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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[ Matt's lips twitch, and his mood drops, at kick off a more serious war. It's not that talk of universe-eating darkness is cheerful for him, but at least going through all of it feels like work, feels like motion. Like doing something productive. ]

Yeah, things have been very distracting on that front. [ Matt's mental voice is even, but there's some static at the edges. Signs of frustration, helplessness, anger. ] I hear the guy poised to take Cyrus' place is a lot more bellicose than he ever was. Which I can't imagine Yima didn't know.

[ A slight not-really-pause: more static, more gathering storm. ]

I mentioned to someone recently that I'd heard none of the wars for Oracles had been successful yet. And he said "maybe they just didn't succeed for the people who fought them." So that's been a lot to think about, much less convince anybody else of. [ Matt huffs a sigh, into which he tries to channel some of his nervous energy. He inhales, sighs again. When he looks back Tezcatlipoca's way, he's not exactly happy, but his bearing is a little easier. ] I'd be interested to hear if you get anything from the shadows. I was actually thinking of doing something like that myself. You don't happen to know where to get any drugs for promoting psychic vision, do you?

[ He's positive Tezca's an expert, given his various related domains. Blame his WASP parents for the roundabout phrasing. ]

[ Tezcatlipoca listens to Matt’s explanations attentively, but in terms of the emotional feedback, there’s… not much. It’s almost like this is something Tezcatlipoca has heard before, like it’s all familiar and he’s just hearing someone else express it.

Which, yeah. Essentially.

He has a view of the world and of history that few other kinds of creatures could have. The only things surprising about what’s gone on here are the stakes (and even then…) and how casually magic was involved. Take the details out, though? Same shit as always. A weak leader is murdered to make way for the strongman. The strongman will get crushed by the people eventually. One winner, one loser, but neither one will matter in the end. The real end. Will anyone even remember, given a few centuries?

But that, too, isn’t anything he expresses. This may not be the campfire he sets up on the edge of Mictlān, but still. He’s always here to hear peoples’ troubles. Be a sounding board when they need it. He’s not the warm, magnanimous presence of Quetzalcoatl, but he loves people too. In his way. ]

[ …Which. Yeah. In his way.

Because as soon as Matt pieces through things and makes it to a question, Tezcatlipoca immediately grins, but it’s the kind of shit-eating grin of a guy who knows exactly what Matt is asking. If he were a cat (or just wearing his distinctly feline armor), his tail would be doing the little sway of being about to pounce. In play, of course (probably). ]

Matt. C’mon, people keep doubtin’ my knowledge of where to get drugs and you’re gonna hurt my feelings.

[ He laughs, then nods with that cheeky grin still firmly in place. ]

I’ve got my own methods for divin’ into shit, but you wanna have sacred visions? I can hook ya up. It’s all— Well, second thought, don’t know if it’s all down in Kowloon, but there’s plenty. And if we can’t find something, I’ll just big Silco about it. Old fucker knows the offerings like the back of his decrepit lil’ hand. [ (This is a compliment.) ] But are you wantin’, like, peyōtl or magic mushrooms kinda stuff? Or, y’know, fun third options of “whatever the fuck’s new to me in this place” since there’s plenty of those too.

[ Matt doesn't quite protest, even in his mind, at hurt my feelings. But there's a half-unfurling of something warm, apologetic. A little bit playful.

Those emotions feather away at the mention of Silco, as Matt works towards a careful neutral ~~because Merc doesn't know how the thread ends yet~~. But he doesn't doubt the basics of the claim. Silco seems thoroughly at home in the depths of Kowloon, amid all its sharp-edged pleasures. ]

I don't have a super clear goal about what I want to find out ... so I'll defer to your expertise on the specific substance. [ Matt considers a moment. ] Maybe something native to Kenos? Or as native as anything gets. Though these shadows are supposed to be a recent development, so that might not be a huge help.

Sounds like a project! Dunno how quickly I can get you an answer there, but I am absolutely down to find out.

[ There's a certain... flippancy to the statement that Matt might pick up on and intuit a little further. When he says it, boy does he mean it. He'll try things he knows will dissipate him, and he's not bothered by that prospect in the slightest. ]

...Or, I guess there's maybe another option. How good's your healing magic?

Edited 2024-02-23 03:29 (UTC)

[ Matt regards him. Not quite suspiciously, not quite like someone looking into a mirror. ]

Not great, [ he answers. ] There are steps I can take to make it better, but I'd need a willing participant.

