[Kenoma] Discussion

[lachtara]

( 🟣 - Emet, 🔵 - Ciel )

Good Evening.

There are some within our ranks who we have not had the pleasure of meeting. I am Emet-Selch. Ciel and I serve as tacticians and teachers to the Kenoma.

I function as acting counsel for devising strategies. Additionally, some of you may find yourself in possession of new magical abilities that you did not have before. I am available to assist you with honing your newfound magical skills. To those of you who find yourself injured, I can provide my magic to heal your wounds so that you may be hale and whole once more.

[ He sighs. My, is this a mouthful. ]

My name is Ciel. I am versed in martial arts and am proficient with most types of weaponry. There are various means of developing melee combat prowess across Achamoth, but if you would like personalized instructions at any level, please contact me and we’ll arrange for a schedule. I can also perform magical healing along with Father Paul.

Unfortunately, We do not have much time for pleasantries. The Pleroma will soon be at our doorstep. Their goal is to retrieve their allies who remain captive inside our walls, and our goal is to lure them deep within the Citadel where we may enact our own plans. You will be provided assignments once it is closer to the promised hour. Prepare in your own way meanwhile; The Citadel is host to all manners of weaponry and the army's training grounds.

[ It’s kept a little vague and unspecific. Though they do intend to give adequate information, there is also no question that they have had traitors in their midst as of late. Everything will be doled out with due caution. Although, there will be a silent message sent to each person asking them to respond with some information of their abilities. ]

We are at war, bloodshed is inevitable. We will be attacked soon, and we must defend our keep. Consider this communion address a formal hub for discussion and organization of the battle to come. We will begin with information sharing of the Pleroma: knowing their names, appearances, and capabilities will better prepare us in dealing with them in combat. Aions may develop new abilities at any time, however; intel from the mission in Venera and Godsblood may very well be outdated by now, so do not assume anything we go over in this address as the extent of what they can do. Anything you may have witnessed at the shrines can be helpful, including other newcomers you may have met that did not return to Achamoth..

To the third wave of newly awoken Aions, it is regrettable that we cannot welcome you better, you’ve unfortunately arrived at a tumultuous time on Horos. If this is all too much for any reason, that’s fine. Contact me privately, and we can at least arrange for you to be somewhere safe during this. To those used to wielding great power, please get some practice in and verify your new limits. Becoming an Aion may have weakened you, do not let that catch you off-guard on the battlefield.

To those who are new, introduce yourselves and ask any questions you have. We will answer your questions as best we can, and I encourage our fellow Kenoma to chime in where they may. Do try to keep your questions interesting enough to be worth reading.

Comments

[baltimores]

[ There's the sense of a low, impressed whistle. Guess that explains how a clearly weakened Abel had been able to get such a good shot on him when he'd goaded him into punching him in the head.

He should, maybe, reconsider ever goading him into a fight again.

Or maybe focus on getting better so that he will be able to take him. Abel's punch had signalled to Amos that it was possible to break him; it had also flooded him with so instinctual an excitement it had taken everything in him to remind himself that he shouldn't kill him then and there. The Regent probably wouldn't have liked that then — but for the future? Shit. He wants that. ]

Can confirm he thinks anyone can be saved.

[ Sorry, Ciel; no its from Amos, although they're not really necessary from him when he'd kill simple hes without a second thought, too.

But even after he'd provoked Abel into attacking him by his attacking a vulnerable Himeka — Abel had still said nothing had changed between them.

It sure does add a unique sort of vulnerability to him.

(And yet a part of Amos still holds some fondness for him, even as he'd willingly see him to his permanent death. Just the game they're playing.) ]

[baltimores]

Yeah.

That's what we're trying to help the Regent make, though. And they're trying to stop us. So. You never gotta feel guilty about doing whatever it takes to kill them.

[expiera]

Ah.

[The driest 'ah' he may have ever heard from her.]

Is that what it sounded like.

[expiera]

...Mm.

[It's not hard to imagine, but hearing him go on, she does get a few ideas.]

Well, no one here makes the weather as far as anyone knows, we're all on Horos now. So why not start with the weather? [Since he's clearly talking about someone from home, with that "we had someone who made the weather" part that she's wise enough to not ask.] Achamoth doesn't grow its own crop, but we do receive imports from the rest of the continent. You could also look into the sort of produce and their quality that the Citadel's kitchen will receive for the next few days, or on which day we'll get what, maybe? Would that work?

[It's strange why he thinks what he's said wouldn't be helpful. It's plenty?]

[expiera]

[Imagine churchies. lol. lmao

Oh, that confirms it. Being a BIG FAT LIAR, Ciel doesn't give much of an emotional response in return, but this is. Wow.]

