aionlogs | EVENT #5: SOVEREIGN CITIZENS (GODSBLOOD)

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EVENT #5: SOVEREIGN CITIZENS (GODSBLOOD)

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ yeaahh, Abel won't be able to do any of that so long as Childe's got a say in it. He's gonna have to stay out of it no matter how it looks or goes and like it.

Giving a brief glance to Zenos, Childe salutes him casually before going over to where Abel is. Might as well, right? Since he can't get involved, there's no point getting his hopes up to do anything but watch and play babysitter so Abel doesn't somehow trip and fall between the two fighters (accidentally or not.)

He'll flop backward onto his butt as soon as he gets on the hill next to Abel and start making himself comfortable. The other can play lookout for innocent people out whatever. ] Sooo... I'm guessing you guys are entertaining his summons and not trying a last-ditch effort to save Vaeka because you hope him being out here and not there will give you group a better chance?

[ of course there is a final attempt that will happen, it's the way of the hero to never give up until fate is finalized. It's part of why they are heroes. ]

[ Okay, that's...fair. And pretty much confirms what she already suspected--Zenos chose to come here in the hopes they would cross paths. That isn't surprising, but it was also the last thing on her mind when it came to dividing up their forces. Vaeka was someone Himeka saw often with how she frequented between Greentruth and the port city. A part of her wondered if her comings and goings had been what outed the woman.

That is not something she wants to share with either of the Kenoma, though. She watches Childe's movements from the corner of her eyes and it seems he's...also backup, mayhaps, for the same reasons Abel posited. Or just to enjoy the show. "Enjoy."

As futile as it may be, there is a passing thought to make a plea for reason, but she pushes it aside. Childe is right--they are here to keep him busy and away from the jail. So she will play her part appropriately.

Himeka exhales and shifts to a more offensive position, holding her cane out in front of her as she begins to pool lavender-tinted aether at her feet. ]

This won't be like it was before, you know.

Of course not. Before, I had the full force of your ire. Here, I must be content with what scraps the Regent has not claimed.

[That is definitely jealousy in his tone; Zenos makes no effort to hide it. Why would he? It should not come as a surprise. He has never liked coming second where her attention is concerned.

Now is not the time to dwell on that, however. She answered the summons still, and that means something, and (Dictator help him) he cannot help but smile as the dance begins.

It may not be the same as it was before - it may never be that again - but his plan has not changed; break her focus, keep her moving, get into melee. And so it is the same opening salvo as usual. Drawing his blade in single swift motion he sends a rippling wave of energy racing towards her which cracks the ground, raising it in jagged spikes, in the wake of which he intends to close the distance between them]

Edited 2022-07-25 09:49 (UTC)

[ Abel's tapping his chin in innocent contemplation to Childe's proposition before offering a casual shrug of his shoulders. ]

What? No, no, of course not! This is merely a friendly meeting among like minds, of course. I mean, I don't suppose this is the perfect spot for tea or anything or--

[ oh. Himeka is already brandishing her weapon, posture settling into one clearly readied for combat; Zenos appears to be all too ready as well, something in his tone, in his eyes, that speaks to a hungry fervor.

...

Abel trails off before leaning over a bit where Childe is now seated beside him. ]

W-wait. Are they really going to... fight fight? Now?

Ah ha! Is that what you convinced yourself this was? [ Childe glances slightly to the side Abel's leaning towards in asking his awkwardly proposed question. What, seriously? Didn't Himeka tell him what this was going to entail. ]

Really? They sure are gonna fight now. Zenos has been going stir crazy with the guard duty regimen over that resistance prisoner. [ Childe makes a slight face at referencing Vaeka. Apparently he doesn't have a great opinjkn regarding her despite him seemingly fine with many of the Pleroma if right now is an indication. ]

Fighting is just how Zenos expresses himself. You can't expect anything else. [ wow he seems to talk pretty confidently about how Zenos ticks, doesn't he? Couldn't be just talking about himself, instead, or anything nope! ] They'll have their conversation by combat— it's a lot less of a murky communication that way.