[ Outside of Communion, the phrase "willing participant" would be left on its own for the other side of the conversation to parse. Maybe Matt's expression would lend some clues--a slight sheepishness, a little smile. But within Communion, additional context comes through. Hitched breath, the memory of a sweet and smoky kiss. He doesn't make much effort to conceal the impressions from Tezcatlipoca. If anyone here is gonna be cool about sex magic, Matt figures it'll be him. ]

[ Normally, he’d be a bit annoyed about the vagueness, but with the additional context that Communion allows, he actually understands well enough. ]

…Oh, mana transfer, huh? Didn’t think kissing counted, but I guess there’s saliva.

[ Yeah, unfortunately Fate’s sex magic is based around, uh. fluids. Which makes Tezcatlipoca lean back a little as he considers it. He is indeed unbothered by the prospect, since it’s a pretty common part of the Master-Servant relationship. He’s a bit better insulated against needing mana than most Servants because he’d be able to create a human body for himself, but once it gets into truly using his power? It’s a resources issue. ]

Well, I mean, you ain’t gonna get much from me on that front since I already run pretty low to keep my Divine Core operational… But if you can suck and fuck your way to getting enough mana to grow back major organs, that’d work.

[ makes total sense right ]

[ Tragically, it 100% makes sense to Matt. A kind of sense, at least. He's come across a certain preoccupation with fluids in his own occult reading, and it tends to be focused on semen retention. He gets the discipline aspect, the metaphysical significance, all that--it just strikes him as a bit limited. Exclusive against vagina-havers, who have enough problems as it is. Anyway, the point is, kissing doesn't get mentioned so much.

He parses Tezca's explanation of the limits to his own magical energy as something like "I expend a lot of energy to maintain my presence on this plane," a matter he sees no need to press on at the moment. However: ]

A lot of suck, some getting fucked, a not-insignificant amount of lick, [ Matt muses. Oh God is this Communion public? ] I mean, in theory I should be able to ... [ A vague gesture Tezcatlipoca's way. ] Top you up from something that bad. I'd probably want to experiment with smaller healing first. But, ah, can I ask what exactly you're thinking of doing that's gonna cost you your organs?

Edited (ignore me im being precious about character voice) 2024-02-24 04:23 (UTC)

[ Tezcatlipoca laughs first, since he’s appreciative of how casual Matt is about the idea. It makes it easier in the theoretical. But practically speaking… He’d chew on his cigarette if he had one right now. Sure, he could manifest one in the mind, but what’s the point if he isn’t actually smoking it…? ]

Ah, well. [ He leans forward and rubs the back of his head at least. ] The way you talked about witches, figure we ain’t from the same world. So. Let’s just say I can feel enough of similar rules applyin’ that it becomes real fuckin’ relevant if I want to do some serious shit.

[ …And that can mean a lot. Too much, in fact, so he keeps it simpler as he sits back. ]

I can still make miracles happen. I can bring the future to the present, see the world for what it is, all that fun omniscient shit. If these lands were closer to the ones I ruled, I’d be omnipresent, no problem. That’s just the kinda guy I am, to put it simply.

[ He shrugs. It’s really as simple as that, but it’s also more complicated, but the truly finer points of how he can do what he can do… He feels like it’s not worth getting into. So, he sticks to the pertinent part of the explanation instead. ]

But magic doesn’t come outta nowere, even for the gods. And all of ours? It’s based around sacrifice. [ He pats his chest demonstratively. ] You give up aspects of life, you can access miracles. Easy as that. I give up my organs to see mine. Ain’t a problem usually, but since I’ve confined myself to a mortal body, well. You guys need lungs and hearts way more than I usually do.

[ Matt leans forward in turn, and stays there. His psychic presence has taken on an attitude of attentive listening to a campfire tale--or perhaps something more profound than that. A mystery, an initiation. If he transcribed the flicker of Tezcatlipoca's firelight across his face, he's convinced it would tell him something.

The explanation doesn't surprise him. The word "sacrifice" triggers a moment of recognition, in fact, a brief oh, duh of blood and the turning world. He nods, and despite a sympathetic grimace--yowch for sacrificing your heart or lungs--his expression resolves into a wistful look. ]

I really wanna see a miracle.

[ This is not quite on par with "I love you," in terms of things he doesn't mean to let slip out, but it's close. For Matt, the two are slant rhymes. He shakes his head. ]

But I don't think I'd be the right person to heal you like that, at least not right now. I can definitely set it as a goal? But it might be safer to start with drugs.

