IC INBOX ( KENOS ).

[redsoil]

█ To Commune with Set is to stand barefoot in an endless, scorching desert. The sun illuminates all, scalding the shadows themselves out from underneath whomever enters his dominion; the arch of gentle, distant, waves of sand mask the precarious chasms, towering dunes akin to mountains. The sense of vastness, timelessness, is of particular notice, lending itself to the alien, eldritch quality of his mind. There is a dark storm in the distance, and you know intimately that this divine being is far from benign. You cannot bargain with a force of nature. You can only survive it. COMPATIBLE WITH: Exalt, Iconoclast REPELLED BY: Advocate

♠

Comments

[wolfish]

[ It's a peculiar thing, to feel like some small shadow in the presence of something vast. Is it owed to what Set is, a deity of some distant world? Or perhaps it's ego. He's hardly the sort to know exactly what he ought to call it, but as he's here on business, he easily shelves the thought. ]

In particular, I'd like to know whether you've heard anything about a gang in Kowloon that's fallen on hard times. Liem called them the Jade Crows.

[ There's something akin to curiosity there, of the decidedly professional sort. Yuri knows gangs well enough, familiarity accompanies the word itself, but he says nothing of why. The attachment is effectively held back.

By now, Yuri suspects Set prefers it that way, a little puzzle to toy with at his leisure. ]

If not, perhaps you'd direct me to someone familiar with them.

[redsoil]

[ If there is one thing Set likes, it's curiosity. If there is a second thing he likes, it's action in respect to that curiosity. ]

Aziza Leandre once lead it, but she is dead now. Nobody knows how she died, only that someone likely had her removed. As she was allied with Meridian, it must be safe to assume that her death allowed for Zenith to gain power in Kowloon. Unchecked.

[ While he wears the mask, eyes obscured as he manifests before Yuri, his posture is professional; straight-backed, fingers laced across his lap with one leg crossed over the other. His mouth severe below the dark line of his divine helm as he reports to Yuri what information he knows. Some of it obvious, some of it pointed commentary. Conclusions drawn. What he won't tell Yuri, at this time, is about his own alliances in Kowloon. ]

The Jade Crows' business was vice. Drugs, gambling dens and casinos, [ 8) ] genetic splicing. Their main rival was the Unseen — who are allied with Zenith. If you want more information, or perhaps a place to begin... I would recommend getting your hands on Gregór. Silco's retainer. Bartenders tend to know things, after all.

[wolfish]

So they were friendly with Meridian... Good to know.

[ Where Set manifests for himself an image, Yuri is not so accustomed to projecting himself. He remains little more than a dark figure in the desert of Set's mindspace, an impossible shadow in the glare of the sun. Maybe he prefers it that way, maybe he's simply too focused on compartmentalization to spare the effort.

The results are the same either way. ]

But Silco's man, huh? That ought to go well.

[ Silco's name sparks recognition and mild distate, like spotting a roach skittering around one's home in the slums. A reality which cannot be helped, but is unpleasant nonetheless. Despite himself, he recalls the foul odor of the smoke Silco had blown in his face, momentary as it was.

Well, a lead is a lead. His practicality chases the rest away. ]

I'll see what I can do.

[redsoil]

[ Opposed to Yuri, Silco's existence is a thing that Set is fond of. He is a wretched man, but one that he is close to; a hard-earned bond, forged through hard work and sheer tenacity. And the fact that the two of them were very, very similar in so many ways. He doesn't want Silco targeted, really. If it happens, it happens, the same as any fate that occurs in the struggle between Meridian and Zenith — but, not because Set was made to work at any pace other than his own against him. ]

Any retainer is a prime target, to be fair. It'd be easier to get a hand on Gregór, moreso than Silco himself or — haha, Sebastian Michaelis. That is to say, it will not be easy at all. Why? What are you and Liem planning, hm? Going to finally do something about Kowloon now that it is too late?

[ If he sneers the words, it's only because he's JUDGEMENTAL towards his allies.

They're not very proactive, he's found. The only blessing is that Zenith isn't really that proactive either, not en masse, at least! ]

[wolfish]

[ Sebastian's name goes without comment, yet Yuri can't entirely smother recognition there either. Yet it's something secondhand, owed to his association with a certain warrior. He remembers well the torture that Hayame had cautiously described, the eye she never wanted and kept concealed for fear of how it might be wielded against them.

Yuri's not so foolish as to pursue a demon alone, knowing nothing of what he may be capable of beyond charm and apparently ocular surgery. ]

It doesn't matter all that much what we plan unless it gets results, right?

[ The jeering doesn't concern him, for all that these maneuvers assuredly began well before his time. All he can do now is play the hand that he's been dealt and leverage his experience as best he can. Perhaps it will be enough. Perhaps he'll join the growing contingent of those who have died at least once. Only time will tell. ]

But I never do play if there isn't any hope of winning.

[ It's neither naivete nor bravado, but a simple assertion of personal policy. The words carry with them a certain resolve, if not a measure of dramatic flair. Yuri holds no illusions that the path head will be easy, nor that they will better their standing swiftly, but nothing will change if he doesn't act. ]

[redsoil]

Mm, I would agree with that. Only, I feel that the "results" you seek and the "results" I would accept are entirely different. And I aim to win, always.

