The Seeds of Unrest: the Iconoclast Oracle

[beleos]

RUNNING OUT THE CLOCK

The situation is bleak.

The Blight - and the massive labyrinth of roots tearing both cities asunder, spreading deadly flowers wherever they penetrate - have progressed to a point beyond catastrophe. People are dying in rapid numbers. Bearers are having difficulty keeping up with the spread of infection - even among one another. The collapse of Kenos seems inevitable; a cure will not come in time. You can do nothing but watch as each new day brings further disaster, ticking down the seconds until it all falls apart.

And then, you feel something seize your Shard. As if physical fingers have wrapped around it, as if it is being clutched through you by invisible hands, you feel invaded. You feel wronged. But before you can panic, a voice enters your mind through Communion.

“Excuse the dramatics, but there isn’t much time for pleasantries. The Trees are about to hit the point of no return. But there's still work to be done. The Tree of Life will take you where you can find it: the Oracle and the creature causing all this mess. Fix this when you find them. However you'd like.”

Have you heard Aetos’ voice before? Perhaps it is the first time; perhaps it is familiar to you. Either way, the last thing you will remember is a confusing jumble: a spell of immense and incredible power, one utilizing the Tree’s strength to shelter you. The sensation of every cell in your body coming alive, yet seeming to break apart and render you into billions and billions of tiny pieces, all hovering in different times and places across all the different iterations, timelines, and realities in which you have ever existed. A voice that speaks not through words asking your forgiveness, unspeakably sad.

And then, there is nothing.

AWAKENING

Your eyes open, gritty with the feeling of a long, deep slumber.

Perhaps it takes a moment to shake off the heavy veil of exhaustion, to recollect what you were doing before you fell into this state of hibernation - but as soon as you do, you feel an immediate sense of foreboding around you. It is thick in the air, oppressive and pervasive, and you aren’t left long to wonder at its source. You lay beneath the branches of the Tree of Life, but as your bleary eyes focus… you see it. The Tree is all but bereft of life. Its bark has withered down to gnarled wood, the soft lichen dried up, and the grass that should be alive beneath you is long dead and gone. There is not so much as a single leaf on its decaying branches.

It has been this way for a long, long time... you realize this with a feeling of intense dread as you see it - the beautiful expanse of stars, of the cosmos, of universes scattered like starlight above the tree's boughs, gone. In its place hangs a sickly, ominously low-hanging, and dying sun ready to sing the end of everything.

You can't help but wonder how long Kenos has been in this state, but a sense of gratitude fills you as you realize that the Tree expended the last of its energies to protect you, the Bearers, during your state of rest. Had Aetos worked with the tree to see you sent here?

The next question comes quickly: how much time do you have left…? And can you find the Oracle before that time expires?

ABANDON HOPE (DAYS 1 & 2)

The cornerstones are still active and will take you to whichever city you wish to see.

Highstorm and Springstar sit like empty monuments to the cities that were once filled with life - yet the first thing you will notice is they are strangely absent the signs of the Tree’s overgrown roots, the Blight, the catastrophic damage that you can recall all too easily. Instead, each city sits as those they were summarily abandoned overnight, leaving nothing but their shells behind. There is a stillness in the air that is unnatural and unsettling. Despite the lack of any sign of the citizens of either city, you cannot help but feel… watched.

Something terrible happened here. Best you find the Oracle before something terrible finds you, instead.

The burning of a dying sun beats down on you wherever you go, unbearable heat sending waves off the aged cobblestone streets. Perhaps it is your instinct to seek refuge in the shade - but linger too long about the shadows and that feeling of eyes on your back, of being unable to breathe, of your world closing in around you will grow untenable and drive you back into the light. If you hope to explore the ghostly shell of your city in search of the Oracle - or to sate your curiosity, some problem-solving might be in order.

