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 Aions may develop new abilities at any time, however; intel from the mission in Venera and Godsblood may very well be outdated by now, so do not assume anything we go over in this address as the extent of what they can do.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

[cutlery]

[ Sebastian is quite pleased that the first thing that Matt does is inspect his work, since naturally, it's a point of pride. It's not completely perfect, since looking long enough would show the slightest variations in the delicate pattern on it, but it would be a game of comparison to spot them. Sebastian's attention is sharp, and far sharper than may even be possible for a human, but it's not completely perfect, especially when it came to something like art. ]

Thank you very much. [ Even with his display, Sebastian looks quite interested as the third teacup appears, and he investigates it as well. He laughs a bit to notice how it doesn't quite touch the plate, and reaches out to wave his fingers through it. ]

This is no small trifle either, though. At a glance, certainly it would fool most.

[ Since, well. He knows how much people actually pay attention to things, and the answer is not very much... ]

Ah, and as for books—

[ The written word is something that sticks in his mind much more clearly. There were many tales of demons granting knowledge, and for good reason. They were indeed knowledgeable! But at least in Sebastian's case, it wasn't so much a case of truly infinite knowledge so much as seeming to have it. There were plenty of demons that weren't interested in humanity and its works, but Sebastian was a nerddeeply charmed by them. As he pulls his hand away from the illusion of the teacup, that same strange darkness pools in his hand, but only for an instant. It's hard to follow with how quickly it solidifies, but it settles as a small, leather-bound book, which Sebastian offers to Matt as well.

As he opens it, the style of the text stands out immediately. It's clear right away from the irregular, imperfect nature of the lettering that this was a book that was one written by a scribe. That, as well as being in Middle English will make it a bit of a challenge to actually read, but if Matt spends the time on the title page, he'll be able to pick out the title and its author: Of the Wreched Engendrynge of Mankynde by Geoffrey Chaucer. If the title is unfamiliar to him, it would be no surprise to Sebastian. He's doing a little bit of showing off (since he so rarely gets the chance with things of this nature), so this particular work is one that had been lost long ago. ]

It is an advantage of my kind, I suppose, as we do not forget things. Once I have read a book, I shall never forget it, so reproducing its text is simple enough. You may find variations in the lettering or the artwork, since those I do not remember quite as clearly as the words themselves... But I would also say that is an advantage of your kind. Mine simply does not possess the creativity necessary for art.

[semicharmed]

[ Matt sets down the teacup in favor of the leatherbound volume. He handles the book as carefully as if it were a small, skittish animal, gently flipping it open to the first readable page.

Oh, hell, is this Middle English? Even Matt's Sanskrit is better than his grasp on the early days of the English written word. But that frustration is only a brief glimmer in his mind, quickly overtaken by how impressed he is with the book itself. He flips through, delighted to see text on every single page. The lettering may be frustrating, with all its F-looking Ses, but it's gorgeous; it looks like the kind of thing a monk would spend weeks or months on, toiling away on a little piece of God's great plan. Matt turns his attention back to the words themselves, squinting to make out the prominent ones that appear to be the title and author. Of the wretched ... engendering of mankind ... ]

--Chaucer?

[ This comes out close to a yelp. Matt's gaze snaps back to Sebastian, his eyes as wide as dinner plates. ]

Chaucer, [ he says. An incredulous smile tugs at his lips. ] So you have an eidetic memory. I mean--that's what they would've called it where I come from, the label probably doesn't matter.

This is fucking amazing.

[cutlery]

[ It is precisely the reaction that Sebastian is hoping for. His expression stays humble and calm, but if he could? Oh, he would be sparkling with how pleased he actually is. Being the unique brand of arrogant that he is, he absolutely loves to have his excellent work and attention to detail acknowledged. ]

That is correct. As clearly as I see your face now, I can remember every book I have read, every conversation I have had. So, being quite long-lived, that means I am one of the last creatures that remembers some works, if not the last.

