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[ It’s about a week and a half after he had dissipated.

That time had been tumultuous for the otherwise even-keeled demon. He’d felt all of that vicious, biting rage when Florence-Yima had pocketed his Shard, and it had hardly softened when he burst from the pods that rebirthed the Shard-Bearers. He’d been all snarling rage and taking it out on someone else had only been stopped because he truly didn’t have the power to do it. He’d deharmonized because someone with such a vicious, murderous rage against Yima could hardly hold Zenith in him. So, then what, he’d thought, but only briefly.

Then came Meridian. Naturally. As against his nature as that light felt, he couldn’t bear to be powerless either. So though it drained him and changed him bit by bit as he accumulated Discord in his home in Highstorm, he’d taken in Meridian if only for the sake of one day tearing into Yima with tooth and claw. At least he’d found some peace in playing homemaker again. That too stayed his hand.

But at this point, he’s at least settled and content enough to return to some semblance of his schedule. He found comfort in that too, orderly creature that he was. Silco likely hadn’t even noticed Sebastian’s first shift at Draumahol, as secluded and quiet as his work was. But by the end of the second, he’d received a sizeable enough amount of money that it was time to turn it in to his boss. So. Of course Sebastian just went about things as normal. There’s an always polite knock at the door, but also just as normal, Sebastian lets himself in with an obedient smile. It’s as if nothing at all has changed. ]

Good evening, Mr. Silco. [ He holds up the silk velvet pouch that he always keeps his earnings in and gives it a playful jingle ] You will be pleased to hear that business is going well.

[ Silco would be forgiven for his surprise, of course. His appearance isn’t something that would make sense from, well, anyone. But Sebastian’s logic works in a different framework than most. A demon is directed by logic and rationality more than any emotion. ]

[ Ironically, this past week and a half has been no less chaotic for the proprietor, given there had been the panic, the large unrest through Ryad shortly after the... incident. Silco had taken to calling it the Incident, because describing it otherwise forced him to relive the memories of all of it. Of killing Quetzalcoatl (good), of having his soul nearly ripped out of his mouth (bad), of getting saved by the being in charge of Zenith (good, but Silco knew something the rest did not through it) and of course, the aftermath. A Whole Other Thing.

Which was resolved by this point, the last of Silco's flesh mostly knit back together after his discord had ripped so much of it apart. He'd sloughed off enough to avoid losing himself completely, but only just. Draumahol had settled back into normalcy, and Sebastian's assessment was correct, he hadn't even noticed.

Which just makes the evening that Sebastian walks into his office like nothing had changed all the more frightening.

Especially given he'd had a stack of newspapers on his desk, the Springstar periodical in his hands, scouring for news of any new actions by the powers-that-be. Which meant that Sebastian's polite knock, entrance, and words all had a wonderful effect for the Demon. Likely one he would predict, too. Fear.

Had he come back for revenge? Was he going to try again? He wondered if Sebastian would be so relentless as to keep trying, and trying, and trying until he was fully destroyed and consumed. His fingers did not shake, but his hands (mismatched like his eyes, one grayed with stalled decay) dropped the paper after a long, long moment of consideration.

He managed to keep his expression politely neutral. ]

Is it? [ Did he.

Did he work today? ]

I had assumed top dollar services were... not going to continue.

[ Unlike most of his assumptions about Sebastian, this one was pretty reasonable, he thought. More the fool him. ]

[ He had considered it, of course. He could pursue Silco with the determination of a bloodhound pursuing a wounded fox. How far did Yima’s influence and protection extend? It would only take a single slip for his jaws to close around SIlco’s neck and snap it before she could stop him. And when he sees that flicker of fear… He does wonder again. Here, alone, in the bowels of Springstar… Could the matron really stop him from claiming his due?

But Sebastian had not lived such a long life by giving into his impulses. Even if he could push against the bounds of her control in his fury, she expects it now. Worse still, Sebastian has also realized a quality they share. They are patient. So, in that, what is a single mortal life worth?

He doesn’t react to that flicker of fear with anything more than a more amused curve of his lips, but it’s not malicious. It’s playful, of all things, and he steps forward to take a seat across from Silco as he has many times before. ]

…Well, not all the ones you were paying for, certainly. I shall offer you no more protection, naturally.

[ He thinks of quipping about all the enemies Silco has made and if it was worth it, but he holds his tongue. He just unties the cord of the pouch and starts to neatly arrange the currency on the desk. ]

But I see no issue with continuing my work here. It is convenient, in fact.

