#astrxae

Continued from Here with @astrxae

A part of Silco wanted to sigh, and remind Irisa to rest. At the same time however she’d have to recover fully sooner or later, and part of that was getting up to do normal things. It wasn’t as though she’d never cooked for him before anyways, and so he decided to leave it alone. Besides if he was honest it was nice seeing her up, and moving about and doing things. Partly because Silco assumed she enjoyed cooking for him, and helping to take care of things. Partly because it was an obvious sign of her improvement, and he wanted that almost as much as she did.

He cared for his falling angel, but he cared for her in all her glory with her wings wide spread to catch the air and the gentle glow from all her being. Perhaps he would be greedy, and keep her from others however he’d never wish her wings clipped.

Feeling her fingers delicately wrapping around his hand he could feel something deep within softening just a touch. Later perhaps he would remember the savagery of Zaun, and his rough hands stained with blood and how odd a match they were. Angel and devil circling each other in some dance he wasn’t sure either quite knew the rules to, but neither wished to leave. In that moment however he was simply content to let that rest for a moment. He was in his home with his falling angel, and they were as close to safe and comfortable as anyone in Zaun could be. It was enough. For now.

“I am quite sure you managed just fine, and besides even your worse which I am sure that is not would still be better than at least half of the food in Zaun. I do hope you made enough for both of us however?” If she had cooked only for him that would in fact be slightly irritating. “Why don’t you sit, and I’ll dish it up? You’ve already done quite a bit, and I do appreciate that.” Looking closely at her with his good eye he leaned in a bit. “As long as you don’t over do it.” There was a smile across his face to take any sting out of his words, and the tone wasn’t harsh either. Regardless he wasn’t going to fight, and if she insisted on getting the food he’d give in. When they both got settled down however there was one inevitable question he couldn't help but ask.

continued from here with @astrxae

Despite being upset about the change in the disease Silco had not in anyway held it against the one “outsider” who had actually helped with the outbreak in Zaun. How could he? At this point even if Irisa was not a Zaunite he certainly owed her a debt of gratefulness, and she was also no longer quite an outsider. With her time in the clinics, and working just as hard as any others while not seeming to look down on them and getting along as well as she could with people… not to mention her association with Sevika and Silco she had been by and large as accepted as anyone from outside could be. It showed in small ways here and there one of which was when someone muttered that she “must be a piltie” they were quickly corrected “Not a Piltie, Ionian, she’s different” and besides from a few fanatical types with a hatred for anything they saw as related to the void no one argued.

Silco had lent her a book that he’d gotten a few years ago out of sheer curiosity, and bid her a good evening when their meeting had ended. He of course had stayed in his office, and continued working. His hours were as long as hers even if not quite as draining as he wasn’t healing and dealing with crowds of people, but they were still stressful as he managed supply shipments and moved people around as needed and tried to find food and continuously cursed the other chem-barons for being sun blighted parasites.

When Sevika had checked in on him he had talked with her for a bit about the changes, and what to do next than sent her home. There was no reason for both of them to spend half the night awake after all. By the time Irisa got back to Zaun the club still had patrons, but a rather small number and Silco was starting to consider just going home himself however that was not to be. The knock at his door made him let out a faint unheard sigh assuming it was just some random bit of business that really should be able to wait, but he let out a little hum for whoever it was to enter. As the door opened he glanced up to see Irisa and his eyes actually widened a bit in shock, and surprise.

It’d be easy to believe the Eye of Zaun with his easy acceptance of utterly merciless violence, and willingness to kill was heartless and would have no desire to comfort the woman obviously in need of aid. However that wasn’t quite the case. Some might assume it was purely a tactic of manipulation as the magic using healer was quite an asset. Others might think that his time raising Jinx had softened him a bit particularly after his “vacation” away. Still others would likely say it was a mix of both. Regardless the result was the same.

Smoothly, and carefully rising from his desk Silco stepped around it very deliberately not moving quickly and also doing his best to keep himself from looking threatening at all. Without realizing it Silco had slid smoothly into what one might consider his “reassuring dad” mode, and approaching her his voice was warm and gentle. “Oh my dear girl, whatever happened? Of course I’ll help you. Come here, let’s get you sat down.”

