EVENT #5: SOVEREIGN CITIZENS (GODSBLOOD)

[aionmods]

Sovereign Citizens

GODSBLOOD

At the height of the Sovereign's moon, Vaeka Lovenskol's execution is announced. Outside of the City Hall, a dignitary of Achamoth is flanked by an entourage of Kenoma, reading the words of Regent from an unfurled letter: Vaeka stands accused to conspiring against the Regent and abetting the fugitive menace known as the Pleroma. Though the details are not made public, rumors spread quickly, some far more wild than the actual truth. The full truth, after all, is something only the Regent's agents and the Pleroma themselves know, and even to them the manner of her exposure is unclear.

Though losing a proud daughter of an influential family, there seems to be little that the people of Godsblood can do besides accept it. After all, they are still a city of the Regent's empire, and for all the freedom they've enjoyed, there are limits. If she was truly aiding the Pleroma, the sworn enemies of the Regent - and in an organized manner, if the rumors are to be believed - can they truly object? Or would challenging the Regent's claim simply invite more death?

As with many things, the families of Godsblood are torn. Tensions are thick for the five days leading up to Vaeka's appointed execution by hanging, with everyone having an opinion and few wanting to go on record talking about it too loudly. As such, the people's frustrations come out in other ways. Bloodites are uncharacteristically unfriendly to strangers in this time, keeping to their own and treating everyone else with overt skepticism.

Those that have arrived as part of the Regent's official envoy, or seen guarding Vaeka, will receive a particularly icy reception. No longer are the Kenoma curious wanderers on personal business. Now, they are here as the hands of the Regent; few of the Godsblood citizens are foolish enough to challenge them outright, but they are ever an honest people.

Early on, the Kenoma and the rest of the Achamite contingent sent with them will be able to take over a jail in downtown Godsblood to hold Vaeka until her execution, clearing out all other Bloodite prisoners and employees in the meantime. This means they have a relatively secure position to guard their prisoner from, which is a good thing; after all, the Regent did outright invite the Pleroma to stop them, and Pleroma are nothing if not stubborn.

EXECUTION DAY

After five agonizing days of waiting and several high visible conflicts between the Pleroma and Kenoma, finally the hour of Vaeka's execution arrives. A gallows is set outside of City Hall, ready to welcome its newest victim, and a massive crowd has gathered in an spirit of anxious anticipation. Some worry that violence may break out in the streets, even without the Pleroma's agitation, but gradually the minutes tick by and the gallows remain empty.

First one minutes passes. Then five. Then fifteen. Slowly, it becomes clear to the people of Godsblood that Vaeka will not be arriving. Are the rumors true? Has she been saved? Have the Pleroma been successful, despite all odds?

As the hours pass and the crowds disperse, Vaeka Lovenskol is not officially reported as either living or dead. Fortunately, Godsblood is a place where information has a way of getting around, whether those in charge like it or not. Some are saying that she was seen being whisked away as if by powerful magic, following a bloody fight at the jail in which she was being held. Where did she go? Maybe her supposed connections to the forest people did her good, some surmise.

The days following Vaeka's failed execution carry a strange and uncertain energy. Where before there was tension and distrust, Godsblood now finds itself in a surreal reality where the Regent's word is apparently not absolute. Then again, do they really want a repeat performance?

QUESTIONS

What is the best way for Aions to travel to Godsblood?
For Pleroma, this is very easy, as they are likely to either already live there or be able to easy take Greentruth's portal. For Kenoma, they may come directly from Achamoth by boat as part of the Regent's envoy or arrive via Eustace's portal which is set up in a shed a fairly long jaunt outside of town. Once there has been some time to get established, Misa will be setting up another portal leading straight to the prison where Vaeka is being stored.

Are the Kenoma permitted by the Regent to kill other Godsblood citizens?
Though the Kenoma are authorized to kill any Bloodites that try to physically fight them, they are expected to keep things clean. The Regent prefers to only punish the guilty, and having the lines be clear will create less of a hassle in the future. Generally, Godsblood is not in a state where physical resistance is likely to happen unprovoked.

