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 Aions may develop new abilities at any time, however; intel from the mission in Venera and Godsblood may very well be outdated by now, so do not assume anything we go over in this address as the extent of what they can do.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

[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?]

[baltimores]

[ ... Hold up. ]

You gotta be fucking kidding me.

[ Abel was named after a biblical figure? His brother, the name he'd once called him by, was named after said biblical figure's brother? Come fucking on now.

Just give him a moment to process the fact that that happened. That it's apparently relevant to their present circumstances. Goddamn. ]

Yeah, I think I need to hear about this one.

[ Please, absolutely proceed. ]

[expiera]

[Ah. Well that turned out more effective than expected. (She does not know what she was expecting.) Ciel thought it was Some Sort of coincidence ("coincidence") and maybe Amos would be interested to hear the origin of those names, but she just ended up with his undivided attention now, didn't she?

...Hm.]

Cain and Abel were the eldest sons of Adam and Eve, the first man and woman. Cain, the older brother, was a farmer who tended to the fields, and Abel, the younger, was a shepherd who herded after sheep. They both offered to God the fruit of their labor: Cain his crop, and Abel, a lamb from his flock.

[She pauses.]

God accepted Abel's offering, but disregarded Cain's. The details after this vary, but... Because of God's choice, Cain led Abel out into the fields and killed him. The brothers' tale also depicts mankind's first murder.

[She finishes the summary like one would deliver the weather report. Isn't that some wacky Bible story from the Old Testament/Book of Genesis?]

[baltimores]

[ There's the sense of him intently listening, and when Ciel is done, she's met with a pensive silence. It's kind of a lot, considering how Abel had called him Cain once. ]

Guess that means there's precedent for killing him.

[ All of the stuff with God is irrelevant to him, and everything to do with murder is very relevant. As for who is going to be the one to kill him, well. He doesn't know how many of the details surrounding his little chat got out there; if it made it back to Ciel or anyone else what the name Cain is supposed to mean in relation to Amos.

It doesn't really matter either way, he figures. Abel and Himeka are already all but dead. ]

Not sure what anyone was expecting though, naming our guy Abel and his brother Cain.

[ Kinda just seems like it was asking for trouble, wasn't it? ]

[expiera]

It's one of the oldest and most well-known stories in Christianity, passed down through two millennia of history. There's no guarantee that the 'Abel' you know and the 'Cain' you asked about bear any deeper resemblance to the brothers from the Old Testament, but indeed, whoever who named them must be very unusual to have done so after mankind's first murderer and his little brother.

[It's poetic, in a decidedly twisted sense. She thinks back to the first time they met inside that cave, and how she off-handedly called him a shepherd.

She was more 'right' than she expected to be.]

It almost reads like an ill omen, yes, but if he was reluctant in talking to you about it, then that just gives the story and any parallels it may bear to his own life more credibility.

[No, none of this changes anything in the big picture. But it's kind of neat in that "The More You Know ☆" sense, isn't it?]

[baltimores]

I'd be surprised if there wasn't something there, the way he tried to avoid talking about it.

[ The way he'd choked out Himeka right in front of him to get him to talk, more like it, but really, who's counting here. ]

Even if it's something else? Or if their names are just coincidence? Doesn't mean it won't line up that way in the end.

[ If being Cain means killing Abel, then sure, he can be Cain.

It is kind of neat, in its own way. ]

[expiera]

That would mean him and his brother were practically set up. It would be rather twisted.

["Fucked up". Imagine naming your boys after mankind's first murder and murder victim, sheesh. Did they even have parents, or were they hated that much and considered cursed at birth or something? Ciel has trouble imagining any sort of caring environment being simply okay with naming conventions like these, but that's neither here or there, nothing anyone can do in the present.

As for Amos' implication...]

...Mm. Time will tell.

[He wouldn't mind, he says. Of course; it's Amos, for better or worse. Better for Amos the Kenoma Aion, worse for Amos the man with a human soul and heart, no matter how badly he's been damaged along the way.]

Be careful if you bring out that side of him. I'd prefer handling it personally, but we may not always have the luxury of planning.

[Especially when Amos has made it very clear: he can and will dissipate Abel, if afforded the opportunity.]