WHO: Tezcatlipoca & Others WHAT: 2025 catch-all time baby WHERE: all over WHEN: all times WARNINGS: threads will include content warnings where appropriate!
And? I would shoot an actual kid. I don’t give a fuck.
[ That’s not Silco’s point, but this really does make his skin crawl. That tone in Silco’s voice has a certain implication, and if what Tezcatlipoca is reading between the lines here is accurate… Man, they’re both going to shoot each other again once this wears off out of embarrassment, frustration, or both.
So, before Silco can change his mind after that charming comment, he takes the flask. Silco might expect him to chug it with his temperament (and his reputation that he’s unaware of), but he just takes a simple sip. ]
…At least your taste is still the same. Sucks. [ (fond) ]
[ He passes it back to Silco with a frown and a roll of his eyes. ]
Yeah, yeah, keep lecturing me and I might change my mind. You usually know better than to lecture a god.
[ it really is a sign that Silco isn't himself, in that his lips purse.
Normally, would he care? Not at all. right now? He gives him a look as if to say that this whole proposition is ludicrous and Dangerous on top of that. ]
Oh yes, delusions of grandeur too. [ He reaches out for his flask of shitty whiskey, thank you very much. If you hate it, then give it back. ]
I know your parents were foolish for giving you such a grandiose name, but perhaps they could have instilled in you a sense of humility along with that for good measure?
[ no... ]
I'm looking forward to things going back to normal, so I won't have to listen to the lot of you going through these crises.
[ This is exactly why he had to go confront Daybit about all of this instead of Silco. He can feel his temper rising with the ridiculous ways that Silco dismisses him, but as tempting as it is to summon his gun to his side again… No. He can’t. Though he’d never want to accept it, Silco is just a guy, so his likelihood of surviving is way lower than his alien-infested Master. ]
You’re gonna eat those words, man. When you realize you’ve been all kissy with Verg especially, don’t come cryin’ to me.
[ At least in this case that’s truly not his fault or even his influence, but he’s sure that Silco can twist it somehow… ]
Yes, I'm sure I will be very upset to learn that I've been spending time with Vergilius. [ that's literally a normal thing. ] You would think with the way half of you are acting, that we haven't been dating for nearly a year.
[ because you haven't, you idiot. It's much weirder and worse than that. ]
[ He sighs, though, as if put upon that he has to explain something like this to Tezca of all people. ]
I knew Daybit's father, so when he passed... I took him in. It was the least I could do.
[ Tezcatlipoca’s expression twists up as Silco casually explains his relationship. That feels so wrong, but he also wants to laugh. After all his months of bothering Silco about it, he finally admits it, but it’s like this? Come on. That’s not even fair!
But as Silco answers his question, he quickly becomes serious. He stares at Silco like he’s just said something offensive, and he’s much more serious. ]
You didn’t know him. You might think you did, but that’s not possible.
[ There’s a weight in his words that’s almost cold, because this is one of those rare things where the fact that Tezcatlipoca is a god subtly shines through. Daybit’s father is an impossibility, after all. Even a god like him wasn’t able to see across time to peek at just what had happened. That man was simply erased from existence. No body, no soul, just a lingering shadow that no one can even name. ]
…But I guess that’s the story that would get cooked up. Sheesh.
[ Tezcatlipoca relaxes again with a grumble as he lays back in his cot. He’s at least not keen to do anything about this, though he’s getting restless from being stuck in one place. It seems like he might just leave Silco alone and ignore him, since he closes his eyes, but he’s just thinking it over. After a long pause, he decides to just ask. ]
[ Don't worry, Tezca, he'll go back to denying it once he's back to normal. 💖 Will it be even stupider? Yes. ]
Isn't it?
[ He questions his words, but there's an...eerie energy to the way he expresses it, something about the way he says it that leaves him feeling unsettled. Tezcatlipoca was just a drunkard and a bartender, familiar. But there's...
