kenoscomm | techalaniani. [cw: dr...ugs...]

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techalaniani. [cw: dr...ugs...]

[ It’s about two weeks after the chaos that’s hit Highstorm and Springstar both. The dust has had time to settle and people have started to pick themselves back up. And in that busy time, the Shard-Bearers of Kenos are touched by someone new. It’s a mind that gives the impression of vastness in the way that other gods and similarly supernatural creatures have. There’s dark, fragrant smoke of copal, and the humid heat of a rainforest. It probably feels faintly familiar to some, since there’s just a hint of that warmth that feels similar to a certain sun god(dess)…

But as it focuses, that warmth seems to be coming from a campfire, perhaps oddly. The logs around it offer you a “seat”, whether proverbial or not, and it’s only if you take one that the speak themselves will come into more focus. But the introduction that comes with it is much cooler (in both senses of the word) than the bubbly Quetzalcoatl. ]

Yo.

[ …Is that how the newest god is greeting the masses? Yep. Apparently so. ]

I talked to enough people when Kenos was jerking me around [ no, that was me, the player, ] that Communion is just more efficient. So, for those I’ve met and for those I haven’t, consider this a more formal greeting. You’ve removed my brother Quetzalcoatl and allowed me to descend in his stead.

[ And even though he’s identified Quetzalcoatl as his brother… The smirk in that statement is unmistakable. He’s pleased that Quetzalcoatl is dead. For those that know the mythology of the Aztec pantheon even faintly, this wouldn’t be a surprise at all, since Quetzalcoatl only has one enemy that would be glad to see the feathered serpent fall. ]

Name’s Tezcatlipoca. Tloque nahuaque. [ The Nahuatl is spoken with a sense of power that’s subtle, but still raw, even though there’s no one that would understand it. Still, it conveys the idea well enough—this is no minor god of that pantheon. ] If you know me, great, and if you don’t, well. Met your god Set one of the times I was stoppin’ by, and our whole deal is similar enough. I am conflict, so in the spirit of fairness, I’ve thrown my lot in with Zenith. Can’t have two gods that oversee war and conflict on the same side, yeah?

[ There’s humor in his tone that makes it seem like it’s a joke, but… No. It’s not. That’s a pretty significant part of his rationale for picking Zenith. Thanks Set!/Don’t worry about. ]

Anyways. All that formal shit aside, easy one to follow it all up. Ain’t often that I got a human body to enjoy getting fucked up. So, if you’ve got a preference for weed, hit me up. Workin’ on somethin’ artisanal there, but I wanna know the poisons of preference for the locals. Let me know what you get fucked up on, and I might even make it worth your while.

[ …So. You know. That’s one way to introduce yourself. ]

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Of course! Every society's got their place they'd rather not acknowledge. That's just part of bein' human—so to speak, anyways.

[ There's definitely way more than just humans here, but it's still what he's most familiar with, so. A grin comes to his voice easily as he continues. ]

So, the legal stuff it is. You Meridian or Zenith, then? I got a place in either, and considerin' everyone's got their panties in a real twist right now, the one that's more your thing is gonna be the better idea.

Figures.

[She's not surprised, just disappointed that the more things change, the more they stay the same.]

For the record, legality is not an issue with me. [Because Jade can't live with the prospect of someone assuming she's a straight edge about that kinda thing.] But Meridian would probably be best... even though I've not yet made any vows or whatever we're supposed to do.

[pause]

Are we even allowed to converse with folks of the opposing sides, or...? [What.] I just got here, so I'm still trying to figure out how this shit works.

Edited 2024-02-22 16:42 (UTC)

[ Tezcatlipoca laughs appreciatively at what she feels the need to clarify, but with it, there's approval and acceptance. Duly noted, he seems to say through the feeling alone. ]

Oh, yeah, you can definitely talk with 'em. Still up to the person themselves about how they feel about it. Same as any war, just depends on how personally invested in shit they are.

[ He shrugs, and with it comes a sense that he doesn't particularly care, like it doesn't involve him (it does) ]

The natives are more inclined to be pissy about it, but the ones like us, from other worlds? More chill. Mostly. There's some that ain't for sure, but you'll figure them out quick since they don't shut up about it.

