EVENT #5: SOVEREIGN CITIZENS (VENERA)

[aionmods]

Sovereign Citizens

VENERA

In contrast the Aion's last visit, they now arrive in Venera on a completely average day... or so it seems. Unlike Godsblood, Venera has been given no warning as to what's about to befall it; the Kenoma are simply authorized to arrive and begin their bloody work without fanfare. Even their entourage of Achamite soldier don't stick out that much; in the time since the plague left, the city has refilled with occupying forces. Notably, the Hylician ones seem to be keeping out of the way, almost as if they've heard some things and would rather not be involved too closely in what's to come.

As opposed to the ghost town it was during the plague, Venera is now reasonably active, with most attending to their usual business. Shops are open, and its people are withdrawn but superficially friendly when meeting strangers. Initially, the targets of the Kenoma hit list will have no way of knowing what's coming for them, but after the first couple attacks word will begin to spread. Those that have recently been engaging in seditious behavior will become harder to find, leaving their usual homes and workplaces to stay elsewhere, and making other attempts to escape the Regent's attention.

Once those alerts have been raised, the Kenoma will have to engage in more detective work to find their targets, questioning other Venerans and seeking out fugitives in the homes of their family and friends. In the meantime, some of those who believe they are in danger may become desperately enough to seek out the Pleroma directly, imploring them for aid. Unfortunately, seeking out one sect may just as easily draw the attention of the other. Most uninvolved Venerans will be too terrified to intervene one way or another, reluctant to aid in the persecution of their neighbors but fearful of consequences. If your Aion travels openly, it will take some effort to pin them down long enough to hold a conversation.

SEEDS OF DESPAIR

Several days into the culling of Venera, the Aions will have witnessed the city gradually withdraw into itself. The streets become vacant as more and more people decide it isn't worth the risk to be seen outside, abandoning work and play alike to hide out in their homes, refusing to answer their doors to all except the most desperate pleading. Those that can't avoid their daily obligations are quiet and morose, trying their best to remain unseen and unremarked upon.

If your character has been observed as a Kenoma, either now or in their previous visits to the city, the citizens will look upon them as if they are the messengers of death. If you are seen as a Pleroma, they will resist your gaze, as if fearing your presence alone might leave them marked. In rarer cases, you will see those with stronger spirits, with glares of hatred or determination. They are powerless now, but seeds have been sewn, and whether they are the seeds of despair or of action are yet unclear.

By the time the Kenoma's hit list has been fully addressed, several have been killed and several more have been rushed from their homes to flee the city entirely. There have been holes left in the tapestry of the community they were once part of. One way or another, their absence will be felt keenly by those they left behind.

QUESTIONS

What is the best way for Aions to travel to Venera?
Estinien has plans to get an early start for the Pleroma by teleporting to the Lover's shrine and flying somewhere closer to set up a portal from the ocean caves near the Godsblood Lodestone to a spot of farmland closer to Venera. Paul will be setting up a portal directly from Achamoth to one of the Achamite outposts in Venera.

How much force can the Kenoma use while interrogating Venerans?
While they are generally not permitted to kill Venerans who haven't tried to physically fight them, they will be permitted to apply both physical and mental pressure upon those that refuse to provide them with information regarding the whereabouts of their targets. This duress should be proportional to the resistance the Veneran is offering. The Regent is not inviting them to terrorize Venera on a level to a level they cannot reasonably blaim themselves for.

Comments

[sterngaze]

[Minegishi might not have known it when he strong-armed Liem into helping him track down his target, but the dhampir has long years of practice with almost this exact activity. His familiarity in this area is something he's intentionally hidden just to avoid situations like this one, but it actually seems to be his diplomatic, unassuming priest's persona that's landed him in trouble in this instance. The irony would be amusing if everything about this situation wasn't so terrible.

He frowns pensively out at the street as they have their discussion, nodding slightly to show that he's listening, occasionally glancing back at the younger man to catch a gesture here or there. Fortunately for everyone involved—including Minegishi if one considers his emotional well-being, which Liem is—there are plenty of ways to screw up an interrogation like this one. Keeping someone like Minegishi around may easily be one of those ways, so he nods again, more slowly this time, as he turns his attention back from the street.]

If it comes up. Though it's not especially usual for bodyguards to introduce themselves, in my experience.

[He glances down at the cigarettes that Minegishi withdraws from his pocket, but as promised, he doesn't make so much as a peep about their presence. Instead, he adds,]

It's probably best if we don't lie more than we absolutely must.

[epiprocta]

[ It's really a good thing that Liem doesn't bring up anything about his smoking, because that long-gone challenge regarding his vice is the furthest thing from the forefront of his thoughts at the moment. Gen's clearly distracted and jittery, his nerves rubbed raw badly enough that even the return to his usual crutch isn't quite enough to soothe them. Despite the familiar way he withdraws his lighter, his hands feel stiff enough that it takes him two, three tries to get the damn thing to light, and his shoulders are stiff when he cups the flame against a breeze to light his cigarette. ]

I wasn't going to introduce myself, dumbass. Only if they ask.