And while you acclimate yourself to your circumstances, you cannot help but note you feel wrong inside, somehow…

EXPLORATION

• If your characters choose to explore previously unreachable areas, please use THIS TOPLEVEL to report when they get there in the thread! We will get back to you with what is discoverable in that location.
• The following areas are off limits for exploration: below Yima’s Manor; below the Church of Heliopolis; Alenroux; Kowloon.
• The Great Trees of both Highstorm and Springstar are in a similar state to the Tree of Life and will not respond to Communion.
• Generally speaking, items will be of poor quality. Most will look as though they’ve aged thousands of years. Others will be in half-decent shape, but sparingly so. Oddly enough, it doesn’t seem like the whole city has aged at the same rate, so especially diligent rummagers can find worthwhile supplies. Please consider this should be rare and don’t go overboard!

NOTES

Here are some prompt reminders - see the full thing at the OOC Summary!

• Characters will have a diluted connection to the Zenith or Meridian.
• There will be periods powers are weakened or non-functional during days 1-2 (up to player discretion).
• The sunlight results in scorching; the shadows cause claustrophobia and fear while outdoors.

THE RITUAL (DAYS 2+)

The place you started your journey to Kenos is also where it seems it will end. As soon as the first Bearer makes contact with the Iconoclast effigy, you are collectively drawn to the roots beneath the Tree - like a pang sent through your Shard. Your objective has been found. The Oracle awaits.

Trusting Aetos seems like a fool's errand, but you must put your hope in the Tree. What choice do you have left? It's time to find what lies at the end of this.

Bearers descend, your steps echoing in the dark, cavernous space. Once brimming with life and vitality, the roots are now dried and brittle like the bones of some ancient leviathan that died long ago. As you make their way deeper into the earth, the deadened roots twist, leading you to a vast chamber deep within it; the air here is thick with the smell of decay, and the faint glow of luminescent fungi and mosses barely illuminates the space.

To your left, the Bearers will notice what has drawn them here - and the object of their search.

An effigy sits on the ground between two darkened tunnels. The effigy is made of gnarled, dead branches woven together in a humanoid shape; its hollow, empty eyes are sightless, yet you cannot help but feel it is watching your every move. Branded on its forehead is the Iconoclast symbol carved into the rough wood.

Once all Bearers are present, the Ritual will begin. Your means of exit have been sealed off, and you are trapped, slowly deteriorating together…

NOTES

• Bearers will have access to the Ritual Chamber which is a very wide, open space with the effigy situated against the far wall from the entrance. Several smaller tunnels off-shoot from the Ritual Chamber. They all run to dead ends; some are very small or narrow. This may afford you meager privacy away from the group.
• Once a Bearer steps into the Chamber, they can no longer head back out the way they came. They’ll find themselves automatically walking back into the Chamber as if of their own volition.
• For brevity’s sake we won’t list them out again here, but the complete description of effects Bearers will experience days 2+ is available in the OOC Summary.
• The effigy is impervious to damage.
• It Is Watching You.
• In a dead-end root tunnel attached to the Iconoclast’s Chamber is the Blighted statue of an Otter that may be familiar to some… Please see THIS TOPLEVEL for more information!

THE PURGE (DAYS 5+)

The sap has festered in your veins for what feels like days. It’s impossible to tell how much time has passed; this place has no sunlight. The effigy watches as you remain trapped, huddled together around it, unable to leave as you find yourself sick with the affliction of the Meridian, Zenith - or both.

And then… something finally gives.

Though it does not move and speaks no words, you feel the effigy offering you guidance. Knowledge. Much like the Tree speaks to you in impressions and feelings, you are conveyed wisdom you did not have before: a way to take what you want and rid yourself of what you do not. A way to make your convictions known to all who would hear them. A way to be known. To write your path in blood, be it yours… or theirs.

When all is said and done, only one force - Zenith or Meridian - will gain its favor.

Show it who you are. Show it what resolve looks like to you - and what you are willing to do to attain it.

