welcome to achamoth

[oomfies]

WHO: Kenoma Aions
WHAT: Welcoming party for the new Kenoma!
WHERE: Achamoth
WHEN: May, a few evenings post the TDM
WARNINGS: None for now!

I. 𝙒𝙀𝙇𝘾𝙊𝙈𝙀 𝘼𝙄𝙊𝙉𝙎! 🍸🎉 As per several many (slightly annoying) communion invitations, come a few evenings past the arrivals of the new Kenoma, there’s a party being thrown in a building just outside the Citadel. And thanks to the combined efforts Misa, Lottie, Gen, Matt, Luo Binghe, Amos, and more, the space is quite inviting. The tables set up are adorned with plenty of vibrant food and decadent drinks, all laid upon gothic, lacy tablecloths. There’s even live music— a small group of Achamite musicians playing the closest thing there is to grunge folk are plucking at strings in the corner. The hosts for the night, Misa and Lottie, stand in the entryway to usher their fellow Aions in. They’ll be busy accounting for everyone being in attendance for the first hour or so of the party (because they’ll start bothering people through Communion who don’t show up), so characters will be free for a while to peruse what they’ve set up: The largest table aside from the one that’s supporting all the fancy finger foods has a placard on it that reads “♡GAME TABLE♡”. This long, long table is taken up half way by shot glasses that have been pre-filled with a clear, fruity smelling alcohol. The other half of the table has a message written by Misa and Lottie: One of the most important missions of tonight is to get to know each other! Learn a thing or two about the people at the party through these games, got it? Or if you know some fun drinking games, teach someone one! By the way, you should also take one of these tally cards and have your partners in your games sign it when you’re done. Everyone who fills it out completely will get a prize 💋 Next to that placard are blank cards with three blank slots, as well as several quills. Getting three people to sign your card seems like it’ll result in you getting a prize! Allegedly. Next to those cards are explanations that Misa and Lottie have written on how to play 1) truth or dare, 2) never have I ever, and 3) two truths and a lie. They’ve even provided a deck of face down cards that have suggestions for truths and dares on them (because they didn’t want anyone to like, dare someone to burn the place down or something.) The truth and dare questions will be pretty innocent and/or jokingly flirty, think along the lines of “I dare you to tell your partner who you think is the hottest Aion on the Kenoma side.” However, characters are under no obligation to use these, and are free to go wild and make up their own. The second area of interest is an area with a black curtain pinned up, and an Achamite artist sitting in front of an easel… that’s right, they’ve hired a sketch artist to take people’s (very quick) portraits, thinking that since everyone can’t take selfies, it’d be nice to have some other physical memento of the party. Problem is, with the budget constraints for the party, they can’t afford to pay for everyone to get one alone - characters will need to pair up! There are a number of small miscellaneous accessories they’ve procured (hats, jewelry, etc.) that characters can wear if they wish. The artist seems a little fickle, though, and may keep asking characters to change poses or, you know, get closer so they can both fit in the frame… Characters who are wallflowers or simply don’t want to participate will be fresh out of luck— Misa and Lottie will be patrolling around the venue after ushering people in to ensure that people are participating. And yes, that means physically pushing two people together that they see sticking to the edges. You are free to handwave that they forced your character into a game or sketch with someone if they wouldn’t willingly participate! By the way, while characters are increasingly encouraged by Misa and Lottie throughout the evening to play with other characters in order to complete their cards, when they actually turn them in to the hosts, no prize will be immediately offered. You can handwave your character receiving a very non-committal “it’s not here yet,” “I’ll get back to you on this,” or “Wow, good job! Talk to me later, okay?” from either Misa or Lottie if they actually go through the effort to turn their card in.

II. 𝙒𝙊𝙍𝘿𝙎 𝙊𝙁 𝙒𝙄𝙎𝘿𝙊𝙈 🗣🎙 After everyone’s had a chance to have some booze, food, and possibly some embarrassing (or revealing?) moments while playing games, Misa and Lottie will signal for everyone to quiet down, and will step onto a small podium that they’ve brought into the venue. It’s during this time that they’ll finally address the group. Lottie speaks first: "Hello guys, how are we doing tonight? I'm Lottie Person, one of your hosts for tonight. Thank you to everyone who came and helped make this event a reality. First, Misa and I really couldn't have done it without everyone who pitched in. Is it cheesy to say it warmed my heart? Maybe.. But it shows that even if we all haven't exactly held hands, we still can come together for the important stuff. And second, thank you to all the new people who joined us tonight. This really wouldn't have happened without you, and we're happy to see such an amazing turn out with both new and old faces. As part of tonight's soiree, we've arranged to have some of the best and brightest people come and talk to us about all the things you need to know to better understand what's going on, and how you're involved." The two of them will introduce each speaker as they come up to the podium and give their spiel. The speeches that take place can be found here. Characters will have the opportunity to ask questions after each speech for clarifications or further details, so long as the speech giver is willing to answer. Once everyone has had their chance to share their knowledge, Misa will thank the speakers, and raise a glass of the closest thing Horos has to champagne for a toast: “That pretty much covers everything, doesn’t it? A big, big thanks to everyone for helping explain all that. I know me and Lottie were asking a lot of you, but we really couldn’t do it all by ourselves…! Some of you are way better at that stuff, ahaha. Anyways, I really hope everyone who came here to Achamoth feels a little more welcome now. I know everything’s been really crazy ever since we all came from those shrines, and it’s been scary, too. We don’t know what happened to where we came from, or what might happen to us… but I don’t feel too afraid. Because in my heart, I really believe in what we’ve all come here to do. And I believe in the Regent’s power. Let’s all remember one thing going forward. We’re on the same team, so that makes us all friends, okay?” She raises her glass. “Together, let’s create an ideal world.”

