expiationlogs | August catch-all (open)

Entry tags:

arcane: silco

August catch-all (open)

Who: Emet-Selch and anyone!
Where: Aldrip and nearby outskirts
What:
- Emet-Selch attempts to do some actual work for once at the clinic, healing people's hurts (shock, horror).
- He takes the device he found around for walkies, finds other ~~hot new single~~ users in his area!
- Encounters a morbol in the wild and it tries to follow him home. Or take him home. Hard to tell with these smelly things.

Warnings: None, will update or list in comment headers if necessary

(Will match tag format, action brackets are fine)

1. The Ascian will see you now

Having returned from the desert, it's business as usual at the clinic. Emet-Selch doesn't really like working but he did make a deal with that young woman to put in the time here. Besides, the pay is going towards the weapon he is commissioning from a local blacksmith - one eager enough for the challenge of an unfamiliar weapon and understanding enough to accept payment in installations.

So the Ascian puts aside his ennui and dons the more agreeable veneer of Solus zos Galvus as he attends to those still recovering from the hurts of the past two months. Being one of the Chosen, he's usually also first to be called on to look at other Chosen who walk in.

a) Greeting walk-in patients:
The smile on his face almost resembles a smirk as he walks up to you. "And what trouble have you gotten yourself into, hmm?"

b) Interrupting him whilst he's busy:
He glances up, from whatever or whoever he's working on with a frown. "Do you need something?" he asks, tempering his impatience with effort.

2. Tindr? More like Findr

After putting out a request for help and cobbling together some semblance of a working device, Emet-Selch can be found trying to access some of its other features - to not so very great success. Having noticed that it seems to randomly react to something, he takes the thing outside and tries to locate the source.

Which is how he comes across someone else with another device.

Emet-Selch looks at you, looks at the device in his hands. Frowns.

"Why is this reacting to you?" he asks irritably.

3. Friends Forevermor-bol

Further afield, outside of town - or even perhaps closer to the forest's edge - Emet-Selch has come across a familiar creature.

Or perhaps, rather, it finds him.

The creature in question is a towering mass of thick, vine-like tentacles and a gaping, putrid maw. Like an upright land octopus that is at least as tall as a man. Emet-Selch, surprised to come across something from his homestar, is too stunned to move before the seedkin notices him and starts to undulate over.

"No," he says emphatically, jabbing a finger at it. "Stay."

As if this creature can be trained like a dog. He remembers that gift sent by one of the provinces and how it terrorised the imperial gardens before somehow escaping out into the snowy tundra. Morbols and their ilk simply do as they please.

--and this one attempts to reach out and grab him.

He vanishes into a rift, materialising a distance away. But the morbol advances relentlessly, vines reaching for him.

"Of all the creatures to make their way here from our star, why this one?!"

4. Wildcard

For closed threads or custom scenarios etc., feel free to hit me up on the CR meme to plot.

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"Unfortunately, the plant that is it derived from doesn't appear to be here that I have been able to locate." Of course, his exploration had been limited given his healing injuries and the fact the forest had been full of carnivorous plants. "If you have advice to offer, I would appreciate a doctor's expertise."

He walked to the consultation room that had been gestured to, looking around before turning to face the intake doctor. It was a shame that Singed hadn't made it here yet, but perhaps a profitable arrangement could be cultivated here at some point.

He reached into the hidden left breast pocket and produced a small ampule of glowing shimmery purple liquid. It was only about half a milliliter, nothing he didn't consider worth losing if he could potentially get his hands on a synthetic version.

"This is medicinal Shimmer from my city. So far, it has prevented half of my face melting off, so I would appreciate recommendations on that front."

"Has it now?"

There was just the slightest tone of surprise from him. He had never heard of an ingested solution which could halt the effect of what, to him, looked like acid burns. He took the proffered vial and held up to the light from the window. Although the quantity was minuscule, it had a fascinating pink glow.