Comments

[recursive]

( rika is, of course, not here. she had torn out of this room and to yuuta's defense when she had sensed he was in trouble, and it was a good thing she had — she had kept something terrible from happening, like having his shard torn out of his chest by brute force. as it is she lingers around him now, but just barely; he's not sure he will be able to manifest her right now, or at least not very much.

he's not totally empty on cursed energy, but he's damn near close. that's not necessarily common. he had never trained to be a marathon runner — he's more of a sprinter, using the immense reservoir of cursed energy at his disposal to cudgel the opposition as quickly and brutally as possible. back home, where his assignments had usually been against powerful solitary spirits and curse users, it hadn't had enough draw-backs that he'd contemplated training otherwise. here... he's starting to think he will have to start trying to be more judicious with how he uses it. with both himself and rika taking damage, him reinforcing against amos' incredible strength, and trying to heal through the hurt he'd put him through... he's wobbling a little bit as he winds his way through the prison and toward the room he had seen syrlya and johnny go into.

apparently the mission has been a success — or it is thus far. he won't start to relax until they're all out of here and safely out of the striking range of achamite soldiers and Kenoma Aions. yuuta has most likely either seen or heard the kerfuffle of syrlya and rand escorting vaeka out of this place, followed by a heavily-limping ciel. he ignores them, instead navigating past and to the room where she'd been kept, where he finds johnny... worse for wear. that's probably putting it lightly. his brow draws together as he takes stock of the painful shine of burn wounds, and though his first instinct is to try to heal him, he knows he doesn't have the energy right now. it's questionable that he has enough energy to fully reinforce himself, but that doesn't mean he's not gonna try.

with johnny on red alert, yuuta will belatedly raise both hands, currently unarmed, before approaching. he looks rough. his clothing is stained with blood, and his face is a mess of black and blue — a busted lip, an eye nearly swollen shut. and yet he approaches his friend without hesitation, bending down and reaching out a hand. ) Sorry... This is probably going to hurt. ( the both of them. but they need to get out of here. )

[baltimores]

[ ... Huh.

He's never once worn a hood, concealed his identity while out in Godsblood. There hasn't been any reason to. They are who they are, and as much as the Bloodites obviously take issue with him, it's not like they can do anything about it, so it doesn't matter.

But if Ciel's requesting that they keep themselves unidentified, then yeah, he can do that, no problem.

So, it's after only the briefest of pauses as he lets the request set in that he answers her. ] Sure thing. I'll meet you at the door.

[ He does have the fashion requested of him, at least, and within minutes pulls up at the door he'd first caught Ciel at — black robe covering his frame, hood thrown up and obscuring the upper half of his face from sight. He is now, essentially, just a bearded guy in a robe trying not to draw attention to himself.

... It does feel kinda silly, but that's alright. Amos lifts his head up, bright eyes looking out at Ciel.

He's ready to go, and definitely curious as to what this is gonna entail. ]

[goldendeceiver]

[ The wound was designed to hurt and hinder, but Ernesto wasn't going for any killing shots with this one. He doesn't want either of the Kenoma easily following them out when Akua comes rushing out of of the cell block with Rand in tow, so a little injury here and there to keep them occupied isn't a bad thing.

It'll heal, even if it'll also leave a scar if Amos doesn't get to a healer quickly.

As good as he gives though, between Amos increased aggression and Misa's unusual assault on his leg, Ernesto's getting just as painfully. That fist slams into him with a dull, painful sound that has Ernesto grunting in pain as he stumbles back again.

Staying on his feet is going to get increasingly difficult the more his foot fails to work. It feels like trying to walk with a bulky cast on now, but he pushes ahead, ignoring the pain blooming through his side where Amos socked him, and goes for another swing, putting more aggression in it this time, even if he's still not trying for a killing blow. At the moment he does want all of them to get out of this in one piece. ]

[aionpcs]

[ It's music to her ears. The relief that washes over her almost makes her forget the danger of the moment but she is quickly to follow Syrlya's lead. Out of the cell and into the corridor, there's a moment of panic one of the Kenoma she recognizes as one of her guards suddenly comes into view.

Her eyes snap between Syrlya and Rand, instinctively cringing in preparation for a blow or any sort of knock back. Even as she feels something in the in the air around her, almost like a cocoon, she has no frame of reference for magical shields.

