EVENT #2: HEARTS LIKE YOURS (ACHAMOTH)

[aionmods]

Achamoth

A DEITY'S WELCOME

After only a day or two on the river, the newly christened Kenoma will arrive in the city of Achamoth. The architecture is the more striking things about it, as if its skyline has been built up and constantly improved over many centuries. It's clear from even the riverside view that there is an artistic tendency towards building humanoid shapes into the supports and detailing of structures here, creating the strange effect of placing hundreds of silhouettes in your peripheral vision. If you ask the sailors why its like that, they will simply say it's the way its always been. Any metaphorical seed was planted long before anyone here was born.

The Citadel can be seen even from the entrance of the city, a towering spiral that looms over the rest of the land around it, lit from within by various magical energies. That's your destination, you are told. Soon, you will be passed into the care of the Citadel's staff, and will be sure to meet with city's elites not long after.

They aren't wrong. When you show up at the port closest to the Citadel, the street are always lined with people waiting to greet you. It's easy to recognize now how diverse the population of Horos can be, with many of those waiting showing off unusual heights, colors, and appendages, though appearances that are typically 'human' are still the most common. Most of them wear dark outfits with a gothic flare, with mask-like facial adornments apparently being fashionable. They cheer and chant as you come down from the boat, tossing flower petals and small gemstones onto the path you walk upon. This continues all the way to the Citadel.

Once you are inside, up winding paths of stairs, you will be shown to your new quarters to rest. You're each assigned a lavish bedroom with servants stopping by ever so often, offering to bring you food, clothing, or other items of comfort. There are a variety of soaps in your room's private bath. You are told that if you take a liking to any individual servant that you may claim them as your permanent retainer, though you are not required to. Their dispositions range from euphoric to be serving you to quiet and shy, but there is a notable lack of resentment.

After about a day of rest, you will be brought an official invitation by one of the servants. Apparently, the Regent has requested your presence for supper that evening. It is not optional.

THE FEAST

A few hours before suppertime, one of the servants will arrive to take you 'clothes shopping' for something appropriately formal to wears for your meeting with the Regent. In practice, this means taking you to one of several changing rooms filled with costly formal wear. The styles and sizes are diverse, which makes sense when you are informed that they are a collection of offerings from local weavers and seamstresses, some of which have been waiting for an owner for quite some time. From an Earthly point of view, there is a wide spectrum of cultural aesthetics, though most of them lean towards the same dark colors and gothic sensibilities that you saw the citizens of Achamoth wearing. Headpieces and artistic masks are plentiful, but not mandatory though the servant will tell you they are in vogue. A servant will be able to make alterations to your clothing with magic to achieve a proper fit.

After that, you have a couple more hours to prepare before you are invited to a lounge-like area for pre-meal drinks. You can get almost any kind of cocktail you can imagine, including some you can't, and will be allowed to chat each other up for about an hour before the feast begins. Some small appetizers are available, and soft, rhythmic music plays in the background. If you look for her, Xishen is present as well, dressed in a black evening gown with golden accents that flicker like stars in the night sky, her long hair pinned up into a messy bun and decorated with hair-sticks. As usual, she seems to be avoiding company for the moment, though she is keeping an eye on everyone. Perhaps she's counting heads to make sure there are no stragglers.

When the time arrives, two huge doors are opened, leading you into a room that looks like a mixture of a dining room and a cathedral. Ahead of you, three long takes are connected together in the shape of a triangle, with a large throne positioned at the point furthest into the room; it is presently empty. You'll be instructed to take a seat, basking in the multicolored flames of the candles and torches lighting the room. As you find your places, all seats will be filled except for the throne up front, with Xishen at its side. All you can do now is await your host.

[Mealtime interactions with the Regent can be threaded here. They will arrive right after the first course has been served.]

EXPLORATION

Having survived supper with the Regent, the next few weeks are essentially yours to plan. Though the Regent indicates that there is work for you to do on the Horizon, for now your orders are to simply rest and prepare. You'll have access to the Citadel's armory to acquire any basic armor or weaponry you could need; though none of what's on offer seems to be enchanted, it is undoubtedly the work of a master. Clothing is much the same as it was for the formal wear you picked out, though you will find there are more practical offerings available as well. If you don't find anything to your tastes, you are also welcome to go out on the town with a generous allowance from the Regent's own coffers.

Clothing isn't the only thing you can get out in the city, though. While there are material goods of many kinds available, the most tempting thing for many residents is the raw hedonism of the city's entertainment district. It has just about anything you could imagine, from day spas to gambling to brothels, and none of it is contained by the burden of law. Any Achamite entertainment seen as too intense to face daylight would certainly not be for the faint of heart.

The locals haven't had enough time to recognize the city's new Aions on sight, but if they see your shard or or any other sign of your status, you are bound to attract a lot of attention. You're a celebrity in these streets, and while it can get you plenty of favors or even unsolicited offerings, it can also be quite overwhelming. In many cases, Achamite's religious fervor exceeds their survival instinct, at least in terms of the ones most likely to bother you. They will back off if threatened by you, but they will take politeness as an invitation to continue.

When leaving the Citadel, a servant will usually try to accompany you, though they will stay behind if you order them to do so. They insist that it will be easier for you to get around with a dedicated guide, but in the end you're the one in charge.

QUESTIONS

How does my character picking a retainer work?
All Kenoma are offered the opportunity to take on an NPC retainer after arriving at the Citadel. This retainer will be an NPC created and played by you. They will be available day and night to attend to your character's needs. These servants understand the Regent largely from a religious perspective and will not have any outspoken anti-Regent sentiments, though they may or may not be nervous about their new master. Generally speaking, though, this is in a new job jitters sort of way, as working in the Citadel is considered to be a job of great cultural and religious significance. They want to do a good job! You are free to develop your retainer's personality and relationship with your character. If your character (or you) are not interested in having a personal retainer, they will instead be served by a rotation of unattached servants.

How much money are Kenomas given for shopping?
They will be given an emerald's worth in jools, which is 1000 units. This is about how much a minimum wage worker makes in two months. They will continue receiving spending money on a monthly basis, though the Citadel itself will take care of all of their needs. On an OOC level its safe to say that average city expenditures will be covered by the money they are given, though they are welcome to invest that money in making more money if they have to skills to do so.

What sorts of things are there in the entertainment district? Is anything illegal?
Almost everything is legal in Achamoth when it comes to entertainment, and there is not much government oversight in the way anything is run. This means that most 'entertainment' you can imagine is both present and largely unregulated, and it doesn't need to be underground on account of how permissive Achamite law is. Brothels, drugs, and even bloodsport are all fair game... technically, participants in brothels and bloodsports must be willing but that 'consent' can be pretty nebulous. 'Extreme' bloodsport is generally hush hush (those that are particularly graphic and unpleasant, or basically torture) and behind closed doors mostly just to avoid causing a fuss.

The one thing there is official rulings on, straight from the Regent, is the enforcement of 'age of consent' and laws against child abuse. Children are generally not allowed to participate in those skeevier activities and there is a cultural expectation for people to raise their children properly, though this still goes wrong fairly frequently. It's just one of the things that is actually punished. Adults, however, have fewer innate protections.

Comments

MOD CONTACT

[aionmods]

This is where you can ask the mods questions about the event scenario or pursue IC investigations about your character's surroundings. Attempts to engage with NPCs that don't have their own top level will default to summary interactions unless the thread moves towards needing dialogue. Please remember that responses will be limited by demand and mod availability.

[lockedon]

Hello mods! A few general questions about the Citadel/Achamoth as a whole:

1) Is there any sort of library within the Citadel? If yes, what sort of texts would it contain? And in a similar vein, what sorts of books might be found in bookshops around the city? (Assuming there are at least a few bookstores....) If it matters, Eustace would primarily be interested in history books, along with any folk tales/legends/the like.

