WHO: Tezcatlipoca & Others WHAT: 2025 catch-all time baby WHERE: all over WHEN: all times WARNINGS: threads will include content warnings where appropriate!
[ It’d taken more than a little convincing from the locals to get Tezcatlipoca to take a seat at the tables set up for writing the greeting cards. He had plenty of excuses/complaints on hand, ranging from “c’mon, it’s cold” to “what the hell, it’s not even my new year”, but eventually. He’d given in. Being given some sake to drink while he worked certainly helped.
Yet, as soon as he commits to it, he finds that the words come out easily. It’s definitely suspiciously so, but when it comes to honesty, he doesn’t mind that. Tezcatlipoca is many things, but dishonest isn’t one of them, even as a trickster god. The first few come out easily, since there’s some people he can earnestly give new years wishes towards. But whether it’s just him getting a bit more pensive or the sake pushing him towards that…
By the time Ereshkigal finds him, he’s spinning the pen in one hand and taking a drink of sake with the other. The card only has a name at the top, and it’s scrawled almost hurriedly. ]
Daybit—
[ …And that’s as far as he’s gotten in the past few minutes. Even just writing his name, he already feels like this is a stupid thing to do. ]
[ Ereshkigal wrote all of her cards and wishes from the relative warmth of her office in the local cemetery. No way she agreed to sit down and write such personal things in front of everyone. Nope nope nope, thank you!
But she came back to send the cards, and that's when she catches sight of Tezcatlipoca. T-They convinced him? He's really mellowed out, hasn't he? He should be careful, at this rate they'll select him to be the next Santa if he is ever summoned by Chaldea! Still, she approaches him and notices the name he appears to be stuck on. ]
... That's your Master, isn't it?
[ She remembers him mentioning the name a couple times. But she's fairly certain he's not here. Does that mean he's writing new year wishes for him even though there is no way he'll ever receive this card? That's...
That's so romantic! Not that Tezcatlipoca even realizes how adorable this is, she figures. Typical oblivious god. ]
[ To be fair, even if they’re earnest, his new year’s greetings aren’t exactly personal, or at least not in the way she was concerned about enough to want privacy. Sitting on the top of his little stack is one addressed to Silco, for example, and it clearly wasn’t so much of a struggle.
Happy New Year, asshole. Don’t kick the bucket this time around either, since I’m dragging your ass to Mictlampa once you finally bite the dust.
…Which, granted. That’s certainly the brusquest of them, but still.
He glances up when Ereshkigal approaches and clicks his tongue in what seems like irritation. In reality, it’s closer to embarrassment… But there’s at least a smidgeon of an actual sourness, since he has a correction to make first. ]
Sure, technical term’s Master, but I don’t subscribe to that shit. He’s my priest, if anything.
[ This is definitely not the reason why she asks, but he feels the need to correct it anyways. He really does dislike the term, since the implication doesn’t apply to gods at all. In his opinion, anyways. Tezcatlipoca grumbles indistinctly, then takes another drink of his sake. He completely misunderstands why she’s asking, naturally, since her rosy interpretation doesn’t occur to him as a possibility at all. ]
If you’re lookin’ for weakness, don’t bother. Even besides my “no spoilers” policy here, guy doesn’t have any.
[ She sighs and shakes her head before sitting down across from him. Ereshkigal knows his opinion on the term "Master" and she even agrees with him, but priest? That's wishful thinking if she's ever seen it. ]
You're not doing him any favor by not acknowledging the existence of his weaknesses, you know?
[ She's not going to argue if he insists this Daybit truly has no weaknesses - that's not why she's here - but that's quite simply a foolish statement. Perfection does not exist, therefore all who live have their own flaws and weaknesses. Even her beloved little grape does - why, especially her beloved little grape. And it's in part from those weaknesses she draws her strength and willpower. ]
But that's not why I'm asking. [A small smile.] You answered his call and stayed, even if that meant fighting against human order. It takes someone special to earn a god's favor like that - yours no less.
[ He scoffs and waves a hand to the topic of Daybit’s weaknesses, since it’s not like he truly believes that Daybit doesn’t have any, but they’re certainly in much shorter supply than others. The weaknesses that most people would hold are just patched over by Daybit’s extraordinary circumstances more than anything he’d intentionally done.
However, even if he was inclined to explain that, her clarification stops the thought. He looks surprised for a moment, but it’s quick to shift to a wry smile. ]
Oh. Yeah. Guess that curiosity makes sense too.
[ Uniquely so, at least compared to someone like, say, Izou, because he and Ereshkigal are fundamentally different beings. Their divinity makes them fickle—or at least that’s how most mortals would see it. It truly does take something remarkable to catch their attention and heed a summoning, and it’s especially true in Tezcatlipoca’s case where he has the Authority to refuse the Counter Force outright.
