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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
I said I want to be left alone for a little while. Don't give a shit if other people want their servants kissing their asses 24/7. And they're too useful even for me to want to scare'em off -- just want some breathing room. Everywhere in this place is too crowded.
[ -- ah, shit. He hadn't meant to say that. That bit about this place being too crowded. ... ugh, whatever.
Cigarette held between his fingers, he exhales smoke slowly through his nose. Pausing in thought before glancing towards Ciel once more. ]
... you're really in it for the long haul, huh.
[ Getting to know her servants, talking about moving out of the city. Like this really is a permanent arrangement. ]
1/2
I've been told I take things at my own pace [read: people had been polite telling her the same thing about how she has no brakes], but you don't have to put it like that. It's not like you don't understand what I'm getting at or anything...
[Wow she sure would be lowkey
flatteredgrateful if she knew that's what he really thinks, a hella good thing he didn't catch her bleed all over the cavern floors because surely he wouldn't have suchoutlandish misconceptionsthoughts otherwise! That would shatter thedelusionillusion real fast. Helps ("""helps""") that she's basically acting like a completely different person at the moment, having left behind her 'work' persona to be... Well, normal, or as much as one can be given their current circumstances.]Well, I don't know if you've been keeping an eye out and paying attention, but it's rather obvious that most of us aren't used to being treated like royalty. Of course all of this is a lot, and everyone has their own way of dealing with really sudden changes in their lives. ["Crowded" he says, while the Citadel is massive and it really wouldn't be hard to find someplace alone? Had he considered maybe staying in his own room too, just hang a "DO NOT DISTURB" sign on the door or something? The more they talk, the more she's getting the impression that his issue runs deeper than just too many people, too many luxuries, too much space and all that. But he either doesn't want to talk about it and/or is just plain bad at articulating how he really feels... Probably? Probably. At least she's not acting as if she's heard anything strange or unusual coming from him, motoring right on along as if this is a completely normal conversation where he's merely called her out a little.]
no subject
...None of this is going to go away no matter how I feel or what I think. It's not like this is some bad dream we can just wake up from. I know it's easier said than done, but yes, that's why I'm simply doing what I can. We're given a new lease to a new life, and what we want to make out of it is up to us.
[Putting it mildly, the entire supernatural struggle of Pleroma VS Kenoma and their boss the Regent aside. It's never easy, hm...]
1/2
[ A hard drag at his cigarette, the tip glowing bright. He sure is burning through that thing fast. After all, knowing something on a rational level is very different from dealing with it in a practical fashion, and just thinking about how he's going to survive here long-term gives is enough to make him feel a little nauseous. A hard exhale before he goes on, directing his words listlessly at a point in the middle distance. ]
Just saying you're weird for talking like you just ... moved to a new city or something. Like there's not a lot more to think about than leaving the city, or looking for a lizard.
no subject
So after a small pause, he suddenly nods towards the lizard cage. Sorry Ciel, no graceful segues here, just abrupt changes of subject. ]
You're just looking for something that looks like those?
[ Like he gives a shit about some random pets. But being around someone else should get his servant to fuck off for a while, and he can keep his mind off things for a little while by tending to this stupid task. ]
no subject
That may be because this isn't the first time something like this has happened to me, having my situation and surroundings change so suddenly and completely. Are you having trouble with that? Getting used to such a drastic shift in everything?
[She's made a conscious effort to have it sound as benign as possible, but... Well. Getting yelled by someone else is pretty benign too, all things considered, so it's worth a shot asking, if nothing else.
...
Her expression doesn't change, but it does, almost imperceptive, turn a touch... stonier.]
Not exactly, these are supposed to lure Horace out. [The lizards are bait, she mildly corrects him without batting an eyelash.] He's about this big and very, very fuzzy.
[She uncrosses her arms and holds her palms out to makes a vague estimating gesture, a distance of about two feet between them.
...]
no subject
And then, pointedly, he ignores it. He's not even going to dignify it by acknowleding it with a verbal response. ]
So, what. It's a dog?
[ Do dogs even eat lizards? Fuck if he knows. But this place is so weird that he can imagine this place might have random lizard-eating dogs wandering around.
And even before Ciel can respond, he reaches forth to take the cage from her hands, if she'll permit it. Just so he can hold it at armslength and get a better look at its contents. ]
Why not let one of these loose, then. Follow it around, and maybe your dog -- or whatever it is -- will come out.
1/3
She lets it go, both the topic and her hold on the glass container. One second passes. Then two. Then three.]
...