Are they really risking all of this for her? ]

[gravings]

[ It surprises her a little that he would assume she isn't weak; it feels like the other Aions are always evaluating her by her age and demeanor, which she will acknowledge are both on the side of diminutive. But she's grateful that he isn't underestimating her, if only because it's saving them an altercation. She considers his question for a moment before answering. ]

I don't think it would make a difference if I did.

[ Knowing that he can teleport in some way doesn't mean she knows how he does it or under what circumstances. The fact that he's appeared in this random storeroom suggests that maybe it isn't a foolproof ability either. There are Kenoma Aions posted near Vaeka at all times anyway, and they can't very well pile the rest of their Aions there too on the offchance that Johnny is able to teleport to the right place. There are only so many Kenoma around, and they have to be able to account for all of the Pleroma's abilities, not just the one.

And... though she could never say this aloud, she doesn't think it would be the worst thing in the world if someone was able to teleport in, grab Vaeka, and teleport back out without anyone the wiser. ]

... Take care, Mr. Johnny. This is too dangerous a place to be careless.

[aionpcs]

Vaeka is utterly exhausted in body, mind and soul. The healing doesn't make the pain of each new wound any easier to bear, but eventually the repeated stabs take its toll. She is hung forward in her chair with sweat dripping from her forehead and dampening her bangs. Each time she breathes in she feels like she's going to burst.

This is an utterly despicable man.

She is almost too dazed to notice his movements but the way he grabs her by the hair and forces her upward isn't something she can ignore. Vaeka chokes on a yelp. Maybe she won't make it to the gallows. That would be a kinder fate.

If these are going to be her last words, she should choose them carefully. Vaeka thinks back onto her family, her friends, the streets she grew up on, her reasonings for joining the Resistance in the first place. Summoning up one last bout of defiance, she bears her teeth at Emet-Selch.

"...G-Godsblood...doesn't need...you!"

[gravings]

[ It feels like a very specific question, and she has to wonder if there's some strategic intent behind it. The wisest thing to do would probably be to not answer at all, but she finds herself answering anyway, a slave to social pressure. ]

We were assigned. The Regent knows us well, so they probably sent us where they thought we were best suited.

[ That seems like netural enough information... ]

[gravings]

......

[ If he's staring meaningfully at her, she's having a hell of a time trying to get his meaning. She wonders helplessly if he's broken or in fact a puppet or familiar sent as a distraction. She frowns slightly and ponders the best way to remove him from the premises. They didn't really receive security guard training... though, well, the unspoken understanding is probably that they're supposed to attack on sight.

Instead, she steps toward Dextera's side so that she can maybe just... reach out and try to direct him to turn around with a delicate touch to his arm using only her fingertips. ]

[chronosynthesis]

[Well that

is not what he was expecting.

At this point the best he can do is level his shield to take the blow. He braces himself just before it hits, cracking loud against his shield as the force snaps his arm back into his torso and knocks him backwards. It ends up being his own body that Vaeka's magic shield rises up to deflect, preventing him from slamming back into her and providing an opposing force that barely lets him remain on his feet.

But the pressure hurt, and he lets out a gasping heave as his fingers fall slack from dull pain radiating out. But there's not a lot of time to worry about the mark that leaves.

He twists his sword, pointing the tip down so he's not at risk of poking her as he puts his hand to her upper back with an urgent push.] Keep going, I'll cover you!

[He points down with his other hand, drawing up a well of magic under all of their feet. Vaeka will feel nothing, but Gray will recognize the same shocking pain as long as she stands in it.]

[gravings]

[ He has a point that the normal people of this world are more vulnerable; unlike the Aions , there's no chance for them to come back from "dissipation".

But. Frankly, Gray isn't as concerned with them. She doesn't like to see people hurt or suffering under any circumstance, but she isn't equipped to make calculations about who's quantitatively wiser or more moral to save. She only knows how to protect the people closest to her. She isn't a professional hero like Barnaby; she has no ambitions about saving as many people as she possibly can. ]

... I can't judge the worth of anyone's lives. Not the prisoners'... and not us Aions'. But I know how I feel about the people in front of me.

