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 Aions may develop new abilities at any time, however; intel from the mission in Venera and Godsblood may very well be outdated by now, so do not assume anything we go over in this address as the extent of what they can do.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

[ And of course mr. extrovert demon is here to introduce himself! He's quite pleasant and calm, which... may not fit what you might expect from a newbie, but. Adapting to new situations is a skill of his. ]

And to all others, hello. I am Sebastian Michaelis. I've little to say in terms of an introduction for myself, so please allow me to simply say that I am quite long lived, and as a result, quite skilled in a great many things. I was most recently in service as a butler, so if you should perhaps desire a most excellent pastry, I would be more than happy to provide.

[ ...it's a completely serious offer ]

Instead, may I ask for those who have been here for a while— What is it that you wish you had been made aware of sooner when you had arrived? And of relevance for upcoming circumstances, who do you find to be the most dangerous adversary?

[ yes, it's a broad pair of questions, but. look. give him deets, he is thirsty for information of all kinds ]

[lifespanned]

You're a butler? So, what, you worked for someone really rich and famous or something...?

[ Or at a café?! A long lived butler... how fascinating. In contrast to his calm, her voice comes off rather high-energy, and fast paced. ]

Well Mr. Butler, the one thing I would've wanted to know earlier is that you can't really hide your feelings from others of the same Legacy as you. If you're near them, or you're connected with them in this mind space thingy, they can sort of feel what you're feeling. If that makes sense? It can be kind of a shock when you feel it for the first time, so, just so you know.

[cutlery]

Ah, rich, yes. My last master was an Earl of England, so his estate was quite vast, and he also had quite the business acumen himself.

[ There's a feeling of admiration that comes with the description that's genuine, though fittingly for what she says, there's a definite feeling that this is also begrudging admiration... ]

Ah, yes. I did experience that a tad when I met Mr. Howl... It is. Hm. [ He pauses, thoughtful, then asks lightly: ] Is it fair to say it is unpleasant? Of nothing personal to Mr. Howl, of course. It is quite a strange sensation to me regardless of who it comes from.

[lifespanned]

[ a rich English earl... she's definitely imagining some stuffy old guy. ]

So you're a Celebrant... wow, I never would've guessed from hearing your voice. [ "Said," or thought more like, mostly to herself. He sounds chilled out and relaxed - plus, he's a butler, so how much celebrating can he really be doing? With a hint of mischief: ] You really don't think it's even a little fun? It's sort of like being able to read minds. That part of it, I don't mind so much.

[cutlery]

[ well... he was definitely stuffy, that's for sure ]

[ He's... not surprised that she's surprised, at least. Considering Ciel gently bullied him into calling himself out immediately, he's quite aware that his affect doesn't quite match a hedonist. It's part of why he smoothly moves past it, but also because the mischievous tone in his voice to match makes it clear that the latter is more a more fun topic anyways. ]

Well, for others, it is not so bad. I can even see it being quite useful! But for myself... I suppose I am a bit private is what it amounts to? It is not quite as relevant here, but I am so used to keeping a great many secrets that it is a bit odd to suddenly be so open!

[lifespanned]

Aww, well, you won't need to worry about talking with me. We're not the same Legacy, so I won't go peeking around in your thoughts. I swear!

[ She can't promise what the other Celebrants may do, but she can offer him this much. Besides, she can understand the need to keep secrets, is still keeping a fair share of her own. Nothing about his penchant for privacy pings her as odd - and given his job description, it seems pretty obvious he'd feel that way. ]

I guess that comes with your career, right? Big fancy secrets, about money and family scandals and stuff. There's not as much of that here. [ There are Kenoma Corp™ secrets, sure, but in her imagination, the life of a butler of an earl is probably more stressful in the day to day tasks than the lavish lives the Kenoma live... ] Ooh, there's not much butler-y stuff to do in general, actually. You've already been to the Citadel?

[cutlery]

Then I offer my sincerest thanks. It is quite an odd thing to have another presence!

[ But there's at least a lightness to how he says it that makes it clear that it's not something he's overly concerned about. It really just is something odd, and perhaps especially so for him. ]

Ah, but yes, I have indeed been to the Citadel. I could not claim that I have made a full tour as of yet, but at least the basics, certainly. It is— [ He pauses, then adds thoughtfully, ] Well, to have an offer to server me is quite strange. I almost feel bad, for it was offered in such an earnest nature... But I did enjoy some of my duties, truth be told. Both cleaning and cooking were activities I found quite relaxing. It balanced out the drama of scandals quite well.

[lifespanned]

So what you're saying is, maybe I should get you to do stuff around here instead of them? Ahaha.

[ Since he enjoys it so much, being the implication. Better to have someone who enjoys doing such tasks than ordering around a literal servant, right? It's said as a complete joke, because she simply finds it funny (and slightly improbable) that he really might miss doing things as mundane and normal as cooking and cleaning. He can't be that serious either, surely. ]

[cutlery]

[ A normal person would definitely not be serious about it, but. Mr. Chores Demon, on the other hand... ]

If you would like, I certainly have no objection to doing so. Ah, provided I do not have prior engagement, naturally. As I do not require sleep, I do find myself with something of an excess of free time, which is quite strange.

[lifespanned]

[ Oh, is that so? Well, in that case, maybe she really will, as she still isn't thoroughly convinced he isn't kidding.... so now, she wants to play along and see just how much he means it. Way more importantly: ]

Don't require sleep? [ There's a brief flash of confusion, before the mental sensation of a lightbulb going off in her head goes through their connection. ] Oh, I guess you did say you were really long lived... so does that mean you're not a human?

