THE REGENT'S ADDRESS [OPEN TO ALL]

[aionpcs]

[It comes on fast, once the Regent has your spirit in their hold. Around you, you may see other Aions stumble in the same moment, as if shaken by the same tectonic motion. An inexorable darkness claws at your senses, and you have only a few moments, hard fought, to reposition yourself so that you don't simply drop to the ground when it overtakes you. It has similarities to Communion, to the way another entity's thoughts and words reach out to your mind, but by the same token it's entirely foreign.

This presence is not like another person, it is like a raging, screaming cacophony that drowns out everything else in its path. Whether you be Kenoma or Pleroma, the Regent's presence in this metaphysical realm is staggering. To the Pleroma, though, it also feels caustic, as if the movement of their aura is enough to erode your own, with time.

Gradually, a new world forms. Unlike other Communions, where you are ultimately grounded in reality, here you can been dragged to what seems to be its own distinct psychic realm. A vast, void-filled courtroom, where only the throne at its front has a defined form. Around you, you see shadows of other people, other Aions, that have summoned along with you... but for the moment they seem spectral and unclear, their identities obscured by the realm's aggressive focus on its master.

The Regent sits at their throne, their body swathed in dark fabrics that drift and flutter like smoke. They have no face to be seen, only a faceted silver mask, without any markings or the barest indication of what might be beneath it. Their size is indistinct, maybe a bit taller than you are. They at first sit reclined, but straight up as their 'guests' arrive.]

It's been a long time coming, my subjects.

[At first, they are the only one that can be heard. Though you feel as if you have some physical presence here, a shadowy body of your own, if you attempt to speak no sound emerges.]

To the Pleroma: well done surviving thus far. Granted, I feel as if my Kenoma have made things easy for you. How strange, that most of you were allowed to wander a city within my empire without recourse. Able to summon that wretched creature to your side, even.

I hope you've enjoyed yourself, in the time you've had, because this will be no more. You've spread your infection in Venera, in Godsblood, and it is only necessary that these wounds be cleansed by the touch of the Kenoma. Your presence gives the people ideas... ideas that would disrupt the fragile peace they've come to enjoy, after so many years of suffering. As a kindness, I will only trim the vine, rather than burn the vineyard. What Venerans have taken up your cause, I will see shorn from my empire. And in Godsblood... an example will be made, as of the Sovereign's moon.

My Kenoma will do this for me. Fight them, if you want. But know that I am no longer asking for your fealty. I am demanding it.

[As if opening their court for questions, you will find yourself more able to act. Those that speak or take action will find their physical forms taking shape, standing in the court as people rather than shadows. If you want to question the Regent, now is the time to do so.

OOC: This post is a free for all! We will try to response as the Regent to people who directly engage with them, but you are also allowed to threadjack and interact with each other if you like. Please note that we will not be responding to tag ins done later than the 12th.]

Comments

[hundredpower]

[Barnaby has only ever seen Meteion in passing, but that doesn't stop the concern he feels when she falls to her knees. He doesn't move, not immediately, but once the Regent's address is concluded and their exchanges begin with the other Aions, he approaches the girl and crouches beside her, so they can talk at the same eye level.]

Are you all right?

[The answer is obvious, but he can't ignore her distress all the same.]

[perfectlygoodbird]

I will be. They're just...very overwhelming. [Clearly, Meteion means the Regent. That should come as no surprise whatsoever. She takes a deep breath and attempts to steel herself, to offer the man--Barnaby? She'd heard about him in passing, and a bit more from Gray--a weak smile.]

Are you all right?

[To those who know her, that the next question is about him and he feels should come as no surprise, either. Meteion's smile broadens a little, and she tentatively tries to get to her feet, though she's still unsteady. The Regent hasn't left, after all.]

[hundredpower]

[He doesn't know her at all, so he does look surprised to have the question reflected back at him. He gives her some space as she gets to her feet but remains close, should she need to lean on him for support.]