[ Even his shitty retort is lacking in some of his usual bite, and Gen scowls as he puts his lighter away, his gaze directed back out towards that blue door. ]

And I know that. Keep things simple. Let them assume whatever they want, if possible. ... I know that.

[ Too bad his protest ends up petering off to something more half-hearted near the end, there. Because despite his claims otherwise, Gen really is in unfamiliar territory here. After all, it's only once before that he's had to masquerade in this fashion, and that incident isn't exactly a pleasant memory for him. Gen's posture is terribly stiff with tension even as he takes a long drag of his cigarette. And maybe it's a testament to how much he underestimates Liem that he lets slip a low mutter under his breath, ]

-- but this feels fucked.

[sterngaze]

[Liem still hasn’t figured out how much of Minegishi’s abrasive nature is genuine bad attitude, how much is simple habit, and how much is a defence mechanism to keep the rest of the world at bay. He doesn’t know him especially well; really, Liem doesn’t know any of his fellow Kenoma aions especially well, even after living and working in the same Citadel for over two months. But although he may not particularly deserve to be the target of this wellspring of vitriol, he just can’t take umbrage with it. Their situation is worth being upset about, and Liem is the one who’s available to be upset at.

So he watches Minegishi take a drag on his cigarette, noting the tense lines of his shoulders and spine. He doesn’t look ready to track down a civilian in order to drag them back to the Regent’s soldiers for execution; he mostly just looks stressed out. By contrast, Liem is exactly as poised as always, as though lurking in an alley before conducting an interrogation is no different from settling a schedule conflict while standing in a Citadel hallway.

He isn’t sure if he was meant to hear that last remark; perhaps Minegishi wasn’t thinking about a dhampir’s sense of hearing when he said it. But Liem replies regardless.]

I mislike it as well.

[He found the spectacle of the Regent’s announcement distasteful in the extreme, and it’s impossible to feel pride in the terror campaign they’re being forced to participate in here. Liem frowns out at the house with the blue door, letting himself lean back against the alley wall as he releases a slow breath. He looks back at Minegishi, resignation written over his face.]

But these are our orders. [He gives a small shrug.] What else is there to do?

[epiprocta]

[ The answer to Liem's unspoken question is approximately 30%, 20% and 50%. Not that he'd have an easy time figuring that out -- Gen wears his protective layer of derision and scorn as naturally as he breathes, having had years to perfect that prickly suit of armor. Case in point, even as Liem offers him that small morsel of sympathy, his kneejerk reflex is to bristle first. ]

-- I fucking know that.

[ His voice rises to a harsher growl for a moment, just loud enough to startle a passing Veneran citizen; the poor, spooked woman only shoots them a brief glance before hurriedly scuttling off, in no rush to earn the ire of a pair of suspicious strangers lurking in a dark alley. Gen gives an irritable click of the tongue as he ducks his gaze once more, the ember of his cigarette burning cherry-red as he takes a long drag.

His next exhale of smoke comes hard and rushed; he's not even in the mood to savor the taste of it when his nerves are crawling nonstop under the surface of his skin. ]

... I know that. I know it's what we have to do. [ It says something, doesn't it. That Gen feels the need to repeat those words. He knows there are things he has to do, so he'll do them, because that's how he's always had to operate. But even so ... ] ... I'll do it. Just doesn't feel right, either. Even if I'll do it.

[ His movements are restless and twitchy when he rubs at his arm with his other hand, like he kind of wants to scratch his own skin off. Anxiety bubbles in the pit of his stomach, and his next words come a touch jittery. ]

Why're you so calm about this, anyway. You used to kidnapping people to suck dry or something?

[sterngaze]

[The more unnerved Minegishi seems to become about the task they've been sent to complete, the more unhappy Liem is with the prospect of helping him complete it. He agreed to assist him in order to play the part of a loyal soldier in the Regent's army, but assisting him to this end just feels manipulative, like he's throwing the remains of his innocence to the wolves just to maintain his cover. It makes him frown as Minegishi aims another half-hearted barb his way, though not because of anything he's said.]

No. I'm just much older than you are.

[He says this by way of explanation, despite not actually explaining anything at all. As far as he's concerned, though, the particulars of his past aren't important for Minegishi to know. There are any number of reasons why he might have learned to routinely stay collected in distressing situations, and frankly his work as an inquisitor barely accounts for half of them.

But Minegishi shouldn't have to be that way. The last thing Liem wants to do is help him learn how to be like him.]

If it bothers you that much, you don't need to come with me. I'm sure the person we're here to see would feel more at ease speaking with just one person, in any case.

