Yo.

[ It’s a too casual greeting for someone that was clearly in the same situation. He’s still covered in sap and dirt himself, though now that he has company, he does reach up to start picking some of it out of his hair. ]

You were really struggling. Weren’t sure if you were gonna make it up.

[ …And by implication, yeah, he was just watching. Don’t worry about that part! With a sigh, he gives up on trying to clean up his hair, and instead takes off his (very unnecessary) sunglasses to try and clean them off instead. It’s mildly more successful, and it also shows his rather startlingly pale blue eyes. ]

Well, welcome, in any case. This ain’t the usual way I meet people, but hey. I’ll give it points for being dramatic.

[ Learning more about the cities and their factions has eventually lead Tezcatlipoca into the Seat of the Tribune. His first impression is that it’s pretty bold for leaders to just allow people to come in this casually, but he’ll chalk that up to more modern sentiments. Seems like it might be this Tribune guy’s loss, from the sound of things. But he’s not here to cause trouble (today, anyways), and he won’t complain. Besides, he’s hungry, and this place is providing. Works for him.

With a plate loaded up (notably, only with the smoked meats—not a vegetable in sight here), Tezcatlipoca ends up drifting into a circle that looks like people who are comfortable here. From that, he can guess that they’re people that have been here a while. ]

Looks like there’s space here, so I’ll be joining you.

[ It’s not a request, naturally. He’s a little too presumptuous for that, god that he is, but he’s also not wrong. The forum is busy, and there’s space open here, so it’s only a little rude. He takes a seat comfortably and takes his first bite (pretty damn good, he has to say), but he picks up small talk as well. Despite his rather relaxed, casual demeanor, he hates being idle, so might as well multitask. ]

So, how long you been here? It always been a shitshow?

[ Of course the rumors of shrines out in the Beyond catches Tezcatlipoca’s attention, but it’s largely just because of one of the gods in question. He knows of Set in the way that any Servant knows of gods of distant lands, but Quetzalcoatl… ]

Give me a break, Birdie. This is dumb, even for you.

[ Tezcatlipoca has found a decent vantage point to look at the tall shrine in the distance on one of the higher floors of the Tomes with a decent view. He’s smoking as he looks out at it pensively, because part of him is sorely tempted to go to the Shrine and see Quetzalcoatl for himself. But it’s also not a great idea, considering he’s yet to pick one of these two sides and get his power back into his hands. Antagonizing his “brother” is always a good time, but less so when he’d be killed immediately. How does death even shake out in a place like this? Eh, he’ll figure that part out later.

He taps the ashes off his cigarette just as the door behind him opens, and he glances back. His expression is neutral at first, but it occurs to him he can ask, so he beckons them forward before he points out to the top of the shrine in the distance. ]

You’re right on time. Was just trying to figure out what the deal is with that big chunk of rock out there. Help a newbie out?

[ He knows perfectly well what it is, of course. But he’s more curious what the locals’ read on it is, especially since he’d bet everything he has that Quetzalcoatl ended up over with Meridian, not here. ]

[ Shard-Bearers of both factions are greeted with a voice that’s cool and calm, and it comes with a deep sensation of the dark—a moonless night, an obsidian mirror, all are apt to describe the sense that comes with it. Yet, the voice itself is pleasant and friendly enough! Surely that doesn’t mean anything! ]

So, what I’ve been hearing is that this Oracle thing is some kinda war, but for being two places with ideologies that are totally different, you all get along pretty well. Better than I’d expect, considering what’s at stake. You all shake hands and figure it’ll turn out alright?

[ There’s a tiny bit of derision there, but that’s more his personal taste than anything. From what he’s heard and seen so far, this war doesn’t impress him. Shocker, from a god of conflict... ]

Well, anyways. Call me curious as I’m trying to figure out which side is the better bet, since going back to where I’m from or it being gone is about the same to me. It’s a fight either way. What convinced you to fight for one of 'em? What kind of battles have you had so far?

[ The standard cyoa/drop me a starter/I’ll write you one, etc! I’ll not apping Tezca at this very moment (because, I mean, Quetz is still here,,,), but I have the itch and want to practice with him. At the very least, these threads will likely be canon later! There will just be a chunk of time where he peaces out, it’s fine. Pretend Quetz chased him off or smth

Finally, for canon stuff, Tezcatlipoca is from LB7, but I will not bring up any spoilers because it's not out in NA yet! And also worth noting for those of you that are canon familiar, Tezcatlipoca does not give off the magical energy of a Servant! He's another Nasu Special Case™ and has a human body. ]