[ He feels that weight behind the words, and it just makes Tezcatlipoca laugh. It's not mocking at all, just amused. ]

Yeah. Most people do. And mine are real top tier shit. Exactly what you'd hope from a god of magecraft and magic, right?

[ He laughs, perfectly easygoing like this is a perfectly normal campfire conversation. ]

...But, yeah, kinda figured. Regrowin' organs in a flash is, y'know, a big ask. Even my Master, hell of a guy he is, didn't always stick that landing. And let me just tell ya, having half a lung is kinda worse than no lung. [ Again, he laughs, like that's normal... Gods are insane don't worry about it, since clearly he isn't. ] So! Drugs it is! Can't promise anything strictly divine in that regard, but, eh, it'll be fun for the ride, so who fuckin' cares.

[ Matt hums agreement for magecraft and magic ... and laughs, horrified, at the thought of half a lung. All those poor bronchioles drowning in blood, god.

He scrubs a hand over his cheek (the left one, as always), and smiles faintly Tezcatlipoca's way. ]

I'll see how divine I can make it. How magical, at least.

Until then ... I really would like to meet up sometime, in person.

[ Matt has no particular expectations in this regard. (He rarely does.) Kissing is ecstatic and he loves doing it. Tezcatlipoca seems to understand a lot of what he's dealing with right now, and that counts for a lot. Still, he kinda worries he's being clingy. ]

[ The answer seems to please him, but that little note is quickly gone in favor of a more sly grin. ]

Oh, yeah? Good to hear I made a good first impression.

[ He laughs, since that little bit that had slipped through earlier makes it clear just what had made an impression... But he'll take it. He prefers that to all the gloom about recent events or Quetzalcoatl in particular. ]

Well, you're in luck, lover boy. Considerin' everything kinda went to shit since the last time we met up, I'm just slummin' it while I figure out where I can get things movin' the way I like. If you ain't busy, I'm down to hang. Got a real shitty place in Kowloon [ he says this fondly ], and I'm just drifting around in Highstorm, since my former place is a big pile of rubble now. So, wherever, whenever.

[ There's another pink ripple of laughter for the return of lover boy. If nothing else, it's a nice reassurance that he isn't outstaying his welcome. ]

I like Kowloon. [ Warm in turn. ] Easy to run into trouble down there, but it's very ...

It feels unpredictable. Not so regimented. [ Don't mind the Silco-shaped corner of Matt's brain that's being very, very quiet right now. ] Which is to say, I'm not busy. I could meet you there.

[ Matt doesn't consider the state of Zenites in Springstar to be a hindrance. As a matter of course, he keeps an invisibility charm prepped most days. ]

Exactly. Makes me feel like shit on account of being in Springstar, but, eh. Worth it.

[ And though he's already had a brush with Discord already as a result, it's easy enough to get rid of too. So, no problem. ]

I'll meet you outside the the Crown then, how about that? Easy enough landmark in that fuckin' maze, comparatively. [ He snickers ] Then we'll figure out what kinda trouble we wanna get up to. Or I'll just show you my closet of an apartment I got down there. Probably a good idea to give someone my spare key in case I lose it.

[ Well, he was on his way to the Crown the last time he got lost in Kowloon. But what are the odds of that happening twice? It had been a painful lesson, after all. One tends to remember those. ]

Sounds good to me.

For the record, I actually am the right person to put in charge of spare keys. Finding lost objects is a specialty of mine.

Ha, normally I might be suspicious, since that's exactly what someone that wants to fleece you would say, but. Any would be thief would be real fuckin' disappointed to open up that door. Plus, stealing from a god?

[ He clicks his tongue, tutting playfully, even though he's, uh. Not joking. ]

Pretty sure that's smite worthy.

[ Though to be fair, he's not so much a "smite" god as a "make their insides their outsides" god. Whatever! No worries here, since he just laughs. ]

Anyways, I'll be there in ten, extra key in hand. Don't worry if it takes you longer. I got time to waste.

[ And indeed, hopefully Matt has an uneventful trip down into Kowloon this time... Second(ish) time is the charm, maybe? And indeed, Tezcatlipoca will be waiting outside the Crown. He's casually leaned against the building and smoking, though he has his long hair pulled up into a messy bun today. Easier to deal with when you're hanging around Kowloon, since it's kind of, well. Grimy down here.

Also, if Matt is especially attentive, he might notice a rather conspicuous shape underneath his jacket. It doesn't stand out as totally obvious, but it's noticeable. It'd be easy to guess that it might be a gun holster, so, you know. Easy to guess what's there.

