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SEPTEMBER TDM + SETTING UPDATES
BEARING FRUIT (NEW CHARACTERS ONLY)
It starts out as a pleasant dream. You’re in your favorite place, with your favorite people. It’s a moment of idyllic comfort.
The light starts to fade, but only in time to see as the leaves cradling you immediately start to soften and crumble, and with it comes a torrent of dirt. Soft, loamy soil starts to fill the space around you in the dark as you’re buried. Or, rather, you already were. You reach out through the dirt desperately, and your hands finds a root, so you pull while you clutch that precious crystal so close that it almost feels like it sinks into you (in your panic, you don’t notice that it does). You reach out again, and this time, your hand hits open air and plenty of sturdy roots around to grab.
From a seed you’re born, and like a sprout, you make your way out of the ground.
And once you’ve clawed your way out of the soft earth and the roots, nearby, you see the soil shift. Another hand comes up to grasp desperately for something, anything, just as you had been.
You wake with a start, cradled by soft, velvety plants, and sticky with a sap that smells faintly of honey and iron. You can see the veins of the leaves that hold you, lit warmly and gently by what looks like a crystal embedded above you. Yet, it’s odd, because that crystal calls to you. When you reach out to touch it, it’s warm. Familiar. Important. You don’t know why, but you know you must hold onto this, because now it feels wrong for it to be suspended in these leaves. So, you pull it out.And then, it goes wrong.
The sky turns dark above, and as you look up, you see the black expanse of space spotted with faraway pinprick lights of stars. Yet, they’re not stars. You’re certain. They’re watching you. A billion eyes all looking down, and they spill forth as if sky itself was a dam holding back those dark waters. You reach back to the people you’re with, but they’re frozen in place. Their eyes are black, reflecting only the expanse of dark eyes.
So you run, even though you know you won’t escape it. You glance back and see it not overtaking, but consuming. The landscape around you is being devoured, and you can see it cracking apart. The world itself is breaking, and it cracks under your feet. You fall, and the billion eyes chase after you until the darkness swallows you whole. There’s agony as if you’re being ripped apart, and then—
You cannot see. You cannot feel. You simply are. Yet even so, impossibly, a woman’s voice speaks gently.
I’m sorry it couldn’t be saved. But, come, it’s time to wake.
The light starts to fade, but only in time to see as the leaves cradling you immediately start to soften and crumble, and with it comes a torrent of dirt. Soft, loamy soil starts to fill the space around you in the dark as you’re buried. Or, rather, you already were. You reach out through the dirt desperately, and your hands finds a root, so you pull while you clutch that precious crystal so close that it almost feels like it sinks into you (in your panic, you don’t notice that it does). You reach out again, and this time, your hand hits open air and plenty of sturdy roots around to grab.
From a seed you’re born, and like a sprout, you make your way out of the ground.
And once you’ve clawed your way out of the soft earth and the roots, nearby, you see the soil shift. Another hand comes up to grasp desperately for something, anything, just as you had been.
TWO CITIES, ALIKE IN DIGNITY
With the new Shard-Bearers present or en route, it is Kathova and Cetina that approach the established ones, requesting that they form mentorships with the new souls to assist them with the integration process. To this end, they have both provided a centralized zone in both Highstorm and Springstar for a small, casual meet-and-greet to be held before the new Shard-Bearers are unleashed upon Kenos as a whole.
Additionally, as Springstar and Highstorm are holding their events on different days, it is possible for the knowledge-hungry to participate in both informational sessions -- the tones and opinions held by both cities are doubtless to differ, and some Shard-Bearers who have chosen to harmonize with either faction may even find their way to the opposing faction's session as well.
However, for those who have attended such events in the past, they'll note a marked difference—Only newly arrived Shard-Bearers and members of the faction are welcome. If you're a member of the opposite faction, you'll be questioned and ultimately turned away. If you want to join the party, you'll have to be a little sneakier, it seems.
The welcoming party is in the Seat of the Tribune, with tables draped in white-and-gold-trimmed fabrics fare filled with fare typical to Springstar's slowly fading winter -- fruits and wines, savory smoked meats and roasted vegetables, and large bowls of soups like youvarlakia and fasoalda have been lain out to encourage forum participants to snack as they speak. There are plenty of grains and other dishes that elude to an abundant harvest from Alenroux. The atmosphere is ambient with informality and friendliness, though topics will inevitably stray towards philosophic or political, Springstar's meeting grounds are decorated with handsome chaise lounges and slouching klismos chairs in small, intimate groupings. This is a forum in the classical sense, where people are encouraged to speak freely, no matter the topic. Though excitement charges the air, the gathering at the Seat is much more muted than what transpires outside the center of the city.
