festivals and mur--ahem, investigations 🎊🔍

[beleos]

COMMUNION WITH YIMA

After given some time for recovery and for Yima to hear reports of what transpired at the Tree of Life last month, a Communion message gently flows through the minds of each Shard-Bearer. They will have to choose to accept this message, and once they do, they will be greeted by Yima’s voice resonating pleasantly in their heads. She first apologizes for their harrowing experience with the Dryad, and that she hadn’t anticipated such a violent reaction from the Tree; she believes that their experiences point to an imbalance within the Tree itself, most likely brought about by the soon-to-come arrival of the Oracles.

She has spoken with Cyrus, and they have jointly decided that an investigation into the matter - and potentially the destruction of the Dryad - may be required to purge its influence from the Tree. Yima requests that any who would willingly seek out the Dryad volunteer to do so and will be outfitted with a ward against any tampering to prevent them from falling into the creature’s clutches a second time. It will take her a bit to fashion enough of these wards - but she anticipates being ready toward the end of the month.

She concludes her message with another heartfelt apology for your suffering, that she would not have sent any into such a situation she believed were truly dangerous. That being said, she takes responsibility for your ordeal and asks that if there is anything she can do in recompense, you have but to ask.

Yima will be available for Communion chatter here!

FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE - HIGHSTORM

Takiltu is a month cycle the natives of Kenos regard with some amount of reverence and a hearty helping of excitement: the first part of the month (November) is spent reflecting on and celebrating the differing cultures and worlds each Kenosian represents. The second part of the month (December) is spent celebrating unity and togetherness, to come together with friends and family, to be kind to others and share in one’s wealth - whether that comes in the form of knowledge, monetary gains, or the exchange of gifts and one’s time.

Each city celebrates differently, the flavor of their festivals a reflection of their people.

In Highstorm, the first thirty days of Takiltu are spent in Remembrance. The city is decorated with string lights, paper lanterns, candles, and torches to illuminate the streets in beautiful colors and shimmering magical illusory shapes. The focal point of the festival takes place in The Court, where the reflecting pool has been especially decorated with arrangements of flowers and lights. Festival stands erected around the Courtyard peddle paper lanterns as well as refreshments, fanciful decorative items, and enchanted jewelry that is said to make one’s recollections of the past temporarily clearer.

The pool itself is the main attraction, here; citizens who approach its waters and gaze into its depths will find its normal abilities to reflect memories enhanced. The images are surreal for their clarity, vivid - and normally, one is requested to look into the eyes of those most precious to them whose souls remain lost, to pay homage to their memory and sacrifices, and to wish them rebirth in the new world to come. A purchased lantern is then lit and sent skyward where it floats into the moonlight, joining the others hovering above.

But this year, there is an addition to the usual fanfare. Emet-Selch has been asked to assist with the festival; as long as he is given permission, he can recreate the memory displayed in the reflecting pool. Yima has granted him a temporary blessing which enhances his natural creation abilities - a gift for their people she is grateful for. Your character can choose what it is they see in the water - whether it’s a place, a person, or the feelings of a certain point and time, he will temporarily recreate it around you. Everyone will be able to see this conjuring and interact with it while it is functional. It will last between 15 to 30 minutes before dissolving into beads of light that slowly trickle skyward before disappearing. You’ll be told to light a lantern, send it adrift, and that this will give peace to the part of you and your Shard that surely aches. But does it…?

Elsewhere in Highstorm, the High Theater has been painstakingly decorated and aglow with magical floating motes of light; the interior has been transformed into something of an Art Gallery. The pieces within are dedications to parts of worlds long gone, as well as the people in them; some are beautifully painted landscapes of exquisite, far-away places beyond the imagination. Some are more mundane and familiar snapshots of life in a home world not too different from your own. There are portraits of families, loved ones, and those the Zenites long for most. This is their time to mourn, to grieve, and to appreciate their pasts - the pasts that will lead them to a brighter future, one day. They must move on into the future, but treasuring that which came before is equally important to them.