I've only read about it in passing, I've never gotten involved in one myself. [Not really in the jurisdiction of the Burial Agency.] --Oh, but I'm no mage. [VERY IMPORTANT DISTINCTION.] It just means that you, Gray, and I are from... The same overarching world, probably? That's just as surprising to find out than to hear that you're a Servant, Saber.

[Now what else was there... Seven pairs, wish granting, battle royale, yada yada...

...]

Can you still go into spirit form, if I may ask?

[Just... idle curiosity, pointless question really,]

[uproared]

You're not a mage, and yet you know of the Holy Grail War? You really are a weirdo... [ lmao... ] But the mouse is, without doubt, from the same world as I. That much was apparent from our first meeting.

[ Why? She isn't saying... oops.

She sounds a little disgruntled at Ciel's question, too. ] I can... but I won't. If this is to be my second life, then I intend to experience it fully. Do not expect me to dull my senses and hide away without good reason.

[uproared]

Perhaps not this time, but there will be other attacks. [ Will, not may. ] A scared enough citizenry will throw open the city gates to save their own skins. They must see loyalty to us as the safer option.

[regressor]

[... The infirmary.

It's something to seize upon, even though she depicts something in his voice that could be anything from dislike to simply absent-mindedness. It is difficult to tell, on occasion, even with her recent memories to draw upon... So for now, she simply files that possibility away in the back of her mind, along with a million other scenarios and facts that she has picked up on since she woke up in a cave of crystal. It could be useful. Most things could be.]

Emet-Selch... Father Paul...

[So she stacks the last of the dishes, murmuring the names beneath her breath as if memorizing them... and he offers to take them (her aim), which means she smiles again, the tug of muscles in the corner of her lips that does seem a little rusty... but capable of warmth. Capable.]

Ah... Thank you. Yes, I'm ready.

[She carefully, if not slightly awkwardly, scoots out from her chair, slowly easing to her feet. If there was an infirmary...]

... About the infirmary.

[She looks around the room, at the very... She would describe it as something that looked like it belonged in a sci-fi or fantasy movie. It was almost the same for this man, with his pointed ears and somewhat unnaturally pale skin. Still, it was worth the attempt-]

I used to need blood transfusions...

[She looks at his face for any signs of recognition, if he was familiar with the concept.]

Someone told me that the crystal shards in us are... us now... So am I still going to need those? Do they even have them here... ?

[regressor]

[She can't say she can imagine a world without darkness... but the important part is that she keeps living. That she secures a place for herself in this "new world". And to do that...]

We have captives, though, now, right... ?

Are we supposed to try to capture first, and kill second... ? Or don't hesitate at all.

[regressor]

[Havoc notices... though she does not really show signs of it. Like any Contractor, her mind is constantly focused on one single priority... and to achieve that, she needs to be aware of her surroundings, the movement of anyone near her, the possibility of any risks that need mitigating. The strange glint of the air around him...

Well. Perhaps he would understand what it was she about to do. She's willing to share a certain amount about her abilities, in the interest of mutual cooperation. ... But that didn't mean she was ready to show everything.]

... Alright. I'll try to keep it contained.

[She continues the act that her powers might be a bit volatile, a bit beyond herself. She lifts her hand in the direction of the dummy, to present the idea that the gesture might be required to help visualize the manifestation, even though all it required was her eyesight.

Eyes that begin to glow an eerie red behind the pupils, an electric blue thrumming to life around her silhouette as the Lancelnopt Synchrotron radiation begins to show in the air around her. The smell of ozone begins to permeate the air... and then she is the one summoning a subtle, barely noticeable shift in the air in a sphere around the practice dummy.

The practice dummy that begins to... shudder, under the pressure of an increasing vacuum. At first the damage is not as noticable, because it is not a living thing that can thrash and fight against the sudden loss of air, but as the defenses begin to weaken, once the shell is cracked... the entire thing suddenly crumples in on itself...

Without a single sound.]

[regressor]

Miss Ciel... ?

[Ah, the woman who brought her into the Kenoma.]

Thank you. I'll talk to her.

[vapour]

Oh, this guy. Knew he was full of shit about being a complete loser, sheesh.

Ghost is pretty interesting but no idea which Pleroma it belongs to, though. Sorry, Ciel.

[vapour]

... What a sham. How could he do this to me...

[vapour]

You got it.

[vapour]

Or defect. Betrayal is starting to become popular these days.

Ahh, yeah, the most dangerous— and most powerful, for the moment due to his fusion with the Innocence—is Estinien, the guy that gramps mentioned. [ he'll flash the same image that Emet-Selch did for her. ] When he's not bolstered by a higher being, I'm not sure he's the most powerful, but still definitely the most dangerous.