2/3
3/3
Horace is a spider. Spiders eat lizards.
[The
catarachnid is out of the (metaphorical) bag... At least she's telling him about it now, instead of him finding out the hard way?Yet uncannily as if on cue, a faint rustling suddenly comes from a nearby bush.
...]
no subject
-- what?
[ A childhood spent in the sticks playing outside a lot means he's hardly squeamish about insects, but he can't help being incredulous about how ... cliche that is. Really? A creepy gothic city where people have big spiders for pets? The fuck kind of shitty B-tier videogame bullshit is that? ]
Are you fucking kidding m --
[ Still, reflexes are reflexes and the moment he hears that rustling coming from nearby, he whirls around. With his free hand cocked back, like he's ready to throw a punch. At a giant spider. As if that's really the smartest course of action available here. ]
no subject
She's looking back at him Very Seriously, no punking here, swear to God, really! But her attention also immediately shifts to the noise and movement from the bush, though she stays seated and just. Cranes her neck a bit to see, since he's sorta taking up her direct line of vision.
Out pokes one... No, four pair of eyes. And they be like:
👁🥺👁
From a body of SHEER FUZZ. Tarantula, or some species adjacent to it? That sure is a big and fuzzy boi,]
Horace! There you are! Charles had been looking all over for you! Come back now, we even got your favorite snacks!
[She almost sounds chiding. The previously chilling lizards inside the glass container are now Alarmed. They are caged, however, so they have nowhere else to go. Is Gen still holding onto it, after having lowered it? Horace hasn't done anything other than peek thru the bushes, his many long limbs not visible from the foliage just yet. Hard to tell whether he's staring at Gen or the lizards from several feet away however, but he's not getting closer, for better or worse.]
no subject
Or, rather, he'd be more grossed out if it didn't look so ... weird? The huge puppy-dog eyes clash horribly with the mess of fuzz, and it really does look like something that fell out of one of those shitty phone games he hasn't played in ages. And somewhere at the back of his mind, Gen tries to remember from the bullshit he's seen online if tarantulas(?) are venomous. ]
So, what.
[ He's too weirded out to take his eyes off the spider (he is not calling it Horace) for long and only shoots Ciel a brief, irate sideways glance before looking at it once more. And taking a cautious half-step back. ]
You want me to chuck the cage at it?
[ He says, even as he starts rearing that arm back as if angling for a good throw.
Spiders of that size can probably just crunch through a cage like this, right? It's a totally reasonable suggestion, shut up. ]
no subject
We can just go back to his room now, he couldn't come out because he's tied up in something the head caretaker of the orphans has him do. Please don't throw the cage, you may break it too!
[She's sounding more alarmed herself, getting to her feet yet looking no more threatening than some class representative asking the juniors to not run in the school's hallways. The lizards inside the cage have begun pacing to and fro, while Horace has shrunk back into the bushes slightly as its 8 eyes continue to dart between them both. He's a smart giant spider and he's not fan of how Gen is moving, but those ARE his favorite snacks... :/ Hmm.]
no subject
[ Ugh, yeah, this is stupid. He may or may not be regretting his decision to get roped into this task a little bit??? But in for a penny, in for a pound, and he's not about to quit now and come across like a coward.
Besides, now that she's mentioned it, it does seem to be following the cage with those eight ginormous eyes. Gen wrinkles his nose as he experimentally moves the lizard cage in a wide, slow arc to test how well it follows that movement. ]
... you're just gonna lead it where it's supposed to go like this? Is that thing smart enough to wait to be fed instead of just gunning for any food it can see?
[ Which would be the cage. Which, at the moment, in his hands. Like hell he's going to put up with getting tackled by an enormous spider. ]
no subject
Ah, well... He could break it, yes, but smashing the container may have the lizards run away. It's better to open the lid from the top and let Horace take his time.
[It's just some kid's pet that allegedly doesn't have high fellow NPC approval ratings, no one is going to call him a coward for dipping... surely Gen's already gone through way wackier things happening by now than meeting a giant spider that acts like a cat AND a dog? As he's longer seemingly interested in throwing hands with Horace, the curious critter raises up a little from the bushes, its numerous eyes indeed trailing the way Gen is maneuvering the glass cage. Snacc... Tentatively, a couple of fuzzy long limbs poke out from the foliage.]
According to Charles, yes. I suppose the worst he can do is shoot webbing at you? He doesn't jump on people unless Charles tells him to. I think he's plenty capable of catching his own meal, given how dark and humid the citadel corners can get, but lizards are supposed to be a treat. He could probably tell you more?
