[DayTez + Hot Cocoa] An unusually cold day hit Mictlanpa.

The Aztec underworld’s temperature usually stayed on the lukewarm side. Not too cold it chilled the bones of the dead, nor it was too hot to burn them. So, when an anomaly hit home, the master of the house was the first to notice.

Since Tezcatlipoca was summoned from Pan-Human History, the system of his underworld was still connected with the working of Earth from the proper timeline. It was him who applied the rule to Mictlanpa after the destruction of Nahui Mictlan, making the underworld’s climate aligned with the climate of the Americas. Judging by the date on the calendar, this was the time for winter. Naturally, the god had anticipated the weather change & installed a fireplace in his residence.

Just Like An Action HeroAmong the countless invention made by modern civilization, Tezcatlipoca was particularly drawn to movies.

No matter where he was, whether observing from his Grand Berserker throne or receiving it as part of Pan-Human History knowledge when he walked on Earth in his modern man vessel, the god made sure that he had the time to appreciate movies. A projection of moving slides, camera tricks, and exhilarating background music. Handsome actor done his role as a noble hero to answer the call of the leading lady, while dastardly villain plotted the hero’s demise behind the shadow. Much like the the Aztecs’ dance-play entertainment, a movie’s plot had acts. Tension escalated as the act progressed, reaching its climax as the hero confronted the villain in a dramatic battle, and ending with a charade of explosion as the hero walked away with the heroine in his embrace. Then the credit rolled, and Tezcatlipoca clapped and shouted “Bravo” with the widest smile on his face.

煙草パチパチ……
足元で焚き火が火の粉を飛ばして軽やかな音を立てる。少し視線を移すと男が煙草を吸っているのが見えた。
白く華奢な指が煙草を持っているのがとても、さまになっていた。
「そんなじっと見つめるなよ」
男はこちらを一瞥もせずそう言った。1度煙を大きく吐き出すと嗤って
「穴が空いちまう」
「悪い」
「いい。おまえはそれでいい」
今度はちゃんとこちらを見た。色の入ったグラスの奥の瞳はじ…っとまるで値踏みをするようにこちらを見つめていた。
「おまえはいい男だ、デイビット。戦士としても男としても」
「その2つに違いはあるのか」
聞き返すと、彼は目を細め
「勿論だ」
と唇の端を歪めた。そして段々と短くなりつつある煙草に口をつけると大きく息を吸い込んだ。彼の薄い胸が空気に微かに膨らむ。