NOTES

Here are some prompt reminders - see the full thing at the OOC Summary!

• You can Purge your alignment through various methods: Trading, Corrupting, or using the Effigy itself.
• All characters will understand the end goal is for everyone to Harmonize; the alignment with the higher rate of Harmonized Bearers alive when time’s up wins the Oracle’s favor.

NOTES

• A reminder that the Harmonization tally will take place on Friday, the 19th and be open through Monday, the 29th. The results will be released on Wednesday, the 31st OOCly.
• Don’t forget to submit any deaths to the Death Tracker, with a gentle reminder characters will remain dead until the event conclusion!
• Reminder to fill out the SETTING POLL ASAP if you haven't already!
• Have some MUSIC if you'd like. LYRICS here!
• HAVE FUN!!

CODING

Comments

[zauneyete]

[ Between Set and Sebastian, the lilt of Set's tone caught his attention, and Silco looked between the two of them for just a brief split-second, but long enough to convey the: really? that goes unsaid. The man had not realized they got along this well, but at least it means that Sebastian is a touch less annoyed, now that he has the power of a god to serve as buffer between them and the Meris that might attack.

And between the three, Set is asking him to pick the locks, and he almost wants to laugh in his face for how ridiculous the proposition is. He has a demon and a god flanking him, and they want him to pick the lock? Or rather, Set does? Because he wants to see him do it.

He should be so lucky, that Set and his daughter never had the opportunity to meet. He would have been caught between two chaotic elements, and Silco can really only handle one at a time.

He fished into his pockets, feeling around to see if he had anything. ]

I'm afraid, Set, that I have no lockpicking equipment.

Do you want to wait for us to find some [ For Sebastian to make some, but he doesn't volunteer the demon. You're welcome. ] Or, do you want to find out what's behind the door?

I, for one, do not wish to waste too much time. Perhaps we'll find an opportunity later on, to pick a lock, hm? I'll remember to keep them handy next time, just for you.

[cutlery]

[ Sebastian scoffs first at Set’s comment, but the tilt of his smile just adds to the impression that Silco gets. He is unfortunately learning something new about his allies (“allies”, in both cases) today, and it’s indeed that they get along perfectly well without Silco as a bridge between them. Maybe more that get along, but surely he’s imagining that… ]

And normally, I would produce some for you, as I am interested, but… [ Sebastian shrugs. Set already knows that Sebastian can produce anything he wants from his shadows, though his gifts to Set had been limited to wine so far. ] Alas, it is better to conserve my energy for the time being.

[ He would normally produce them without question, but he’s also sure that Silco would prefer he conserve his ability in case they ran into trouble. Which, lmao, but they don’t know that ]

Regardless, that is a fair enough answer. I merely find it amusing that you would do such exploring with us… But, well. Your interest in mysteries is more than your blind loyalty Meridian, I suppose.

[ He teases, but he’s at least prevented from more teasing by coming to their door. He tilts his head lightly as he assesses it, but with a nod, looks to Set. ]

Will you, or shall I?

[redsoil]

[ There is a little voice in his head, howling at him in Isis's voice, Hayame's voice, Akua's voice — not to do this. Not like this, not with Zenite companions. The way this will impact Meridian in the long run may be catastrophic, the information will spread among Zenith — it will become useful, it will become leverage. And yet, Set is not without his own counters for such a thing. He is not quit of the Beyond, the stomping grounds wherein Highstorm secrests lie; and he is quite certain that members of Meridian are assailing locations where Zenith hides things, too. ]

I know you two will use what we find. I know in which ways you will, too.

[ He smiles, all white teeth and guile of his own. Stubborn, foolhardy perhaps, but one who prefers entering a place of secrets with these two; above all else, if it is Silco and Sebastian, he has come to know them to know how they may utilize the information. All three of them are uniquely selfish, and wicked in their own ways. ( Besides, he has motivations of his own. And the hunger he has for knowledge will serve him, among the Meridian. )

Set takes a step back. ] I have it.