He laughs again, but it’s not dismissive this time. It’s a little fonder and has humor in it, since the memory of his summoning is funny to him nowadays. ]
Well, answering the call itself, that was just curiosity, plain and simple. It’s crazy to summon me in the first place. Crazier that he actually figured out a way to do it. Figured the least I could do is see what kinda guy would have the balls to ask Yaotzin for help.
[ He starts to pour a bit more sake in the cup automatically, but after a moment’s consideration… He remembers Callisto’s birthday party and changes his mind for his intention there. He was going to offer it to her, but no. Never again. ]
Shot him in the gut for the trouble. [ He raises his now full cup to take a casual, punctuating drink. ] But he didn’t back down at all. Still wanted me for his plans. How could I not offer favor in the face of that?
[ It’s all true and definitely feels like Tezcatlipoca and his brutal whims, but it probably also doesn’t seem like it’s only that. Would that be enough favor for him to be pondering over a sentimental card like this? ]
[ ... This should be surprising, yet somehow this sounds accurate. Of course he would try to kill his summoner. No wonder mages have given up on trying to get help from divine spirits if that's what happens whenever a summoning is successful! Once in a blue moon you summon a god, and the jerk kills you for your trouble.
Sighs. She hates her kind so much. ]
No command spell?
[ When your Servant tries to kill you, that's kind of what it's there for. Now sure, she's not sure a single command spell could force temporary absolute obedience from divine spirits like them, let alone kill them... But using all three at once should do the trick.
She's not sure if not using them even in such a situation is stupidity or courage. Or maybe it's desperation. You'd need to be desperate to try and summon Tezcatlipoca to begin with. ]
I don't suppose that's all it took for you to take a liking to him.
[ Yet again, seeing how he likes Silco... His standards are abysmal, aren't they? ]
[ His retort is sly and dangerous, and it’s easy to believe that Tezcatlipoca would not respond well to someone attempting to use Command Spells on him. Though in reality, it had been different logic entirely. They were simply a valuable resource that Daybit had to save.
Tezcatlipoca laughs with a little shrug as he sets the sake down. He’s got a pretty high tolerance, but he’ll still take it easy. He wouldn’t want to come off as nervous about the topic either. ]
So, yeah, easy as that for me to like the guy. [ In some ways, he’s simple, maybe? But he shakes his head as his shitty smile softens marginally. ] But to be thinking about this damn card? He impressed me plenty after, that’s for sure. What does Chaldea even think of him? I figure he’s got a rep, since he’s a weird guy.
I don't know, I was waiting to be summoned when I got here.
[ Didn't she mention that before? She wasn't even aware of that whole Lostbelt business before talking to him. Well, she'd figured more Beasts would appear to try and destroy (challenge) humanity... After two Beasts had attacked back to back, it had been unavoidable. She hadn't had a clue that Lostbelts would end up involved. ]
But knowing her, Ritsuka has probably no preconceived ideas about him. That's the kind of person she is. No matter how evil or weird you appear to be, she'll treat you with the same respect and decency she would anyone else.
[ O-Oops, that's supposed to be his time to ramble about his Master, not hers! Speaking of which, after what he's said-- She smiles. ]
It sounds... You must like him a lot.
[ Maybe even... The forbidden word... The other l-word... Love! ]
[ He makes a light noise about her waiting, since he’d picked up on that detail and it definitely wasn’t the player that forgot nope that would never happen,,,, but he’s more surprised that she and Izou hadn’t chatted about it. But, hey, works for him. He’s not going to encourage it, considering. Even if Ritsuka might be forgiving, that doesn’t mean her Servants would be.
…Which is ironic, considering. He huffs out a laugh, because this is easier to speak to than her other statement. ]
Sweet idea. Can see why you like her if that’s the case. [ not the uno reverso… ] But I can guarantee it’s a waste of time for Daybit. Not because he’s a bad guy, but that just won’t mean anything to him.
[ He knows how Daybit’s mind works better than anyone else, after all. His expression softens in contemplation, because that touches on her assessment. He knows Daybit would discard such kindness, but it’s not because he’d want to. It’s just the silent tragedy of his situation. There would just be more important things to keep than that.
Tezcatlipoca looks back to the barely written card, then sighs as he taps the pen against it. He’s quiet for a few moments longer as he just looks at it, but when he ends up speaking again, it probably feels like he’s trying to change the topic. It’s just a context to better answer her question, though. ]
I told you this place wasn’t my first world-saving rodeo, right? Met Set and Silco there. But didn’t get into the stakes of it.
