aionchat | Pleroma Only

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Pleroma Only

Hello.

[ The voice is clear, and despite the fact that she's rarely spoken through communion, surprisingly clear, and with no lack of authority to her tone. ]

I have discovered that there are some among us who have come into some sort of magic, or abilities, since arriving. Some even have a gift from before they arrived, that has thus gone unutilitzed. [ Rand. ]

If we are to be at war -- to win against a foe with greater resources than we have, then we should utilize every advantage possible. I know I've spoken to others here, who have a great deal of competency with the arcane. I believe it would be best, if we pooled our resources, to teach those among us who are not so practiced. Whether it is powers granted in this realm, or... [ said with a bit of a laugh: ] simply magic, there are methods to make them simpler to call, or with practice, they can take less effort to use.

While I'm no professional instructor, I have advised others on the use of magic when they were new to workings before, and any sufficiently trained magister can instruct another on at least the basics, and I think we should do so before we find ourselves on the field again. Even if you are practiced with your gift, I am sure there is worth in working together, to learn how our respective talents can work together, before we allow each other to be exposed, or even worse: injured or killed.

[ A pause. ]

Consider this a...statement of intent, if you will. I normally favor staying in Godsblood, but given the...volatile nature of unpracticed magic, I think I will find myself an appropriately sized clearing near Greentruth, if others wish to join me. A scant few days of instruction, if you will. I do not think it will be hard to find, if you are in the vicinity in the next few days. If others are willing, perhaps it will be of use, to make this regular for practice.

[ ooc; I'll be intending to put up something of a loose open log for magic-based folks to collaborate/help out any characters who are just coming into new powers, want practice or instruction, or just want to strategize with magic-related combat in general later this week! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Perhaps. I...like to think that perhaps I can return to Creation at some point, but...

[ But... there is still a note of that despair, in her tone. It's muted, but present. Who is to say, that Coredelia Hasenbach had not brought the might of the Angels down upon them? How could she have known, when the dead still continued to shuffle forward, still left with the impression of their King's last edict.

All in all, Akua had been brought here during the worst time possible, for her to believe such things.

She smiled, reassuring, her thoughts dour when she thought of Calernia as always. ]

Don't worry. I like to think of it's possible existence as a potential pleasant surprise, rather than a guarantee. That's all.

...Being pragmatic, I see. Then-- suppose I will simply have to continue being the hopeful idealist for the both of us. Surely you won't mind much, will you...? If I keep the hope alive, trite or otherwise?

[ and while he says it, it might be apparent that he is hoping for far more than the fate of the home she might return to one day. it hasn't escaped his notice - the hint of something rueful, something shadowed, in her eyes when she speaks of this... of matters of 'home.'

maybe it isn't just her world she questions will be there should she go back. ]

Hopeful optimist as always, I notice.

[ Her tone, however, implies that she'll allow him the optimism. It's almost charming, in a way. All of the hopefulness of a Hero, without the baggage that so often came with them. Too few were willing to work with them, and the gains they'd made with the Heroes had been hard won through death and defeats aplenty.

Akua had no idea of the irony, but...

She wondered if this is how a Hero should have been, had they no Providence to perpetually tip the scales in their favor. Magnanimous, willing to see the big picture...

Well, perhaps that would be something for the new age, that the Tyrant had cursed into being with his death. ]

Not that I mind. There needs to be some... hope to compromise the despair, isn't there? [ A touch of a smile, again. Perhaps that hit a touch too close to home, given their Aion status. ] I do see that the possibility is... that it is there to manipulate us. In fact, I would bet on it.

[ Abel's path leads them away from the canals and toward an incline; they're heading upward toward an elevated overlook, it seems - one of his favorite spots in Godsblood. ]

...It's a concern you're not alone in having.

[ being manipulated by the forces that be is hardly outlandish, and almost a guarantee. while Abel, admittedly, feels a close connection and warmth where the Pleroma is concerned... he also knows how the most innocuous and mundane, the seemingly harmless might have something darker and insidious lurking beneath. he cannot trust that he is not being inherently swayed, influenced by the budding strength of that warmth inside of him. ]

What do you think about all of it? The Pleroma... the Kenoma... even-- the simple fact we're here. Our 'rebirths' seem to come in cycles, but... the origins of it all... they're much harder to find the root of, and no one is overeager to talk about any of it.

[ he keeps his voice low when they pass by others; some discretion is required considering the subject matter, of course. ]

[ Akua nodded at the statement, and her eyes moved to track the movement of others, followed them as they walked past, her own steps showed only the slightest of slowing when she ascended the hill. Her self-perception had healed much of the... issues from the Dead King's power, as an aion, but there was still some lingering in there. ]

I've tried myself, and... there's been little. I asked countless people, but none seemed...interested in sharing. [ Another group passed, and she paused, until they passed by. ]

Most of the... patterns here are eerily similar to my world. While the concept of Pleroma and Kenoma are new, I can't say that two polarized forces is something I'm not... unused to, and what we believe in is... [ She paused, considering. ] It's familiar.