2) For those Aions with more of a frugal streak, is there some sort of bank/ledgerkeeping service they can leave their extra funds with or are they going to have to stash their jools under their mattress?

3) If an Aion didn't want to stay in their government-assigned Citadel room and decided to hang out in an inn for a few days or go camping (somehow), would that be frowned upon?

4) What's the stray animal population like in Achamoth, are there dogs, cats, chickens, other native species prowling around....? Also do the locals keep pets?

[affal]

Hi mods! I hope you don't mind a few questions...

1) Would it be possible for a chosen permanent retainer to have some martial training? Nothing too impressive or intricate, of course. I only ask this because Makoto himself is pretty worthless in a fight (and not very interested in bettering himself in this at the moment), so if he had an option to pick someone who could at the very least competently fight his most basic fights for him (should they just so happen to arise while in the city), he definitely would.

2) My apologies in advance, but given his personal history, Makoto will use some of his free time to frequent an array of the brothels about Achamoth (he will be certain to visit a variety throughout the social strata of the city). He's not really interested in being a customer in the traditional sense, but given that he learned everything there was to know about his previous plane of existence through this channel, he will mostly be leveraging money, a generous and amiable mien, and/or his distinction as an Aion (whichever comes first or is necessary; he's not cheap when it comes to good information) in order to get on good terms with the individuals that work there and the managers/matrons. He probably won't give away too much information about it, but he will seem very familiar with the goings-on of such places. In conversation he will also try to get information out of them this way, namely:
- How is it that power is delegated and distributed by the Regent? What does the structure of government end up looking like? Are there visual indicators of those with power in the city? And, just because he likes digging for dirt just for fun, if he can glean if and where any locals in positions of power like to frequent (either from gossip or observation), that would be an incredible bonus...
- Any history about past Aions... What exactly they are seen as by locals, how frequently they are seen / how many of them there seem to be, anything like that.
- Specifically in the establishments that cater to higher-class clientele: etiquette! What is the importance of the masks he sees so many people around town wearing? Are there any obvious social faux pas that he might not be aware of, given that his etiquette sensibilities are more of a traditional Victorian nature?
- These are my main points of interest but if there's anything else fun or interesting you would like to throw in there, please feel free!

I know it's a lot to ask of y'all, so please take your time if that helps, but I do appreciate it!!

[devilmancrybaby]

Hi mods! I have a few questions! They are all just about violence, sorry,

1) What are the Citadel's facilities for martial training, and how willing are soldiers to spar with Aions?

2) I would like to know more about bloodsports in Achamoth! To what extent are human combatants involved? If/when they are, do they typically fight beasts or other humans?

3) oh wait actually I have one more question and it ISN'T about violence. In the questions section on the Godsblood event post, unusual physical traits are described as being generally connected to specific family lines. Does that mean those kinds of traits are a status symbol at all? How likely would a servant be to have them?

Thanks!

[zauneyete]

Hello mods! Thank you for all of your hard work! Just a few (probably expected) inquiries!

1) For drugs! When Silco goes looking into and around the different types of libations, what would he find specifically? I believe there was mention of a a special drug that's out on the streets?

2) Also another expected question! (Sorry again for completely misunderstanding the answers on last post!) Silco will be looking into something resembling that criminal activity that we touched on in the OOC plotting. What details would be needed from me for pursuing this?

[vapour]

hi mods!

Can the aions spoil their retainer if they feel like it?

[expiera]

Hello mods, more questions with some piggy backing off other people's:

1. "There are also various scavenger birds that live in the city. A lot of corvid looking creatures, unsurprisingly. There are also unusually large spiders." Are they dangerous in any capacity? How do the servants/retainers at the Citadel feel about them? Do they get scared/wary?

2. Is it feasible to upkeep anonymity for the long term in Achamoth if characters actively try to? In Ciel's case in particular it would involve both being about with face covering (hoods and veils mainly, might as well switch it up) and some Suggestion usage of "there's nothing memorable about this exchange/I'm no one important", for ordinary business at least.

3. What sort of information can be found in books/stories about the Pleroma in general and the origin of Aions/the mark they left on Horos history, if any? In vein of "how are we all here, what have the likes of us done before, and how do the core "rules" (sect in this case) of this world affect us".

4. Would there be any significant issue/work in the Citadel or Achamoth itself NPCs could use help with? Places like orphanage/school/etc, potentially? With a workaholic who likes keeping busy and doing volunteer work, I have to ask, especially if they get a few weeks to themselves. Semi-ties into her efforts of maintaining anonymity and staying personable/approachable for such efforts, as celebrity status would probably complicate matters.

Thank you in advance as per usual! o7

[vivificantem]

Hello! As mentioned on the previous mod post, I would like to ask about the religious scene in Achamoth - namely, what sort of practices and rituals are involved, and how much observation and participation in said practices would be permitted.

Also with regards to the, ah, more extreme bloodsports that happen behind closed doors, is that still public (for a given degree of "public", i.e. happening in front of people) or is it more of a Hostel situation, or...?

[killandrecycle]

During the slower part of the month, Majorita is going to be looking around Achamoth for something of relevance to a necromancer: information about the dead. While knowledge about what is done with the corpses of the locals is what she wants to know most, she would also be looking into what the citizenry think about death in general. What would the people think of her claiming their dead as her 'soldiers'? Would what she does be considered some sort of taboo, or sacrilege? This wouldn't stop her, of course, but she would still want to know.

[baltimores]

Re: the weaponry that can be found in the Citadel, is there anything notably different from the weapons the soldiers had on them during the first event? And, more specifically, since the tech level is around the 1800s, are 1800s-era guns around? Mostly asking as a reference point for someone whose most familiar weapon would be a gun, even if it's nowhere near the tech level he'd be used to.

[galdorleod]

Hi mods! This question might admittedly be best asked on the FAQ page, but it's related to the exploration part of this event, so I hope it's okay to ask here.

When I was accepted into the game, part of the response I got back on Howl's powers said that none of his potion-making or spell-making abilities would work, but that Howl would be able to learn the alchemy system that exists in Horos. How/where would Howl first hear about the native alchemy, and where would he go if he started asking around about where he could learn it? Is this the kind of new power I'd need to spend tokens to get (I am completely fine with this), or is "alchemy" in this instance basically the same thing as chemistry, with no need for magic/powers?

THE REGENT (NPC)

[aionpcs]

[The following toplevels happen at different times during the meal, and can be responded to either in multi-character threads or individually. Threadjacking is allowed, but not mandatory. The first occurs right at the start of dinner, and the other begins later on.]

YOUR HOST FOR THE EVENING

[aionpcs]

It's as the first course is being served that the Regent suddenly appears, with no flourishes what so ever. One moment you are looking down at the soup a servant just brought you, and the next, the throne at the head of the table has been filled. Cloaked in layers of shadow-like robes, the Regent is a creature of unremarkable proportions; sizing them up, you think they are just a bit taller than you are, in fact. No part of their true body is visible, with their face represented by nothing but a silvery, faceted mask.

They lean forward onto the table, intertwining their fingers, their mask hiding every aspect of their expression. Even so, you can feel their eyes on you, and that sensation will last for as long as the meal goes on.

"Welcome," the Regent says, with a voice that is impossible to identify as either feminine or masculine. In some regards, it feels as if multiple voices are speaking with perfect synchronicity. "I assume you have questions for me."

THE MATTER AT HAND

[aionpcs]

After the initial volley of questions, the meal will continue on. Despite the fact that the Regent is brought a portion for every course along with their guests, they never actually make a move to eat any of it, leaving it perfectly untouched for the duration of its time on the table, only for it to be taken away by a servant at the of the round. Instead, they seem to do nothing but silently stare past their gradually cooling food, watching at their guests eat instead.