[ Because Silco can see it now, that glimmer of Meridian in Sebastian, even though it’s dim and weak, like the demon’s very nature is trying to squash it. He’s keeping his house in Highstorm (and the appearance of being a Zenite in general) for now, so alleviating his Discord through his clientele here has been welcome indeed. ]

[ He could see it. He had thought it a trick of the light, or perhaps his imagination, one of those odd flickers he had noticed all-too often. Where before it had been familiar faces or flashes of that one person he valued above all others, as Sebastian sat, and he could see it and concentrate on it, especially after the paper was lowered, it was what it was.

Though Sebastian did not radiate with zealotry, though Silco thought that perhaps it was a given, that the demon would have changed his alignment, given... Well. The matron had chosen him over Sebastian. Silco, who had little value in combat, compared to Sebastian, and he expected that the demon was just as petty as Silco was. Which made his change in alignment... well. Completely expected and logical. After all, Silco would have, if Yima had taken what was most important from him, and he had no doubts that Sebastian's loyalties were only to his pleasure and meals.

So his eyes slid toward the pouch, and nodded. ]

Hm.

[ It's small, only a note, but Sebastian will recognize it for what it was. Thoughtful acceptance. ]

I was hardly going to ask for your protection, don't worry. [ And because he's a bitch: ] I know what the cost of that is.

[ It wasn't comfort, because he was still waiting for the other shoe to drop. Jinx was safe and in his protection, and thus: there had to be a catch. He was alive, achieving more prominence than he'd ever thought he could, and he had not suffered. He had lost an ally, yes, but.

Considering the alternative? There had to be Something. ]

[ Sebastian gives a little nod to the note, since he understands the shades of Silco’s hms by now, but the additional little quip does immediately show a new dynamic at play here. Sebastian rolls his eyes, and there’s not even the slightest attempt to hide it. ]

Are you really still so upset about that? It is hardly my fault. I even asked Set, you know, and he agreed that it was a perfectly obvious conclusion.

[ Two can play at the bitchy game, Silco!! Now that Sebastian has no personal investment in Silco’s good moods or in the idea of endearing himself to the man, perhaps this is a better glimpse at the kind of personality that’s underneath all of those fine manners. It’s a bit ironic, since Silco will probably prefer it. ]

Well, on that note, I suppose. Considering our close partnership in the past year, there are certain topics I imagine we would not want our new, respective sides to know about. Shall we strike up a bit of an agreement on those matters?

Yes, of course, Set would think it's obvious.

[ He said, with a roll of his eyes. He's not upset, exactly. Really, it's more of a light tone, since.

Well.

Mind, he has Not Forgotten the feeling of Sebastian's mouth on his, or the sensation of his soul being ripped from him — would he ever? — but that did not mean that he was going to stay on it for long. Silco may be an angry man who would not forget anything<, and certainly would never give anything up, but... he also had a keen sense of self-preservation, and he understood that this was what he needed to use right now.

So he only turned his chair slightly in his seat, as if he were swinging it back and forth idly. The weird thing was, he did prefer the forthrightness of Sebastian over the too-prim manners. Go figure. ]

As it stands, I think we should have something of a standing negotiation. We've been privy to one another's secrets, after all.

[ And here is where Silco's self-preservation will come in. He knows better than most what a secret costs. ]

I'm as uninterested in them being shared as I imagine you are.

[ Because it is, Sebastian thinks, but he doesn’t say as much. That’s less out of politeness and more to get down to business, though. Even if it was a bit of a losing battle, he’d still argue it a bit in other circumstances. ]

Correct. It is not normally something I need be concerned with, but you are the first to survive my Covenant.

[ …Well, maybe he’ll rub it in just a little through his choice of words, though his expression is purely cool and businesslike. Plus, he’s still deeply angry about that fact, though it’s luckily not directed at Silco. It’s a sore spot that he’ll carry until he has his own revenge or he dies. At least in this, they’re similar. ]

My demands are simple. Nothing to do with my true appearance. [ Normally, that would be it, but his expression twists in the smallest of scowls. ] Nor anything regarding the mark that was so kindly bestowed when we last met.

[ Silco's lips twitched, and there's a faint glimmer of amusement in hearing that he's the first. Sure, that was also a sore spot, but it was just like himself to survive another circumstance where his death was guaranteed, and the odds were against them. To be fair, it came at a cost, but.

What cost was it? Really? The smile was all his response to the first, because negotiating — and dealmaking were paramount. ]

Both reasonable.

