TRAVEL LOG #3

[synfluxmods]

TRAVEL LOG #3

CONTENT WARNINGS: cult-like symbols and implications, abduction.

▶ 001. TARGU MURES AIRPORT.

In the early morning of the 1st, Outsiders will receive a message in their oculars.

"Oh, seriously? You’re putting this on my plate now when I have so much to do? Tch … Outsiders currently caring for Imugi eggs, bring them to the medical bay. I’ll take over for now. Captain Yamakawa needs everyone to report to the hangar right away. There’s been a distress call from a distant land and we’re noticing some strange readings. We need you to go investigate this.

…Put some catnip on my plate, Alex. It’ll be a long night."

True enough, a SPECIAL ALERT will blare through the implants shortly after, asking those who would be willing to help with a distress call to head to the hangar. The reward will be an additional bonus pay, as this seems to be different from detecting a kaiju. There, they will see a familiar sight: the LILITH SKY CRUISER, a spacecraft capable of carrying 80 passengers. There is little time for seat assignments, so seating will be on a first come, first serve basis (hopefully you don’t get the middle seat!) and the flight will last about 10 hours. Just like any aircraft, Outsiders may stand up and walk around once the seatbelt signs turn off. There is inflight entertainment consisting of AI movies or virtual reality games (see TRAVEL LOG #2). Characters with inhuman features are required to wear their cloaking devices.

The plane will touch down at Targu Mures Airport, Transylvania, Romania, which appears to be abandoned and desolate. There isn’t a living soul to be found.

"Most of the country was destroyed decades ago, so there shouldn’t be anyone still living here. Yet, these readings ….. And we can’t ignore that call for help. We’ll need to investigate further. My Angels, go the rest of the way on foot..."

There isn’t a data portal in Romania, and there’s just no way to transport the number of cars needed for over 60 people via plane. Let’s hope you managed to get proper rest on the way here, because the hike will take about 5-6 hours through the dense forest, with the Captain feeding directions through the ocular based on where the kaiju readings are most pronounced.

All teams will be traveling together along a treacherous terrain which will include both harmful flora & fauna. Outsiders can expect to come across brown bears, wolves, European lynx, golden jackal & wild boars. Although the forest is dense, these animals are scarce to come by, but they can appear, especially when the hike takes place at dusk and into the night.

In this time of the year, hay fever is a common occurrence in these forests. Those sensitive to pollen may be sneezing and feeling fatigue through this hike. There will be steep hills, slippery ground and eerie sounds of the night to serenade the Outsiders. It doesn't help that the further they travel, the thicker a dark fog gathers around them, making the surroundings difficult to make out. Everyone will be provided with flashlights, but those with abilities to see in the dark or cast their own light will be encouraged to lead small groups. Everyone is going in the same general direction, but giving each other some space might be helpful. There will be no time to rest, no matter how tired Outsiders may be.

Just when it feels like they might need to trek through the forest forever—is that smoke coming from a fire up ahead?

▶ 002. BRAȘOV, TRANSYLVANIA.

Wander further through the bushes, and behold, it does appear to be smoke—but not from any natural fire. It’s coming from a chimney! The Outsiders will stumble upon the historic region of Brașov, known for its Gothic architecture and medieval towns. Romania has been classified as a desolate region for a very long time, and as far as LILITH is concerned, this city should be completely destroyed and abandoned. Yet, there is smoke coming from the chimneys, fresh laundry hanging on lines and the faint chatter of children playing. There are very clearly people living here, and this has LILITH completely dumbfounded.

"So it’s true … The resilience of humanity cannot be understated. I’ll need to report this to the Commander right away. My Angels, embark on the town. We need to find the source of this distress call and investigate these kaiju readings. I know we’ve had setbacks recently, but I’ve always had my faith in you."

One thing Outsiders will notice when they step into the town is how it appears to be lost in time. The date is still 2278 as far as anyone knows, but there’s no sign of any modern technology—no computers, telephones, or any sign of electricity or plumbing. Each and every house looks like it could have been plucked right out of the 1700s, and there even appear to be horse-drawn carriages parked along the pavements.