[Charles, local spider-trainer, not Horace, of course. Is he SURE he wants to tag along till the end...]
no subject
Besides, the spider does look kind of ... cute? Maybe? A little bit? Even though he'd never say the C-word (cute) out loud ever? Gen squints at it as he tries to decide if it really is C-word or not, then slowly moves the lizard cage in a large arc to try and draw the spider out of the bushes and closer to where they're standing. ]
Why would I care to learn more about these things. I'm just not in the mood to deal with a spider bite on top of everything else.
[ Having acclimated a little bit to this whole situation, Gen finally feels at ease enough to tend to his neglected cigarette once more, taking a deep drag before (rudely!!!) tapping out the ashes on the ground beside him. ]
So what do I get for helping you with this. [ Is he joking? Mostly. Though his deadpan sure doesn't make that clear. ] Since this thing only came out when you were talking to me.
no subject
Horace doesn't bite! ...I think. His size may be unusual, but spiders in general being around the citadel isn't. Maybe you could befriend some yourself, they could help you keep bugs at bay? We don't know what summer is like here, but that's usually the worst season for them.
[C-word struggles aside, hope he's not allergic to the F-word even with the lack of human context...?
Oh, but he raises a good point.]
That's true... It's a little uncanny actually, I was looking all over too. Well, what would you like?
[While she's pondering (seriously!!) over this, Gen's success holds: Horace is skittering closer like a cat eyeing a dangling treat, it takes a few more moments before he's fully left his leafy hiding spot behind. He looks like a tarantula, the two halves of his body quite round on top of being fuzzy all over. (Fat, or just healthy...?) His limbs are thicker than human fingers too, naturally, as they need to support the entirety of his body. Whether scary or cute (scute? cutary??), there doesn't seem to be anything aggressive or jittery in his behavior. Some of his eyes do flicker at the fall of ash from Gen's cigarette, but it only causes him to briefly pause before resuming his careful trek. A few feet in distance away, now...]
no subject
[ Still, as dour as his response is, Ciel might start getting the sense that that's just How He Is, as opposed to it being an indication of his mood. Especially since he gives a low laugh afterward, shooting her a sideways glance with eyebrow raised. ]
You really are all or nothing, huh. I wasn't being serious about that, you weirdo.
[ He's a piece of shit delinquent, but he isn't at the level of nickel-and-diming acquaintances over everything. (Yet.) Gen smirks before returning his attention to Horace and waggling the cage a little to get the spider to draw a little closer. Up close like this, it does look a bit like a horrifically ugly dog, he supposes. And it's kind of a fun challenge, getting it to come closer. ]
Just remember you owe me one. [ He's not in the mood to wrack his brains for what he can make this random girl do for him, so he'll just deal with it later. ] Not like we're not gonna be seeing each other around this place, anyway.
no subject
[It's a suggestion and she's just thinking outside of the box, that's all it is. That said, regardless of how he takes it, she is willing to move on without putting much stock in his attitude, quite aware that he could've left ages ago if she really did get on his nerves. Somewhat comparable of an observation in the end, from how he's already noted too that she seems to lack a brake once an idea gets in her head...?]
Well, it's a serious matter! You've been a big help, and I do want to pay you back. But with how this place uprooted every convention we were used to before, it really is difficult to think of something on the spot.
[Which is... Sobering to think about. How a common and simple gesture to express thanks such as treating someone to a meal loses all meaning here, with the atmosphere of the city, what they already have access to inside the citadel thanks to their position, and how they're all given money directly from the Regent. Even if she can take this new life in strides, the incongruities are glaringly obvious for all the small things their circumstances twist along the way. Shadows are cast over mundane and innocuous interactions, which does also include helping a child find their pet that happens to be an oversized spider instead of some regular cat or dog.
"Welcome to Achamoth, Horos", hm...
She huffs out a quiet sigh. Ah, well. At least Horace does appear to be quite well behaved, crawling up to Gen until there's only about a feet away. And once there, he stops and stands still on his large fuzzy legs, 🥺x4 back up at the teen as he waits.]
But yes, of course, if you're sure later is okay! [Patting down her lap and then getting up to her full height, she steps up at his side to take a better look at Horace herself. He really is entirely focused on the glass container...] Please let me know anytime in person or through communion, I'll do my best with any request you may have.
[...What a good boy (???)...
...]
Will you come see Charles with me?
[Horace DOES need to be guided back to his "master", but does Gen really want to see this thru till the end and meet a local brat along the way...]