aionlogs | [KENOMA MINGLE] entertainment district

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[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! ]

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[ Oh. That catches Sebastian's interest, and in a very genuine, much more innocent way, if such a word could be ascribed to him (probably not). ]

To the moon, really?

[ Sebastian is briefly stunned into silence, because the very idea of it brings up so many questions at once that he's not sure where to start. It seems like an impossibility even to a demon, and while he's not surprised that humans would get there eventually, it's still nothing short of a marvel. ]

I... Goodness. Did they come back?

Did they... come back?

[ That is an extraordinarily good question. A perturbed look settles across Bruno's face as he stares off past Sebastian for a moment, trying to recall if the vision had ever gotten that far. No. No, he's pretty sure it hadn't. ]

Iiii do not know that part.

[ He refocuses on the demon and the unsettled expression with its slightly furrowed brow and pursed lips smooth away into, well, something more sheepish. ]

Sorry, I never saw past the whole landing there thing. It looked like they made it there safely, though? And didn't die immediately when they opened the... door on the... moon... house? [ Look, he doesn't know anything about space travel. Lack of context often makes for confusing visions. ] But I'm. I'm sure they had a way back. Or, at least, I really, really hope they had a way back...

Incredible.

[ See, other demons didn't get it, but this is precisely why he loves to hang out in the human realm. Humans were so much more inventive and driven. Demons had existed for who even knows how long, and he's never heard of any of them ever even considering trying to go to the moon. It was just accepted as impossible, and that was that, himself included. Now he very much wants to go to the moon?

...The Horosian moon now, he supposes, but it can't be that different. But now, he also has to wonder. Maybe it is different? ]

Well, we shall hope for the best and that they did indeed return. If they managed to get up there, it would be surprising if that was simply it. A return would have been a part of the plan.

[ He nods, since he's at least quite sure that it would be attempted... Whether it worked or not, who knows, but he had a bit more faith in this mystery journey just by virtue of it getting there in the first place. ]

The way you speak about it, though— [ since, yes, we're definitely not letting that go ] Visions?

[ Horosian moon made of copper cow cheese instead of Earth cow cheese. ]

Those? Oh. Yeah, I. It's a thing I do? My gift. I can look into the future. I haven't actually experienced any of that, just, they're things I've seen. The moon, the television, the electricity, the telenovelas.

[ It's not like he's been making a secret of this amongst the other Kenoma. M had warned him against it and if he was going to be of any use, well, it was better off explaining from the get-go. Tempting as it had been when he first felt the faint echo of the miracle returning his gift — if that was what it even had been, but it's what he wanted to believe — to keep it to himself, M wasn't wrong, not really. It would have caused more problems later.

It may still cause more problems now but that would have to wait until he had enough sand or, at least, a poorly time unrequested vision, as they did on occasion. ]

[ It's what he had suspected, naturally, but it's still a surprise to have it confirmed all the same. Roughly on the same level as people making it to the moon, to be honest. ]

My word! You are just full of surprises, Mr. Madrigal.

[ He brings a hand to his chin as a thoughtful gesture, then nods as if this confirms something he was considering. ]

I have never met someone actually able to do such a thing. Quite a few that have claimed it, but... [ He shrugs as he trails off, since they're really not interesting stories, when it comes down to it ] What a thing. Are you able to do so whenever you wish, or are they visions that come to you?

[ Again with the Mr. Madrigal. No matter how many times people refer to him that way, it always feels weird. It's polite, he knows. They're being polite. He keeps reminding himself of that even as he awkwardly offers, ]

Oh, uh. You can just call me Bruno. Really. [ Please, Sebastian. Don't be formal. ] Aaand it's a little of both. I figured out a way to pick and choose what I want to see after the first year or so but sometimes it's random. I can suppress it if I really want to, though? Which is. Usually for the best, sometimes.

Ah— Bruno then, of course. Do pardon me, as it is something of a habit at this point. Before I came here, I was a servant, so formality is rather reflexive.

[ It's at least something he has no problem correcting! It's just also something he has to be corrected about, since it would be very improper for a Victorian butler, naturally. It's at least the principle that guides him, even if he knows quite well that he doesn't have to keep it up... ]

Is it something you have attempted to use here, out of curiosity?

It's fine. I get folks are being polite when they call me that but it's, uh. Strange to me, is all.

[ Bruno is Bruno unless he's tío, but he's certainly not Sebastian's tío. Asking about whether he's attempted to use his gift here yet, however, draws... a peculiar reaction. It's evasive if one had to describe it, and he shifts uncomfortably on the barstool he's seated at and looks away from the demon. His grip on his drink tightens and he's quiet for a time.

How does he explain it? It'll sound insane, how he had reacted when he first tried to find any trace of a future, any at all, of home. ]

I. I did. Sort of. [ His answer comes haltingly at best. ] It wasn't, um. It wasn't a great first test, so. I'm going to have to try again with... with something else.