[ Honestly, the more he talks about him, the more she wonders if this Daybit is even human. To some extent, he has to be counted as a part of humanity. He could never have summoned a Servant - a god - otherwise. But there also appears to be an inhuman quality to him... Well, she's not gonna ponder much on it. She didn't come here intending to pierce whatever mysteries there are around this man, besides why Tezcatlipoca loves him so much.
Ereshkigal stiffens a bit when he seemingly changes the topic, bringing up both Set and Silco. She has problems with those two... Especially the later. But she has to admit being curious as to the context. ]
Your protégé mentioned it was a war. [Yes, she's talking about Silco. And she'll absolutely elaborate on why she's using this word if he somehow takes offense to it.] Quetzalcoatl was on the opposite side. That's the extent of what I know.
[ She would have taken from him everything he was trying to save. It is how Silco justified himself. But knowing Quetzalcoatl, she was probably only doing what she deemed was best for the world and its people. ]
[ “Protégé” just makes Tezcatlipoca laugh, since that’s probably not quite it, but he gets why she’d use that word. Hell, he calls Silco his acolyte, after all, but it’s more complicated than that. That’s not even something Silco is fully aware of, and he’d keep it that way. This isn’t about him, though, so he just nods. ]
Yeah, it was. No surprise that I showed up knowing that, right? Especially if my guess is right and Quetzalcoatl’s death was the catalyst.
[ He waves a hand dismissively, since that’s not the point either. ]
…Basics of it, though. Buncha people got pulled to a place called Kenos, but instead of us all working for one thing like we are here with LILITH, had two choices. You had Meridian, which is where Quetzalcoatl and Set laid their heads, and you had Zenith, which is where Silco and I ended up. Two sides were at odds because part of showing up there in the first place was that the worlds we’d come from were destroyed. Probably. And Meridian and Zenith had different ideas about what to do about that. Meridian wanted to restore ‘em, Zenith wanted to make something entirely new.
[ It’s the simple version, and where they all landed is probably unsurprising. It fits all of them, albeit in different ways. It’s also much more complicated and messy, and Tezcatlipoca has his own thoughts on the conflict itself. But. For how this all relates to Daybit… ]
Zenith’s is a bigger ask, obviously. So, came with an extra incentive. Saving a single soul from the world you came from. Making sure they weren’t consigned to oblivion. Isn’t what convinced me, since I would have been on that side anyways, but… Couldn’t turn it down, even if it might’ve been a bad idea.
[ He looks from her back to Daybit’s name again and taps it with the pen. The end of his explanation is obvious at this point, which makes his pause almost funny. But he doesn’t seem embarrassed to actually say it—his voice is just cool and neutral. ]
I picked Daybit. So, yeah. Can’t exactly deny that I like the guy at this point.
[ Ereshkigal's eyes widen a bit as he explains everything. That war is on a far bigger scale than anything she'd envisioned. Easily comparable to the incineration of humanity - even beyond it, seeing how other worlds had been involved. It makes her wonder if they may come from different realities, after all... If destruction on this scale had occurred in her world, she would probably be the first to know.
Yet again, if Quetzalcoatl's side won, it is possible the world was remade with nary a soul aware of it. And obviously her side won. If it hadn't, why would he be here talking about the Lostbelts and planning for the future? ]
I see...
[ That also makes her wonder what side she'd have picked. If her world died a natural death... Well it is the natural order of things to move on and for a new world to replace it. And yet, that "save a single soul from your world" leaves a bad taste in her mouth. Sure, she'd pick Ritsuka, but... That's not right. If you can save a soul, you can save more. And it's starting less and less to sound like a case of "natural death," and more and more like what the incineration of humanity had been. ]
[ Still... To pick Daybit of all souls. Like said earlier, she'd pick Ritsuka should she be in such a situation, of course. But that's a choice expected from her. A lonely goddess picking the first person who ever made her feel loved.
Tezcatlipoca though? He's not a lonely god, she figures he must have plenty of friends in his pantheon, or at least deities he likes. Why, he probably has plenty of humans who worship him and whom he must care about. And considering what she's heard about him- Daybit would likely have disagreed with his choice. He wouldn't have cared to be saved.
And still - in spite of this - he picked the Master who summoned him so recently. So she smiles and: ]
[ the absolute irony of the one other thread I've tossed into this post ]
[ Silco has probably noticed that Tezcatlipoca has been more absent lately. It's not like he's hiding or less social, since it's still easy to catch him chatting easily in person or on the network, but he's just not around like he usually is. Since they're neighbors, his comings and goings are a little easier to track, and thus it's easy to guess that Tezcatlipoca has just picked up more shifts at work. It's what his patterns perfectly coincide with.
The usual assumption would be that Tezcatlipoca is trying to make more money, since he certainly knows how to spend it, but. His hard work very much coincides with something else of note. It's right after Ereshkigal's public "help" and thus Tezcatlipoca's very public rejection. Things hadn't exactly improved in subsequent days.