Weight to his words. Like there's something serious he doesn't quite understand. It worms under his skin, the words. Makes him want to examine them further.
Silco will remember this. ]
Cooked up. [ He scoffs. ]
[ But he asks a question that gives him pause. His single eyebrow draws down, as if questioning what kind of question that is. ]
Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?
[ This, this is the real core of the difference between Silco then and Silco now. Could he... conceive of it? Could he admit it, even if he were? Silco would find something to be dissatisfied with. His greed was a hungry thing, consuming everything. Even when he had more than he could have ever thought to grasp, he doesn't know if he could even think to himself that he was... That. Happy.
Silco now, though, thinks it's the easiest, most obvious thing in the world. ]
Tezcatlipoca opens his eyes again to stare at Silco, and there’s that weight again. It’s like he’s looking past Silco’s eyes and right into his soul, and the effect is only intensified by the unnatural shade of his blue eyes. Maybe it causes a little more doubt that Tezcatlipoca might be telling the truth—or, more likely, that there’s actually much more to the reckless influencer that Silco “knows”.
It’s what he’d worried about, in his way. He’d expected that this was the difference of these constructed lives, and that’s complicated. Clearly, he’s gone on the side of conflict, since he’d raged against Daybit to draw it back out by force. But he also felt like it might have been something selfish.
Conflict is good overall. He has no doubts about that.
…But it still hurts people. ]
Because the you I know isn’t.
[ He says it simply. This might be something that Silco could be sour about later if he remembers all of this, but… Maybe there’s no better chance to put this to words in a way that Silco might listen to. ]
That you wouldn’t recognize a chance to be happy if it bit him in the ass.
[ Silco feels a bit like he is under a microscope. There's something about his gaze that does make him shirk slightly, though it's not quite that bad. He just... he is different. A little bit more than the influencer he had always been. Silco doesn't know what to make of it, this version of this man that is...
Something.
He shifts, slightly. }
I think the me that you know sounds miserable.
[ Surely, SURELY this won't come back to bite him.
He doesn't like the sound of it, as it is. He has many things in his life, and yes, some failures. Powder's parents, leaving the bar and... everyone there just to come join LILITH. There were successes too, like Powder. Like the deals he was making. Like everything with — ]
Don't you think? Someone who doesn't recognize even taking a chance? [ A beat. ] Misery loves company, too. So are you the same as he is, then? This "me" you've concocted?
[ Tezcatlipoca sighs at Silco’s assessment, but it sounds like he’s agreeing. He doesn’t say anything directly in response, since he does worry that if Silco remembers this, his honest thoughts wouldn’t be taken well. It’s surprisingly delicate work to push Silco towards something better.
So, he doesn’t answer that. He allows the conversation to turn towards himself. ]
Nah. Misery is a human experience. Doesn’t work that way for me.
[ He says it so simply, like it’s something factual. Even if he were talking to his Silco, he imagines he wouldn’t get it. He’d just gloss past it, dismissing it as something about being a god. It’s not like Tezcatlipoca ever asks him to consider that point of view. ]
But I’m a god of death, since I imagine you don’t remember that. [ JERK!!! ] Makes ya naturally pessimistic, and that's shared for sure.
[ A God of Death? Really? If it's the Kaiju putting thoughts into their heads, then Silco thinks that they should aim a little lower if they want people to believe them. That's just ludicrous. ]
Close enough, I suppose.
Well, I'm surprised you keep me around, regardless, if I'm so miserable. I can't imagine anyone wanting to be around me, if I'm as miserable as you say.
[ A soft sigh, he shakes his head, reaching out for his flask. ]
People like that tend to burn up everything in their paths.
[ The “duh” in his tone is clear, and at least it softens that stern, unsettling look. It’s as quick as if it hadn’t happened at all, since he’s right back to his casual, obstinate self. ]
I could go into the metaphors about burning and how it’s good for things in the long run, all that shit, but it’s weird to even explain it. Like, you’re my acolyte because you get that. More or less.
