[open] some Kenoma come up to Godsblood the other day...

[baltimores]

WHO: Amos, Gen, Eustace, Childe, any Pleroma
WHAT: Amos wants a gun, Eustace wants to make a portal, and in order to make it happen they go to...
WHERE: Godsblood.
WHEN: Towards the end of Visoseri/start of Soviseri
WARNINGS: None, unless you count bullying of various Pleroma; will add as necessary


The content of this entry is intended to be an OOC explanation of what's going on to keep everyone up to speed; any characters who may be in Godsblood during this time period are free to top level or tag out. This is not an event and simply a unique instance that some characters are kinda sorta technically in enemy territory, which opens itself up to thread opportunities that would not otherwise be possible.

Basically: four Kenoma are journeying up to Godsblood, albeit not all together and through different means.

Amos and Gen will be arriving via a boat directly from Achamoth, and accordingly, will be outed as Kenoma Aions right from the get-go — the populace should know who they are, and word of their arrival would likely get around. Amos is there because he wants to build a higher quality gun than what they have in Achamoth and Godsblood is the place to do it; Gen is there to serve as backup/moral support/because they're friends, okay. Story plotting link here for more details.

Eustace and Childe will be sneaking in via carriage from the Artisan shrine/a portal and will therefore not be known as Kenoma Aions upon entry to Godsblood — unless there are characters there who already know who they are, that is. Eustace is setting up a portal to facilitate travel between Achamoth and Godsblood. This is not public knowledge and non-Kenoma Aions/NPCs are unlikely to know about this. Story plotting link here for more details.

The mods have also provided some guidelines for how interactions could go between characters so that any Pleroma wouldn't necessarily have to out themselves as Aions when it comes to interacting with Amos or Gen, who are publicly declared as such. Highlighting what was said further down in Amos' plotting comment:

It wouldn't be unreasonable for a visiting Aion to be chatting up people within Godsblood so sharing a meal ... wouldn't be a dead give away, but it might tie them to the Aions on the rumor network if they do it in public. Whether they are just strangers Gen and Amos are dining with or whether they are connected to Achamoth won't be clear, but it would definitely have implications ... It's definitely a risk, at any rate.

As for meeting in a busy street or a public park the connection is still possible but a lot less likely, since the odds of them chatting up some rando in the park is a lot more likely than sitting down for dinner with them. It'd also be a lot more obvious if someone was spying on them, unlike a closed environment like a pub or eatery, so that'd probably be the safest option without going somewhere deserted or private.

Comments

[lockedon]

[ He can take a good guess as to where his jools might be going if he hands them over to Ernesto. Under different circumstances, had they simply been just two (dog)men on the streets, going about their daily lives and with no invisible warring line drawn between them, Eustace would have been happy to fork over the jools and maybe even tip a little extra for the man's hard work and business sense. But the fact of the matter is that they are enemies, and he really shouldn't be out here funding the opposite side.

Still.

Fifteen jools won't make or break the Regent's coffers, nor will it provide the Pleroma with a sudden army. Going back and alerting the Kenoma of this sudden new business venture might rob them of an opportunity to figure out where the spices are coming from (because it certainly isn't Godsblood) and thus find where the other Pleroma might be hiding.

And then there's the fact that, when all's said and done, he doesn't actually hate Ernesto. Has no desire to interfere in this man's life more than he has to.

He deliberates, hands remaining at his sides while his gaze travels across the different wares on display. ]

What about three? Of different kinds. Variety is the spice [ hah ] of life, after all.

[ He has so many mouths to feed, Ernesto. :( Actually it's just the one, but it may as well be equivalent to three, with how much of a fattydingdong Ciel is (affectionate, maybe). ]

[goldendeceiver]

[ That's the worst part of this, isn't it? The fact that his spice dealings will give a tip off he doesn't want to hand over to the Kenoma, and it won't even take that much investigation for Eustace to get a vague idea of where they're from if he asks around here in Godsblood. Every citizen is already aware the only place to get these spices are in a forest to the east, though that forest is large and twisting enough that just knowing where the spices are from doesn't guarantee an easy access to the Pleroma stronghold.

It's still had Ernesto kicking himself from the moment Eustace approached him, even if he's not saying so, and even if he won't make it easier on Eustace by giving away any more information on the spices than flavor profiles. ]

Well now that's going to depend on what three you want. The prices aren't the same across the board.

