[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 Aions may develop new abilities at any time, however; intel from the mission in Venera and Godsblood may very well be outdated by now, so do not assume anything we go over in this address as the extent of what they can do.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

[gravings]

No, it's better that you're professional.

[ It's still a bit aggressive, but it's better than being yelled at and insulted. Even if Mordred is still insulting her by calling her names. ]

... What about things like honor and chivalry?

[ It's expected for knights to kill, but aren't there supposed to be a whole bunch of other things that come first... ]

[uproared]

[ Smugly: ] What about them?

[gravings]

[ So... no.

Gray wonders for a moment if there's anywhere to go from here conversation-wise... maybe she can try to slip away again............. but in the end, she thinks that doing that might just make Mordred drag her back harder.

So here's some silence because Gray has no idea how to respond but also isn't allowed to leave. ]

...

[uproared]

[ Oh my god.

Even Mordred, of all people, feels a little guilty, and she sighs. ]

I'm civil to those who deserve it, mouse. But I don't consider my enemies to be worthy of such a thing, and why should I? Courtesy is no comfort to the dead, or the soon to be.

[gravings]

[ That is weirdly, genuinely a relief. The civility part, anyway. ]

I thought there were lots of stories about things like knightly conduct, even when fighting your enemies.

[ Then again, those were about knights like Lancelot and Gawain. Now that Gray thinks about it, she didn't hear too many stories about Mordred except for the big one. Maybe with good reason. ]

[uproared]

Sure — and many knights acted like that, too. They fought fairly and valiantly, and respected their opponents as much as their allies.

[ She'd idolized that way of life, once, and aspired to be the same. Now... ]

I don't have time for such nonsense. Let others die for the sake of their worthless honour. All I care about... is winning.

[gravings]

[ Winning... Recalling Mordred's famed role in legend makes Gray wonder. ]

So you'd say you won in the end?

[ This is probably a sensitive topic, but Gray just says what comes to mind, her tone simply curious. ]

[uproared]

[ Her first response is an immediate, uncontrolled burst of emotion — fury at the question, bitterness at the answer, pain at the memory. When her voice finally filters in again, it's cold and detached; the complete antithesis to her usual tone. ]

I destroyed everything the king held dear. I burned his kingdom, killed his people, and tarnished his legacy. What is that, if not victory?

[gravings]

[ Mordred's complicated twist of emotions shoves at Gray like a bull. It takes a moment for its effects to pass, and for Gray to come back up for air. It doesn't matter that Mordred died in the attempt, it seems — though it's hard to tell how she really feels when her emotions and her tone are at such odds. ]

Then... how do you feel about the Regent?

[ If that was what Mordred thought of King Arthur, then... ]

[uproared]

... I don't fully agree with their methods, but if they can give me what I want, then I'll fight for them. After all, they're the one holding my leash right now.

[ It's not that different from a contract with a Master — annoying, but necessary. She won't accept being forced to do anything against her will (lol), but fighting and killing armed opponents is hardly an issue. ]

Your role here, however, makes far less sense. You seem to differ from me in every way, and yet somehow, we're on the same side. How is that?

[gravings]

[ Mordred's leash... Gray is a little surprised that Mordred would draw that analogy for herself.

But the other observation is fair; Gray has observed more than once that she's a little different from the other Kenoma, though she could probably say she's a little different from most people. ]

I guess... I just ended up here.

[ Sorry, she doesn't have anything cool to defend herself with... ]

I thought that if the people of this world really wanted to start over, they should be allowed to start over.

[uproared]

[ Trust her, she's not thrilled about it... she just knows it's the best way to describe things. ]

What a miserable answer. [ Both parts of it. ] ... Well, whatever. Be grateful you ended up here, mouse, and not at the end of my blade. With that face, you'd be my first target as an enemy. [ lol................ ]

[gravings]

[ ...

There's a small, nearly hopeful ping from Gray. ]

If you feel that way, you can still fight me if you want to.

[ She is here to support all ill will toward her face... ]

[uproared]

[ TIRED GROAN ]

Would you stop that already?

[gravings]

[ Disappointed... ]

But if my face is bothering you...

[ Please?? ]

[uproared]

It doesn't bother me, fool! I just don't want to see it!

[gravings]

[ That doesn't make any sense, but the sentiment still feels pretty good. ]

... Okay. I'll be careful to keep it covered.

[uproared]

Make sure that you do.

[ Mordred's the one to cut things off this time... congratulations on your freedom, Gray. You officially out-weirded her. ]