Should you touch any of the motes of light that are around the art pieces decorating the Gallery, you will find yourself able to feel, hear, see, and taste a piece of the world the piece represents. Some of these are warm gatherings over a dinner table with family; others are heart-wrenching expressions of loss and bitterness and pain. Be cautious which you choose. Oh, and do be careful not to stand too closely with someone else when you touch one, or one accidentally touches you - the experience is absolutely contagious through Communion.

CELEBRATION OF CHERISHMENT - SPRINGSTAR

While Highstorm’s Festival of Remembrance is a more demure and reflective time, Springstar takes a much different approach to the season. In true Meri nature, the Celebration of Cherishment encapsulates celebrating life in all forms - and that means parties! The Psychagogía is the main hub of excitement considering, but festivities can be found in almost every single district of Springstar. Wherever you go, something is happening and someone is trying to rope you into having a good time.

The city has been decorated with bright and colorful multi-purpose magical ivy-like vines that sprouts buds that bloom over the course of the month into gorgeous flowers. These flowers are considered sacred, and their blooming is a momentous time of joy and good fortune. Each flower is left intact; disturbing one is tantamount to a war crime by the natives, so don’t get observed if you try to pluck one!

The Psychagogía is incredibly lively, teeming with people and events; almost every venue is peddling some kind of ‘Cherishment’ celebratory sale or discount. The first portion of the month includes what the locals call “the meri-ment” (and seem quite chuffed about that pun), in which Kenosians are encouraged to go bar hopping and taste the wide variety of specialty ales and liquor unkegged only around this time of year. Participants are highly encouraged to share stories of their worlds and cultures, to tell those they mingle with tales of the worlds they will one day return to and why they’re special, unique - to celebrate their one-day return.

Alongside this comes a great deal of outdoor grilling, fresh meats and vegetables sending tantalizing scents everywhere you go once the evening hours arrive. Some of these food and drinks can cause… interesting… effects if you consume them in excess, especially at the Emotional Damage - so try to show restraint. It would be a bit embarrassing to find yourself strangely infatuated with the first person you lay eyes on after your fifth night out on the town, or feeling compelled to express warm feelings aloud you wouldn’t normally commit to another. Luckily, it only lasts a short period of time - but beware the wicked hangover afterward. Strangely enough, if you’re suffering, you feel oddly compelled to seek out a little TLC from someone else - someone with whom you might have some unresolved feelings toward, positive or negative. Is it longing? Anger? Jealousy? Unspoken affections? Love? Whatever it is, you're more likely to seek them out for some care.

At the Coliseum, nightly brawls between Meris take place and the usual assortment of monsters are temporarily taken out of offer. This part of the festivities is one where each Kenosian is encouraged to settle any differences or misgivings with others and to get it out of their system, cleansing them of bad mojo - “leave it in the ring,” as it were. Despite beating each other bloody at times, most combatants willingly stop before it gets too serious and fighting to the death is not permitted. You must embrace your adversary before you leave, and your ‘bad blood’ will be considered purged and settled so you can start anew.

The Empório district is celebrating consumerism, because of course it is! All the usual goods are on a considerable discount, and for a brief time, gardening tools and supplies are free! The reason for this is that Springstar’s citizens are encouraged to plant one seedling in the gardens in Katoikitikós once the flowers lining the city have gone into full bloom. It is said this honors gods across cultures and time as well as invites good fortune. You are encouraged to plant a seedling in a group or pairing, as space is limited - and there are superstitions regarding this togetherness resulting in more favorable results. Should you plant a seedling with someone else, you might indeed find that something is beginning to blossom between you… Based on your Aspects, you might find yourselves feeling closer and more connected - or repulsed depending on your compatibility. This effect will last through the month after planting. Should you check on the seedling later, its health will be reflected in the state of your relationship. Friends will find the little plant thriving; enemies will find it is sickly and dying.