The mood in Springstar as a whole is jubilant, with not just a party at the seat of the tribune, but elsewhere, including the Psychagogía district. Parties line the streets, establishments that overflow with bodies, drink, and libations of all sorts. There is a sense of excitement in capturing the latest oracle, and the people seem to treat the shard-bearers of Meridian somewhat reverently, and new ones, they will pull aside and explain with excitement about how the Shard-Bearers captured the oracle (with varying degrees of accuracy) and how it is because of them that they will be seen to victory. Cyrus’s name, however, still comes with notes of disdain. It’s clear that the Tribune has not bought much good favor by their victory, and instead, if any ask, or follow the threads, they will hear the names Desmond Ó Ruadháin and Agapitos Voreen as likely successors to the Tribune. However if one asks how that happens… details become a bit more muddy. Apparently, the role of the Tribune is for life. And apparently, the denizens of Springstar trust the Shard-Bearers to see the oracles through, and still see Cyrus as a weak link in their chain.
There are few places to be seated in the Manor's courtyard, resulting in a milling of bodies as they flow and ebb between smaller gatherings, clustering in small-to-large groups with small platters and shimmering flutes of drink held in their hands. Yet, as you look, you’ll see that the selection is also quite interesting. The foods and drinks on offer are from a multitude of worlds, and so you may find a new favorite! Or something not suited to your palate at all. It’s at least a chance to be adventurous. If you try something and don’t like it, might not want to say that out loud, lest you insult someone who’s from that world.
The city itself is more muted than usual. The last dregs of Highstorm’s chill summer are coming to an end, and the cold is an opportunity for Highstorm’s denizens to batter in more frequently, and the chill may have something to do with the lost oracle. Though, if asked, they’ll say nothing of the sort, of course! In opposition to Springstar’s mixed jubilation and doubt, Highstorm’s denizens seem determined that lady Yima will see them through, and that one loss is no reason to fall into despair. Though they are still disappointed, and will say so. Though blame does not seem to have a target, mere disappointment filters through the city, as they start preparing for winter. The prices seem higher, whether one is looking for potions, supplies, or even small trinkets from the The Antiques & Baubles Market. Things seem… leaner in a sense. There’s nobody starving on the streets in Highstorm, but the control of Alenroux continues to lead to tense relations, even though a compromise seems to have been recently reached between the two factions.
Additionally, as Springstar and Highstorm are holding their events on different days, it is possible for the knowledge-hungry to participate in both informational sessions -- the tones and opinions held by both cities are doubtless to differ, and some Shard-Bearers who have chosen to harmonize with either faction may even find their way to the opposing faction's session as well.
However, for those who have attended such events in the past, they'll note a marked difference—Only newly arrived Shard-Bearers and members of the faction are welcome. If you're a member of the opposite faction, you'll be questioned and ultimately turned away. If you want to join the party, you'll have to be a little sneakier, it seems.
SPRINGSTAR, αιώνιος ήλιος
In Springstar, the seat of the Tribune becomes available for such a forum. While a section of the building itself has been reserved for the meeting between fresh faces and experienced Shard-Bearers alike, the hustle and bustle of Heliopolis continues around them -- acolytes still gather their robes and tomes, hurrying from their quarters to lessons. A score of young militants march in step across the yard to the training grounds.The welcoming party is in the Seat of the Tribune, with tables draped in white-and-gold-trimmed fabrics fare filled with fare typical to Springstar's slowly fading winter -- fruits and wines, savory smoked meats and roasted vegetables, and large bowls of soups like youvarlakia and fasoalda have been lain out to encourage forum participants to snack as they speak. There are plenty of grains and other dishes that elude to an abundant harvest from Alenroux. The atmosphere is ambient with informality and friendliness, though topics will inevitably stray towards philosophic or political, Springstar's meeting grounds are decorated with handsome chaise lounges and slouching klismos chairs in small, intimate groupings. This is a forum in the classical sense, where people are encouraged to speak freely, no matter the topic. Though excitement charges the air, the gathering at the Seat is much more muted than what transpires outside the center of the city.
The mood in Springstar as a whole is jubilant, with not just a party at the seat of the tribune, but elsewhere, including the Psychagogía district. Parties line the streets, establishments that overflow with bodies, drink, and libations of all sorts. There is a sense of excitement in capturing the latest oracle, and the people seem to treat the shard-bearers of Meridian somewhat reverently, and new ones, they will pull aside and explain with excitement about how the Shard-Bearers captured the oracle (with varying degrees of accuracy) and how it is because of them that they will be seen to victory. Cyrus’s name, however, still comes with notes of disdain. It’s clear that the Tribune has not bought much good favor by their victory, and instead, if any ask, or follow the threads, they will hear the names Desmond Ó Ruadháin and Agapitos Voreen as likely successors to the Tribune. However if one asks how that happens… details become a bit more muddy. Apparently, the role of the Tribune is for life. And apparently, the denizens of Springstar trust the Shard-Bearers to see the oracles through, and still see Cyrus as a weak link in their chain.
