[ Poor Gregór, he actually looks interested in anything Bondrewd could offer, but before he can actually get out the ask, someone rushes up, and tipped their head toward Silco's office with a "the boss is waiting", before he's ushered off. The guy looks. Uncertain.
Silco isn't exactly forthcoming with his staff, so Bondrewd is greeted with a closed door, but the staff says 'You can go on in', before resuming his post.
And when Bondrewd opens the door, not only will there be Silco there, but there's a little guy sleeping in a corner. It doesn't look unhealthy, yet, but it certainly looks what could be called "low energy" ]
Ah, Bondrewd, you were so prompt. I hear you are a fan of creatures, yes?
[ Anyways, he grasps Gregór's upper arm firmly as they are parted, and takes his leave of Silco's retainer. Once he is given permission to enter, he opens the door to Silco's office, ducking his head below the top of the door's frame in order to enter without colliding with it. He is a large man, broad but not rounded in frame — simply armored and dressed to the teeth, if he even has any teeth.
His helm does make a nice wide sweep of Silco's office, cataloging the environment likely most personal to his benefactor, before his attention gravitates to two points: Silco, and then to the lethargic creature in the corner. ]
Good afternoon, Mister Silco. [ Always such a polite man! ] I am a fan of their presence, yes. The existence of a creature speaks much about the environment they are from, and their adaptability to foreign environments says even more about what can be done with them. That being said, pray tell me who this little one is?
[ Silco tipped his head to the "little" one in the corner, a pink skinned, hazy eyed, almost axolotl-like creature, it tipped its head to take stock of Bondrewd itself. Whatever it expected, Rio simply settled back down immediately, as if the man wasn't really of consequence -- or at least, not a threat. ]
Its name is Rio, at least according to an old associate of mine.
[ Old Associate, of course, held some weight. ]
I believe that this creature, may be able to help unlock the core components of a certain substance that I mentioned to you. I think that we can both prolong its life, and extract it. Or... [ He smiled, then, though it isn't pleasant. ]
Rather, I know Singed could do so. He kept it alive for decades.
[ With Rio revealing its lethargy ( or, perhaps, it's acceptance of him? ), Bondrewd eases his mass in the direction of the funny little creature. His own tail, alight with its own cold, violet glow, sways as he bends down to rest a hand atop its flat head. A simple press of his palm upon Rio's head, before he stroked its nose gently. ]
Speaking of. Were you able to look over my report regarding my preliminary findings?
[ He does not seem to mind Silco's unpleasantness at all, as he straightens up and laces his hands behind his back. Spine as straight as possible, since there is a bulky tail likely bolted directly into his spinal column. Or what passes for a spinal column, as to mimic flesh at this time is deeply difficult. He probably didn't get to arrive with the body of the last Umbra Hand he was piloting intact, therefore is more suit than skin... ]
'Singed'. What an adorable name. Would you mind recounting his methodology of keeping Rio alive, as well? I do not know if I will have all the required materials, but I am an apt hand at adapting to my environment. I would not dream of disappointing my key benefactor, and I have never done so before.
[ Silco wonders what Singed would think, were he to hear the words "adorable" in the context of him. The man was a genius, but Silco knew that he was falling apart as surely as Silco was, the two of them slowly winding older than most Zaunites these days, and their bodies ravaged by hard lives and danger. Silco, corrupted from the River Pilt's Pollution, and Singed, corrupted by surviving an accident at the canning factory.
What had it been? He remembered fire, and aftermath, but -- That damnable hole that remained in his head, from what Birdie had taken. ]
I know very little, but I can recount some. He preserved it in fluid, once it became too sick. This is...much younger than the last time I saw it. It had been... essentially preserved, barely alive, but still there. Of course, what it was kept in...
[ Silco shrugged. ]
I'm afraid I'm no chemist or inventor. You've already opened up quite a few insights for me with your findings, in fact. I signed requisition sheets, but...
[ So he knew some materials, but... that was it. ]
There's something within Rio that should unlock the key to mass producing shimmer.
So, Rio is ill. Were you made aware of what illness it suffers from?
[ To need to preserve it, to prolong its life — it must be badly ailing, or damaged in a way that will eventually lead to its death. He continues to stroke its head, silently soothing it even as he discusses what he will need to do, to keep it alive. Silco has asked this of him, and as Silco funds his own research, he is quite happy to do what is asked of him. Bondrewd has no ego to speak of, and thus, no pride; there is nothing too menial, or too much, that he could be asked do to.
He gestures, curling his fingers towards his palm as though to beckon Silco closer. As if he wishes for him to touch Rio as well, and stroke its head. After all, if they are going to make use of it, they will remember it — Bondrewd will, at least. ]
Aah, Prushka would have found you so sweet, Rio.
[ An echo of calm, bleak fondness resonates within his mask. ]
Mister Silco, would you mind telling me a little about the use of Shimmer in your world?