[ As he steps in, he lifts his leg in a graceful, powerful arc. At the point where he still feels his divinity the most, he lashes out at one side of the grand, powerful doors. The locked doors — and folds the damn thing in half on its hinges, and then he spins on his toes, to cleave the whole thing out of the large frame with the sound of wrenching metal and bursting seams.

Open says SET. ]

[beleos]

Time had been unkind to this place. Its once vibrant energy is now swallowed by the weight of abandonment. Dust dances in the ethereal light that filters through shattered windows, casting ghostly shadows upon the broken remnants of machinery.

The group's eyes are drawn to a colossal contraption that dominates the warehouse's heart, a monument to engineering ingenuity long past. Its purpose remained elusive, its intricate gears frozen in perpetual stillness. A labyrinth of pipes and valves connect the machine to the world below, their surfaces aged and cracked, betraying the passage of centuries - but what is most eye-catching is that it all feeds into one enormous, massive glass tube that sinks beneath the ground. It is impossible to tell how far it reaches from their vantage point; the tube is coated with thick residue, presumably from the smoke that had once been funneled through it.

Amongst the debris of the foreman's office on the topmost floor, a stack of faded documents may catch their attention. Carefully preserved from time's cruel touch, they revealed fragments of correspondence between the Church of Helios and an individual whose name cannot be read; some faded magical interference disrupts the reader's eye, causing physical pain. The letters speak of a precarious balance, a looming deadline when demand would outpace supply - and how the city would inevitably teeter on the edge of an uncertain fate. Patches of the text are faded and unreadable, but it becomes increasingly clear that the situation was dire. The last letter reads:

"I have been forced to begin... recycling... material.

You have three months before we hit critical mass."

[zauneyete]

[ Silco took his time, to peek in once the door opened, and he does not press forward until Set or Sebastian have made their way to enter either. Call him weak, or paranoid, but he's used to being flanked by muscle, and the first rule of having muscle is: let them go first, and follow after. Next to Set and Sebastian, Silco is painfully mortal, too. Easily eradicated and eliminated.

His mortality is something he is trying not to be too cavalier with, despite all the murder he's dealt out, and the fact that he's died himself.

Not something he wishes to repeat, either. Though, the deeper they go, the more he's surprised by how few clues there are to what happens here. On the main floor, there's plenty of tubes and signs of grand ingenuity. It somewhat reminds him of his shimmer factories, actually, though the large tube in the center, covered with residue certainly caught his eye. He looked from it, to the office up above.

Though with how deserted the main area is -- not even degrading tools? -- he would be shocked if there's anything there. Though he intends to sack it regardless. Though the tube... ]

Where do you think that goes to? [ He asks, already guessing. It goes down, not up. ]

[cutlery]

[ Since Sebastian would have done exactly the same thing as Set, he can’t help but clap at the display of strength in knocking down the door. Is it mocking? Maybe a little, but playfully so. But with the door out of the way, he slips in as quietly as a shadow and quickly takes an appraisal of the inside. Like everywhere else, it’s completely devoid of other life, which is good, but his expression immediately turns to minute confusion as he takes in the details. It’s elaborate in a way that he hasn’t seen in either his world or really here in Kenos either. ]

My, my. Quite the setup.

[ He gives a glance to Silco, dutiful and protective as ever, but since this place seems to be safe enough, he’ll approach the tube with a thoughtful noise. If it were merely the two of them, he’d answer Silco’s question swiftly by simply turning himself into a crow and making the descent. However, that’s something he doesn’t want Set to know about just yet. It’s a useful ability for being covert. ]

The Below, at the very least, as I cannot see its bottom.

[ Obviously, but he kneels at the edge to run his gloves into the residue and then smell it. This sort of industrial setup makes it more difficult for his sharp senses to work since there’s so much that’s unfamiliar, but it might have something. ]

I am not completely confident in how the Below maps out to Springstar above, mind you, but it is not too terribly far from Kowloon, I think… Well, assuming that things map out so neatly.