He wished that his Sight could assess it as it could anything from his star. Unfortunately, this liquid defied his scrutiny.

"Can you tell me anything about the plant this derives from or any of the specific properties of this medicine?"

"Indeed."

He was not willing to yet part with the information that he injected that particular concoction of Shimmer directly into his mutilated eye. That would come with time and if it seemed that this man could actually contribute to the recreation of Shimmer.

"It is a purple flower that grows in the caves and mines of my city. The air and soil is toxic, though the research into the plant showed medicinal properties, but it was also addictive at higher concentrations."

"A form of narcotic then," he muses. "As most 'miracle' cures tend to be. Hah." So many, many drugs toe the line between life-saving and life-destroying.

He holds the ampoule out for the man to take back before taking a seat. He gestures for Silco to sit as well as he ducks down to find some paper to write on.

"Would you like the short version of my thoughts or the longer?"

"It has those properties, yes. However, depending on the variant, the benefits far outweigh the hinderances." It had saved Jinx's life and for that he would be forever in debt of Shimmer. It was why he was determined to get his hands on more as an insurance policy.

He took the offered seat, leaning forward so he could rest his elbows on his parted knees and regarded the other man with his full attention. Nothing would be this easy; he would have to find the flower to have any hope of reproducing the work Singed had spent decades on.

"The longer version would be far more worthwhile for the both of us, I imagine."

"Very well."

He takes a moment to compose his thoughts. The sheet of paper he had taken out momentarily forgotten.

"While I do not know of any narcotic which would reproduce the effect you claim it has on yourself, I could theoretically recreate the flower the substance is derived from. However," and here he raises a cautionary finger, "I would need every minute detail about it, from the approximate composition of the soil it grows in to its method of reproduction, even any incidental aspects of it that you may deem 'useless' to its medicinal function in your star's biome. Perhaps you think it excessive. Perhaps you may be right. Unfortunately I will not know until I attempt to make it but I believe in being thorough."

He interlaces his fingers now, leaning on the desk. "Alternatively, we simply find or make a substitute for your 'Shimmer', which is the less certain but much easier solution. I am not much of a scientist but I am a healer. I'm sure a man of my ability could at least find a way to mitigate your affliction."

Silco admired the confidence and the level of detail. He happened to enjoy working with organized people despite the absolute chaos of the city that he happened to live in normally.

He laced his fingers together as he contemplated the two options, taking his time to work through both scenarios mentally. Both sounded extremely time consuming, and if this man was half as skilled as confident, it also meant expensive. No one did anything for free, and this was a big ask, healer or no. His resources were currently limited, but he also wasn't one who would squander an opportunity either.

"The first option would be better with a soil sample, which I can't provide at this present moment. The soil, the air, the very nutrients are polluted where I'm from, but I've been told the mutation that created these flowers is rare but persistent." He set his shoulders a bit more as he gazed over at the healer. "My affliction has eaten too deep at this point." He brushed fingers across his scarred cheek. "This is from the water of my world."

He finally sat up completely. "Your time, your efforts, and your expertise will come with a cost. What will that be?" In his experience, professional curiosity only stretched so far.

Indeed, a direct sample of the soil would make matters much easier. Emet-Selch is not so naive to expect such a windfall though. The art of Creation is notoriously fickle but he can already think of other methods which may yield results. Working his own magicks through this man's memory is one possibility which immediately comes to mind.

Still, such thoughts are moot without an agreement between them. The Ascian has no interest in wealth for its own sake, but what could this man offer that would make the time spent worthwhile...?

"Do you have any particular talents of your own which you could offer in return?" he asks. "Or perhaps even knowledge unique to your star - your world - which only you are privy to?"

There were inherent dangers dealing with anyone, but he would require making sacrifices for the sake of his own well-being and allies to explore this place. He had no doubt that all of them had their own long and sordid motivations, and it was a matter of finding a few that where aimed in the same direction.

