aionlogs | EVENT #5: SOVEREIGN CITIZENS (VENERA)

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EVENT #5: SOVEREIGN CITIZENS (VENERA)

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 Shops are open, and its people are withdrawn but superficially friendly when meeting strangers.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.

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[ There's a roll of the eyes before he answers: ]

I save my charm for people I'm actually interested in a second date with.

[ Gen spits out that shitty retort without a second thought, but it comes out half-hearted. The ease with which he chooses his words makes it obvious that yes, he really is this charming by default, but also his heart's just not in it at the moment -- there's barely any bite to his words, his tone of voice listless and deadpan as his gaze fixes on the stump of Matt's wrist.

And while it's definitely something that lingers at the forefront of his thoughts, Gen's immediate attention is drawn more towards what Matt says next. ]

It's not an 'extrajudicial kidnapping.' [ He can't help sounding a little testy as he echoes those words, shooting Matt a narrow-eyed glare before he looks away once more to light his cigarette. His next words come muffled around it. ] It's basically arresting people, isn't it. Not that it sits right with me to do a fucking cop's job, but ... that's all it is. S'just hunting down these people that's hard.

[ At this point, there's been a pause in overt violence long enough for some of this guy's exhaustion to sink in. Matt also has to admit to himself that technically, the dude's correct: this isn't extrajudicial kidnapping. The Regent told them to do it, and the Regent appears to set the laws of the land, so it's actually just ... normal-judicial kidnapping.

He's not sure if his new companion-slash-enemy is being sincere with what he says--if he really doesn't like cops. He could be dangling some form of conversational bait. But Matt doesn't think that's this person's vibe, exactly; a shove is nothing if not direct. Either way, he can't suppress a glimmer of optimism. ]

Right, [ he agrees cautiously. ] I'd say my skills would be better served on ... almost anything else. But maybe it'd be easier to do as a team.

I mean, I can't get any worse than I am now.

[ He's fully expecting to be turned down, but at least he's trying. ]

[ Gen tends to massage the truth about many things, but in that one regard, he's being honest -- he really does hate cops. Though that's mostly just because he was raised in a crime-adjacent family. Nothing worth worrying about.

And while he certainly doesn't look thrilled by Matt's offer of help, he also doesn't immediately turn it down. Gen instead takes a long, deliberate drag from his cigarette as he studies Matt, the ember burning bright before he slowly exhales around it. When he speaks again, it's abrupt and without preamble. ]

You look pretty lame.

[ Rude. But he says it plainly, as a neutral observation. Not meant as an insult, surprisingly. ]

People probably talk to you pretty easy, yeah? You seem the type. I did find a lead but they're pretty skittish -- might be able to use you for talking to'em.

[ Matt's eyebrows arch for his hairline.

He's never heard anybody utter such disparaging words in such a lackadaisical tone. It almost makes him want to laugh again, out of sheer absurd pleasure. But he's still smarting from the shove of a few moments ago, so the urge is easy to quell. ]

I think if I were easy to talk to, I'd probably have more friends, [ he notes dryly. That said, compared to his new companion, Matt does not usually assault people with little-to-no provocation, and he doesn't call them names with anywhere near Gen's frequency. So in that sense, he probably represents an up-and-to-the-right move. ] But ah, sure. I'll give it a try. What are you trying to find out from them, exactly?

[ Oh, boo-hoo, the guy has no friends. Gen is incredibly unsubtle about rolling his eyes at that, though he at least refrains from pointing out that maybe that's a him problem, if he's apparently this disarming but still manages to put people off from being his friend.

Instead, he rummages through his pockets to withdraw a slip of paper. There's a little diagram scribbled on it, which Matt might recognize as a layout of the nearby marketplace, if he's familiar with the geography. The location of a small stall is circle, labeled 'afternoons only.' (Gen's handwriting is atrocious.) ]

Apparently this vendor here -- sells art -- used to sell some stuff that was in the old style. So he might know the location of one the targets, some sculptor. But apparently he's real cagey, doesn't wanna get in trouble ... it'll be annoying if he takes one look at me and bolts.