It's towards the middle of the meal that they speak up again, in a moment where things have otherwise fallen silent. Their face plate tilts towards Xishen for only a moment, before addressing the table as whole.

"I've been told that several of you saw fit to disregard Xishen's orders. That others went as far to actively meddle with the work of your kindred. Why is that?"

[oomfies]

𝟭. 𝓪 𝓭𝓮𝓲𝓽𝔂'𝓼 𝔀𝓮𝓵𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓮 💎

[ She thinks she must be dreaming. Only in her most insane, wildest, strangest of dreams would she conjure up crowds, and crowds, of people cheering for her presence. Lottie takes her first, tired, step onto land and feels herself waver, feels more nauseous than she did on the ship staring into the eyes of so many people she doesn't know. And usually, this isn't a problem. Lottie Person adores the fanfare of her fans throwing wave after wave of compliments at her, crying at how happy they are to finally meet her, but there's a disconnect here.

All sound melts into one, blurs together so much she can't even make out what the citizens are saying. Her breathing gets quicker as she sluggishly follows the crowd of so many like her being led to the Citadel, clearly overwhelmed. Not even the petals, or gems, they throw their way settle her stomach.

Still, she smiles, a nearby citizen shouting even louder in delight when she accidentally makes eye contact after a wave of her hand. And when she turns, still smiling, she mutters just loud enough for the person beside her to catch, ]

God. I wish they'd just quit it with the flowers already.

𝟮. 𝓵𝓸𝓭𝓰𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 🚪

[ You know, maybe this.. Isn't so bad?? Like, at all?? ]

It's bigger than my condo!

[ Lottie gushes in delight, clutching a notebook to her chest, a pen in her hand. After taking a long Depression Nap(tm) in her swanky new room, she's found herself more inclined to socialize. Which leads her to leaning against the wall of the hall they've all been sequestered into, in the middle of a very enthusiastic conversation about all the home décor possibilities and what does home décor look like here? Once she remembers a conversation is a two way street, she asks: ]

How do you like your intern, by the way?

𝟯. 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓯𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓽 🥂

[ Predictably, Lottie's mood plummets when she finds out she has to go meet their boss. She's never had to work for someone else before, much less.. Well, one of this proportion. The fitting process is as awful as she figured, embarrassing in new ways she didn't know existed. But as conflicted as she feels in black, at least she's lost an inch off her waist from the move? ]

..God, that sounds so sad. What's wrong with me?

[ She says to herself, raising a glass of water to her lips. In the end, she's wrapped herself in a gown recommended by the servants, a matching mask at the ready around her wrist, preferring to let them pamper her so she doesn't have to think.

Clearly, that motto is still going strong even into the lounge, because she's been standing in the corner for as long as humanly allowed - noticeably, not drinking any alcohol? And noticeably, eyeing near everyone else in the room behind her glass. ]

𝟰. 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓵𝓸𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 🔎

a. [ Well, her time spent binge watching Game of Thrones was worthless. Lottie doesn't know shit about ye olde fashion, much less ye olde goth fashion. She sits down a fancy little stool at the clothing shop she's traveled to, face in her hands. And then she groans. Loudly. ]

I don't even know what to do!

[ Either you're in the same place and, as rules go.. Strength in numbers? Or you deliberately chose to go with Lottie (I'm sorry) on this expedition, and now have to deal with her crisis. For the moment, the two of you are servantless - she told them to quote, "Go get a coffee or something, not for us, but just.. Take a while." ]

What's casual wear here that doesn't make me feel like I'm going to a renaissance fair?!

b. [ Or, optionally, you've caught Lottie going complete "incognito" (mask on her face, wearing all black that somewhat hides her silhouettes.. But beneath her head piece there is still her long mane of green hair), lurking in front of a weapons shop as she clutches her notebook. At the moment, she is servantless, and in a relatively quiet part of the city to where she isn't being bombarded with attention. To herself, she comments, after a scoff - ]

They can't be that heavy..

𝟱. 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓭𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓭 🃏
[ lottie will generally be everywhere and then.. not everywhere in general states of distress. if you want to thread something else specifically, i have a plotting comment over here! if not, feel free to toss whatever at me. i can be reached at snottie if you'd prefer to plot there, as well! 💕 ]

4b

[lockedon]

[ Very incognito, that green hair doesn't stand out at all in a city filled with black, black, and more black.

He's not here for Lottie in the slightest, having his own long laundry list of errands to run - aka, weapons to look at and buy - but there's something so conspicious about a woman just loitering in front of a window that he can't but interject, curtly. Even if she did help him out and even if they are technically compatriots, he's never been all that friendly to begin with. ]

They're heavy enough once you wield them for hours on end. [ Has she even picked up a single sword in her entire life? His gut says no. Also: ] Are you going to stand there all day?

[ Yes, he is also wearing all black because that's his natural #aesthetic. No, his shirt isn't backless. ]

[semicharmed]

i. feast
[ Matt is actually fairly accustomed to household assistants. He was basically raised by housekeepers. That doesn't mean he's comfortable with the arrangement, but at this point, it's hard to resist people who seem so bent on taking care of him. Delighted over it, honestly.

So Matt lets himself be tended to: fed and shuffled off to bathe and put to bed. The next day, he lets himself be dolled up without complaint, dressed in a draping black cloak-jacket and a sort of blouse embroidered with celestial patterns.

… Even though the v on this outfit is a lot deeper than he'd have picked himself.

Anyway, Matt arrives, as is mandatory, outfit topped off with a mask fashioned to look like an eclipse of moths. He watches for people like Amos, Paul, Howl, M, and Meteion, those with whom he feels he has a more or less pleasant rapport. He keeps a slightly more jaundiced, cautious eye out for Childe, Misa, and Silco, feeling obscurely that maybe he should apologize to them. To Silco for sure.

Maybe you catch him in the lounge, hugging the wall with a cocktail in hand. Or maybe you're seated next to him during his exchange with the Regent. Kicking him under the table won't make him stop, but it will make him say "ow!" ]

ii. achamoth - entertainment district
[ When Matt hits the town, it's in the same moth mask he wore to dinner, though with less flashy clothes below it: black boots, black pants. The plain black cloak-jacket-thing he wears on top has what looks like an attached scarf, which he winds around his neck to hide his shard.

Matt's mostly out to explore, so he doesn't stay in any one place too long. He pops into a few taverns, makes note of the spas he passes, and takes in a fight in an alley. He's disturbed by the violence, but fascinated by it too, and he watches as if he's expecting to be tested on it later. (Which in a way, he kind of is.)

He's ultimately drawn to the brothels, and although he's not looking to partake just yet, you know … things happen. At the very least, he's peeking into a few to see what the setups are like. ]

iii a - citadel: library
[ Rest and prepare means "educate yourself," as far as Matt's concerned. And fortunately, the Regent has a library stocked with books. Matt intends to go into the city and find some supplementary material, but for now, how better to acquaint himself with the Regent's mindset than through their book collection?

So in the afternoons, he asks a servant for a cup of tea, and he holes up in an armchair in a corner of the library. He reads about pure wisdom, about not taking shit from people, about the value in indulgence and the nobility of death. He agrees with a lot of it. Matt's favorite stories are where the Regent outwits or out-logics opponents rather than overcoming them through force, but that's more a personal taste thing than anything else.

Still, some of his self-assigned reading perturbs him. There doesn't seem to be a lot of room in this philosophy for egalitarianism or love–at least, not the kind he's used to extending to others. ]

iii b - citadel: out late (nsfw: references to bdsm)
[ It's past midnight and closer to dawn when Matt pads back into the Citadel, wrapped in his mask and cloak. His footfalls are soft on the stairs, but as soon as he hits the hallway where his room is, he whips off his mask and falls back against the wall.