But he's fine. Really. He's a god, and a god of impartiality at that. Bad luck has always been his best friend, so he can't exactly say he's surprised by any of this.
...
It's late enough at night that it counts as early in the morning that Silco gets a text. ]
[Well, it's not like Silco isn't aware of what happened. He makes a habit of keeping an eye on things, and when Daybit had arrived, it really wasn't easy to miss. Though, Silco isn't by habit a supportive person, so things continue as normal.
He thinks Tezcatlipoca can handle himself, after all. He's a god.
It's not like he's going to need Silco to help. He might swing by the bar here and there, but that was it. Just to keep an eye on things. Also because he hasn't been around as much and Silco's grown... Used to his presence. (It's OK Silco, you can say he's a friend.)
He is up, though. Unsurprisingly. Tezcatlipoca knows he keeps late hours. ]
Of course I'm up. What is it?
[ He'd almost asked if he wanted more money but he's NOT opening up that door. ]
[ Does Silco believe that... Luckily, it doesn't matter, because Tezcatlipoca is coming to visit anyways. It's a sign of their odd friendship.
It’s only ten minutes or so when there's a knock on Silco's door, but assuming that he already unlocked it to keep the thread moving, Tezcatlipoca lets himself in before Silco can answer it. And, as if the texts themselves weren’t obvious, Tezcatlipoca is wasted. He stumbles in and looks generally disheveled.
There’s reason to immediately doubt his story about a couple shots at closing, since Silco does know Tezcatlipoca. They’ve had drinks together many times, and he’s even seen the god buzzed once or twice, but that made it clear in turn. Not only does he have a high tolerance, but he the same as he usually is. This is a rather stark difference. ]
Silcooooo. I feel like shit!
[ But, you know. At least he’s pleasant and happy when he’s wasted, apparently. His speech is slurred, but there’s also a note of an accent in it that’s usually absent. It doesn’t ring as familiar, but when he’s this far gone the translation process from Nahuatl to their common tongue isn’t quite as easy. ]
[ Truly, he's seen Tezca buzzed on both alcohol and shimmer, and neither one has ever left him looking like a true drunkard like this. Tezcatlipoca looks worse than he sounds, actually, and when he stumbles in, Silco will actually slide the bottle he'd had sitting on his cramped little couch (replacing the old desk and chairs) towards him. Just in case.
Clearly he doesn't need anything else tonight.
Silco might, though.]
Shots, was it? You look like you drank a few bottles.
[ Tezcatlipoca just laughs cheerfully as he's insulted, and he even waves a hand at those bottles as they're pulled away. At least he also understands that he shouldn't have any more... But his decision is probably worse (in Silco's opinion) because rather than take another seat or even steal a bed, Tezcatlipoca plops down on the couch right next to Silco. ]
Ha, no way. S'long as I got this human vessel, that'd totally kill me. And that's be fuckin' lame. Imagine, a god, killed by booze... That's more Birdie's style...
[ The last part is murmured absently as Tezcatlipoca reaches up to his hair to put it up into a ponytail... Only to find that there's a hairtie there already. It's just so loose and messy that he'd forgotten. He chuckles again, then gets to work just re-securing that one. ]
Been workin' too much. So, one thing led to another, and bam, we're clearin' out inventory.
[ Thankfully, the couch is just big enough — or maybe it's that Silco's particularly small — but he shook his head, and went about pouring his own drink, keeping it in the hand on the opposite side of Tezcatlipoca, just in case.
He watched him for a long moment, curious. ]
Birdie's style is getting killed by me. [ Just a little bit put upon in tone, but he takes a sip, because this isn't really about Birdie, it's about Tezcatlipoca, who is clearly having a time right now.
He can guess. ]
I noticed you've been working more. You never really were the workaholic type like I was.
Surely you don't need funding that bad these days, do you? There are two of us now.
[ At least this time around, Tezcatlipoca is more than happy to cheer on Silco's crimes. He laughs when Silco (pouts) claims the credit, and he gives him a friendly smack on the shoulder. ]
Damn right! That's my acolyte, number one killer even if you're playin' with a handicap compared to everyone else.
[ Which is just that he doesn't have crazy powers, but considering their company? That is pretty significant. Tezcatlipoca keeps chuckling, but he does lean over to start unlacing his boots. He's been on his feet all day, so they're definitely tired. And besides. He's going to curl up on this couch, thanks Silco. ]
[ ...But that change of topic turns his laughter into a grumble instead. ]
Whaddya mean? I'm a workaho— Ah. No, I guess you haven't really seen it. There hasn't been good business to get into here. Tried to pick up my arms manufacturing again and apparently this country doesn't do that? Fuckin' lame...
