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[Silco was well aware of the tediousness of his position, which was why he was playing his hand only as the concerned citizen for the time being. It wouldn't do well for him to suddenly flood Aldrip with Shimmer, especially given the supply was spotty at best. He had to do this smart and slow, taking opportunities as they became available. The Council wanted rehabilitation? He could play their game.

However, he didn't discount the damage that Jinx's sister could inflict on his reputation. If death had a permanence to it, he would have paid handsomely to have her silence. The list of his reasons was long, jaded and growing ever longer. He had made a single big scene with her to test the waters on how the network might react. The other Chosen, if they noticed, kept their opinions to themselves, but he had encountered some that knew the ins and out of the political and power game. Many of them could scrub him off the board, but that wasn't anything new for him.

So, he kept his head down and gathered the power he could, increased his wealth as quickly and borderline legally as possible. He had garnered favour where he could with the expectation to expand to Rumpitur. He needed to nudge the black market more, but that would come with time once he had a secured supply of certain goods and ways to get it more readily to market.

Silco was leaned over his desk with an open book in front of him when there was a knock on his office door. He remained scribbling numbers in the book, flipping through another smaller ledger of sales even as the door swung open to admit a young man he was familiar with by sight and even conversation. His mismatched eyes flicked up to regard Akechi before returning to finish his line of writing before he sat up in his chair.

The hairs on the back of his neck rose at the smile, and there was something off about the boy. He tilted his head all the same, observing the other.]

It's just Silco. Do come in but leave the door open in case I'm needed downstairs. [He wasn't stupid enough to trap himself in here with this one with only a window. Besides, he had employees downstairs, not that they would be much help in a fight.] What can I assist you with?

Yes, that's true. I suppose we have nothing to lose by asking them. Unless you have any better candidates in mind?

[His smile softens just a little, still being far from genuine, and Akechi steps past the threshold. He reaches for the door handle and pushes it closed almost all the way, against the man's wishes.]

I'd prefer for us to have some privacy, if you don't mind. But worry not, I'll leave the door ajar in case someone needs you. [A small gesture, but enough to assert a some sort of dominance over the situation. Overall, Akechi isn't a big fan metaphorical dick measuring contests, knowing very well that there are plenty of those who could overpower him. Subtle mindgames is where the true power's at. He knows it from experience, having been on both sides of that dynamic.

And with that he strides across the room, walking right up to the desk where Silco is working at.]

As you might know, I am investigating The Council and looking for a way to work around the sentencing. I'd like to ask you a few questions if you don't mind.

[Silco noted the play and said nothing about it. The door remained partially open, and, as far as he was concerned, that was enough. If anything, it meant that any of his employees could slip up the stairs and eavesdrop on the conversation with the cover of the door to hide them most of the way.]

Then you must have something important to discuss with me.

[And despite saying that, he continued to scribble on his ledgers, flipping through written receipts even as the boy decided to play at looming over the desk. He ignored the gesture as he settled into this potential confrontation, relaxing as he continued to work and only partially divide his attention.]

You aren't the only one investigating the Council or their methods. [So many little detectives...] I'll answer the questions if I can. Would you care to sit and have a drink for this? Or does looming over my work station suit you better?

Candidates that I know who have the soft skills that we need are few and far between, I'm afraid. I am agreeable to use the one that you know.

[A potential sacrifice that had no association with him.]

My pockets are already full.

( is that a weak argument? yes. is she aware of that? double yes. one measly stone isn't going to weigh her down of all the other items on her person, definitely not. the gemstone is a lot heavier than maybe two of those rocks combined, but she is just being difficult as per usual -- the typical teenage rebelling against adult figures. )

Then you can leave the gemstone with me and take this one instead.

[That sounded like a fair trade to him. She could be as obstinate as she wanted to be, and that was fine. He would simply find a way to get the stone taken with her one way or another, especially seeing that it did have the proposed intended effect.

He held out his hand for the gemstone, putting on a concerned expression for her.]

( it's his expression that softens her, jinx can't stand the look of worry over the man's face -- especially when a man his age shouldn't fret or work as hard as he does. he is meant to relax and enjoy the simple things in life, and it's something she really wishes for him to have. his first life didn't go as planned, so this second one should be more easy-breezy for him.

but leave it to jinx to muck things up as always, and she frowns over her own selfishness. so without a word, she fishes into her pocket to reveal the familiar gemstone that used to operate all of runeterra. his daughter plops the crystal into her father's hand, then stretches over to retrieve her drinking glass again for a sip. )

[He watched her, waiting for her choice when it came to the stones. He was not disappointed with her choice, and his fingers closed over the gemstone when he felt it dropped into the palm of his hand. He brought it to himself and tucked it into the inner pocket of his vest where he considered it safe. There was only one person that he considered a risk of assaulting him openly.

Then he leaned back in his chair as he observed her continuing with her refreshment. As far as he was concerned, that was that. He would simply have to keep a closer eye on her.]

( emptying her glass, she sets it back on the table with her eyes glue to her almost vacant plate. her lips thin tightly as she contemplates if she should resume on with her silence or say what's on her mind. it's scribbled all over her face, and jinx is keeping her head down to shield it. maybe her father won't notice her inner dilemma and return back to his studies since the stone will be with her from here on out. 'yep, everything is back to normal. same as always.' that is what she wants, so why isn't she happy about it? why is her mood so damn dreary? )

...

[If Akechi's bothered by Silco's disinterest towards him, he doesn't show it. Instead he just keeps smiling at him, wolfish gleam glimmering behind his seemingly polite smile. Heck, he almost feels giddy inside. Something he hasn't in a good while. There's nothing quite like murderous high.]

