zauneyete: (hands out drugs)
𝗦𝗢𝗹𝗰𝗼 ([personal profile] zauneyete) wrote in [community profile] aionlogs2022-08-13 10:53 pm

[KENOMA MINGLE] entertainment district

WHO: SILCO and any kenomies looking for a tour/bar run/mingle
WHAT: MINGLE LOG
WHERE: Achamoth Entertainment District
WHEN: Firaseri - two days after the gossip posts
WARNINGS: Drugs, Alcohol, General Debauchery -- let me know if anything new comes up, but it's the Entertainment District so standard warnings apply



↝ An Invitation

[ Whether the character is new or old, each retainer has been given a small invitation to hand to their aion. It is simple, and neat -- the words are clear. It has a date for two days after Ciel and Emet-Selch's addresses, and includes a time in the evening. For current Kenoma-aligned aions, it includes a bar to find -- those who are familiar with the tour Silco gave last time will recognize the bar as the same, one with a private loft. They can make their way there, if they know the way. If not, they'll be able to meet with the newer aions at the entrance to the citadel, where there's even the offer for a "tour" of the entertainment district, if they're not familiar with the entertainment district as a whole.

Retainers -- whether a character has one or not -- will slip the invitation to each Aion the day before, as a tacit offer. There's no name, and no identification as to who it is that's offering this. You'll just have to find out later.
]

↝ He's a Docent Tour Guide

[ When the sun just slips beneath the horizon, and twilight begins to take hold, that's the time at which the tour happens. Silco waits at the entrance, a cigar in hand, and right on the dot, he's out the door, to take any that want a guide down into the belly of the entertainment district. He offers one bit of advice, before they leave -- cover up your shards -- and as they step out and into the streets, if any characters don't follow the advice, they'll find fawning, exciteable Achamites, ready to offere them deals, sing their praises, or even throw gifts of jools or flowers at their feet.

The tour is thorough, and actually a touch on the long side. Characters are promised drinks at the destination, but as one winds through the streets, there are plenty of other bars to visit if anyone peels off. There are also solicitors for companionship from the brothels on the way, and some will even offer to follow an aion to the bar, if they so chose. The bloodsport arenas are rife with excitement, and the thundering roars of applause and boos is almost overhwelming when one passes by -- even through the walls -- and the drunken revelers stumbling out of the arenas are in contrast to the bloodied combatants that leave next.

On some corners, drugs are offered, and Silco will be able to provide a near...encyclopedic knowledge of them, if asked -- he will even share what he knows. Has he had them? No, has he bought them and subjected the effects and taken notes on them? Yes. Don't ask why -- or do and get a snarky answer, sure.

Whether the new aions (and old if they tag along) have any new drugs, companions, drinks, or have peeled off -- the tour group arrives at a bar, and are escorted in, almost expected, breathless from the staff. They know who broght them by, so it's easy to figure out that they're hosting Aions tonight.
]

↝ Pint of No Return

[ The bar itself is trendy, within Achamoth. There are high ceilings, live music, and while the main floor of the bar is filled with unwitting locals -- up the stairs and into the large loft is the center of the gathering. It's large enough to hold the Aions, with a private bartender, snacks, and the music is muted and soft up in the loft area.

Along with the drinks and snacks courtesy of the bar itself features an offering of the drugs available in Achamoth, and the staff had been nice enough to offer primer cards, with some of the effects. Most are... basic. Floaty highs, or ones that put one to sleep, or make one laugh for hours. Since it's an enclosed space, nothing is quite as... violent or exciting as some of the drugs available on the streets. Perhaps though, one used their jools, and brought one inside. There's no limit, feel free to do what one wishes -- after all, that's the theme of the Entertainment District, isn't it?

The music down below picks up at some point -- the music might just be glowing songs about the Regent. Think Christian Nu Rock, but it's themed about Achamoth's glorious leader. The crowd downstairs is boistrous -- almost indulgent and thrumming with excitement with adulation for their leader. It's normal, for things to get like this, and nobody with the bar staff seems a bit disturbed, in fact, some staff may be swaying along with the music -- it's clear who owns Achamoth, through and through, and it's the Regent.

And if an Aion notices, some of the patrons might be trying to sneak upstairs. Did something get out that there was someone up here who was an Aion? Even though the Citadel is so close, some will always want to be a little close to a celebrity, some might even get up to the bar, and nervously approach a newer looking Aion that hasn't been seen before. Did they have questions, or was it just the... exciting prospect of being next to an Aion? You can talk to them, or nudge them away, but eventually someone with security will come, nod at you, and escort them out. Maybe not before there's a flurried rush of quesitons, or maybe they'll try to give you something. It's all uncomfortable, and awkward, no matter what.