For those Shard-Bearers who have already harmonized with the Meridian or who have quarters in Heliopolis, you will find the communal meals much more lavish and indulgent than usual. There may even be a taste of home waiting for you among the spreads on offer, or some comfort food you haven’t had in a while. It is encouraged to share anything to your taste - or even to share why it is meaningful to you via Communion. Or you can just eat. You do you, man.

Once the flowers have bloomed and the festivities reach their peak, one might find the city loud and boisterous and sleep a little more difficult to come by. Springstar is absolutely thriving and alive - and you, too, feel more invigorated and energetic despite any lack of zzz’s. Should you leave the city, however, this effect will vanish and you might find yourself unnaturally fatigued and in need of more rest than is customary. Returning to Springstar will slowly build up your stamina again. This effect lasts until the end of the month.

THE MYSTERY OF ALENROUX

Once celebrations are in full-swing in the cities, some characters (i.e., any characters that choose to participate in this prompt) will be contacted by Cyrus or Yima, depending on their faction or whichever they feel a stronger inclination towards if they are currently Unharmonized. Both will explain that there’s something that they’d like you to investigate, but also to prepare and be careful, since this request doesn’t come without danger… A Shard has been lost in Alenroux, and they both hope you’ll be able to retrieve it.

MERIDIAN

“I’ve gotten word that a Zenith Shard-Bearer was sent to Alenroux a little bit before you arrived, and they haven’t come back yet. Normally, none of our business, but based on what some of the farmers have been saying, I think they’ve gotten hit by Discord. If it gets high enough, well… You don’t really have your mind anymore. We can help them through Purification. Even if it’s just for long enough to calm them down, it’s better than them being trapped in madness. It might be easier to dissipate them first, though, then Purify their Shard. They were last seen heading to the Northern forests. Let me know what I can give you to help, and make sure to help each other. Good luck.”

ZENITH

"Please heed my request, though I do not ask this of you lightly... One of the Zenith's children has been lost among the fields of Alenroux come nightfall and I fear the worst has befallen them. There are dangerous elements attracted to the presence of a soul, and the likelihood our brethren has been lost... it is great. Seek out the Shard - and if you are able to retrieve it, please do so. If it has suffered corruption too great to be saved or would place you in too great a danger to take back, then... I trust you to make the merciful choice. I place this in your hands and will give you whatever you require to see it through. Look out for your fellow Zenith and work together, as I do not want to lose more of you. Be well."

Both factions will offer their recruits access to standard weaponry and armor/protective clothing. If a character asks for more, they’ll be given a weapon or a piece of armor with minor magical properties which would normally cost 1 AC token to purchase. Magical weapons are on loan however. If your character takes these and/or chooses to keep it, please note this in your Committed Actions! If they choose to keep standard weaponry, Cyrus/Yima will just be disappointed in your dishonesty. :(

When you arrive during the day cycle, you’ll also find horses and magic hoverboards to use (they go the same speed tbh), because heading North to the forests is a bit of a trek, and you might not make it there in time on foot! As the sun starts to set, you’ll see the people in Alenroux start to leave, going clearly your opposite direction. Once night falls (Nov. 9th OOC), it doesn’t take long for things to change.

There’s just a sliver of a crescent moon in the sky, which makes the rolling hills and forests much more ominous than they were during the day. And as the stories say, it only takes an hour or two before you start to run into strange creatures. Closer to the Cornerstone, there are indeed strange creatures, and while they may not all look scary, they might present different kinds of dangers such as…

• A light in the dark looks like a fairy, but stare at it too long and you’ll find yourself hypnotized by a ghastly fish will lead you to a body of water to drown you.
• An innocuous puddle may form up into a mass of corrosive goo, complete with the bones and items of the last person it came across. When you slice it, it simply creates a copy of itself, so hopefully you realize this before you’re surrounded.
• A strange straw poppet (sans pins, of course) that possesses you once you touch it and will use your body to try and fight anyone else while your consciousness is trapped inside the doll. To be freed, you only have to destroy the doll, but you’ll feel the pain of how its destroyed even if you don’t bear any injuries from it.

