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IC INBOX ( KENOS ).
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█ 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. |
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I believe it would be more apt to say that my decision was aided by the efforts of my peers.
( an overly-polite way to admit that he had been corrupted, though he continues to append: )
That having been said, I believe they were correct in doing so, not only because of my personal affinity to Zenith but also because I benefited from aid in crossing a threshold I might have been too apprehensive to commit to on my own.
( it's hard to tell with makoto, as shielded as he constantly efforts to make himself, his words, and his intentions, but he is truthful in this moment. he is, however, presently under the sway of some small amount of brainwashing in that regard, so whether this self-assuredness would continue... time would only tell.
but he had still been afraid of Harmonization, concerned that it would only open him up to spiritual injury like that which he had faced in horos — that which had resulted in his shard being cracked clear down the middle, precariously sealed in a way he still worries might prove susceptible in the future. )
My heart is both overjoyed and honored to receive this acceptance, and not to mention relieved to find you so sporting in this turn of events with regards to the Oracle.
( not that he had expected otherwise, given their conversation, but it was so easy to say such things — to have them come to pass is quite another matter.
though as he continues in regards to how he might dress... there is a pause, and then makoto gives the rare impression of an emotional response: amusement, soft and wispy and ephemeral as incense or smoke. )
Master Set, do I lie and say that there is, all so that I have the rare and remarkable opportunity to dictate your wardrobe?
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[ There is no snide tone he takes, nor a sneer that curls at his tone; it strikes a spark, regardless. A knowing sort of sigh, the cavernous reverberation of a question: did he really know, was that what he saw in Makoto? All the same, Set coils throughout their joined minds and seems not at all bothered by the fact that Makoto had joined himself to Zenith. It means another competitor, another individual to assess for rewards and risks; he can begin that right now, with this polite invitation! ]
Of course, of course. Zenith put their best foot forward, twice over!
[ He's such a good sport, really! Though, it doesn't mean he's going to be resting on his laurels. The waft of soft smoke, however — it tickles along the seams of his mind. ]
— you know, I believe in spectacle. [ A mask, one that he dons easily.
Set is an ambush predator, one that pretends to be as flashy as a brilliantly-colored creature with a raucous cry. ] How could you fail to entice me by offering such a thing? To show up to a Zenite-strong affair, dressed by one of their newcomers and upon his arm? Were I to pass up, I might as well return to the Tree from whence I was brought!
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through their Communion, makoto gives the impression of a laugh; it rings as a bell without sound. )
Do you, now?
( he's being tongue-in-cheek, considering how much drama, gravity, and bombast he has seen set conduct himself with thus far, and theirs has been a relatively short acquaintanceship. still, there's a sort of smug, cat-who-ate-the-canary sensation which emanates from the demon. he is never so eager to reveal much of himself to anyone, even if it's someone he is entreating company from, so he will keep it to himself that he's excited by the whole prospect. let's just say having personal agency over the bodies and appearances of others is a vested interest of his... )
Leave it to me, then.
( considering how he usually dresses, makoto can't help but wonder if set would end up regretting this (his version of Hell certainly had its own very specific fashion sensibilities, and for better or worse they have impressed themselves upon him in turn), but, nonetheless... )
Allow me some time to gather what I would need. Once it has been assembled, how is it best that I meet you, and where?
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It allows him to work unimpeded in other ways. ]
I am in your hands for the night.
[ Like Makoto, Set has particular ways of viewing his body — of how he uses it, rewards people with it, entices or repels others with it. He has been denigrated down to his most basic uses in so many ways, and now relies upon it as a tool, a method, something he lacks rights to at times. If it furthers his goal, he might as well use it. The worst has already happened, anyways. ]
Come to the Last Dance. It is a small venue just outside of Kowloon, before the city-proper but far enough from Springstar to enjoy the neutrality. There is an alley-tavern there, called the Seven Black Oaths. I have a booth there, all to myself, that I inhabit more often than any other place save the Coliseum!
communion ▶ action
he is passive and receptive in letting set dictate their meeting place; though he has visited kowloon several times, the place is a winding and labyrinthine maze of subterranean tunnels, and he's not necessarily confident that he would be able to navigate to the place that set describes without error or incident. so after a pensive moment his reflective presence presses closer in Communion, metaphysically reaching out as if extending hands into set's own thoughts, searching for that which he might be able to give without words that would help him find it: a mental map, images of nearby landmarks, the knowledge of the path that he most often takes when finding his way to this place.
if he does offer this information, makoto wordlessly radiates gratitude; his psychic presence retreats with something like a lingering touch. )
Give me three hours, and I will meet you there.