[ So, to Set, the planning does matter. Because it will inform him how far Yuri is willing to go to accomplish his results, and what he can expect from him. What he can respect and appreciate is the man's desire to move now, to do something and apply himself to a task. Kowloon has been on the periphery of his own attentions, and more than that, a place he's managed to keep himself a part of through his allegiances and alliances.

He laces his fingers together again, regarding the young man — pretty face, sharp mind — with newfound appreciation. Not that he ever disliked Yuri. It's just that now, he's enjoying seeing him on the prowl. And then he leans in, swift and flowing like sands on the wind. ]

Would you pass Liem along a message from me? It could be pertinent to your investigations — tell him: "You may use my private booth at your discretion". He'll know what I mean.

[ Yuri will know, too. Set keeps a Cornerstone in one of the businesses of the Last Dance, which sits on the edge of Kowloon and might be a good access point for his Meridian allies as they continue their work. ]

Oh, and the man who broke from Meridian — Yura Szczepański? Do not act too rashly regarding his role in things. He seems but a pawn, in the end. Let me know if you need anything else, too. Specific questions get specific answers, and I am pleased to offer my wisdom to my allies.

[wolfish]

Everyone's got their priorities, so I wouldn't be surprised.

[ Yuri has to imagine a deity would have a drastically different perspective on all of this than he would, to say nothing of the reality that they all have their own agendas. That Set is willing fo provide information is something he'll not forget, knowing from experience the value and weight of good intel.

How he'll repay that favor is something he has yet to determine, but his busy mind is already working away. Then again, it always is, tirelessly moving in the steady, ordered march of clockwork. Yuri likes it that way, preferring practicality and logic whenever possible — but that isn't always so.

The shadow he casts in Set's desert shifts its weight, little more than an idle movement as he deliberates. Should he ask more, at present...? And how much should he divulge? Perhaps Liem would be better equipped to determine that. ]

I'll relay the message — and what you said of Yura. A fellow named Ryouma has something of an interest in that side of this business, and I wouldn't be surprised at all if he pays you a little visit himself.

[ His shadowed figure taps its temple. It's Yuri's way of referencing Communion. Ryouma might well try to locate Set himself for a proper sit-down, seeing as he does prefer that way of things... But that's between Ryouma and Set. ]

I think I've got enough to start on, but I do wonder what you'll be expecting in exchange for your assistance. Nothing's free, right?

[redsoil]

And Yuri — I do not know you well, but you seem someone with a good heart. I only want to warn you about Kowloon... it is not a place where people with good hearts can find easy purchase or acceptance. If you want to stop what is happening sooner, rather than prolong it, you might wish to consider taking harsher action to expedite your results. They do not want to be saved or fixed or made into better people. Power is what they like most.

[ The war god is basically saying "you might want to attack Kowloon outright, if you don't want to drag this all out", but as always, Set's calm tone is a recommendation. Based on his wisdom, and experience, he knows that Kenos is on a time crunch — three Oracles down in a year, and three to go. There may not be enough time to reach particular results, but control could potentially be imposed once more. It'd be his method! ]

More than that, I believe there is one more piece of information you might want to invest in exploring. Delegate the task to another Meridian if need be, but since you are heading for Kowloon... during the Iconoclast Oracle's events, I and Silco and Sebastian broke into a warehouse in Springstar. The one where you see the unique smoke rising from. We found a machine that sits in that warehouse, which extends into the Below.

[ He laconically reiterates his findings to Yuri, and then chances a brief, coy smile. ]

Maybe focus on finding that, before Zenith does.

[wolfish]

[ A funny little thing happens when Set suggests that Yuri has a good heart. It's doubt that runs through their Communion, a more assertive presence than any other emotion he's let slip between them previously. Despite Yuri's concerted efforts at control, at presenting only what he wants others to see even in this oddly intimate communication, this impression of himself runs too deep and strong to deny.

But then, Yuri hails from a deeply chivalric culture. It would be impossible for him, having done the things he has to survive, to ever live up to standards he imposes on himself alone. ]

I don't know how good I am, but I take your point. The trouble is we don't have real power here, and Silco does... But the people disadvantaged by his status might be compelled by that, along with the right incentives.

[ It would be rather like Abyss, if only in that one way. He did encourage his men to go straight when their interests and pursuits led them there. Some wanted a different life, having never had the luxury of choice, yearning for the sun. Others were content to remain below.

Yuri...is the former. He yearns to walk an upright path, even when he doubts himself deserving. But he is a patient man, if nothing else. ]

Back where I'm from, the people I lead are largely of the criminal persuasion. I'm one myself, for that matter. You do what it takes to survive when you've got nothing. If they prefer where they are, it's not my place to change that... I'll see what I can learn about their goals and needs before I try charming anyone with promises they don't care about.

[ Truthfully, Yuri had never intended to become the leader of Abyss. It was something that had happened and was supported by its people and the Church, because he had connections with both. He could work out securing resources and addressing the needs of those below by leveraging the confidence of those above. Could he do similar, with Liem's help? Perhaps. He thinks to start with what is familiar, if he can. ]

...Zenith really has been busy, haven't they? [ He sighs, the magnitude of what they must try to unravel only mounting further in his mind. Doubtless, it will continue to do just that. ] Liem's intention is to work topside and try to arrange some of those incentives I mentioned — I trust he'll know best how to handle that warehouse, seeing as he's in good with the local authority. He's got seniority, besides.

[ Yes, the man who laughed at the notion of Set being a deity actually does respect that sort of thing... At least when he likes someone. ]