After they noticed his shard, it took a few tries to find a sex worker who was willing to do what he wanted. But Matt's more than satisfied with the results. There are pink, finger-shaped bruises around his neck, purpling in places; what's more important, though, is the quiet in his head. It's almost like peace.

For a long moment, he lingers there in the hall. Eyes closed, breathing deeply. ]

iv. wildcard/etc.
[ Wanna wildcard something you don't see here? Totally! Matt's an inquisitive and exploratory little nerd, so he could be wandering anywhere. PM me or feel free to friend over at artistformerlyknownas to scheme and dream.

I'll match brackets or prose, past or present tense. Whatever floats your boats, friends. ]

1

[vapour]

[ Matt's super lucky and gets to sit next to Childe during the banquet, although he is perhaps surprisingly quite cordial throughout. Nothing he says or does suggests that he holds any ill will towards the other or anyone else, really (not even Howl despite it clear the two of them rather dislike each other). For the most part, Childe seems distracted in his own thoughts, or otherwise is extremely observant and critical of what's going on around them. With the Regent present , he gives off the feeling that he's on guard, but in a way that suggests he's dealt with such entities before in situations just like these (even though he hasn't quite ever encountered an entity like the Regent before.)

Despite all this , Childe definitely kicks Matt when he's speaking to the Regent and says he's not a leader when asked, especially with how the Regent clarified it.

Super not the correct answer, Mister Jamison!]

[lifespanned]

I. a deity's welcome — bedrooms and servants

[ Getting set up in these extravagant rooms and being waited on hand and foot is like a dream come true for Misa. She doesn't find it awkward or uncomfortable in the least— sure, at first, she feels a little bad ordering people around, but once she gets the sense that the people working in The Citadel are just happy to serve the Aions, she's more than happy to take advantage of their generosity. She never demeans them or acts high and mighty - but she does make frequent requests, always thanking the servants with a lovely smile and a wink, sometimes even with an affectionate hug for their assistance. In all respects, Misa is happy to be here with the Regent, and she has no reason to act otherwise. ]

You know, they're just like managers.... except they don't nag me so much.

[ She's leaning on the doorframe of her brand new room, addressing anyone that might also be on this floor or simply passing by. ]

Have you picked one out yet? You know, for your "retainer."

[ It's about half sincere curiosity, and half wanting to get a feel for how the other Aions feel about having servants like this. There's a lot of questions she has about the rooms they're all in too - the only way to investigate further is to latch on to someone else. ]

II. exploration — religious fervor

[ She's incredibly quick to catch on to the fashion of the land, adorning herself in fanciful gothic lace and wearing dramatized veils pinned into her hair. This is her fantasy, really! Everyone's so fashionable! Most important of all, in her time here, she's always worn garments that display the shard in the center of her chest proudly, like the shard itself is an accessory.

As such. this definitely means that anyone traveling with her into the city, or even in her vicinity, quickly gets caught in a crowd of adoring worshippers. The two of you have quickly been surrounded by a curious and thrilled bunch, many of them pushing this way and that to get a closer look at you. ]

Wow, we're really popular. [ This, too, she thrives on. Misa wastes no time taking the hands of some of those in the crowd, smiling and performing her best celebrity meeting adoring fans act. Then, she nudges you with her elbow gently, talking low enough so that just you can hear: ] Come on, give them a smile.

III. exploration — shopping

Hm, I can't decide which one he'd like better...

[ She may have dragged you along for shopping for any number of reasons: 1) she interacted with you on the journey back one (1) time and thus assumes you are now friends, 2)she wants to pay you back for something you did for her in the cavern, or 3) she forced your hand into traveling with her so that the servants would allow you to go into the city on your own. No matter the case, you're a witness to her fretting over a pair of silver bracelets she's just purchased, each studded with a ruby stone charm. The charms are different shapes on each bracelet - but they're clearly part of a matched set. ]

Hey, have you ever bought a gift for your girlfriend or boyfriend? I think I need some friendly advice.

IV. wildcard

( as ever, i'm open to doing closed starters too! here's my plotting comment for anyone interested. )

shopping

[lockedon]

[ How did he end up here again? Somehow they'd crossed paths while out in town, and one thing had led to another and now he's standing next to a teenage girl while their two Citadel servants loiter behind them.

He doesn't even know what she's talking about because his attention is anywhere but here in the market. Literally he has not glanced even once at the matching bracelets in her hands, too busy staring at a stray black cat strolling past one of the fruit stalls without a care in the world. Would be better if it was a dog, but he'll take what he can get.

At some point, he realizes she's talking to him. His brain helpfully supplies the question asked, and his mouth (unhelpfully) supplies a single curt word back. ]

No.

[ That's it, that's all he's got for her. Super helpful. ]

[zauneyete]

› Feast

[ Pomp and circumstance are unusual to someone who grew up in the undercity. It was a known thing -- Piltovans loved their little ceremonies, and parties, but from the moment Silco stepped off the boat, he had felt out of place, distinctly so, and his shoulders hunched upwards, his walk throughout the castle and the first day reflective of someone instilling layers of protection, like a wet cat with his haunches up. It's like that, for a while, and when Silco found himself in his quarters, it's even less relaxing, given the opulent decor. Silco liked fine things, they were signs of status, and power. Being surrounded by them when it was commonplace was... different.

By the time the feast is called he's at least picked out clothing -- comfortable as familiar as one could get, given the themes. Dark colors was Silco's preference anyway -- deep mauve and blacks with touches of velvet, something resembling a vest -- not as much leather as Silco would have preferred -- and a long coat, he picked one and had the tailor alter one side -- enough to add a level of asymmetry to it, opposite of his face. That was covered now that they were in society -- a heavy application of concealer, and a drawn-in eyebrow left the only indication of his large scar divots in his skin -- although the black and red eye couldn't be helped.

In the lounge, Silco hovered at the edges of the room, closest to the bar, watching others come in, tried to stand straight, although when not paying attention, he hunched slightly, one hand held a glass of whisky that he barely sipped at, and the other in his pocket, occasionally he patted his vest, as if reaching for something. What he wanted right now was a cigar. He waved off several plates of appetizers, more focused on his single drink than finger foods. If one was close to the bar, they'd likely catch him asking the bartender about different drinks, or watching others order with an unblinking stare, curious to see if there were similarities or differences between one world or another.

By the time dinner was called, when all were seated, he looked down at his setting, tight-lipped. What was the purpose of so many forks? Topsiders had been like this, they loved their little parties, with cutlery in excess. He waited, watching, always one of the last to select a piece, making sure to let others not only grab the "right" piece first, but to taste the food. One could never be too careful, after all. It could be an elaborate poisoning ritual, even now. ]

› Entertainment District

› Exploring
[ Getting out of the castle was key. Silco had left at the first possible moment the words 'entertainment district' had been offered as an option, and the former defacto head of Zaun had slithered out and into the wider streets, taking like a duck to water. With a single knife from the armory tucked beneath a coat, and much like during the feast, he'd selected something familiar -- pants, boots, waistcoat and a large trenchcoat -- he'd be found walking the streets, stopping little for indulgences. The first few days were spent learning the lay of the land -- although he did stop for the occasional street food, or item, out of curiosity, more than anything else -- although he did stop for something to smoke, once he located it. If stopped, he'd likely be across the street from a shop, or a bar, watching the movement inside. ]

I wouldn't go in that one --

[ He'd indicate, with a hand to a bar across the street, to whomever looked like they weren't quite certain which one to go into. ]

Too many people leave early. Probably bad drinks.