[ That includes her allies in the Kenoma, and it includes Thoma and the few people she's come to know in the Pleroma. ]

I can tell you that we probably do have prisoners. But I also have to discourage you from attempting to rescue them.

[fightforthejoyofit]

{This is absurd.

Why would Himeka bring someone who does not wish to fight? She knows him. She-

- does she know him? Her statement about common enemies gives him pause, and he turns all that confused frustration her way instead of Childe's (though later he will wonder what it is like, to be content both on the field and off it, to find a measure of serenity in something other than violence. A discussion for another time, perhaps). Abel he (likely incredibly foolishly) chooses, for the moment, to disregard entirely; if the man will not fight at all, then he has no value to him, and while figuring out what, exactly, would Make him might be an entertaining diversion, what little Zenos has seen of the man suggests he's a halfwit and Nemesis Mine is already here.].

... is that what you think happened? Your prey was not my enemy, Beast. When I rode the light of stars to find you, it was for the satisfaction you alone could grant, nothing more.

[This is normally where he'd start threatening things she cares about, and so he casts a glance back towards the city, running through options. If the dragoon, the boy-child or the engineer were here, they'd likely have come with her, would they not? Could he threaten Vaeka? No, she'd know - she should know, at least - he'd find no sport in captured prey. He settles for -]

If I cannot find it here, I will look elsewhere

[- but there's no real bite to it]

[inutilis]

...Mr. Childe, why does he keep referring to Miss Himeka that way? Honestly, it's very off-putting.

[ 'Beast,' he says; Abel is giving Zenos a rather wary glance as he straightens over the assortment of picnic goodies, small furrow at his brow one of contemplation. hm... this simply won't do. this man isn't the kind to be goaded into a bit of relaxation, is he? no; there is something about him that is decidedly... vexing, and not simply for his allegiance to the Kenoma. ]

--Miss Himeka? Can you please tell our... friend, here, that it isn't nice to talk about seeking satisfaction from others in front of their partners?! For goodness sake, Mr. Childe is right here and it's quite incessantly rude... Putting up with this kind of behavior... Mr. Childe, you absolutely deserve better...

[galdorleod]

[ Howl sits, a shivering black heap, and quietly listens. Childe loves to talk, and Howl is in no mood to interrupt his musings. Regardless of what he's saying, there's something about being spoken to, having to process spoken words, that helps Howl stay grounded in his own humanity, as he sits and stews in the transformation magic choking him from the outside in.

The mention of traitors makes him pick up his slumping head. He glances at Childe and hesitates before asking, ]

Traitors...? Who? Where?

[superbshot]

[Caitlyn can tell what she's said has had an impact. She doesn't know what kind of impact, but when Misa goes silent, and the comes back at her in the indignant way that only a teenager can manage she knows. She doesn't like it, and she doesn't like the necessity of what's going to come next. But no matter what, this girl couldn't be allowed to remain as part of the conflict. She was practically a child, yes, but she also had a power that could stop Johnny and the others from accomplishing their mission...and that meant keeping her from interfering.

Still, she couldn't leave the conversation at that.]

If I wanted you dead, I'd have shot you in the head, Misa. You're right, I'm here to keep you from being a threat to my friends, but that doesn't mean I bear you any true malice. We're enemies because of our circumstances, nothing more personal than that, as far as I am concerned. I want to understand the Kenoma mindset, because then I can understand how best to end the conflict with a little violence as possible. Today is regrettable, but I know you'll make it through.

[All of that is true. It's stated calmly and rationally. Caitlyn does not like this, but she also knows that while gunshot wounds are painful, they not fatal to an Aion. So, when Misa diverts her attention towards Howl and Akua, the rifle comes up again. A sharp eye might see the barrel poking out between two crates, positioned in such a way that the sniper is obscured.

She has a clear shot, with the chance for the precision she requires, so Caitlyn takes it. The bullet is aimed squarely for an exposure shoulder, the crack of the rifle echoing in the air. And as always, Cait moves, intending to get clear. Slipping backwards on her belly, she exposes her arm as she slithers backwards to begin her retreat from the battlefield. It isn't much, but that should be more than enough for a keen observer like Misa to spot her, if she can figure out the position.]