[ Unfortunately, there will be proof not long after this... SORRY HAYAME ]

You got an inclination so far? Just curious.

Interesting. [She scoffs.] The wars I've known weren't so... flexible -- neither the civil war back in my homeland nor the one I got mixed up with in the next country.

[For the most part, Jade tried to stay out of it. But that's mostly in part because she had her own problems to contend with. Though she did have front row seats to the declaration of war against Enderal, so she didn't have a choice on that one.

[Much like how she likely doesn't have much of a choice to remain in the sidelines now, if she were to have any hope of bringing it all back. Though if there are those gambling with Zenith who are this ambivalent about the conflict, chances are likely it goes for the other side as well.

[Bah, decisions. And she's being asked for hers.]

Well, I'm sure as heck not inclined for the same lot you are... mostly on account that I've heard their line of bullshit before. Not a fan.

[sigh]

But. I also don't make a habit of showing up to a new place and committing to someone's cause without knowing more of the story. Hopefully I'll have a more concrete answer in a couple weeks or so. Don't care much for being without my magic for this long.

[She can fight, be it with daggers or knives or fists, but she'd gotten comfortable with her new magical talents.]

Hey, wanting your power’s as good a reason as any. Hell, I expect it’s more than a few peoples’. Doesn’t seem like these sides are all that picky with how devoted to the cause you are, otherwise they never would have accepted mine.

[ He laughs, since, well. It’s true. Having your loyalty being decided essentially by a promise, albeit one with a bit more weight than simply words, isn’t exactly much… But it’s also not something he would expect from anyone else, so he’s ultimately joking here. ]

Though, you got me curious. Which line of bullshit you mean? Since there’s probably a few of them.

Can't tell if that's comforting or disquieting.

[Conflicts determining the fate of an entire world shouldn't be a flippant matter. Everyone processes things differently, though. Jade isn't entirely sure if it's all sunk in quite yet, but...]

Well, my world was already on a track to getting fucked. Cycles that lead to an end of one civilization, rebirth of a new one. Rinse and repeat however many hundreds or thousands of times.

I was working for a group intending to stop that Cycle from repeating. Until some asshole came along and said, "Hey, y'know what'd be an even better idea? Let's just let this crazy thing happen and become one big happy consciousness together for the new world!"

Dunno what Zenith actually plans to do, but I'm not on board with recycling my world when I was already trying to stop that from happening.

[One can practically hear the hand gestures she's making as she speaks. She huffs and puffs before she calms down a bit.]

Thing is, I dunno if I can trust Meridian any farther than I can throw 'em, either. The side I was working for was a shitshow, too. Lots of infighting and almost no one got along. You'd think the end of the world would bring folks together, but no!

[ Tezcatlipoca listens seriously, but he immediately has opinions too. What she describes sounds familiar, but in a way, of course it does. That’s the way of things, cycles. Even gods have no control over that endless process. They’re a part of it too. So, he has some sympathy here, not that he expresses it… ]

Well, depends on your point of view, I guess. If your world already got trashed as part of getting’ here, then dunno if I would call it recycling. More just continuin’.

[ But that’s about as far as he’ll argue Zenith’s side. He can’t have too much skin in the game, honestly. ]

…But, nah, end of the world gets people at each others’ throats, every time. Trust me. I’m a veritable expert, considerin’ I’ve seen more than a few of ‘em.

Meh. Same difference, really.

[But Jade isn't about to get into semantics, either.

[And then she's quiet again at the implications of what he said for a moment. Of course, she ignored the whole mention of gods earlier and just narrowed in one the more convenient subject matter. Even now, she's not sure if that's a can of worms she's willing to crack open, given her personal feelings -- and she really needs some damn weed.]

Yeah, there are a few who talked like that in my world, too. I'm hardly surprised that that's the case, just kinda... y'know.

[Disappointed.]

Anyways, whereabout can we meet up? You want anything in exchange for that batch?

Oh, like now?

[ Yes, obviously. There's a kind of huh response first, then a shrug. ]

I mean, I ain't got the good shit yet, in case that matters, but I can hook you up with the basics. I'd say Kowloon, but guessin' you're still pretty new too, and I only got the ground tour down here by chance.

