously, but he is... Silco. ]

I have several enemies in this world. The prospect of them understanding that there is a connection between us may lead them to try and use that to their advantage. Or worse, harm you, thinking it would be a path to me.

Everyone by know understands something about me. I am not a trusting man. The fact that it happened is novel, and they will use it.

[totalize]

Well, I don't think you'll have to worry about that path, at least. I don't like showing off in that way, since it's better to keep it under wraps until it's necessary, but I can defend myself. Takasugi was a fluke. An extreme one, considering, but I don't think it'll be surprising that I'm more cautious nowadays. Lesson learned to not let one's guard down, alas.

But the point is taken. I'll keep it to myself regardless, like I said, but it's still good to know the stakes.

Are these people I should be concerned about otherwise?

[zauneyete]

No. As long as our connection is not known, they pride themselves on their pacifism. To the extreme.

They would hardly make trouble unless pushed.

[ Says Silco, who absolutely has recently pushed Vander into attacking him again. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ oopsie! ]

Leave me to deal with them, and stay under their radar. If they start to become a problem, I'll inform you.

[ we're gonna drag this reveal out for the fun of it :) ]

[totalize]

[ HEHEHE 🤭 ]

Well, good in that case. I’m not inclined to be a troublemaker myself, or at least not where anyone can notice~

So far, I’ve no similar problems here with too nosy people from home, but I’ll similarly let you know if that changes.

Though even so, I’d also categorize them the same way. Far too pacifist for their own good, et cetera.