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 Shops are open, and its people are withdrawn but superficially friendly when meeting strangers.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

[perfectlygoodbird]

[Meteion squeaks--she wasn't expecting to be collided with, and she isn't terribly tall to begin with. But she can also understand why--likely she's been tracking the same delicious scent. She's hungry, and she didn't leave all her jools back in Achamoth with Gurbahl...]

It's all right. Oh, drat, where is that smell even coming from! I can't see! Can you?

[Meteion had hid her shard the first time she'd come around Venera, and she has a little capelet to do the same here, worn over her tunic. So it might not be incredibly obvious, unless Estinien or someone else has publicized her appearance to the Pleroma. If they have...oh, well, she's a ringer.]

[hippocarnival]

[He did, actually, but so much has happened between then that for a moment it slips Yuya's mind. She's--familiar, but he can't quite remember where he's seen her. Maybe she was a Veneran native?]

You're looking for it too? It smelled so good I thought I wanted to try it. [He points off, to the left.] I think maybe it's that way?

[perfectlygoodbird]

We should both get some, then! Do you know what it is? [Meteion, you've only just met this young man, do you really think you should overwhelm him with your--you? But the entelechy doesn't seem to consider she might be overwhelming. She does, at least, not grab Yuya to try to haul him down there...but she does set off quickly, only turning around to see if he's following her.]

If I get there first I'll share! [Just in case they run out before he gets his own...]

[hippocarnival]

[You know what? Two apparent teenagers getting breakfast might actually be less suspicious than one trying to skulk around the market alone. And maybe he can figure out where he's seen her before.]

Wait! [He laughs shortly, picking up pace to catch up.] We'll go together. If it smells like that, it has to be good.

[He thinks it might be some kind of savory scone or croissant... but that might just be based on the overwhelming scent of bread.]

[perfectlygoodbird]

Meteion does slow--not that it's difficult to catch up to her; she's short! In any case, Yuya should have no problems. Meteion's pace is easy to maintain.]

I know!! I don't think I've ever smelled anything like it. [Not that it doesn't mostly smell sweet to her, but that's bread for you. Nor would Meteion balk at any sort of breakfast. Mostly it's all new and fascinating. And so it is, even as she stops before a stand that does look something like a bakery or pastry stand. Would it stand up to her favorite place in Achamoth, though?]

Oooh, would you look at that? And smell it!

[hippocarnival]

[As they walk, Yuya keeps turning over her appearance in his head. Where has he seen her...

But the possibility of warm and tasy breakfast distracts him yet again and he stares at the food laid out.]

It looks so good... [He points at some roll with cheese and sausage barely contained within it.] That must be it!

[perfectlygoodbird]

Ooooohhhh! [Meteion leans close, craning her neck to take in the cheesy goodness. It almost rivals Haron's confections, back in Achamoth, and that old man has some serious skill...]

How much does it say it is? [Usually, she trusts her retainer to read most things for her, but Gurbahl, of course, is not here.]

And how many do you want? I think I could eat two of those all by myself!

[hippocarnival]

Uh--[Yuya's reaching into his pockets as he squints at the sign.] Three jools each? Ah, I feel like I could eat three.

[All this sneaking around makes him hungry.]

[perfectlygoodbird]

Let me cover it, then. [She has enough, she's sure of it. It isn't as if she didn't bring some of her allowance, after all. Meteion laughs, because it feels like whenever she does spend it, it's on food...]

Excuse me! We need five of those, please. And a few sweet pastries, as well...

[Though Meteion's gaze slides back over to Yuya, then.] Do you have a preference as to what kind? I'd like chocolate, please!

[hippocarnival]

--Eh? [Yuya stops halfway through pulling gems out of his pocket, looking wide eyed at Meteion.] Are you sure? I don't mind paying for my part...

[He's just a little surprised by the generosity.

The shopkeeper, starts with bagging up the savory pastries. "I'd recommend the strawberry scones. Those are at the end of their season, so you won't see more until next year."]

[perfectlygoodbird]

I don't mind either! Besides, you've already been helping!

[Yuya may find that this is just the way Meteion is. She gasps in delight at the shopkeeper's words--she's been told that strawberries are like the rolanberries of Etheirys, and while she'd never tasted them there, the fruit here are rapidly becoming a favorite.]

Oh, yes, please! [Though Meteion pauses to look up at Yuya, wide-eyed.] Unless you don't like strawberries, ser?

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya starts a little. Well--okay. Slowly, his hand releases the gems in his pocket.]

No, strawberry is okay! Strawberry and chocolate. [He offers her a smile.]

[perfectlygoodbird]

Perfect! Strawberry and chocolate it is! And enough for me, too! [Because Meteion knows chocolate very well, and is very, very fond of it, too. But far be it from her to deprive Yuya of any of it. She smiles back at him, clearly happy to share all of this.]