However, as you get closer to the Northern forests, they become significantly more fearsome…

• With a roar, a massive, multiheaded beast descends, and each of its mouths is perfectly capable of taking a bite out of you. Watch out for the snake’s head in particular, since its venom will cause you to hallucinate your worst fears.
• As you come face to face with an odd creature, bioluminescence lights up on its skin, and the spins on its back quiver with a sound like a rattlesnake’s. As the spines quiver, you find it exceptionally difficult to take your eyes off them and move as it stalks closer slowly. You can fight blind, right?
• Diving in and out of larger shadows like its water is a slimy beast that’s incredibly fast. Its teeth may be small, but its tail is a razor-sharp whip that could remove a limb if you’re not careful.

These are just examples, however. There are many creatures lurking the wilds of Alenroux, so feel free to create your own monsters with unique effects.

It's a difficult trek North, and you may be tired from hours of running, fighting, or both… But eventually, a few people do find what they were looking for. They might have even missed it, if not for how their Shards suddenly felt like they were burning. From the shadows, a twisted creature of roots and lights which what looks like many crystals in a glowing mass appears and one of its eyes locks on you. It looks like now is your chance.

NOTES

Weather summary for the first 30 days of Takiltu (NOV & DEC):

Highstorm is in late fall, early winter season. Some flurries may occasionally fall and it is getting considerably cold out there! Bundle up!

Springstar is in the throes of early summer; the weather is climate and pleasantly warm for outdoor celebrations (but not sweltering). There are occasional afternoon showers, but they don’t last very long.

Notable city changes:

If you wander the Markets in Highstorm, you might notice some of the peddlers seem a bit wary of you. Hm, guess something happened around here! Probably totally unrelated, but Silco and Vander (or anyone with them) will be treated with nervous suspicion.

Similarly, if you're traveling with Set (or you're Set) in Springstar, you might occasionally find yourself getting strange looks. Ask Set why.

Faction updates:

There are no explicit changes in faction behavior at this time. This will be a staple in all future event write-ups to catalogue the fluidity of the conflict as it progresses, though, so we're including it here for posterity!

Event Notes:

The Reflecting Pool in the Courts of Highstorm can be observed normally with no addtional effects or can bring your memory to vivid life thanks to the help of Emet-Selch (and Yima). If you grant him permission (which can be handwaved), he will breathe life into whichever memory you have chosen to view! If this includes any NPC’s or interactive elements, you will be responsible for playing them out in any tags until they disappear. Please see Emet’s toplevel for any interactions you’d like to thread out with him as a part of this.

For the Gallery in Highstorm, the art depicted in and scenes experienced through the pieces are up to you to create! Feel free to go wild with any associated NPC's in the scene and worldbuild as you see fit. Highstorm holds a variety of citizens from across the multiverse, so you could feasibly go fantastical places, or experience something distinctly profound and beyond your imagination...

The drinks and refreshments in Springstar can be enchanted in just about any way you’d like, including bringing upon minor physical changes of the cute, fun, and flirty variety! Feel free to get creative (as long as you get permission from your thread partner), the Meris would also merrily insist growing extra fluffy, scaly, etc bits during the celebration will only help you party harder! 🥳

As reminders for Alenroux, once night falls, a character is not able to leave until sunrise, which is 24 hours later. If your character is dissipated, you can have a PC retrieve their Shard or the respective Faction they're allied with will send out a search party to find it. Remember to report character deaths!

CODING

Comments

[zauneyete]

[ Silco rolled his eyes -- and despite the sunglasses, it's obvious. ]

Quite the adaptation, for certain. It's always surprising to find some old faces among all the new ones.

[ He tapped a finger against his glass. "Partying" for Silco equated to lurking on the sides as he so often did, but at least there's a drink in his gloved hand. He does flick an eye over the crowd, and there's a ghost of a smirk on his face. ]

It's more exciting here, I think, than Highstorm. Don't get me wrong, one can find places of something approaching revelry, but... [ He rolled a shoulder, in a half shrug. ] It's nothing like this. I find the energy invigorating.

