[PLEROMA] | I heard a rumor...

[wolof]

[ The communion is clear, practiced, and clipped. Business-like. ]

We have quite a few new arrivals, so... Welcome to the Pleroma. I am sure we will all have the opportunity to introduce ourselves to you, but it's often polite to introduce oneself, isn't it? My name is Akua Sahelian, and I speak to you now of what I wish were a warm welcome, but instead, of serious tidings.

I do not know how many of you have been introduced to the wider group, or how much information you've been presented, so allow me to give you all a basics, hm?

If you can hear this, you have accepted the Pleroma. You may have already met one, or many of them, but regardless if you met them before -- we oppose the Kenoma -- perhaps not the individuals, but the... force of kenoma itself. Pleroma and Kenoma are no mere forces of Good and Evil -- The Kenoma would destroy this world -- and all worlds -- to rebirth a world of their own making from the ashes. If you have joined with us, then you have found perhaps something to save here -- or perhaps you believe that your world is still out there. Some do, but I will not promise that which I cannot see with my own eyes. Whatever has brought you to us, I'm afraid that I cannot promise an easy fight -- or an easy existence here. Even now, the Kenoma have captured two of our own, and I have no doubt that they will come out with an experience that only a True Villain by the name of the Regent could craft. [ In communion, it sounds like a Title, a Name. ]

We will have to rescue them, and though I wish I could say that only those that are willing to fight should come, the truth of it is that we must collectively join together. There is no choice, and we will need every willing person to join in, to save our allies. If you have experienced combat before -- of any sort -- your experience will be more than welcome. If you do not, please reach out to one us, and we will find a place for you. We all have...grand and great talents, and we'll need every single one, to find victory when our allies are eventually retrieved. You will be needed, no matter what your experience was before you arrived, you will be able to find some use of your unique talents. Please, if you are new, speak up, tell us about yourselves, and ask your questions. I'm sure someone will answer it. Even the smallest of talents, can mean the difference between losing more of our allies an assets, or victory.

I cannot provide details at this time -- no plans have been set -- but I will tell you to be ready.

Speaking of being ready, however... I must turn a part of our discussion to something just as serious, but in a different vein. I think it clear, that we will have to continue to fight those who have signed on to the Kenoma, and while it's an inevitability, particularly in these times -- we need to assess our enemies. We will want to share the names, the abilities, and the demeanors of our enemies, those in the Kenoma who may be a threat, those who would be weak to physical threat, or...

[ A pause, then. ]

I was...dissipated recently. As I regrew, I... knew something. [ Her voice now almost sounds...authoritative. Like she is Speaking something of great import, the communion gives her words an emphasis that she can only imagine, as it would not work in person. ]

While no Sovereign, they are sovereign in this land, and though their plans have been thwarted in some small ways, they have been given a gift. The gift of knowing the true hearts of their followers, one way or the other. They have no use for the frail and the convictionless, after all. Venera and Godsblood are not the only ones that face culling, as the light of the Sovereign fades.

I believe... there may be individuals within the kenoma that have less conviction than others. They may be willing to help, or even defect, although we will be racing against the Regent's own touch. We may wish to seek them out, and free them from the Kenoma, they may come willingly, but they may also come by force. If you have spoken to those who lack conviction for their Sect, please, share that as well. It may be invaluable. If we know who lacks the resolve to stay with them, we can then pursue them, convince them, or bring them to our bases, to be convinced. I know some may find that unpleasant work -- but... Well, let's just say occasionally, capturing your enemy and teaching them of your perspective works.

I'd know.

[ A pause, before: ] Well, now. Please chime in, I shouldn't do all of the talking.

Comments

Gray

[chronosynthesis]

[The image he presents first looks... pretty unassuming of her standing in front of the jail cell.]

She was one of the Kenoma acting as a guard to Vaeka when her execution was pending. I expect she'll defend the citadel as well.

Despite her size she is extremely strong and quick. She uses a shapeshifting focus for battle. I saw it transform into both a large scythe and a flaming hammer.

[He'll offer a mental visual of her lunging with each of them, as well, having been on the receiving end of that.]

If you see her, do not underestimate her. I don't believe she is as experienced in a fight as other Kenoma, but she is powerful.

[dragon_rider]

[ There's really no flash of disbelief - She stabbed him in that dream once, after all. With no hesitation but he can't think of it as anything with malice. So when he responds its firm, almost rejecting: ]

She's scared - [ A beat: ] I mean. She's just a kid and look where she is. If we already know some of what they do to their own - [ She'll be no exception, afterall. A beat as he adds: ] I've met her a few times before this I don't think...

She's someone we need to find a way to help get out of there. Soon.

[chronosynthesis]

Is she a child? [He genuinely can't tell when the other races get old enough.]