An agreement would be telling to their ability to work with each other, and it would also provide an indication of what the other valued.

"I'm an industrialist," he stated simply. "I build and run enterprises for the benefit of those loyalty." He specifically didn't use the word employed. "I have plenty of knowledge, but its uniqueness is likely up for debate."

"Oh?" At this, Emet-Selch couldn't help but smirk. "It seems we may share a common interest. I have spent much of my life building empires, you see.

"How about this: I shall merely charge you my usual hourly fee as a healer here as financial recompense, and as we collaborate on your medicine, I would hear of your various trials and tribulations as a leader. There is much to learn from another man's experience after all."

It may be that they cannot offer him any new insights into the nature of men. However, the possibility of learning something new is not zero. Who knows? It may come in handy when he returns to his own star.

Silco raised the only eyebrow that he possessed and watched the 'healer' with a subdued curiosity. "Is that so? How many empires have you accomplished in your time?"

That was more interesting than the reproduction of Shimmer. He needed enough to ween Jinx through the withdrawal symptoms and for his own uses, which would be small in comparison. A tale of empires was just as important, even if he could already see the threat on the horizon of them. A dance with the devil at this stage would be worthwhile.

"Careful, such a proposition almost sounds like it could bud into a friendship," he murmured softly. And by friendship, he meant they would know details of each other to weaponize if it came to a struggle for political capital here. "After all, your own experience likely bears consideration. Your confidence reminds me of someone."

He waved a dismissive hand. "A few. All quite successful, I might add." At least until he deliberately brought them down. All part of the greater plan.

"I'm not concerned about friendship. I have no friends and need none." Just a lie he likes to tell himself. If anything, he would rather pull strings from the background and let others take the glory - or the fall - for themselves. "Why the concern? Were you friends with the one I remind you of?"

"From my experience, most can't claim to multiple empires in their lifetime," he replied mildly deadpan. Such a wild claim and then being completely dismissive about the whole affair. It was almost a breath of fresh air given the leadership attempts that he normally dealt with.

And to now be a 'lowly' healer in this backwater village.

"On that, we are agreed then," he remarked. Silco had no interest in friendship; however, he had been playing the game long enough to know the illusion was often necessary to build alliances. It was good to know that they could both stab one another in the back and take no particular offense about it. "Not at all, but he earned an iota of my respect with his ballsy attitude. I still filched him for everything he could offer me." The corner of his lip tugged. "You seem wiser than to allow me that though. I expect that's experience on your side."

"What can I say? I've lived an...eventful life." He allowed himself a small smile. One couldn't feel hurt by betrayal if one was prepared for it at any moment. Emet-Selch had learnt that lesson the hard way many times before finally closing off his heart. That didn't mean he couldn't enjoy someone's company while it lasted however.

"As I said: I have no friends. Who or what would you use against me?" The smile grew wider but no more sincere. "I fully expect us to exploit one another's knowledge as we collaborate. 'Tis the nature of such deals. But I do hope we both walk away satisfied - you seem like a discerning fellow and I would hate to feel the need to take action to protect my own interests."

"So it would seem. You have been busy if even half of your claim is true." And he had no reason to believe there wasn't some truth to the matter of building empires. Everyone had their own way of going about things, but he wouldn't deny the opportunity to learn how others might raise their own empires. Never too old to learn. Or order a hit on someone.

"Everyone has their weakness and to think otherwise is the absolute of arrogance, and it will bring you low eventually." At least they could be agreed about the lack of friends. However, Silco had Jinx here, and he would do terrible things to this city and everyone in it should she come to harm. "Likewise. I'm not in a habit of getting my hands dirty directly these days, but for special cases, I will certainly do so."

What an interesting and terrible pair they were.

This time Silco received a quiet chuckle.

