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 Aions may develop new abilities at any time, however; intel from the mission in Venera and Godsblood may very well be outdated by now, so do not assume anything we go over in this address as the extent of what they can do.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

Abel

[expiera]

[The image included be like: (yes she chose this shot on purpose) (yes he's still captive and chained somewhere, she's still not doing him any favors 😤)]

Abel Nightroad. Self-professed priest. [She is STILL not convinced and never will be.] Martyr, to his last. [Takes one to know one.]

A bleeding heart and foolish idealist who believes anyone can be saved, the man has a compulsive need to sprout nonsense and theatrics at any given opportunity. Is a staunch pacifist who normally refuses to engage in combat, but is capable of fighting when the life of someone he cares about [which is probably too many people but that's his problem] is directly threatened.

[Enclosed is a second image, this time a still of a winged figure with demonic red eyes and sharp fangs that looks utterly monstrous against the backdrop of the night sky. Don't mind the fact that he's clearly carrying Himeka in his arms.]

He can change. [Almost ironic, with how much he insists everyone else can.] Capable of flight atop superhuman strength and agility, its blood is also caustic and will eat through flesh. The wings are as sharp as blades and can tear through matter, it highly likely has a slew of other abilities not yet witnessed. [She can recognize OP BS when she smells it.] It may also potentially have an affinity for lightning. [Maybe, not enough conclusive evidence just yet.] It doesn't understand the limits Horos imposes on all and gave a very clumsy initial showing, but its threat is nevertheless significant. Please contact me immediately whenever that monster appears next. I will handle it.

[Yes, it, a monster. There's nothing human about it, so Ciel simply sees it fit to address 'it' as such.]

If you feel sympathy for that creature, reconsider why you're here. That is all.

[Yanno, the dude that's currently captive after a public display stint? Of course there's going to be an obligatory callout?]

[lifespanned]

[ Not the Abel jumpscare being projected into her mind??? mr knightlord....

The way Ciel refers to him as an 'it' naturally invokes some subconscious sadness in her, but ultimately? If Abel was hiding such an ability like this, all this time... it does makes her question the honesty of everything she's seen of him up until this point, perhaps hypocritically. A seed of doubt has surely been planted. 4d level chess move on ciel's part ]

He really can turn into something like that...? What is he, some kind of demon...?

[ The question is more confused than outright frightened or disgusted - but still. A slight sense of disbelief lingers in her words. ]

[expiera]

[more like scummy NIGHT LORD amirite 🔪🔪🔪

Textbook 101 warfare! You have to dehumanize the enemy. The more unrelatable and alien they feel, the easier it is to demonize them. Not that it takes much effort, when Abel's space rabies form already does such a good job of making its own case for her. Which is why while Abel absolutely does not deserve this, Ciel unfortunately has no chill when he and ONLY he is involved, so even if she notices Misa's apprehension this once, she WOULD willingly choose to ignore it whole.]

Yes. You may ask Emet-Selch for confirmation, both of us witnessed that monster.

[...]

I believe him to be some form of vampire. [Actually, she's pretty sure that's exactly what he is now after certain torture chamber events, but that's neither here nor there. It also doesn't change the fact that Abel's particular brand is still hecking weird.] It doesn't matter, regardless. A monster is a monster.

[lifespanned]

[ Much as she'd like to coldly believe what Ciel is saying, her mind drifts to the "monsters" she'd befriended back on Earth, how they were terrifying to look at and had undeniable lethality... yet, they'd still been kind to her. One of them had always promised she'd protect her with her life, not so dissimilarly to how Abel had told her he'd always be waiting for her on the other side. ]

Well, I guess....

[ But it's not a matter she can bring up so openly, and besides - Abel is their enemy. And Ciel is her ally, simple as that. She shouldn't overcomplicate things in her own mind. She's already made conscious effort to sever any affection she had for him prior to this information being revealed, at the public showing - it's just... the shock of it, that's getting to her. ]

You've fought monsters like vampires before, haven't you? Is that why you want us to call you....

[ She'd said something akin to it before - that people in the Church were taught to fight against "threats in the dark." Misa had always assumed it had to do with more fantastical threats than she was familiar with, and a vampire fits right in with that kind of thing. ]

[expiera]

[...]

I have, yes. I specialize against them in particular, as it so happens.

[It wasn't particularly relevant, before.

It is now, as much as there's only her own word to go from.]

[lifespanned]

Guess we're lucky you're on our side then, huh.

[ A vampire hunter on the opposing side of the OP vampire? That's one more thing that's going their way. ]

I don't feel like we'll see that form again, but... if I see him like that, I'll tell you. You already beat him once already, anyway...

[ So why let anyone else deal with it?? Maybe having the knowledge that he can be confidently taken care of by someone on her side will be... better, in the long run, for her detachment. ]

[expiera]

He won't do it for himself, only for the sake of another, but now that we've forced it out once, we know we can do it again. Please do; that monster is a true threat, to all of humanity and beyond.

[That's right, leave it to the professionals. There's no need for anyone else to concern themselves over details.]

