[ Following his conversation with Set, Yuri wastes no time reaching out to his fellow Meridian Harbingers. Their work looms ahead of them, so he'll run with the momentum any small progress may give them. ]
So I had a chat with Set, and I've got a lead that may interest you. I'd follow up on it myself, but Silco's gotten a nice, close look at my pretty little face, which isn't ideal.
Set suggested questioning a fellow named Gregór for further information. Evidently he's a bartender, and Silco's retainer at that. I'd assume that he works at that business Liem spoke of... Sounds like it'd be right up your alley, yeah?
[ Obviously, Silco recognizing Yuri's mug would potentially be not only problematic but give them away. To that end... ]
He also shared a couple of tidbits I suspect you can make use of.
There's the rub. Back home, I'd have plenty of methods, but here...
[ The words are punctuated by the mental impression of a shrug. Yuri has nothing he'd spent years building, and he suspects his usual approach wouldn't avail him even if his face wasn't known. ]
So, he asserted the opinion that Yura is being treated as a pawn and asked that we not deal with him too harshly. That sounded in-line with your views of the situation, and Ryad's more your department than mine. As for Silco's business, Set said he's in league with a demon named Sebastian. I've not met him, but I know him to be dangerous and capable.
[ Yuri suspects that Ryouma would see through the charming front on his own, but the demon working with Silco is a complication of its own kind. ]
Right. Well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
[ he's not one to worry over much about this sort of thing, especially before he's had a chance to investigate for himself. ]
That's definitely good news for us, though, at least where Yura is concerned. If we can find a way to show him that no good will come of his present arrangement, it might work in our favour. Failing that, it'll still be easier than it would be if all this was coming from him.
The demon is more of a complication. I want to avoid dealing with him directly as much as possible, so the more we can accomplish before arousing his suspicions, the better. Seems like brushing up on my magic skills will come in handy with this in any case.
[ he's sure that Disguise Self spell will be useful. ]
I'm agreed with you there. Our one advantage right now is that our plans aren't known to Zenith, or anyone who might throw in with them, and I mean to keep it that way for as long as possible.
[ It means taking more calculated measures and minding who he tells what, but that's just another day ending in y for Yuri Leclerc. ]
Besides that, Sebastian has...methods I'd never abide, and wouldn't want to run afoul of.
[ Better that threat be known to Ryouma in advance. ]
...One other thing. Set mentioned something about an odd factory in Springstar with a warehouse down below. Not to run you around all over the place, but he gave me the impression we better not overlook it.
[ ryouma has never enjoyed secrecy because he's the sort of person who doesn't like assuming people can't be trusted right up front but understands very well the necessity of it. if anything, he's tightened up in that area with time and experience. ]
It would probably be wise to avoid any direct mention of Meridian where we can help it. They don't care about our war anyway. What will matter is whether or not we can prove that favouring us is better for business. Competitors crop up all the time, so our ties to Meridian won't be obvious right away. That should buy us some time before Silco and the demon decide we pose a threat.
[ he can only imagine what those methods might entail, considering they're dealing with a demon. ]
As for that factory business, I like running around all over! Plus, you know what they say: if you go looking for trouble, you're sure to find some. [ the impression of laughter here suggests he is not remotely sorry. ] I'll be sure to check it out. Maybe Liem will want a look, too, since it's directly attached to Springstar?
Did he say what exactly was odd about it? I can always ask him myself, but no point in repeating questions.
Unfortunately, most of our faces got broadcast to the public at large. I'm no slouch at disguises, and I can play with my voice easily enough, but recognition is possible. Maybe suggesting that we can broker benefits with the authorities topside would be a better propsition than mention of Meridian, now that you mention it.
[ Springstar's government has its ties to Meridian, sure, but Ryouma has a point. Keeping focus on business and how they can benefit those that Silco's ways aren't favoring is more advantageous than mentioning factions... And it might catch in fewer unfriendly ears for longer. ]
Evidently the factory spouts a distinctive sort of smoke, and there's an odd machine in the warehouse we'd best get at before Zenith does. I suspect you're right about Liem's interest.
