aionmods: (Default)
Aion Mods ([personal profile] aionmods) wrote in [community profile] aionlogs2022-04-02 03:17 pm

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.

lockedon: (030)

[personal profile] lockedon 2022-04-04 03:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[ His expression - and ears - flatten ever so slightly at the mention of back there. Obviously, his opinion of the Citadel is less than stellar, even if he doesn't explicitly say as much. The fawning, the constant attention, the lavish riches and rooms gifted to them...it's all enough to make his nose wrinkle in distaste, and for him to dart out (without the company of his assigned retinue of servants) as soon as possible.

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. ]

[personal profile] expiera 2022-04-05 12:00 am (UTC)(link)
[Right, it's Way Too Much... At least there's no servants to bother you if you chill out on the roof, but that's admittedly not easy access for anyone to get to.

...

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 interaction for 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.]
lockedon: pid 30575014 (046)

[personal profile] lockedon 2022-04-05 01:39 am (UTC)(link)
[ Who goes to a restaurant to eat alone

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. ]

[personal profile] expiera 2022-04-05 05:42 am (UTC)(link)
[Then you just do takeout?? ...Ok no she can't judge nor does she have any room to talk, she would absolutely do restaurants alone if they served her Favorite Food™. It's just a question of convenience and opportunity, when not actively busy with work.

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? 🤔 Can't fault others for wondering, right...]
lockedon: pid 15406329 (pic#14244971)

[personal profile] lockedon 2022-04-05 04:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[ The waiter must truly feel indebted to Ciel, who is navigating these choppy social waters like a champ. Eustace, for his part, doesn't much care, barely acknowleging the waiter's departure as he takes his seat and picks up the menu. He does at least possess enough of a sliver of awareness to not ignore Ciel completely, looking up as she addresses him with a chipper question.

........

What is he, a dog smelling around for scraps? His ears twitch once atop his head and he frowns slightly at her, trying to decide if there's supposed to be a hidden joke in words or if she really is just innocently curious. (At least she didn't call him a furry or a terrible cosplayer.) Eventually, he lets it go, lowering his menu so he can look at Ciel. ]


Not a specific dish, if that's what you're asking. [ He has a pretty good nose but it's not that talented. ] Just the smell of grilled meat and spice.

[ Both of which are things he likes, hence why he'd ambled in so quickly. But food is food, and honestly even if he hadn't specifically sniffed out something he'd liked he still would have gone in. Sometimes you eat because you need the nutrients, not because you're out to enjoy the finest cuisine known to (dog)man.

Anyway.

He straightens a little, abruptly changing the topic. ]


You didn't waste any time in honing your skills after we arrived.

[ He means the training yards, he snooped on her a little earlier. ]

1/2

[personal profile] expiera 2022-04-06 03:06 am (UTC)(link)
[To both Ciel's excuse and credit, "wolfboy sky pirate" doesn't sound that impressive when you're acquainted with some "catgirl vampire princess", so she is absolutely judgment free when it comes to chuuni bs. She is very much peering at him innocently tho, without a hint of mockery or derision.]

Specific spice, actually. I thought I picked up turmeric myself, but I couldn't be sure...

[...She's not a dog, but, (sniff),]

[personal profile] expiera 2022-04-06 03:08 am (UTC)(link)
[And then he came in with the sudden topic change, and she completely loses the "girl out in town" air to match him with a noticeably more quiet demeanour within the same beat.]

It was more like running tests. Some things don't work the same as I was used to before, I had to be sure of what before we need to handle anything serious.

[She is mindful of her wording, keeping it vague while avoiding terminology that may attract attention. If business is what he'd prefer, then business she shall accommodate. She did tell him she's a jack of all trades sort, he may have a better idea now if he's truly been peeking.]
lockedon: <user name=cocodar site=twitter.com> (093)

[personal profile] lockedon 2022-04-06 10:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Why was she asking him then if she knew all along....

The fact that she can pick out a specific scent in the mix of all the smells emanating from the restaurant is impressive, though he isn't sure if it's because she's a foodie (maybe) or because her senses are enhanced as part of her whole.....whatever she's got going on. He doesn't ask either, not curious enough to grill her a second time. (At least, not yet.)

He's more interested in the skills she's got tucked away, some of which are surfacing now that they have time, resources, and most importantly, mostly healed bodies which which to push to the limits. His expression turns more curious, head tilting to one side instead of being held stiffly. ]


What did you find out?