HIGHSTORM, луны-близнецы
Eternally in opposition, Highstorm provides the Manor's courtyard as the setting for their informational meeting. Formality is of utmost importance here, with attending Zenith loyalists and residents dressed in beautiful, albeit austere attire -- they are, after all, standing before Lady Yima's home. A buffet-style luncheon is spread alongside one of the largest reflecting pools, wherein you may gaze and find your memories revealed in retrospect upon the water's surface. Soft tunes filter over the courtyard, and if the sounds of them sound familiar – perhaps remind one of home? That’s because they are! Yima’s musicians seem to be able to pilfer strings and strands of music, and weave it all together expertly, to give both new arrivals and old friends reminders of their home.There are few places to be seated in the Manor's courtyard, resulting in a milling of bodies as they flow and ebb between smaller gatherings, clustering in small-to-large groups with small platters and shimmering flutes of drink held in their hands. Yet, as you look, you’ll see that the selection is also quite interesting. The foods and drinks on offer are from a multitude of worlds, and so you may find a new favorite! Or something not suited to your palate at all. It’s at least a chance to be adventurous. If you try something and don’t like it, might not want to say that out loud, lest you insult someone who’s from that world.
The city itself is more muted than usual. The last dregs of Highstorm’s chill summer are coming to an end, and the cold is an opportunity for Highstorm’s denizens to batter in more frequently, and the chill may have something to do with the lost oracle. Though, if asked, they’ll say nothing of the sort, of course! In opposition to Springstar’s mixed jubilation and doubt, Highstorm’s denizens seem determined that lady Yima will see them through, and that one loss is no reason to fall into despair. Though they are still disappointed, and will say so. Though blame does not seem to have a target, mere disappointment filters through the city, as they start preparing for winter. The prices seem higher, whether one is looking for potions, supplies, or even small trinkets from the The Antiques & Baubles Market. Things seem… leaner in a sense. There’s nobody starving on the streets in Highstorm, but the control of Alenroux continues to lead to tense relations, even though a compromise seems to have been recently reached between the two factions.
SETTING UPDATES
In both locations, information passes between all in a forum, spread and disseminated among the masses - it's a good opportunity for city residents, faction loyalists and interested new parties to share and share alike. Once the meet-and-greet has concluded, twin missives from both faction leads are read out -- invitations for all present to explore the cities to their heart's content, and warnings about stumbling ill-prepared ( or at all ) into the Below, or worse yet, the Beyond. As Shard-Bearers new and old take in their cities, they'll all see it change throughout the month...
OOC, these are all updates to the setting at large that players both new and old are free to interact with as little or as much as they wish! Feel free to use them as prompts on this post, in your characters on-going lives and arcs, or just let them go "that's none of my business" and ignore it. The world of Kenos is shaped by our playerbase, and these are some of the wider reaching effects of various player plots and actions.
OOC, these are all updates to the setting at large that players both new and old are free to interact with as little or as much as they wish! Feel free to use them as prompts on this post, in your characters on-going lives and arcs, or just let them go "that's none of my business" and ignore it. The world of Kenos is shaped by our playerbase, and these are some of the wider reaching effects of various player plots and actions.
THE BLIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL
Since the Blight’s conclusion, both cities have undergone a fair bit of effort to reconstruct the districts and buildings that were destroyed in the Blight, though Springstar seems a touch further along than Highstorm, due to Shard-bearer efforts. The unusual weather pockets present previously have very nearly all disappeared, though there are some patches still present, lingering in the areas still somewhat ravaged by the Blight. The pockets seem to be losing their effects now, and if one finds themself within, will experience a mild slowing down or speeding up of time. Visions still appear within the small bubbles, reflections of dear ones or important events, though they seem to be only memory, though anyone within the bubble can bear witness.FURTHER DETAILS
OOCly, characters can still stumble into small bubbles of time, though they are fewer and far between than they were 3 months ago! These time bubbles still have some time-warping energy, and will continue to allow characters to either speed up or slow down, depending on player preference! In addition, the time bubbles are no longer bringing back remnants of Kenosians past, but there is still the chance of some memory reflections to briefly manifest in the bubble. They will come from player characters as a whole, and are purely up to whatever is fun for you! Think of it as brief flickers of memory sharing, they can be as brief or as distorted as you like! Think of this as the last gasp of the Blight, as it withers away thanks to the concentrated efforts of all shard bearers!