[ He remembered how Sebastian had sworn him to keep Jinx from even daring to speak of it. The one miracle was that she had not been in Kenos long enough to start talking.

He knew his daughter after all.

Which, Sebastian wouldn't really be surprised when he begins: ]

In turn: nothing of my acts, dealings, or benefactors within Kowloon. [ Obviously. Silco had no interest in the population at large knowing that he had something of a...

Connection to someone even more unpopular than him: Aetós. ]

And, I think the other should be obvious. [ But he's learned and makes it clear. ] Nothing regarding Jinx. She is off-limits.

Other than the obvious, I assume? [ He gestures generally to the office to refer to Draumahol, but he does elaborate, lest there be any question. ] Your work here at Draumahol would be more difficult to refuse to speak on, considering I plan to remain in your employ for the basics. But it has worked well thus far as a front for your other operations, and I will keep that intact, yes.

[ He shrugs as he returns to his counting. It does seem like more than usual now that he’s sorting it, in fact. His regulars missed him in his brief absence for the past little while. ]

I am no more inclined to have the people learn about my involvement in the development of Shimmer, so you needn’t worry there. The less Shard-Bearers know of what I am willing to do, the better. That is true regardless of factions.

[ Since no matter who wins this war, Sebastian will be relying on others’ ignorance to allow him to continue to exist. Either he’ll return to someone’s world and add a dark mark to it or he’ll be one upon a new world. Either way, there are appearances to keep up. ]

As for Jinx, that is the one I expected. Naturally. [ He doesn’t break his gaze from his work, but he doesn’t need to do so to know that even saying her name is likely to prompt a little twist of displeasure on Silco’s face. ] So, if we are in agreement for these conditions, I shall not. And naturally, should these terms be broken, this agreement will no longer apply.

Yes, of course. Where we work, what we do, that is not worth concealing.

[ A pause, and then he makes it clear, again, because Silco does not make the same mistakes twice. ] Obviously the development of Shimmer, the methods, what it took, and in addition how we came into possession of this location, dealings within Kowloon itself beyond Draumahol's known business. Birdie's dissipation, and my... patron. I think Aetós has enough hunting for them, that the prospect of that getting out would make me an inconvenience.

[ And he knew what Aetós would do if he was inconvenient.

His lips pull in distaste, because he does not like people knowing about the existence of his daughter, or her name. Silco hates the idea of having a weakness, particularly here where she could be exploited, should one of his enemies learn of her. Sebastian might be one of those said enemies now, so he swallows his discomfort to make a deal that should be necessary. ]

I think you and I both have secrets we would hunt any down if they dared spread, and since we would both prefer to keep them out of the minds of other bearers: We are in agreement.

[ The problem with working so closely, is that they both know some dire secrets — but then again, they both had an interest in others not knowing those secrets. ]

[ As Silco gets more explicit about his concerns and his secrets, Sebastian can’t help but smile just a little more. He understands where it comes from, so it’s very funny that Silco has learned a lesson... And also that Sebastian possesses so many of his secrets. It’s something that must irritate him, he imagines, because for Sebastian’s side of things? He just nods. He has nothing more to add, because this is another example of the imbalance that had existed from the start. What secrets Sebastian had, Silco had never learned, save for his face. ]

Absolutely. I planned to talk this over with you, but I imagined there was not a rush, exactly.

[ Plus. He does know Silco. He probably needed some time to cool down. ]

Ah, and for what it is worth, I would prefer you keep my new alliance to yourself, but it is not something I will insist on. That is merely a personal headache for me to parse through, so it would be better to make that “reveal” at my own pace, essentially.

[ He sighs, like this is a petty annoyance to deal with. Since, well. Kind of. He’s finished his counting at this point, so he takes his standard cut, then gives Silco a nod to pocket the rest. ]

I am no more thrilled about that particular development than you are, trust me.

[ A wheezing cough of a laugh erupted. ]

As if I would bother.

[ They both knew that the longer Sebastian was not obviously Meridian, the more that played to Silco's favor, after all. That was something he Was good at. Secrets and obfuscation that led to him somehow wiggling his way out of a circumstance that would have otherwise had half of Zenith in Draumahol tomorrow looking for him, to do him in. ]

I am quite certain your new... [ a tight smile, ] Friends will be all too thrilled to learn that development, even if you are not.

[ He understood, of course, that there had been something broken in that altercation. He remembered hearing a name but couldn't for the life of him remember it, as if the words had somehow screeched through his head like oil, or perhaps it was a leftover effect of his contract. He suspected that whatever it was that... Florence had actually done had earned the ire of the demon, obviously.