[ In Kenos, he can never be sure. Fuck magic being more present and whatever, it’s so rude!! With a frown, he takes a taste of the residue instead, which makes his nose wrinkle with the acrid taste. But it’s familiar. Since, luckily, one person here is played by a mod so we don’t have to bother prince yippie!! ]

Something is being cremated down there, apparently.

one day he's gonna grab that freaking bird,

[redsoil]

[ IT'S A MACHINE FOR PIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGS

The machine is utterly foreign to him, and yet he marvels at it nonetheless. The size and complexity of it speaks for itself — whatever its use, it is a grand one. Something that requires remorseless activity to function, though now it is still as the corpse of a massive beast. He steps into the warehouse, heedless and confident even as his power dwindles, to make his way to the machine and begin to touch every, single, button, available. Anything to see if the machine responds — if it moves, if it even gives a cough or a splutter. Even then, he is looking. Investigating their oddly empty surroundings. ]

Yes. It must go to the Below. Perhaps even deeper than that.

[ What is at the core of Kenos, if Kenos is possessed of a core at all? ]

If they map so precisely, we would be lucky. You two will tell me if ever you've seen a tube like this in the open, won't you? Or perhaps another structure designed to disguise it?

[ Joining Sebastian, he rests a hand upon the glass. A delicate sniff of his nose at the air surrounding the residue, the machine itself, before he turns his eyes upon them. It is not with defensiveness that he ask-demands the question of them, they who reside in Kowloon most days; it is because he wishes to know things, heedless of the danger they may present himself, his surroundings or anyone involved in the matter. The mention of cremation though, makes him think of bodies. ]

Sebastian, can you tell what exactly is being burned?

[ A murmur, for he is lost in his thoughts for the moment.

He trails away from it for the moment, unwilling to continue to focus on something he cannot parse — he will seek out any further information, before reassessing it. He'll just have to bring the knowledge to others, if they even care to regard it beyond their insipid need to focus entirely on the Oracle Issue. He hits a few more buttons. And then punches a hole straight through the glass tube, shattering it with a crunching sound. Maybe he'll sNIFF THAT TOO WHILE HE'S AT IT the fucking brute ]

[zauneyete]

Oh of course.

[ he says, not meaning the words at all, but Set would expect that. ] I've never seen anything like it in Kowloon thus far.

[ He answers, more honestly. Though Silco would suspect, that given where it goes to, and where it leads... That it is likely a point of contact between the church and something deep below. If he had to wager a guess, it would be... well. An associate that Silco has not told Set that he has a connection to, or why he'd wanted information on Meridian's movements toward. He tipped his head, and looked at the tube again.]

I would suspect chemical runoff, or bodies. Both are unpleasant to run underground. [ He says, having experience in this particular avenue.

Though Silco is looking toward the Foreman's office now, since... it's him, and that is where he would be spending his time, if he were here during business hours. He starts to make his way there, albeit slow. He isn't going to be rushing on ahead without them, but he makes his intention known, though its' slow enough for the two of them to fully investigate the tube. ]

[cutlery]

[ Sebastian gives a nod towards Silco at his answer, though his eyes are on Set. There’s just a little bit of a sly smile, since at the very least now that the partnership between Sebastian and Silco is known, it also means he can defer to his master without question. Silco’s will is his own. Mostly, at least.

Which, as Silco starts to head towards the foreman’s office, Sebastian stands and shakes his head. ]

Flesh, certainly, and something else that I do not recognize.

[ It’s not entirely surprising after long enough in Kenos. It’s still frequent enough that he comes across something completely new or different to what he’s used to. So, even his sharp senses can only go so far as his knowledge. ]

Nor do I know what kind of flesh, I should say. When reduced to ash, it is all the same.