[lachtara]

[ Frustrating as that is, berating him for his efforts would earn no favors. One important quality in leadership is to know when to push and when to show leniency. Amos being willing to - and nearly - dissipating is certainly doing as much as he was able to do. There is no point in pushing. ]

You gave it your all. That is all we can ask of you.

[ He looks on. ]

You were outnumbered, then?

[expiera]

→ Guarded Vaeka diligently and was with her in her cell when the Pleromas made it in, but ultimately failed in keeping her captive. Unintentionally hit her with a weak bolt of lightning while attempting to intercept Pleroma efforts of freeing her bindings.
→ Intimidated Rand by magically tampering with the work equipment used by his neighbor he's on friendly terms with. Ciel stealth tracked her down, waited for her to close shop, and acted once the NPC's cookware is left unattended. The NPC woman will suffer a burn on her arm from the fire of her cookware going out of control upon activating it the second morning, but is okay otherwise and thinks of the event as an accident. Discussed and plotted out with Rand's player.

[baltimores]

Not exactly.

[ His voice comes out as something of a sigh, resigned to the fact that he's probably not getting up today, at minimum. That he's a bit useless right now. ]

Misa and I cut 'em off, but they had the one guy fighting me and someone else slipped in to get the kid. And then... I dunno. Things just happened. He got in a good shot, and then they got away.

[ A pause as he shuts his eyes, as he lets frustration with himself slip in a little bit before opening them again. ]

I kinda hit a wall with the whole magic thing. So I stopped using that. [ A beat. ] I should probably get back at it.

[ He's used to a lifetime of fighting with just his body, and his abilities had developed instinctually, according to that. The rules of the world he came from aren't the default of play here, though. If he ever needed a wakeup call it was time to actively adapt, this'd be it. ]

[expiera]

[Sigh (internal). Amos is just Like That, isn't he? Still, Ciel IS grateful that he simply takes her request at face value, and doesn't try to ask her why or argue with her about it.]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

[So she offers her thanks, and he doesn't look half bad either upon his return. Wearing a hood to get around and generally trying to keep a low profile has been something more commonly practiced by the Bloodites too going about their business, most risking going out don't want to draw additional trouble or unwanted attention their way.

With a nod of acknowledgement, she pulls her own hood out and steps out, expecting him to follow right alongside her.]

We're headed for the market district, the area where street food stalls are most popular.

[She finally begins explaining, the first bit of detail she's offered so far about this "errand" of hers.]

[comelately]

[ it's wise of him to raise his hands, because Johnny's got his left leveled at the door when he hears footsteps - it's a bit feeble, and would look ridiculous to anyone who couldn't see the glow on his fingers and the battered Tusk standing beside him, bearing his same wounds. Naturally, he assumed anyone coming back through would be a Kenoma; it's their building, after all. When he sees Yuuta, he blinks a few times, clearly startled. He looks like shit. Johnny knows he does, too - that's not the point. It's that he came back here in spite of it.

A lump rises in his throat, and he does his best to ignore it. He lets his hand drop to the ground, Tusk evaporating into nothing again. ]

Yuuta... [ he croaks, and his voice trails off; he doesn't really know what to say that wouldn't be stupid or weird, and he's tired. Even if he can't find the words, the relief - and disbelief - is apparent in his expression and his tone. Eventually, he settles for: ] No fuckin' shit.

[ very eloquent. Yes, it's going to hurt. Just sitting here hurts, honestly, but he's sure he's felt worse, and he'd rather be hurt than dead, a fairly novel turn of events from the past half-year. So when Yuuta stretches out his hand, Johnny reaches back to take it, even if he winces while doing so, and tries to at least get onto his knees. It feels a bit like he and Yuuta are more likely to just crumple on their way out of this place, but it's better than doing it alone.