Odd, he thought, that he had been of more value than Sebastian.

But perhaps there was sentimentality to be found among Zenith, after all. ]

I do hope they welcome you with open arms, you know.

[ He added, though the curl of his lip was twisted with an irony that said, very clearly, he found it unlikely.

Well, save for a few notable exceptions. ]

[ The distaste comes to his face clearly. It’s another little indicator of Sebastian being more open now that their business is concluded and also likely to the level of patience that Sebastian has. He’d carried on for a year in full deferential politeness without complaint, and even now that he’s being more honest, it doesn’t seem to be something he holds against Silco. ]

You know very well they will not. And for so little… I have been very reserved in how I have dealt with Meridian, and now for what?

[ He sighs heavily and shakes his head. ]

Would it be that I at least earned it. I should have tortured more of them for the simple enjoyment of it.

[ the problem is that he feels the hatred isn't totally justified, correct, ]

[ Silco gets it though. He nodded. ]

They have always hated us, but the fact that you are unapologetic in what you are seems to offend them in a way that surpasses me.

[ A pause. And a tip of his head. ] Well, not anymore I suppose.

[ Not now that he had openly shattered quetz, and made them experience it. Silco had always been dramatic.

While he could have shared that Sebastian had been privy to it, help make it more difficult for them, Silco was both far less powerful than Sebastian, and that knowledge kept him from being... too petty. ]

Perhaps they will remember that without you, I'm... merely a man, hm? It could work to your advantage.

[ Also. Well. His. ]

...I believe that statement applies to you more than I, if I am honest.

[ Sebastian didn't really agree with Silco's assessment here, because very few knew what Sebastian truly was. It was very much intentional. There were a few that knew he was dangerous and clever and spread that knowledge as a result, but calling the eternally and manipulatively polite demon unapologetic didn't seem quite right.

Or: projection much??? ]

But regardless, the sentiment is true. I imagine there will be questions about why I left, but... [ He trails off, since he feels the mark tingle as if preparing a whip for him, so he just frowns further. ] It will have to remain mysterious, apparently.

Hm.

[ Silco? Project???? ]

I suppose if they are particularly curious, they will simply have to weather their disappointment. Neither of us are willing to say anything, and well. I doubt Florence would share.

[ If she even knew what had happened. That, Silco wasn't sure of. He knew who had been there just as much as Sebastian had. It had not been Florence Deshayes. ]

Personally, I'll enjoy watching some of them be rather angry about it.

[ Said mildly. ] The only thing worse would be getting me to join.

[ Sebastian sighs gently, and the tenor of it is an unsaid "of course you would", but that annoyance doesn't last long. The latter sentiment gets Sebastian to laugh, and he shakes his head, though it's a gesture of agreement in this case. He reaches up to run a hand through his hair and unsettle how it's slicked back. He's done with his shift, after all, and he prefers the look and comfort of those long, messy bangs. ]

True enough. If you were to join me, who knows? Perhaps Zenith would win simply by virtue of all of the Meri quitting.

[ He doesn't think that's possible, technically speaking, or at least not realistic. Being Unharmonized is certainly worse than some of their (so-called) principles. ]

What would that even take? I imagine it would have to be similar to my own... misfortune.

[ He speaks of it vaguely because he has to, but it's not exactly mysterious. It's a personal, petty, and ruthless grudge that he means. ]

Hm?

[ He asks, but it is quite the question. Silco hates, he hates so much that even trying to consider returning to the world from where he came, being shoved back onto that bridge, his fingers around his daughter, holding her up as she shuddered shaky, barely-there breaths, and only one idea that would possibly yield any results. He'd given up hope of that, with the distance, since a desperate ploy seemed slimmer and slimmer by the day.

Not when he has her shard, anyway. That would have been the only option, wouldn't it? If Jinx had asked him, begged him to bring it back, and could he? Knowing that she was dying in his arms anyway? Could he have ever chosen to do so? Was there any hope of it? Could he let her damn them both to suffering under Piltover's boot, and then dying? He had no doubt, if she was dead, he would have tried to burn them all to the ground — and heaven forbid: maybe even without a plan.

He didn't think she would even ask, really. She hated them as much as he did, but if he thought of what kind of circumstances it would take...

It would take that, or... Maybe losing her entirely, being asked to give her up. Oh, even his loyalty to Zenith's goals would not hold him there, then. He would want revenge, he would burn them to the ground if they ever dared to ask. ]

Mm, something like your own misfortune, yes.