[ Rarity and difficulty of obtaining definitely raises prices on some of them. ]

Are you wanting all spicy, or are you looking for something else?

[lockedon]

[ This is the tricky part, isn't it, trying to figure out just which of these spices he ought to be bringing home. Ordinarily he'd just step aside and send a quick Communion to Ciel for confirmation, but given where he is (Godsblood) and what he is (a Kenoma Aion) and what he's working exceptionally hard on (being outed as a Kenoma Aion), he's on his own right now.

Lifting one hand, he taps idly against his chin. It's meant as a nonthreatening gesture, an open display that his hands are free and will be remaining free for the rest of the discussion. ]

How about two spicy, one not. If there's one with a more distinctive flavor profile, I'll take that one.

[ May as well bring back something they definitely can't replicate back in Achamoth. If it comes with the added bonus of being able to track where that particular spice is from...well, he'll take that too. ]

[inutilis]

Ah! Two spicy, he says. A man who likes to add a little flavor to his life; I like it!

[ a hand comes to heartily pat Eustace's shoulder as Abel meanders up from behind, having casually made his approach; it is a little hard not to recognize nor notice the Kenoma for what he is with the way his aura shifts and shivers with a hazy, smoky curl of disconcerting miasma. it confirms something - something Abel did not want to be confirmed, for the record; as the Pleroma were reaching some sort of deeper connection with their being, so too were their wayward friends.

and it wasn't good.

still, his posture is easy-going and the smile on his face is as relaxed and jovial as it ever is as he leans over Ernesto's stall as if perusing his wares as well-- and perhaps shooting Ernesto a seeking look; 'are you okay?'-- before offering Eustace a hand. ]

--Oh! Right, right... it's been a bit, hasn't it? It's good to see you again, Mr. Eustace-- and looking... mm, decidedly better than when things-- um. Y-yes, that whole situation, ah.

[ y-yeah,

but-- he seems to belatedly realize that he's being rude, right? offering his hand to ONE of his companions and not the other in greeting? RUDE, so very rude!! so Abel sticks the other out for Ernesto as well, that dumb, vacant grin at his lips. ]

O-oh, what do you say if we simply... shake on this nice exchange?!

[ not sure what's worse: the terrible joke, or the way he looks so disgustingly pleased with himself for it. ]

Come, come on-- can you give me your paw~? Th-there's two of you in one place, I... I can't be held accountable for this, can I~?

[ he's wiggling his fingers and looking between them with an eagerness,

expectantly. ]

1/2

[goldendeceiver]

[ There isn't much time to consider what Eustace is asking for, before Ernesto's priest friend here makes an appearance. While he didn't expect Abel to show up, he appreciates the concern, though he's also a little conflicted about the whole thing. The more Pleroma that a Kenoma sees in Godsblood, the more obvious it will become that this has become one of their hideouts.

Then again, if Eustace notices enough Pleroma here, then maybe that will draw all of the attention to Godsblood. He doesn't want to see the city stormed by the Regent's people by any means, but attention drawn away from Greentruth is never a bad thing.

Either way, it doesn't seem like he's in immediate danger, and he gives Abel a reassuring smile as Abel shoots him that look. Yes, everything is just fine and dandy. ]

2/2

[goldendeceiver]

[ Sort of... Abel barely gets his dumb joke fully out of his mouth before Ernesto's hand is slapping down into Abel's palm with the kind of force and enthusiasm genuinely associated with dogs, not people.

He sits there silently for several seconds after he does it.

Staring down at his hand in Abel's hand.

His ears pin back.

He looks up at Abel and Eustace.

And he slowly pulls his hand back, like they're going to just pretend no one saw that, and it didn't just happen. ]

1/3? maybe, we'll see

[lockedon]

[ His whole body tenses as soon as that hand comes landing down on his shoulder, with only a small portion of it ebbing when the familiar voice hits his ears. It's not that he distrusts Abel at all, but it doesn't change the fact that he's a singular Kenoma Aion in a city hostile towards Kenoma Aions, currently surrounded by two Pleroma Aions. Both of whom seem to resonate a little more deeply with the Pleroma if his judgement is correct, as he turns to face Abel and catches sight of a second white aura.

Not a great situation to be in, but it's still unlikely for any trouble to stir up at this unexpected meeting.