[ Even if he doesn't have any notable powers of his own, it's still beneficial to know how others might be faring. ]

[personal profile] expiera 2022-04-07 01:07 am (UTC)(link)
[because different people perceive things differently? maybe he smelled something else? NOT EVERYTHING IS A DIG, EUSTACE! but at least it proves she wasn't out to make fun of his canine features... probably

His head tilt goes unperceived, as she's got her nose back into the menu despite the shift in atmosphere and topic. Call it overly cautious and/or multitasking, but they WILL need to order, and it'd be weird to look too serious over spiced meat.]


That lady already told me what we can do is tied to our perception and expectation of ourselves, which is in line with how the boss was saying everyone has the potential to become strong. [Xishen and the Regent, it goes without say.] To summarize what I've been told, there's no rule to what we can develop. It's common to retain things we were capable of before, and it was verifying those that confirmed for me the fact that there's only limits to how far we can go.

[a beat.]

There's a balancing power in place that dampens capabilities, those it may judge as overwhelming would be my guess. That leads me to believe we all have a similar growth ceiling, some simply start closer to it because of their personal backgrounds.

[She omits specific examples pertaining to tests she may have ran herself, jumping directly into giving him her conclusions over the whole affair. Would that be enough...?]
lockedon: (pic#14244924)

[personal profile] lockedon 2022-04-07 01:39 am (UTC)(link)
[ The boss, huh? Makes sense to call the Regent that, especially while they're out and about and doing their best to fit in, but it still brings an unconscious frown to his lips even if she's technically correct. They are all here to do the Regent's bidding, after all.

Given his own lack of anything considered superhuman and his perception of himself as generally unchanging, it's not surprising that Ciel might have dragged a little more info out of their generous hosts than he had. It makes sense in its own way after some careful consideration; whatever they are here, it's no longer human, which means they're no longer bound to the same laws of physics and nature they once were. (If they even were at all in the first place......lookin' at you, Ciel.)

It's good food for thought but not good food for their stomachs, but that's okay because their neighboorhood friendly waiter is back again! This time with glasses of water and an expectant look.

Are they perhaps ready to order...? ]

[personal profile] expiera 2022-04-07 03:25 am (UTC)(link)
[She also spoke to Xishen in private during the boat trip, that helped with collecting and compiling information. It wouldn't kill to socialize, y'all... Then again, she's probably among the very few of their ranks that has no problems whatsoever with their Aion senpai, hm.

The waiter returns, and Ciel gives her dining companion a gauging glance. He's still being Eustace, so she doesn't wait for him to start. They do say "ladies first", so she doesn't miss a beat as she proceeds to order not just the house special meal set (spiced beef that also comes with marinated cabbage and potatoes on top of rice), but also TWO other full plate dishes of spicy spiced meat, chicken and lamb respectively. Make it extra chili peppers, turmeric, and cumin too, please and thank you!!

...That's more than enough food for two people. Three even tbh? The waiter... Is very polite, simply writing down the order but DOES hesitate slightly at the "extra spicy" request. Is she SURE she wants it the spiciest they serve, the portion isn't small?? She just giggles sweetly and brushes the concern off in response, they're going at it like all this is perfectly normal (which it is, customers making worrisome food orders are a dime a dozen no matter where you are lbr).

It buys him time to decide, if he doesn't know what he wants yet...? They'll finish eventually before getting to him, whether he's staring at the menu or present company.]
lockedon: (057)

1/2

[personal profile] lockedon 2022-04-08 01:20 am (UTC)(link)
[ ........................









Please don't mind him while he stares at her as she rattles off her (extremely large??) order, he's just getting war flashbacks to a coworker of his. ]
lockedon: (b009)

[personal profile] lockedon 2022-04-08 01:25 am (UTC)(link)
[ Why do all the women in his life have a stomach of steel......?

He doesn't have much time to ponder this, Ciel finishing up her order and the waiter turning to him with a look of mild panic. What if this second customer also starts making unreasonable requests? Are they going to have a double homocide on their hands today?? Please no, business is finally picking up......

But luckily for everyone involved, Eustace's own order is succinct: a large bowl of lamb stew, moderately spiced, and a side of crusty bread. The waiter's relief at this Very Normal Order is palpable and they bustle off not long after, only lingering for a few seconds to bow their head and reassure them that their food will be out "soon".

How long is soon? Who knows around these parts.

With the waiter out of their hair, Eustace wastes no time in asking the new question now at the forefront of his mind. ]


Do you usually eat that much?

[ Look, yes, that's a very rude question to ask of anyone, but he's a rude man by nature so it all checks out. ]

[personal profile] expiera 2022-04-08 02:57 am (UTC)(link)
[But ordering more = spending more = more business, ??? Is this waiter new or something, usually you WANT the customer to give more (checks note) jools to your business?