[ He concentrates as best he can on what Set had recounted to him. As Harbingers, at least this recollection is easily shared between them. ]
I've got a little errand of my own in a place down there called The Crown, so perhaps we'll be lucky and what turns up will give us more leverage... But beyond that, I'll see what sort of things people say about that gang's former operations. Their leader apparently was pro-Meridian, so I expect some resentment — but more for the guys who broke them.
[ They have so many little irons in the fire, but then, they need to. ]
Edited (sorry min, my typos...) 2024-01-18 00:58 (UTC)
[ it's easy to forget about that because, admittedly, it hadn't happened to him. ]
Well, you got what I meant anyway — we want it to be about leveraging our connections to make better arrangements rather than trying to draw them to Meridian's side. I imagine Silco established himself before he started making moves that benefit Zenith. Let them think we're only in it for the business.
[ it's the main reason he's glad yuri will be handling the matter of the gang, too; it's enough to be attached to meridian without also being embroiled in the local politics. it doesn't exactly give you a lot of freedom to act. ]
That's definitely an ominous description. [ weird smoke-belching machines that the enemy definitely can't get their hands on? yeah. ] I'll make it a priority if he thinks it's important. We shouldn't push our luck that Zenith hasn't found a way in already.
[ considering they're scrambling now because that's what happened right under springstar's nose in kowloon, it wouldn't have surprised him. ]
I appreciate the leads! Good luck with your business at The Crown. Let me know if you need a hand with anything. I used to be busier than this and had to walk up and down half the country trying to coordinate people. This is nothing!
Well, you've got me beat on that front. I had myself a network back home, but I never had to walk quite so far as that. As for business... Silco's primary one seems to be drugs, and not competing directly with him would help us avoid his sights for longer. Choose the right gainful enterprise, get Springstar to willingly look the other way, and we might have a start.
[ It's good to know that Ryouma is accustomed to keeping busy, seeing as they're liable to have their hands full trying to both do damage control and find their footing. Yuri throws his thoughts out there because Ryouma has indicated they have similar experiences, and collaboration when they have more to go on would assuredly be beneficial.
First though, there's seeing what they can find. ]
But more on that later, yeah? I'll check back in with you once I've got some results. Hope all goes well with that factory... I can't imagine that Set would mention it if it wasn't important.
[ ryouma feels like this was mentioned elsewhere at some point, but he hadn't really given it any thought at the time. ]
I wouldn't be surprised if that's directly contributed to these attacks. That's an easy way to create a lot of desperate people.
[ their shared Aspect means he can do nothing to suppress the spike of righteous indignation that goes along with that thought, but it doesn't go any further than that; tackling a problem with anger from the start has never helped anyone. ]
In any case, yeah, I'm sure we'll figure something out. I'll check in with Set and let you know if anything changes. If you think of anyone else who might want to check the factory out, send them my way; it never hurts to have more backup.
[ Yuri couldn't miss that reaction if he tried, and he grasps it well. Exploiting others in that way is predatory in its own right, and it can grind people who were already at a low place in life even lower still.
And so there follows a ripple of understanding, the mental equivalent of a supportive hand on his shoulder. ]
There's a fellow named Claude who'd be a help on this, so I intend to give him a heads-up. He's from home, or some version of it, and I know him to be a capable man. I think you'd work well together.
[ Similar brands of idealism, he thinks, as another idealist himself. ]
[ The reality is, it's not difficult to figure out where Ryouma stays. A strange, large ship appearing out of no where? She may not have knowledge it's him from those details alone, but it takes no genius to figure out it's a shardbearer. Takes less of one to ask questions before finding it moored. Impressive, maybe by it's time standards but not to her own -
Not to a woman who's ideas of ships speed across light and sound through various galaxies. It's also like no ship she's ever seen, because why would she know what one in the ocean looks like? ]
[ She frowns at it for a long while and then calls out - as if by way of greeting, as if knowing he's somewhere nearby: ]
Oh that's great to hear! Considering everything that's been happening with the shadows and the after effects of war, I figured I would check up on some people.