You might as well get comfortable. I doubt this will be that quick. [ Shifting his weight to better reach, Childe unhooks a satchel bag he was carrying and pulls it out to start rummaging through it. He undoes a few strings that ultimately allows the bag to flop open in front of them almost like a presented picnic blanket.

There's some food, particularly some sweet snacks and whole fruit as well as dried meat (jerky) and nuts. There's some water, too, in a small canteen and another canteen that actually has black tea in it, which is just a bad habit he's continued from being around Zhongli back home so much. He himself doesn't really drink tea... Without Zhongli, anyway.

Is Childe always this prepared to settle down to just watch a fight? Absolutely not, but he figured if nothing was going to happen here, them he was shit out of luck for anything fun happening and might as well pack snacks to take back to Acamoth that are more easily obtained around here.

Ultimately, though, Childe is in a decent mood and rather chipper. ]

Weew... Not as fun as eating at the fire while camping or being at a cafe, but it's pretty okay. Anyway, want some?

[ The Regent is their primary target--all of theirs, now. That she would like to spare as many of the Kenoma the pain of working under them is something she keeps in mind, but Zenos is not one of them. He's a strange person, sometimes she feels she understands him perfectly and yet he still leaves her baffled at the end of the day. A supreme force of destruction if he's pointed in the right direction, but clearly the Regent hasn't figured out how to control that yet.

Himeka prays that they never will.

She prepares to take the shockwave in full, accepting the knock-back in order to send creeping arms of lightning Zenos' way. She hops up onto the broken earth, providing her a platform from which to jump up and over as six aetherial swords burst forth towards their target in an effort to keep him at a distance.

She is, at this time, unaware that their "support" have begun the most sacred of activities...

...a picnic. ]

[Childe has the right of it - though had Zenos known quite how well he had him pegged, and been in a position to care about anything other than the Glorious Combat, he might have been saddened he had no Nemesis of his own and must apparently content himself with (shudder) a a picnic instead.

But his focus (that same focus the Regent has thus far shown no inclination to steer, something that troubled him far less before the Summons made it clear how alike the two of them apparently are) is, predictably, entirely on Himeka; the lightning arcs into him, plays across his armour, fills the air with the scent of ozone. It hurts, yes, and he can feel his muscles beginning to twitch (erratic pulses that would be a far greater issue were he the one trying to concentrate on a spell but are irritating none the less) but that won't matter if he can get close and-

- she vaults overhead, and he grins. Good. It would be disappointing indeed, were the fight too easy. He pivots, not halting - barely looking upwards, they've done this dance before - but merely redirecting as the swords descend, free hand thrown skywards, a shimmering red-purple dome coalescing and taking the brunt of their impact, though it shatters as the outstretched limb spasms, rendering his charge somewhat more stumbling than glorious. Still, stumbling though it might be, again he surges towards her.]

[ ah.

...ah. the battle has begun in earnest in the background, and Abel really should be paying it mind. he should be keeping watch - if not on the combat, than for anyone who might be drawn by the sounds of battle and come to interfere or get caught in the crossfire, right? yes, he certainly should be considering that was his given reason for accompanying his friend in the first place.

but instead, the priest is rosy-cheeked as he watches the veritable picnic unfolded before his very eyes, and like a kid who's just descended the stairs on Christmas to find the tree aglow with twinkling lights illuminating a menagerie of presents and sweets and goodies for his perusal, he looks like he's been given the holy grail. Childe's invitation only seals the deal, and he

very slowly and deliberately

sinks down to kneel upon the make-shift 'blanket' next to his friend, reaching all-too-daintily for some sort of powdered cookie that looks delicious, almost on the brink of touched tears. ]

Y-you remembered...

[ ???