CHECKS AND BALANCES
Alenroux continues to improve, and with the new balance between both Springstar and Highstorm, the separate island is safer than ever! The tensions between both factions seem to have reduced over the island, thanks to the efforts of several shard bearers, and the populace seems to be warming to both factions once again.FURTHER DETAILS
After the resolution of the first Kenos Ambassador agreement, the balance of power in Alenroux is already starting to shift. The island already has a much more evenly-matched number of military forces from both Springstar and Highstorm, the number of troops in the area has reduced significantly. The number of monsters does not seem to have increased at this time, which bodes well for the area. The uptick of Highstorm locals has certainly led to more food flowing into Highstorm than had before, and the people seem pleased with the arrangement – for the moment! The small murmurs of discontent and unrest seem to have alleviated at this time. Though some still seem uncomfortable with the amount of troops, they seem less willing to say that out loud. Though nights in Alenroux will possibly never be wholly safe, the threats seem more manageable, though nobody will ever turn down Shard-Bearer assistance in a pinch!
TO INFINITY – AND BEYOND
Rumbling about temples being erected in the Beyond, which lies outside of Highstorm’s city limits, close to another that had been erected previously. Not one shrine out there, but two it seems. It shines like the sun when the moonlight catches it just right, and it’s visible over the line of trees that marks the edge of the Beyond. The more brave and curious of Highstorm’s denizens have started making more treks into the Beyond for both shrines, and the fact that most come back unharmed seems to encourage others to follow. And for those that may not be able to make the trek safely, there's an opportunity to make a bit of money by leading the way to the shrines and offering the curious pilgrims protection from the Beyond's dangers. There’s rumbling amongst them – Quetzalcoatl – Set – the names of gods of worlds long past, and though there are not many that will stray from Highstorm’s resident deified figure – Lady Yima – there are enough that it’s easy to catch pilgrimages out to the temple, and to visit them yourselves, as well!FURTHER DETAILS
Quetzalcoatl erected a bright and gigantic temple right next to Set's in the Beyond! Right next to Highstorm! I'm sure that's fine and will not have any diplomatic consequences in the future! Both gods have been drawing in new curious individuals – some who may be worshippers with time – and it's drawn the curiosity of many.
SMALLER CHANGES
GRAND LARCENY
An uptick in crime between both Springstar and Highstorm has both the Legion and Yima’s own private guard scrambling as they struggle to find rhyme or reason behind the latest crime spree taken up in both cities. Though there doesn’t seem to be a specific source, local chatter suggests that it might be coming from a mysterious underground, though most can’t say where... there’s vague gestures, and remarks about Below, without any concrete details. Those who are familiar with – or find out about – Kowloon, may find plenty of stolen items within Kowloon’s markets, though if asked, the keeper will simply shrug and say they retrieved it from a reputable source. Who? Well, they don’t know, they don’t remember their face. I’m sure this is fine and won’t lead to trouble later down the line!
Completely unrelated, those who are known to be or obviously affiliated with Springstar continue to encounter difficulty in Kowloon. It’s become a touch more brazen – more pickpocketing, even higher prices, or even some outright derisiveness from some businesses, although they seem to be centered more around Draumahol, and the further one gets from the business in the underground city (or as far as one can get) the more willing businesses seem to engage with those from Springstar, and the more… apologetic they are about higher prices, though they do still seem to be across the board.
FAE MISCHEIF
It’s not just the underground that seems to be reeling from a spike of theft, though this one seems more obvious – and innocuous! Faeries from the Greenwood Yard seem to still be reeling from recent Shard-Bearer intrusions, so bearers new and old may find small items of varying importance are missing. They’ll generally come with a calling card; a small note that is part threat and part invitation for a game, to come find them within the Greenwood Yards. After hearing about the issue, a certain potion shop owner sets up a small stall by the yards, and will offer to help the shard bearer with their predicament – for a price, of course! Better have a few gold coins on you!
The owner will offer bearers a round-trip to tiny town yet again, to retrieve whatever was stolen, though this time it comes with no visions, and generally the fairies will consider things to be even, if bearers come to retrieve it with politeness and a request for it to be returned. If a bearer threatens them… well. Let’s hope you brought a friend along to help with this fae threat, then!
OOC NOTES
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kenoslogs.
no subject
[ He says, with a soft, unamused laugh. It's more for show than anything, to express the good humor that he should feel at the words — and would normally — but since there was nothing to smile about in his life... it's false.
Still, with his head tipped back slightly, he focused his unblinking eye on Tezca, and he gestured out at the mansion's grounds. ]
You'll enjoy them, I think. We were on the verge of war with them, where I'm from. Perhaps it will find its intended purpose here, instead.
I think you'll find it... intriguing, at least. [ He hoped to go to war here, too, but that was a slow process. It always was, if one wished to end up the victor. He'd taken years to get to the point where Shimmer might be used. Over ten years, really, so it should be no surprise that he would take his time here. ] I'll make sure you have a front-row seat, hm?
no subject
Music to my ears. You really know how to wine and dine a god of conflict.
[ This is a comment that Tezcatlipoca will look back on and laugh about if he ever does learn that Silco has already been “chosen” by Set, but for now? He means it perfectly sincerely, even if his phrasing is playful. ]
But, from the sounds of it, you’ve got a good lay of the land in this place. [ Would have to by necessity is more Tezcatlipoca’s logic. ] I’m not going to be heading over for a family reunion until I reclaim my power, but I’m not exactly in a rush for that either. There’s benefits to keeping a low profile.