› Bars (cw drug use/mentions of eye trauma)
[ Once alone, Silco hovered in the places he knew. Unlike in the lounge prior to the feast, down here, among the lower denizens, away from servants and pomp, Silco looks comfortable. He never seems drunk, or high, but he's always in a bar. Eventually, he finds a few haunts he preferred, always with a drink and a smoke in hand. He's by himself, for the most part -- any offers of intimate company from the locals are quickly waved off. Offers of drugs though, Silco is quick to converse about them, and even purchases a few, although he never seems to take any -- often spread out before him. If you pass him with this in front of him, and look for long enough, he may just stop you. ]

If you're curious...

[ He'll offer. He's keen to see the effects -- if it was anything like the Shimmer he dealt, but shy of injecting something into his eye, he's not likely to try any of these. He may also be hovering around the bloodsport areas, again, mostly smoking, one drink in hand, never indulging, always watching, with one unblinking eye. It's easy to spot him, even in the dimmest light. ]

› Wildcard!
[ Feel free to be pretty loose with the prompts and jump in anytime in there! If you want to find him stalking around the citadel or the libraries, feel free! He'll likely check them out, but won't spend most of his time there! Also feel free to hit up my plotting comment or hit me up on plurk at hundreds if that works better! ]

(post) feast

[semicharmed]

[ After an incredibly stressful dinner (though not the most stressful of his life, if only because Matt's life before this place included both his parents), Matt ... probably self-medicated with a few too many drinks. Not enough to make him wobble when he rose from the table, but enough to put shine in his eyes and loosen his tongue.

If there was one thing his conversation with the Regent had convinced him of, it was that he definitely owed Silco an apology. Matt hadn't intended to put him at risk, but in hindsight, his shields weren't enough to stand up against the likes of the Pleroma when they got going. Was he going to apologize specifically for being high-handed and acting like he knew better than everybody else? Magic eight ball said try again later. But at least he meant to apologize for something.

Matt hurried to catch up to Silco in the hallway, back en route to their various rooms. ]

Hey, [ he said, tugging off his mask, ] um ... do you have a minute?

[expiera]

I. FEAST
[This is frankly very much out of her element, but being called upon by your boss isn't. They say "fake it until you make it", and Ciel is certainly finding truth in that the longer she needs to continue taking on more roles, familiar and alien alike. It is so that after input from Citadel staff, she's stepping into the waiting lounge in a black dress and donning a veil. Any resemblance to a certain type of headdress may or may not be coincidental. There is also absolutely no trace of bruise or scar visible on her body, no lingering reminder of anything that's happened back in the caverns. Whatever means of healing she has, it seems complete and all-encompassing.

She only takes a glass to be polite, seated at the corner of a ostentatious couch with dignified composure. She doesn't have much to say, but is wholly alert and more-or-less subtly observing everyone else. Is she staring long enough to come across as rude? Possible, though she tries not to. Her gaze does linger on Xishen in particular, but tonight, she doesn't have much reason to seek the other woman out. So she stays put and sticks to sipping her drink, not exactly nervous but not sure either what to expect with this upcoming meeting with the Regent.]

II-A. CITADEL - LIBRARY
[The religious texts here are... Hm.

She does read them, seated at a table with the posture of a student studying rather than someone engaged in leisurely reading. What may ultimately catch someone else's attention, however, is the sound of paper ripping. Holding a split page in her fingers, her eyes lid, and in a shimmer, it transforms into a nail-like sword.

...

With a small heave of her chest, the weapon goes back to being an ordinary piece of paper. Once it's reverted, she folds it up before tucking it away into the sleeve of her robes, now plain and hardly showing any skin while also covering up her shard in full. Looks like she knows where to "stock up", now.]

II-B. CITADEL - TRAINING YARD
[Having been informed of an open training yard not being used for exercise in the afternoon, she steps in to clock some practice and verify the limits of the weapon she used most, one she can finally arm herself with given how they're made. She'll be trying the following:
- Fling them out like daggers three at a time clutched between her curled fingers in one hand, with enough accuracy to hit the head or chest area of three different training dummies on the field
- Cast out a large number at a time, the limit being twelve
- Erecting what appears to be a barrier with at least three of the blades serving as anchors of some sort, the triangular field a flickering wall of visible magical energies trapping a dummy that doesn't seem capable of breaking free no matter how it moves

If there's more fighting ahead and reincarnating as Aions did change some of how her abilities work, then she'll definitely need to know all the limitations and get used to the differences before the next battle confrontation.]

II-C. CITADEL - PUBLIC AREAS
[Now for something completely different:]

--Horace! Where are you? Please come out...

[She's scouring the hallways, courtyards, gardens, etc, more public areas away from where the bedrooms are, frowning in concern and looking more uncomfortable/awkward than anyone may have seen her be so far. She also seems to be holding onto a glass container, which on closer inspection, appears to be a cage with a couple lizards chilling inside.

There's nothing TOO strange about this. ...Probably.]

III. ACHAMOTH
[Donning a plain hood and black dress that make her blend right in with the regular populace, she's got no intention of being noticed as she makes her way around the city, after having convinced the retainers to stay behind as she wanted to get a look around on her own. There doesn't appear to be any need to patrol this city, nights are just as active as day if not more so in some districts considering the sort of activity they host. It's important to survey every area and make note of every more-or-less convenient back alley, but after spending some time walking around to familiarize herself with the city, she ultimately finds her feet halting in front of a restaurant building.

...

It smells nice (read: like spice)... The establishment seems to be advertising a new (spicy) dish. She waffles by the side of the window panes and even briefly takes off her hood to get a better peek, as if some schoolgirl wistfully eyeing a crepe shop while they're supposed to be on a diet. At least she's not in anyone's way? She may or may not be getting a few stares from people passing by, but as far as anyone can see, it's just some girl being hesitant in front of a restaurant. Nothing worth looking twice over, right?]

IV. WILDCARD
[What it says on the tin. Happy to do closed/specific starters, hmu!]

achamoth

[lockedon]

[ What is it with the women in their group and their need to idle in front of storefronts instead of just going promptly in?

But unlike others who shall not be named, Ciel had at least proven herself capable and competent earlier on, so Eustace reserves judgement for the time being as he approaches. Not out of any friendly desire to mingle with his fellow Kenoma, mind, but simply because he's hungry and the smells drifting past the restaurant are appetizing rather than repugnant. (Though if he had to be stuck with anyone, Ciel would at least be at the top of the list.)

He gives her another moment to ogle through the window before speaking up, arms folded loosely across his chest. ]

If you're curious about the taste, you're better off going in and trying it.

[ He KNOWS you have money, Ciel! They all do!!

His own attire is simple as well, a dark grey shirt tucked beneath a black overcoat, with a matching pair of plain black pants. If there are side/back cutouts, they are well hidden by the overcoat. ]

[baltimores]

> citadel

>> new home
[ What people here don't seem to get is that Amos is just some asshole.

People fawning over him or waiting on him hand and foot is just baffling, and for a guy who doesn't emote all that much, it should be evident just by looking at him that he doesn't get why this is happening. It's not that he's objecting to having personal servants or anything, more that he takes his time responding to them, hesitating in his answers as each time he has to internally ask himself, Seriously? You're doing this for me? The fuck?

... He loves his new bedroom, though, and can easily be found lounging around in it. He won't even mind if someone barges in; this much personal space is unheard of where he's from, so by all means, if you're someone he already likes or someone who has reason to talk to him, go for it. Especially if it'll keep the servants away for a bit, because it's starting to get awkward.

If you catch his gaze — either in his own personal space or in a public lounging area, wherever — he'll raise his eyebrows before giving a cursory look around, then casually remark, ] This place is fucking weird, huh?