...apparently he thinks this is some elaborate fulfillment of a promise made during their shared dreamscape in the Regent's... domain...? w-wow... Childe is nothing if not a man of his word - Abel is, after all, pleasantly surprised. ]

[ Childe perks at that comment, having to think on it a second before recalling their conversation when the Regent summoned all the aions together. Oh, huh! He's surprised Abel remembered but also wouldn't be worried about getting food from him, especially since he's having around with Himeka and thus Estinien who probably continuously insists on the evilness of the Kenoma. It's not that Estinien is actually wrong, either, it's just Childe isn't into using food to poison people or anything awful like that. It's too important and symbolic and family related to him to weaponize it.

So, yeah Abel's safe with Childe at least on food. Not one to waste the opportunity of taking credit of doing a Good Thing, Childe nods and laughs. ]

Ah, yeah, what can I say? It's not a whole cake and I haven't had time to cook or bake, but hopefully it's enough for now.

[ picking up some dried meat, he gestures to a few things that aren't easily identified because they're wrapped before going to chew on his jerky. ]

Sooo, I'm guessing you're a pacifist, right?

[ It's a trick she's used once before so it makes sense that Zenos would be ready to deflect her Contre Sixte. She lands half crouched back on the ground, standing up immediately after Buying time is always the name of the game when it comes to fighting against him, in addition to keeping her distance, but she's learned to prioritize the former. Landing on her feet, she knows she only has seconds to begin her next cast before he will redirect and hit her whether she likes it or not.

And hit it does, Zenos' sword making contact with her cane as she has to use the latter to block, channeling some of her own aether into the wood to give it some rigidity so that it won't splinter with one slash. What she lacks in physical strength, she has to make up for in other ways. Himeka grits her teeth at him as she can feel his sword push advantage. Then the one blue orb around her turns into three and a pillar of ice juts up directly between them. The force of it sends her backwards a few steps, sliding extra on the ice that spills out on the ground surrounding the pillar.

Then the pillar explodes, sending shards of ice across the battlefield (and maybe reaching the friendly conversation happening a ways away). ]

He grits his teeth in turn, as one orb turns to three, digging in his heels; the force of the pillar erupting sends him skittering back regardless, and the explosion that follows forces him back still further, the sheen of ice coating their battlefield difficult to find any purchase on. To a casual observer it might well seem Himeka has the advantage (and certainly her repertoire is much more varied than his own grab-bag of brute-forced and stolen tricks); that imbalance does not make his tone any less mockingly-dismissive when he speaks]

Have you nothing new to show me?

[In an ideal world he would follow that comment up with a big reveal of his own; alas, he has yet to truly tap the potential of either the Kenoma itself or his new form, and so it is to an old favourite he too he returns. Throwing his blade skywards and leaping after it, then imbuing the strike with aether as he descends upon her, a flash of reddish-purple searing intricate sigils into the ground and raising blades of jagged crimson energy around him as he lands. (How good are her reflexes, exactly?) If the shower of ice managed to hit their audience, then it's likely one of dirt will do the same]

Edited 2022-07-27 11:43 (UTC)

Pacifist? Um, well-- yes, of course-- I'm a priest, after all, and preaching violence would be-- ah! H... hey!!

[ suppose waxing on about any philosophical musings might have to wait as the pair are soon pelted by a mixture of shattered ice shards and... dirt; Abel is, oddly enough, huddling over the food protectively rather than worrying about getting dirtied or sullied. ]

--Mr. Childe, can you believe this?! The blatant disrespect...!! Honestly; what are they thinking?! The sanctity of a well-crafted picnic is NOT to be trifled with!!

[ Ahaha, Abel sure is something else, isn't he? Childe's even more convinced he's hiding something.

He's too comfortable being in dangerous situations to be as helpless as he pretends. Protecting the food without even being slightly nervous they might be "too close." Afterall, nothing says he was always a pacifist. Cool, maybe they will get to fight, and it'll be really fun. He might even lose because Abel's stronger, that would be truly thrilling.