The townspeople themselves also look plucked out of time, with the women donning petticoats and aprons, and the men sporting waistcoats and riding boots. They welcome the Outsiders with warmth, delight, and over-the-top hospitality; more than happy to show the visitors around Brasov on their carriages. With how rarely they meet anyone from outside the village, the children are full of curiosity, following the Outsiders around and poking at their technology while bombarding them with questions, such as where did you come from? Do you know how to play any games? What do you like to eat?

Outsiders will be presented with food, clean clothing, and a room to stay at the village inns (2-3 people per room). They are free to roam and explore the village, where they will find taverns, fresh food markets, shops, inns, and a church dedicated to the village god.

One notable aspect of the town is the fact that they appear to have fresh, non-lab grown food. The vegetables taste fresher and are vibrant in color. The meat tastes much richer than it would back in Neo Tokyo. This is owed to the fact that the people of Brasov actually tend to their own farmlands, a lost practice in these times. Venture a little out of the city and you’ll find it: acres of farmland, growing wheat, corn, oats, potatoes, grapes and sunflowers. They even have livestock!

The people of Brasov are more than happy to answer questions about their town and way of living. Outsiders who go around gathering information from the villagers will learn the following:

• Why is the land so fertile? This is all owed to their benevolent village god, the Lord of the Forest. No one goes hungry because their god takes care of them. Observant Outsiders will see a common symbol plastered around town: a canine skull.
• There was a distress call. Is everyone okay? The townspeople would respond in confusion and assure the Outsiders that nothing is out of the ordinary. They have been living peacefully for centuries and it’s because their god protects them. They don’t seem to know anything about what’s going on outside their town and the word ‘kaiju’ is lost on them.
• Who is the Lord of the Forest? The townspeople will sing his praises, telling the Outsiders about how he has been providing for and protecting their town for many years.
• Where is the Lord of the Forest? He lives in the forest and mountains that surround the village. Sure enough, if the Outsiders look around, they will see they are completely surrounded by foggy forest and mountains as far as the eye can see.
• Can they go into the forest? The villagers will look worried. While the Lord of the Forest keeps them safe, the forest is still filled with dangerous creatures. Also, the thick fog and trees makes it easy to get lost. Only the most skilled hunters venture out to catch prey like deer and bears. Characters who venture into the woods will get turned around and lost but will eventually find their way back to the village, to which others will reply it is the lord's guidance that brought them back to safety.

Outsiders can do as they please. The villagers are very friendly and will try to accommodate them however possible. There seems to be very little crime in the town and the people look happy. LILITH has been quiet for some time now. Maybe this is a great opportunity to have a well-deserved break? How can you not when the people are so kind and the food looks and tastes so delicious? In fact, the longer that Outsiders stay here, the more some of them may begin to feel like they belong here.

▶ 003. BONFIRE FEAST.

On the night of the 7th, the villagers will knock on doors inviting everyone to a bonfire party! It’s just about time to harvest their crops so food is abundant. They can’t think of any better way to use it than to prepare a feast. The bonfire will be held in the council square. Tables and benches have been set up and an impressive spread of fresh food is laid out for everyone to enjoy. Outsiders can enjoy bread, cheese, fresh pork, stew, roasted chicken, seasonal vegetables and free flowing alcohol. There are live musicians on the scene as well, playing merry tunes on their instruments. Some of the villagers have even started dancing around the bonfire and they’re pulling people in to join them! At the center of the table, a canine skull is placed, and the villagers give thanks to their god before partaking in the food.

Nothing seems out of the ordinary … Full and content, everyone will feel tired and want to retire for the night. Characters that do not need to sleep will also feel tired.

Night passes, and daybreak comes. Outsiders might notice that their numbers have dwindled; certain people have gone missing and are nowhere to be found. There won’t be a trace of the captured Outsiders aside from their belongings that they may have left behind.

