[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

[theorems]

Jayce is my partner in Hextech development.

[Was there a slight emphasis on 'my' there? Barely noticeable, really.]

He had mentioned you. It seems this is a much smaller world than I had considered.

[wolof]

Did he? [ A pause. Jayce had not mentioned Viktor, of course, but Akua had never pried as to why he always seemed to have a dark cloud over his head, a weight, burden, and deep sadness, all in one. She wondered, if he would still show the same sloped shoulders, and deep sadness, now? ]

Well then, you'll likely already be working together on something new, hm? My magic is, of course, at your disposal, for finding a new path forward. We were considering stones, imbued with runes and power, to assist in a pinch for those who aren't as familiar with magic -- who may run into inevitable trouble with the Kenoma. Shields, and the like.

[ It Should have been easy, really. The fact that it wasn't was more than likely the rules of magic in this world that she hadn't been able to understand, yet. Three months hadn't been long enough. ]

[theorems]

[He knows how to read tone as well. Did he has all the inflection of Akua not having the same information. Perhaps... Jayce simply hadn't had the time to tell her. It isn't as if Viktor's some sort of secret to keep.

...]

A good direction to start in.

[Shields protect people. Defensive magic utilized was something he could agree with.]

To have someone who can use magic at all to provide feedback is something new to us. In Piltover, our deepest connection to magic was within the pages of books and in the crystals Jayce had discovered.

[So he can't deny, she'll be useful.]

[wolof]

[ She's Praesi. Even when she's trying to not, she's going to cause trouble. ]

A shame, really. It's impressive that you two took it upon yourselves to study magic without a gift. There are... few who have had the opportunity. It may be invaluable, to be able to make relics and items.

I will admit, I didn't make a habit of making enchanted items, before. [ Other than... the Fetters. ] But I have enough experience to offer what I can.

[theorems]

Your experience, and others, would be welcome additions. I am certain there will be something we can do with it to help this cause, given the ease of how an Aion can access magic.

[Useful as she may be, he'll try and hold judgement on her character until he knows her better.]

[wolof]

[ Viktor is Valid. She is a villainess, after all. ]

Quite so.

It may interest you to know that my particular form does involve... computations, of a sort. It's best for the... more mathematically minded. If that's of interest to you.

[theorems]

[Fuck, he loves math.

Is she trying to appeal to him like this? Maybe prove that she isn't a threat? Or maybe she's playing the long game in getting Jayce to trust her, and now is working on convincing Viktor of the same?

Maybe he's reading too much into it.]

Any type is of interest to me, if it can lend toward making the tools to help others.

[wolof]

[ There's a note of acquiescence, there. ]

Well then, perhaps I'll find some others to bring, as well. You can do a... study, if you wish, on the different types of magic, so we can find a solution that works for us all.

[ A beat. ]

We're at war, after all. We will need every advantage we can get -- lest our enemies complete their goal.

[theorems]

Right. A war.

[Another deep breath in, and annoyance exhaled out. He's going to take a stand here- one he wishes he made in Piltover. Perhaps it's a bit strong for a first meeting, but if he doesn't say this now, who knows what he could be sucked into.]

I don't make weapons. Devices for defensive purposes only.

[wolof]

[ He'd probably get sucked into making weapons. ]

I see. Well, I hope that your principles will be able to stand, even as the Regent and their forces circle us like a pack of hungry wolves.

Don't worry, dear. I'm... perfectly capable of making weapons myself. [ More like Demon portal summoning superweapons. ]

I won't even ask you to get your hands dirty, deal?

[deushexmachina]

Viktor, [the threat of chastising at his teeth,] glad you two have already made your introductions.

[theorems]

By pure chance. Who knows if I would have even known of her, had I waited?

[deushexmachina]

She's influential, connected. A true leader. You'd be hard-pressed to miss her.

[theorems]

And willing to assist with our experiments. So surely, your trust is not misplaced.

[Hmm?]

[deushexmachina]

Akua has only ever done what she believed to benefit the greater good.

[theorems]

[A silence, and a twinge of a feeling like Viktor is squinting a little, like he does when he's silently judging. But he's not going to make a scene about this so early and so publicly.]

We are fortunate to have someone with such leadership skills on our side as opposed to Kenoma.

[See? He can be nice.]

[deushexmachina]

Exactly, yes. Much of Kenoma is fine, but some... [A grimace audible enough.] It's better to keep skeptical.

[theorems]

... "Much of Kenoma is fine?"

[deushexmachina]

Sorry, did the device reduce volume?

[theorems]

I heard you clearly, it is your neutrality I am less clear on.

[deushexmachina]

Few have proven themselves outright horrible. Surely not all of them can be like Howl.

[theorems]

[And because it's unfortunately, a thought-based form of communication, a deep feeling of discontent shivers through the conversation, the emotional equivalent of Viktor's hackles rising. But he says nothing, manages to keep the words of those specific thoughts to himself.]

By the sound of it, there has been a number of horrible experiences from those associated with Kenoma, not only from Howl. But, I have also heard there is conscription involved with some in Kenoma. That is a subject I would like to research.

[deushexmachina]

I don't see the issue in restraining judgment. This conscription you speak of — what if it's as nuanced as you suspect? [Viktor didn't have to clarify his matrices of thought; Jayce knew him.] Perhaps many act against their will.

[A note of optimism not afforded to Howl.]

[theorems]

Wouldn't that be convenient, if that were the case?

[Brainwashing would make an easy point of blame- no one was responsible for their vicious actions if they did it because they thought they had no other choice. He's not a therapist or psychologist, he doesn't know how one deprograms a person from a certain mindset. But if he understands it better, that's some information they didn't have before.]

[deushexmachina]

I take it you mean convenient for me.