[KENOMA MINGLE] entertainment district

[zauneyete]

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! ]

Comments

[zauneyete]

"Interesting, but yes, it's possible to acquire powers -- although what they may be is difficult to predict," Silco admitted. He, for one, had not expected the shimmering, neon violet liquid to start to coil and coalesce along his finger pads -- and it was the reason why the man wore gloves now. Fine things, cloaked in expensive fabric, Silco had taken to keeping his fingers covered, lest he accidentally make monsters when he isn't cautious.

"I never would have predicted mine," he said, airly, before he continued. Continue he did, moving along without even addressing what his own powers were. He was the type to keep his cards close to the chest -- probably not exactly hurting that comparison to Cobblepot at the moment. His lips curled, though at the question about many of the pushers, and Silco nodded.

"Most of them know my face by now," he said, and gestured, vaguely. "It's hard to forget," as if anyone could miss the man with a two-toned gaze. He may not have given away his Aion status, but that didn't mean that most hadn't put together that there was something unusual about the mutated man with an unblinking eye. Silco hadn't done anything the dissuade the conversation, either. "If you would like, I'm happy to... give you a list of who is most amenable -- and who knows the most about their products and the creation of them," he offered.

After all, a pusher often didn't know anything about the inner workings of the operation, but Silco had a way of figuring out who was connected, and who had the curiosity and trustworthiness of knowing more about the products.

[entsetzt]

Crane hmms in thought at Silco's description of powers. "I see." He nods. "I shall endeavour to keep my expectations...open, then." Silco doesn't elaborate on his own powers, and Crane declines to enquire further. Professional courtesy, and all. Game recognizes game.

"I suspect they shall come to know mine as well in due course." Crane likewise had a face that was...hard to forget, even if most people who saw it up close probably wanted to, at least before Achamoth. "That would be helpful, thank you. It would save me some time, and I am hoping to get my own operation up and running as quickly as possible."

He gives Silco a slight bow. "And should you ever require the services of an expert chemist, for...whatever reason, I would be pleased to offer my services in gratitude. I am capable of working with a wide variety of substances with..." He cocks his head to one side in thought. "Unconventional uses."

Crane had his predilection with fear-inducing toxin but that hardly meant he was incapable of other forms of chemical manipulation. And the long and the short of it was, it had been Crane's experience that some low-key drug running, while often not nearly as gratifying as his primary work, was useful for gathering some quick and immediate cash with minimal risk of catching Batman's attention, so long as Crane was careful not to add any "personal flourishes" to his product (a lesson he learned early in his career when the Dark Knight proved more observant than he'd realized, but at least that stay in Arkham had been brief even by Gotham's standards). He could set up lab, spend a few weeks rolling out the more mundane sort of narcotic to feed Gotham's not insignificant junkie population, then tear it all down when he'd gathered enough funds for a far more enjoyable venture.

[zauneyete]

Crane really did remind him of Singed. Every moment he was around him, he was reminded more and more of the doctor who had crafted Shimmer itself. When he talked about how he used a variety of substances, that just made it even more stark. The man's...predilections were, at least, extremely familiar, which meant Silco had an idea of the type of person he was, what he would value, how far he would go. It's the kind of person he knows can be relied on for certain things -- scientific curiosity, above all else. Familiar, useful, and generally not someone one could trust, but Silco didn't expect to trust anyone.

"I'm sure I could... concoct a reason or two to reach out," he said, with a soft laugh, at his own little joke.

"As it is, I had a chemist back home. I'm sure I could find use of your...expertise, soon enough. One never knows when a little creative chemistry is worth the effort, don't you think?"

[entsetzt]

Silco's laugh is met with a dry chuckle from Crane. Yes, he most definitely has the air of someone like Cobblepot. Someone with connections, who commands respect and backs it up with a practiced ruthlessness, albeit Silco seems to prefer a velvet glove to mask it, as opposed to the Penguin's closed fist. Not to be trusted, of course. A man like this will always look after his own interests first, and Crane can't say he isn't the same in that regard, though they have the unifying factor of the Kenoma as common ground.

But Silco is one with whom a solid working relationship would benefit both parties. It's how the Gotham Underworld functions, for the most part.

Though there had been...a few...who mostly operated on their own rules. Or had.

"Very true." Crane nods, a malicious gleam in his eye. "I find reasons for it all the time, in fact."