The villagers do not seem bothered and everything seems normal in the village. Asking the villagers about these disappearances will result in no answers—they claim to have no clue as to the missing Outsiders' whereabouts. It also won’t be possible to contact them, or even LILITH for that matter. It is almost like communications have been cut off completely and their implants receive weak reception.

Observant characters may notice that a heavy fog has descended upon the village overnight and though it gets better during the day, it never lets up.

Captured Outsiders are as followed:

Aventurine
Choso
Dan Heng
Denji
Ereshkigal
Hiyori Iki
Kabru
Kaga
Lucy/Kaede
Maki Zenin
Makima
Malkuth
Loop
Nanami Kento
Rover
Sampo Koski
Taryon Darrington
Wriothesley
Yzak Jule
Zagreus

▶ 004. THE CHOSEN (KIDNAPPEES ONLY).

A separate log for KIDNAPPEES ONLY can be found HERE.

▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our third travel log!

There are no assigned seats this time, so characters may sit wherever they choose. Inhuman-looking characters will need to wear their cloaking devices so as to not alarm the people of the town. A separate log has been prepared for kidnappees only. An additional prompt will go up for non-captured characters before the kaiju fight. The scheduling will depend on actions in the captive log. We will announce it on plurk.

All tags on this log are worth 2 points and will count towards October AC.

EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)

1. TARGU MURES AIRPORT: There has been a distress signal. Characters caring for eggs must leave their eggs with Dr. Spim and report to the hangar to board their flight. The Outsiders will touch down in Targu Mures Airport, and will need to hike the rest of the way through the forest.

2. BRAȘOV, TRANSYLVANIA: Romania was thought to be a desolate country but one village seems to be thriving. The town of Brasov has historic, medieval architecture and the people seem plucked out of the 1700s. They are friendly, welcoming and curious, having never seen technology like what the Outsiders have. Outsiders are provided free lodgings, fresh clothing, food and water. The villagers raise their own livestock and grow their own food, which is unheard of in these times. They don't know anything about a distress call. All around the village, the symbol of a canine skull can be found. This is the Lord of the Forest, the god of this village whom the villagers worship.

3. BONFIRE FEAST: The villagers invite the Outsiders to a bonfire party where fresh food is abundant. After a night of merrymaking, they find that certain Outsiders have disappeared from their numbers and nobody seems to know what happened to them.

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Comments

2b

[fursuit]

[ I’m going to pretend this is super early so that whatever the answer to the chaos gods’ bad idea is, doesn’t matter yet, ]

[ Naturally, if you’re in a new place and trying to figure things out, you go to where people gather. It had very much been to his chagrin to don clothes that feel very restrictive and stuffy to him, but Tezcatlipoca can understand the value of not standing out. Sometimes. Honestly, he’s only playing along because he has a deep, almost visceral interest in this “god” that rules over their forests. He may have his hesitations about the divinity, but the results are clear. So, he wants to sniff it out.

Tezcatlipoca has a mug of ale in hand, chatting with one of the locals with a grin, but the mood of the tavern shifts. Tezcatlipoca doesn’t hear what’s catching attention at first, but as he leans back, he sees Silco before he hears him, and he laughs. Of course it’d be him.

He gives his drinking buddy a pat on the shoulder as he pushes back from the bar, then pushes through the little crowd. ]

What? You doubt the power of a god?

[ It’s a joke essentially for the two of them as Tezcatlipoca reveals himself. There’s no sharpness in his tone, and though his expression is serious, there’s a smile in his eyes. Is Tezcatlipoca trying to make this better or worse…? It’s hard to say. ]

After all the hospitality they’ve given, we should be offerin’ up our worship too, I bet.

[zauneyete]

You think so?

[ The crowd seemed to part slightly, when Tezca made his way over, another Outsider that in the bar to match Silco's own acerbic tone, and maybe it's better that it's one of his own instead of the villagers. After all, the people here didn't know anything about these visitors, beyond the fact that they were mysteriously here, and maybe Tezca would put him in his place, right? Right?