[ He says it with a frown. At least Gen has some self-awareness of how he generally looks: like a horrible two-bit thug. ]

[ At this point in their acquaintance, Matt has decided that he's best served by gently ignoring the input of Gen's that does not feel immediately productive. So he lets the eye-roll glide by--honestly, it was a stupid thing of him to say--and focuses on the paper. His eyes narrow as he pores over what looks like a string of sigils.

Then he realizes they're probably letters. ]

Okay, [ Matt says with a nod. The arrangement of market stalls looks familiar enough to him--he actually thinks he may have seen some of this guy's art as he's walked through. ] I can talk to him. Ask about art or something.

[ Matt starts to fold up first his own map, then his list of names. There's something a little clumsy about the process, even a bit uncanny: It's because only one of Matt's hands is available to fold. The delta is made up, it seems, by the items appearing to fold themselves.

He's a bit uneasy about the word sculptor, but ... that's stupid. Venera is full of artists, there's obviously more than one sculptor in town. Anyway, unless Gen has anything else to add, Matt'll start off in the direction of the vendor's stall. ]

[ Honestly, that's smart of Matt. It's not like Gen's really ignoring a response for each of his shitty little barbs, and they're mostly out of habit, anyway. It's just that the stress that's been accumulating's made him even more irritable than usual, sorry not sorry.

Gen raises an eyebrow at Matt's answer, clearly only placing about 35% trust in Matt's abilities to get things done. But that's still higher than what he'd guess is his own ability to talk to this guy without sending him fleeing at the first hint that something is amiss, so ... Gen huffs a small sigh before giving an upward nod to indicate Matt can go ahead. ]

I'll be somewhere nearby, then -- gonna be keeping an eye out for any of the Pleroma while you're doing that. Try to win the guy's trust by protecting him or something if you hear a commotion, I guess. We can regroup afterwards.

[ A pause before he adds, ]

What's your name.

That sounds good, [ Matt agrees. He's mildly surprised to be met with decent strategizing instead of hostility, but it's welcome. He even smiles. ] And, uh. I'm Matt.

[ As they head for the marketplace, Matt turns over tactics in his head. These tactics boil down to primarily a) everything he can remember about Veneran art from his so-far two visits, b) a resolution not to lie directly (he'll lose track), and c) probably don't leap immediately to sculptures.

The market stalls begin to shift from fresh fruits and vegetables to flowers, then to small household goods. Matt adjusts the scarf around his neck, which is purple and flecked with gold, so it covers his shard more completely. (There are also some darker spots towards the hem, but those probably aren't part of the scarf's design.) Even though Matt knows he's not good at this type of cloak-and-dagger shit, a part of him feels a strange excitement. He turns over Gen's words in his mind, real cagey, doesn't wanna get in trouble, like honeyed marbles.

A block or so down from the art vendor's stall, Matt breaks away from Gen. ]

Wish me luck.

[ Which is sort of a joke, because of how he doesn't think Gen will?? Anyway: The art vendor is an older guy, bespectacled, slight hunch in his shoulders. Nice hands. After a pleasant, "Just looking," Matt spends a few moments perusing the pieces. ]

You know ... these are really nice, [ he says, glancing back to the vendor, ] but I saw this mural by the college, and I was wondering if you have anything like it? It showed these two lovers reaching out to each other across a ... well, like a red field? It was burned, or withered--the technique was very romantic.

Oh! That sounds like Amphiandros and Meri, [ the vendor replies. ] A young couple separated by war. Unfortunately, there's not much demand for work in the old style, but I do have a few pieces you might be interested in.

[ They strike up a conversation as the vendor shows Matt a few paintings and prints. Gen can make up his own mind as to the exact character of the exchange, but Matt definitely smiles at him a lot, standing close and tilting his head attentively. At one point, he says: ] So are you an artist? You have the hands for it.