[ Seriously. The borderline worship — it's fucking weird. ]

>> post-feast
[ Except he's a bit more subdued the night of the feast, after it all winds down. Explaining himself to the boss had given him something serious to consider, and in a way, he's grateful for it. But it's made him more pensive, too — sitting silently in that first lounge area, staring ahead at nothing, going over in his mind how he'd made the wrong judgment call back in the cavern.

How, whatever comes next, he's going to put all of himself into it.

Not that you can't jar him out of his thoughts if you come across him. Just. There's a lot to think about right now, is all. ]


> exploration

[ The actual city is much more like what he's used to, and Amos finds himself drawn out to it frequently. He always goes out alone, not a servant in sight — he's spent plenty of time on worse streets than these, he'll be more than fine. The Regent had said to rest and prepare, so as far as Amos is concerned, this is the best shore leave he's ever had.

Taverns are an easy staple for him; turns out imbibing is a lot more fun when you're in a less stuffy environment, and Amos finds himself bouncing around between seedy and more upstanding areas, perfectly content to just sit at the bar and drink on his own.

He'll people-watch if he's curious enough, but his focus always sharpens when it looks like a bar brawl is about to break out. Not like he's going to jump in, even though a part of him wants to, and his body reflexively tenses like it's going to get involved. But. That's not what he's here for. (He hasn't even considered going anywhere there are bloodsports — not yet, at least. Doesn't feel the need.)

He learns his lesson about exposing his shard the first time he visits a spa — except he's never been to one before, and the novelty is kinda worth it. Probably helps that he actually is at a place of business, and telling the employees there to shut up lets him enjoy the services they offer in relative peace.

And — for someone who normally doesn't care that much what he looks like in public — he now knows to keep it covered up. Not a lot could have made him care; avoiding unsolicited flocking crowds'll do it.

Brothels are a bit of a different story. As much as Amos has effectively put the experience in the cavern behind him, he can tell his body is still feeling the stress from all of it — hell, it's not like he'd been having an easy go of things before waking up in a crystal, either. So he finds the ones that treat their workers well, and the ones that won't give him shit for being an Aion. He thought only the former would be important; turns out the latter is now, too.

Though if you catch him leaving one, he'll just shrug; what? He needed that. ]


> wildcard

[ plotting comment, or arii#6412 or cadiai for any further communication. ]

post-feast > amos' room

[semicharmed]

[ Matt's least favorite part of that dinner wasn't actually his exchange with the Regent. It was Misa's. It's one thing to suspect that you're not making a great first impression on the architect of a new universe; it's another to watch them react warmly to the person who stabbed you, because she stabbed you. Matt can't tell if he's feeling slighted little-siblingism, heartache, or existential dread.

Late in the evening, he appears slumped in the doorway to Amos' room. His mask has been taken off and discarded somewhere, but he hasn't gotten around to changing out of his feast clothes. Leaning heavily against the doorframe, Matt says: ]

Can I come in?

[ Has Amos ever seen someone in such a plunging shirt look so morose? "Morose" is very much the mood right now. Also, the narration feels obliged to point out that Matt's basically halfway inside already, so it's unclear whether come in is the right term for what he's asking. ]

[affal]

I: the citadel

( after all that they’ve been through these last few weeks — after being herded like livestock and tromped across the countryside; after being penned like prisoners within an internment camp; after suffering the ordeal of hunger, the cold stone floor of the throne room, and the trial of the Kenoma’s ritual; after breaking bread and sailing with their former captors… it has all come to this. and, really, after the heroes’ welcome, the resplendent lodgings offered to them, and the near-constant attention of attendants, makoto is nearly prepared to say it was all worth it. where some might be alienated by such a treatment, he takes to it with relish and aplomb. finally! civilization, and those who have enough sense to treat such prominent individuals with the respect they deserve! )

a) ( prior to the summons to the banquet, makoto is seemingly nowhere to be seen. the truth of the matter being that, upon finally being permitted rest in a comfortable bed in a private room after weeks of fitful-at-best sleep, he conked out for well over twelve hours before taking a considerable amount of time getting his appearance back in order. he resurfaces at the lounge prior to the feast, dressed extravagantly with his hair styled painstakingly to a low profile against his head. he doesn’t have a drink in hand (and whenever an attendant asks him, he swiftly replies that he isn’t of age yet, which usually surprises or consternates them enough into leaving), but he greets others readily with a keen smile and a sphinxian glint in his pale-and-crimson eyes.

how he greets his fellow Kenoma depends entirely on how apt or out-of-place they look garbed formally and in such a ceremonious atmosphere. for the few that take to it well (either they have background or training that would allow for such or are very good liars), he bids them good evening, accompanied with a knowing nod. ) At long last, yes? After all this time, we will be meeting the Regent themself. Feel prepared?

( and for everyone else… well, that sharp smile is a little more mocking, as is the gleam of laughter in his gaze. ) Ah, you shine up well enough, but you do know that’s only the very first step in all of this, right? ( “you have to wear the suit, not let the suit wear you,”, et cetera… )

b) ( though most of the time during the feast is dominated by the near-suffocating presence of the Regent and the conversation they entreat from their new Aions, it’s sadly not enough to keep makoto from observing the table manners (or lack thereof) of those surrounding him. it wouldn’t be surprising to find him arching an eyebrow in response to someone using the wrong utensil in the wrong order, or perhaps side-eyeing someone with a healthy amount of shade if they dare to take a bite of food before the entire table is served.

he doesn’t really make any move to correct or give helpful advice, though. no, just the silent judgment accompanied with a long-suffering sigh. )

II: achamoth

( in the weeks following the feast and the Aions’ first meeting with the Regent, makoto makes good use of his time in exploring the city and trying to extract from it as much useful and intriguing information as he can. )

a) ( he strikes out into the city with little interest in hiding who and what he is — the placement of his shard often delays undue interest in him, but when it accumulates he seems to handle it with a fluid sort of grace. he chats, jokes, entreats, and indulges… though there often comes a point where it is simply too much. most of the time he makes an excuse and slips away, though sometimes he makes a little bit more of a scene: he draws his wings with a dramatic flourish and, as the crowd of people staggers back, he takes advantage of the space given to take to the air and fly away.

he doesn’t tend to fly very far, and if he sees another Aion out and about in the streets, he will angle downward to intercept them. with the leathery flapping of draconic wings, the demon alights to the cobblestones a short distance away from you, faintly out of breath from the flight. he rights his hair and his clothing before looking to you with a laugh. ) These people! ( his breath leaves him in a short sigh. ) The way they allow themselves to go on! I understand the excitement, but with so little restraint...

( said with an exasperation that very nearly infringes upon disgust, and also perfectly irregardless of the citizens that might be milling around… )

b) ( the whirlwind outfitting that had occurred before the feast and meeting with the Regent had simply not been enough to fill out a satisfactory wardrobe for makoto, so he can be found in and around the shopping district, typically piling all manner of packages, parcels, bags, enormous coats, boxes of shoes, and the like into the waiting arms of his attending retainer. to his merit, the man bears his burden without complaint, even when it accumulates to a mass that some might hazard to say is approaching “towering.” )

Shopping as well? ( an obvious enough observation, but he’s attempting to be polite; he continues, ) For anything in particular? My manservant here has already proved himself an invaluable resource in tracking things down around here.