Silco crossed an ankle over his knee, his own clothing somewhat fitting in, but he looked a far bit more comfortable in it than Tezca did. The tightness and restrictive fashion was something he was rather used to, although he preferred longer pants.

At least his calves weren't bare — a sin to silco the never nude ]

Maybe if the god can do something for me personally, I'd consider it. [ A laugh. ] As it is, I think I'm a bit full up on gods in my life, this one would be one too many.

[ His favs... they are already here. ]

It will have to live with the disappointment of missing out on my adulation.

[fursuit]

[ This is exactly why Silco is his acolyte. No matter where he goes, he’s causing trouble, riling people up! He clicks his tongue and shakes his head. ]

Pretty harsh conditions. Gods don’t have time to deal with every guy’s complaints and desires, now do they? Pretty greedy of ya.

[ Tezcatlipoca’s instinct is to join in and double down, but even he has restraint. Sometimes. It’s more that he’s too intrigued about investigating this mystery at the moment to want to deal with a village up in arms with pitchforks and torches, though. They seem like the type that would take to it quite literally.

So, as the villagers nod in agreement, Tezcatlipoca slips in to join Silco at his table. Some of them still listen in, but as they talk, they’ll gradually lose interest. ]

Besides, seems like they’re providin’ a pretty good deal. All you can eat. Doesn’t taste like shit.

[ He takes a drink of his ale, then tilts it Silco’s way lightly. ]

Lemme guess, though. You’re missing the worse food.

[zauneyete]

[ A scoff.] I just don't see why it's so necessary to praise it. We get everything we need, don't we? Sure, it tastes foul, but...

[ A roll of his shoulder, idly considering. ] Well. I've scrounged for worse. Also better, than what they serve back... [ On base. ] So it's mediocre at best.

[ Silco was so used to conflict that even something like eating had been a fight at one time. Having it so delicious and so easy felt... wrong. ]

It just seems like they should have to work harder for it, is all. I don't like it when things are this easy.

[ As much as Silco isn't in on the mystery, he doesn't like that about the village for sure. ]

[fursuit]

And because you’ve scrounged for worse before, you don’t want any better now?

[ He poses the question with a knowing smile, but it’s also not one that’s meant to be answered. At least, not to Tezcatlipoca directly. If Silco ruminates on it, that’s a good thing, but he also doesn’t expect him to do so. So, he moves on with barely a beat. ]

So, I dunno. It’s a pretty praise-worthy thing, especially considering the state of everything else out there. They got a generous patron, so only natural to be grateful. After all, what if it changes its mind? Decides they’re ungrateful?

[ There’s a slightly more dangerous glint in Tezcatlipoca’s eyes, but it’s brief. ]

…Would be good to know where it’s comin’ from, I mean.

[zauneyete]

[ grumble grumble. There's a moment where he wants to mock them for being unwilling to make it on their own. Tezca continues, and that is at least some sort of logic that he can understand. ]

Maybe if they were ungrateful, they'd learn to stand on their own without depending on something so fickle.

[ He says, crossing his arms over his slim frame. ]

I don't disagree with you, though. You've seen outside the village, I assume? We will have to eventually find the source, if we don't want to be trapped here indefinitely.

[ And he can't have that. ]

[fursuit]

Pretty much. And considerin’ why we’re visiting, feel like they’re gonna have to learn it sooner or later. Or, y’know.

[ He takes a drink of his ale and gives Silco a meaningful look over the tanker. It doesn’t need to be said, especially with others around. If they can’t adapt, they’ll die. Simple as that. ]

But, yeah. Have.

[ He nods as he sets his beer down, then looks towards a window. It’s hard to see down the street it looks down because of the fog. ]

Just call it intuition, since I don’t have anything to back it up, but it’s all bad news. Don’t like this place, so we need to do our jobs and get out of here.

[zauneyete]

Has anything since we have arrived been anything but bad news?