[ And his own fingers twist, as if holding stick of charcoal or a paintbrush. The vendor laughs along, assuring him no, no. He's an appreciator only. (Matt knows, of course, that his left hand is gone. Still, as he senses the vendor might be warming to him, the fingers of the missing hand give a little flourish: tada.)

A few minutes later, Matt comes back around to the spot where he last saw Gen. He's holding a fresh piece of paper with a few names, addresses, and times written on it. ]

The old-school sculpture market is surprisingly underground, [ he muses. ] But I got some leads.

[ Gen, meanwhile, trails a few yards behind Matt as he enters the garden -- close enough to watch the other and pick up on what he's saying, but far enough that they don't look like they're moving together -- and ends up lurking in front of a nearby stall selling used books. The words barely enter his brain when he picks up whatever volume's on top (some tattered old volume about the history of the city) and slowly leafs through it. He's far more focused on what Matt's doing, after all.

Which appears to be ... flirting?

... that's flirting, right. Is this guy seriously flirting with some old art dealer they're trying to mine for information.

Why the fuck is nobody in this goddamned place normal.

Gen rolls his eyes as he continues flipping through the book, trying to make out what Matt is saying, but the steady ebb and flow of noise as the market bustles around them makes it difficult. In the end, all he's gotten out of that interaction is that Matt sure was making googly-eyes at that vendor, and he looks up with a scowl when Matt approaches. ]

Took you long enough. [ The book he'd been looking at is tossed back onto the pile without a moment's hesitation -- the stall's owner looking slightly offended -- and Gen gives a tip of the head to indicate for Matt to follow. They can talk somewhere quieter, outside of the market. ] How much of that time did you spend asking for his number, and how much did you spend actually doing the job?

[ Matt, meanwhile, feels faintly exhilarated. He got information! From a person! He knows it's shady, even fascistic, but he can't believe he actually fucking did it. It feels a little like when he first started casting spells--real magic--and realizing he'd crossed a line few people ever did.

Gen's reaction takes some of the wind from his sails. But Matt half-expects it at this point--he's even a little amused. Like, of course it took time? He wasn't gonna bust in there like HELLO SIR PLEASE TELL ME WHERE YOUR MOST TROUBLESOME SCULPTORS HANG OUT. He's only a little amused, though; the rest of him is all chagrin. He didn't fully think about the fact that Gen would be watching him talk to that guy, and his cheeks heat slightly in embarrassment.

Also, wait a minute ... ]

Nobody has a phone here, [ he protests. Matt shakes his head. ] All of it was work. Better he's wondering "is this guy hitting on me" than "is this guy trying to get my friends arrested." And he really does have nice hands.

[ Matt waves the piece of paper. The handwriting on it isn't his. ]

So do you want this, or ...?

[ At that, Gen gives Matt a look like he just admitted he regularly walks into doors. ]

I didn't literally mean a phone number, dumbass.

[ 'Dumbass,' he says. But the way he lets that word slip is so casual that it almost comes across as comfortable? Like it's just bad habit, and he at least considers Matt so little of a threat that he's willing to let something like that slip. ]

I meant you acting like you were trying to get into that guy's pants. S'not what I meant when I told you to go talk to him, but -- whatever works, I guess. Your problem if you wanna pretend to have bad taste.

[ And -- sorry not sorry, Matt -- Gen doesn't wait for further response before reaching forward to simply try and take the paper out of his hands. Like it's the most obvious course of action, and the thought of asking for permission first doesn't even occur to him. Gen frowns as he glances it over, casting one more look back in the vendor's direction before returning his focus to Matt. ]

So what'd you find out.

[ Matt's social awareness can leave something to be desired, but he has fairly finely tuned senses for sexuality. And that was a lot of "no homo" he just heard. His eyebrows arch in Gen's direction, but picking an unnecessary fight with this guy is the last thing Matt wants. He puts up no resistance when Gen reaches for the paper.