( from beneath the pile, muffled, a clipped and aristocratic tone sounds: ) “You flatter me, sir.”

c) ( though the places of most interest to him are the various brothels scattered around town. makoto visits a number of them in planned succession, selecting establishments which specialized in clientele from every rung of the social ladder. as for his aims, he is less interested in spending his money as a customer and more in using it — along with his prestige as an Aion and an engineered affability — to grease palms and loosen lips into speaking more on the city, its history, its leader and government, the Aions, and a variety of other topics in-between. these were the types of scenes he had learned all there was to be about being a demon in hell, after all, so it went without saying that he would seek to learn just as much here in achamoth, and he is not disappointed!

makoto can be seen either entering or exiting one of these establishments at very nearly any type of day on any given day; upon exiting, he is often accompanied by a wave of continuing conversation, jokes and laughs and calls and farewells that he returns in good humor. he seems to have found quite the lively sort of company to keep. later on in the month, however, he can be found standing more pensively outside a certain location. another brothel, yes, but this elegant and imposing building seems to be perhaps one of the most stringently elite in the city — the only people who enter its doors are already expected. he isn’t yet prepared to enter, as he’s still pondering what he might say to the renowned Aion that is its master. )

III: wildcard

( these are a little more open-ended than previous prompts I’ve written, so please feel free to reach out to me via pm, discord (sharisper#0002), or plurk lycanthropic if you want to work out any details or if you want to do something else! for fellow kenoma I haven’t had a chance to thread with, I’m open to handwaving some brief initial meeting(s) if desired. I would be happy to write a custom starter, if that’s preferable! )

ia

[epiprocta]

[ Makoto might be turning down those drinks because he's underage, but Gen clearly has no such compunctions. When Makoto catches him he's just polished off his second cocktail, letting a server take the empty glass as he clears his throat. Those things are stronger than the beers he'd indulged in once in a while back home, but they're better than nothing; he hasn't been allowed to smoke since getting trussed up in this fancy outfit, his servant fretfully pointing out that he cannot meet the Regent while smelling of smoke, and like hell he's going to be tolerating all this frou-frou bullshit sober, even if they won't let him depend on his usual nicotine habit.

Not that he's drunk, he's not that stupid. Only a little bit buzzed, just enough to blunt the usual, vicious edge to his words when he looks at Makoto and deadpans, ]

And who asked you?

[ That bristling retort comes easy because it's second nature for him to be stand-offish and obnoxious, but it must be obvious at a glance that Gen's uneasy about everything here. He hasn't quite been able to stand still since entering this lavishly-decorated room, shifting his weight uneasily from one foot to the other and crossing and uncrossing his arms. His clothes have suffered from his fidgeting; they're fine garments chosen for him by his servants, but the expensive fabric's rumpled in spots from his restlessness and he's undone some of the lacing at the neck to breathe easier. Just a little short of being fully presentable.

Not that he's interested in hearing any criticism from Makoto, of all people, and Gen gives him a disdainful stare and a click of the tongue. ]

All that big talk and you're still here in the end.

[killandrecycle]

Shopping before the Feast

[It had not taken Majorita long to adjust to her new status as sort of respected deity. She was entirely used to being in command. This was just giving her what she, in her own eyes, deserved. With her new personal servant leading the way, she was being taken to acquire 'appropriate' clothing for the upcoming banquet.]

Where exactly are you taking me, Shirly?

[The woman, much taller then the petite demon, responds in a gentle tone.]

It's Charlotte, madam. And I am bringing you to a place that has clothes that can match just how adorable you are. None of the clothing we had on hand would be able to capture your natural cuteness.

[Majorita's groan of annoyance is obvious, loud, and undisguised, but seems to have no effect on the chipper attitude of her servant. Before long, the two stop outside of a shop displaying dresses through the window. They look very expensive, but more importantly, very girly and frilly.]

This isn't the place, is it? Tell me it isn't.

[But the woman's smile seems to indicate that it, indeed, IS the place.]

At the Feast

[Why yes, she DOES feel awkward, thanks for asking. The girl who normally barely even thought about what she was wearing was all dolled up in an almost literal sense, looking for all the world like someone had just plopped a Victorian era doll in the seat that was SUPPOSED to be occupied by a proud demon general. The dress she is wearing is black and frilly, oh so frilly, with ruffles along the front and a ribbon tied at her neck. Her naturally curled hair is tied up in black ribbons. It even looked like her nails had been given attention, with a perfect manicure and black nail polish. She looks at the tableware set before her, and mutters to herself, holding up a fork.]

Why are there so many different kinds? Don't humans normally just eat everything with one fork?

[With an annoyed sigh, she sets it back down, looking around the room at all the faces that made up her new 'allies'.]

None of them even look that strong....

[Some of them might make good pawns, at least.]

The Citadal - Library

[The day after the banquet, Majorita found herself with something she had not had in a long time, free time. Time where she didn't have to fight, time where she didn't have to hurt anyone or be hurt. It actually somewhat bored her, she had hoped to be sent off into battle as soon as possible. It was really the only thing she was good at anymore.

And so she was doing something she hadn't done in decades, reading entirely for the pleasure of it. She had picked out a few books, with most of them appearing to involve magic in some way. Finding a place out of the way, she picked one out of the stack at random, settling into a chair.]

In the depths of Achamoth

[The Regent had been generous, providing her with more then enough money to keep her going for awhile. But why settle with just that? Her servant had been a bit nervous when she said she had wanted to see the city's 'bloodsport' but seemed to relax when she reassured the woman she merely wanted to spectate, not actually participate. Wearing a hooded robe that covers both her gem and the mark of the Firebrand on her upper arm, she had won every single bet she had placed. It was no coincidence, of course, though the reason why would require quite the trained eye.

Moments before each match had ended, there had been a subtle hand gesture from the girl. What it did wasn't obvious, but without fail the battle always ended moments afterwards. The most recent battle had even ended with a man dying from his injuries, but the young demon didn't even bat an eye when it was announced. She merely sent her retainer to collect the winnings. If her retainer suspects anything, she is wise enough not to say anything about it.]

Your most recent winnings, my lady.

[The handful of coins she got for the man's life is added to a bag that is already looking quite heavy. She does not bother to hide it, almost as if she was daring someone to be the one that tried to take it.]

at the feast.

[vapour]

[ Childe is not seated right next to her, but he has taken to walking around until the first course begins. He hears the girl grumbling about the multiple forks and can't help but feel the need to explain it to her before the meals start.

She looks so cute dressed up, it would be a shame to ruin it with improper etiquette at such a high profile dinner.

He comes to sit next to the her since not everyone has taken their seats, yet. ]

In casual eating, one fork is enough, but, for extravagant formal dinners like these, there is a strict need to have various silverware. It has to do with convenience but also the host.

I'm guessing it isn't of much interest to you, but you should learn the basic table etiquette before the meal starts. I'm sure everyone will be impressed by your manners.

So, what do you say to me giving you a crash course?

[devilmancrybaby]

I. HE JUST KILLED SOMEBODY (DONT WORRY IT WAS CONSENSUAL)

For the days immediately following everybody's* dinner with the boss, Luo Binghe is moody. Of course compared to some of the others he faced little disapproval from the Regent, but he got himself so wound up about it in the run-up to the meeting that being told definitively that he's too weak and needs to improve his strength has made him cranky. Even though if you'd asked him beforehand he would have told you that was clearly the case! It's just -- after everything he's been through, everything he's survived, everything he's conquered, to carry none of that with him here...

*Except Emet Selch, I guess,

Was his power all Xin Mo's, after all? Was his own so negligible that he's nothing without that sword? The thought is infuriating. It makes him feel pathetic to have claimed it as his. He needs to become stronger on his own merits.

Consequently, he spends a lot of time in the training yard practicing sword forms with a self-punishing intensity. He spars with soldiers too, when they're free – they seem fairly enthusiastic for the opportunity, and iit's more than worthwhile to spar without using his cultivation to learn the local martial styles.

But wholesome training at the Citadel isn't the only way he's decided to hone his combat skills. It doesn't take very much exploration to find that there's a thriving scene for combat sports in Achamoth, and Luo Binghe goes for it immediately. His status as an Aion limits him, of course, since there are only so many arena fighters who are desperate to test their skills against someone they assume will defeat them with ease, and when fights to the death are popular, there are only so many arena managers who are willing to let their most prized gladiators go to waste like that.

