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 Aions may develop new abilities at any time, however; intel from the mission in Venera and Godsblood may very well be outdated by now, so do not assume anything we go over in this address as the extent of what they can do.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

[sterngaze]

[Liem makes an effort to present a put-together face for this sect-wide communion, although some hint of fatigue still underlies the cool, clipped tones of his message.]

To those who do not yet know me, my name is Liem Talbott. I arrived with the previous group of aions, about three months ago, and while there are certainly things about our present situation that I still don’t know, you can also approach me for assistance or answers should you need any.

To the more senior of us: you may have noticed my absence over much of the past couple of weeks.

[Also, unless you live under a rock, you may have heard about the seditious activities that certain Kenoma members participated in last month in Venera. But the new blood don’t need all that spelled out for them.]

Please know that my time away was fruitful, and I am prepared to work alongside you to the utmost of my abilities in the face of this upcoming struggle.

[baltimores]

[ There's the sense of something distinctly pleased, friendly, happy, at hearing Liem's words come through. ]

You find your place here?

[ Look, the means don't matter. What matters is it sounds like Liem's figuring out how he fits into all of this, and that can only be a good thing. ]

[sterngaze]

[Oh... Amos. Liem is reminded of their conversation on the beach, and he finds himself completely ready to believe that the happy feeling coming through his communion is genuine.]

I believe I have, yes.

[There's a brief pause, as he thinks back to what Amos said to him those weeks earlier.]

You said it yourself. It's as straightforward as following the person who's doing the right thing.

[baltimores]

[ His happiness is genuine; it's not something he's capable of faking. That, and he's a Lover — the primary goal will always be supporting what the Regent wants done, but at the same time, he's at his happiest when his people are in a good place.

If Liem had been lost before, he isn't now. And again — it doesn't matter how he got here. Just that he's here. ]

That's right.

[ He already knew he was in the right, but hearing that he might have helped, in whatever small way he did — that brings its own good feeling. The kind of thing he just wants to share. ]

Looking forward to seeing you out there, then.

[sterngaze]

I look forward to being of more assistance.

[Although this might sound like a platitude, he means this remark sincerely. Liem knows he hasn't contributed much to the Kenoma's efforts in the last few months that he's been here, even setting aside his time spent actively sabotaging them. He wants to make up for his lack now that he's committed himself to the sect in a more concrete way.]

Thank you for sharing your perspective with me, before.

[baltimores]

Yeah. Of course.

[ Amos' voice takes on a kind of subdued quality; still amiable, but more reflecting of the gravity of the situation. Of the situation at hand; at what it means for Liem's recommitment. ]

I said anything I can do to help, right? That still stands.

[ Especially if it means he's already actually helped. He's not going to forget this. ]

[sterngaze]

[The last time Amos said as much, Liem accepted the offer with politeness, but no real intention of ever taking him up on it. Now, although the offer seems no more or less genuine than before, he considers for the first time that he might actually call it in.]

Of course.

And if there is ever anything I can do to assist you, please let me know.

[baltimores]

[ The first time he'd offered had been in person; any sense of Liem's true intentions regarding it weren't as clear as they are here. So this? This is nice.

A niceness that wavers for a second as Amos wants to say of course he'll reach out to Liem, too, but that isn't exactly the kind of thing that comes naturally to him, and that'll probably be communicated across communion.

There's the briefest of hesitations before Amos commits as best he can. He doesn't want Liem to think he's reneging on anything. ]

Will do.

[ He's trying, and that's just gonna have to be good enough. ]

[lachtara]

[ He's going to coach away the feeling of skepticism. Forced coercion always ends in problems, and that's what this seems like. A problem. Maybe his words don't sound so convinced, though. ]

Ah. My felicitations on your "fruitful" endeavors.

[sterngaze]

[Put those silent quotes away, Emet... What is he meant to do, discuss the treachery and subsequent torture in front of God and everyone? In front of the volleyball teen?]

Thank you. I know I missed some activity about the Citadel during my absence.

[He heard that the prisoners were on public display for a while? Truthfully, he's kind of glad to have missed that.]

If there's anything important that I might need to be caught up on, please don't hesitate to let me know. I've been trying to fill in the gaps from the servants, but they only know so much.

[lachtara]

Our Communion provided the most important details.

During your absence, the Shrines became active once again and we were able to recruit new members. The Pleroma were able to do the same, however.