I am. [Which is a lie, he has a thousand thoughts racing through his head about his next move, but he's used to displaying nothing but a veneer of calm friendliness when others are in distress. It was his job, after all.] And I understand. Their Excellency's presence is certainly... commanding.

[Like the Regent or hate them, Barnaby can't deny even the Pleroma have been commandeered into dancing to the Regent's tune. It's a little hard to watch, honestly.]

[perfectlygoodbird]

[That might work, were Meteion not an empath. However, she's not about to question him here--that could only lead to danger for the both of them. Were the two of them not in the Regent's mindscape, she might interrogate him, but not now. Still, Meteion gives him a look of clear concern.]

It is. On an empathic level, they're quite overwhelming. [She can't help but quirk a smile, then, as she looks up (way up) at him.]

This is Their place. The Pleroma should know better than to challenge Them. [Still, some of those Pleroma are Meteion's friends, and she isn't terribly happy to see what has befallen them, here.]

[hundredpower]

[They should know better, yes, particularly after Estinien was immediately stopped in his tracks, but what she says before that interests him more.]

An "empathic level"? You mean their presence in a room...? [It's his first guess more than some ability she might be referring to-- he's never come across that kind of power before, even amongst NEXTs back home.]

[perfectlygoodbird]

Not only that, but yes. As They themselves have said...[And here, Meteion gives a self-deprecating laugh,] I'm easily swayed by emotion.

[And the Regent wants to command obedience, here. They want to cow the Pleroma if they can, and make certain that the Kenoma don't disobey. Fear them too much to disobey...though she's certain that devotion would work equally well. It's a useful tool, as much as anything else is...]

Whatever you do, ser...please, be careful?

[hundredpower]

I see. [He smiles. It's a smile meant to reassure her more than one he really feels, besides perhaps the twinge of fondness that someone would be concerned for him amidst her own distress. She's too kind to be here.]

I'll be fine. Things must be difficult for you right now, so just focus on taking care of yourself first and foremost.

[perfectlygoodbird]

[Meteion smiles, then, although it's still a little strained around the edges.] I apologize if it sounds trite, but I'm used to it. But I'm trying to take care of myself. And others, too. It's in my nature, I guess.

I don't think we've met, though I've seen you around. [Her voice is relatively hushed--the last thing she wants to do is call attention to herself as the Regent speaks.] My name is Meteion. You were guarding us all at the beach, weren't you?

[hundredpower]

[His smile becomes a little more bittersweet as he nods. That day at the beach already feels like a lifetime ago, even though it was only a few weeks past.]

I'm Barnaby-- and yes, I was. I hope you enjoyed it?

[Primarily the day had been planned with the children in mind, but it had been good for the Kenoma, too. Aions or not, they're still people, not pawns on a chessboard. Reminding them all of that can only have been a good thing.]

[perfectlygoodbird]

I really, really had a good time. The best I've had in...well, a long time.

[If Meteion is honest, it's probably the best time she's had since she lived in Elpis. Before Hermes had asked his fateful question, and everything had gone so very wrong.]

I probably should have brought you an ice! I didn't think of it, though. I'll have to make it up to you.

[Well, if they get through all of this...]

[hundredpower]

[He laughs softly, a sound that's forced, incongruous to everything going on around them.] That's kind of you. Maybe next time? There are plans to take the children on monthly outings.

['If they get through this' is a very big if. But he is genuinely happy, all the same, that she was able to find some enjoyment in the circumstances they've found themselves in.]

[perfectlygoodbird]

It's a deal! I'll look forward to it!

[Meteion usually is the type to look for that silver lining, and now is no different. Not really. Likely, it's part of her personality (and thus, her Legacy, also), but the laugh she offers in turn is, while quiet, free and unrestrained.]

Still. Please, take care of yourself, Ser Barnaby? And I'll do my best to do the same.

[hundredpower]

Good-- and I will. Thank you for your concern, Meteion.

[He smiles, making a mental note to take his feelings into consideration more around her in future, if she's more sensitive to such things than the average Aion. He's still grateful that she cares, all the same.]