Although the enemy is showing their willingness to get their hand dirty, he's still basically their alpha attack dog. He will ambush and otherwise attack Kenoma on sight. He used to be more lenient and willing to restrain himself, but after what happened to him in Venera and now the two prisoners being basically his closest friends here, all bets are off.

[vapour]

You know damn well. [ rude! ]

[vapour]

Oh, it's this guy.

He's really good at making himself hard to hit with magic, too. Must be ingrained into the melee combat style he trained himself in.

[expiera]

Yes, haha. A weirdo does sound fitting, so let's go with that. [don't sound so accepting about it?] I was surprised to learn that she's an apprentice gravekeeper turned Clock Tower Lord's apprentice, myself. [Though on the topic of Gray...] May I ask why do you call her 'mouse'? [It's also a question that doesn't involve Miss Knight directly, would that work?]

So you could. That's okay, I was just curious! No wonder you said a 'vengeful ghost' wasn't too off the mark, haha. [The very fact that she herself mentioned "without good reason" means she'd consider it too if there was one, which is plenty enough.] They say how we're reborn here is based on self-perception, do you feel any notable difference between your Aion body here and Servant form from before, Saber? No trouble adjusting?

[Just nosy checking to make sure everything's fine? But man. Being able to call on Servants from other worlds and sustain them, huh? Just what kind of land is Horos?]

[uproared]

Selchy did seem pretty annoyed by him. Guess he's taken out more than a few of our guys, huh?

But if he truly is a dragonslayer... not that I'm worried, of course. It's just... [ And using a lance on top of that... talk about both her weaknesses rolled into one. ] Have you fought him before?

[uproared]

Because she's a mouse. Quiet, timid, and all too eager to hide behind that hood of hers. Though I can't say I mind the last part.

[ She sighs. ]

... My last memories are of my death. I must have been unable to properly manifest as a Servant before coming here. [ Which does eat at her, a little, to know that she was unable to answer whoever called to her originally. Chances are they'd never have gotten along, but... still. ] ... But for some reason, I can exist in this place without a Master. Perhaps not at full strength, but I don't intend on forming a contract with just anyone.

[uproared]

Yeah. As far as I'm concerned, humans are worthless. They'll sacrifice others to avoid their own suffering, and ignore great evil if it means getting ahead. They forget their debts, but never their grudges... and even perfection isn't good enough for them.

I bet it's the same here. Most of these people worship the Regent because they think it advantages them, not out of any true loyalty. The Pleroma only need to appeal to their greed and sense of self preservation.

[subsist]

Then, I suppose it's on you to make sure it doesn't happen again.

[ jk, he'd probably still laugh. unless childe dies, then he might be somewhat mad. :angry: ]

[uproared]

Sure is — and food, too. That's why it's best to have a lot, so there's enough to go around.

But I guess you're the kind of guy who never had to think about where his next meal was coming from, huh? [ lol... ]

[tohell]

[ It's a given that those who wield the most power in a war of this scale are typically the victors once the dust settles. Still, harboring an iron-clad sense of confidence is nothing to sneeze at, and can be an incredibly valuable asset when minor skirmishes turn into grueling battles of attrition. It seems they both agree that the heart and all the infinite vulnerabilities it may suffer is the greatest weakness to find in a man. So those without insecurity or doubt in themselves already have a leg up against even the most power-laden foe who suffers those ailments, or other soft and easily exploitable emotions.

J appreciates an ally who resembles a touch of the familiar. While no demon born and raised within the depths of Hell, Crane has his kind's slant for a ruthlessness the Kenoma desperately need on their side. This man does not appear to ever be at risk of defecting, nor sparing their opponents and costing the Kenoma losses out of mercy. Good, it's about time their ranks acquired a more coldblooded breed of fighter. ]

My esteemed colleague, there's no need for such formalities. [ "Mister" doesn't quite cut it when it comes to the demon's title. He originally was an Archduke in Hell, one of the most feared and reviled demons around for his high status, but J doesn't plan on mentioning that. Nor does he feel like sharing much in the way of her personal information. Call it an old habit of his to play everything close to the vest. Though, with the way the other demon from his world talks, it may all come to light if he spends long enough time in Makoto's presence. Heaven knows how his ward loves grousing to everyone about his plans to murder J, who happens to be his demonic master. #Justdemonthings. ] You're more than welcome to simply address me by my name- "J".

Since you're just getting your bearings, do you require any aid in locating provisions or a suitable place to set up shop, so to speak?

[uproared]

Yeah? Sounds like that guy was a real chump. [ What happened to the formal speech... ] But I can control myself, no problem. It might be more of an issue if one person was here... but there's no way he is. These Pleroma are a bunch of nobodies to me.

What about you? Gonna sit this one out, or dive right in?