[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

Voice/Image

[hippocarnival]

... Their names are Himeka and Abel Nightroad. [Hello, new people. Old people.]

The ones that were kidnapped. Uh, this is Himeka [He pushes through communion an image of her, healthy and smiling.]

And this is Mr. Nightroad. [Similarly, he pushes through a similar visage of Abel.]

They're both... really kind people, and they're probably in a lot of pain. I--couldn't get details, but I spoke to one of the Kenoma and... I don't think it's good.

Please, if anyone who just arrived can help save them... [He doesn't think he needs to implore those Aions who have been here for a while now.] The longer they're there, the more danger they're in.

[wildrawr]

[ what is this, anyway, guilt trip session central? Not that that Kotetsu needed to be persuaded but now he just feels awful for this kid sounding so upset. It must be really hard on him. ]

Yeah. I'll help.

[hippocarnival]

[It's so hard on him!!]

Thank you. [Genuinely. Ernestly.] I... I want to help too. I'll do whatever I can but I know I'm not a fighter and I don't want to drag everyone down.

[wildrawr]

Fighting isn't the end all and be all of being helpful— just the easiest.

You're doing great, I'm sure.

[hippocarnival]

[He isn't so sure about that, but... he appreciates the sentiment.] I'll do my best.

[heavybreaths]

[The voice that comes through isn't...exactly comforting. It's deliberate and measured, though.]

Do you believe them in danger of converting?

[hippocarnival]

No. [He doesn't know for sure, but he sounds more confident than not.] I'm more afraid the Regent will really crush their shards when they can't convert them.

[heavybreaths]

A final death, then.

[There's a pause on his end.]

There are other uses for captured prisoners besides conversions. If this Regent is as wily and ruthless as I am told, then that may not be the case.

Tell me what this Kenoma agent said. There could be information hidden in those words, if you can remember them.

[hippocarnival]

He said this is 'war', and what did I think was happening? [His expression twists in person. It sounds harsh.]

I wanted... specifics, that he didn't want to give me. Not to be unkind. Just... I think he didn't want to hurt me with the details.

[He still remembers how softly he was told 'no'.] He would have been more upfront if he really didn't know, so whatever it is...

[heavybreaths]

I see.

[Well. Okay. That is actually reasonable, from a certain point of view. He really is speaking to a child.]

Can you fight?

[dragonmount]

[ grimly, ]

...I did, too. [ speak to one of the kenoma. ] We need to get there as soon as we can.

[hippocarnival]

You did? [His attention keys in more strongly.] What did they say?

[dragonmount]

No different than what you heard. That what's being done to them should be obvious. And that she didn't see all of it.

[hippocarnival]

They're probably not involved directly, but... I guess they were allowed to visit? [He sounds uncertain. It really is so much worse than he can imagine.] But they've been through enough, so I don't want them to go through anymore.

[dragonmount]

Maybe.

[ it's such a strange thing, to suggest they know what's happening — or part of it — and of course pleroma captives wouldn't be a secret, but —

there's no point dwelling on what it could mean. it keeps him up at night, wondering what it could mean. ]

We're going to get them back. I'm willing to do whatever it takes, and I know I'm not the only one.

[ any other option is unacceptable. there will be no version of events where he returns empty-handed. ]

[wavetrain]

[ Very seriously: ] I don't know what kind of place they're being held in, but I know how to fight. I'll help if I can.

[hippocarnival]

Thank you. [He can't exactly rope her into a plan, give her a direction. That'll be up to those leading the charge. But hearing them already be willing to help... it's a relief.]

[wolof]

We will get them back. I do not doubt that it will not be long, before we stage a rescue. I don't like the idea of them being held any more than you do.

[hippocarnival]

I know. I just--[He's worried. Stressed sick.]

[wolof]

I know.

We'll get them back, dear. We don't lack for firepower, we just have to deploy it properly.

[undertheweight]

I promise you I will do what I may to help your friends. [Simple, but Wrathion is not the sort to give false hope. He is the sort to do what he sets out to, if it's at all possible, however.]

Try not to give up hope, all right?

[hippocarnival]

Thank you. [He knows he's asking a lot of people that never even met them. But the Pleroma attracts good people.]

I know there are a lot of strong people here, so...

[undertheweight]

Oh, I don't know how strong I am, but I at least try to be smart about things.

I just hope we all can come together and plan, so that all of the rest of us who go also come back. It won't do to trouble you all over again, will it?

[The words might seem a little sharp, but really, Wrathion is sympathetic. He usually isn't needlessly cruel, and there's no good in upsetting this boy.]

[hippocarnival]

Y-yeah. I don't want anyone else to get stuck there either! [He's trying not to think about the worst way this could go.]

[undertheweight]

I promise you, I have no plans to get stuck there if I can help it!

[Wrathion is vaguely amused, but he does respect the young man's sentiment.]

What is your name? My name is Wrathion.