Glancing to the bouncer he nodded. “Get Sevika.” The bouncer gave a nod of respect, and a one word response. “Sir.” With that the bouncer gently closed the door behind Irisa, and then quickly left informing his coworker of where he was going and went to fetch Sevika.

Silco examining Irisa’s state with bruises fresh, and old along with the black eye and the bleeding lip felt a momentary wave of rage go through him. How dare someone do this to a woman who so far as he’d ever seen had done nothing other than try to help people? That rage however would help nothing at all right now, and so he stayed reassuring and careful. One arm carefully slid around Irisa not moving too fast with a look at her eyes silently asking if it was okay, and he guided her to the sofa sitting her down as he sat next to her for a moment. “Let’s get that lip cleaned up a bit, and you just take some breaths. It’s okay, you’re here with me and in my office in Zaun, and I’m going to help you. Whatever happened I’ll help, and I guarantee Sevika will want to do so as well.”

A gentle hug with the one arm around her before it slid away slowly. Standing Silco moved to grab a soft rag, and some water and came back settling down on the coffee table so he could face her. Water splashed on the rag, he offered a soft comforting smile. “Do you want to tell me what happened, or do you need a bit of time? Can you lift your head just a touch so I can clean your lip?” Voice still warm, and reassuring Irisa had likely never heard him like this before but Silco could be quite comforting when he wanted to be. If allowed he would so very gently clean off her lip, and face even as he wondered just exactly what had happened and why. Somehow Silco very much doubted she had been attacked in Zaun, and he knew the look of old bruises which made him think of one very disturbing possibility.

((I’m in a weird mood. This might not be canon to them? Probably isn’t? Could be? Maybe? Might be? I dunno? But have this mess. Murder, violence, conflict. Potential angst.))

This was not a situation Silco had thought to find himself in. He’d been attending to a private matter with another man, and Sevika was just outside of the small building standing by the door. A door that had been left open in case Silco needed her which should have been fine. However he’d been distracted by an argument, and Sevika had turned around just long enough not to realize what Irisa had spotted and consequentially had slipped past Sevika.

How. FUCKING. Difficult.

Was it to understand that you had to pay your debts, and watch your mouth?

It was a simple concept. Money, and respect. All Zaunites should understand that, and yet it seemed like some tried to scoot around those concepts.

His patience had been getting increasingly short with certain kinds of people, and this was one of them. The two of them had been in an increasingly loud argument that had abruptly ended with the other man spitting on the ground. “I don’t think you have the balls anymore Silco! Your bullshit attempts to “help people” through this plague. How people have you lost, and how much money have you pissed away? You’ve gone weak!… Weak, and you don’t even have your mad blue-haired bitch anymore. So why the fuck should I pay you a single cog?”

((cut for length, murder, violence, Silco doing Silco things))

Little drabble, Jinx's reaction to this from @astrxae

As it so happened Silco had noticed Irisa drawing back, and spending less time around. A fact that he found a bit odd as he actually didn’t quite understand why. He spend time with Jinx of course most certainly, but he’d always been a busy man and Jinx had her own fair share of things to do which left Silco time for other things as well. It was natural that whatever he and Irisa had been enjoying together would change, but her pulling away almost made Silco wonder if he’d upset her. The idea that she was doing so simply to make room and not intrude didn’t hit him for one simple reason.

People didn’t do such things. Not out of kindness. They did however leave.

He’d mentioned it off hand to Jinx that it seemed Irisa was more busy lately, and wasn’t around much. It was something that had caught Jinx’s attention for one reason or another, and so she’d decided to see if she could figure out Irisa a bit better. After all Irisa had helped to reunite her and Silco so in a way… she was Important. Approaching the Magic Doctor she’d offered what she felt was an obvious, but truthful statement. Jinx wasn’t like others in Zaun, or Piltover. Neither was Irisa. They were both misfits in their way, and both had found themselves involved with or taken in by Silco. Perhaps it was an odd kind of connection, but it was one all the same as far as Jinx was concerned. If Irisa had in fact intruded, and pushed for more attention and demanded too much from Silco… well Jinx likely would have gotten jealous, and possessive. As it was however Jinx found herself simply curious, and perhaps deep down inside almost worried.