[ He says, like a wallflower at a college party. ] I would have thought I'd run into you in Highstorm.

[expiera]

[The eyeroll is noted, but not remarked upon. She merely nods back and takes a few steps closer to him to get out of the crowd, then puts her bushel down instead of dumbly keeping it in her arms while standing still.]

It's human, here.

[The 'correction' is almost absent-minded, as she turns to sweep her gaze across the buzzing crowd.]

I'm not in Highstorm precisely because of that. The rhythm of life there is paced like those of fantastical beings who far outlive humans, so the atmosphere is dull and languid as a result. [It's the exact same sort of vibes snooty aristocratic vampires would foster, actually, so if it sounds like she's biased speaking from experience, it's because it's not too far away from the truth.] I found work here first anyway, so everything just ended up being easier in Springstar.

[That said, she glances back towards him. Would he have any opinion, over what this implies about her...?]

[zauneyete]

Hm.

[ He said, a note of thought. It's not... disagreement, necessarily. Silco certainly understood the feeling -- Highstorm was old, it was quiet -- and he often felt like a blight on its clean streets, marring it with his very messy, very human presence. He's not well-suited for it, certainly, either. ]

I understand. I, too, feel somewhat out of place. [ A quirk of his smile. ] Although, I think they take one look at me and then let me do whatever I want regardless. It's not precisely where I wish to go, when I'm feeling like a drink, but... [ A tip of his head upward. ] Here is no more pleasant, I will admit.

[ Silco has found one place, by now, but it's not conductive to people watching -- or looking for other shard bearers -- in the same way, so he stilled his tongue. Not a hard thing to do for someone so closed lipped, like him. ]

You haven't found that difficult? Traveling in between so frequently?

[ It was, in part, an assumption on her choice between the two factions, but it was targeted, to catch her reaction. Staying so much in Springstar... ]

[expiera]

[Bonding over being too pleb human for the bougie immortals, that the humans in question are a church assassin and an undercity crime lord are but small details. Kenos sure creates all sorts of experiences, doesn't it?]

It's not nearly as overbearing as the blind worship of Achamoth, but they still treat us differently in either city. It took me a few weeks to wear off that edge with the Meris here.

[She's just working as a promoter/waitress at an eatery, nothing secretive or glamorous. The gossip she hears is mundane too, but it was still progress, to get the locals in the area to treat her like 'one of theirs'.]

I haven't needed to do that. I was unharmonized up until very recently. [If she notices anything peculiar about the way he's framed his question, she shows no signs of it. Her answer comes easily and casually too, because as far as she's concerned, she really has nothing to hide. Emet-Selch had already made her aware that her lack of selfish motivations can come across as suspicious, so she's not going to elaborate unless she's asked point-blank. Over-explaining yourself can be detrimental too, after all.

That said, she turns to look him straight in the eyes. Or his shades, to be technical.]

May I ask which Aspect you've been realigned to, here on Kenos?

[She can chance an educated guess, but may as well skip beating around the bush when it comes to Discord. He's openly affected, and this would be a far better lead-in if they're about to discuss faction allegiance anyhow.]

[zauneyete]

[ Silco nodded along with it. That she'd recently aligned wasn't of concern to him. He'd done so quickly because it had not been a question for the man. Why did he care about some bead that might promise bringing Zaun back. He had his daughter here, and if his world was gone, why would he try to recreate it? He didn't care about the rest of it -- only Zaun.

So instead, he answered her truthfully -- he had little to hide when it came to his aspect, particularly when there were so many other secrets he had to so carefully conceal. There were plenty of those kinds of secrets, which were much more important than his aspect. ]

Harbinger. [ He admitted, carefully. ] It seems to be a lot more relevant to our day to day life than it was on Horos, hm?

[ he tapped the side of his temple, to indicate his now nearly matching eyes. ]

[expiera]

[Ah, good. He's forthright with this, and it'll in turn make matters much easier for her as well.