[ flat on the other hand, does not seem to be joking at all, despite the light tone that he carries himself with. ]
Well, I hope that means you've been looking after yourself, too.
[ Ryouma knows plenty more people who would check on others before taking care of themselves. He's also one of them. ]
I was helping out with the clean-up around the city for a while. People are scared, and the Legionary has been overwhelmed since the attacks out of Ryad started, so they've needed all the help they can get.
[ It's strange finding himself in that role. He's always operated in the background and never takes credit for anything. He doesn't take to the idea of being revered by anyone very easily, but if being a Shard-bearer means he can bring comfort to people, he's willing to take advantage of it. ]
I've been eating twice a day and sleeping at least 20 hours a week!
[ a week. ]
It's been like that, hasn't it? I've been trying to help with healing others and it's been a lot of work. And then we had those messages from those two extremists...
[ hayame and silco, he means. he's not counting amos in this, hilariously enough. he has the opposite of beef with cyrus' assassin. ]
War is exhausting, is what I'm trying to say! I don't get what's the hype that people have about it.
Ah—... [ Wait. He can do math. ] That's a good start, but maybe you should try and get a bit more sleep.
[ Advice he will not follow himself, but that's one perk of being a Servant. It's not like he has to watch his mana reserves around here. ]
Aw, I wouldn't say Hayame is an extremist. [ Yes, he spent a long time trying to talk her out of shattering Shards as a solution to this war, but that's beside the point. ] She's a warrior from a time when there was a lot of fighting all over the country. Hayame is only doing what she feels she must.
[ The respect he has for Hayame is genuine, and he makes no effort to hide it, but Ryouma's ability to hold two conflicting points at once has always been a useful skill. ]
But, uh, believe me — I sympathise. In my time, that sort of warrior spirit occasionally came very close to blowing up a very tense situation that required a more delicate approach. In this case, I have to agree with her even if we'll have to disagree on whether or not to shatter our enemies. Conflict is never my first choice, but sometimes it's necessary to fight.
[ Between Matt's various blood-forged bonds and his intentions to normalize Zenith-Meridian relations as much as he can, he spends a decent amount of time in Old Springstar. Trying to listen and observe more than he talks. And it's no surprise, but a lot of the talk around town concerns Shard-Bearers.
Matt's not sure how welcome his concern will be, but he figures it's good to try. And so--tentatively, with a sense of polite knocking--he reaches out. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
communion
So I had a chat with Set, and I've got a lead that may interest you. I'd follow up on it myself, but Silco's gotten a nice, close look at my pretty little face, which isn't ideal.
no subject
no subject
[ Obviously, Silco recognizing Yuri's mug would potentially be not only problematic but give them away. To that end... ]
He also shared a couple of tidbits I suspect you can make use of.
no subject
[ despite having been in that position once, he knows this is going to take some very careful thought. ]
That'll be useful! What else have you got?
no subject
[ The words are punctuated by the mental impression of a shrug. Yuri has nothing he'd spent years building, and he suspects his usual approach wouldn't avail him even if his face wasn't known. ]
So, he asserted the opinion that Yura is being treated as a pawn and asked that we not deal with him too harshly. That sounded in-line with your views of the situation, and Ryad's more your department than mine. As for Silco's business, Set said he's in league with a demon named Sebastian. I've not met him, but I know him to be dangerous and capable.
[ Yuri suspects that Ryouma would see through the charming front on his own, but the demon working with Silco is a complication of its own kind. ]
no subject
[ he's not one to worry over much about this sort of thing, especially before he's had a chance to investigate for himself. ]
That's definitely good news for us, though, at least where Yura is concerned. If we can find a way to show him that no good will come of his present arrangement, it might work in our favour. Failing that, it'll still be easier than it would be if all this was coming from him.