[ He could get distracted with that tangent easily, since he certainly has plenty of complaints there. He'd much rather have his own business, and there's plenty to talk about there, but luckily (?) he stays on topic. ]
But nah. Just felt like working more. Shit sucks around here, so it's like gettin' out of the house.
[ Tezcatlipoca makes himself at home, and Silco — normally prickly and unpleasant Silco — lets him. Unfortunately for him, Tezcatlipoca has achieved enabling status, which means he only offers a soft grumble of complaint, before he turns back to his drinks. There's a book on his lap, tight writing in it — for all that everything is implants and technology, Silco still prefers analog. He puts the pen in the book, and closes it, slides it to his side. ]
Now, far be it from me to disagree with you about that — but I thought you would be investing in spending time hyping up the little project you made me put my money into.
[ The base upgrades, is what he means.
He knows what Tezcatlipoca is trying to avoid, but he's stalking around it. ]
If you need to be away, there are far better things to get invested into.
Ah, that? Nah... That's- Well, don't need to hype it up. Already enjoying it, ain't ya?
[ Tezcatlipoca gestures lightly to the room, and this reaction is probably also a little surprising. As boisterous and arrogant as Tezcatlipoca is, the base reconstruction and his role in it is something he seems... humble about? It doesn't seem to fit him, but it's just one of those odd, surprising little nuances of the god.
He's a god full of surprises, apparently, since even if Silco is stalking around the topic, Tezcatlipoca just beats him to it. ]
Don't need to be away. But, y'know. It's awkward. Everyone knows my fuckin' business now.
[ And as if he's anticipating Silco accusing him of something, he points at Silco. He really does know Silco well, considering this is the first thing he says. ]
And she I know you read it too, you nosy fuck. [ (fond, compliment) ] So wasn't 'cuz Eresh was feelin' jealous, so don't get into that.
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⁜ ereshkigal (lb7 spoilers likely!)
Yet, as soon as he commits to it, he finds that the words come out easily. It’s definitely suspiciously so, but when it comes to honesty, he doesn’t mind that. Tezcatlipoca is many things, but dishonest isn’t one of them, even as a trickster god. The first few come out easily, since there’s some people he can earnestly give new years wishes towards. But whether it’s just him getting a bit more pensive or the sake pushing him towards that…
By the time Ereshkigal finds him, he’s spinning the pen in one hand and taking a drink of sake with the other. The card only has a name at the top, and it’s scrawled almost hurriedly. ]
Daybit—
[ …And that’s as far as he’s gotten in the past few minutes. Even just writing his name, he already feels like this is a stupid thing to do. ]
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But she came back to send the cards, and that's when she catches sight of Tezcatlipoca. T-They convinced him? He's really mellowed out, hasn't he? He should be careful, at this rate they'll select him to be the next Santa if he is ever summoned by Chaldea! Still, she approaches him and notices the name he appears to be stuck on. ]
... That's your Master, isn't it?
[ She remembers him mentioning the name a couple times. But she's fairly certain he's not here. Does that mean he's writing new year wishes for him even though there is no way he'll ever receive this card? That's...
That's so romantic! Not that Tezcatlipoca even realizes how adorable this is, she figures. Typical oblivious god. ]
What is he like...?
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Happy New Year, asshole. Don’t kick the bucket this time around either, since I’m dragging your ass to Mictlampa once you finally bite the dust.
…Which, granted. That’s certainly the brusquest of them, but still.
He glances up when Ereshkigal approaches and clicks his tongue in what seems like irritation. In reality, it’s closer to embarrassment… But there’s at least a smidgeon of an actual sourness, since he has a correction to make first. ]
Sure, technical term’s Master, but I don’t subscribe to that shit. He’s my priest, if anything.
[ This is definitely not the reason why she asks, but he feels the need to correct it anyways. He really does dislike the term, since the implication doesn’t apply to gods at all. In his opinion, anyways. Tezcatlipoca grumbles indistinctly, then takes another drink of his sake. He completely misunderstands why she’s asking, naturally, since her rosy interpretation doesn’t occur to him as a possibility at all. ]
If you’re lookin’ for weakness, don’t bother. Even besides my “no spoilers” policy here, guy doesn’t have any.
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You're not doing him any favor by not acknowledging the existence of his weaknesses, you know?
[ She's not going to argue if he insists this Daybit truly has no weaknesses - that's not why she's here - but that's quite simply a foolish statement. Perfection does not exist, therefore all who live have their own flaws and weaknesses. Even her beloved little grape does - why, especially her beloved little grape. And it's in part from those weaknesses she draws her strength and willpower. ]
But that's not why I'm asking. [A small smile.] You answered his call and stayed, even if that meant fighting against human order. It takes someone special to earn a god's favor like that - yours no less.