But of course. I am working with some of them. [He nods and reaches to pull out a chair for himself to sit down. seemingly ignoring that little jab from Silco.] I'll skip the drink, thank you. But feel free to have some yourself.

I would like to know about your experiences with the Council. As far as I know your daughter had unpleasant encounter with their errand boy, Jerry. I was wondering if you had more information about that or if they have reached out to you after that.

[He had played this game long enough to know what it might lead to, and he might almost dare this one to get one with it if only for the fact that Aldrip would probably be leveled by Jinx in his name. What a way to honour one's father, right? It would show the Council not to mess with them either, or so he liked to think. Council was stubborn though and their righteousness on the subject of justice was idiotic at best.]

A group effort then. Kirimann is very talented for investigative work. [He was, of course, testing the waters on how much she would have told about him in the first place. There was also the sister, who was problematic on so many levels he would pay to have her strung up in a basement for years.]

As far as you know? You haven't spoken directly with her? She would be the one to give a good first hand account of her interaction with Jerry and the Council thereafter. [One of the few people he bothered to use a name for outright.] I'm her father, not her jailer on behalf of the Council.

[Her inner conflict was obvious, and he knew that she would come out with it eventually. They were rather open with each other, and he shared more with her than he did anyone else and he liked to imagine the reverse was true. Of course, he could either wait her out or poke her to tip the scale on her wanting to speak or ignore him further.]

You seem unusually quiet tonight. Is there a subject you would like to talk about?

[He decided to give a gentle verbal prodding and see what she did with it.]

Of course. But I am not here to talk about Miss Kirimann. [Akechi had been talking with Caitlyn a quite lot, thank you very much, but he's not going to let Silco distract him from the topic.] I did not expect you to be. I was merely curious whether they had contacted either of you after your initial encounter.

( she parts her lips to speak, but only to immediately shut them close. her eyes squint to the right of her, and her fingers twitch in irritation. naturally, there's no one there to the right of them, which could only mean one thing. jinx shields her ear with her hand as she crushes her eyes tight in an attempt to block out whatever she's hearing. and when that doesn't give her any bit of relief, his daughter slams her palm against the table in hope to spook the dead, and jolt them enough from continuing. )

Shut up! — Can't I just have one conversation without you butting in all the time?! Just... go in my room, mess with my crap, be on my tablet, do whatever. Just... go!

( and she falls silent then, glaring at this "nothing" until she slumps back in her seat. his daughter blows out a sigh in exhaustion, a hand comb through her bangs, then over her slight corrupted face. it's draining to be the one to entertain both "mylo" and "claggor" whenever they get ants in their pants. and it's even more infuriating when they want to chime in discussions they have no business being a part in. but finally, the twin-braided girl straightens again and looks over to her father -- her voice low. )

How... long are you stayin' up tonight? And is it okay for me to... crash in your office? If... you're still awake?

I'll send them a message and see what they say then. Do you just want them to present our questions to the Council?

It would be a good start, and if the questions are well-received, we can perhaps have open communication of expectations on both sides.

[The more information the better.]

[Silco was intimately familiar with the voices that troubled her and interrupted her thoughts. He had, in the beginning, tried to find a way to correct them, but they were a result of a tortured mind manifesting the kinds of regrets that one had to make peace with on their own. So, as he always did, he sat back in his chair and remained a constant presence for her. The voices had gotten better around him because of the trust they built over the years, yet times to stress rallied them.

A sick part of him wondered if he would join the chorus now that he was dead. What would he say? How would he instruct her? He regret for his passing was palpable at times, yet here, he remained as he was and she had never mentioned him being part of the chorus.]

Are they gone for now?

[He asked as if they were people to be banished rather than symptoms of a broken mind. He had had her explain who they were a long time ago, and they were real enough that he found his acknowledging them often focused her. That's all he needed now.]

I have a little more work to do tonight, and you are welcome to spend the night in the office if you would like. There's a spare blanket under the desk. [He kept it there for her, not him.] Would you like me to watch over you tonight so you can sleep?

( when he asked, she nods to him to confirm it. they are gone for now, but it wouldn't be the last time she will see or hear them. but with her accompanying by her father tonight, they will back off for several hours. truth be told, the boys are still shaken up when it comes to silco. "mylo" pretends to be tough as nails, but he gets anxious deep down.

collecting her dishes, jinx bobs her head again when he offers to watch over her. jinx is satisfied with her chaos filling for the day, but... it couldn't hurt to have someone in the room with her if/when her nightmares decide to disturb her. and after all, she sleeps better when there's someone within her perimeter. )

I'll get my hammock and get ready for bed.

( she says, now up on her feet, and heading off to the sink and trash to toss away the tiny scraps. )

Alright, I'll ask them when I have a spare moment. If I have anything new to share, I'll let you know.

( he will soon receive screenshots of conversations between her and jerry so far through his tablet. )

[He nodded in return, satisfied that they were alone for the time being. It wouldn't last for more than a few hours, but in that time, perhaps she could catch a few hours of sleep and the corruption would subside more too. As far as he was concerned, his daughter would never know peace and even if she came across it, he expected she wouldn't know what to do with it other than break it.

That was the gift of her chaos.

He pushed himself back in his seat so that he could stand, folding his hands behind his back as he let her clean up. He moved away to return to his office so that he could set out the blanket for her and then eased himself back into his seat to pretend to continue working. He would watch over her until she had settled in and then allow himself to return to work.]

I will await your continued assistance on this matter. It is pleasant to find someone willing to make sacrifices for peace.

I have been following much of such conversations. It isn't unexpected that they would intend to make you suffer as a punishment. We will have to speed up our timeline to destroy the Council.

yea. if im not dead by then.

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action; ive missed tagging silllcooooooooooooooooooooo

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action; cw: voices

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text; during her convo with jerry

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Text; Charm

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