Do you think water will work to drink? Or should we find something else?

[Meteion at least seems perfectly innocuous--at least until Yuya can catch the sight of the scar on her right hand--the mark of the Innocent Legacy...]

[hippocarnival]

Water--[He pauses as he notices the mark on the back of her hand, at the point she's handling money and pastries. That's... he remembers that experience clearly. Still has the legacy mark burned into his forearm. Something all of the first Aions went through, together, in that awful cave.

She's an Aion.] Uh, water is fine! Thanks, uh... what's your name?

[perfectlygoodbird]

My name is Meteion. What's your name?

[If she's seen Yuya's mark, either she hasn't noticed...or she is entirely unconcerned. Why be concerned if you aren't being threatening? Meteion is not, neither is Yuya. They're just two teenagers who are about to have a completely splendid breakfast.]

[hippocarnival]

[Meteion. Me. Te--oh. Oh.

It clicks, the name he heard over communion months ago while people were talking about those they knew on the Kenoma side. shortly after they escaped the cave. And Meteion wasn't one of the Pleroma in the conversation.]

Uh. [He squawks. He's in a place he's not supposed to be trying to subvert the Regent. Giving him name would be a terrible idea.

He fiddles with the cloak absently.] I'm Yuuuuu...to.

[Nailed it.]

[perfectlygoodbird]

[Meteion can feel the quick rush of fear that runs through Yuya as she says her name. She...might be an Innocent, but being a member of that Legacy doesn't mean she's ignorant or unintelligent. She'd had more than an inkling that this boy was of the Pleroma.

And it mattered to her not at all. Meteion is aware of what he must be doing here. Likely, she's even seen the mark he bore. She knows she's never seen him at the Citadel.

She doesn't want to catch him in that lie--and she doesn't know his real name, anyway. So she bobs her head in a nod, and smiles, letting out a little laugh.]

It's nice to meet you, Yuuto! Shall we get out of the way? Likely this gentleman would like to continue his trade!

[hippocarnival]

[It's. Not even a little subtle. He's not totally sure she buys it but she acts like she's just accepting it for what it is, so...]

Uh--right! [He quickly scatters out of the way of the stand.] We should... eat?

[perfectlygoodbird]

Yes, we should! Especially you, since I suspect you are still a growing boy! [But Meteion laughs, seeing as it's supposed to be a little joke between them. They'd passed a fountain on their journey to the bakery stand, so she beckons and heads back to it, sitting on the rim and kicking her birdlike feet.]

I don't think I've gotten bigger since Hermes created me. I'm just the way I'm supposed to be, I guess.

[She has absolutely no shame in this line of conversation. And Meteion is really trying to set his mind at ease. She means him no harm.]

[hippocarnival]

[... Made??

No, actually, if he's honest his history isn't actually a lot more normal.

He laughs sheepishly.] Thanks, I hope so! [He doesn't want to be short forever...

At least her attempt to ease him is working, even if he assumed it's because she thinks he's just a Veneran native. Whatever works. He plops onto the edge of the fountain beside her.]

[perfectlygoodbird]

[Meteion's more aware than he gives her credit for, but she's also not calling attention to him. She won't. Especially not now. They're just two youths enjoying breakfast.]

Being small isn't that bad--at least, not until you want to see over a crowd! Then it's a bit annoying.

[Briefly, Meteion does think about splashing 'Yuuto', but it hasn't gotten into the heat of the day, yet, and she's not sure if that'd draw attention neither of them want. Best to not do so, then.]

[hippocarnival]

So you have that problem too, huh... [Darn tall people.

He pulls out one of the savory pastries and takes a big bite out of it, chewing... and proceeds to keep talking. While chewing.] So... what're you in Venera for?

[If she hasn't picked up he's an Aion (she has), maybe he can get her to talk to him about their targets.]

[perfectlygoodbird]

I do! [That, she laughs about, though there might be a bit less humor in it. Everyone was tall, to her. Except Majorita.

Meteion doesn't want to think about the demon, right now. But then, 'Yuuto' asks her his loaded question, and she looks at him, eyes momentarily wide. How is she supposed to answer that, and be truthful?]

Chaos. [Close enough, and true enough. She'd been given a list of targets--hadn't they all? But Meteion had promptly discarded it. Not that she hadn't intended to do something about it, but not as the Regent intended. Dangerous for her, but what couldn't be cured must be endured.]

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya stares, slowly shoving the croissant further into his mouth.

He bites off half of what remains, all at once.] Oh.

[perfectlygoodbird]

[Meteion only winks, as she takes a bite of her own pastry. The less Yuuto knows, the less he can say if something bad happens, and if Meteion does not ask him pressing questions, she can't endanger him, either.]

I've thought about this sort of thing.

[Mysterious utterance, perhaps, but best she leaves him confused, and maybe some time in the future, she'll give him answers. But for now, she only chews and winks.]