The demon is more of a complication. I want to avoid dealing with him directly as much as possible, so the more we can accomplish before arousing his suspicions, the better. Seems like brushing up on my magic skills will come in handy with this in any case.
[ he's sure that Disguise Self spell will be useful. ]
no subject
[ It means taking more calculated measures and minding who he tells what, but that's just another day ending in y for Yuri Leclerc. ]
Besides that, Sebastian has...methods I'd never abide, and wouldn't want to run afoul of.
[ Better that threat be known to Ryouma in advance. ]
...One other thing. Set mentioned something about an odd factory in Springstar with a warehouse down below. Not to run you around all over the place, but he gave me the impression we better not overlook it.
no subject
It would probably be wise to avoid any direct mention of Meridian where we can help it. They don't care about our war anyway. What will matter is whether or not we can prove that favouring us is better for business. Competitors crop up all the time, so our ties to Meridian won't be obvious right away. That should buy us some time before Silco and the demon decide we pose a threat.
[ he can only imagine what those methods might entail, considering they're dealing with a demon. ]
As for that factory business, I like running around all over! Plus, you know what they say: if you go looking for trouble, you're sure to find some. [ the impression of laughter here suggests he is not remotely sorry. ] I'll be sure to check it out. Maybe Liem will want a look, too, since it's directly attached to Springstar?
Did he say what exactly was odd about it? I can always ask him myself, but no point in repeating questions.
no subject
[ Springstar's government has its ties to Meridian, sure, but Ryouma has a point. Keeping focus on business and how they can benefit those that Silco's ways aren't favoring is more advantageous than mentioning factions... And it might catch in fewer unfriendly ears for longer. ]
Evidently the factory spouts a distinctive sort of smoke, and there's an odd machine in the warehouse we'd best get at before Zenith does. I suspect you're right about Liem's interest.
[ He concentrates as best he can on what Set had recounted to him. As Harbingers, at least this recollection is easily shared between them. ]
I've got a little errand of my own in a place down there called The Crown, so perhaps we'll be lucky and what turns up will give us more leverage... But beyond that, I'll see what sort of things people say about that gang's former operations. Their leader apparently was pro-Meridian, so I expect some resentment — but more for the guys who broke them.
[ They have so many little irons in the fire, but then, they need to. ]
no subject
[ it's easy to forget about that because, admittedly, it hadn't happened to him. ]
Well, you got what I meant anyway — we want it to be about leveraging our connections to make better arrangements rather than trying to draw them to Meridian's side. I imagine Silco established himself before he started making moves that benefit Zenith. Let them think we're only in it for the business.
[ it's the main reason he's glad yuri will be handling the matter of the gang, too; it's enough to be attached to meridian without also being embroiled in the local politics. it doesn't exactly give you a lot of freedom to act. ]
That's definitely an ominous description. [ weird smoke-belching machines that the enemy definitely can't get their hands on? yeah. ] I'll make it a priority if he thinks it's important. We shouldn't push our luck that Zenith hasn't found a way in already.
[ considering they're scrambling now because that's what happened right under springstar's nose in kowloon, it wouldn't have surprised him. ]
I appreciate the leads! Good luck with your business at The Crown. Let me know if you need a hand with anything. I used to be busier than this and had to walk up and down half the country trying to coordinate people. This is nothing!
no subject
[ It's good to know that Ryouma is accustomed to keeping busy, seeing as they're liable to have their hands full trying to both do damage control and find their footing. Yuri throws his thoughts out there because Ryouma has indicated they have similar experiences, and collaboration when they have more to go on would assuredly be beneficial.