[ He shrugs, since he doesn’t expect they’ll have a problem with that elaboration. They’re both their own brands of Terrible to not really care why that’s something Sebastian is aware of. ]

[redsoil]

[ Set had put together the truth of the relationship between Silco and Sebastian long before entering the fray with them at his side. Sebastian had hinted and teased at the nature of masters, of acts of service and souls, and Silco had volunteered Sebastian up as his second during their clandestine meeting during the Manon debates. He would not have been so confident to do so, if he could not guarantee his participation. By the time he had entered Dramahol to enjoy the change in ownership and partake in its fare, he was certain — he had teasingly suggested as much to Sebastian, who had avoided the topic.

And rather than fight him on it, Set had enjoyed his victory and sated himself on the spoils.

Now, to see the two of them without pretense or obscurity, he is satisfied. He knows in which direction matters will flow, where Sebastian's actions will largely skew, and how Silco ( "powerless", wretched Silco ) has claimed as much as he had in the time allotted him. What a delightful pair, to have found one another. And how good, that he had managed to become someone on their "good side", at that.

Silco doesn't mean what he says at all, but Set smiles. Indulgent, over his shoulder. ]

I would hope you do. Kowloon is located directly below us, after all.

[ A reminder, perhaps. Silco wouldn't want to have to start over a THIRD time from scratch, would he? Springstar may resonate with Piltover, but Kowloon is no Zaun that seems to seek its demise ( yet ). Destruction in any capacity might be catastrophic to Silco's own powerbase, long before he is ready to bring the city of the sun down atop it all. ]

Flesh, eugh.

[ Back to business!

He abandons the machine for the moment, interested instead in following his two ~favorites~ and ridding himself of the scent of acrid immolation. ]

[zauneyete]

Hm.

[ He responds. It's a knowing tone, that he levels at Set, but he does not speak of plans that Sebastian has carefully already been instructed to start laying the foundation for, or the fact that it very well may be a touch closer to that dynamic, at least if Silco has his way of manipulating the situation at hand. He certainly wouldn't mind if Springstar started to force its boot down on the neck of Kowloon, only to watch the effects shudder, and watch the ties that bound Springstar and Kowloon start to crumble slowly, ever so slowly.

Though instead of addressing that, he does look back at Sebastian, and tipped his head, one real eyebrow knit together in something that could only be described as surprise. ]

You can't recognize the other thing?

[ He asked, curious.

What could that mean? Certainly, there were plenty of things in this world that were beyond him, and perhaps even beyond Sebastian in some ways. Perhaps that was possible, but even so... it's significant, that Sebastian cannot notice a trace of it. ]

Perhaps the foreman's office will offer us answers then. Chemical compounds, or something of that nature.

[ He turned to finish the way up, before he tried the door, to find that it was locked once again. Go figure. ]

Would anyone like to do the honors?

[cutlery]

Indeed. The taste is…

[ Sebastian trails off thoughtfully as he considers it. Because it’s something new to him, he’s also not quite sure if he’d be mapping the tastes accurately when his sense of it is so different from humans’ (and, presumably, Set’s), but he’s at least reasonably sure that he’d be close. He never would have guessed that Ciel’s strict standards would have been helpful in this way… ]

Sweet, oddly? Like an overripe fruit on the verge of decay, but there is a metallic tang to it as well. By approximation, at least.

[ Now that they come to another locked door as Sebastian trails off in his description, he nods and steps forward. ]

Allow me. If we find a third, it is clearly yours to handle, Mr. Silco.

[ Teasing, as usual. But since Set went with a kick to simply buckle the first door (which is Sebastian’s first instinct as well), he’ll go for something a little different for door number two. Sebastian grabs the knobs as if he were simply going to just turn it, but with a jerk of his hand upward and a crack of metal, the doorknob simply comes off into his hand. There’s a clang of metal as the other half of the knob falls on the other side of the door, and Sebastian reaches into the hole to just remove the latch from where it’s still embedded in the door. He waves it playfully, but it’s at least as he opens the door for them to go inside. ]

There we are. Quick and easy.