The string of words, as usual, go in one ear and out the other, Eustace having learned by this point that only one word out of every five that comes out of Abel's mouth is worth listening to. However, he does like Abel well enough to not flat out ignore the man this time around, so it's with resignation that he opens his mouth, a ready answer on his tongue for the ludicrous proposition set forth.

Except, someone beats him to the punch. (Or the hand, as it were.) ]

[lockedon]

[ ...................................................................... ]

[lockedon]

[ Did Ernesto just?










He really just did that, didn't he? And without a second thought too.

How fuckin' embarrassing. Even Eustace's own tail is sadly drooped behind him, secondhand shame forcing it down. ]

[lockedon]

[ He watches Ernesto slowly pull his hand back. Closes his own mouth. Looks at Ernesto with a meaningful look that can only be interpreted as I am so sorry for you and then turns back to Abel.

Notably, he does not shake Abel's hand. ]

Are you also here for spices?

[ At least he will do Ernesto this small favor and try to move the conversation along. ]

1/3?

[inutilis]

[ o... oh. oh, Ernesto's hand settles right into Abel's on request, and--

for a moment, Abel just stares at it dumbly, because

??????, ]

[inutilis]

[ h-he did, right? Eustace saw that? Ernesto immediately, instinctually, went and

......gave paw..................




(very, very softly:) ]

Y-you're such a good boy.

3/3

[inutilis]

[ --and then he's clearing his throat, withdrawing his hands as if had, indeed, never witnessed any kind of absolutely adorable and heart-melting dog behavior. his face definitely isn't some sort of faint, pleased pink in response to this development?? haha. not in the least, gently adjusting the sit of the glasses at his nose and smoothing at his tunic in a most dignified manner, ]

N-no, no, I'm afraid not. I hadn't come here to make a purchase today, and yet... and yet, funnily enough~? I feel quite strangely enriched all the same... I wonder why...? Hm. Most curious, wouldn't you say?

[goldendeceiver]

[ Ernesto is not an easily flustered man. If anything, he's often relaxed to the point of unnerving in situations where he really should be offering stronger reactions.

But right now? Right now this is a man absolutely simmering in his own shame. Despite the fact that he almost never flushes, his own face is tinted pink as he sinks down behind his booth slightly, wincing at the very soft (but still extremely audible) praise that Abel gives him. He's still smiling (when isn't he?), but he also looks like he wishes the earth would open up and swallow him whole.

And then it's like Abel is punishing him more for his embarrassing mistake that Eustace very clearly witnessed, and even pitied Ernesto for.

Haha...ha.

He's going to quickly grab his second hottest spice, and the one with the most pungent taste. It's strong enough to not a favorite of most people, but the fans it does have are ardent. ]

I'll give them to you for thirty jools if we all agree to never talk about the details of this particular purchase ever again.

[lockedon]

[ Wow, thanks Abel for nabbing him such a generous discount just for existing, he really owes you one.

Eustace isn't much of a haggler, used to having an excess of funds both back in the skydoms and in Horos to spend freely, but even he can recognize a good deal when he hears one. He barely waits for Ernesto to finish, already grabbing his coin purse to dig around for the requisite sum. ]

Done.

[ Ah, yes, before he forgets— ]

Did you need me to accidentally spill some of this in his eyes?

[ 'Him' being Abel, of course. (It's a joke. A really bad joke.) ]

[inutilis]

[ Ernesto's embarrassment only serves to make this all the juicier - and Abel is working distinctly hard to suffocate his amusement for a moment. o-oh, goodness... he doesn't think he's ever seen his dog-eared friend go quite this shade of red before, has he? i-it's kind of cute... ]

Are you giving him a discount--?! Is this bribery I'm bearing witness to, right in front of a man of God, have you no sha-- h... hey, wait, what did I do?!

[ is he third party to some kind of SHADY DEALINGS?!?!?! this is to say nothing about how utterly incredulous and affronted he's obligated to look about the pepper-in-the-eyes bit, looking between the two of them in a tizzy?? SIRS?? ]

[goldendeceiver]

[ A bad joke though it might be, it does get a small laugh out of Ernesto. It doesn't help Abel's case that he's radiating this unearned gloating energy right now.