[ And he’s sure that as soon as he reclaims his power, it might as well be a flare to let Quetzalcoatl know he’s here. Its logic like this that qualifies him for “Assassin”, so far as the Servant classifications go. ]
So. Consider me on a tour. Where would you send a guy like me next?
no subject
They simply had little to prove to mortals, did they?
So he could only ignore such a statement, about not opting for power yet, though his eyes do stare right at Tezca when he does, as if he were considering. ]
Hm, perhaps it is because I've known little other than conflict my entire life.
[ It's idle, before he turned his attention toward Highstorm, and then nodded out toward the rest of the land. ]
I would send you to Springstar.
Oh, no, not the city itself, with their revelry and... [ Ugh ] Light, but if you find the sewers there, you could find a true gem underneath the city. Kowloon, the city beneath Springstar in the below.
The trip there is dire, and I would suggest that you tread carefully, given your...condition. Only those that know the way can find it.
It is... much more lively than either here or Highstorm, and I mean that in the best of ways.
no subject
Interesting name for the place. Never went there myself, but there was a place by that name in my world. If the one here is anything like the one I know, then you’re spot on. That’s my kinda place.
[ His kind of people, more importantly. No one was more determined to survive than those that were desperate and downtrodden, save for perhaps a warrior in the midst of a battle. He’s getting a better idea of which one Silco was too. It’s why he’s bold enough (curious enough) to ask: ]
Any way I could convince you to show me the way down there?
no subject
[ Genuinely surprised, actually. He tipped his head to regard Tezca with a little more care than he had before, as if the fact that Kowloon would have been similar to another world's city hadn't even occurred to him. After all, if it was pulled from another world, then why not —
Ah, of course. Because it couldn't be something that Silco was familiar with. (He took this personally. Against whom? The universe, of course. ]
I am familiar enough that I could show you the way, yes. [ He says. As if he is only vaguely familiar. ] I'm curious if it has any relation to the one of your world, now. I'll admit, I thought it was something only of this place.
no subject
[ Tezcatlipoca laughs, since he's joking, and clearly so. That's not much in the way of payment, but it's more that he doesn't have a problem sharing. He knows how to talk to people like Silco, though. ]
But in my world, it was a little city of anarchy. Told the government to fuck off, and no one felt like doing anything for a long time. Pretty fun story. Shame I didn't get to see it before they bulldozed it, since anyone that lives in a place like that is probably my kinda people.
[ He'll just share the thought after all. It could be construed as Tezcatlipoca trying to endear himself to Silco, but it doesn't come off that way. Compared to Sebastian who is mostly beguiling words, Tezcatlipoca doesn't seem to use that kind of method. He seems straightforward. In truth, he just considers it beneath him.
He gives another glance to Quetzalcoatl's temple on the horizon, then looks back to Silco with a little grin. ]
Well, I'm tired of staring at Quetzalcoatl's temple at this point. If it ain't a problem for you, I'm free to go check it out.
no subject
[ Up until that, Silco was thinking that the Kowloon he'd seen was exactly the same, and Silco liked that. What was better than city of Anarchy, after all? That was exactly what Zaun was — should be — where the strong could find what they needed and wanted, and the weak were culled from the pack so that as a whole, they were powerful. Strong.
Sure, there were chembarons to keep things in... relative direction, but otherwise? Zaun, Kowloon, all of it was becoming such a similar beast in his mind. Pure, unadulterated anarchy. Perfect in how it thrived in chaos. ]
Ah, yes. Why don't I take you over, then? We'll need to take a quick detour through Springstar, but we'll just have to hope your sibling remains at their temple, hm?
[ Like hell he was giving someone he just met sight of his personal cornerstone. ]
no subject
[ He shrugs, since he thinks of it on a larger scale than Silco might, unsurprisingly. It’s a small example of how civilization cycles. You have the boom of it growing and even growing to something impressive, but eventually, there’s a bust, and it’s all going to be gone with barely being a footnote in history. Every civilization is destined to just become a curiosity of the past.
Of course, the one here isn’t, or not yet, so! Rather than share any of that fatalistic thinking (it’s boring conversation anyways), Tezcatlipoca nods as he shoves his hands in his pockets. It’s a gesture for Silco to lead the way, since he continues the conversation with a short laugh. ]
Yeah, that’s my hope until I get around to Harmonizing or whatever. At least I can take a guess and say that Kowloon ain’t a place she’s gonna be. [ another laugh ] If she even knows about it. Also seems like the kinda place she’d wanna flatten if it’s got the same kinda character as the one from our world.
no subject
His hackles rise, but he does not blame Tezca for the bad news. He blames his realm, that land.