( and he does just that. three hours exactly after parting Communion with set with this message (if not a little earlier), he approaches the booth which had been indicated, dressed in an elaborate way (with his head still attached, mind) that makes him rather conspicuous on these kowloon backstreets, though perhaps not so much so here in the Last Dance as he might have been elsewhere. he carries with him a bag over one arm and a garment box tucked under the other, though this doesn't stop him from marking this moment of their reunion with a smart and well-practiced bow. )
Set, good evening. ( he straightens up to regard his companion with a lidded gaze and a feline smile; the young demon himself typically augments his appearance with precious little make-up or none at all, though tonight he has accented the eeriness of his eyes with sharp liner. his hair is drawn up in an elevated imitation of its usual style, looser and fastened with an extravagant length of ribbon and a piece of jewelry that matches his ensemble. ) I'm almost ashamed to admit that I haven't had the pleasure of exploring this part of Kowloon before now! What a fascinating place. ( his smile widens a notch. ) I believe it becomes you well.
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When the wordless request arrives, he directs Makoto to the most open path that is possible to take — the one with the least amount of turns, corners to disappear behind, and the long alleys which will leave him fully on display as he walks through the Last Dance's sprawling alleyway communities and patrons. Not because he seeks to humiliate the young demon, but because he also maintains the neutrality of a location that ultimately is a neutral setting, rife with citizens from both Springstar and Highstorm, and many a Shardbearer as well.
Handing him all the secret connections and dark corners to slide unseen in? Nobody will ever receive such information from another, they will earn it with their own patronage and presence, if they so desire it. The dark, smoky-laden den that Set prefers to spend his time in is draped in dark veils, starry metals sparkling in the dim firelight cast by bronze lantern — the Seven Black Oaths is a lounge that serves as waypoint for secrets, occultic allure and heady, mind-numbing hookah smoke.
And Set, lounging resplendent and barely-clothed as ever ( except, that by his culture's standards — he is! ), awaits his fellow and the surprises that are in store for him. ]
Oh, you come with more than I expected — ! M, what is all this?
[ He presses his hands together in a resounding clap, eyes brightening as he leans forward out of the comfortable sprawl he'd been in. ]
The whole of the alleys are the Last Dance, artist and erudite alike love to come here and comingle their passions to create all sorts of alluring features and showings. Nothing has much permanence, save for a handful of old haunts — like this one! I believe most individuals with restrained mien and secrets come to love it for what it offers them. A grand place to sit back, observe and become anonymous. I could speak for hours on it! Come sit, tell me all about what you have planned!
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perhaps if J hadn't thrown him into datenshou's brothel, that might have been different. but Hell is no easy place to survive, and he had decided it a suitable enough crucible to forge his ward into something that could weather it. now, makoto understands his master's decision, even if he still loathes him for it.
if makoto will spend some of his free time in these shadowed, smokey corridors, better learning the landscape and those that frequent it, then that's all to be considered in future. for now, he joins set, setting what he had brought along with him down nearby. )
You'll see soon enough, ( he replies with a feline grin. )
Later, then. I'd love to hear you recount some of the more interesting curiosities you've seen here. ( as for what he's brought... patience, set, patience. ) Before I show you, I wanted to explain to you more about the Hell I come from. For context, you see, so that you might better understand my perspective. Now, my version of Hell is but one of many, ( he's already discussed similarities and differences with sebastian, and he's certain any other demon might claim theirs unique from the two they hailed from as well, ) but it has laws which I quickly had to learn to live by.
The first, and by far the most important, is that it's not physical strength or prowess that defines a powerful and highly-ranked demon. For one to be immaculate in their appearance and demeanor, to have others fear and respect their name, to be utterly unshakable in the face of those who might try to outwit or faze you... that is what defines the royalty of Hell. The perception of their power is their power.
( an image of J flickers through his mind, but he does what he can to dispel it, wanting to focus. )
Though these are little more than taxidermied laws here in Kenos, I thought tonight to offer you the chance to try your hand at learning and applying a different skill set. And you needn't worry about any mistakes, for I will be there with you, every step of the way.
( though this will be his first time in this position, having always been one on another's arm up until this point... how exciting. )