[redsoil]

Pfft.

[ For all that Set files away what people do say, he also makes note of what is not said, or how someone says it. Not an idiot in the least, however foolhardy and bold he may be at times. He'll have to entice someone into investigating the Below themselves, to seek out the origin of the scent, where it might be coming from — and maybe, perhaps, get their fingers involved in fucking around with Silco as well. Not Sebastian, though.

Fucking with Sebastian is his thing. ]

Mister Silco.

[ Oh, he snickers. Laughs a little, uproarious at the realization that now that he knows the bond between them, Sebastian is going to speak more deferentially to his master. It's so funny to hear, it really is. Of all the things to catch the ear of the war god, it is Mister Silco that brings him the greatest mirth, and allows him to potentially slip under the radar with his own attentiveness. Acting the chaotic beast had its perks, just as being purely diplomatic. ]

Mister Silco, fxck that's good. [ He mumbles on, bringing up the rear as Sebastian deals with the door.

He sweeps up behind Silco, pinning his arms to his sides and lifting him, immediately, to frogmarch him through the door with a joyous knock knock! to whom or whatever might be left within. He's also quick to drop the man, too, and make the most disgruntled sound at the bullshit nothing but decaying paperwork to be found inside. ]

Pick a corner, boys, looks like we have some research to do. And you probably thought I was not going to let you have any fun!

[zauneyete]

[ Silco waited while Sebastian broke open the door, his mind turning over the description of the taste in his head. Sweet, like an overripe fruit almost decaying and metallic. It's a rather... detailed description, and Silco was mulling it over, considering the described smell and taste. Being someone from a place so mired in pollution and toxins, Silco thinks it sounds like what he imagines a number of things would taste like.

Mind, he didn't make a habit of doing so, but he knew the myriad of smells, and could imagine how certain chemicals tasted based on that but --

He was not paying attention to Set, or Sebastian, and so he's not expecting it, when Set unceremoniously picked him up, and started frogmarching him through the door -- his annoyed grunt only met with Set dropping him, before he talked about starting to look through papers. Silco's lip curled, and he brushed himself off, before he turned his back to the two, and started shuffling through a pile of papers. ]

I can walk perfectly well on my own, Set.

[ He said, his tone acid. ]

[cutlery]

[ What an honor for him to be so special as to be Set’s. It’s clearly because Set is also so very good at getting under Sebastian’s skin in the pettiest of ways, such as mocking the respect given. Sebastian frowns as he looks back at Set curiously, since naturally it doesn’t seem odd to him at all. The only person Sebastian drops his formality around is, well. Silco. Even Set gets his title of nb.

However, Sebastian’s confusion is quickly cut off into the fussiest version of distress as Set hoists Silco up to walk him through the door. He’s not actually worried about Set manhandling his master, but there’s still a token disapproval as he trails after them. ]

Is that really necessary…

[ Is this a disapproving babysitter vibe? Yes, absolutely. Tenderizing his meal is his job, thank you Set.

No, at least the papers give something to refocus his attention on. With a little huff (as Silco is clearly fine), Sebastian heads over to another stack and starts to read them. His gaze quickly becomes sharp and focused, and at the very least, they can have confidence that these documents won’t be forgotten. With Sebastian’s perfect memory, he’ll be able to recreate everything they find here, which will quickly prove to be an interesting prospect. The first page is dull, but by the second, Sebastian makes a noise of interest. ]

Oh? It seems the Church is getting up to— [ He starts, but with a hiss of pain he looks away from the paper sharply as he gets to the name of the other half of the letter. His first assumption is that it’s something against him personally (anti-demon magic is reasonable enough), so he holds it out to someone else to try. ] Ugh… Magic. What an annoying thing.