![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
- !event,
- #the regent,
- #xishen,
- amos burton: lover,
- ciel: martyr,
- emet-selch: champion,
- eustace: firebrand,
- father paul hill: martyr,
- howl: celebrant,
- lottie person: visionary,
- luo binghe: firebrand,
- majorita: firebrand,
- makoto ("m"): firebrand,
- matt jamison: visionary,
- meteion: innocent,
- minegishi gen: lover,
- misa amane: lover,
- silco: visionary,
- tartaglia (childe): firebrand
EVENT #2: HEARTS LIKE YOURS (ACHAMOTH)
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.
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.
no subject
[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
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. ]
no subject
She immediately straightens and stiffly turns to face him at the call-out, and it's a good thing she doesn't have animal ears unlike him, because they would definitely have also perked otherwise.]
I, um...! Wouldn't that be rather frivolous? We have plenty of food ["at home"] back-- there.
[She catches herself at the last moment, omitting any mention of the citadel just in case. But definitely gone was the serious woman wholly focused on finishing what they had to do back in that cave, she looks and sounds like any other girl one may find anywhere.
...It IS money they don't have to spend since the Regent's castle is very well stocked, though. That's indisputable fact and no excuse, right?]
no subject
In this, the restaurant is a welcome freedom, a place where the common folk can mingle—and where he can mingle with them without garnering unwanted attention. Besides, there are further perks to eating out than just tasty food. ]
It's only as frivolous as you make it. There's plenty to be learned out here that can't be back there.
[ As she so charmingly put it. Yes, he is talking about recon, no, he doesn't know how to take a break as a bonafide workaholic. Are there other places that might be a better fit for information scrounging? Sure, but none of them smell as good as this one. Also, he's still hungry, so he's just gonna go in regardless of whether or not Ciel follows. ]
no subject
...
With a start, she follows him as he walks past her, these sort of things ARE admittedly easier with company. Who goes to a restaurant to eat alone? The same sort of people who go to movie theaters alone, and while it's probably not a Big Deal, sometimes you just get stuck Thinking About Things, okay...
His wording does have her wonder, though. "Out here", like out in the city in general? It doesn't immediately occur to her that he may be using even eating out as an excuse for work, but that's also exactly how it'd end up sounding, too: an excuse, and that's... Hm...
...Ok yeah let's not think too hard about it. He broke the ice, and she IS grateful. Well then, in that case!]
Table for two, please!
[Since he took the initiative of sauntering right in, she'll take the liberty of flagging down a waiter
to spare him the social interactionfor the both of them. The place looks at half capacity, seems like they'll also get to pick their seats if they wanted to. There's some up front by the counter with a bar area along with an assortment of drinks on display, a table by the window with a street view, and more seats in the back where it's more quiet. Hmm...]Do you have any seating preference?
[Maybe she should ask him if it was even okay for her to tag along first, but it's a little late now, oops. She'll just peer at him expectantly, along with the waiter who's politely waiting after a pair of perfectly ordinary customers.]
no subject
Well, for starters, this guy, who has refused to make a single friend in the last fifteen years and has no plans of making any friends any time soon. As far as he's concerned, eating alone is far preferable to having to tolerate the company of others. The oftentimes loud, annoying, incessant company of others.
It's something of a surprise then when Ciel pipes up behind him, voice clear as she not only flags down a waiter but also asks expectantly for his seating preferences. He turns his head towards her, a mild frown settling on his lips. Not that he's opposed to eating with her if that's what she wants, her calm attitude more tolerable to him than most of the other overly dramatic Kenoma, but he's pretty sure he's not once given the impression of being friendly and affable. If she wants to stick with him for whatever reason, then that's her choice.
He glances around at their seating options, considering for a few seconds, before offering up a single word in reply. ]
Window.