"I think we shall get along splendidly. If we are agreed on the terms then, I would ask what your flower looks like. I shall need a visual representation of some sort and, while it does not matter if it resembles the real thing, I'm sure you will enjoy that point of familiarity."

Hence his reason for bringing out this sheet of paper. Silco might just witness a small taste of this mage's creation magicks at work.

Edited 2023-09-23 16:29 (UTC)

"So it would seem." He had no doubt that this would be a mutually beneficial arrangement, but he wasn't under any illusion that they would likely try to to undermine one another. It likely would be a breath of fresh air given the other people he had met in this place.

He leaned back in his chair and closed his blue eye before he launched into a detailed description of the flower in question, though it was less about the flower and more its essence. If he could get his hands on one, he could reproduce the root system necessary.

Emet-Selch listened with, perhaps, surprising attentiveness as he sketched an approximation of the flower - surprising for those who knew him better anyway. He never really gave off the appearance that he cared about anything beyond his own concerns. For patients he mustered some semblance of care, but he was a healer not a nurse.

Whenever Silco was satisfied with his final drawing, Emet-Selch would lay the paper on the table between them and focus intently for a few seconds. Then, with a snap of his fingers, he brought the concept to life.

(It was a far more complicated procedure than that, involving the visualisation of texture, smell, as well as form and, most importantly, the removal of errant thoughts. But such was Emet-Selch's natural affinity for his native magicks that he made it seem effortless.)

On top of the paper now lay a single flower. It did not possess the properties that Silco desired of it at the moment; Emet-Selch first wanted to be sure that it was outwardly accurate.

"This is not the final product," he cautioned. "Does its appearance satisfy you?"

It was at least a completely faithful rendition of the sketch which had been made.

Silco was a man who enjoyed details, and with how long he and the Doctor had worked on Shimmer, he was intimately familiar with the appearance and the growing conditions. He knew the flower wouldn't survive here no matter how much they tried. the Undercity had special veins of minerals and toxins that weaved through the stones and soil.

He leaned forward where he was seated and examined the flower that was brought to life, and it was an exact replica of what he was familiar with. It was clearly preliminary, but it was familiar and that's what was important.

"It is acceptable, yes. It's very reminiscent of what I'm used to."

He was more interested in the process than the product at this point. What else could this so-called conqueror produce?

"Good."

Satisfied, Emet-Selch snapped his fingers and the flower vanished, its aether reabsorbed into his person. The simplest part was done. It would take longer to refine any useful properties from it.

Oddly enough, the Ascian found himself looking forward to the process. It had been a very long time since he had engaged in the process of Creation.

"I think we can leave it there for today. We're both busy men, yes? We can arrange a regular time for consultation over your flower. I imagine you need time to acquire the equipment needed to refine it as well."

It was a fascinating procedure to watch come and then be dismissed just as readily. He leaned back in his chair and tapped his fingers on the arm of the chair as he pondered this new power that he had witnessed. Magic was always one of those subjects that was whispers in the dark.

If this could be done, and if he could find the right kind of environment for the flower and more importantly the root system and all the associations with it, he could get his hands on Shimmer. It wouldn't have the same value here, but he had a daughter that was going to require it for more sessions than he had. Plus, it was unclear the violence of this place, and a healing enhancement might be necessary.

"It does seem like we have a basis for continuing to work together, yes. I will ponder how to best assist you in this as well."

He rose from his chair, aware that this man had other duties to attend to. It was best if this business arrangement was kept quiet for the time being.

He stands as well, satisfied. Truth be told, he may be looking forward to future meetings. It's been a long, long time since he created something new. "What name shall I call you then? I am Emet-Selch."

"My friends and enemies call me Silco," he said simply as he tugged his coat into order and smoothing down his lapels with his hands. "We will converse again soon, Emet-Selch."

With that, he simply walked out. His business had been attended to far better than he would have expected.

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August catch-all (open)

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sorry for the wait!! new xiv patch etc

how dare u enjoy yourself! :)

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