I just wish people were more willing to share what they knew. It may seem like a terrible history to them, but there are strands here that could be picked up, and traced. We could find the origin, or perhaps even the circumstances that led to this.

I think reticence does more harm than good, when it comes to this.

[ the forces of Pleroma and Kenoma resembling something close to familiarity for Akua is definitely interesting; the curiosity piques in his eyes as he watches her while they ascend. ]

You're quite right... it is decidedly frustrating, mm. I understand the subject must be rather taboo and it seems like much of history has been obscured-- and willfully, at that. It isn't that I don't grasp it must be difficult with things being as they are, but...

[ But... ]

There are surely scholars who have cataloged things over the course of time's passing. I was thinking; maybe a trip to the Seeker's Shrine to consult those who seem to live there might be worth it one of these days. If anyone might be attached to the treasure of knowledge... it'd be them, you think? Or they might know who has the answers we're looking for.

[ It has a certain amount of logic, doesn't it? ]

I should think if anyone did, it would be the Seekers. At the very least, they might be able to point us in the right direction, if they don't have any answers.

[ She paused, considering. ]

If we had time, we could perhaps put things together. We could ask enough people, or win over their trust, and do all of those grand, wonderful things that would lead us to having the right answers, but...

But waiting for that leaves us with little time to do much else. It feels as if the Kenoma know enough that they hold many of the cards, and without the right knowledge about the history here, we're bound to get wrapped up into some problems simply because of that. It's easy to misstep, or find the same patterns accidentally, and when it's to our disadvantage, even more so.

[ Considering the world Akua was from, it should be unsurprising, that one could be undone by a pattern without even realizing it. ]

I had thought to perhaps learn more about the more well off families by perhaps... getting to know them a bit better, and maybe learn about their histories that way, but... the Seekers may be a better, and more reliable, place to start.

You're right... time is a commodity we don't seem to have the luxury of, lately.

[ and truthfully, Abel has never been much of a patient man - especially when lives are on the line. with the stakes high as they've become following Estinien's passing, he cannot help but feel a fire in his gut, something burning inside of him that presses him to be less passive than he has been thus far.

it is only a matter of time before first blood turns into first loss. a loss that cannot be undone. ]

...Would that be something you might be interested in, one day? Taking a trip to the Shrine?

[ Abel knows Akua has a unique perspective far differing from his own - and despite it, the two share similar minds on other, important matters. she would be a valuable partner for such an endeavor. ]

[ Was it always this easy? She wondered. If she had made the effort, back then, would she had been living a different life altogether? She wasn't keen on falling back into old habits, given everything that she'd lived through, but the fact that someone was just simply asking her if she wanted to join him on a journey -- to find information?

It's almost... astounding, how she finds that she does like it. Being asked to be a part of these things, part of the grand design, instead of the opposition to whatever direction the waves are moving. ]

Yes, I think I would be. I suspect that if there are scholars there, I could learn quite a bit from them. I also have a great deal of knowledge, if it is of interest to them -- although I don't know how interested Seekers would be in tales or stories from another world.

I'd value your perspective, if you're up to it when the time comes? It might be a bit before we're ready, but... when there's a quiet moment to start thinking about going-- I'd like it if you were there.

[ for a variety of reasons, not least of which is he thinks that it would be good for her, too - a thought that seems emboldened by the expression in her eyes as he watches her now. he can see it, a sense of contemplation in her gaze that reminds him of the depth he'd seen in them while traversing her memories weeks ago.

and as they reach the crest of the incline, Abel's destination seems obvious: a small seating area overlooking the city below, a resting place for busy folk to take a breather among the din of Godsblood under the shelter of several trees providing shade from the sun.

Abel is gesturing for her to take a seat and make herself comfortable, smile at his lips. ]

Now~! Here we are... please make yourself comfortable, would you?

[ She nodded in acceptance of the offer. ] I think that would be useful. You can consider me on-board, when the time comes. Thankfully, I don't seem to have that much happening, so I'll be perfectly one board when the time comes.

[ That seemed to settle that, at least. She had been so used to doing things alone that she hadn't even considered roping others into her own investigations. Catherine would have told her it was obvious, perhaps...but Akua was simply different than the other woman. Greatly so, really.

She smiled, when they crested the hill, and — it was a beautiful sight, wasn't it? ]

What a view. [ She commented, as she moved to sit where he'd pointed. ] Do you come here often?

[ he waits until she's made herself good and comfortable before sinking beside her; Abel doesn't wait overlong before digging into the bag he had brought with him, pulling out a little tin filled with various fruits and some dried cheeses (haphazardly sliced, but one needn't pay attention to such details). ]

Ah... yes, actually-- this is one of my favorite places to take a breather! It's quite breathtaking at sunset, too...

[ Abel has always been fond of a good view, had a healthy appreciation for sights like this one. there is something comforting about it, he feels - the spread of life ongoing beneath them. ]

Where do you find yourself spending most of your time, Miss Akua? Is there somewhere in particular you like to go to unwind? Horos can be a rather gorgeous place to explore, so I'm a bit curious!