[ Which is all Ciel gets for an answer, sorry. She is going to have to take the lead a little bit longer, at least until they get seated. But it seems that'll be soon, their helpful waiter leading them to the specified table by the window and promising to return shortly with beverages. ]
no subject
She doesn't mind the (unfriendly) look on his face, and if asked, would brush it off as simply taking a break with a coworker she happened to run into. She's perfectly capable of being social, but wouldn't go so far as to assume friendship with someone she first spoke to only a few days ago because his arm was badly wounded after a nasty fight. So she breezily goes along with his choice by wordlessly flashing the waiter a practised "please and thank you" smile with implied you heard him, and doesn't hesitate sitting down first once they're shown to their table.
A couple of menus are already stashed atop it, so they can start browsing right away while waiting for their water to come.]
Did you catch the scent to anything in particular from here? You looked very decisive, walking in just like that.
[She asks without skipping a beat with menu in hand, admittedly glancing at him more than the laminated booklet. It sounds more polite than saying "you don't look like someone who would pick restaurants at random", maybe... probably (???). It's small talk, for better or worse, but does relate to a mild curiosity she's been suppressing since she first caught sight of him. With ears like that, does he have a sharp animalistic sense of smell, too? π€ Can't fault others for wondering, right...]
(no subject)
1/2
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
1/2
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
1/2
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
ii
-- shit.
[ He promptly reaches out to grab at her forearm, trying to jerk her forth to crouch down with him. Not, like, violently, but not particularly gentle, either. Just in a rush. ]
The fuck're you doing making all that commotion, I finally got away from all those servants. [ Said as he glances down at her ... cage. And then gives her A Look. Why is nobody in this place normal. ]
no subject
Her eyes widen the same time the teen she comes across drops an expletive, and he effortlessly pulls her down to hide in the bushes with him. It's clear he has no ill intent, and she's gone through worse than a less-than-gentle arm tug. It's fine, it's fine...! She DOES land with the cage in her lap, seeming to be far more concerned with its well-being than her own.]
--I'm sorry! I...
[She does drop her voice to a whisper, he's clearly not out here to draw attention.]
I'm looking for someone.
[Her expression seems to waver for a second, as if she's not sure how she's supposed to be reacting herself. Then he Looks at her, and she feels very Looked at.]
...
[She fidgets a bit with the lizard cage in her lap. They seem okay at least, still chilling with the wood stump inside that ended up not getting jostled much and not looking very bothered. What's wrong with a girl carrying lizards..........]
no subject
The look he shoots Ciel screams just shut the fuck up for a moment without words, and he remains silent as the servant gives a plaintive call of 'Where have you gone, sir?' Thankfully the poor servant gives up after a moment or two, and as his footsteps patter back out of earshot, Gen heaves a sigh.
Still keeping his voice a little low, but not bothering to speak at a whisper. He has to assume he'll have at least a few minutes of solitary freedom for now. ]
... yeah, I gathered you were looking for someone.
[ Alas, regardless of if he'd been interrupted while hiding from his own servants, he still has to give that obnoxious response. Gen digs through his pockets to fish out his cigarette as he nods towards the cage in her hands. ]
What, you lose one of your pets or something?
no subject
...Technically, I'm helping someone look for his friend.
[It's not a clarification that contributes to much, but she can't deny being less than enthused over stating the distinction either, her shoulders drooping as she makes it. If there's any dejection, it's very much to her situation rather than his attitude.]
But something like that, yes. These are for him.
[She places the glass container onto the ground in emphasis, watching the lizards loaf around briefly before glancing up to find him with a cigarette. It has her staring, but only for a second before she casts her gaze back out at the yard.]
Are they that insistent with you? The citadel staff can be overwhelming, but to this point...?
[When he had to actively go out of his way to hide? She's invested in being polite, so she doesn't voice the question out loud. It certainly is one way to run into a fellow Aion though, quite the contrast to be on the search versus on the run.]
no subject
[ His words come a touch muffled as he parks a cigarette between his lips, further undercut by the rustling sounds of him returning the packet to his pockets to fetch his lighter instead. ]
My -- ... [ what's the word, give him a second ] ... retainer. My retainer keeps saying something about how I'm spending too much time alone, or whatever. [ A low scoff around his cigarette even as there's the quick click-whoosh of his lighter's flame springing to life. ] Ridiculous how much the people here idolize us. Feels gross.