“Always love a good bit of excitement.” Was being different good? Jinx didn’t really know. She’d always been different, and had nothing to compare it to. Even as a child even as Powder she’d been different. So she simply skipped past that to something she both knew, and understood. Head tilting just a touch she watched Irisa with her drink even as Jinx lifted her cup up to sip at her own from the straw she so often had. Hearing Irisa describe herself as a “plain Jane” there was a faint glint of confusion in Jinx’s eyes as she tried to parse the comment. Irisa’s name wasn’t Jane after all. Quickly figuring out what she meant Jinx couldn’t help, but laugh. It was either a lie, or a joke and Jinx decided it was better as a joke. She didn’t like the idea of Irisa lying to her. “Pfhh that’s a good one, Irisa. Come on though…” Voice trailing off as Irisa suddenly just touched her Jinx blinked.

Almost no one ever just touched her except for Silco. Even fewer touched her so gently, or with what Jinx interpreted as affection. For a moment that mask that was almost constantly up these days of the laughing girl who didn’t want to be hurt again actually gave way. Purple eyes, and a surprised look on a face that when someone truly looked without fear or anger was actually rather young looking. Important? Her? Sure, to Silco, and as a bounty to Piltover. Was that what Irisa met? The world was more dangerous with her in it to be sure, and she certainly enjoyed being in the world but Jinx was well aware most people would disagree with Irisa which was why she found herself puzzled. “I didn’t mean to.” There was actually a note of something close to guilt, and perhaps even sadness in her voice for a brief second. Watching Irisa walk away Jinx frowned. Why was she leaving so quickly? What was wrong with the Last Drop?

Did she actually think she was just a “plain Jane” and nothing special? That was obviously wrong.

In that moment Jinx decided something. She needed to learn more about Irisa.

After all, Irisa was nice… and nice didn’t last. Not in Zaun.

As “Chuck” nervously asked if she wanted a refill Jinx just put her cup on the bar, and slid it to him before moving away. When Jinx wanted to be she could be near impossible to spot particularly with how she knew the secret places in, and out of almost everywhere. That particular evening a completely silent Jinx would find her way to the rooftops, and unseen stalk Irisa accompanying the woman to her home or wherever else she might go.

For once Silco had met Irisa at her home, and although there had been a quick rap at her door he had casually let himself in a moment later. Glancing around for a second there was a pleased smile as Irisa emerged and he saw her in the dress he’d bought, and had delivered to her. “Excellent, I got the measurements correct.” It was a Zaun styled dress form fitting in some spots, and rather revealing in others that ensured she had plenty of movement which also ensured Silco could reach any number of interesting areas if he wanted to. The colors suited Irisa perfectly with her eyes, and hair and somehow Silco had managed to find a dress that did look quite nice on her.

Walking up his eyes flickered over her, and he nodded reaching out to run his hands over a couple of areas smoothing some wrinkles he spotted. Moving around Irisa one of his hands stayed on her going from hip up to her side than to her lower back. “I already have the reservation made, but don’t worry they will hold it for us. It’s one of the few restaurants in Zaun that can compare to what Piltover has, and they’ve managed to stay open.” Leaning in he purred in her ear. “I thought someone deserved a reward for how hard they’ve been working lately.” A soft chuckle escaped from Silco as he patted at her before stepping back. “There is something missing though.”

Pulling a small box out of his pocket he opened it letting something slide out onto his hand. “Put your hair up for a moment. A second later there was a necklace being put around her neck that had a jewel hanging down from it. The jewel was a black fire opal that was mostly dark except for those sparkles of red flashing in different spots. Perhaps there were other jewels that would suit her better, but how could he resist giving her one that was so reminiscent of his eye?

“Perfect.” Kissing at the back of her neck he stepped back around, and a moment later they’d be out the door. In another place he would have offered his arm, but this was Zaun and even if he was the Eye of Zaun Chem-Baron Silco he had no urge to potentially have himself restricted should someone decided to interfere with them that evening. Not that he expected that to happen, but one never knew. Thankfully no one did, and so with no few glances towards them along with a few respectful nods or people looking nervous as they stepped to the side or even went to the other side of the street entirely they arrived at the restaurant in question. Stepping inside they were immediately greeted with a warm smile, and a bowing figure. “Mr. Silco, and Miss Irisa I presume? Excellent, the booth as requested is ready.” The booth in question was a private booth in the back of the restaurant tucked away in a private corner with a privacy curtain, and was practically it’s own room.