[ He's tempted to be especially wry and quote Faust, in fact, but mercifully, holds off. There's still a playful game afoot of how long it takes for Matt to arrive at the correct conclusion of exactly what he is, though he's also not exactly making it difficult, either. It's his whimsy to just not straightforwardly acknowledge it until it's straightforwardly said. ]

So, if I were to make a recommendation, it would be literature, though I am a bit biased, as I simply enjoy it. I cannot claim to have read everything, since there was quite a lot produced once it was no longer written by hand... But there is a fair chance if it is a work of the Western world that I know it.

[semicharmed]

[ How long until Matt guesses indeed? He has more experience with demons than most where he comes from, but there's a few confounding factors in the way. Mainly, the differences between demons from world to world, and Matt's WASPy reticence around asking personal questions. For the moment, he beams as he flips through the book. ]

Western world, [ Matt repeats thoughtfully. ] So uh, any chance of Les Fleurs du Mal, by Baudelaire? [ It takes slight effort to make the words come out French, rather than what they all speak here, but once he manages that, Matt's pronunciation is pretty good. ] Or ... what about the Atharvaveda? [ A wistful expression has come over his face now. ] It's obviously not Western, but I only ever read it in translation anyway. Ralph T.H. Griffith, late 1800s. I've memorized portions of it--Les Fleurs du Mal too--but never the whole thing.

It's amazing that you remember everything. It ... made me really sad to think all of that died with my world.

[ Speaking of WASPs, this is an understatement. Matt's not a literature person precisely, but the loss of poetry and spiritual works, the occultism and esoteric knowledge of his entire world's history--he's grieved that like death. ]

[cutlery]

[ The two titles are familiar to him, but they make his brow quirk lightly upward in surprise, since they're also quite recent to him. Well, not the Atharvaveda itself, but the exact translation that Matt references. ]

Ah, you are in luck! Both of those do run up against my limitations, as seeing in the future is not quite something in my skill set, but... [ He trails off with a laugh and a small shrug, but with a similar motion, a much more modern, but still leather-bound red book materializes in his hands. Compared to Chaucer, this one looks much newer, perhaps even freshly printed, since that's precisely how Sebastian remembers it. It's the first edition of Griffith's Atharvaveda, and Sebastian explains genially as he hands it off. As he expects that to be Matt's choice, he also takes a seat at this point. ]

It is only a recent interest of mine, I must admit. The world was much... smaller, I think is how I would describe it? So I do not know much of places outside the West, not comparatively. But the young master I worked for had been hosting a prince of India and his valet for quite a while. Mr. Agni and I were—

[ Here, Sebastian pauses, and the reason why would be easy to guess at being something similar to how Matt's own thoughts had turned a bit dour. It's certainly the expression he takes on briefly, though it's actually more of a confusion at the memory than anything else. To speak to it still feels odd. ]

Well, Mr. Agni and I were doing the same sort of work, so we became friends. He told me much of his beliefs and his gods, so I had been endeavoring to learn a bit about them. [ He gestures to the book ] It was only published a few years ago, as I recall.

[semicharmed]

[ Taking a seat is the wise course at this point, for sure. Matt can only hold onto so many books at once, so he subsides onto the nearest chair with the Chaucer tucked beside him and the Atharvaveda taken instantly, reverently, in both hands. (The tea things remain untouched, now that his magic demo is over.) ]

Oh my God, [ he says, stunned. The name "Agni" catches Matt's attention for sure; for a moment, recognition flickers to suspicion in his eyes. But like--there's no way. People are named for gods all the time. It's a lovely story of cultural exchange and appreciation, one that gives Matt a sense of Sebastian's time, if not (quite) his place, and that's surely the takeaway.

He starts to flip through the Atharvaveda, expression melting to one of delight. ]

It's all here, [ he says. A sudden suspicion hits, and he turns all the way to the back of the book. ] --Yes! Even the erotica he left in Latin.

