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 Shops are open, and its people are withdrawn but superficially friendly when meeting strangers.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

[killandrecycle]

It should go without saying that she is giving the version of the story that makes her look the best. What actually offended Barnaby was a bit less innocent, he took offense to the methods she was using to try and produce results. It was not a simple matter of disagreeing with one another. But why would she admit to that? It makes much more sense to continue to pretend to be the 'cute victim'. Chances are Barnaby would never be able to tell the truth, after all.

"Someone put out a communion message offering healing. Its not someone I've ever met personally, but I've seen them around Achamoth so they PROBABLY aren't also a traitor." She chuckles softly. "And no, I can't do that. But I want that piece of trash to think he needs to do something about it to keep his little rebel safe. I want him worrying constantly, wondering what is going to happen to him when /I/ am the one that catches HIM by surprise." In other words, she was just being spiteful.

There's a few moments of silence from the girl. When she speaks again, she sounds just a tiny bit more calm. Maybe she feels a little bit safer now? "..This is the second time this happened. Being carried around this city by you. I think I hate this city. I'd burn it to the ground if I knew the Regent wouldn't kill me for it."

[vapour]

Childe's just fine with believing her side, perhaps even moreso because Barnaby refused to give his own. There's no point holding out for the full story when the other party is just willing to accept their narrative is never heard.

There's a light smile as he listens to Rita talk, glad she's got the energy to complain and even switch between being riled to eventually calmimg down. It's a good thing as it means she's not suffering anything dire injury-wise. "Well, I'm pretty sure even if they're a traitor, they'd still heal you. The Pleroma are pretty good at wanting to be heroes and convert us. The ones that aren't are no better than we are in tactics, so there's nothing worthwhile to gain from them. Letting the ones go that want to be heroes and convert us you do pretty easily unless the Regent directly orders no Pleroma must be allowed to retreat. They'll always be useful to you in some way. The others, though... they really don't deserve to live any more than they think we do."

He's pretty sure Barnaby is one of the former who just happens to be strong, and he honestly feels he makes a far better Pleroma hero than some of the actual Pleroma. Unfortunately, it's hard to tell right now, and in the middle of an emotionally charged situation, things aren't always how they seem. Even so, he can't exactly discuss in full how good a fit Barnaby probably would be as a Pleroma with a fellow Kenoma, either.

He keeps that to himself.

Rita, he has realized, has never been subject to things that would make her understand the world any other way than she sees currently them. Although she could easily be completely and unapologetically a villain with a full spectrum of excellences, it usually doesn't work like that. She's far older than he is, but he's pretty sure her mind has never fully evolved past being a kid beyond whatever evil deeds she's done back home. That's not quite the same as maturing. So, he feels a tiny bit protective of her because of that, as well, even if he doesn't know the full truth of her past and situation. Then again, none of the aions know each other like that except maybe Himeka and her friends from her world.

Childe personally wouldn't have it any other way, but he knows many would disagree.

"Ahaha! Understandable, but last time wasn't your fault at all. This time it was a tiny bit your fault," he teases. Childe shifts his hold on her just a little so he can prop her up in case she's sunken a little down his back from the movements of the walk.

"Any idea how the others are doing with the Regent's orders?"

[killandrecycle]

Not having to bear listening to her assailants self-righteousness suited her just fine. She had made no secret of her rather unpleasant view of the world, as well as the people around her. She places little value on the interests or lives of them. Were she to commit an act of kindness, it would only be because it somehow helped her push towards her own desires. Charity for its own sake is beyond stupid to her, the sickening ideal of a fool unworthy of taking seriously, only good for open mocking and nothing more.

It, of course, stemmed from a complete lack of positive emotion in her life. Years upon years of being treated as if her life did not matter twisted her into valuing it more then anything in the world. Why should she even care if someone else had to die to save her life? If it was a dozen lives, she wouldn't even consider it a sacrifice. The only thing that kept her from going wild is fear of retribution from the Regent. Power was to be feared, because power could take away what she selfishly valued the most: herself.

That is why she followed the Regent's commands but didn't care if the man she had bee after was innocent or not. She didn't care about his 'crimes'. He was just a prize to improve the Regent's opinion of her. Without the order to bring the target to trial, there would never have been a chance to save him to begin with. She was loyal, fiercely so, and it was obvious when she spoke.

"Convert? Have any of them tried to 'convert' you? What a stupid idea. I'd gladly accept healing from one of them, though. It'd make the expression on their face so much better when I turned the power they gave me against them. I will never 'convert'. It would make me as bad a traitor as that fool who attacked me. Besides, I believe what we are doing is right." A short pause. "If the world was fine as it was, someone like me wouldn't even exist."

With only one good arm to cling with, the shifting did help her out a little. "My fault? I..whatever. I guess I was too focused on the rebel and didn't notice. That fool would have never hurt me otherwise. But I have no clue how the others are doing, I've been mostly sticking to myself. Its almost annoying how easy it is to convince people into talking. I really feel like I am not being taken seriously sometimes. But I guess it did make it easy on me."

[vapour]

"Not really, no. Which is just fine with me, it's awkward having someone talk to you as if they feel bad for you when you're fine with yourself. It's pointless."

Besides, Childe doesn't think they can actually revert get away from the Regent even if they wanted to

He nods at her spoken thoughts. "These days I've had a lot of time to think. Us being in the wrong is too easy of a solution. These people should have been able to resolve it on their own if it were that straightforward. The Regent has given this world plenty of chances to turn things around on its own, anyway, considering he hasn't ended it, yet."

With a small hum, Childe grinds even though she can't see it. "I'm glad you exist. The Kenoma may see many traitors in the long run, but the core of us won't go anywhere."

[killandrecycle]

With the way she looks, its only a matter of time before she's mistaken for a child who is being tricked by the Regent. Its surprising that it hasn't happened yet. It is a misconception that would not last long into a conversation with her, though.

"Of course we're not wrong. The Pleroma are traitorous rebels that aren't interested in making a better world. I could never be that big of a fool. Besides, we're showing the Venerans MERCY. Don't they understand that? The Regent only demanded a few examples, not every single person who has ever said or done anything against their reign. The ones who weren't selected get to go on with their lives after we leave, and now they know the price of their treachery." She speaks so coldly about how little the lives of the 'rebels' matter. It was unlikely she would feel the same if she was asked to give her own life.

That life was all she had. And its one that isn't used to having its existence appreciated. She was honestly unsure how to feel about what was likely just an offhanded remark. Positive emotions are so rare in her life that negativity instantly starts fighting back when a tiny bit of happiness tries to creep into her mind.

"That is the first time anyone has ever told me anything like that." Her voice is controlled, neutral as she can make it. There is a little hint of emotion, like she is trying to sound annoyed and utterly failing at it. There was just a tiny bit of her that felt ever so slightly flattered. "But you probably shouldn't be. All I am good for is hurting people. And sometimes I am not even good at that."