It's debauchery, and whether or not one is used to it, it's the way of things in Achamoth. Spend time with your fellow aions, ask questions, but above all else -- have a little bit of fun, before things go to hell in a few days.
]

↝ [ This is a mingle/tour log! Feel free to make your own starters, tag about, and let everyone have a... little bit of fun before things go to hell here soon. Everyone can be expected to get a few free drinks to start the night -- be creative, do whatever! Peel off into groups, get lost in the city, call for help, the sky's the limit! ]
entsetzt: (scarecrowicon11)

[personal profile] entsetzt 2022-08-17 05:22 am (UTC)(link)
In contrast, now that Paul has Crane's attention, the doctor's gaze is unflinching and intense, even as Paul watches the revelers. Paul's perspective is...interesting. Crane had assumed that the Regent had done what he had done in Gotham, and actively taken the people's hope from them; ground the people down so much they lost the ability to conceive of anything better, gave up trying to improve things. But no, that was incorrect. The Regent could not take what the people never had.

On its worst day, Gotham could never hold a candle to what the Regent had built in Achamoth. A city for whom the appearance of hope would be devastating.

"I must commend the Regent." Crane says finally. "They've built something here truly incredible. These people would actively reject the possibility of being saved. They would fight against the offer of hope." He shakes his head. "And yet the Pleroma would try anyway, never understanding their task is a hopeless one. A city not even the Dark Knight could hope to save. How utterly marvelous."

He extends a bony, scarred hand. "Doctor Jonathan Crane."
vivificantem: (089. to be understood as to understand)

[personal profile] vivificantem 2022-08-17 05:43 am (UTC)(link)
That does get Paul's attention to focus a bit more strongly, at least; he'll accept the handshake easily, with all the practice of someone who regularly meets the people outside the open doors after Mass.

"Father Paul Hill. The pleasure is mine, Doctor."
entsetzt: (scarecrowicon6)

[personal profile] entsetzt 2022-08-17 07:17 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah, yes. The Kenoma's resident priest. I heard you spoken of during the, ah...Communion, was it called?" Crane cocks his head in curiosity; so much of this Aion business is still strange to him.

"From a man of God to a man of the Regent, hmm?"
vivificantem: (054. the quiet waters by)

[personal profile] vivificantem 2022-08-18 05:05 am (UTC)(link)
"There's something to be said for the omnipresence of God; it means He's still God here, regardless of the people's acknowledgement." It's not a biting argument, though, as much as it is a statement; it is what it is, and Paul sees no reason why he can't continue to be a man of God here. It's the compromise he's come to thus far, anyway.

"I do lead one of the churches here, in the Regent's likeness. Maybe that renders what I said earlier cheating, but it's true enough as far as I can tell in my work with them."
entsetzt: (scarecrowicon9)

[personal profile] entsetzt 2022-08-18 07:21 am (UTC)(link)
"Mmm. Does it?" Crane wonders. "Your faith was not tested by learning of the existence of the Pleroma and the Kenoma, this cycle of death and rebirth? Are they not the forces that make and unmake realities? A bit more impersonal than the Christian notion of God." It's not an attempt at some sort of "got you" moment, to entrap the man. Faith is an area he has little personal experience in, and how Paul balances his belief with his service to the Kenoma intrigues Crane, if only for the mental gymnastics involved. And Paul seems happy to share.

"So I've heard. Do many of the other Aions attend your services? I was thinking I might wish to sit in on a sermon. To see what you have spoken of. I feel it would be an educational experience to witness."
vivificantem: (061. though i pass through shadows death)

[personal profile] vivificantem 2022-08-18 07:42 am (UTC)(link)
"I never said that my faith was untested; just that the testing of my faith ended in one of the two ways that tends to end. I've chosen to retain it, and see no reason why it can't coexist with the notion of the Kenoma any more than any other notion. The Bible says very little about the heat death of the universe and all."

He shrugs a bit, though, at that last little section. "If you're willing to hear more about the Kenoma as I understand it, you're welcome to attend. Not many of the Aions come, though a few of them do; as long as you're unopposed to blood rituals I'm not going to stop you."
entsetzt: (scarecrowicon9)

[personal profile] entsetzt 2022-08-24 05:40 am (UTC)(link)
"Not the universe perhaps, but certainly it does touch on the end of the world." Though to most people in the era in which the Bible was written, the two were likely synonymous. "The Regent says we are aiding them in bringing about a better world. The thousand year kingdom by another route?" He chuckles. "But I wonder how you can quantify that when dealing with an infinite number of variables." Which is what the multiverse is. Or was. Or will be again. "My idea of a better world and your idea of a better world likely mean...different things than they do for the Regent." Well, maybe not Paul's, as he seems pretty lock-step with the Regent's vision.

"On the contrary Father, I regard that as something of a draw." Blood rituals? Nightly sacrifices? "I am most curious to observe the people of Achamoth willingly participate. Do you have a holy book, to read sermons from? I was under the impression the Regent did not encourage worship." Though neither did they take much steps to stop it, either. Perhaps their "impartiality" was more of a veil, hmm?
vivificantem: (046. nearer my god to thee -)

[personal profile] vivificantem 2022-08-25 09:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Its hard to tell what kind of reaction that gets out of him; in the end, he just turns his gaze on the revelers and keeps it there. "I seek eternal peace, for those who have never known it. That's all."

With regards to services, though, that's a bit of an easier question; he still avoids eye contact, but that's more because of who he is as a person. "Many of the holy books around here speak of the Kenoma and the Regent in parables; they're moreso guided readings to bring one around to accepting the Kenoma fully. The Regent themself discourages worship, yes, but I personally don't worship them."