[ He asked, his tone half a sigh as he said it, dramatic and put upon. Sure, it wasn't half as harrowing as Kenos, being put through the trials that constantly seemed to tug at his sanity and stability. How many times had he turned his head, just missing —

Well. It was long gone, he hoped. It felt like, for the first time in two years, he'd been able to breathe, though that didn't mean that it wasn't a new, unique type of hell.. ]

If we can find out what the job is, we can complete it. That's half the difficulty here, isn't it? We don't even know what we're really doing.

[fursuit]

[ Tezcatlipoca snorts out a laugh at Silco’s pessimism, but he doesn’t comment on it. This is actually something he’s rarely not pessimistic about, though he wouldn’t exactly call it optimism either… It’s more that he finds enjoyment in the situation where Silco doesn’t. Probably can’t. ]

It is. [ So, rather than say “I don’t know I’m kind of having fun in Tokyo actually”, he just agrees with the task at hand. ] And seems like plenty of the Outsiders are happy to play house. Can’t say I’m surprised. Noticed right away that not many of them were warriors. Well, save for Brimstone, anyways.

[ ♥ team pride ♥ ]

Been tryin’ to figure some stuff out for myself, but it’s slow going. This world doesn’t seem to like my divination as much as Kenos.

[zauneyete]

A shame. It's dark alleyways aren't as welcoming to outsiders either, you know.

It's taking a longer to find a place, and make it one's own.

[ Not really, but Silco feels an impatience he doesn't normally feel. He'd been used to Draumahol, by the point that her arrived. In the same way he is used to the Last Drop. At some point, a man is wearied by the prospect of rebuilding their own criminal empire over a long period of time.

Exhausted by it, and yet. What else can he do, really? ]

I'm surprised by how many are out here... playing house, as you said. You would think this world would drive them to find the source of the Kaiju so they can return, and yet...

[ And yet. He wonders. It's been a long time, if it weren't for what drives him to go home, would he do the same? ]

[fursuit]

[ Tezcatlipoca hums out a low, thoughtful note, and the pause is lengthened further as he takes another drink. He’s sure that Silco believes otherwise about himself, but in Tezcatlipoca’s view, he’s a man that doesn’t understand others well. It’s his charm, partially. But it’s also part of what Tezcatlipoca is hoping to “teach” him.

…Of course, it’s a circuitous route to that kind of revelation. A god’s lessons are never easy, especially not from him. ]

Why’s it a surprise? Believe it not, most people ain’t like you, Silco. They crave peace.

[ He tosses him a toothy grin for the slight dig, but it’s not an insult. Silco wouldn’t take it as one anyways, he’s sure. ]

[zauneyete]

[ It's also something that he'd say he's wrong about — but Silco only knows one type of person —only one facet of them. It makes him dangerous in places like Zaun, but where there are people who thrive on things other than bullying and power, he loses the ability to be quite so convincing. One would think that it would be a lesson in self-reflection...

But this is Silco. He'd never been one to self-reflect. ]

Do they? [ He asked with a scoff, and a sip of his drink. ]

Then why were they ready to fight me over mere words? Do they actually crave peace, or is this just a lie they tell themselves, because they have little else to motivate them, and they need something to fight for?

[ Tezca, you got your work cut out for you. ]

[fursuit]

[ buddy… ]

Ha. Might shock you to learn this, but it’s cuz you’re an asshole. You’re the one disturbing the peace.

[ He’s sure he’s not the first person to say this to him, because even with Silco’s rough background where his personality type might thrive, that’s still a fact. But naturally, Tezcatlipoca says it with a tone of a half-compliment, like one friend ribbing another and giving them a hard time. ]

Lemme ask you something, in fact.

[ He leans on the table a little bit and closer to him. It’s a preamble that might come with a sense of trepidation, and it’s well warranted. ]

Say you go back home. Have your little war. Win it, even! What’s the plan then? What do you do when all that dust settles?

[zauneyete]

[ He smiles, when Tezca calls him an asshole. He can't help it. He is that, and more, but he'll wear that one with no shortage of pride.

But the question, Tezca... has he asked this before? Something like it, maybe, similar in kind. He'd asked him what he would be without it, and he hadn't had an answer.

