The Door Opens

[lachtara]

WHO: Emet and open to any Kenoma
WHAT: After being confined, Emet gets out and explores
WHERE: Various locations around Achamoth
WHEN: Three days after this.
WARNINGS: None right now.

After his exit from the dinner party, Emet-Selch appears in his room amidst a billow of black and purple. He can immediately sense a change in the air, as if there are eyes watching him from some undefined place. The presence is the familiar one from the Dining Hall.

He inhales deeply and sighs. "Oh? Have I earned your attention now? How gracious." He takes a few steps to a luxurious cushioned chair and sits. As if in reply, the bolt on the door to the room clicks shut.


I. Days Later, The Door Opens
It becomes clear that the room is meant to be his prison. With no clear exit, fixtures that are impervious to magic or tampering, no assistance from the outside, and no food or water, the thought does arise on whether it is meant to be a grave as well. 

Three days on and the lack of nourishment has made him weary. Thinking turns difficult, as does all else. He resigns to sitting in the same cushioned chair with his head resting on the back, eyes closed as he tries to gather his thoughts for a viable solution. There is a book on his lap that he has since stopped reading for lack of clear focus.

It's then that the bolt to the door clicks noisily, indicating that it is unlocked. He drearily peeks at it from across the room.

Emet-Selch stands - steadies himself with a hand to his forehead - and makes for the door. Finding some food and water would need to be the utmost priority.

II. The Library
It seems that the natives take particular 'notice' of his presence. People part in an effort to avoid him as he moves through the crowd on his way to find the Library.  Many give the mark on his wrist a disapproving glance. Nevertheless, Emet-Selch can't help but give a small smile of delight. "A true blessing to move about wholly unbothered." He comments. Perhaps the Regent's ire is owed a commendation for this one thing.

He sighs. "Although that does make finding the Library a much more laborious task." So he explores as much as he can in order to find a room filled with books. Perhaps it would have more about this world. Or the meaning behind the sigil he now bore.

III. Magic Lessons
With that excursion out of the way, now comes the matter of looking for a place to work. There must be some open field or facility meant to train individuals - this city has a military, after all. So he sets out to explore the Citadel. 

Once he finds a suitable open area, Emet-Selch begins to work. His magic has been strange to him since arriving and this is a good opportunity to work on it with so few people vying for his attention.
 
He lifts a palm into the air and tries summoning his creation magic to make the smallest of things. Any observers may see him motioning at nothing in the air with his palm, a few glimmers of magic sparking in the air now and again as he tries to conjure. Frustratingly, nothing seems to take form...

IV. Other?
HMU If you'd like another prompt!

Comments

library, i promise he will be more chatty after this tag

[lockedon]

Whenever Emet finally does find his way to the library proper, he'll find another of his fellow Kenoma already there, seated alone at a table with a small books tidily stacked next to him. Eustace looks up from his reading right around when Emet saunters through the archway, his ears sensitive enough to pick up footsteps from outside in the hallway. He expects any of the other Kenoma, or even a servant, so it's enough of a surprise to see Emet - particularly after the fuss that was That Dinner - that his eyes widen ever so slightly, brows lifting up.

It's more surprising to note how the library attendants don't go rushing up to Emet the same way they had for him. There's clearly more to the Regent's disapproval than mere verbal chastisement. He supposes he owes Emet a favor for finding out for the rest of them what defying the Regent entails, intended or otherwise.

Instead of being helpful though, or even concerned, Eustace simply watches from his seat. He's always been more reactive than active, preferring to get a handle on a situation first instead of rushing in straightaway. If Emet addresses him he'll answer, otherwise he'll watch just a little bit longer....

That's Fine!

[lachtara]

Emet-Selch takes his time picking out a few books of his own. They're interesting-sounding titles about the history of the world, the landscape, weather patterns, technology, and basic science. Then he looks for a place to sit.

There are mostly empty tables now that the citizens have all but abandoned the library, save one with a distantly familiar face from the weeks past. Emet-Selch purposely walks past them just so he can catch a glimpse at what they have chosen to read. He takes a seat at the unoccupied table next to them and then he cracks open the first book in the pile that he's gathered.

A long pause follows.

"Have you found anything that piques your interest?" He asks without looking up from what he's reading.

[lockedon]

As Emet goes about his business, Eustace slowly turns his attention back towards his book, though one ear stays swiveled in Emet's direction. His own stack of books is nothing special; most of them (including the book in his hand) are titles regarding the Regent, with one on the history of Achamoth and another on the local religion shuffled in somewhere at the bottom of the pile. He hasn't had a chance to get to those just yet.