As soon as he sees Matt, he raises a hand to catch his attention, and he call out an extremely casual: ]

Yo. [ hard to believe this guy is a god sometimes huh ] You made it down here. Realized after I "hung up" that I should've asked, but. Consider it a little trial.

[ Matt does get lost, unfortunately. A brief and uneventful lost, but it annoys him. He's usually much better at finding his way with his feet, particularly to places he's been before.

Still, the sight of Tezacatlipoca lifts his weary spirits. By the time Matt reaches him, his navigational difficulties have been relegated to a distant corner of his mind, and his laugh at "little trial" is pleased and genuine. ]

I presume I passed, [ he says with a small smile. ] Hi.

[ No chest window robe today, for better or worse. Sebastian was as good as his word and repaired Matt's button-up shirt, so it's that tucked loosely into close-fitting dark trousers. Heavy-looking boots. Highstorm stuff, albeit a pared-down version. As he looks Tezcatlipoca over, his eyes catch on the extra bit of bulk beneath his jacket. He does figure "weapon," but doesn't clock it specifically as a gun. ]

Well, you made it. That's definitely a pass. So, here—

[ He reaches into his pocket and with a flourish of a twirl, presents a normal looking key. However, that key does have a keychain. This goes without comment.

Instead, he sees where Matt's gaze lingers, so with his other hand, he pats at the lump. It's very much solid sounding, but he doesn't keep it mysterious. ]

Just some extra protection in case anyone in feelin' like pickin' a fight. Guns are easier than donning my armor, so. I like to keep it simple where I can. But anyways—

[ He slips in closer and throws his arm around Matt's shoulder (on the side without the holster, since that would be uncomfortable for both of them). His gun may be technically magical (and stupid), but it's solid enough that it doesn't feel great jammed into your ribs. ]

So, what's the plan? You wanna see the place first? All, dunno, three hundred square feet of it? Or we go have some fun first and end up there later if I remember how to find it?

[ Matt reaches for the key, eyebrows arching for the little cat figure. Is this meant to say something about him? About Tezca? He's not sure, and pockets key and chain with no comment but a quirk of his lips. ]

I see, [ he says, of both "gun" and the mysterious "armor." His smile widens a tick. ] Usually I just set fires with my mind. That seems to surprise people.

[ Or rather, usually he thinks about setting a fire and then doesn't because of the potential for collateral damage. Isn't that kind of the same thing? Matt's smile widens, a moment of unfiltered brightness, when Tezcatlipoca puts an arm so casually around his shoulder. Gavial does that too, and it's nice. Exuberant, unselfconscious. ]

Hey, in some cities where I come from, three hundred square feet is downright palatial, [ he notes. ] I'd like to see the place I'm supposed to be letting you back into at some point ... but fun first sounds nicely irresponsible.

[ Tezcatlipoca laughs and reaches up to pluck the cigarette from his lips, then gestures down the street with it. ]

Irresponsible it is. If I can't figure it out, we just come back to the main street and go to Draumahol. Silco'll let me in, considerin' he's my acolyte and all.

[ Silco has also not yet noticed that Tezcatlipoca is shamelessly using him to pay his way around the city... It's like he's a gold-digger, but the guy with the gold didn't ask for it literally at all and is getting very little from it. Though, as Matt is discovering just in a very different context, Tezcatlipoca is fun. That's been serving him well so far.

Yet despite meeting at the Crown, he doesn't so much as give that a glance as an option. He starts to lead the way towards one of the alleys that make the sub-streets of Kowloon. ]

...But ironically, first thing's first, I'm fuckin' starvin'. There's a grill your own meat kinda place right down this way that's quick. And we can make our game plan there. Now that I've been here for a bit, I know a few different kinds of places, at least. Everything from bars that are pretty relaxed, so far as Kowloon goes, to hookers and blow and maybe some bloodshed kinda places. Whatever your flavor is.

[ He starts to bring the cigarette back to his lips, then reconsiders and hands it out a bit for Matt to take if he's so inclined. This one is just regular old tobacco, alas. ]

Your acolyte?

[ It occurs to Matt that maybe he shouldn't tell Tezcatlipoca things he doesn't want getting out in the streets. Then it occurs to him that they talked about sex magic earlier today.

... Well. If word does get around, it could be a good thing. People won't be so surprised if he comes asking for their help with Zenith/Meridian experiments. ]

By all means, grab something to eat, [ he adds with a smile. ] Keep your strength up. [ The good news is that Matt actually does recognize where Tezca's leading them. He might even recall the DIY grill place. Maybe he hasn't lost his touch entirely. ] I'm curious about bloodshed after all the sacrifice talk, but I think I'm leaning towards the hookers and blow side of things.