[lifespanned]

All of humanity...? A-Ahaha, jeez...

[ Her laugh comes out a bit sheepish, because jfc? Is Abel really that dangerous?? She can't help but feel like there's something else, apart from Ciel seeing Abel's powers firsthand, that's causing such a severe reaction. However, she supposes it could just be Ciel's experience with vampires talking. ]

Maybe I'm not getting it, but is there a reason to want to force it out...? Or did that happen by accident when you fought?

[lachtara]

[ There's a hint of amusement in his tone. He can't help himself here. ]

My, does this mean the two of you are not friends?

[expiera]

[GRANDPA...]

Did we ever mistakenly give you that impression, Emet-Selch?

[She gave thorough and accurate info? She did her part??]

[lachtara]

[ There is the smallest of snickers. He's having fun! ]

I'm sure the impression he would rather give differs greatly from your own.

[expiera]

What. [This is Ciel being CAREFUL with her control.] Did that bumbling idiot t-ramble to you about me?

[...It's NOT like she needs wants to know or anything,]

[lachtara]

You certainly seem worried about the possibility. Is there anything I should know?

[expiera]

No.

[lachtara]

[ A long sigh. One can practically sense him folding his arms. ]

You're no fun.

[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.) ]

[expiera]

[No sweat, Amos. Ciel expects no one to adhere to her 'standards' treat Abel the way she does, including how she changes pronouns for him depending on how he's looking: stupid (The Usual) or heretical (after seriously threatening someone he likes). A firm and solid sense of acknowledgement is returned.

Though since they're here...]

I heard things got a little rowdy when you visited, Amos. [As if it was just that: a visitation. That hallway was well guarded throughout the period, and some Aion visits ended up more memorable than others, the gossiping Achamites did end up talking about it among themselves.] Is everything okay?

[baltimores]

Just dandy.

[ He's pretty chipper about the whole thing now, so he ain't lying or downplaying any of it. Upon reflection he knew it was likely word would spread about how his public visitation had gone, and that's fine. ]

It's like you said, he's a bleeding heart who believes anyone can be saved, and a staunch pacifist. Got him to attack me when I went after this friend though, so he can be provoked.

But I don't think he's got it in his heart to kill me, so that's an advantage.

[ This isn't even underestimating him. After everything Amos has said and done and still, somehow, nothing has changed? He's not sure what it would take to see the priest seriously go after him, if any such action is out there.

Sorry Abel. It's really nothing personal that Amos has it in his heart to kill him. If it's gotta be done one day then it's just gotta be done. ]

[expiera]

No. Killing is something he's solemnly swore to never do [again]. I'm not sure what it would take to push him over that edge, but I don't think either of us would achieve it, for starters.

[Just an observation, after having bore witness to the ugliest parts of him that her power permitted her to.]

We know he can be provoked and fought. That'll do for now.

[...That said.]

By the way. Are you any familiar with the Bible and its stories, Amos?

[baltimores]

[ It's like a thoughtful hum; it's one thing if Abel is a tough customer — tougher than he might ever be able to fight — but it's meaningless if he won't actually use it. Being willing to kill him will always, always, give them the advantage.

So that's nice to have.

As for the change in subject, he shifts to more of a friendly, curious tone. ]

Nope. Not a whole lot of use for any Bible where I'm from.

[ What's up? ]

[expiera]

[She does agree with Amos. Abel is the foolish idealist who assumed Ciel wouldn't involve his allies simply because she's shown consideration a few times across the sect aisle. Nevertheless, she does what she has to when it's time to, and it's his problem for assuming her to be something she's not.

But yes, "moving on".]

Cain and Abel are both biblical figures. The story of those two brothers is rather well known. Would you be interested to hear more about that one?

[Asking out of friendly concern, that's all. From what the guards were saying, maybe Amos would be especially curious about the first sons of Adam and Eve and what they come to be most well known for?]

[vapour]

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

[expiera]

[...]

What is it, Tartaglia?

[She's going to regret asking, isn't she.]

[vapour]

[ yeah, she is. ]

He's always trying to be so innocent and a nice guy like he knows all of us and tries to make us trust him and be open with him, but he does stuff like hide his powers?

He knows I want to fight strong opponents, but he just went and duped me even though I was already suspicious.

Definitely not to be trusted. —Also he ate over half of the cupcakes I ordered! No shame at all. [he's definitely sulking despite the context sounding downright absurd. is he really in a cranky mood now because Abel kept his monstrous abilities from coming forward until now and when he wasn't even there to witness it?

Yes yes he is. ]

[expiera]

[... without breaking my html this time

There's an exhale.]

He doesn't want to fight, that's the plain truth. All the things he does are to avoid that. If you want to fight him so badly, then you can take his allies hostage and make a show of torturing them or taking their lives in front of him. That's what it takes to force him into it.

[She still can't kick the feeling that they're on different wavelengths here, but eh, whatever, have at it. Is Childe someone who would willingly take such steps? It's not her business, but if he's that salty, then he knows now for future reference.]