[ ...He's definitely not up for that yet. ]

So, seein' as there's one place where I'm welcome and one I'm not... Highstorm? There's a coffee place outside the Tomes that's easy to find.

No time like the present.

[And frankly, she needs a distraction. Plus an outlet.]

Basics are fine for now. Not like I'm looking for the "blue bliss" or anything akin to that.

[Maybe at one point she'd be seeking quality drogae or something to get her fucked up fast. Not so much anymore.]

Oh, I know coffee! Just had some for the first time at that place not too long ago. I can go there, sure.

Then that'll work. It'll take me some time to get back up there, since I'm down in Kowloon, so I'll meet you there in say... I dunno. Thirty minutes, give or take?

[ He's not totally sure that's a good estimate, but it should be decently close. If he's off, she shouldn't be waiting for long. Can grab a coffee or whatever. ]

I should stand out. Chances are good I'll be the only guy wearin' shades, since they're not exactly a popular fashion choice in the city of darkness. [ He laughs, since he can at least have humor about it. He just likes his sunglasses, okay. ] You got a name, by the way?

Thirty minutes. Got it.

[It pays to have street smarts from all those years of living on them. She might be new to these parts, but Jade always has a habit of learning the lay of the land when she ends up someplace new. Never know when you might need to scheme a quick getaway or something.]

Sure do. It's Jade. And, er... I'll probably be doing some standing out, myself. You'll know when you know. Maybe.

[Being a big 6'9" woman with visible burns will do that. Her days of trying to blend in among humans get further and further behind her the longer she'd been away from her country, as she doesn't even slouch to obscure her height so much these days.

[She doesn't even try to hide her scarred features anymore. But most folks don't seem to mind her much when she does end up deciding to grab a coffee from one of the notable cafés. It's still a new concept to her, but she's adorable. Always had been.]

You got it. Then, see you soon.

[ And indeed, it is about thirty minutes later! He’s later than her, since his estimate had been a bit off, for one, but two… Well, he also had to change. He might be a god, but he’s in a decidedly human body, and that means Highstorm is cold. He’s from central Mexico (essentially), so the freeze of his chosen city is not to his taste. But, he makes do. Sort of. He still picks fashion over total warmth, but that’s just where he prioritizes…

He does stand out for the amber sunglasses, though. And as he looks around, it’s with a little noise of amused delight when he feels that particular pull of their connection as Harbingers that leads him to… ]

Ha. Yeah, no kiddin’. You stand out more than I do for sure.

[ He raises a (gloved) hand in greeting as he approaches. She has almost a foot on him, so he’s definitely having to look up her way. ]

Yo. Sorry I’m late. Forgot to including bundling up in my calculation. This place is cold as fuck, at least by my standards.

[As a desert baby, Jade was never used to colder climes, either. Even the weeks spent in the Frostcliff Mountains more recently hadn't fully acclimated her to the lower temperatures. While she might not be completely covered from head to toe at the moment, she has a pretty comfortable cloak to keep her back and shoulders warm, and that's good enough for her.

[It might not be the most practical thing ever, but hey, she's trying to make a good first impression. And the hot coffee cup she's currently provides enough heat to make her happy enough.

[When she sees Tezcatlipoca (it's certainly not a name like anything she's ever heard, so she remembers it well), she lifts a gloved hand of her own in greeting, smiling slightly at the comment. Yeah, she's heard things like that before, but it beats the more... racist remarks she's used to getting from her fellow countrymen whenever they realized what she really is -- a halfbreed freak.

[Such things didn't matter so much in Enderal, and they certainly didn't seem to matter at all here.]

No worries, I get it. Heck, I never even saw what snow looked like until some moon's turn ago.

[How long ago was it...? Six months? Maybe more? She shrugs.]

Either way, I appreciate you coming on short notice. Maybe I can get you something for the trouble? [Coffee? People around here seem to like this coffee thing. Or would he want something stronger? Whatever. She's offering to buy him something.]