[ Sebastian nods agreeably, but doesn't press on the name any further. Instead, he just waits patiently as Bruno pauses and considers what to say, since this is certainly something he's interested in. But as Bruno hesitates, Sebastian does hold up a hand as a gesture to accompany what he says. ]

Ah— I do not mean to pry, if it is something you do not wish to share.

[ Clearly, it's something troubling, but in a way... That's not surprising. With what had brought them here and what was set to happen, Sebastian can only imagine that no matter what, the future is rather grim. ]

Is it a difficult thing to do?

[ As much as he wants to take that kind offer to simply bypass that entire conversation, about what he saw or — more accurately — did not see. It isn't anything they weren't already told, that they didn't already feel, but he couldn't help it. He had to check. Then he had to check again, and again, and, well, it went on for a time. ]

It's. Just that I tried to find the future of my home and, well. There wasn't... anything.

[ Nothing to find, all visions turning up blank, empty. The admission causes him to sink into a mire of unhappiness at the memory, still recent enough to be a fresh wound on his psyche. Maybe he shouldn't have shared but shouldn't Sebastian know? When he's only just arrived as well?

But he follows that all up with a sigh and forges onward to at least do his best and answer the question. ]

It can be difficult. It really depends, I guess? On what I'm looking for. If all you want is a weather forecast, that's easy, but the more complicated it gets, the more cryptic or symbolic or just, y'know, plain weird it can be. It's a real headache sometimes.

[ Literally, in fact. ]

[ He breathes out an ah, one full of understanding. He doesn't feel the same sorrow for the loss of his world (worlds, technically). Not feeling the sorrow is just an inherent lack on his part, though. He was no more able to feel such a thing than a human was to fly. But he's used to interacting with humans, and so a softer look comes to his face to show a further sympathy. ]

I see. That... Well, I suppose it is what I saw before waking here, but one cannot help but wonder, can they?

[ He had wondered if it was all a vision meant to trick them into serving the Regent, but there was a bit of certainty in his worlds' fates that he could draw from his own abilities as well. To have another person confirm it makes it feel more certain to him. Regardless, the other topic interests him more, so he moves on smoothly with that. Without a particularly strong connection to where he came from in the first place, there's no need to linger on what's lost. ]

I do not know if it could be called such, but there is a bit of odd logic to that. It makes sense to me that something a bit inane should be easier than something with more weight.

[ It was what they all saw, Bruno has to assume. He remembers the stars in the cosmos going out one by one, more the longer he lingered there, watching. He hadn't understood then. He hadn't considered it might be real or that it might affect him the way it has and yet, here they are, adrift in a new world, their own homes gone. It isn't something he wants to dwell on. All it will do is make him sadder and sadder and, frankly, make him want to drink, which he does.

The one drink he's been nursing so far, anyway. He'll sigh and take another drink before focusing on the topic of visions and their difficulties. It's what Sebastian seems more curious about and it's easier to handle, too, for someone prone to far more emotion than truly necessary like Bruno is. ]

Mm, I s'pose it does when you put it that way. Stuff like weather doesn't typically have a mind of its own, so it doesn't change what it feels like doing on a whim or anything, but when you get people involved? They do, well. All sorts of stuff. Everything can change an outcome, even something small. S'why not every vision is set in stone. They'll shift around sometimes.

There is something a bit comforting about that, I think.

[ He considers it with a thoughtful expression and swirls the remaining drink in his own glass idly. ]

The concept of predestination is one I have always found troubling. If everything is decided already, then free will is more wishful thinking, is it not? So for your visions to be able to change at least means that ones' actions and decisions matter, I would think.

[ But he's getting a little too philosophical for the conversation, he thinks, so he laughs it off with a wave of his hand. ]

...But I am going on. Arriving here has simply given me much to think about across the board, I think!

...and then there's also those visions that you can do nothing about, like when you tell the village priest he's going to go bald early and. That goes about as great as you. Probably. Can guess.

[ It sure was something. Bruno had been long since used to negative reactions by then, so nothing new. If anything, he sounds a little sarcastic in adding that extra bit of information about his gift, as though he realizes how ridiculous it sounds. ]

Eh, it's fine. I feel you on having a lot to consider. This is all... really new. And different.

[ It at least makes Sebastian laugh genuinely ]

Why, I imagine those sorts of visions are the most troublesome, in fact. I am sure something dire is not welcome, but the smaller tragedies of life are sometimes more brutal!

[ An exaggeration, perhaps, but he's definitely completely serious in thinking that the smaller tragedies are the ones that get more pushback... ]

Out of curiosity, did you happen to have any about Horos before you arrived here?

[ Ah, from at least trying to offer at least some levity to his own misery and right back down that hole again with Sebastian's next question. He very obviously droops at it, all over again. Did he? Considering the immediate reaction, one might correctly guess the answer before he even opens his mouth. ]

...no. There wasn't any warning.

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[KENOMA MINGLE] entertainment district

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