[sterngaze]

I'm sorry for being unavailable to participate in recruitment efforts. It will be good to see some new faces around the Citadel, I'm sure.

[gravings]

[ Having seen Barnaby since his return, she can imagine that Liem is in a similar haggard state. A touch of concern trickles over their connection. ]

... Welcome back, Mr. Liem. Please take it easy if you can.

[sterngaze]

Thank you, Miss Gray.

[Sect members like Gray are a significant part of the reason for his attempts to downplay his absence as much as possible. He would very much like for his fellows to believe that his re-education was not a big deal, or at least for them to be able to pretend without too much effort, and this goes doubly for those who are younger. So he's doing his best to put on a pleasant face.]

Please be assured that I've not simply been working. I have been resting as well—and baking, on occasion. You may have seen the results if you ever visit the kitchens early in the morning, before the crowds descend.

I hope you've been well?

[gravings]

... Baking?

[ Her slightly incredulous tone bleeds through their connection before she can think to temper it. She's glad he has an outlet, but she's surprised he has a mind for it in these times, especially as someone fresh from punishment. Whatever that punishment was. Maybe it wasn't too severe in Liem's case...? ]

Um, I've been well. All things considered. I think I got off lightly compared to everyone else.

[ She has all her limbs and didn't get maimed or anything...!! ]

[sterngaze]

That's good to hear.

[Liem is hoping that Gray actually has been relatively well, and isn't just comparing herself to people like Gen who lost an entire arm. The number of teenagers being maimed in this sect is already too high.]

I have trouble relaxing without something to occupy me. So I find it restful, and I like knowing that someone gets to benefit from my labours afterwards.

[gravings]

I see... Then I'll have to make sure to get up early and try your baking soon.

[ Whatever makes him happy. She is an advocate of happiness in this city. ]

A-Actually, I've been trying to recreate a treat from my homeworld, but I've been having a bit of trouble... Next time you're in the kitchen, could I ask you for some pointers?

[sterngaze]

Really?

[For a moment, Liem is genuinely surprised; Gray is clearly young, but she’s not a child. Shouldn’t she have plenty of cooking experience to fall back on by now? But then again, he doesn’t know what her childhood was like. Judging from the strength hidden in her small frame, it probably wasn’t an ordinary one.]

I would be pleased to be of assistance, in whatever small way I can. I often end up there quite early [—or quite late, depending on your definition—] but you are more than welcome to request some of my time at a more regular hour.

[gravings]

[ Phew... Gray gives off a faint puff of relief. Liem has always seemed gracious, but sometimes she just doesn't know when she's testing people's patience a bit too much. ]

Alright. I can be there early, so I'll see you — um, one of these mornings.

[ She doesn't want to impose on him by setting a date and making it a commitment, so she'll just show up every morning until Liem feels like baking again, it's fine. ]

[sterngaze]

[Hm, no particular time then? He realizes that "early" is a fairly vague time frame to shoot for, and makes a note to try fitting in more kitchen visits in the actual morning instead of at 3am.

In any case, his communion finally takes on a hint of real pleasure, seeping through the subdued quiet of his contact.]

Then I look forward to seeing you.

[regressor]

[... That's interesting. An "absence".]

It's nice to meet you, Mister Talbott.

Maybe now isn't the best time, but... There are things I'd like to hear about this place, from people who have been here longer.

If you ever have an hour or so...

[sterngaze]

Certainly. This is Miss Carmine, yes?

[He recalls seeing her introduction. She'd seemed a little lost, much as it seemed some of the other new arrivals did, and must as he'd felt when he first arrived as well. If he can do anything to dispel some of her confusion, he certainly will.]

I'd be happy to speak with you and help you get settled in. We could meet in the dining hall, if you would like? Perhaps mid-morning, when it isn't so busy.

[regressor]

That's correct, yes.

[She makes an effort to make it seem like she's smiling. That was something people could pick on through this... medium, yes?]

The dining hall? Ah, that would be good for me... I heard we could just- just eat whatever we wanted to, right? So I'll be there.

[sterngaze]

[Most of Liem's effort is expended in disguising his restlessness and exhaustion, so he doesn't present much of a friendly face over their communion. Hopefully the businesslike tone he provides even in response to her attempt at friendliness isn't off-putting.]

In that case, I will await you there. If you need help finding your way, you can ask any of the servants. They will be more than happy to assist you.

[Continued here!]