[ He takes one more swig just to be petty, but then hands the flask back to Silco. ]
And you’re right. Most people don’t want to be around you. That’s why this is so weird. You’re so normal, and it sucks.
[ His arms crossed, he looks at him with a look that is thoroughly unimpressed. ]
Miserable and unliked, is it?
[ And probably what makes this worse is what he says next, his tone biting as he says it: ]
That sounds terribly lonely. [ Can he even imagine it? A life so unliked... would he have Powder or Vergilius, or any of the teenagers that seem to flock to him? What would he even do with his life? ]
Yeah, heaven is forbidding, asshole. Or at least complaining about it…
[ Because he’s heaven! Duh! But as he clicks his tongue in irritation, he leans back to settle into his bed again. A little bit of liquor feels good in his stomach, since no one has let him smoke. He’ll have to take his vices where he can get them. ]
…But, yeah. That’s about right.
[ Silco is lonely. That’s obvious to him, even if Silco would deny it. Or rather, he probably would say something like how he doesn’t need people. Loneliness doesn’t apply to him as a result. Et cetera. So, Tezcatlipoca sighs. ]
Getting him—you—to even admit that he likes someone is like pullin’ teeth. Plenty of that loneliness is self-inflicted.
[ He makes a face. It looks... somewhere between annoyed and dismayed. For a Silco whose loss never came from those close to him, for a Silco who had never had to question whether the people sitting next to him could lash out and kill him, its hard to fathom.
Why, he wonders? ]
Why would I... he do that? [ A twitch of his lips, and he spreads his hands. How very Silco of him. The mannerisms are still there, just... softer. ]
Since you seem to already know him well enough to make other calls about this supposed "version" of me.
[ Tezcatlipoca can’t help but chuckle, since that grimace is so very Silco, but it’s almost like seeing his mannerisms on a stranger. He knows this man, but he doesn’t. It’s just as unsettling for Silco as it was for Daybit, but at least he’s gotten the shooting out of his system. ]
Sure do. I’m practically his therapist!
[ He says it lightly, like he’s joking, but that’s mostly just so if Silco does remember all of this? He doesn’t dwell on that comment. He can take it as a joke rather than the truth. ]
…Same reason as anyone though, yeah? Not that hard to guess. [ He shrugs ] He got hurt, so that’s his way to protect himself.
[ Even this kinder, softer version of Silco finds that hard to believe. ]
Hardly effective then, aren't you? If he's as miserable as you say.
[ Isn't therapy supposed to... work?
Then again, this version of Silco isn't aware that the man has made progress. Miracle of miracles. Tezca deserves a raise is what he deserves. ]
How did it happen? Getting hurt? [ Why is he even asking? He doesn't believe him, but maybe there's something to this delusion that Tezcatlipoca is living. Maybe there's a kernel of truth to examine here. Pull it out, and look at it.
Or maybe he's just a fool. Who knew? ]
I mean, I got hurt too. [ he tapped his eye. ] And I'm not... quite such a mess.
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no subject
[ That’s not Silco’s point, but this really does make his skin crawl. That tone in Silco’s voice has a certain implication, and if what Tezcatlipoca is reading between the lines here is accurate… Man, they’re both going to shoot each other again once this wears off out of embarrassment, frustration, or both.
So, before Silco can change his mind after that charming comment, he takes the flask. Silco might expect him to chug it with his temperament (and his reputation that he’s unaware of), but he just takes a simple sip. ]
…At least your taste is still the same. Sucks. [ (fond) ]
[ He passes it back to Silco with a frown and a roll of his eyes. ]
Yeah, yeah, keep lecturing me and I might change my mind. You usually know better than to lecture a god.
no subject
Normally, would he care? Not at all. right now? He gives him a look as if to say that this whole proposition is ludicrous and Dangerous on top of that. ]
Oh yes, delusions of grandeur too. [ He reaches out for his flask of shitty whiskey, thank you very much. If you hate it, then give it back. ]
I know your parents were foolish for giving you such a grandiose name, but perhaps they could have instilled in you a sense of humility along with that for good measure?