[epiprocta]

And what does age have to do with anything? [ Of course Gen bristles at that non-explanation. Surely, Liem must expect it at this point. Though maybe what comes next is a little less expected. ] You think I'm bothered by this just 'cause of my age? [ The emphasis there is pointed. More than the implication that he's too young, it's the suggestion that he's bothered by these proceedings that rankles at his nerves. ] Don't talk like you know anything about me. I can do whatever it is I need to do -- always have.

[ And always will. Because that's always been his role -- accepting the duties forced upon him and doing what's demanded of him. No matter how he might feel about what those duties might entail.

Still, there's a tense pause afterward as Gen looks away once more, taking another furious drag at his cigarette. He's working through it at a vicious pace, and it's not just because he's glad to have his usual vice back; the steady gnaw of stress at the pit of his stomach has him feeling constantly nauseated, and it's only the familiar hit of nicotine that helps him keep some semblance of calm. Just like six years back.

After a huffed exhale, Gen speaks again without meeting Liem's gaze. ]

You really think it'd go better just on your own?

[ It makes sense, he suppose. And that, more than any consideration for his own mindset, is something he can accept as a reason for sitting back even briefly. ]

[sterngaze]

[Empathy is probably the last thing that Minegishi wants right now, but regardless, that’s exactly what Liem gives him. The waves of tension he exudes in hazy clouds of cigarette smoke make it clear enough that he’d rather be doing almost anything else right now, and the force behind his objections tells Liem that he takes pride in his ability to tough it out regardless. But it’s a grim ability to have, however he came to learn it. Only a world as rotten as his own could have spit out a boy armed with such hard-won conviction.

But both of their worlds are already dead and gone. In the here and now, the one imposing bitter duties on the shoulders of those who have already lost everything is the same being from whom their Veneran targets have been seeking liberation. If Horos is just as infected as the rest of the worlds in Creation, the Regent seems to be at the heart of that contamination. Minegishi’s stubborn intention to carry out their orders only makes Liem more committed to undermining them.]

That’s why you asked me to come along, isn’t it?

[He keeps his tone even, resisting the urge to offer any more unwanted sympathy.]

I have experience talking to all manner of people, including skittish ones. Besides, if any Pleroma show up while I’m occupied, it would be good to have someone keeping an eye out.

[epiprocta]

[ Smart move. Liem does an excellent job keeping his voice distant and professional, and it's just enough to convince Gen that they really have moved on from the subject of things 'bothering him.' And while it still rankles at his nerves that Liem had brought it up at all, because it absolutely isn't a subject worth dwelling on at all ... if Liem's willing to drop the subject, then it's good enough for him. Gen gives Liem a sideways glance before finally nodding. ]

... fine.

[ His sullen tone of voice makes it clear Gen still isn't fully happy with this arrangement. But just the fact that he's acquiesced at all means Liem can probably count this one as a win.

And so Gen sighs as he takes one last drag at his cigarette, tosses the butt on the ground (littering!) then grinds it out under the sole of his boot. ]

I'll stay here, then. [ Maybe in another context, it would sound like he's just shirking his duties like any delinquent teenager would. But in this moment it's a small sign of trust he's extending towards Liem -- believing that Liem will do the job properly enough to avoid any punishment for failing at their jobs. Liem does seem the stupidly dutiful and diligent type, after all, so. He'll do it properly, won't he? ] I'll call you if I see anyone coming. Good enough?

[sterngaze]

[Liem brightens slightly when Minegishi agrees to keep lookout, straightening from his idle posture at the alley's mouth and brushing infinitesimal specks of road dust from his coat in preparation for his task. The younger man isn't wrong to judge him as being especially diligent, and although he may have oversold his confidence in his own abilities in an effort to get Minegishi to remain here, he still intends to find out as much information as he can.]

Perfectly. I'll be back in not too long, then.

[Straightening his hat, he emerges from the alley and heads a few doors down the street to the house in question, sliding a small notebook free from a coat pocket as he goes. Coming to the blue door, he knocks briskly and spends the next few seconds rifling for a writing implement as he waits for someone to answer. When the door opens, he has his notebook tucked against his chest and a pleasant, inquisitive expression on his face.

The man who answers his knock turns out to be roughly middle aged, with large spectacles perched on his nose and a complexion that suggests he doesn't get much sun. Well, Liem can relate. He introduces himself, gesturing down the road with the pencil in his hand, and flips his notebook open. Time to get to work.

From a few houses away, the conversation looks cordial enough. Liem does a lot of talking, gesturing now and then with his pencil to indicate some feature of the man's home. After a while he persuades him out onto the street with him so he can point out some detail of the house's facade, and then continues speaking with him right there on the front walk. As the man's cautious demeanour opens up and he begins to grow more animated, he looks increasingly like an excited owl in slightly aged housewear. Liem begins noting something down.