""Pretend to have bad taste."" Rrrright. ]

These are the names of a couple of sculptors who do work in the old style, [ Matt replies mildly, ] along with times and addresses for markets they're known to frequent. Well, one I think is technically a salon, but you get it. Even if these aren't the one you're looking for, I'm betting you'll have better luck finding them around a bunch of likeminded artists.

[ Yeah that sure was some casual 'no homo' he threw out but, like, don't worry about it!

Gen skims over that list with brow furrowed -- looking up briefly and casting a glance over his shoulder in the direction of the closest address, he'd already tried to commit as much of the local geography to memory as he could -- before returning his attention to the list. Going through these all will take some time, and it seems like tedious work. But it's a start, at least. Gives him a concrete direction to start pursuing.

And it's frankly a lot more information than he expected. ]

... did you really just ask him? [ There's the rustle of paper as he folds the note and slides it in his pocket. Not asking for Matt's permission to take it, of course, and instead fixing him with a suspicions stare, eyes narrowed. ] Had multiple people tell me how skittish he is. Hard to believe you got that much out of him just by asking nicely.

[ It's possible, he supposes. But unlikely. Might as well prod at the matter a bit, just in case. ]

[ Matt blinks. ]

Well, I didn't ask him right away. We talked about art for awhile--that's actually most of what we discussed. [ There's a slight quirk to Matt's lips, like: yes he did flirt with the vendor, but whistle while you work, you know? ] I really do like the old style of Veneran art better than a lot of what they're doing now. And I put down a deposit on a piece, so that might've helped.

[ The information is unvetted as of now, of course, so there's a distinct possibility that not every piece of it is optimally helpful. Matt's only just realizing that, though. In the moment, the conversation felt so genuine that it hadn't occurred to him. Like what, this nice Veneran might mislead him? Him, a person misrepresenting himself to get information he knew the vendor wouldn't want to give out under normal circumstances?

Matt's feeling a lot of things right now, leftover adrenaline being one of them. On its heels comes an undertow of guilt. If he did get legitimate intel, that'll spell bad things for at least someone in this town. Lethally bad. ]

[ He ignores the bit about Matt liking Venera art. Didn't ask, don't care.

And while the fact that Matt put down money does earn the quirk of a brow, lips pressed together -- because does that count as bribery? -- Gen ultimately decides he doesn't care that much. The information seems like it would have been given in good faith, so there's no reason he needs to start doubting it. ]

Fine. I can work off this.

[ A conclusive huff as he pockets the note and glances over his shoulder. ]

Think the closest one's that way, then I'll work outwards. Should be faster that way ... [ Maybe starting from the furthest and spiraling inwards would have a better chance of cornering the target, but it'd be easy to let them slip since he's working alone. As in, he's definitely not expecting Matt to help him any further with this hunt. Decision made, he looks back to Matt with a flat stare. ] If I manage to nab the guy, I'll say you contributed. Good enough for you, right.

[ He words it like a question, but says it like a statement. As in, 'that's the arrangement here and you're just going to have to live with it.' ]

[ Matt frowns, though not because he's worried about getting credit for this. He hadn't thought about that at all until right now, and he finds the idea leaves a bad taste in his mouth. This is not the kind of work he ever imagined hanging his name on.

But what can he say? ]

Sure, [ he answers, a bit stilted. ] That's great.

[ He hates it. He hates this whole thing. Even the parts he enjoyed--flirting, startling competence, feeling like he was connecting to someone for at least a small moment--now begin to sour. He'll have to go back to pick up that art piece later. To top it all off, Matt's stump has started to throb with the echo of missing fingers.

But he doesn't put up any resistance to Gen's suggestion, or his departure. He doesn't even stop him long enough to ask for his name. ]

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EVENT #5: SOVEREIGN CITIZENS (VENERA)

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