Tusk slowly fades back in at his side, still in its third form; though weak, it starts trying to help pick up Johnny, too, pushing his back with a mumbled chumi. ]

[dragonmount]

[ amidst the tumult of battle, the concentration he needs to control the Power, the blinding pain where gray stabbed him, there's a moment where he sees the look on vaeka's face and thinks — well, that it's familiar. feeling relief at the prospect of freedom, but aghast at the potential cost...hadn't he been there, maybe a day ago? their experiences weren't the same, of course, but it's enough to fill him with sympathy.

and it makes his next decision easier.

he throws an invisible barrier up, effectively walling the corridor with syrlya and vaeka (and an escape route) on one side, and himself and gray on the other. it can't be seen, but it's as physically tangible as if a brick wall had suddenly sprung up there. as reinforcement, and to encourage gray further away from his allies, a fire starts to rage along the barrier on their side. there's a clean shot out the hallway and to eventual freedom, if syrlya and vaeka are lucky. ]

Both of you go! [ light forbid there's another kenoma aion or achamite guard ready to intercept. syrlya doesn't need to waste his time here instead of protecting vaeka. ] Hurry!

[lachtara]

It would only serve to benefit.

[ Interesting that he would bring that up himself unprompted. Perhaps coaxed by the recent brush with death? Or looking for an alternative way to make it to where that doesn't happen again. ]

If you would like to return to your practice, what do you intend on doing so differently to prevent you from quitting again?

[comelately]

[ he doesn't seem so convinced. He's not even convinced she won't tell people - he can't be so naive anymore - but he'd like to believe she won't. Pressing his lips together, he shakes his head just slightly. ]

It makes a difference for me.

[ anyone knowing what he can do puts him in danger. That's the nature of being a Stand user - especially one who's otherwise powerless. Tusk is all he has to defend himself, and the more people know what he can and can't do with it, the weaker he becomes. The Kenoma aren't the first people he's known who would kill him the moment they found an opening. But the damage has been done, and there's no use in stressing about it further. Besides... if a Kenoma had to see it, he's lucky it was Gray. She's got a heart. ]

You take your own advice. [ he lifts his right hand, pointing his index and middle finger at his throat, and as he speaks, a series of stars light up along his upper arm and hands, glowing blue. ] Don't die for this stupid war.

[ and with that, he's gone. There's a loud pop and a buzzing sound, like a rotor blade spinning on metal, as Johnny's entire body gets sucked away in an instant as if he's swirling into an invisible drain, and then there's nothing - just the same little hole he apparently came in through. ]

[comelately]

[ he didn't take Spanish in fancy little lad school, so the connection is lost on him - and, in fact, he looks somewhat puzzled by the nonsense word Ernesto just said for a second or two before making the connection. ]

Uh, Perro. Whatever.

[ bummer about the sense of smell, though. ]

So you can't figure out where they're keeping her or anything...?

[baltimores]

[ Amos is indeed just Like That — but at least being Like That does make him amenable to easy-to-fulfil requests from friends. He'd kind of be an asshole if he couldn't do that much.

He needs no prompting to fall into step right alongside her, ever the earnest follower for those who have proven themselves to him. Ciel is both compassionate and straightforward, ever since he first met her; she's done more than enough to have his trust.

His eyebrows go up slightly at her mention of going to the food stalls, not that it's really visible, given the way his hood is obscuring his face. Amos is silent for a moment before speaking. ]

This is about more than getting food though, isn't it. [ Almost certainly. ] Big enough that we'll have to go somewhere else to pick up something to eat?

[ If they're going to have to distance themselves from this. For now, though, it's just idle curiosity on his end. ]

[comelately]

[ as Childe goes on and on, Johnny's expression only becomes more pinched and skeptical. First off, he wants to give him food because he wants to fight him at full power...? What an idiot, he thinks. This isn't a game. That kind of attitude will just get him killed. And he barely knows Ryunosuke, but now he's thinking someone should tell the guy to be more careful about who he hangs out with.

Worst of all, he thinks Johnny's going to tell him what his abilities are. At that, Johnny scoffs, sitting back in his wheelchair and crossing his non-bread-holding arm over his chest. ]

I'm not doing anything. I'm just eating breakfast.

[ and that's all!! ]

I'm definitely not gonna have an honorable duel with you or whatever, either. You singling me out because I look like an easy target?

[ okay, he hates it when people treat him like The Guy In The Wheelchair, but in this moment, it feels like a solid defense. ]