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However, even if he was inclined to explain that, her clarification stops the thought. He looks surprised for a moment, but it’s quick to shift to a wry smile. ]
Oh. Yeah. Guess that curiosity makes sense too.
[ Uniquely so, at least compared to someone like, say, Izou, because he and Ereshkigal are fundamentally different beings. Their divinity makes them fickle—or at least that’s how most mortals would see it. It truly does take something remarkable to catch their attention and heed a summoning, and it’s especially true in Tezcatlipoca’s case where he has the Authority to refuse the Counter Force outright.
He laughs again, but it’s not dismissive this time. It’s a little fonder and has humor in it, since the memory of his summoning is funny to him nowadays. ]
Well, answering the call itself, that was just curiosity, plain and simple. It’s crazy to summon me in the first place. Crazier that he actually figured out a way to do it. Figured the least I could do is see what kinda guy would have the balls to ask Yaotzin for help.
[ He starts to pour a bit more sake in the cup automatically, but after a moment’s consideration… He remembers Callisto’s birthday party and changes his mind for his intention there. He was going to offer it to her, but no. Never again. ]
Shot him in the gut for the trouble. [ He raises his now full cup to take a casual, punctuating drink. ] But he didn’t back down at all. Still wanted me for his plans. How could I not offer favor in the face of that?
[ It’s all true and definitely feels like Tezcatlipoca and his brutal whims, but it probably also doesn’t seem like it’s only that. Would that be enough favor for him to be pondering over a sentimental card like this? ]
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Sighs. She hates her kind so much. ]
No command spell?
[ When your Servant tries to kill you, that's kind of what it's there for. Now sure, she's not sure a single command spell could force temporary absolute obedience from divine spirits like them, let alone kill them... But using all three at once should do the trick.
She's not sure if not using them even in such a situation is stupidity or courage. Or maybe it's desperation. You'd need to be desperate to try and summon Tezcatlipoca to begin with. ]
I don't suppose that's all it took for you to take a liking to him.
[ Yet again, seeing how he likes Silco... His standards are abysmal, aren't they? ]
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[ His retort is sly and dangerous, and it’s easy to believe that Tezcatlipoca would not respond well to someone attempting to use Command Spells on him. Though in reality, it had been different logic entirely. They were simply a valuable resource that Daybit had to save.
Tezcatlipoca laughs with a little shrug as he sets the sake down. He’s got a pretty high tolerance, but he’ll still take it easy. He wouldn’t want to come off as nervous about the topic either. ]
So, yeah, easy as that for me to like the guy. [ In some ways, he’s simple, maybe? But he shakes his head as his shitty smile softens marginally. ] But to be thinking about this damn card? He impressed me plenty after, that’s for sure. What does Chaldea even think of him? I figure he’s got a rep, since he’s a weird guy.
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I don't know, I was waiting to be summoned when I got here.
[ Didn't she mention that before? She wasn't even aware of that whole Lostbelt business before talking to him. Well, she'd figured more Beasts would appear to try and destroy (challenge) humanity... After two Beasts had attacked back to back, it had been unavoidable. She hadn't had a clue that Lostbelts would end up involved. ]
But knowing her, Ritsuka has probably no preconceived ideas about him. That's the kind of person she is. No matter how evil or weird you appear to be, she'll treat you with the same respect and decency she would anyone else.
[ O-Oops, that's supposed to be his time to ramble about his Master, not hers! Speaking of which, after what he's said-- She smiles. ]
It sounds... You must like him a lot.
[ Maybe even... The forbidden word... The other l-word... Love! ]
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and it definitely wasn’t the player that forgot nope that would never happen,,,, but he’s more surprised that she and Izou hadn’t chatted about it. But, hey, works for him. He’s not going to encourage it, considering. Even if Ritsuka might be forgiving, that doesn’t mean her Servants would be.…Which is ironic, considering. He huffs out a laugh, because this is easier to speak to than her other statement. ]
Sweet idea. Can see why you like her if that’s the case. [ not the uno reverso… ] But I can guarantee it’s a waste of time for Daybit. Not because he’s a bad guy, but that just won’t mean anything to him.
[ He knows how Daybit’s mind works better than anyone else, after all. His expression softens in contemplation, because that touches on her assessment. He knows Daybit would discard such kindness, but it’s not because he’d want to. It’s just the silent tragedy of his situation. There would just be more important things to keep than that.
Tezcatlipoca looks back to the barely written card, then sighs as he taps the pen against it. He’s quiet for a few moments longer as he just looks at it, but when he ends up speaking again, it probably feels like he’s trying to change the topic. It’s just a context to better answer her question, though. ]
I told you this place wasn’t my first world-saving rodeo, right? Met Set and Silco there. But didn’t get into the stakes of it.