For a while, there's nothing but the sound of languid footsteps and pages turning filling the air. Eustace doesn't forget that there's a fellow Kenoma in the room, but he does relax in his seat, focusing back on his current choice of reading material. It's not until Emet speaks some time later that Eustace refocuses his attention, gaze flicking up away from his book.

And then back down, when he notices the other man isn't looking at him. His voice, when he replies, is cool, with almost a touch of (feigned) boredom to it.

"Only history, if that's what you're interested in."

More specifically, history of their beloved new boss, the Regent. Unsurprisingly, most of it's written with a highly positive spin

[lachtara]

"Indeed. We find ourselves as strangers in this world so it would be beneficial for us to learn of it."

Though it may be superfluous to do so, he lifts the book that he's reading up so that the text on the spine may be seen - a clear indicator that he is also reading history as its description is something to that effect. "This one claims to be World History. I gather you have something different, judging from the title on yours."

[lockedon]

Hmmm. Maybe he can borrow that one when Emet's done with it. Though he's not sure how much he'll understand of it; even if the basics are the same (the prevalence of economics, the fervor of religion, to name a few), all the names take some getting used to.

Eustace isn't nearly so forthright as Emet as to openly display his book for the other man to read, but he is at least willing to provide more of a description than he had before.

"A history about the one in charge of all of this." Said with a slight nod of his head towards their surroundings. No guesses as to who he might be referring to. As he says that though, he frowns, looking a little displeased. "Though it's less a history and more a book of praises."

How absolutely shocking.

[lachtara]

“With the amount of regard I have seen, I would not expect anything within these pages to be objective on that subject. The written word will always be skewed in favor those who rule.” Experience has given him an amount of authority in that matter.

“Harboring curiosities about your host?”

[lockedon]

Written and spoken both, as far as he's observed. He remembers the sailors on the ship ride here, turned immediately wary and nervous as soon as he'd asked them about the Regent, and the citizens that had cheered at their arrival. Only a fool would believe everyone in the city to be wholly loyal to the Regent, but sniffing those people will no doubt be a task in and of itself.

At the question, his eyes flick to the bodies that linger still in the library, the silent ears and eyes that are no doubt watching their every move. Carefully, he turns another page in his book.

"I prefer to make my own judgements of people whenever possible."

So, yes, he's harboring a whole lotta curiosities, both about the Regent and Achamoth as a whole. His eyes turn back to Emet, curious.

"You? You didn't exactly receive the warmest welcome at dinner."

To put things lightly.

[lachtara]

Emet-Selch gives a good-natured shrug. "I was hoping that they would be much more receptive to my suggestions." He says honestly. Although it was not his entire motivation for making a show of it.

"Though the Regent has seen fit to treat me unfavorably for my observations, it does not change the truth in what I said: We blundered a strategic advantage and our group was unprepared for a fight. We need to amend that in the future if we are to stand a chance to succeed." Some looked as though they had never participated in a fight in their life.

Emet-Selch idly puts a palm over the mark he received from the Regent - drawing attention to it without explicitly pointing it out. "Regardless, we share a common goal. I intend to make sure that we succeed."

[lockedon]

It seems like he and Ciel aren't the only ones considering the level of preparation (or lack thereof) of their fellow Kenoma. But he doesn't immediately mention as much, always preferring to keep his cards close to his heart until pressured to show them. His gaze does turn thoughtful though, more contemplative rather than judgemental.

"And how do you suggest we amend that? Start up a training program of our own?"

As far as he's aware, the Regent seems more than content to let them do as they please for the time being.

[lachtara]

"The other option being to let our allies flounder on their own and succeed in finding death." He says by way of 'yes'. "Our chances will improve - as will theirs - if they are shown how to adequately defend themselves and given a competent plan of action."

[lockedon]

Not a suggestion he's keen on, letting his comrades fuck up and get themselves killed. Not because he holds any particular fondness for any of them or anything, but he would rather not look terrible by association. Which leaves them needing some kind of plan of action, as mentioned.

What, specifically, though? That's the question.

"Do you already have a plan of action in mind? You seemed to have a lot you were ready to say before the Regent cut you off."

[lachtara]

"To organize, yes. Training should be our utmost priority while we are in the city." Where they are reasonably protected and could explore their abilities without disturbance.

"However, a plan to redress our adversaries will take time. We lack the necessary knowledge about our environment, our abilities, and this world to make competent strategic decisions." Anything they do now would be as haphazard as the battle in the Throne Room.