[ He makes a light noise, and only through their shared Communion is it clear that the feeling behind it is light interest. No snow, huh? There was at least snow at the very tops of mountains, but even so, it's not like there's much comparison to be made. From her height alone, he can guess that she's (probably) not from any version of his world. ]

...Y'know, yeah, why not. We'll be hangin' for a bit, and unfortunately if you want to smoke— [ He pats at his breastpocket with a grin, since it's where he has it stored. ] We're gonna have to be outside, probably. Coffee works. Black.

[Perhaps if she wasn't already predisposed to Psionics, Jade would have easily brushed off that flicker of interest through the Communion being something else. As it is, she's keen enough to catch it. With a slightly lifted brow, she nods.]

Peachy. One black coffee.

[The same as hers. The last time she tried something a bit more flavorful, it ended with her getting a little handsy with someone she only just met.

[Less than a minute later, she retrieves a second cup and hands it over.] This is the least I can do for now. If the stuff you got works like how it does in my world, I might need a steady supply, and I'd prefer to know where it comes from.

[ By the time she comes back, he’s popped a (regular) cigarette between his lips to smoke leisurely. He takes the cup and raises it a bit as half a toast, half thanks, but laughs as he removes the cigarette so he can take a sip. ]

Well, if you need the hookup and don’t wanna go slummin’ it in Kowloon, I ain’t got a problem with it. A little smugglin’ does the heart good.

[ Well. His heart, anyways. He takes the sip and nods, feeling a bit more comfortable with the warmth, then nods down the road to indicate where to go. ]

But I’m gonna start growin’ for myself in Greenwood, so when that’s all done, I can be an actual hookup. C’mon, we’ll head that way, and I’ll give you your stuff when we’re somewhere less busy.

[ Like, he doesn’t think anyone would really care that much if he just gave it to her now, considering Zenith’s general vibe… But if he’s wrong, that’s not the fun kind of conflict to inspire. ]

[As someone who's never actually seen a cigarette before, the particular method he's using to smoke is... certainly new to her. Jade blinks, tilts her head at it, but doesn't say anything right away.]

Far be it from me to disapprove of criminal activity, so long as it's not gonna be a major problem for you.

[Would hardly be the first time she had to go sneaking about in order to get what she needs. Back then, it was usually food or other necessities when no one wanted to do legitimate business with an "Aeterna bitch", with the occasional... frivolous and unsavory things as well.

[But this is just Peaceweed -- or weed? Whatever the difference is. It was pretty commonly smoked, even in a backwards conservative country like Enderal. Highstorm doesn't seem the type of place where folks would clutch pearls over some minor drogae, but maybe they're erring on the side of caution here.

[Absentmindedly nodding as well, Jade takes a long sip of her coffee and heads down in the direction he indicated. The drink is still unusual to her, though after discovering the stimulating effects of caffeine, she's started to develop a taste for it.]

Sounds good. And, ah... Is that how people normally smoke where you're from, by the way? [She gestures at the cigarette.]

Pfft, nah. [ He waves off the concern with a smile and a laugh, even if he appreciates the concern dully. ] Criminal activity's... Well, wouldn't call it my gig, so much, but it's got overlap. Doesn't bother me, is the point.

[ And if it bothers other people, well! They're welcome to do something about it, of course. He'd be almost delighted for it, since it's the kind of conflict he practically feeds on.

For now, though. Things are chill, which is why he's a little bit surprised by her question, but he nods. Without getting to the verbal answer immediately, he reaches into his pocket to pull out the pack of cigarettes and hand them over to her to inspect if she's so inclined. ]

Yeah, mostly. There's other ways, but cigs—cigarettes—they're the most common. Most people are smokin' tobacco in the modern day if they're smokin', and the cigs make it easier than havin' to pull out a pipe and all the other stuff.

[ He pulls it from his lips to give it a playful wag ]

Don't really give you a high or anything, but they're pretty relaxin' to smoke.

Then we're on the same page. Good.

[The only problem she can anticipate in the foreseeable future is the "faction overlap" such an arrangement might present. But Tezcatlipoca doesn't sound very devoted to Zenith's cause, and Jade herself is still trying to wrap her head around the whole situation she just stumbled into to really care at the moment.