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Ereshkigal stiffens a bit when he seemingly changes the topic, bringing up both Set and Silco. She has problems with those two... Especially the later. But she has to admit being curious as to the context. ]
Your protégé mentioned it was a war. [Yes, she's talking about Silco. And she'll absolutely elaborate on why she's using this word if he somehow takes offense to it.] Quetzalcoatl was on the opposite side. That's the extent of what I know.
[ She would have taken from him everything he was trying to save. It is how Silco justified himself. But knowing Quetzalcoatl, she was probably only doing what she deemed was best for the world and its people. ]
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Yeah, it was. No surprise that I showed up knowing that, right? Especially if my guess is right and Quetzalcoatl’s death was the catalyst.
[ He waves a hand dismissively, since that’s not the point either. ]
…Basics of it, though. Buncha people got pulled to a place called Kenos, but instead of us all working for one thing like we are here with LILITH, had two choices. You had Meridian, which is where Quetzalcoatl and Set laid their heads, and you had Zenith, which is where Silco and I ended up. Two sides were at odds because part of showing up there in the first place was that the worlds we’d come from were destroyed. Probably. And Meridian and Zenith had different ideas about what to do about that. Meridian wanted to restore ‘em, Zenith wanted to make something entirely new.
[ It’s the simple version, and where they all landed is probably unsurprising. It fits all of them, albeit in different ways. It’s also much more complicated and messy, and Tezcatlipoca has his own thoughts on the conflict itself. But. For how this all relates to Daybit… ]
Zenith’s is a bigger ask, obviously. So, came with an extra incentive. Saving a single soul from the world you came from. Making sure they weren’t consigned to oblivion. Isn’t what convinced me, since I would have been on that side anyways, but… Couldn’t turn it down, even if it might’ve been a bad idea.
[ He looks from her back to Daybit’s name again and taps it with the pen. The end of his explanation is obvious at this point, which makes his pause almost funny. But he doesn’t seem embarrassed to actually say it—his voice is just cool and neutral. ]
I picked Daybit. So, yeah. Can’t exactly deny that I like the guy at this point.
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Yet again, if Quetzalcoatl's side won, it is possible the world was remade with nary a soul aware of it. And obviously her side won. If it hadn't, why would he be here talking about the Lostbelts and planning for the future? ]
I see...
[ That also makes her wonder what side she'd have picked. If her world died a natural death... Well it is the natural order of things to move on and for a new world to replace it. And yet, that "save a single soul from your world" leaves a bad taste in her mouth. Sure, she'd pick Ritsuka, but... That's not right. If you can save a soul, you can save more. And it's starting less and less to sound like a case of "natural death," and more and more like what the incineration of humanity had been. ]
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Tezcatlipoca though? He's not a lonely god, she figures he must have plenty of friends in his pantheon, or at least deities he likes. Why, he probably has plenty of humans who worship him and whom he must care about. And considering what she's heard about him- Daybit would likely have disagreed with his choice. He wouldn't have cared to be saved.
And still - in spite of this - he picked the Master who summoned him so recently. So she smiles and: ]
I didn't think you such a romantic, Tezcatlipoca.
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1/2 also,
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FINALLY BRINGS IT UP, LMAO
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this is so stupid
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⁜ silco (crash out)
[ Silco has probably noticed that Tezcatlipoca has been more absent lately. It's not like he's hiding or less social, since it's still easy to catch him chatting easily in person or on the network, but he's just not around like he usually is. Since they're neighbors, his comings and goings are a little easier to track, and thus it's easy to guess that Tezcatlipoca has just picked up more shifts at work. It's what his patterns perfectly coincide with.
The usual assumption would be that Tezcatlipoca is trying to make more money, since he certainly knows how to spend it, but. His hard work very much coincides with something else of note. It's right after Ereshkigal's public "help" and thus Tezcatlipoca's very public rejection. Things hadn't exactly improved in subsequent days.
But he's fine. Really. He's a god, and a god of impartiality at that. Bad luck has always been his best friend, so he can't exactly say he's surprised by any of this.
...
It's late enough at night that it counts as early in the morning that Silco gets a text. ]
silcoooooooooooo
u up
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He thinks Tezcatlipoca can handle himself, after all. He's a god.
It's not like he's going to need Silco to help. He might swing by the bar here and there, but that was it. Just to keep an eye on things. Also because he hasn't been around as much and Silco's grown... Used to his presence. (It's OK Silco, you can say he's a friend.)
He is up, though. Unsurprisingly. Tezcatlipoca knows he keeps late hours. ]
Of course I'm up. What is it?
