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 Aions may develop new abilities at any time, however; intel from the mission in Venera and Godsblood may very well be outdated by now, so do not assume anything we go over in this address as the extent of what they can do.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

[vivificantem]

Ah... Right, my name is Father Paul Hill, I served as a priest where I came from, and so I likewise serve as one here. The congregation of Our Dark Regent's Church of the Precious Blood is my responsibility.

[It's kind of an evocative name. They do exactly what you think they do there.]

If any of you need healing at any point, I can assist you in that way.

[expiera]

Thank you, Father Paul. [Healers are going to be especially needed, with all the hurt that typically comes with war.]

How fares the congregation of late? [Since they're talking "business" anyway.]

[vivificantem]

They fare well enough. I've been trying to prepare them, at least in theory, for what's about to happen; I can't say they're ready in practice for anything that may be about to hit the city, but I found it for the best that they know. Should they assist us in ensuring that the Pleroma threat is defied, I have assured them that their actions will be seen well in the eyes of the Aions.

[expiera]

[There's almost a sigh on her end.]

They are regular citizens, they won't be able to do much against Aions. The Pleromas are unlikely to spare them sympathy either, judging by that display in Venera. [She didn't miss that communion, despite choosing against taking part.]

There may be some back end preparation work we could use their assistance with, but once the Pleromas arrive, it may be best to make sure they stay away from battle. [For their own good... But also right, zealots.] Do you know what their sentiments are about this, Father? That the Pleromas will attack Achamoth soon?

[vivificantem]

I've made it clear that they are to leave the battle itself to us. But I feel it to be for the best that they're aware of what is to come, and they may be of assistance to us in both preparations and the days afterwards as well.

[But...right, zealots...]

They have faith in us. Given how strongly they revere us, I can't say that's surprising.

[expiera]

[Zealots. She gets it, as an ex-Churchie herself... Though there wasn't much point in ever bringing it up on Horos now. She's always been a militant, not a preacher, and besides, Paul is already the best preaching priest Achamoth could ever ask for.]

Do you think they may be willing to help us plan and evacuate other Achamites, if the fighting spills outside of the Citadel and into the city? The risk to the civilians is not nonexistent, and we could use many more bodies for that cause, it shouldn't hurt to be prepared.

[vivificantem]

I can talk to them about that, sure. Task them with it, if you would find it useful.

They're very eager to please and impress the Aions, as is most of the city. I just have more direct access to them than most. I'll absolutely see what can be done about that, though. They don't mind what happens to them, but the others in the city are a different story. They won't want them to be harmed, especially for nothing they did.

[expiera]

I'll consult the Citadel staff too. The children at the very least should be kept as far away from the conflict as possible.

Yes, please do try to instill upon them more worth in their own life, they'd help us far more alive than dead. Thank you for ["the human capital"? "red shirts"? hhh...] your work, Father.

[vivificantem]

That's what I'm trying to do with them. It'll take time, but hopefully it'll sink in. At least they're not willing to sacrifice anyone but themselves.

...And you're welcome, Ciel. It's no trouble at all.

[epiprocta]

[ No words here, but -- have a tiny, grudging, drive-by prickle of gratitude needling your way, Paul. He does owe you one. (Or more like five by this point, probably.) ]

[vivificantem]

[noted, gen.]

[galdorleod]

...a congregation? Hm. I see. [ So that's what you've been so busy doing, Paul. Howl hasn't forgotten about you. And after that rousing speech he made during the Regent's summoning, how could any of them. ]

Whatever rest or preparation you might need to do in order to use your powers... I suppose I don't need to tell you this, but, please make sure to do it. [ the dread in Howl's stomach is telling him that things are going to be bad. ]

[vivificantem]

Trust me, I'll ensure that I'm more than well enough to fulfill my duties and then some. I don't foresee this ending well.

I've been preparing my congregation for this, though I doubt they're prepared in full. However, I have made it plain that any assistance they offer us is seen well in the eyes of the Aions.

[galdorleod]

[ Preparing his congregation? ...Which would all be Achamoth citizens, would they? Howl pauses. ]

What preparations are those, may I ask? Or do you mean you're preparing them to take shelter? [ the reference to 'assistance' makes him think that isn't it. ]

[vivificantem]

This is likely going to be more of a bloodbath than anyone intends it to be, no matter how much they're intending it to be. We need to prepare for damage to be done to the citizens, no matter how little we may want it and tell them to avoid it.

They'll help, if something goes awry and the citizens are affected. That's all.

[galdorleod]

Are the Pleromas so desperate so save two people that they will sacrifice the lives of the very people they purport to want to save...?

[ Howl sighs. The question was rhetorical — there are probably enough Pleroma Aions willing to do exactly that for Paul to be right, and he knows it. He just doesn't want to believe it. ]

Well... Thank you for looking out for them. The rest of us will be busy.

[regressor]

... I'm not sure what I expected, but.

I don't suppose it's very orthodox, is it... ?

[vivificantem]

Not at all, and I have no interest in trying to change that.

Whatever brings them closest to the Kenoma is theirs to decide. I'm not going to take that away from them. I'm just here to help them on their path.

[regressor]

Of course. It's not my place to do so, either...

I just wondered if there wasn't somewhere a bit more like I'm used to. I got used to going to services before I realized it.

[vivificantem]

I can show you around, if you'd like. I've had time to get familiar with the churches and their teachings; maybe we can find you something you like, if not something that aligns with your usual religion.

[regressor]

Would you? I'd appreciate it.

... I'll be honest with you. I'm not sure how much of a believer I was. But... I saw what it did for other people. And I liked that. And the routine.

[vivificantem]

Sometimes that's all it takes. It isn't my place to judge based on how much of a believer you felt yourself to be - if it holds your interest here, that's enough, I think.

And trust me, as a Catholic I knew more than enough people who were there for the routine.

[regressor]

[she does her best to project a sense of laughter through the shard- she remembers how it sounded]

Looks like Catholic and Orthodox aren't as different as some people think...