She tips her head forward with a small nod.]

Yes. Are you looking to get your Discord treated? I can help with that, now.

[It's an indirect admission of her faction and Aspect. Presented like this where he has something to gain, however, perhaps it'll help curb the harsher assumptions?]

[zauneyete]

Hm.

[ A thoughtful note. Do not think he didn't notice that. He doesn't, however, remark upon it. Not until he had the opportunity to feel out the reasoning behind it, why Ciel had chosen something different? He had a high enough opinion of her, that he suspected she had her own reasoning, and it wasn't a snap-decision, unlike others...

He wondered, as Silco so often did, if she was offering this for a reason? What did she hope to gain? A salve for her discord for later? Something else?

But Silco itched to return down below, to free himself of this ever-present draw and shortening days, as he drifted far from Highstorm, and how long it took... ]

If you're offering, I don't think I can refuse. The light is miserable enough as is.

[expiera]

Then please, allow me.

[She extends a hand, palm turned upward.]

Physical contact is necessary. [Which part of him he'll permit to come into contact with another is up to him, she'll at least reiterate this much.]

Is here okay? We can move too if you'd prefer.

[There's also the fact that they're out in public, but she doesn't mind, and it's all she asks: how he would like to proceed, and nothing else. If she wants something in return, it doesn't seem like she's particularly keen on discussing it. People who seek to trade favors usually state their wants first, so for what it's worth, the fact that she doesn't...

Well. It probably doesn't take much to surmise that she's an Advocate either, does it?]

[zauneyete]

[ He hates the physical contact, but worse than that was the fact that they were in the middle of Springstar. His eyes made a suspicious sweep of the area, hidden behind the sunglasses, and then to the alley, not far behind them. Sure, it had a dumpster back there -- unpleasant in the ever-increasing heat of summer -- but Silco didn't mind that all that much.

It's no less unpleasant than the sump pipes back home. ]

Yima informed me that touch might be required. Shall we?

[ He nodded his head, toward the alley, and away from people. It's just a few feet, but he's quick to move, and quicker to get this done with. After all, Ciel had always been up front about things. If there was a deal to be made, she would have said it. She was nothing, if not matter-of-fact.

He took off his right glove -- a flash of his aspect symbol at the inside of his wrist. He didn't take off the other glove. ]

Hopefully, you don't mind the smell.

[ He held out a hand for her to touch, palm up. ]

[expiera]

[Unpleasant, indeed. It doesn't show on her face other than a slight flaring of her nostrils, she simply puts down her basked and offers him a nod before wordlessly following him into the alley. Her sense of smell may be sharp, but she's also capable of putting that aside when there's work to be done.

Extending her own hand palm down once they're tucked out of public sight, she only comes to brush the tip of her fingers against his. He probably won't complain about less contact instead of more, the process is also simple, nothing grandiose. There's no flashing light or arcane incantation, just a warming sensation that seeps in from where their fingertips touch. It gradually blooms into the rest of him with the passing of every second, the Meridian energies being channeled treating the excess of Zenith in him with prompt efficiency.

...

It does take several minutes, and she'll only withdraw her hand once she no longer feels like what she's channeling is received and soaking in, like a vase full of water overflowing. Will he wait for that, or pull away first once he feels like he's recovered enough by his standard?]

[zauneyete]

[ Silco doesn't wait -- as soon as he can feel the worst of the effects, the chilled sensation, the light sensitivity, as soon as they were gone, his fingers pulled away. He didn't want to remove the other -- not until the Dryad was dead -- and because he didn't want to disappear from that empathic connection to his daughter with no word. She'd likely think him dead if he just vanished again, and he'd already forced Jinx to feel him die once in the past month.

Silco may be cruel, ill-tempered, and willing to do monstrous things, but... there was one area in which he thought about another person. Unfortunately for everyone, that person was Jinx.

He shook his hand, the ebb of that sun-headache started to pulse, and lift, and he blinked his eyes, took his sunglasses off, and tucked them back into his coat.