[This is at least something she can understand, to an extent. Curiously she reaches over with her free hand and plucks out a cigarette from the offered packet, inspecting it for herself. The material seems to be crafted differently from the medieval-esque technological state one could call the "modern day" of Vyn, much like most things in this place. If the culture shock wasn't simultaneously so damn interesting, she'd be more troubled by it.]

Well, pipes are how I'm used to taking my poison. Is the stuff you're giving me gonna be wrapped up like this as well?

[She isn't opposed to it, as she's always been down to trying new things. You spend most of your life scraping by on the streets or living in the cellar of some overly paranoid upstart noblewoman, a lot of things still seem pretty new. But if it's going to possibly involve a different sort of prepping process, she wants to do it right.]

Edited 2024-02-28 05:47 (UTC)

[ It’s a fair question! He shakes his head, but his answer is a little more positive, at least. ]

Oh, nah, I just brought a bag of it. There’s lots of ways to prepare it, and pipe’s one of ‘em for sure, but I prefer it rolled like this, yeah. More convenient.

[ …He didn’t think at all about the technical aspect here, and he realizes belatedly he probably should have. She wasn’t familiar, so of course she wouldn’t know? Ah, well. Good thing he brought some of his own and some papers. ]

Can’t do much for the pipe, and they might be a different kind than you’re used to, but I can show ya how to roll a joint. Ain't hard, just takes some practice.

Edited 2024-02-29 21:25 (UTC)

[In fairness, it's tricky to gauge each individual's stage of technological advancements. Surprisingly, Springstar didn't take too much getting used to after Jade had spent several months getting used to the sprawling, bustling streets of Ark. Things are marginally more advanced here, but not by too much.]

Huh. I'd appreciate that. I might see about getting myself a pipe here either way, but it can't hurt to know that there are other methods.

[She arches a brow at the cigarette.]

D'you use firetwigs to light these things, or something else you also consider "more convenient"?

[Fire magic would be the most convenient option for her... if Jade were willing. She's a skilled Elementalist with her magic, but conjuring flames from her fingers just didn't agree with her.]

Ha, firetwigs! I know what you mean, but that’s a cute name for ‘em.

[ Or, like. He assumes that means matches, anyways. He digs further into his pocket he’d fished the cigarettes out of to produce the lighter, which is a Kenos-brand zippo, more or less. He flips and flicks it open with a little flourish to produce the flame. ]

I prefer lighters. They’re flashy. [ And modern, which is really what he prefers. But with another flip, he closes it. ] But, yeah, you’ll find firetwigs. They call ‘em matches here.

[ He nods to the cigarettes. Since he already has the lighter out, well. ]

You wanna try one? Those are pretty cheap, so I won’t be offended if you don’t like it.

["Cute" isn't exactly the word Jade expected to hear, but... they're pretty much matches, so yeah. It seems like they have something of an understanding.

[When he pulls out the lighter, she blinks. And then again when it presents a tiny flame. It's not enough to trigger any visceral reactions she has towards fire (if it were that bad, she would barely be able to function in life), but it instead elicits some intrigue.]

That's... interesting.

[How do they work? With some kinda oil? She must investigate further after this.

[For now, she looks down at the cigarette she's holding, before glancing back down at him.]

If you wouldn't mind... I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't curious. And I'm no stranger to tobacco.

[So it's hardly "babby's first smoke". But still, she pops the cigarette in her mouth, and makes a small gesture towards his zippo to see whether he lights it for her or hands it over. Either way is good.]

[ Tezcatlipoca does hesitate for half a second, since even if it’s as simple as lighting someone else’s cigarette, he balks a bit as a god at serving anyone else… But, luckily, he’s a bit more in touch with people than that. And has a love for modern things. So, with a shrug, he flips it back open and lights it up so that he can light the cigarette. He’ll even pause their walking for a moment so it’s a little easier. ]

Sure. Assume it’s grown somewhere in Alenroux, but couldn’t tell you for sure. Just appreciate it either way, personally.

[ And once it’s lit, he’ll pocket the lighter again, since there’s no reason to keep it out. ]

Ain’t bad, either way. I’d call it solidly middle of the road stuff.

techalaniani. [cw: dr...ugs...]

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switching to action y/n?

y!!

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