[cutlery]

That is correct. Though, before I say so, please, allow me to offer that I am likely not very much of what you may heard of my kind. There are a great many stories written about us, but only a small amount that are true. It is generally something I keep quite secret, but... As we are to be allies and to be invaded soon, it seems, it is more pragmatic to be straightforward, I think.

[ Which is quite the disclaimer, but the reason why should be fair enough once he elaborates. ]

I am a demon, Miss.

[lifespanned]

So you're a demon...! I've never heard of one that was a butler, too...

[ Her shock at the revelation is evident— but she doesn't show any immediate fear or apprehension, nor doubt that what he says is true. There's other demons among the Kenoma even right this very second, so it's completely believable. Besides, interacting with agents from "hell" has pretty much always gone well for her, so no need to be afraid. ]

A demon butler— [ She still can't wrap her head around how cool that sounds, ] —Can I ask if everyone at the mansion you worked at knew about you? Or did you have to keep it a secret this whole time?! That'd be so exciting and suspenseful....

[cutlery]

[ It's strange, for his existence to be accepted so easily, but he absolutely doesn't mind. It's far easier to just skip all of the fear and apprehension. And so, he laughs a little, but it's warm and friendly. ]

Well, it is quite exceptional, I must say. I have been a servant before when summoned, but this was the first time I was a butler, and I've not heard of any other demons doing the same.

[ season 2 of kuroshit doesn't count ]

But yes, the lord of the manor knew, as he was the one that summoned me. He was the only one, that said.

[lifespanned]

[ claude erasure???? no im jk ]

He was the only one... that's so amazing! He must have summoned you for something crazy if it was such a big secret.

[ Though she has just enough tact to not go digging into that right away, apparently satisfied with knowing that he's a demon alone. A bit abruptly, if remembering that she's been the one asking all the questions up until this point: ]

—As for me, I'm a regular human, but I'm used to seeing all kinds of things living here, so don't be a stranger, okay? Let's be friends— I consider everyone in the Kenoma a friend of mine. Call me Misa!

[cutlery]

[ i would never erase that tapdancing goblin of a demon, sebastian, on the other hand,,, ]

[ He does briefly consider whether to share at least the reasonable part of the terms of his contract with Ciel, but that's also forgotten in the open surprise that she surely feels in response to the rest of what she says.

Sebastian had been quite surprised for Agni to call him a friend, and Agni had no idea what he was. So it's even more surprising for a human who does to offer it so openly. He's a little baffled, and a bit uncharacteristically caught off guard by such a simple thing. ]

I... am not sure what to say, Miss Misa. You truly wish to be friends with a demon?

[ he's used to and fine with being a friendless loser demon? ]

[lifespanned]

I don't see why not! I've got no reason to be afraid of you, do I?

[ They're on the same side, it's simple as that to her. And anyway, what could he do to her, a loyal agent of the Kenoma, while in the heart of Achamoth? She's not worried about it. Besides, with the frankly cute way he seems surprised over her offer... what if he's just lonely...? Or not used to humans like her? That just makes her want to be his friend more. ]

I might be a human, but I've been friends with stranger beings. It's no big deal. Unless you're trying to say you don't want to be friends...

[ She adds, a bit teasingly. She leaves the matter of her strange friends vague, not elaborating further on whether she's referring to her time before Horos, or her time here in Achamoth. Nevertheless, the point remains: she apparently has no fear of the supernatural, obvious through her steady, bubbly ease through their connection. ]

[cutlery]

Not at all. I do take my work seriously, so that includes alliances, of course.

[ Since "work" is pretty much how he's chosen to contexualize being in Horos at all. It may have not been a summoning to bring him here, and he may have no master he's tied to through a covenant, but the concept isn't that different. Someone has desired his power, and he has incentive enough to work towards their goal. It's an area that's surprisingly straightforward for him.

Friendship on the other hand... ]

It is merely a surprise, I would say. There is only one person that had called me a friend, and he did not know what I was. It is just not something my kind is offered? [ for completely fair reasons, which is also why he doesn't exactly mind never having it ] I admit, I would not know how to return such a sentiment, but if it pleases you, I do not object.

[ what a way to say "sure, we're friends, i guess" ]

[lifespanned]

So we're just "work friends," huh....? Well, I guess that'll do for now.

[ The implication being that she fully intends to make the move to being "real friends," eventually. Alliance is such a stuffy word, and he just openly admitted he doesn't know how to return the sentiment, but that's fine. It wouldn't be the first time she's had to gradually (forcibly) nurture an affection for her in an unwilling party. Actually, she's feeling rather confident since he at least agreed to being... "allies." ]

In that case, if you have any questions here "at work," [ Her words are shortly interrupted by a giggle. ] then I'll hope you'll rely on me, Sebastian. Or maybe I should call you Sebby?

[ she's joking................. or is she ]

[cutlery]

Ah, I would very much appreciate the consideration. I am doing my best to learn as rapidly as possible so that I am not a bother, as there is much to be done... But should I have any questions, I will be certain to ask. If nothing else, I am grateful that you have all be quite accommodating to those of us newly arrived.

[ But he does end up laughing a little, and his tone turns more playful. ]

...And as for the name, you may call me whatever you wish. I do not mind.

[ as long as it's not sebas-chan, he's fine with nicknames rly ]