[ His irritable mumble cuts off only so he can take a deep drag at his cigarette and hold it for a moment; horrible as he is, he at least has the minimum manners to look away from Ciel as he exhales.
The familiar buzz of nicotine immediately helps soothe his nerves, and Gen just regards Ciel with a sideways glance for a moment longer before commenting, ] ... is Horace the name of your friend? Or are you thinking lizards here can understand people talk.
1/2
[She suggests while keeping a straight face, mulling over to herself the fact that he apparently couldn't intimidate a servant into leaving him alone despite the air he gives. That he uses a lighter is also indicative that he can't use magic to conjure a tiny flame, wonder if he'd be interested in picking up that sort of cantrip just to make his life a little easier? The Regent did make it clear during the banquet that powers can be learned, now.]
I do agree with the sentiment, though. We're told we shouldn't leave Achamoth for the time being, but I have been wondering if it's possible for us to take up residence in a different city, once we gain enough funds and trust to be afforded more freedom on the continent.
[The smell of a cigarette isn't the most pleasant, especially to someone with a sharp nose, but it's nothing she can't endure. His display of courtesy in turning aside as he exhales is very much noted, actions DO speak louder than words as the saying goes. Hmmm, she thinks she's beginning to see why he may be struggling with handling a retainer... Just a bit.]
no subject
A friend's friend, actually. I've never met him yet myself. I was told he answers to his name, so it wouldn't surprise me at this point if these lizards can also understand what we're saying.
[a beat.]
Actually, maybe not. They really shouldn't be this calm, if they knew...
[...]
(no subject)
(no subject)
1/2
(no subject)
1/2
(no subject)
1/2
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
1/3
2/3
3/3
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
post-feast; tartaglia/childe
Truthfully, she's more worried about Xishen, as a fellow woman and Martyr who had given themselves to the Kenoma. Childe was seated next to her, however, and his anger was undeniably easier to understand than whatever that motivated Xishen to act as she had. Looking at it practically, who to confront first was clear. Thus once the judgment rounds have concluded, she stands from her seat to exit the banquet hall only a beat after he does, offering the bare courtesy of a bow and a brief word of thanks and good night before following him out without making any attempt at disguising her leave as something else.
It's once they're outside and halfway into the hallway that she calls out to him, her tone quiet yet firm.]
Tartaglia.
no subject
Well , anyway, he survived the ordeal, although he's a lot less happy than he expected to be after being able to clean up eating a good meal.
Childe stops at hearing his name and turns offering a friendly smile that is definitely not associated with his real mood. It helps a lot that he likes Ciel well enough so far (granted he feels hasn't spent much time with her or anyone else yet to really know.)]
Oh? Ciel, what can I do for you?
no subject
She sees through his smile, and offers a polite one of her own that also does not reflect the least bit how she feels.]
It's been an eventful dinner. ["Eventful".] Are you headed out for a walk? Getting some fresh air does sound like a good idea.
[For cooling off too, as well as keep moving as they talk to dodge potential eavesdroppers within the citadel halls. Will he pick up her hint and accept the suggestion?]
no subject
[ he also has no desire for them to be eavesdropped on, and it's clear they are gong to have to be strategic if they hope to stick together during their time under the Regent beyond mindlessly following orders like drones. it's hard to tell how loyal their retainers are to them, even but he suspects they are only loyal to the Regent and it will take quite some time before they may form some allegiance to their aions. In order to avoid his own retainer and being unsure if Ciel has taken one yet Childe opts to take her hand and gently pull her along into a walk heading outside with full intention to make it look like they desire alone time but for more personal reasons than worthwhile discussion . Once they are outside and some distance from the banquet hall, Childe lets go of her hand. ]
Sorry, hope I wasn't too forward. It's less likely we'll be followed this way.