He can suffer being deprived a little longer if that's the case. ]

Yeah, I guess they haven't noticed. I should have brought a protective covering for the food, but I honestly didn't think I would be actually doing anything more than pulling them out one at a time out of the bag to eat.

[ Nothing new? The jab is a little more effective than she likes to admit. It's true that of late her magicks have been mostly devoted to the art of succor than that of combat and, despite Estinien's attempts, Himeka has been slacking her training. Demonstrations of magick with the other Aions have been mostly for show than actual sport or exercise.

This time she's full on the defensive, casting a preemptive Regen as she's forced to move. Weaving between the blades and trying not to take the full force of any blast--she doesn't have the ability to simply wade through it all like he can--and can feel her dress singed several times as she narrowly avoids the worst of it.

A test of her reflexes indeed. ]

I haven't been training to entertain you.

[ She says as she exhales loudly and regains a proper stance. Yet as she begins to cast the first spell in her Astral phase, she does spare a glance to the sidelines out of concern for Abel, of course. She knows that he's much more capable than he lets on, but she still considers him someone to protect when it comes to combat. Hopefully the blast hasn't--

--wait.

What is that?

What is that they have over there? ]

[Did that touch a nerve? Good. Obviously he's going to keep jabbing at the same spot, now he's found a chink in her armour.]

Have you been training at all?

[He spins the blade in his hand - when they return to Achamoth (if they return to Achamoth, for there is always the possibility Himeka will kill him again, isn't there?) he will need to commission a warscythe, but for now, this will suffice - readies for another leap. He cannot afford to give her breathing space; if she is moving, she isn't casting.]

Do not hold b-

[... something has her attention.

Could it be a trick? It is not her usual style, but perhaps? Or - more irksomely - there may genuinely be something more interesting than him on the field. He will spare a quick glance only and-

- huh.

Well.

He is not unused to fighting for an audience - granted, it has been some time since invitational duels ceased (too many promising military careers ended before they truly began, because Varis' semi-feral son did not understand when to hold back) but cutting the figure he does and pursuing the caliber of foe he favours eyes tend to be drawn - but this is the first time he can recall doing so for a picnicking one. The glance he casts over at Himeka is somewhere between what the actual fuck and can you believe the audacity?, before he laughs]

Will you fight to entertain them, at least, then?

Edited 2022-07-28 10:22 (UTC)

[ Abel tuts and shakes his head as if all of this is a grand and horrible grievance, as if he's observed his neighbor trimming his rose bushes without permission or something of the like. ABHORRENT? absolutely unforgivable, putting perfectly good food in harm's way?? ]

Look!! Look at them, going at it with complete and utter disregard for your hard work in providing a lovely picnic...! I'll have you know they will BOTH be saying their Hail Marys for this one, Mr. Childe. Oh, will they ever. --Is that vanilla frosting I smell? Ah-- MISS HIMEKA, Mr. Zenos-- do you prefer vanilla or chocolate, for the record?!

[ h-he's calling out to them, prodding Childe conspiratorially as he does,

they need to ascertain what is to their friends' tastes, obviously?? so they can leave some for them, of course!!!! because, apparently, he sees this endeavor ending with them all sharing a lovely... meal? or something to that effect. yes. ]

[ WAIT WHAT'S HAPPENING.

Childe blinks, looking to Abel and then in the direction of the fight.

Oh. Oh. oH.

...o.

Yeeaahh, Zenos will be mad if a picnic messes up his fight (not that it sounds like Himeka is doing a fantastic job living up to his desire for this fight, but still.)

Putting the jerky into his mouth and holding it via his teeth he reaches to put a hand over Abel's mouth and smile towards the other two, shaking his head.

No, go on. There's nothing about frosting here. ]

Edited 2022-07-28 17:54 (UTC)

[ She absolutely heard the word "frosting", don't lie to her Childe. In fact, she knows she heard both vanilla and chocolate like she has a choice between the two. Despite the fact that she's facing off against a man who could absolutely cut her down in that moment should he decide to, Himeka blinks wide-eyed from the picnic scene, to Zenos, and then back again.