Emet-Selch holds up his book to demonstrate that he is clearly making attempt to rectify the problem of 'knowledge'. "And we must take hold of every advantage we can."

[lockedon]

All valid points, Eustace nodding along as he listens. They absolutely do need information, but unfortunately what they really need isn't going to be found so easily just by sitting around in a library. Even with access to maps, there's only so much they can learn about the world they now inhibit without an actual visit out of the city.

Which might be difficult, especially for certain parties involved.

For now, he's content with following his man's lead, and Eustace turns back to his own book, flipping another page.

"You sound like you know what you're talking about." Which also means Eustace would rather have this man's help than not. "It would have been helpful to have been able to hear what you said."

Before certain, ah, things happened.

"There's a few of us looking to put together a training program for any interested, and an overall plan of action once we have more resources at our disposal. Your help would be useful."

[lachtara]

The thought of being so involved does not invoke a fond expression. While he has taken an active role before, he is much more accustomed to working from the shadows. Nudging man toward his goal.

He lifts his arms into a shrug. "...Fine." Suppose he would have to lend what skills that he can. "It would be capricious of me to take issue with their training only to refuse to take part in it."

[lockedon]

Eustace lifts an eyebrow at that. An agreement is an agreement, regardless of how reluctant, but unlike some (currently not present) parties, he has no desire to force anyone into doing anything they're not wholly interested in.

"If you're not interested, you can simply say so."

He hadn't been lying when he'd said Emet's experience would be valuable to have, but there are a good number of them gathered here. Surely it would be possible to find somenoe else.

[lachtara]

"Indeed, I can," Emet-Selch says firmly to acknowledge the point, but also say in so many words that he's not going to refuse. He can say that he wants to without going as far as saying that he wants to.

[lockedon]

Why you gotta be like this, Emet?

But Eustace isn't going to quibble over word choice when there are more important matters at hand. His gaze lingers on Emet a moment longer before returning to his book.

"We'll loop you in when the time comes then."

We, because he's definitely not about to do all of this alone and truthfully wouldn't have agreed to make any sort of group effort at all if there hadn't been a second person at the wheel.

"Were you in your room the entire duration of your absence then?"

[lachtara]

"Indeed." He confirms.

"It seems the Regent saw fit that I was not to leave it. Be that for speaking to others or procuring anything necessary for survival." Perhaps why he's been a bit more peckish than usual.

[lockedon]

Between the apparent grounding (what, are they children in the Regent's eyes?) along with the cold shoulder, it's blatantly obvious that the Regent has little tolerance for any of them stepping out of line. He'd surmised as much over the past several days, but it's one thing to think something and another thing entirely to watch it unfold before his very eyes.

Eustace sighs a little before flipping another page.

"I suppose it could have been worse."

Assuming, of course, that what he's heard of is all there is to it.

[lachtara]

"You've a point. I suppose they could have lingered inside my room over those few days, watching whatever they pleased." His voice turns decidedly less cheerful. "Oh. My mistake. They did." He's not frustrated at all.

[lockedon]

Who knew the Regent had such a voyeuristic streak?

Jokes aside, the casual admittance of the Regent's scope over everything that happens in the Citadel is unnerving, to say the least. He'd be a fool not to have assumed a certain level of power from a being able to pluck them from their worlds like petals off a dying flower, but listening to someone experience such things firsthand is different than drawing up unsupported theories.

"How do you know they were watching?"

[lachtara]

"It is difficult to describe, but one can notice a familiar presence in that room. As if someone sees you without seeing." At least, that's the best way he can think to explain it. "It makes one wonder how far-reaching it could be."

[lockedon]

Creepy. He can feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand up at the description, one that does a good job of conveying the sensation to someone unfamiliar. Pissing off the Regent's never been high on his list of tasks to check off, and now he's even more resolved to stay in line for the foreseeable future.

"Did you suffer any other ill effects that you noticed?"

There's no guarantee he'll meet with the same punishment in the event he makes a mistake, but might as well glean what he can regarding the possible fates awaiting him.

[lachtara]

"Indeed." It's said with a sigh. "Nothing I care to elaborate on now, if it is all the same." Perhaps something that could be mentioned at some time in the future.

[lockedon]

Considering that they barely know each other and have no reason to trust each, Eustace accepts the answer for now, even if he finds himself curious as to the other consequences of having gained the Regent's displeasure. No doubt it's been a trying several days. If the man wants to keep quiet, then he'll simply have to ask a different day.

"I'll let you finish your reading then."

Presumably he doesn't want his whole afternoon hogged by a nosy teammate.