He slipped the glove back on over his hand -- even in the near-oppressive heat of Springstar. ]

That's acceptable, thank you. No need to go overboard.

[expiera]

[That he withdraws as soon as possible isn't particularly surprising, and does validate her choice of opting for as light of a contact as possible. That's that, then; straightening herself in turn and letting her arm fall back to her side, she lifts her chin to meet his gaze.]

Of course. Shall we head back?

[To the main streets (and away from the trash). She does have A Topic she'd like to try asking him about now that business is concluded, but... not here, if he wouldn't mind either.]

[zauneyete]

Smells bad, doesn't it?

[ He asked, with a snort. He, of course, didn't mind it, but... well. Silco was a weird dude, and probably didn't actually have that much of a sense of smell -- certainly not one to filter out refuse.

Zaunites, man. He gestured, though, and followed her out of the alleyway, happy to let her take the lead on that. ]

[expiera]

It's a big city. I do think there are better places to talk in.

[She humors politely in return, leading the way back to where they were previously. Her bushel is still there too, at least no one was rude enough to try making away with it while they were in the alley. Her demeanor also changes once they're back out in public: aloofness melts away to casualness, no sense being too serious when everyone else out here is celebrating.]

May I ask you about someone I bumped into recently, Silco?

[Asking as a 'friend', not for a favor or anything. That window is long closed and gone, so if he'd like to refuse right away, he certainly can.]

[zauneyete]

[ He turned his head to Ciel, a sharp look in his eye. ]

Someone I'd know?

[ He asked, but it's clear, from the way he evaluated her, searching. She was Meridian now, wasn't she? Was it Vander -- it's likely that if there was anything negative to say about him, it was either the enforcer or his old foe -- and Caitlyn had certainly already shared plenty with the lot of them. ]

Or is someone spreading rumors about me already?

[ It didn't even occur to him that it would be positive, given... his past month. ]

[expiera]

Someone who changed their attitude instantly for the better once I said I know you, actually.

[She brings a hand up to cup her chin, almost as if oblivious to the brusqye change in his demeanor. He really is as cautious as she thought he was, which... Really, made that encounter all the more interesting?]

I almost felt like I was going to disappoint, saying I've never heard of you mention her before. She has... A very colorful character! [It sure is 'colorful', when you get a knife pulled on you randomly by someone you were having a friendly chat with 5 minutes earlier.] Her name is Jinx?

[What a ominous unusual name...]

[zauneyete]

[ That's not the person Silco had expected her to mention, and it's obvious from the way his mouth hung open for about .5 seconds.

She'd met Jinx? And she'd mentioned him? How did that come about? How had she even known to mention him? There's a moment, where he's trying to remember, had she been close when he'd spoken to Yima? He'd been so cautious not to allow her to speak much into reality, he'd been so careful not to allow her to mention it -- but with her talk of family...

But no, they'd been alone. Silco had been careful. There's no way she could have heard them there? So how? ]

Ah, you met Jinx? You're right, she is colorful. You should see her artwork. [ That even sounds... positive. Silco has nothing nice to say anything about anyone ever. Except for Jinx, apparently. A pause, and then: ] Now how did you think to mention me in that conversation?

[expiera]

[The sheer contrast in tension between them may have looked interesting to a third party, and while Ciel won't deny to a deliberate showing of bemusement, this is... Very much a side to Silco she's never seen before. She's not sure what to make of it, frankly.]

Yes, in the city here sometime after the new Bearers had awoken from the Tree. She accused me of being in cahoots with Enforcer Kiramman out of the blue, so I had to explain a bit about our previous history to calm her down. She's very imaginative too, isn't she? Though if you say she's an artist, then that does explain a great deal!

[Yeah, the fact that he volunteered the tidbit about Jinx's art is an instant ❗❗, he almost sounds... ???]

[zauneyete]

[ Heh. That's his girl. ]

Well, the enforcers have been doing us wrong long before she was little, so it's unsurprising that she would accuse you of such a thing.