[ Matt grins. Sorry Griffith, nobody's more motivated to learn Latin than a teenager anticipating porn. His expression softens as he turns back towards the front of the book, landing on a well-loved hymn. ]

Oh ...

My coming in is honey-sweet and honey-sweet, my going forth:
My voice and words are sweet: I fain would be like honey in my look.
Sweeter am I than honey, yet more full of sweets than licorice:
So mayst thou love me as a branch full of all sweets, and only me ...

[ He trails off, glancing to Sebastian with slight embarrassment. ]

I guess you remember all that.

[ So he doesn't need to hear Matt say it. ]

[cutlery]

[ Whether it's genuine or just slipping to something familiar, Sebastian just waits patiently as Matt begins to flip through the book. It was his peculiar brand of arrogance, but watching humans take in knowledge earnestly was rather charming. It feels familiar to the quiet pleasure that Sebastian had taken in the few weeks that he had taught as Weston. ]

Around thee have I girt a zone of sugar-cane to banish hate.
That thou mayst be in love with me, my darling never to depart.

[ As he speaks, the rhythm of his words shifts from a conversational one to one that's more suited to a play, or to poetry in this case. It's spoken gently, but perhaps surprisingly captivatingly. It's no magic or anything of the sort, but just a well practiced skill as an orator.

So, a "yes", but finishing the charm was a much more fun way to do it. ]

[semicharmed]

[ Matt's expecting Sebastian to react with--boredom, maybe, or polite indulgence. But he doesn't. As he starts to speak, his voice taking on depth and rich colors, Matt's sheepish look fades away, yielding to one of rapt attention. He hardly dares to breathe.

When Sebastian reaches the end of the hymn, the lines of poetry hang in the air, making it shimmer after the sound has gone. And Matt finally exhales. ]

Oh.

[ His eyes shine with emotion. ]

Sebastian, this is really incredible.

Can I hang onto this?

[cutlery]

[ The reaction is also one that pleases him, but definitely not in the same way as Matt's earnest enthusiasm. It's a rather funny thing about Sebastian. As ancient and well-travelled as he is, where he could reasonably take a much more distant and detached view of the world and interacting with it... He also just loves to be praised. It's not said, naturally, but the way Matt's eyes shine means it doesn't need to be. He takes it as praise for his skill all the same. ]

Why, naturally. I had promised you a gift, and I am not the sort to go back on my word.

[ He says it playfully, since there's also a bit of a joke there that's only for him in this context. ]

Granted, I had offered it in exchange for lessons, which I would very much still enjoy, but I had not quite understood exactly what it was I would be conscripted into at the time, naturally. So if you are not opposed, rather than an exchange, consider it a gift to begin a more regular working relationship. It may be somewhat presumptuous of me, but I imagine we will be speaking often.

[semicharmed]

[ Matt's eyes widen briefly as Sebastian mentions the agreed-upon exchange. He's on the verge of protesting that no, no way, he wasn't gonna try to weasel out of his end--it's just that before this, he couldn't have imagined any physical object that would've meant so much to him. But then Sebastian says regular working relationship, and his expression eases. ]

I can imagine that too, [ he says. He starts to smile again: almost bashful this time, but very warm. ] Uh--yeah. I'd love to do that.

If you want, I can try showing you some of the little spells you should be able to do now? Make illusions, manifest elements, that kind of thing.

[cutlery]

[ The bashful warmth doesn't escape his attention. Like how Sebastian approaches every conversation, it's a small detail that's filed away, but it's also a tool to be used, should it be beneficial or perhaps just interesting to him. It also means that his charm is well worth keeping up, though it's not exactly disingenuous in this case. His interest in magic is quite earnest, at least. ]

Ah, yes. I heard a bit about their existence, but I know little of them practically speaking.

[ He laughs, bowing his head lightly as he gestures to Matt ]

So, please! I suppose I am now properly your student.