Who would his people be, without it? ]

I have a vision, of us. Thriving, where those that can make their future, can do so.

[ His vision of Zaun, that nebulous, ephemeral thing, was so... loose, but it held the keys. Silco only needed ideas to inspire. If they ever made it there, he would hash it out in negotiations, right? ]

We have the structure, the Chembarons to run the city, and the security to keep things in... line. We do have laws, you know. [ Just. Not very many of them. Like a bunch of corporations running the whole city, each individual security handling the affairs of their own territory. ] The difference would be that we serve ourselves, instead of the topsiders.

[fursuit]

Sure. That's your vision. But like you said, that's "us".

[ It's not what he asked, this time. He'd gotten this answer before, and he almost laughs to himself, because that shows that Silco, true to form, hadn't considered the question further.

The intensity that Tezcatlipoca's gaze can sometimes carry returns. His eyes are firmly fixed on Silco's, like he's looking deeper. Down to his soul, some would say.

(Ironic, that it was the god that would fix him with this gaze rather than the demon that had once been at his beck and call, hm?) ]

I mean you. What do you do when you don't got a war to fight anymore?

[zauneyete]

[ He doesn't so much crumple under the weight of it, as feel like there is a heavy, lead weight placed on his chest at the question. Tezca's gaze is... just as intense — maybe more — than the demon who'd once nearly ripped his soul from his chest. He tried so often not to think of it — but like the day he'd been drowned in the river, his nightmares are often a coy smile, red eyes, and a melodic address; master that left him awake just like the betrayal from so long ago did.

Tezca's question though had Silco stop. What would he do?

Did he know? Peddle shimmer, he supposed. Run the last drop? He almost speaks this into reality, but he knows the truth of it. He doesn't know if he would. Would he be happy doing that? Satisfied with a life that was middling and a little boring? Sure, there would be the Chembarons to keep in line, Jinx to ensure safe, but...

But were they to win the war, what would he do? ]

Hm.

[ He says, instead of faltering. Does he even know anything else, other than fighting? ]

I'm sure I would find something to do.

[ Translation: He doesn't know. ]

[fursuit]

[ It may be subtle, since Silco is the sort of man that would rather die than show weakness, but Tezcatlipoca can still see the signs of how his question weighs on the man. That’s the point, and where some other gods might feel bad for pushing (his brother—), Tezcatlipoca doesn’t feel even a flicker of it.

He doesn’t usually encourage people that take him seriously to think about peace, since that’s not exactly in his interests… But as with many things, Silco is something of a special case. He’s a man that already is in a much more dogged pursuit of Tezcatlipoca’s domains. There’s no need to encourage him to stay steadfast in the face of difficulty. First comes the worst, and then—

It’s that “and then” that Tezcatlipoca is concerned with. In his way.

After all. Tezcatlipoca frames the query in the idea of Silco’s victory, but that’s not what he’s truly thinking about. Silco’s war will end. That’s definite. His death is far more likely than victory. ]

You don’t know, you mean.

[ He points it out bluntly as he cuts through the pretense Silco shields himself with. His attention is no less intense and pointed, but it’s not delivered with coyness or cruelty. It’s cooler than that, almost aloof. ]

It’s worth considering. [ Simply put, but there’s no advice given for what that could look like. That’s not for him to discern. ] You get restless when you don’t have a battle to fight, and, hey, I get it. Better than anyone. But I know your type too. It’s a damn shame to see all that passion and vigor evaporate the moment you don’t have something to point it at.

[zauneyete]

[ More likely than either of them know — or maybe there is still a trace of omnipotence still lingering — but the question is philosophical, of course.

Silco acknowledges that he may die. He would prefer not, of course, and he would do everything he could to prevent that, but he'd always known there would be an early grave waiting to swallow him whole. Nobody lived to be that old in the undercity, really. The fact that he was pushing into his fifties was cause for celebration, more than mere acceptance.