All the same, he's able to get himself booked for a few fights in the first couple of weeks in the citadel. The inevitable draw of getting to see an Aion fight in their arena is appealing enough to some of the people running them that they're willing to let one or two of their best die or lose reputation for it.

Today's fight he wins, although not easily. His opponent is a popular combatant whose magical abilities are both impressively flashy and seriously dangerous; Luo Binghe's own current combat capabilities are less visually engaging, and his status as an Aion isn't enough for the audience to cheer for him instead of their established favourite. Still – by the end of the fight he delivers the killing blow to wild applause. He probably won't be invited back here. But it feels good to be cheered for, and especially to wring it from people who didn't want to give it to him at first. And winning feels good, too. It's reassuring. He might not have defeated those two Pleroma Aions, but he's not completely weak. He just needs to get better.

He's in a good mood after the fight. Perhaps you've also decided to try your hand at arena combat, and you encounter him in the locker room after (or before) your own fight — he's stooped over a low basin washing blood out of his thick mass of hair and humming something cheerful to himself. The jagged shape of his shard is clearly visible on his chest.

Or maybe you're in the area for some other reason and you run into him on the way out, with a freshly cleaned sword strapped to his waist and an uncharacteristically broad smile on his face. That smile falters for a moment when he sees another Aion, but he nods in greeting.

"Ah, did you watch the fight?" he asks, as if whether you did or not and what you thought about it is of zero importance to him.

II. VIOLATING YOUR PRIVACY

As the month goes on, Luo Binghe decides to see if he can expand his understanding of his fellow Aions. It feels strange to venture into dreams without sensing the presence of his erstwhile teacher, but of course he's gone too along with everyone else. No matter. He'll find out if his abilities remain what they once were without Meng Mo -- and this is the perfect opportunity.

Every night, he reaches into the dreams of the other Aions sleeping in the citadel. If he's able to enter yours, you might see him there, prowling through your dreamscape and watching what unfolds with intense, calculating curiosity... or you might never notice him. Of course, it's equally possible that what he sees in your dreamscape shocks or baffles him. From the conversations he's had he's expecting to see glimpses of unfamiliar worlds, but there's only so prepared for that kind of thing that you can be...

OOC note: This is strictly opt-in; I will not assume Binghe is able to see into any dreams your character is having unless you reply to this prompt. Conversely if you'd like to let me know what he would see in there without threading an interaction with him within the dream, you can just reply with a description of it.

Also, please feel free to reply with brackets if you'd prefer; I'll match format!

i / training yard

[galdorleod]

It does not take many days for Howl to get a grasp on the extent of his own decline in power. His abilities being purely magical in nature, all he has to do is cycle through his repertoire of spells to find out which ones still work and which don't. Turns out... most of them are defunct now. A fact that disturbs Howl much more than he lets on.

But Howl needed space in order to engage in this practice, lest an errant spell make a mess of his own quarters, which leaded him to the training grounds. Although he keeps mostly to himself while there, he notices the others making use of the grounds, including one particularly ardent swordsman. The man piques Howl's natural curiosity. Even after he's finished going through his spells, including repeat attempts of the most disappointingly vanished ones, he lingers seated beneath a tree, watching the man go through his exercises.

It's after one particularly impressive display that Howl begins to clap loudly. His enthusiasm is completely earnest - he really is quite good with that thing. And judging from the handful of glances the man sent his way while Howl was watching, he'd noticed him by now. Might as well break the ice and acknowledge it, if he's going to sit here and watch.

[vivificantem]

I. Citadel of the Deliverer.
a. post-feast

[The feast itself was…awkward, but Paul had expected that in some way; he had done what was expected of him, he had explained himself and kept his head down and in the end that seemed to be enough. The Regent was accepting of his words and what he intended to do, and knowing that he had the (admittedly abstract) blessing of their superior was enough for him.

He doesn't return to his room, however, once the event is over; honestly, he doesn't seem inclined to sleep tonight, instead choosing to wander the halls as though he's trying to gauge…something. It's difficult to tell what, or if he's even seeking anything in particular out; it's possible that he's just trying to clear his head. But it seems a little more deliberate than that, and while he's polite to any servants that he happens to come across, any interactions with them are awkward and difficult-seeming. Strained.

All in all, he seems a little out of his depth; he isn't jumpy but he seems oddly more nervous here than he was while talking with the Regent.

He'll be back in his room come daybreak, but before that… Well, the night looks to be a long one.]


b. library

[Eventually, though, he settles.

The first little while he spent here was visibly nerve-wracking for him; he spent a fair amount of that time in his room (often with the servant he'd requested as his retainer), but eventually he does settle, and he can be found rather frequently in the Citadel's library. Paul seems comfortable here, as opposed to the rest of the place, and he seems to often be deliberately seeking something out; whether it's proper religious texts or just something to get his mind off of things is a little difficult to say, but like before he does seem to be deliberately doing something. Aimlessness has never really been his thing - probably best to just let him have whatever task he's set himself to in his head.

That doesn't mean he's opposed to company, though; he'll at least acknowledge anyone who walks in, the greeting being more of a "look up, nod and wave vaguely" variety, and there's more than enough seating here if you want to talk to him for any reason.]

Looking for something in particular, or...?


II. Gospel.

[He attends Mass.

That isn't what it's called here, and he can just imagine the anger from the Church in general if he even began to compare what's going on here to that, but it's the first thought in his mind; there are services here and so he attends - sometimes with his retainer, sometimes alone, always with his Shard covered and draped entirely in the black robes and hoods and masks that signify the utmost level of devotion to the Regent. He partakes and perhaps most importantly he understands, and it isn't long before he's become one of those he always ministered to back on the island - those that attended daily, those that became quickly familiar with the chanting and the rituals and the practices, those that probably didn't need to be there that often but due to faith or dedication or desperation were always present anyway.

It's not what he's used to - certainly not, it's nowhere near - but that doesn't mean that it's incomprehensible to him; it's just...different. But the destruction of things that one loves is similar enough to the tenet of ultimately rejecting the worship of possessions for the glory of the Lord; the celebration of life and the world around oneself before death is the natural conclusion of the world being made for God's creations. He isn't sure how comfortable he is with the general concept of embracing one's own death rather than attempting self-preservation, but on the other hand…

He'd meant what he'd said, back in the cavern. About death being a necessity to facilitate resurrection, about the importance of burning everything to the ground in order to facilitate something new rising in its place from the ashes of what had once been.

So he attends Mass, and he's fairly easy to catch on the way out to do so; he's alone tonight, and he seems pleased enough to see you, whether he knows you or not.]

I was just going to attend services; come with me. Even if you don't participate, I'd like the company on the way.

gospel

[semicharmed]

[ Matt's hoping to hit up another brothel tonight, tbh. That's where he's planning on going when he runs into Paul. The spas in Achamoth are lovely, and the books in the library are fascinating, and in general it's been great to sleep on a mattress instead of essentially the ground. But none of it quite scratches the itch at the bottom of Matt's heart.

Which is not to say he's averse to Paul's invitation. Quite the opposite. Especially because it seems like a sign that even after his miserable showing at dinner with the Regent, Paul's not actively embarrassed of him. ]

Oh, [ Matt says, brightening, ] yeah, I've been ... meaning to check those out, actually. Seems like the next step after my reading.

[ He assumes he's dressed okay for a religious gathering: black pants, black cloak-slash-jacket, a scarf to hide the shard at the left side of his neck. His moth mask dangles from his fingers. ]

And it'd be nice to, um. Talk a bit.