First though, there's seeing what they can find. ]
But more on that later, yeah? I'll check back in with you once I've got some results. Hope all goes well with that factory... I can't imagine that Set would mention it if it wasn't important.
no subject
[ ryouma feels like this was mentioned elsewhere at some point, but he hadn't really given it any thought at the time. ]
I wouldn't be surprised if that's directly contributed to these attacks. That's an easy way to create a lot of desperate people.
[ their shared Aspect means he can do nothing to suppress the spike of righteous indignation that goes along with that thought, but it doesn't go any further than that; tackling a problem with anger from the start has never helped anyone. ]
In any case, yeah, I'm sure we'll figure something out. I'll check in with Set and let you know if anything changes. If you think of anyone else who might want to check the factory out, send them my way; it never hurts to have more backup.
no subject
[ Yuri couldn't miss that reaction if he tried, and he grasps it well. Exploiting others in that way is predatory in its own right, and it can grind people who were already at a low place in life even lower still.
And so there follows a ripple of understanding, the mental equivalent of a supportive hand on his shoulder. ]
There's a fellow named Claude who'd be a help on this, so I intend to give him a heads-up. He's from home, or some version of it, and I know him to be a capable man. I think you'd work well together.
[ Similar brands of idealism, he thinks, as another idealist himself. ]
action!
Not to a woman who's ideas of ships speed across light and sound through various galaxies. It's also like no ship she's ever seen, because why would she know what one in the ocean looks like? ]
[ She frowns at it for a long while and then calls out - as if by way of greeting, as if knowing he's somewhere nearby: ]
You call this a ship?
communion
Hey, you're Ryouma, right? Can I bend your ear for a moment? --Figuratively speaking.
no subject
[ it's good to know he's not the only one who double-checks he has the right person. ]
What can I do for you?
communion
Mister Ryouma! Are you still alive?
no subject
[ Which is a little joke that feels more ominous with everything happening with souls and shadows lately. ]
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[ flat on the other hand, does not seem to be joking at all, despite the light tone that he carries himself with. ]
Busy doing what? Top secret stuff?
no subject
[ Ryouma knows plenty more people who would check on others before taking care of themselves.
He's also one of them.]I was helping out with the clean-up around the city for a while. People are scared, and the Legionary has been overwhelmed since the attacks out of Ryad started, so they've needed all the help they can get.
[ It's strange finding himself in that role. He's always operated in the background and never takes credit for anything. He doesn't take to the idea of being revered by anyone very easily, but if being a Shard-bearer means he can bring comfort to people, he's willing to take advantage of it. ]
no subject
[ a week. ]
It's been like that, hasn't it? I've been trying to help with healing others and it's been a lot of work. And then we had those messages from those two extremists...
[ hayame and silco, he means. he's not counting amos in this, hilariously enough. he has the opposite of beef with cyrus' assassin. ]
War is exhausting, is what I'm trying to say! I don't get what's the hype that people have about it.
NOT HERE?
no subject
no subject
[ Advice he will not follow himself, but that's one perk of being a Servant. It's not like he has to watch his mana reserves around here. ]
Aw, I wouldn't say Hayame is an extremist. [ Yes, he spent a long time trying to talk her out of shattering Shards as a solution to this war, but that's beside the point. ] She's a warrior from a time when there was a lot of fighting all over the country. Hayame is only doing what she feels she must.
[ The respect he has for Hayame is genuine, and he makes no effort to hide it, but Ryouma's ability to hold two conflicting points at once has always been a useful skill. ]
But, uh, believe me — I sympathise. In my time, that sort of warrior spirit occasionally came very close to blowing up a very tense situation that required a more delicate approach. In this case, I have to agree with her even if we'll have to disagree on whether or not to shatter our enemies. Conflict is never my first choice, but sometimes it's necessary to fight.
kneeslides into communion!!! (early erqu)
Matt's not sure how welcome his concern will be, but he figures it's good to try. And so--tentatively, with a sense of polite knocking--he reaches out. ]
Hey, uh, Ryouma.
It's Matt.