[ He'd almost asked if he wanted more money but he's NOT opening up that door. ]
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if I go to bed now think I'd puke
so I’m commin over
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Fine, fine. Just don't puke in my quarters.
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[ Does Silco believe that... Luckily, it doesn't matter, because Tezcatlipoca is coming to visit anyways. It's a sign of their odd friendship.
It’s only ten minutes or so when there's a knock on Silco's door, but assuming that he already unlocked it
to keep the thread moving, Tezcatlipoca lets himself in before Silco can answer it. And, as if the texts themselves weren’t obvious, Tezcatlipoca is wasted. He stumbles in and looks generally disheveled.There’s reason to immediately doubt his story about a couple shots at closing, since Silco does know Tezcatlipoca. They’ve had drinks together many times, and he’s even seen the god buzzed once or twice, but that made it clear in turn. Not only does he have a high tolerance, but he the same as he usually is. This is a rather stark difference. ]
Silcooooo. I feel like shit!
[ But, you know. At least he’s pleasant and happy when he’s wasted, apparently. His speech is slurred, but there’s also a note of an accent in it that’s usually absent. It doesn’t ring as familiar, but when he’s this far gone the translation process from Nahuatl to their common tongue isn’t quite as easy. ]
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[ Truly, he's seen Tezca buzzed on both alcohol and shimmer, and neither one has ever left him looking like a true drunkard like this. Tezcatlipoca looks worse than he sounds, actually, and when he stumbles in, Silco will actually slide the bottle he'd had sitting on his cramped little couch (replacing the old desk and chairs) towards him. Just in case.
Clearly he doesn't need anything else tonight.
Silco might, though.]
Shots, was it? You look like you drank a few bottles.
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Ha, no way. S'long as I got this human vessel, that'd totally kill me. And that's be fuckin' lame. Imagine, a god, killed by booze... That's more Birdie's style...
[ The last part is murmured absently as Tezcatlipoca reaches up to his hair to put it up into a ponytail... Only to find that there's a hairtie there already. It's just so loose and messy that he'd forgotten. He chuckles again, then gets to work just re-securing that one. ]
Been workin' too much. So, one thing led to another, and bam, we're clearin' out inventory.
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He watched him for a long moment, curious. ]
Birdie's style is getting killed by me. [ Just a little bit put upon in tone, but he takes a sip, because this isn't really about Birdie, it's about Tezcatlipoca, who is clearly having a time right now.
He can guess. ]
I noticed you've been working more. You never really were the workaholic type like I was.
Surely you don't need funding that bad these days, do you? There are two of us now.
[ That's a hell of a way to broach the subject. ]
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Damn right! That's my acolyte, number one killer even if you're playin' with a handicap compared to everyone else.
[ Which is just that he doesn't have crazy powers, but considering their company? That is pretty significant. Tezcatlipoca keeps chuckling, but he does lean over to start unlacing his boots. He's been on his feet all day, so they're definitely tired. And besides. He's going to curl up on this couch, thanks Silco. ]
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Whaddya mean? I'm a workaho— Ah. No, I guess you haven't really seen it. There hasn't been good business to get into here. Tried to pick up my arms manufacturing again and apparently this country doesn't do that? Fuckin' lame...
[ He could get distracted with that tangent easily, since he certainly has plenty of complaints there. He'd much rather have his own business, and there's plenty to talk about there, but luckily (?) he stays on topic. ]
But nah. Just felt like working more. Shit sucks around here, so it's like gettin' out of the house.
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Now, far be it from me to disagree with you about that — but I thought you would be investing in spending time hyping up the little project you made me put my money into.
[ The base upgrades, is what he means.
He knows what Tezcatlipoca is trying to avoid, but he's stalking around it. ]
If you need to be away, there are far better things to get invested into.
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[ Tezcatlipoca gestures lightly to the room, and this reaction is probably also a little surprising. As boisterous and arrogant as Tezcatlipoca is, the base reconstruction and his role in it is something he seems... humble about? It doesn't seem to fit him, but it's just one of those odd, surprising little nuances of the god.
He's a god full of surprises, apparently, since even if Silco is stalking around the topic, Tezcatlipoca just beats him to it. ]
Don't need to be away. But, y'know. It's awkward. Everyone knows my fuckin' business now.
[ And as if he's anticipating Silco accusing him of something, he points at Silco. He really does know Silco well, considering this is the first thing he says. ]
And she I know you read it too, you nosy fuck. [ (fond, compliment) ] So wasn't 'cuz Eresh was feelin' jealous, so don't get into that.
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cw: crude........ if you're tracking this melodie i'm so sorry
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you've missed set right silco well,
HELPSJBS
coin flipped
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cat behavior
PLEASE!!!!
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the tezcachella icon...
🤠🎀