[ Prushka? ] Hm. Yes, Rio is ill, or rather, creatures like them don't survive long enough to get use from them, and this one has a particular mutation.
[ Silco stands, though he doesn't approach to pet it. It is utilitarian, and it has a use, but he thinks of the creature as "it" clearly. He'll let Bondrewed enjoy the thing, though he does stand closer, a lit cigar in his hands. ]
As far as I know, something that Rio here had, was worth preserving according to Singed. It was... harvested, and used for our shimmer production.
[ I'm just making this up, but the pieces are all there. Someday when I'm wrong, I'll remember this. ]
Shimmer itself is... a drug. It is addictive, not just because it makes one high, but because it... changes you. Makes the powerless powerful, stronger, faster. [ His lip curled into a slight smile. ]
who would hide the existence of their dead daughter, silco??? ]
What a useful drug. Those who are without power will always seek it, and to bind 'power' to a substance that is addictive ensures you will always have power over them, in turn. I have made a number of illicit drugs in my tenure at the Ido Front — after all, I needed funding for my own research. Your generosity has spared me the start-up costs.
[ His Sovietcore research lab somewhere in Kowloon was bought cheap, but serves his needs. It has a lot of space, a real fixer-upper! Gently, he runs his fingers under Rio's chin and chucks it softly, as if to assure the creature that he is not there to do anything to harm it ( he will, though ), and then rises to his feet. ]
It could not hurt, to observe the effects. I would enjoy a round of subject observation, as well as a round of personal experience — if you do not mind, Mister Silco.
[ Silco smirked, at Bondrewd's observation. It was true, of course, that making Shimmer addictive was a move intended to keep people bound to him and his production. Without him, and without the shimmer mines, what would happen to Zaun? Not that it mattered, it was gone now, but the question was one that would have given Silco pause, had he known what would happen to him 2 days from when his world was destroyed.
As it is, he only smiled, serenely. ]
Mind? Why, I would be happy to show you. My own outpost near Ryad is always open to your visits. We are working on our own strain, but mass producing it will need more than simply... my touch, I'm afraid.
But I'm more than happy to show you the effects, should you wish to see them. Though being near Ryad would be better, I think. Shimmered individuals tend to be... a touch out of control. Most of the time, at least.
Always open? I heard that Ryad was a difficult place to navigate, without the adequate acknowledgement of those of the Below. I might seek to procure that myself, to ease my access to your own outpost.
[ He is not surprised by the admission that Silco has his own space to work, but keen on visiting to observe for himself what is occurring. That way, he will not cross-over any efforts of his own to assist his sponsor. Also, Bondrewd has zero self-preservation sense, but threats that come upon him are always dealt with. Entering Ryad would invite all sorts of acknowledgement he does not currently want, if someone got it into their head to fixate on him. ]
That does sound an effective use of time, though. When next you are heading to Ryad, would you let me know? I will take little Rio with me for the time being, to the Burning Gardens. It is the only place currently where I have the equipment for him. I will simply tell my co-owners he was discovered in the Beyond, and summarily submitted to me for care due to his illness.
I'll be happy to. I have... a way to traverse there without any...danger to one's person. Other than a shimmered bodyguard.
[ A soft laugh. ] If they pry, that will do perfectly well. I would suggest finding a way to extract... well. You were able to examine shimmer's chemical compound. I'm sure there is something that can be pulled from this creature, though I don't know if it's the blood or something else.
Hopefully it will not take you long to extract it. I suspect you may be as good, if not better, than my old partner in crime.
[ Singed, after all, was limited in resources in a way Bondrewd was not, given that they lived in Zaun. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Silco isn't exactly forthcoming with his staff, so Bondrewd is greeted with a closed door, but the staff says 'You can go on in', before resuming his post.
And when Bondrewd opens the door, not only will there be Silco there, but there's a little guy sleeping in a corner. It doesn't look unhealthy, yet, but it certainly looks what could be called "low energy" ]
Ah, Bondrewd, you were so prompt. I hear you are a fan of creatures, yes?
no subject
no subject
His helm does make a nice wide sweep of Silco's office, cataloging the environment likely most personal to his benefactor, before his attention gravitates to two points: Silco, and then to the lethargic creature in the corner. ]
Good afternoon, Mister Silco. [ Always such a polite man! ] I am a fan of their presence, yes. The existence of a creature speaks much about the environment they are from, and their adaptability to foreign environments says even more about what can be done with them. That being said, pray tell me who this little one is?
no subject
Its name is Rio, at least according to an old associate of mine.
[ Old Associate, of course, held some weight. ]
I believe that this creature, may be able to help unlock the core components of a certain substance that I mentioned to you. I think that we can both prolong its life, and extract it. Or... [ He smiled, then, though it isn't pleasant. ]
Rather, I know Singed could do so. He kept it alive for decades.
no subject
Speaking of. Were you able to look over my report regarding my preliminary findings?