[ Matt is one of those horribly precocious people whose drug use actually peaked in high school. In the years since, he's come to see his body as more of a temple, albeit to Kali, Kamadeva, and Aphrodite. So if he wants to explore substance-enhanced psychic visions, he figures it would help if he got back into practice.

Start small: He takes the cigarette, drawing a little of the smoke into his mouth. Inhales. Hands it back to Tezcatlipoca as he sighs out. ]

[ Tezcatlipoca nods, since he’s glad that Matt doesn’t mind the more relaxed start. It actually is a matter of strength, since his caloric needs run higher than a human’s because of what he actually is… But also considering his diet, well. He’d just complain that it gets expensive fast. ]

Yeah, we’ll be quick about dinner. Oh, and you ain’t squeamish about meat, are you?

[ …Like, no offense or anything, Matt, but. You kind of look like the kind of vegetarian that might be a little less than pleased at Tezcatlipoca’s diet. Not like he picked it, but. ]

—Anyways. [ He takes the cigarette back with a smile as he pulls his arm from Matt’s shoulder. It’s not exactly the easiest way to walk, even if they don’t have far to go. ] Bloodshed means a lot of things down here. You’ve got your fight clubs where you can just throw some money and some good, old-fashioned bloodsport all the way to Ryad where fuckers really go crazy. Idea’s that the people-eaters can get their fill and thrills there, from what I hear, but it’s probably just a place for people to get those kinda rocks off too.

[ He’d gone there essentially on Silco’s recommendation just to see what it was about. It’s the kind of place that might as well sing to him for the conflict and bloodshed, but he’d found it lacking. People there might be strong, but they’re not warriors by his measures. So, solidly not his style.

The smell of that hole-in-the-wall grill starts to drift down the alley, and Tezcatlipoca nods as he takes a long drag of his cigarette. He’s trying to finish it up before eating, since he’s at least not the kind of guy that’ll smoke and eat at the same time. ]

As for Silco, simple version is that he’s a nasty lil’ fucker and seems hellbent on sowing conflict wherever he goes. I dig it. Plus, he’s the one that got rid of my brother, so. Respect where it’s due and all.

[ With a smile--no offense taken, people who meet him assume he owns a bicycle and shops organic, and they're not even wrong: ] I'm not squeamish, no.

[ At least without Communion to fuck things up for him, Matt's better at keeping his thoughts to himself. Helpful for when both Silco and Quetzalcoatl come up, especially when he knows the subject's coming because he pursued it himself. Still, Matt will never be anything other than transparent: He can't help a small frown, a slight tensing of his shoulders. ]

More of an acolyte by circumstance, then, not like a--specific pledge. [ A quick shake of his head to clear it. And, after a moment, another smile. ] I hadn't even thought about fight clubs. That's definitely not my flavor. [ Hilariously, Ryad and its people-eaters might be, if past is any prelude. He chooses not to linger on that, lest the conflict play out on his face. ] Not that I don't understand the appeal of getting the blood pumping, even vicariously.

Oh, yeah, fuck no. Pretty sure the guy’s as big of an atheist as comes, even standing in the presence of ‘em. Kinda hilarious, actually.

[ There’s just a tiny note of fondness, but it’s very much of the “can you even believe this shit” variety. Silco is a weird little guy, so Tezcatlipoca likes him. He also deserves every single person that wants to gut him. These are not at all feelings in conflict.

As they slip into the small, dingy restaurant, Tezcatlipoca raises flicks the cigarette to the street and stamps out the embers. He raises a hand to the single person behind the counter with a friendly yo, so clearly, he’s something of a regular. He leads the way to one of the grill-tables in the corner, and here where it’s going to be smoky, he takes off his sunglasses and tucks them into his pocket. ]

But noted. No fight clubs. Easy enough to avoid, at least. At least down here, things are straightforward about what they are.

[ He leans back in the chair with casual ease, and gives a nod to the worker. Yeah, clearly enough of a regular that he has a regular order. ]

We’ll go for blood pumping of a different variety. There’s a place I found that’s perfect for that if you’re wantin’ somethin’ novel. The whole idea is—and I mean this as a compliment—the one of a kind freaks in Kenos. People that ain’t like anything I’ve seen ‘cept in movies.

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standard apology for explaining fate/ magic

apologies ... just apologies (also nsfw topics)

SALUTES

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