[ Well, at beyond nosey gossip-seekers wanting to spread rumors about who's with who and who's doing
whowhat, but he thinks the majority servants are too intimidated by their recent arrival to be that mischievous.Putting one hand into the pocket of his pants, he glance around their surroundings as they walk before bringing up the dinner. ]
So our "eventful" dinner! What did you make of it?
no subject
She's about to agree with him, and then he's taken her hand and smoothly pulled her to his side. She manages to suppress raising an eyebrow with the barest hitch to her movement, but does follow along without falling out of step in the end. My, my. He's as fluid as the water he commands, isn't he?
...]
Better to ask forgiveness than permission, hm? I'll overlook it this time.
[It sounds like she's joking, especially with that almost skeptic sideway glance she shoots his way, but she does let it go as easily as he's guided them into one of the citadel's many open courtyards with the night sky overhead. With her personal space returned, she adjusts the veil curtaining her face and shoulders, making it impossible to see her expression for anyone aside from him that she's directly conversing with.]
Informative. We now have a better understanding of our leading entity's temperament, with their reaction to everyone's performance.
[It serves as a good gauge as what to do and what can be done, but that detail doesn't feel prudent to say out loud despite the fact that it's another point of similarity between them. He did send that blonde girl purposefully into the teleportation spell, he was just too obvious about it, as he's been openly called out.]
And you?
no subject
He nods at her rundown, and she not wrong with how obvious it was that he let Lumine go. The exchange between them was a lot of power (verbally and physically ) in a very short amount of time. It was really hard to not focus on with it being right at the teleport, and he did do it despite knotting Xishen was looking right at them at the time. ]
Suspicious. I honestly don't know what to make of the Regent's reaction to Xishen, but, if it's true, that she's working to undermine the Regent even a little, I want to know why that is. I can't see Xishen having the compassion to "assist" the Pleroma, but go out of her way nitpick down to details to the Regent our performances for the worst. This Kenoma and Pleroma stuff. .. it doesn't feel like you can fake being a part of either.
[ he avoids mentioning his anger over Xishen's apparent manipulation only because he assumes it's a personal matter. if she's interested she can ask and he'll talk about it, though. ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
training yard
Although Ciel might be doing enough out there for all of them.
Amos stays off to the side, well out of her way when he first stumbles upon the spot β it's just basic survival instincts to not get in the path of someone throwing daggers around, after all. It's at a point she's paused, or decided to take a break, or whatever that he decides to make himself known (and if she'd already caught on to his presence and was just ignoring him, he doesn't mind), stepping further into the training space now that he knows he's not gonna get hit with anything.
Can't help but glance at her throat for a second before addressing her, but he blinks back up to make eye contact almost immediately after. ]
Where'd you learn to do that?
[ All of the stuff with the blades, that is. Just some professional curiosity is all. He knows at some point he's going to have to fight β for real, not whatever had actually been expected of them back in the cave β but there isn't really anything here that resembles what he's used to. Not in a meaningful way, anyway. And she sure looks like she knows what she's doing. ]
no subject
destructionpower no matter how humble their beginnings, but progress still takes time. So if more battles are in their collective future, then she rather step up to do enough fighting for several Aions on their side instead of forcing someone unprepared to take the field, if not at least make it clear that she's reliable on the front lines.Thus Amos is left to watch for however long as he likes, though she may be cutting a particular session short for an earlier break once she notices his presence. The fact that he's sticking around instead of moving on after a few minutes is not lost on her either, the time it generally takes for curious onlookers to resume whatever they were doing before.
With a flicker, the blade she has in her hand vanishes, and she turns to him with her full attention. If she notices him staring at her neck, she gives no sign of it.]
Back in my world, after I was taken in by a combat-oriented organization.