Then the man glances down the street in the other direction, toward Minegishi, and a wrinkle appears between his brows. Liem drags his attention back to himself, but the unease seeps back into his manner nonetheless. The answers he gives to Liem's questions become markedly more brisk. When he finally retreats back into his house with a flurry of nods and a hasty wave, Liem is left speaking to a closed door.

At that point, there's really nothing left to do but head back down the road to where he'd left his partner.]

Hmm. Well, it certainly could have gone worse.

[epiprocta]

[ On his part, Gen tries to look ... well, unrelated, mostly. Having not had the chance to stealthily relocate before Liem caught the man's attention, he's stuck where he is. He tries to look like he's just a stranger who happens to be standing nearby, enjoying a smoke. (He can barely taste the damn thing. His sense of taste's been shot since he got to Venera, the stress making everything feel like sand and grit against his tongue, and it's only habit and the nicotine hit that keeps him going back to his vice.) Leaning against that wall, he looks off into the middle distance as he lights a new cigarette and slowly burns through it, casting sideways glances in Liem's direction once in a while to gauge how the conversation is going.

... well enough, he thinks?

-- wait, never mind. Not well enough.

The man looks his way and Gen swiftly directs his gaze back out towards the street, quick enough that he's sure he wasn't caught staring. But even so -- he knows he doesn't make for a particularly welcoming presence just lurking on the street there. And sure enough, the sound of the man's voice becomes much more curt before the conversation ends soon afterward.

By the time Liem returns, Gen looks thoroughly unimpressed. ]

What the hell was that?!

[ It's an irate whisper-shout he growls right in Liem's face, looming right into the other's personal space. ]

I thought you were gonna handle this! Why'd you drop the ball so hard!

[sterngaze]

[The botched end to his subtle interrogation is blatant enough that Liem is expecting the growl Minegishi aims his way upon his return. He stands his ground, resisting the urge to lean away when the younger man looms into his space, the scent of cigarettes stinging his senses as he looks steadily up at him.]

I’m here to help you, [he reminds him gently.

He’s also here to sabotage him—but Minegishi doesn’t know that. And besides which, he didn’t spook that Veneran on purpose, so the rest is neither here nor there. Letting his temper boil over isn’t going to avail either of them anything right now.]

Take a minute if you need it, all right? We’ll figure this out.

[He doesn’t offer excuses, deciding that it isn’t productive right now to pick apart the ways in which his approach had failed them. He hadn’t expected the man to be quite as skittish as he ended up being, hadn’t expected that just the sight of an unfamiliar man smoking down the road would make him so nervous. He doesn’t know this area particularly well; perhaps that sort of thing is remarkable enough in this neighbourhood to raise red flags.

Instead, he taps the cover of his notebook with one pale finger.]

Besides—I still got something, before things went south.

[epiprocta]

[ Gen, predictably, does not respond well to what he perceives to be a patronizing attempt to placate him. Before Liem can so much as protest, he winds his fingers into the front of Liem's shirtfront and yanks the other man forth until he's forced to stand taller lest he be pulled straight off his feet. ]

I don't need a fucking minute. I need information. [ But as Gen forges on in a breathlessly irate rush, Liem might sense the faint edge of anxiety in his words. ] You think we're gonna get let off the hook for having put in effort just so long as we explain that we tried? You're not helping me with shit, at this rate.

[ Because, in the end, he's following orders here. Obeying out of fear of repercussion. As much as some part of him does believe in the Regent's final goal, that and actually wanting to hunt down and lead regular civilians to the gallows aren't completely the same.

There's a tense pause as Gen glares into Liem's face for a moment longer before relinquishing his grip and shoving the other man back a pace. There's no pause between him spitting out the stub of his cigarette to stomp it out and retrieving a fresh one from his pocket to light up. ]

... what did you get.

[ And finally, he gives Liem a chance to explain himself. He better have something good. ]

[sterngaze]

[More so than the abrupt yank that drags Liem onto his toes, or the stub of the lit cigarette inches from his face, it’s the words Minegishi snarls in a breathless rush that carve a frown between his brows. He knows from experience that it isn’t always possible to take a break from situations that are causing significant amounts of stress, and that sometimes you really do just have to push through regardless—but Minegishi seems on the verge of burning himself up along with his pack of smokes. Frankly, Liem is concerned.

When he’s released to stagger back away from the younger man, he breathes a short sigh and begins paging through his notebook again.]

A business frequented by our man’s wife. [He glances at one of the pages.] A parlour called Three Magpies. We might find what we need there.

[He eyes Minegishi as he works on yet another cigarette. How long until he goes through the entire pack at this rate?]

But I’m serious—you can’t do this every time something goes wrong. Manhandling me isn’t going to get the results either of us need.