Poor Zenos is going to learn something very unfortunate about his frienemy. ]

...

[ Himeka actually relaxes her posture and cups a hand to the side of her mouth so she can project back to Abel. ]

I like both!

[ The look she turns back to Zenos is decidedly not one of someone who is about to throw hands in the next two seconds. ]

...I didn't know you'd bring Childe. Or lunch.

[... what in the seven hells is happening here?

He is fairly sure has not sustained a crippling head injury, so this cannot be explained away as a hallucination (though his fantasies have never trended quite this unbearably wholesome, so that explanation wouldn't fly anyway). Which means this is actually happening, and...

... yeah, what?

There is something very feline about the way his confused glance darts between spectators, picnic basket, and his First Friend, and something equally domestic-cat-who's-been-denied-a-treat about the look of betrayal that follows it. His sword stays in his hand, and his hackles are still very definitely raised, but he does not move to immediately strike her.

Instead, he looks at Childe while answering, his tone deeply vexed]

I had thought us of one mind when it came to breaking the interminable tedium. It seems I was mistaken.

[ Abel, meanwhile, seems utterly and completely oblivious to whatever exchange is happening between the parties here; in fact, he's wholly interested in Himeka's reply - taking it in with a cheerful bob of his head in acknowledgment before once again bumping Childe's shoulder. ]

--Both, she said! You heard the woman, Mr. Childe. Both for her. Um-- Mr. Zenos doesn't seem to be answering my inquiry; I don't suppose you'd be privy to his tastes, would you? Are you two close, by the way? Close, close? Just friends? It hasn't been all that long since we've come upon Horos, but you never know what's in a man's future and what might bloom in the ashes of war... these things happen, so I hear. --I'm not judgmental either way, just so you're aware! I know the Catholic church has a reputation, but I assure you, I am NOT of that inclination. Oh-- do you prefer vanilla or chocolate yourself, Mr. Childe? ...Did you say about Mr. Zenos? I forgot, um-- what was I just saying?

Choco— Now hold on a minute! [ Childe yips at Zenos being so disappointed, because oh wow no he's got this all wrong. He shakes Abel kind of like he might strangle him if his hand were around his neck versus his shoulders. Or, how a baby shakes a rattle. The beef jerky falls into his lap forgotten. ]

Father Nightroad doesn't want to fight, and if he won't put up a fight, that's super boring so I just figured I'd keep him busy by feeding him! I didn't know it was going to go like this?? I don't even know what this is.

[ before Childe can elaborate further defense points to toss Zenos's way, he whips his head back to look at Abel at those questions. What. WHAT? what does all that even mean?? ]

I... don't get... I mean, I don't know what he likes other than fighting???

[ Now she knows quite well that Zenos wouldn't find a lovely picnic on a grassy knoll nearly as appealing as she would, but the ire he turns towards his fellow Kenoma is much more interesting. Childe has been something of an enigma to her despite the few times she's run into him, full of fire and then despair, and now all cheerful. He's a hard one to pin down. ]

So he really just came to watch?

[ Admittedly the note that Father Nightroad doesn't want to fight puts her a bit on edge. So Childe was hoping to potentially face off against her friend, then? Is Abel actually in danger? He doesn't seem to be very concerned about the prospect...

Himeka turns to Zenos then, the orbs signaling which state of casting she's in have long since dissipated. She would need to start her charges all over where they to continue right that instant. But she sets the butt of her cane on the ground rather than in any sort of battle stance. ]

We don't have to do this, you know. You and I fought a common enemy once before.

[ She places her free hand on her stomach and looks down to her bodice. ]

And I didn't have lunch before coming here...

{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]

...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...

[ He was going to say something to all this, and that something was most definitely extremely useful to all involved, but then Abel opens his mouth again and there are no words to be had.

Only static. ]

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