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 Aions may develop new abilities at any time, however; intel from the mission in Venera and Godsblood may very well be outdated by now, so do not assume anything we go over in this address as the extent of what they can do.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

[affal]

( sometimes you have to take something that curses you and force it to become your strength. it's not easy, and it's rarely pleasant, but it's not impossible. makoto has had to do something similar, albeit in vastly different circumstances.)

Regardless of what you might think of it or what pain it might have caused you in the past, anything is worth investigating. I believe it would be far more constructive for you to mention it willingly now rather than have it ignobly discovered later.

( there are no secrets that you can hide from the Regent. many among the Kenoma know this first-hand. )

Even if it's something we cannot use, we must make sure it doesn't become a liability.

They will likely be trying to kill you.

( less glibly, this time: ) Try to familiarize yourself with all of the Aions on your side first. That way, if you encounter someone you do not recognize, you have reason to be wary of them. Also, if you happen to see their shard, those attuned to the Pleroma are usually lighter and more translucent in appearance.

As for defending yourself... It's hard for me to say. I'd only just started learning to do the same six or so months ago, after I first arrived, so my abilities are passable at best. Ciel and others can help you by way of weapons and martial skills. If that doesn't work for you, you can try to develop a skill that will let you slip away unharmed should worse come to worst.

[fallingsand]

A skill to slip away unharmed, huh? That might... be the better choice.

[ He could try learning something more physical. He knew he was quick for his age, agility and fitness weren't an issue. Strength, however, would be the problem. ]

But I'll keep my options open, I guess. [ Something to think over later, not immediately. That said, Bruno hardly ignored what he first said, about keeping his gift to himself. It's not as though he planned on it, hiding it away, waiting for it to come up unexpectedly. ] And... it won't be. A liability, I mean. I'm just not sure if it'll work the same anymore. I can look into the future. Or. Or, well, could, before. I haven't really tested it here, not yet.

[affal]

( there's a dull sensation of assent. it doesn't seem like his preferred answer here, but... an acceptable one nonetheless.

his attention sharpens considerably as bruno continues, however. )

...Now, that's interesting.

( he's well aware that certain abilities do not seem to function here as they did in their original worlds, both from others' reports and from his own experience. but if they could figure out some way to utilize it... it could be extremely useful, even if it wasn't perfectly accurate. )

Are you well-acquainted with the use and limitations of this ability in its original state? Would you be able to at least attempt to replicate it, just to see what might be possible?

[fallingsand]

[ It's a trick power, overall. Sometimes straightforward, usually not, and requiring an ever-expanding knowledge of symbology and insight. In a whole new world, will there be completely unknown references to him? Will it all work the same? Only time will tell, so all he can really offer in response is, ]

Well, yeah, I am. I've... been able to do this for a while, so, uh, definitely. Mostly I just need something to actually target, I guess? A question or... something. Also space and... sand. Maybe some matches?

[affal]

( it's something they simply cannot overlook. if there's even the slightest chance that it might give them even a small advantage, they need to look into it. )

We will have no shortage of things for you to focus on, I fear.

Space can certainly be arranged for. Matches as well. ( it's not as though it's a premium in achamoth, and certainly not the citadel. for such a cause, he would hope it wouldn't be an issue. a brief pause. ) Sand... I see. Well, there is a beach several hours from the city. We could perhaps send some people to gather some. How much do you think you'd need?

tricky not trick OTL when typos change what u mean aaa

[fallingsand]

Wow, that sounds ominous.

[ Major dislike but also resignation, resigned to the fact that, as already stated, he's been dragged into a war. This isn't how he ever wanted to use his gift. ]

Wait, I can really just ask for space and...? [ That's it? Huh. ] Well, I used to have a viewing room for these at the top of my old tower. It had an entire sandpit, so. A lot?

[ In fact, he'll inevitably have his retainer fetch "a lot" of sand and make a complete mess of his room but that's a future problem, not a now problem. ]

omg i feel like i didn't even notice haha

[affal]

I don't mean to frighten you, but the stakes are indeed high.

( given that the ultimate destiny of the universe (multi-universe?) is at stake, and all... )

Well, I'm not sure I can promise you a tower, but if this is something that might indeed help discern possible paths into the future, I feel as though we can at least try to accommodate your request to see if it still works.

I will look into this and see what can be done. The path to the shore isn't without its dangers. ( there is a forest full of enormous spiders. ) If the city can spare them, perhaps we can requisition a small group of people with a soldier escort there to get you what you need.

[fallingsand]

Ah, no, I... a tower isn't actually, um. I don't need that. Just an enclosed space, really? If sand is really that hard to get, letting it fly off all over the place seems bad.

[ Actually, that seems like way too much work for sand, too. Worrying. ]

I'm not sure we should really be putting folks in danger for sand, though?

[affal]

A room should hopefully not be too difficult to secure.

( there's the impression of a sly smile. )

Believe me, the people of these city would risk their lives for far less worthy endeavors.

You needn't concern yourself for them.

( the more accustomed to achamoth and its people bruno became, the more he might understand what makoto means. regardless... it's not as though the demon spares too many thoughts or considerations for the people of this city or any other. they'll all find their end in the end, after all. )

[fallingsand]

Uh, has anyone told them that maybe they should be a little pickier on that?

[ Makoto may not care but it will take a while before Bruno gets used to the idea. He'll never quite like it. At least pick a real adventure to die on, people, not sand retrieval. ]

But I guess that's not... really... up to me, is it?

[affal]

Not particularly. Have you heard the phrase "when in Rome"?

( achamites have apparently been like this far longer than any living Aion can recall, even those that preceded the group that makoto had arrived with. )

If you are very concerned, we can see if there are any among our number that would be willing to go in their stead.

[fallingsand]

I mean, if that's an option, maybe just... make a day of going to the beach?

[ Better than random civilians or soldiers being devoured for, again, sand. ]

For a whole bunch of us? Or... or is that not a thing we're, uh, allowed to...?

[ Do. No one has really stopped him from moving about the Citadel once he'd been allowed out and away from the Lodestone but, again, he has no idea. What else is even out there? Does the Regent limit their Aions? Certainly, it'd be a bad time to leave town right now and all, but, still. ]

[affal]

It certainly can be!

( they had already gone a few months ago, but that didn't have to act as a deterrent for a return visit. their aims the last time had been slightly different, but in the end it had still largely been for recreation. given how dire things have been for the last few months, the Kenoma Aions would likely be in similarly dire need for some rest and recuperation after all of this is said and done.

assuming things don't go disastrously, of course. )

So long as it does not directly contradict or inhibit the Regent's ultimate aims, Mr. Madrigal, ( let's just say he picked up on an introduction from another conversation through Communion, ) you will find we have the freedom to do very nearly whatever we want.

[fallingsand]

[ Oh god no, is everyone going to start calling him that now? Bruno inwardly grimaces at the Mr. Madrigal. ]

Uh, Bruno is... you can just call me Bruno. Instead. [ Of that. ] But that's good. I mean, I'm not really sure where or what else I'd do besides be here, anyway, but. Who knows.

[ He's sure other cities exist. Somewhere. Wow, he should really look up a map sometime. ]

[affal]

Ah. My apologies. Bruno, then.

( he gives the impression of a smooth veneer of polite nicety, but there's also a fragment of amusement embedded in its surface. one could see bruno's discomfort at being called such a thing from space, but he's going to choose not to pick on him for now. )

Then you are free to do as much or as little as you wish, for the time being. What is asked of us is that we simply do as the Regent dictates to the best of our ability when they call upon us. So long as you do that, all will be well.

( sort of )