[It's vague on purpose despite the equally professional response, she's aware, but she's not sure how much good it would do to try explaining the Church and its Executors to someone who's most likely from a different world. Although given how Black Keys are created, maybe a conversation on that line may be inevitable regardless? That's admittedly something she's still trying to gauge and parse, how much to say and how much to keep. She's used to the latter, but here in this world where the details no longer matter... Hm.]
no subject
The Regent had kind of said as much directly to him. That's his role, and he's going to fulfil it. Except he knows he's still out of place here when it comes to fighting purposes, and Ciel looks anything but, hence the interest.
She makes no comment on her neck, so neither does he; just a blink of surprise at the way her blade vanishes. My world seems to explain that, but it's something else she's said that ends up getting his attention. ]
Taken in makes it sound like they looked after you. Trained you, I'm guessing β [ and there is curiosity in his tone, how one learns the thing she has, even if he doesn't ask it just yet. Give him a moment β ] but cared for you, too.
[ Because that's ended up being the more pressing question. Amos could say he went through something similar β being taken in by a combat-oriented organization isn't terribly far off, if by organization you mean gang and by taken in you mean property of β but it's not like he was trained. Or looked after. More just thrown to wolves and so happened to survive.
And suddenly it's important to know that where Ciel came from, she had actually been taken care of, not just used.
... If she had been then he'll deal with that, too. Even if it means just not acknowledging it. He's certainly more than familiar with that tactic. ]
no subject
Thus she acted immediately upon orders, and covered over the facts that she didn't capture or fatally wound anyone through loud threats and flashy displays of combat. Perhaps this is the gap between them: she knew how to leave things unsaid because she already understood the difference between what she believes and what she must do, as well as how to bridge them even if they're opposing ends. He had to voice his justifications out loud because he hasn't resolved such things for himself, or couldn't recognize the contradiction as the Regent had pointed out.
This man...
It's at his zoning in on what she had said over things she's omitted that has her recollect her thoughts. "Taken in", yes. She's certainly worded it that way, didn't she? Now that he's pointed it out... Hm.]
I had unusual aptitude, it would have been a waste not to. [It indirectly answers how she recovered from what happened inside the caverns, a wound that would've probably been fatal to most others. As for "cared for"... Can it be called that? She hasn't really thought of it that way before. How to answer that...]
It wouldn't do to let an effective weapon rust, either. I had access to resources befitting of my work. In that sense, our situation now doesn't feel very different from what I was used to before.
[What is he trying to get to? She doesn't directly address the part he's put notable emphasis on, but does ultimately judge that this much should be fine to divulge. She's not in the habit of going on about herself, but does recognize the need to present a coherent background to allies she'll be working together with. There's simply a lot of details to omit, as they're irrelevant to the present or the results she can provide.]
no subject
... For a second, he can feel his heart sink at her answer. And then the feeling is gone, swallowed down, pushed below depths he can't reach. Calling herself a weapon is familiar β it would be painfully so, if he hadn't just dismissed all of those feelings β so he takes that second, and nods.
She hadn't really acknowledged the whole cared for part. Which probably gives them an unfortunate number of things in common. Oh well. ]
Guess it doesn't, huh? [ If she had detected any trace of emotion from him, it's gone now. ] Being a weapon's all I was really ever any good for. There's almost something nice about knowing that's what's expected of you. Like you don't gotta be anything more than you're actually capable of.
[ ... Human. Biologically, sure. Or at least before he ended up here. But whatever actually makes humans humans had always seemed to be missing.
(She's the one who had announced they all had souls, he remembers. Still feels beyond his grasp, even if the evidence of it is tangible now. Either way.)
He tilts his head, gesturing towards where the blade she'd previously been holding had been. ]
Except I know I'm not exactly useful as a weapon right now. This whole place is out of my scope. Found some guns in the armoury, but they're old as shit compared to what I'm used to, and I've never had to work my way around a blade before. [ A beat, and. ] Any pointers, in case I gotta pick anything like that up?
[ When in Rome, and all. ]
1/2
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
1/2
2/2
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)