[ Akua eyed the cheeses -- noted the way they were cut -- but Abel is lucky that she likes him -- and so she didn't say anything. ]

Mm, I suppose... [ She considered, for a moment. Akua hadn't chosen any haunts -- and really, had she ever? She'd always been so focused that the next thing, the next, most important thing, always preoccupied her time. Whatever workstations she'd set up had always been the place she had been -- and while she'd seen marvels... she'd never taken enough time to well and truly appreciate them. ]

I've mostly frequented the places I've been scrounging together money. [ She admitted. ] I've explored a bit from above, but...

[ Wait, above? ]

[ oh... wonderful, she truly is too kind to him, do not make fun of his completely professional knife skills. bless u,

but that definitely does earn a quizzical look. at first he assumes she means metaphorically - like bigger picture? - but maybe she means magic...? ]

Above? You don't mean... ah. Literally, do you?

[ ......DO YOU, Akua?! ]

[ Akua smiled a mysterious smile. ]

I do mean it literally.

[ She does not elaborate. ]

Have you been walking all this time?

--What do you mean?! How are you going to go and... and say it like that, like the alternative is--

[ he's growing flustered, leaning in a bit and looking at her pleadingly. AKUA?? ]

Just how have you been getting around, exactly?!

[ Akua, with an ever-mysterious smile says: ]

Oh, I can fly.

Now where is the wine...

[ So casually, like it's nothing. She certainly doesn't have wings. ]

Oh! Oh, she says. She can fly, she says. No, no-- no wine, I'm afraid, until we clear this up. Mm?!

[ in fact!!!!! he is now plucking up his little offering of snacks

and maturely holding it just beyond her reach with his lanky arms. wow!! finally a use for these things...!! ]

[ Holding it out of her reach, she looked at him, and her nose scrunched up, a little miffed. ]

Cruel! [ Her tone was teasing. ]

Very well... [ A wave of her hand. ] I'm a sorceress, it should be no surprise that I can turn into a swan, if I want.

[ Ok, it was a power that had returned, but still... ]

Oh! Right. Why didn't that occur to me? A swan, yes, that's perfectly normal and natural in the grand scheme of things.

[ see, this is why they get along..... they can talk about the most dire of subjects

and also tease one another with flawless transition. perfection. ]

Are you telling me this is something you can do on command...? Just-- turn into a swan. A swan? Why a swan, also? I have a great deal of questions about all this if you couldn't tell.

[ Akua smiled, a touch of mirth in her eyes, when he started going on about it.

Well, of course it wasn't normal, but Akua could admit, she didn't think it was normal to do this, at least not in this way.

When she'd last taken the form, she'd been a shade, able to change her appearance because she was dead, not a flesh and bone body. ]

It's a form I chose, when I was... incorporeal, and I wanted to move around. [ With her poise and posture, Abel, would she be anything other than a black swan? ] Apparently I still thought of it here, and... I can do it again.

[ it's talks like this that make him realize how much he has to learn, how big a gap there is between his life experiences and those around him. but it isn't intimidating or frustrating as much as it awes him.

the world is a fascinating place. his world had been filled with wonder, too - but Horos and all the worlds represented by the Aions in its midst... it's truly something else. ]

I can't believe this is just something you can do, [ he's still going to be Dramatic about it?? that's a given. ] But you chose it? You mean, you had some agency over what you could turn into?

I --

[ She paused. ] I did when I was home. I could have chosen any form, but it seemed...fitting.

[ She straightened, slightly, and placed her chin in her hand. Akua was nothing if not pretty, and choosing a swan would be the choice to make. ] I was dead, after all. I could change what I looked like, as well, you know. When I was dead.

Less now.

[ Then, she rolled a shoulder. ] I don't know if I so much as chose it, as... perhaps I knew instinctively what I would want to be? I lost the ability when I regained my body, but... I have the form once again.

[ instinct... yes, that seems about right from what Abel knows and understands about their existences as 'Aions' here. so much seems to come to them as instinct, and those who had no supernatural or magical abilities, no extraordinary skills, seem to develop things that come naturally to them... like an extension or growth of their person.

it makes him wonder...

but he reaches for the wine and glasses she's brought, and he will do them the service of beginning to pour as he keeps the container of snacks between them, no longer holding out on her. ]

What is it like? To fly above the city like that unknown, it must be beautiful. Terrifying! But beautiful, I'd think.

Terrifying?

[ She asked, her eyebrow lifted. ] Maybe it's because i was dead when I first did it, but it's not really... all that scary. It's simply another mode of transportation.

[ To be fair...from the things she's seen, flying isn't really all that impressive. ]

It is beautiful, though. Especially at sunset, when the sun reflects on the water, and the boats are all in the harbor, so all you see is this... long stretch of unending water.

It reminds me of home. Most of us have never traveled across the Tyrian Sea.

Pleroma Only

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