And well, he already vowed that none of them would survive, hadn't he? ]
I can assure you, that if she thought to visit, she would find it Very unwelcoming to her.
[ And not just because it was the opposite of everything she was, but more than that, Silco would make sure that she would be. ]
Shall we?
[ He opened the door, to lead him toward the cornerstone in Yima's manor, so they could find their way to Springstar, the... first leg of their journey. ]
no subject
Then it's definitely gonna be a haunt of mine.
[ He follows after Silco with a sly smile that's almost sharp, but that's just how his shades of smiles lean. It's also a bit funny to have a human taking the lead, but he's practical more than arrogant. This isn't a place where he has omnipotence, so he's more bound to this human form than ever. So, time to do things the way they do, more or less. ]
Lead the way, bossman.
hee hee
Anywhere to get away from your... Brother, hm? I'm afraid this will take us closer to her usual haunts for a bit. Let us hope that she decides to look the other way while we're about.
[ Or she's busy at her little temple, or whatever. Such nonsense, eradicating it near Highstorm, where he can see it. Silco, of course, thinks this is a message for him, because he is perfectly normal and absolutely logical about Quetzalcoatl's actions. Obviously.
Though going through is quick and easy, even quicker will be the walk to the tunnels in Springstar, to take them down to Kowloon. ]
no subject
[ He won’t say anything about luck lest he jinx it, because his luck is terrible. It’s not even superstition, though the fact that he won’t acknowledge it might just be. Regardless, he’s seemingly content to follow along behind Silco, and he does indeed keep a low profile, maybe save for a wayward glance from a passerby, since they undoubtedly make an odd pair. But still, he’ll strike up conversation, since Tezcatlipoca is definitely chatty, even if he’s very laid-back about it. ]
You’ve got me curious, though. Most of the time, Quetzalcoatl is everyone’s favorite. She’s a fuckin’ idiot, sure, but even knowing that, people still love her.
[ Tezcatlipoca scoffs, but it’s absolutely at Quetzalcoatl, not Silco, even though the way he chooses to ask his prying question is a little brusque. ]
So, what’d she do to piss you off enough to want to kill her for real?
no subject
[ Silco's tone is derisive, annoyed. Not at the question, but at her. He waved his one hand, which almost hit a local, before they moved out of the way. Silco, despite his small height, certainly gave off an aura of... something, that made people want to avoid him. It wasn't just the foul cigar smoke that clung to his clothes, it was everything, from the single, ever-open eye, to the way he moved like he was trying to take up more space.
As if his existence needed to be everyone's problem, instead of simply his. ]
It was not a single episode. [ he said, simply. ] Though I hardly liked her upon first meeting. She tried to stop me from dealing with an issue in a way I saw fit.
[ Kicking someone when they were down, in fact. ]
From then on, it escalated. Suffice it to say, she continues to lie about the sort of person she is, deride me, pretend to be my better, pity me, and then, when I ask of her to give us that which belonged to me — [ To Jinx, really, but... without her here... ] She cut off my hand.
[ Silco does not add context, but like. That would make it worse.
Because he's completely irrational. ]
no subject
Well, it doesn’t matter to him, practically speaking.
He hums out a thoughtful kind of “huh” partway through, then reaches into his pocket to grab his lighter and cigs. Might as well light up another while they’re walking and talking. But it’s after he takes that first drag that Silco gets to Quetzalcoatl’s most recent affront, and he removes the cigarette to make an incredulous noise. ]
No shit? Sheesh, Birdie… [ Not that Tezcatlipoca believes for a second that it wasn’t earned in a way, but. ] Yeah, once you get to removing limbs, that’s pretty serious. Gonna guess it wasn’t exactly an accident with her taking a scuffle too far either.
[ There’s a tired way in which he says it that implies that this is also not out of the question… It’s very much the tone of a tired older brother that’s gotten in trouble because of their idiot jock little brother… Or been put in a headlock many, many times. ]
Well, don’t have to explain why we don’t get along to you. Different scale, sure, but same principle behind it. Quetzalcoatl always assumes she knows best. Self-righteous, that kinda shit, but that’s why she gets the adulation of being the hero god of the Aztecs. She does the big gestures, then leaves people in the shit.
[ The way it’s phrased could come off as jealous, but there’s no actual hint of it in his tone. His opinion of it is more complex than that. Tezcatlipoca shrugs, then pops the cigarette back into his mouth to dangle lazily as they continue their trek. ]
So, here’s hoping you get your due. ‘Course, if she’s anywhere near as beloved as she has been, you ain’t gonna be popular, I’ll say that.
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It will not surprise you, I'm sure, to know that I am already detested by most shard-bearers. If I were worried about it, I would have run a campaign to improve my standing.
