SALTBURNT | hex club group chat.

[powerhungry]

HEX CLUB/PINK SLIP GROUP CHAT. SILCO HAS ADDED YOU TO THIS CHAT. 42 people: Silco, Gwen, Faith, Hawk, Neon, Buffy, Cassian, Devon, Koby, Shadowheart, Stephen, Yeko, Zephir, Dean, Tara, Wanda, Jake, Saber, Sanji, Adrian; Ani, Peony, Bob, Yelena, Valentina, Sam, Max, Tristan, Parisa, Qimir, Thresher, Armand, Shauna, Cellar, Roza, Iggy, Isolde, Peter, Wally, Danny, Eddie, Teddie.

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[rehandle]

[ A slow breath in - and out on a small sigh. Perhaps now is a good time to start being clear and intentional when he speaks. With this man, at least. ]

I haven't spoken to the Library yet. Not for lack of interest. First it was distrust and a disinclination to engage with being stuck here, then a constant stream of bullshit that's only now letting us catch a breath.

This names us guardians of the House. If there was method in the asking that I can replicate when I pay a visit, that'd be useful to know.

[powerhungry]

[ Silco's expression remains impassive, set in its usual frown — the club hasn't been back in business long enough for Stephen to have earned so much goodwill off of good behavior beyond agreeing to come back to work (and there's something uniquely funny, all things told, in knowing that none of the man's theories during the games had amounted to anything).

The sigh earns a slight narrowing of his eyes — another drag on his cigar as he takes his time thinking the request over. This is where, he thinks, he'd have asked for some demonstration of mettle or loyalty. Something to actually earn what he's giving away.

Finally: ]

For all the puzzles it puts forth, the Library itself isn't a thing to be solved. Treat it like you would another guest, and it will treat you accordingly.

[rehandle]

[ Right. No clues as to content, but he didn't ask. There's a brief twitch of his brow at the response - treat it like you would another guest is risky advice he will not be following quite to the letter - but he nods. Taps his fingers on the desk to close out his interaction with the pages of the book he's been allowed to view, sliding it back toward its owner. ] Thank you.

[ And he turns to leave Silco to his business. Except... A tilt of his chin as thoughts coalesce into something worth saying. He stops. Half turns back. ]

Ashcroft died a human death by human hands. But whatever he was the last time I saw him on these grounds, it wasn't human.

It'll be back.

[powerhungry]

[ When Silco meets Stephen's gaze, there's nothing like surprise in the sharp lines of his face. Just— resignation, like either he knows it or he expects it.

He could let Stephen go, and offer nothing more. Should, really, when they're still not square in his view. ]

They're different things.

[ It and Ashcroft, though he doesn't bother to elaborate further. ]

And yes, one remains.

[rehandle]

[ A held quiet. Stephen watchful, considering the confirmation dropped onto his plate - how much it sounds like fact rather than theory. ]

We don't know what this thing wants with the House. We do know that this place can call us in by its own will - from anywhere. Everywhere.

If it takes this place, it has access to all places. That can't happen.

[powerhungry]

[ For a moment, Silco just— regards the man across from him, the faint crease in his brow suggesting a moving tally. He doesn't disagree — can't, with the knowledge that has already been furnished to him — but he isn't inclined to play second fiddle again, not considering how it'd gone the first time.

So, a test— ]

Bring back what you find.

[ —to see if Stephen is willing to play ball, to take any sort of direction. ]

We'll speak further, then.

[rehandle]

[ Easily done. He needs him. They all need each other now that they have to become what they've been told they are whether or not it was true from the start, but Silco has proven himself a linchpin here. So Stephen can pay for his time if he won't give it freely. That's fine.

A nod of his head, deal agreed. ]

See you when I have something.

[ And he turns to finally actually leave. ]