[ He says, simply. Sebastian, however, can read between the lines. ]

[ He doesn’t have personal investment in the answer, not anymore. If he did, he’d probably push more and drag Silco into another little trap. Sebastian has been very good at setting them for Silco, because he’d quickly realized that for all of Silco’s caution, he’s weak—nearly ignorant—to psychological games. At least on the level that Sebastian plays them.

He pauses and gives Silco a bit of an appraising look, but it ends with a laugh and a shrug. ]

Then perhaps I am feeling generous enough to offer advice.

[ He isn’t. It just occurs to him that this is another little game he can play, since turning Silco against Yima wouldn’t be that hard, not really. He just has to make Silco feel like it was his idea, since then Sebastian could strike his blow and avoid the potential consequences of it. ]

Misfortune can strike at any time, clearly. Ciel was shattered and I could do nothing about it. The same could happen to Jinx.

[ He’s again direct in a way he wouldn’t have been only a week or so ago. Their contract is null and void, so Silco no longer has the privilege of Sebastian’s careful deference. ]

No one needs to know who a Zenite’s Shard is to know that striking it is a wise tactical choice, hm? It is far easier than trying to attack its owner.

[ Before... all of this happened, this would have set Silco off. Even now, the thought of it forces his hand, a tightening of it that feels all-too painful. A reminder of his fingers digging desperately through the rubble, coming up with nothing. Seeing Gen flee with a box had made him angrier, and he'd felt it, the way his body started to pull apart at the seams, the discord and distress mingling, as his skin flaked away, the bone and sinew of his body exposed, open veins leaking a trail of shimmer throughout Kowloon.

Silco knew precisely how vulnerable she was. He knew exactly how close he had come. If Set hadn't known, if Set hadn't thought to retrieve her —

He would have lost everything. He knows it. There was nothing Yima, or Florence, or anyone would have been able to do. For all that they appear as leaders, there are some things they simply would not do. For all of her compassion, care and supposed "love", there was something Yima would never do, even though there was a part of him that raged at the fact that she was fully ineffective at even protecting herself. And really, would she do anything to even protect — ?

No matter. ]

I am intimately aware of how vulnerable said shards are.

[ He hissed. He does not share how close it had been, how he had been forced to beg before Set to have his daughter returned to him, kept out of his grasp by a violent and petty war god, one who he understood intimately, and would not forget that, just as he could not forget how Set had been convinced that he had abandoned the two of them fully when he had shattered Quetzalcoatl.

How close he had been to being right. ]

Don't worry, Sebastian, your advice is noted and appreciated.

[ He said, with odd neutrality. He doesn't dare give away how close he had gotten to just that. ]

[ Sebastian just continues to watch Silco coolly in the face of his defensive anger. It’s expected, since he knew full well that this was something that provoked the man so sharply that it was comical. But also… It’s not like he’s afraid of Silco. He’d killed Sebastian, yes, but it was truly only because Sebastian allowed it. In a true fight, he was sure that his former master wouldn’t stand a chance.

So, he shrugs casually as he brushes his cut of today’s earnings back into the pouch it had all been in. As always, it’s still very little. Sebastian doesn’t need much, so he doesn’t take much. ]

Of course. We have our understanding, so that is really all I have for the evening.

[ He ties the cord snugly and starts to stand, though he does look to Silco again. ]

Unless there was anything else you wished to discuss?

[ Silco paused, for a moment.

Considering.

He could demand more, he thought. Make sure that Sebastian didn't fight him in an Oracle — Silco knew as well as Sebastian did that he was weaker than him — maybe demand that Sebastian never even interact with Jinx, were she to show up.

But he knew better.

It would be giving up weaknesses. Exposing patches that Sebastian would find his way around. He was looking for it. Oh, he didn't operate on Sebastian's mind games, because Silco was a big fish in a small pond when it came down to it. Smart, sure, and cutthroat, but he was a master manipulator of people from Zaun, and to a lesser extent: some people from Piltover.

He'd perhaps learned too late that he would be unable to negotiate around Sebastian, so he didn't open his mouth. Thought about it, but didn't.

For once in his goddamn life, Silco didn't speak his mind. ]

No, I think that will be all. Thank you for your work, as always.

[ His smile was tight lipped, but hey, at least he........ kinda (?) meant it. ]

[closed] ※ catch-all!

» silco, post-feb event

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help i had to tag this one first

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cw a little bit of body horror 8)

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