[ no... ]
I'm looking forward to things going back to normal, so I won't have to listen to the lot of you going through these crises.
[ yeah..... it'll be them that get fixed. sure. ]
no subject
You’re gonna eat those words, man. When you realize you’ve been all kissy with Verg especially, don’t come cryin’ to me.
[ At least in this case that’s truly not his fault or even his influence, but he’s sure that Silco can twist it somehow… ]
So, what. Is Daybit your kid or something?
no subject
Yes, I'm sure I will be very upset to learn that I've been spending time with Vergilius. [ that's literally a normal thing. ] You would think with the way half of you are acting, that we haven't been dating for nearly a year.
[ because you haven't, you idiot. It's much weirder and worse than that. ]
[ He sighs, though, as if put upon that he has to explain something like this to Tezca of all people. ]
I knew Daybit's father, so when he passed... I took him in. It was the least I could do.
no subject
But as Silco answers his question, he quickly becomes serious. He stares at Silco like he’s just said something offensive, and he’s much more serious. ]
You didn’t know him. You might think you did, but that’s not possible.
[ There’s a weight in his words that’s almost cold, because this is one of those rare things where the fact that Tezcatlipoca is a god subtly shines through. Daybit’s father is an impossibility, after all. Even a god like him wasn’t able to see across time to peek at just what had happened. That man was simply erased from existence. No body, no soul, just a lingering shadow that no one can even name. ]
…But I guess that’s the story that would get cooked up. Sheesh.
[ Tezcatlipoca relaxes again with a grumble as he lays back in his cot. He’s at least not keen to do anything about this, though he’s getting restless from being stuck in one place. It seems like he might just leave Silco alone and ignore him, since he closes his eyes, but he’s just thinking it over. After a long pause, he decides to just ask. ]
Are you happy?
no subject
Isn't it?
[ He questions his words, but there's an...eerie energy to the way he expresses it, something about the way he says it that leaves him feeling unsettled. Tezcatlipoca was just a drunkard and a bartender, familiar. But there's...
Weight to his words. Like there's something serious he doesn't quite understand. It worms under his skin, the words. Makes him want to examine them further.
Silco will remember this. ]
Cooked up. [ He scoffs. ]
[ But he asks a question that gives him pause. His single eyebrow draws down, as if questioning what kind of question that is. ]
Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?
[ This, this is the real core of the difference between Silco then and Silco now. Could he... conceive of it? Could he admit it, even if he were? Silco would find something to be dissatisfied with. His greed was a hungry thing, consuming everything. Even when he had more than he could have ever thought to grasp, he doesn't know if he could even think to himself that he was... That. Happy.
Silco now, though, thinks it's the easiest, most obvious thing in the world. ]
no subject
Tezcatlipoca opens his eyes again to stare at Silco, and there’s that weight again. It’s like he’s looking past Silco’s eyes and right into his soul, and the effect is only intensified by the unnatural shade of his blue eyes. Maybe it causes a little more doubt that Tezcatlipoca might be telling the truth—or, more likely, that there’s actually much more to the reckless influencer that Silco “knows”.
It’s what he’d worried about, in his way. He’d expected that this was the difference of these constructed lives, and that’s complicated. Clearly, he’s gone on the side of conflict, since he’d raged against Daybit to draw it back out by force. But he also felt like it might have been something selfish.
Conflict is good overall. He has no doubts about that.
…But it still hurts people. ]
Because the you I know isn’t.
[ He says it simply. This might be something that Silco could be sour about later if he remembers all of this, but… Maybe there’s no better chance to put this to words in a way that Silco might listen to. ]
That you wouldn’t recognize a chance to be happy if it bit him in the ass.
no subject
Something.
He shifts, slightly. }
I think the me that you know sounds miserable.
[ Surely, SURELY this won't come back to bite him.