[ Yeah. Remember that really long mean speech Silco gave? It's mostly about other enforcers, yeah, but Caitlyn is clearly disliked by the both of them.

Weird, huh? ]

Artist, inventor... there isn't much she can't do when she puts her mind to it. [ Terrorism, murder, thievery... Yeah.

Silco thinks these are all positive traits, of course. ]

1/2

[expiera]

Yes. I figured as much after your detailed account, back when we were sharing intel among ourselves as Kenoma. I understand that the shade of our hair is similar, but are we really alike aside from that? I'm not sure how to take that comparison...

[She does look and sound genuinely dejected, crime fam please? (ignore the fact that she's also had dinner with Caitlyn since, just. Unimportant details,)]

2/2

[expiera]

My, you talk like a proud father. We didn't get into it again after I told her I fought against enforcer Kiramman, I was just glad that ["we were no longer causing a public scene (bad) that almost got me stabbed (whatever tbh)"] her mood improved after we sorted out that misunderstanding.

[Is that... what they are, she asks without asking. Silco really sounds like a completely different person talking about Jinx, what is happening,]

[zauneyete]

[ Silco was all well and ready to go on and on yet again about the Enforcers, the system that they perpetuated, and their lack of recidivism, and how it affected the people of Zaun.

He was so close.

He could see the opportunity slipping away, like sand in his fingers, when Ciel said the dreaded words.

And he's already put away his sunglasses, so she can see, in full glory, the way his eyes look to her -- his single eyebrow drew in and one eye narrowed -- before he looked away, and back to her. He clasped his hands behind his back, to keep her from seeing the way he wound them together. It had been something of an open secret in Zaun, that Jinx was like Silco's daughter, but here... he'd honestly hoped that nobody would even consider it. It was easier that way.

Mind by now, Kaeya clearly knew, but Kaeya wouldn't exactly be telling anyone his secrets. Ciel was Meridian now. ]

Yes, well, I can see how your demeanor would make her think of a Piltie, so... it's good that you mentioned you knew me. She trusts me a lot more than anyone topside.

[ Since, you know...she's his daughter, but he doesn't say that. Silco, as always, is a tight-lipped, secretive man. Even his powers, he'd kept as secret as possible. Is it so surprising that he wouldn't cop to anything that humanizes him? ]

[expiera]

[If only she knew how close he was to going off again about the Enforcers in another Dramatic Rant--

--But doesn't get to. He comments about one thing out loud, while his expression and body language all but scream about everything else. The excessively careful and guarded man she knew back in Achamoth has returned in full force, and it doesn't take much of an observant eye to see it plain as day.

What to make of this...]

I was raised in the countryside, manners don't necessarily relate to wealth. It probably makes no difference to them, but there's a distinction, for what it's worth.] But I'll try to be more mindful of that. Would you have tips about how I should be around her, or would you prefer I avoid her?

[The option is given, because if that's what Silco would like, then that's what she'll do. Ciel has no stake in this, she didn't join Meridian because she believed in any of their goals. It was simply a matter of practicality and convenience, at least until the situation drastically changes. So in the meanwhile...]

[zauneyete]

It's not up to what I want.

[ His tone is frank, and plain. If he were to tell someone to avoid Jinx, some way, some how it would get back to her. Then it would be a whole thing about how he clearly didn't trust her own strength, or her ability to deal with whoever it was, or even just that he was making moves behind her back. Silco thought that Jinx was perfect, but that did not mean that he didn't have to avoid landmines to work with her.

That would apply to anyone else, as well. So, with his hands behind his back, he looked up at the sky, relieved for the moment that he doesn't have to shield his eyes from the too-bright sun like he'd been doing. ]

With Jinx, she changes with her whims. My advice? Remember that she normally keeps bombs on her person, don't mention Pilties, and let her do what she wishes.

[ There was a saying in Zaun -- when Jinx was involved, Silco's spine was like jelly -- which... is a phrase that's easy to understand, when speaking to the man. ]

She's easy to get along with, otherwise.