[ Really. Sebastian could have probably made some in-roads, had Silco decided that palatability was one of his goals. But he didn't want to be loved, and was repulsed by even the thought of it. Probably mostly a Zaunite thing, to enjoy being reviled like he was. ]
You see, the fact that she thinks that she knows is the issue. She does not allow those of us to pursue as we see fit — triest to get into our heads over things that she knows little about, and then is shocked when we do not capitulate to her whims.
Or perhaps it is simply I, who does not tell a stranger who assumes who I am my every motivation.
[ Or any, really. Sure, Silco would talk about Zaun all day, the things that are safe, and already destroyed.
Nobody save for Set and Sebastian knew how much deeper the well went. That was careful. Crafted. ]
Besides, the ones who could stop me, won't. They either support it, or are far too whimsical to intervene.
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[ Tezcatlipoca laughs, but it’s soft and almost lazy. It’s a bit more than that, to be honest. Whether it’s just his natural intuition or something a bit more divine than that, he’s always drawn to people with strong, unstoppable will, and he can tell Silco has it in spades. Most people that have that kind of resolve aren’t popular, since they’ll push down those in their way. Do anything for their goals. He gets it, since that’s just the kind of person he tends to like. ]
But being popular's overrated anyways. My people always feared me more than they loved me, and that's fine in my book. Makes people honest, at least in a way, though that admittedly ain't always a good thing... But I'd still take seeing people for who they really are, personally.
[ But that point of conversation drifts towards the philosophical, and that's not exactly what he's looking to indulge in. He's still mulling over things about this world, about what it means to be here, and he wants to process those on his own time without input. So, he just offers that as what seems like general commentary, and instead steers the conversation to something more grounded with a small, but toothy smile. Well. Mostly grounded. ]
I’m going to guess she probably didn’t mention it, since it doesn’t make her look all that good. But she ever mention what started our grudge? [ And with another laugh, though this one is shorter and sharper, he adds: ] And I’ll keep the godly parts out of it as much as I can. Basic story’s simple, since she doesn’t learn and it’s the same shit. My brother didn’t let me exist as I saw fit, as you’ve put it.
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He knew that. Accepted it. Speaking on it, however, always sounded so... whiny.
So he only barked a half-laugh. ]
I suppose that is what brothers do, isn't it?
[ Did that sound particularly... heavy? ]
I am hardly surprised. For someone who supposedly accepts humanity — and perhaps their sibling — for all that they are...
Well. When confronted with that reality, it often creates hypocrites out of people like her.
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You’ll barely find a bigger hypocrite than Quetzalcoatl. But I don’t need to explain that to you, do I? She “loves” you and still cut off your hand, after all.
[ Sure, it might not be fair to apply that word to a god. He knows that, because Quetzalcoatl’s love for humanity and her willingness to wipe it out are two separate things and they’re not in conflict. He gets it. But he also knows that’s not how a single human would see it if she were to lay waste to them. ]
But, yeah. Putting it simply, our brand of god doesn’t stick to one thing like a bunch of the others in our world do. We get jobs, same as anyone, but it’s just a bigger scale. Long time ago, I was the sun itself. Ain’t an easy thing to become, by the way. It requires that we sacrifice ourselves, and I mean that literally. I burned myself alive, died, then got the power through that to be the sun.
[ He waves a hand dismissively as he pauses to take a drag from his cigarette. Just from the wave of his hand and his expression, it’s clear that he’s saying “don’t worry about the details”. The way things work for the gods never makes sense to humans, but it doesn’t need to for this story. ]
Now, the god of darkness being the sun ain’t a great match-up, but I was the only one willing to do it, the first time around. So, my sun was a dark one, but it worked. My world had people and they lived while I looked out for ‘em. But Quetzalcoatl had other ideas. The way she tells it, the people of that Sun weren’t living good lives. But the way it happened, she wanted the respect and power I had. So.
[ He nods up to the suns of Springstar above. ]
She tried to kill me. Knocked me out of the sky to take my place. So, yeah. We fuckin’ hate each other.
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[ He says, and it's a spat phrase, for more than anything that he has said, that rings close enough to how Silco sees his own conflict between Piltover and Zaun. When someone said that they weren't living "good" or "righteous" lives in Zaun, they looked to the topsiders, and so in Silco's mind, he can see it. A city of Tezcatlipoca's, that is rife with the things that others find Bad.
If he likes Kowloon, Silco thinks that he and Tezca likely have similar ideals in what is a good life. Ones that people like Quetzalcoatl do not understand. ]
This hardly surprises me, you are correct. Anytime someone sees people like us as having power, they will trip over themselves to seize it, by any means necessary, to keep the power for themselves. To hoard it, and lord it over people like us.
[ Silco turned down an alley, where a sewer grate lay at the end of it. There's not much else in the alley, as they move down it. Tezca is likely to figure out, quickly enough, that it's a long way down. ]
It shouldn't surprise me, that even her own brother would hate her.
[ Silco. Silco. ]
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It’s a small club, considering most people love the whole sunshine and wind deal, but, hey, someone’s got to be the reigning president, right?