He doesn't like the sound of it, as it is. He has many things in his life, and yes, some failures. Powder's parents, leaving the bar and... everyone there just to come join LILITH. There were successes too, like Powder. Like the deals he was making. Like everything with — ]
Don't you think? Someone who doesn't recognize even taking a chance? [ A beat. ] Misery loves company, too. So are you the same as he is, then? This "me" you've concocted?
no subject
So, he doesn’t answer that. He allows the conversation to turn towards himself. ]
Nah. Misery is a human experience. Doesn’t work that way for me.
[ He says it so simply, like it’s something factual. Even if he were talking to his Silco, he imagines he wouldn’t get it. He’d just gloss past it, dismissing it as something about being a god. It’s not like Tezcatlipoca ever asks him to consider that point of view. ]
But I’m a god of death, since I imagine you don’t remember that. [ JERK!!! ] Makes ya naturally pessimistic, and that's shared for sure.
no subject
Close enough, I suppose.
Well, I'm surprised you keep me around, regardless, if I'm so miserable. I can't imagine anyone wanting to be around me, if I'm as miserable as you say.
[ A soft sigh, he shakes his head, reaching out for his flask. ]
People like that tend to burn up everything in their paths.
no subject
[ The “duh” in his tone is clear, and at least it softens that stern, unsettling look. It’s as quick as if it hadn’t happened at all, since he’s right back to his casual, obstinate self. ]
I could go into the metaphors about burning and how it’s good for things in the long run, all that shit, but it’s weird to even explain it. Like, you’re my acolyte because you get that. More or less.
[ He takes one more swig just to be petty, but then hands the flask back to Silco. ]
And you’re right. Most people don’t want to be around you. That’s why this is so weird. You’re so normal, and it sucks.
no subject
[ His arms crossed, he looks at him with a look that is thoroughly unimpressed. ]
Miserable and unliked, is it?
[ And probably what makes this worse is what he says next, his tone biting as he says it: ]
That sounds terribly lonely. [ Can he even imagine it? A life so unliked... would he have Powder or Vergilius, or any of the teenagers that seem to flock to him? What would he even do with his life? ]
no subject
[ Because he’s heaven! Duh! But as he clicks his tongue in irritation, he leans back to settle into his bed again. A little bit of liquor feels good in his stomach, since no one has let him smoke. He’ll have to take his vices where he can get them. ]
…But, yeah. That’s about right.
[ Silco is lonely. That’s obvious to him, even if Silco would deny it. Or rather, he probably would say something like how he doesn’t need people. Loneliness doesn’t apply to him as a result. Et cetera. So, Tezcatlipoca sighs. ]
Getting him—you—to even admit that he likes someone is like pullin’ teeth. Plenty of that loneliness is self-inflicted.
no subject
Why, he wonders? ]
Why would I... he do that? [ A twitch of his lips, and he spreads his hands. How very Silco of him. The mannerisms are still there, just... softer. ]
Since you seem to already know him well enough to make other calls about this supposed "version" of me.
no subject
Sure do. I’m practically his therapist!
[ He says it lightly, like he’s joking, but that’s mostly just so if Silco does remember all of this? He doesn’t dwell on that comment. He can take it as a joke rather than the truth. ]
…Same reason as anyone though, yeah? Not that hard to guess. [ He shrugs ] He got hurt, so that’s his way to protect himself.
no subject
[ Even this kinder, softer version of Silco finds that hard to believe. ]
Hardly effective then, aren't you? If he's as miserable as you say.
[ Isn't therapy supposed to... work?
Then again, this version of Silco isn't aware that the man has made progress. Miracle of miracles. Tezca deserves a raise is what he deserves. ]
How did it happen? Getting hurt? [ Why is he even asking? He doesn't believe him, but maybe there's something to this delusion that Tezcatlipoca is living. Maybe there's a kernel of truth to examine here. Pull it out, and look at it.
Or maybe he's just a fool. Who knew? ]
I mean, I got hurt too. [ he tapped his eye. ] And I'm not... quite such a mess.