Walking outside the last drop Silco’s steps had found themselves stopping as the “absolutely not sage oh no” anon approached. The sudden question made his eyebrows raise upwards before he sighed. “Truly? You feel the need to ask this?” The man sounded almost disappointed as he shook his head. “Potential.” Stepping forward he waved for the “anon” to follow. Silco had no desire to continue this conversation in front of the Last Drop.

“There are certain people that have a tremendous amount of potential, but those around them refuse to allow them to access it or they have to go to extraordinary measures to allow it to emerge. Some people have things handed to them like that bitch sheriff Caitlyn. The boy, Jayce, I have a feeling I’m missing information on. However Viktor even if he went to the wrong side of the river I’ll give him credit for doing what he had to so he could unlock that potential wasted though it be. Jinx obviously is another example. Sevika’s potential would have been utterly wasted if she’d been stayed with Vander… My own potential, well if things had been different I’d be just another miner or at best a shop keep. We all had to make a choice, and to reach for something.” A dark little chuckle came from him as he glanced to the “anon” following him.

Steps not ceasing his eyes narrowed, and Silco decided to continue speaking. “Power, real power comes to those who will do anything to achieve it my dear. However most people are not willing to do “anything” to achieve it. Which makes things easier for me even if it is a pity as it’d be fascinating to see what would happen if more people strove for their deepest dreams to become reality. Most people need a bit of a push to reach that point, and to be able to grow afterwards to become who they truly are deep inside.” Pulling out his cigarette case he took a moment to light a smoke before taking a drag off of it still without ever stopping as he headed towards his house.

“Irisa is far stronger than she imagines. Despite the hold her bastard father who I want dead had over her she still came down to Zaun, openly showed she was a mage, and has stayed down here helping us. That woman has an impressive strength of will even if it falters at times. I am very curious to see who she will become when Irisa allows herself to be more comfortable with her own strength. Something I believe will happen in time as she stays here in Zaun. In short…” Glancing over he offered a little smile. “I’m waiting to see her bloom into her full potential, and what she will do with it.”

With Irisa having healed enough to not just be awake from her coma but actually move around the house and do things, it was inevitable that Silco gain some of the weight that he had lost back. Not only did he gain back what he had lost, but with Irisa cooking and giving him a reason to sit down and eat a proper meal, Silco actually gained some extra weight. Most of that weight ended up making the man a bit more muscular, but enough went to his ribs to remove a touch of the skinny gauntness Silco normally had. He was never going to be bulky, and it wasn’t a huge difference, but it was enough to prompt the man to take a quick trip to a store to get a new vest and pants all the same.

He’d have to remember to go on a proper shopping trip later with Irisa.

He could get her a few nice things as well.

Buttoning up his new vest, he’d decided to get one that clenched in around his waist just a touch and would emphasize the slight change in his appearance. It wasn’t a matter of vanity, of course. There was simply no reason not to present himself with strength and authority, and clothing added to that when used properly. Just one more way of ensuring he reminded people of who and what he was. The fact that there was a certain enjoyment in keeping track of fashion trends, reading magazines about such matters, discussing styles with the right person, and ensuring that everything went together just right was beside the point.

Hearing Irisa’s sudden comment as he finished with his vest, Silco glanced over blinking in surprise. Not in any way at all used to such compliments it took him a moment to respond, but in the end there was a quick flash of a smile. Most others might have gotten a different reaction however Irisa at this point was in a rather special spot in his heart life. “Thank you. From you that’s nice to hear.”

He didn’t agree. Not with his scars, how slender he was, and his age.

He did however like the thought that she found him so.

A beautiful angel, and a pretty devil.

𝙨𝙢𝙪𝙩 𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙪𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙨 from Here:

They had been teasing each other slowly, but consistently ramping it upwards over the past couple of hours. It had started in his office, and had continued as they walked home together and it seemed was still going on. He’d just made one sexual comment or another as things started to reach their peak, and than she said those three simple words. Don’t hold back. He’d been in the middle of taking a sip of whiskey, and had paused to glance at her. The expression on her face, and the stance she was in something about it made him want to do exactly as she had said. It made him want to show her the monster, and the predator within him. Lowering his cup, and swallowing down the whiskey Silco took a deep breath before offering a toothy smile. “What an interesting comment. One might think you desire something more… intense, this evening.”