[ He peeks around Silco to look down the alley, but seeing nothing of note… His attention does go to the grate. Underground, huh? Well, even more fitting for him. ]
If it’s anything, I’ve gotten my due several times over. Destroyed her world as some nice payback, for one, but she’s also just stupidly easy to trick. I’ll never understand how she ended up as the god of wisdom, because she sure as hell didn’t get any for herself.
[ …That gripe is honestly a small one that’s personal and petty, but. ]
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[ He says, to that. Silco doesn't believe it, that she is that easy to trick. Perhaps it is a god's prerogative that makes it so that she can be tricked, or perhaps Tezca is playing at some level beyond what Silco can comprehend. Gods are like that, from time to time, after all. It isn't as if Silco doesn't recognize that sometimes Quetz can be fooled — he has gotten the jump on her plenty of times, after all, but...
But then she says things, like knowing who he's looking at, or digging into the fact that he'd been betrayed so badly. There are the ways that she says it, that leave Silco confounded, and furious. She has no right to know such things, after all.
Or perhaps it's t he difference between intelligence and wisdom, and it's something that Silco, with his decent INT and bad WIS, just doesn't get. ]
I would help you do more of that. Destroy her world, make her writhe. I have my own plans, of course, but I know what it is to be the betrayed one.
[ He does not plan to defer to Tezca, but he can...somewhat. Share. A little bit.
He opens the grate, then, and allows Tezca to go in first, before joining him. He moves in the dim light like it's natural. With sure feet and comfortable stops and starts. It's clear he's walked this path many times, as they start down it. It's more than that, though. It's a comfort that's as natural as breathing. As if the deeper they go, Silco's shoulders relax just a hair, his movements more fluid. This is comfortable, to him. ]
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Well, don’t be setting aside any of your plans on my behalf. [ He laughs, since he already gets the impression that this guy would truly never do that. ] But sure. Quetzalcoatl and I had to work together the last time we spent any real time together, so it’d be great for her to know we’re not best friends all of the sudden. Especially considering I’m the one that took the bigger loss.
[ And here, where it’s possible to notice it in the first place, Silco might pick up on an odd little detail, though it might take a bit. Tezcatlipoca’s footsteps are unusually quiet. He doesn’t seem to be taking any extra care, and clearly it’s not some kind of extra ability, Unharmonized as he is… That’s simply the cat in him at work. ]
‘Course, if you’re willing to help make our world toast, you’re my ally regardless. But if it’s personal, all the better.
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[ He asked, a head tipped to look over his shoulder at the god. He did notice that he sounded so...quiet. He almost did it half to make sure he was still being followed. Besides, the look of his black and red gaze over his shoulder often did the trick when it came to intimidation. He was not going to turn down the opportunity to use that. ]
Though, I suppose in the grand scheme, it does not matter to me whether they are truly gone or not. It would not change my mind.
[ Silco, after all, hates them. All of them. So much that he can't even Breathe sometimes, if he thinks about it for too long. ]
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[ He returns Silco's sharp stare with a lazy, unbothered shrug. He takes a longer drag of his cigarette before continuing, since the smell and the taste might at least keep out some of the more... present ones at the moment. Besides. No need to explaining the Lostbelts, the bleaching, the future that ORT was about to bring. ]
Don't give a shit, like I said. This world summoned me, so I'll do what I always do. I favor those who are here to fight a battle and those who are willing to do anything to survive. So, given what I've heard so far, this place is perfect for me.
[ Of course, that also means that he'd struck up a deal with Kenos's other god of war that they could never be on the same side... But surely that wouldn't come into play, right! ]
To be honest, if I could, I'd be more neutral, but that just ain't in the cards. So, I'm putting in my bets with Zenith, seems like. [ He grins around his cigarette toothily. ] Unless you got a problem with that, bossman.
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Which to be fair. Silco would much rather be wallowing right about now. Too many things have gone wrong, too many things he's hated. He's just a mess of a man at the moment. Don't mind him. ]
I don't. It might be nice to have our own god around here for once. The number on Meridian is too high as it is.
[ Silco doesn't really know Jod is a god, and if he did... He probably wouldn't believe him. ]
No, I don't think I have a problem with it at all.
Particularly when it's someone whom I can see myself working with. We need a few more like you around.
[ And that's before Gen jumps him in his office. By the time Tzca gets here again, he's going to be such a fucked up lil guy ]
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IT WASN'T ACTUALLY 1/2
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rattles this sad rat
hands u a pringles can in solidarity
aztec sibling double header
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the realization that tezca would use modern slang continues to be a blessing
ohhhh my god i love him
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cw: casual... suicide mention... shakes my head.......
cw: casual............suicide.................contemplation, i guess????
🤝 normal
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i close my eyes at fate/shit I'M SORRY JILL
HELP LMAOOO
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