I understand your concern but if she'll be on the offense again... we can't afford to lose any of our own people by not fighting back in earnest. If she isn't, then hopefully she will already know to stay far from the battlefield.

[dragon_rider]

She's a child.

[ He is insistent on that matter - Not that he thinks children aren't capable. He was supposed to become a dragon killer when he was fifteen. Even so, Gray's timidness reminds him a lot of his old self - But he can't place why. ]

I'm not saying don't fight her if it comes to it because I know... She won't hesitate if she has to. I just don't think - She's not a killer. Not yet, that's why if there's an option - we should try to get her out of there. Maybe not this time, but soon.

[chronosynthesis]

[There is the mental equivalent feeling of pinching the bridge of his nose.] I am not doubting you, I just don't know how old she is.

I didn't say she was a killer. But we are assaulting the place they call their home and even though it is for the sake of our people--that is still a threat to them.

If she has a change of heart and wishes to flee then I won't argue with assisting her escape.

[dragon_rider]

I understand what you're saying. [ It's a frustration that's matched with equal amount, but he continues on: ] I'm not saying there's no chance she'll attack. If she feels it's the only option she will but —

She's not beyond reason. Gray's no fanatic. We can talk to her.

[ Even if it's not a time for talking, that's not something he wants to consider in this regard. If he had to, maybe, to save someone else - ] But if it comes to it I'll take that fight.

[snakeandfangs]

Hello. This is Toge Inumaki speaking.

Um, more or less.

Anyway. This may not have been easy to tell, but... do you think if she might've been holding back? Maybe? Possibly, at all?

[chronosynthesis]

It certainly didn't feel like it.

[snakeandfangs]

Well...

I was just hoping. That's all.

I know she's on the other side of things, but I want to believe that she can be saved.

[chronosynthesis]

This won't be the last time we cross paths with any of these people. [Unless they actually shatter one of them. But he won't say that out loud.] If you believe in that possibility then hold onto it, but don't feel as if you must prove all of it here and now.

[snakeandfangs]

I do believe! I really do.

I just... I want to avoid making a decision I won't be able to take back.

[chronosynthesis]

Well... I'm not advising anyone to crush any shards. [Because he knows that won't go over well. Especially when they have someone who did properly escape before they had to die for the cause.]

[snakeandfangs]

I don't want to do that either.

I just want to save my friend. We may have only met for moments, and dangerous ones at that, but...

I'll find a way.

[dragonmount]

No, I don't think so.

[ she stabbed him so bad, toge, that feLT like she was fighting seriously! ]

[snakeandfangs]

[ hey





just dodge ]

Did you, maybe, have a chance to speak with her? At all?

[dragonmount]

[ wow????

but after a pause, ]

I did. Not for long, but we spoke a little.

[snakeandfangs]

[ wow indeed. ]

... good. That's good.

Talking is a good thing. I think.

But being convincing...

[dragonmount]

It wasn't the kind of situation where being convincing came into it. She wasn't as cruel as some of the others, I'll grant you that. But she was committed to the mission.

[ she still would've seen him killed or taken to achamoth as much as the rest of them. she still would've seen vaeka's execution through. and that makes her not very kind at all, to him, even if she might not be as hardcore as some of the other kenoma. ]

[perfectlygoodbird]

Please, Ser Syryla...I do not think that she is...entirely on board with how the Kenoma normally operate.

Dissipate her if you absolutely must, but if you can simply incapacitate her...please do. I count Gray as a friend.

[Not that Meteion does not count practically everyone as a friend, but she was closer to Gray than most. Or so she thinks.]

[chronosynthesis]

[Uuuuuuugh... is he the only one that got bruised up by this girl.]

I suppose if she's deprived of her weapon then there's little harm she can do. Is that correct?

[perfectlygoodbird]

Less, perhaps. I never fought against her. [But hey, she said knock her out, or dissipate Gray if you absolutely had to. Meteion would forgive you, after all.]

And if you think my name might make her falter, by all means. Tell her I miss her. It is simply the truth.

[chronosynthesis]

... Hopefully you're right that her conviction is not in the Regent's goal.

[His priority are getting their own in and out as fast as possible, so he won't make guarantees. But... fine. He can extend the hand of mercy again.]

[emblazer]

I wouldn't prioritize her at all. She's still a kid by most respects, but if it comes down to it, I can keep her distracted.

[ Better he than anyone else, so she doesn't actually wind up getting hurt. ]

[chronosynthesis]

[He didn't know she had so many DEFENDERS.]

So do that, if she arrives on the battlefield. [That's your duty now Thoma don't let Gray get anyone.]

[emblazer]

Sure, leave it completely up to me. I'll be the official Gray-handler while the stronger fighters can focus on those harder to knock out. Besides, we've fought before, so I know a thing or two about her scythe.

[ ...Lies. All lies, but it's for a good cause. He promised he'd let no harm come to her from his colleagues. ]