He slides three little jars of requested spice towards Eustace. He'll even take his hand off of them before Eustace is done fishing out his money as a sign of trust. A really small sign of trust, admittedly, but a sign none-the-less. ]

As much of a laugh as that might get...

[ He offers Abel an exasperated smile, before shaking his head. ]

Let's not do anything to kick up more of a fuss than we already have.

[ His smile gets wider while his look gets more pointed at Abel. None of them really want to draw the attention of the natives over here, right? ]

[lockedon]

[ If anyone's going to draw attention, it's going to be Abel and his wild wacky ways.

But the subtle warning is heard and acknowledged, Eustace taking his (not really) hard-won jars and carefully stowing them away in the larger pack dangling off his pack. That should be the bulk of his shopping done - had better be, now that he's running low of jools - which means that it's as good a time as any for him to duck out of this marketplace—and away from the two Pleroma surrounding him. ]

Thanks. [ For the spices. ] I'll be on my way then. Wouldn't want to detract from the rest of your customers.

[ He's already gotten the most important knowledge from this meeting anyway, that there are Pleroma on the other side who have started to resonate the same way the Kenoma had. ]

[inutilis]

[ ...this is all very strange, isn't it?

Abel watches the exchange between his two catdog-eared friends here and something sits an odd way in his chest in response. but he is no more eager than they are to stir up the beehive and draw unnecessary attention to themselves - well, not that it truly matters in Abel's case... he has been going through great pains to build a reputation as a loud and obnoxious fool, but it's best not to test the envelope.

or, you know, drag others down with him who may not want to be there on the bottom rung of the reputation ladder.

before Eustace can make his departure, Abel gently ticks the glasses a bit higher at his nose, some subtle crease at his brow cutting through some of the idiocy. ]

Um-- Mr. Eustace... please take care, alright?

[ Abel's eyes drift toward Ernesto in quiet inquiry, as if to gauge how he should feel about this. he isn't quite sure what happened before he had happened upon the two, but...

hm... ]

[goldendeceiver]

[ Even if Ernesto likes Eustace well enough, he has no real desire to keep a Kenoma here at his stand for any longer than he has to. His friendly smile and wave are genuine enough, but he's happy to watch him go, making no further comment as Eustace makes his way down the street.

It's not until Eustace is out of sight that Ernesto glances up to see that questioning look, and leans his forearms on his own booth, his own brows furrowing as he considers this exchange. ]

Hey Father, you happen to notice something kinda different about our mutual friend a moment ago?

1/2

[inutilis]

...Mm. I certainly did.

[ Abel sounds vaguely distracted, his eyes already wandered back to where Eustace's figure has retreated into the crowd, lost among Godsblood's usual bustle. ]

[inutilis]

He did not give me paw, it was quite rude. Honestly.

[goldendeceiver]

[ Can Gen show up next, and use his earth magic to create a hole in the ground for Ernesto to crawl into?

He's been in dire, life threatening situations where his smile and laugh looked more genuine and less weakly forced than they do right now. ]

I was thinking something a little more out of the normal for him, rather than in line with his usual personality.

[ Abel. Please. Please let that die forever. He's not begging, but his uncomfortable refusal to acknowledge it should be good enough. Please. ]

[inutilis]

[ ask Gen nicely enough and he might actually oblige that request to bury Ernesto (and Dokja, maybe? together?) forever... be careful what you wish for?

but Abel gives his friend a sideward smile, and he will indeed let it go. for now.

the future is perfectly fair game, for the record. ]

Mm... you saw it too, didn't you?

[ despite the easy smile at his lips, there is a tension belied in Abel's eyes; yes, Ernesto... he certainly saw the disquieting aura this particular Kenoma now possesses. ]

[goldendeceiver]

[ If they get Dokja involved in this mess, then Ernesto is dying for real forever. He's not sure he's ready to commit to full nonexistence with Dokja yet.

Ernesto's own smile smooths out into something easy now that Abel isn't teasing him, but his gaze is sharp as he stares at the space Eustace vacated some moments ago. ]

Mm... I guess we shouldn't be surprised that it'd happen for them too.

[ He looks at Abel now, figuring his meaning is clear. Just like they can see the stronger connection that Eustace is apparently feeling, the stronger connection the two of them achieved in reverse is just as apparent.

He wonders what Eustace will do with this information himself, considering he just saw two higher attuned Pleroma for the (discounted) price of one. ]