While he orders and the waiter's demeanor deescalates from mild panic to relief, Ciel simply proceeds to take a small sip from her glass of water as if nothing is out of place and everything is A-Okay. She thought about sending the waiter off with a word of thanks and a smile, but ultimately decides against further interaction in consideration of how overwhelmed they appeared. What's got them looking so out of sorts? She didn't do anything wrong... 🤔

And then Eustace is asking another question, blunt as usual. He gets to the point, and that's not something she'd normally complain about!]


...Well, it depends. I just haven't had spicy food in a while, haha.

[She answers back innocently, doing a very good job at making herself look and sound reasonable. It's not like he's calling her fat or anything, this is clearly fine??]
lockedon: (078)

[personal profile] lockedon 2022-04-08 05:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Yes, mmhmm, sure, very reasonable. He can't exactly fault anyone for wanting to enjoy a good meal after too long without, especially when said good meal involves some of their favorites. (Alternatively, maybe he's just jealous that she can eat so much and not get fat. :/)

Instead of following suit and taking a sip of his own glass of water, he sits back slightly, gaze never leaving Ciel. ]


Is that your favorite type of food?

[ Wow, look at him go, trying to converse like a normal human being with actual social skills. How long will it take for him to revert back to usual, stay tuned... ]

[personal profile] expiera 2022-04-08 07:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[Cute OP anime girl privileges baybee fast metabolism, yeah that's what it is

She sure feels Perceived rn... but it's not malicious or anything actually worrying, so nbd.

...

She just nods while still cupping her glass of water, looking almost bashful as if she has a conscience or something. It's not very Girly and she knows ok, shhhh...]
lockedon: (014)

[personal profile] lockedon 2022-04-09 12:47 am (UTC)(link)
[ Is that......embarrassment on her face? Something that isn't generic friendliness or business-like neutrality? It's kind of cute, actually. More than that, her little display of agitation is grounding, a reminder that even though both of them have spent a fair amount of time preparing for the work ahead of them (and rightfully so), they're both still people, with flaws and foibles and quirks.

Some of them with a deep love of spicy food, apparently.

Finally, he takes a drink of his own water, setting down the glass with a soft thunk. His voice is a little lighter this time around, more mild than usual. ]


You could ask them to prepare more spicy food. [ Them = the servants and kitchen staff. ] I'm sure they'd be more than happy to do so.

[ They are apparently delighted to do anything their new masters ask of them, which is honestly a little alarming. ]

[personal profile] expiera 2022-04-09 05:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[look just because she hasn't had great compelling reasons to display more than two personality traits so far doesn't mean that was all she had... that's how personalities work right,

...But he is gracious enough to continue, well, being himself, and honestly? Blunt and to the point are far easier (and more normal) to handle than some of the other weirdoes stuff she's had to deal with. So!

His (earnest and well-meaning) suggestion is met with a sheepish chuckle.]


Aha, I'm sure they would be, but I don't want to bother the citadel staff for every little thing... I could ask them about the specific spices and whether they can be found on Horos though, that's true. I can cook my favorite food myself. It wouldn't be a bad thing to do, if we don't end up too busy with work?

[Working towards the end of the multiverse is just "work" tho, valid right...]
lockedon: (pic#14244915)

[personal profile] lockedon 2022-04-09 08:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[ If we don't end up too busy with work.

Haha, funny joke, he only wishes he could share her optimism about such things. Although it's concerning in its own way that he's more worried about the leisure time afforded to them between jobs than the nature of the "work" they're supposed to be doing.

The reminder of work - and by proxy, of how woefully unprepared and disjointed they are as a whole - has him closing his eyes, a low breath escaping through his nose. ]


You really think we're prepared for everything expected from us?

[ Potential is great and all, but it doesn't matter if they disintegrate into dust with only their Shards left behind before they get the chance to reach that potential. ]
Edited (one day i'll stop noticing typos after i hit post) 2022-04-09 20:19 (UTC)

[personal profile] expiera 2022-04-10 01:48 am (UTC)(link)
[What makes him think she's being optimistic... What if she like saying things despite knowing they're unlikely to happen if ever, what then,

Still, she understands where he's coming from. Putting her glass back down, she props a shoulder onto the table to then rest her cheek in that open palm.]


Honestly, I don't know what's expected of us, so all we can do is prepare in whichever ways we can think of. They reassured everyone that we would be of use and have great potential, and there hasn't been any more details since. I'd like to take a look outside of Achamoth myself, Hylici and Venera both sound like interesting cities. We've been asked to not leave, however...