[ He does not seem to mind Silco's unpleasantness at all, as he straightens up and laces his hands behind his back. Spine as straight as possible, since there is a bulky tail likely bolted directly into his spinal column. Or what passes for a spinal column, as to mimic flesh at this time is deeply difficult. He probably didn't get to arrive with the body of the last Umbra Hand he was piloting intact, therefore is more suit than skin... ]
'Singed'. What an adorable name. Would you mind recounting his methodology of keeping Rio alive, as well? I do not know if I will have all the required materials, but I am an apt hand at adapting to my environment. I would not dream of disappointing my key benefactor, and I have never done so before.
no subject
What had it been? He remembered fire, and aftermath, but -- That damnable hole that remained in his head, from what Birdie had taken. ]
I know very little, but I can recount some. He preserved it in fluid, once it became too sick. This is...much younger than the last time I saw it. It had been... essentially preserved, barely alive, but still there. Of course, what it was kept in...
[ Silco shrugged. ]
I'm afraid I'm no chemist or inventor. You've already opened up quite a few insights for me with your findings, in fact. I signed requisition sheets, but...
[ So he knew some materials, but... that was it. ]
There's something within Rio that should unlock the key to mass producing shimmer.
no subject
[ To need to preserve it, to prolong its life — it must be badly ailing, or damaged in a way that will eventually lead to its death. He continues to stroke its head, silently soothing it even as he discusses what he will need to do, to keep it alive. Silco has asked this of him, and as Silco funds his own research, he is quite happy to do what is asked of him. Bondrewd has no ego to speak of, and thus, no pride; there is nothing too menial, or too much, that he could be asked do to.
He gestures, curling his fingers towards his palm as though to beckon Silco closer. As if he wishes for him to touch Rio as well, and stroke its head. After all, if they are going to make use of it, they will remember it — Bondrewd will, at least. ]
Aah, Prushka would have found you so sweet, Rio.
[ An echo of calm, bleak fondness resonates within his mask. ]
Mister Silco, would you mind telling me a little about the use of Shimmer in your world?
no subject
[ Silco stands, though he doesn't approach to pet it. It is utilitarian, and it has a use, but he thinks of the creature as "it" clearly. He'll let Bondrewed enjoy the thing, though he does stand closer, a lit cigar in his hands. ]
As far as I know, something that Rio here had, was worth preserving according to Singed. It was... harvested, and used for our shimmer production.
[ I'm just making this up, but the pieces are all there. Someday when I'm wrong, I'll remember this. ]
Shimmer itself is... a drug. It is addictive, not just because it makes one high, but because it... changes you. Makes the powerless powerful, stronger, faster. [ His lip curled into a slight smile. ]
I can show you the effects, if you would like.
no subject
who would hide the existence of their dead daughter, silco??? ]
What a useful drug. Those who are without power will always seek it, and to bind 'power' to a substance that is addictive ensures you will always have power over them, in turn. I have made a number of illicit drugs in my tenure at the Ido Front — after all, I needed funding for my own research. Your generosity has spared me the start-up costs.
[ His Sovietcore research lab somewhere in Kowloon was bought cheap, but serves his needs. It has a lot of space, a real fixer-upper! Gently, he runs his fingers under Rio's chin and chucks it softly, as if to assure the creature that he is not there to do anything to harm it ( he will, though ), and then rises to his feet. ]
It could not hurt, to observe the effects. I would enjoy a round of subject observation, as well as a round of personal experience — if you do not mind, Mister Silco.
no subject
As it is, he only smiled, serenely. ]
Mind? Why, I would be happy to show you. My own outpost near Ryad is always open to your visits. We are working on our own strain, but mass producing it will need more than simply... my touch, I'm afraid.
But I'm more than happy to show you the effects, should you wish to see them. Though being near Ryad would be better, I think. Shimmered individuals tend to be... a touch out of control. Most of the time, at least.
no subject
[ He is not surprised by the admission that Silco has his own space to work, but keen on visiting to observe for himself what is occurring. That way, he will not cross-over any efforts of his own to assist his sponsor. Also, Bondrewd has zero self-preservation sense, but threats that come upon him are always dealt with. Entering Ryad would invite all sorts of acknowledgement he does not currently want, if someone got it into their head to fixate on him. ]
That does sound an effective use of time, though. When next you are heading to Ryad, would you let me know? I will take little Rio with me for the time being, to the Burning Gardens. It is the only place currently where I have the equipment for him. I will simply tell my co-owners he was discovered in the Beyond, and summarily submitted to me for care due to his illness.
no subject
[ A soft laugh. ] If they pry, that will do perfectly well. I would suggest finding a way to extract... well. You were able to examine shimmer's chemical compound. I'm sure there is something that can be pulled from this creature, though I don't know if it's the blood or something else.
Hopefully it will not take you long to extract it. I suspect you may be as good, if not better, than my old partner in crime.
[ Singed, after all, was limited in resources in a way Bondrewd was not, given that they lived in Zaun. ]