He didn't dwell on that death (just other ones) and he ran a hand down his lips, considering. ]

I don't know if I have ever not — at least since I was a boy.

[ He looks into the mug of awful ale. ]

There will always be something wrong with my city, Tezca. The rot runs deep, and the topsiders will not give up their profits and their easy labor so easily. Even if we win, I do not doubt that we will need to shore defenses, and prepare for enemies both within and without.

[ More fight, then. Always more fight. More conflict. Did Silco know how to not fight? ]

A war won is only that. Won, after all.

[ Not that it has actually been kicked off.

Yet. ]

[fursuit]

Sure. Not sayin’ that you’d give up your fight. Or if you’d even have the chance. Like you’re sayin’, your war ain’t one simply won.

[ It might not be won at all, in fact. He’s seen how this goes, though he’d watched it more from its start. How one people take over another and rip every piece of profit out of the land and the people he can. He’s sympathetic to it, in a way, but he also has to view it with distance. It’s not his fight to intervene in. It never is.

The intensity of his attention fades, and he sits back comfortably again. He takes another drink of the ale, then shrugs as he looks back to the townspeople that are definitely ignoring them by now. ]

Just remember that people crave peace. You might not. But if you ain’t listenin’ to your people, that’s a quick way for them to find peace on their own, if you catch my drift.

[zauneyete]

[ He sourly looked into his cup, and pulled a face, as he drank.

It's a bitter pill to consider, and one that was becoming more bitter by the day. Then again, would the Chembarons fall with him? Zaun was a violent place, it always had been. Would the people truly thrive without all of that infecting the streets? Would there really be a time, when the Undercity would thrive without the need for raw strength?

Silco doesn't know.

League, however, says there will be a hot femme silco instead. Thanks Riot! ]

Perhaps they do. [ He says, with all the hesitancy of someone who is saying that it's possible, but probably unlikely. ]

I don't know what it would be like, without what we have. Weak? Meek? Like before? We have resources, and if we are not shored, I do not doubt that if Piltover does not have their way, without strength, others will move in as well.

[ A shrug. ] Or perhaps, we'll get lucky, and one show of strength will be all it takes.

[fursuit]

[ It might be hesitant, but it’s something. Tezcatlipoca will take it, so to speak, but it’s just enough of a gap for him to push a bit further as well. ]

You don’t have to know what it’d be like. That’s the ups and downs of a mortal life. All you’ve got is your convictions. What those convictions bring is always uncertain. You can’t see the future, and you’re not meant to.

[ That’s his job. He leaves that unsaid, but knowing what Silco does of Tezcatlipoca and the look in his eye, he could guess it. ]

But, hey. In a big, cosmic sense, that’s why you and I have crossed paths, bossman. The trials you face, whether they’re at my discretion or at life just kickin’ ya while you’re down, they’ll make you stronger. Ready to face your next battle. Or, when that last one finally comes around? Ready to face death without regrets.

[ …It’s what he’d hope for Silco, at least, in his heart of hearts. ]

[zauneyete]

[ Silco's lips did that thing, where he only half-smiled, but it's there. ]

See? This is why I'm your Acolyte. I believe that anything that keeps us down keeps us stronger.

[ It was, in fact, like half of his horrible little philosophy on life. Tezca, of course, was well aware. ]

But I can assure you, my death is far away. I have far too many plans, and far too much to do to allow that to happen anytime soon.

[ lol
lmao
at least tezca will get his wish :') ]

🎀

[fursuit]

[ He gives Silco a bit of a withering look, but after a moment of consideration, he laughs and shakes his head. ]

That’s not how it works, but I can’t say I don’t appreciate your stubborn determination.

[ He waves a hand at Silco idly, as if he’s saying “don’t get mad”, but then finishes off his tankard. He plops it back down, then shrugs as he stands up. ]

Well, good drinkin’ with ya for a minute. Keep causing trouble, but, hey, don’t make that “anytime soon” a real ironic omen.

[ He steps past Silco, but gives him a pat on the shoulder as he goes. ]

Time to get to work, bossman.