[Preparation is quite a large jump to dissipation, Eustace?? Not that she'd be very concerned regardless admittedly, freaky undying monster privileges...]
lockedon: (pic#14244911)

[personal profile] lockedon 2022-04-10 02:04 am (UTC)(link)
[ Some of them are plain ol' Janes here, absolute normies? We can't all be freaky undying monsters. :/ :/ Though it's not like Eustace views himself as much outside of being a tool, so he probably wouldn't take issue to being a freaky undying monster if it meant being able to accomplish more.

Regardless, he's not so much worried about himself as he's worried about the rest of their ragtag crew and their ability to perform. ]


Potential doesn't mean anything if it can't be brought out or utilized. [ Once again, he's back to being curt and business-like. ] And preparation means little if there are only a few of us willing to engage in it.

[ Look, not to name names or anything but uhhhhh he's not so sure about some of their group. ]

[personal profile] expiera 2022-04-10 02:28 am (UTC)(link)
[Wow there sure are several Kenomas who are A+ at objectifying themselves in the 🔪 way! At least three to date, 🤝 gang

She admittedly doesn't look particularly worried, but nor does she look relaxed either. Hm...]


What do you propose we do? ["We" she says, even though she really would rather have people who aren't gung-ho about fighting to just stick to the back lines. She doesn't want to force them onto the battlefield if they're not feeling it... But more violent confrontations in their future seem inevitable, alas.] Even if some of us start learning new and useful abilities, practice simulations are very different from actual on-field execution. Then there's also the question of teamwork: we may have been able to do better if we worked together, but that also takes coordination and planning not everyone will immediately get used to. All this is assuming more combat scenarios too, which may not necessarily end up being the case as other things could be asked of us.

[...They're really more or less subtly picking at their coworkers huh,]
lockedon: pid 1664785 (070)

[personal profile] lockedon 2022-04-11 10:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Just two Kenoma, chilling in a restaurant, casually criticizing their coworkers despite only knowing them for a few weeks.

But Ciel brings up a number of good points, Eustace's expression smoothing out from his previous disparaging look to something more benign. Even if insulting others is as natural as breathing for him, he's always preferred to focus his energies on addressing and solving problems, and the mixed experience of their teammates is a large problem at the moment, as far as he's concerned. ]


Mm. [ That's a sound of agreement, by the way, muted as it is. ] But it's useful to have both practice and experience to pull from.

[ Practice so they're not as shaky once they reach the battlefield, and then actual experience to know what areas they're still lacking in. Rinse, repeat, an unending cycle. Sighing, he sits up, eyes closing briefly. ]

Ideally there would be some sort of training program in place for anyone interested, but it seems the Regent is content to let us laze around until the next time we're needed.

[ Can't say he agrees with that but it's not like he's the boss here. ]

[personal profile] expiera 2022-04-12 05:57 am (UTC)(link)
[*casually being professionals because no one else is, apparently, thus a few weeks is more than valid tbqh,

Guess they're 100% talking shop while they wait! Which works out great for the both of them, as unpromising their situation is atm...]


We were told to rest and prepare, but everyone's idea of preparation naturally varies. Xishen is our only guide and reference for all things relating to our status, but some of us understandably aren't eager to approach her. [She's used the Aion's name without thinking despite trying to keep things vague, a slip she doesn't notice as she mulls over the issue.] It may be up to us to take initiative, organize and assist those lesser experienced with combat situations.

[A beat, and she levels her gaze his way.]

Abilities, too.

[He hasn't displayed anything supernatural as far as she knew, despite being clearly a veteran on the battlefield. He could pick up new tricks, isn't that a possibility too?]
Edited (html...) 2022-04-12 05:59 (UTC)
lockedon: pid 30575014 (046)

[personal profile] lockedon 2022-04-15 09:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Can you really teach an old dog new tricks though..... Only time will tell.

For now, he's groaning a little on the inside, because while he agrees with what's being said, the thought of having to try and corral their errant fellow Kenoma is giving him a headache. Bad enough that he has to be someone else's dog yet again, and now he can't even spend most of his days on his own? Truly, this place is hell.

But luckily for everyone involved, Eustace has always been a man to place his own needs second and the needs of the job first, so even though his eyelids droop at the idea of having to organize and assist, he doesn't dissent aloud.

Still, the thought of it is irksome enough that he addresses the unspoken question in the room first. ]


I don't have any. [ To clarify: ] Abilities. And I don't have the type of personality that lends itself well to spontaneously learning new talents.

[ Kinda gotta, like, want things other than revenge for that. ]

(no subject)

[personal profile] expiera - 2022-04-16 04:26 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] lockedon - 2022-04-16 14:28 (UTC) - Expand

1/2

[personal profile] expiera - 2022-04-16 16:23 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] expiera - 2022-04-16 16:23 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] lockedon - 2022-04-17 23:20 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] expiera - 2022-04-19 08:16 (UTC) - Expand