III. 𝙀𝙎𝘾𝘼𝙋𝙀 𝙁𝙍𝙊𝙈 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘾𝙄𝙏𝙔 🏃‍♂️💨🎭 Following the close of the serious speech section of the party, there’s still a bit more time to mingle before the party ends. Or, under normal circumstances, there would be. Shortly after Misa’s closing speech, some of the Achamite workers who have been hired to work at the party will have worked up the courage to approach Aions directly (particularly those with their shards visible.) Newer Aions may not have had a chance to experience this just yet, with their relative newness to the city, but Achamite citizens treat Kenoma Aions with the utmost excitement and religious fervor. It’s common for them to make generous offerings to Kenoma Aions if they are recognized or if their shard is spotted, or treat the Kenoma Aions in general as celebrities. This can result in your character being badgered with questions and offerings from the few non-Aions in the crowd helping with the party – older Kenoma Aions will recognize this behavior for what it is. Misa and Lottie will also take notice of this starting to happen, and will mentally communion urge everyone to leave the party ASAP before it turns into a meet and greet for overly enthusiastic onlookers. They’ll do their best to divert the attention of anyone getting too nosy by intercepting, but they won’t be able to keep everyone from experiencing this. Any lingering questions about the apparent reverence the Achamites hold for the Kenoma Aions will have to be answered by older Aions — preferably while you make a clever escape. Outside the party venue is the rest of Achamoth, with the Citadel stretching high above into the dark night sky above. You can make a quick return back to the Citadel’s familiar dining halls and bedrooms, or perhaps you want to escape to somewhere else in the city.

Comments

"The Pleroma, the Kenoma, and You"

[affal]

Given the foundational nature of the topic he'd agreed to speak on, Makoto most likely takes to the podium first after Misa and Lottie's introduction. For those that have not yet met this particular demon, he really isn't all that much to look at! Short and slight in stature, he keeps his long, dark hair tied in a ribbon; it's hard to see what else he wears under a large, fur-lined overcoat he wears across his shoulders, but he seems to have dressed well. His strange eyes — pale irises set in blood-red sclera — observe the assembled crowd before he sets to his topic at a smart clip.

"First, I wanted to give you all a brief summary of what we know regarding perhaps the most fundamental and important aspect of our being summoned here: the Pleroma and the Kenoma. You have certainly already heard these terms before, but I will speak on them more in-depth. From what we have been told by the Regent themself, these two forces have existed in opposition to one another for as long as the cosmos itself has existed. Where the Pleroma represents life's inclination toward renewal, preservation, and its dogged determination to perpetuate at any cost, the Kenoma represents destruction, oblivion, and the inevitability that all that is must eventually come to an end. If you remember the dream you had before awakening in your shrine, you saw a vision of them for yourself: the Pleroma, a light at the center, surrounded by the encroaching darkness of the Kenoma."

He pauses briefly before continuing. "We've been told that the cosmos typically fluctuates between both in cycles, but in this one, the Pleroma has refused to allow the Kenoma to wipe the slate clean and destroy its creations, regardless of what negative consequences there may be. As Aions who have accepted the Kenoma, we are here to help this existence reach its destined end, and in return we will help shape the one that follows once it is time for the Pleroma to live again.

"Many generations of Aions have come before us, just as we have, and have fought for this cause over a series of conflicts, but the Regent tells us that the Pleroma has progressively gotten weaker as they've done so. Now, it has grown weak enough that it is within striking distance — so that it can be finally defeated and overcome by the Kenoma."

And... that's just about it! His gaze searches out the faces in the crowd for a moment before he nods, adding, "Should you have any questions, comments, or anything to add, please do so. Otherwise, I thank you for your time."

( ooc: as said above, feel free to comment if your character has anything to ask, say, add, etc.! )

[gravings]

Gray has never spoken in front of a crowd before. The very thought of it burns at her. But this is an important discussion, and so she forces herself to breathe evenly and calm down before speaking up, her soft voice loud to her ears... though anyone listening might need to lean in to hear her.

"E-Excuse me. By 'shaping the existence that follows,' what do you mean? How can we know... that it will really be a better place?"

This world as it is now doesn't seem so awful to her, after all. If Horos were plagued by natural disasters and horrible beasts, she might understand. Then again, she's only seen a tiny fraction of the land.

[affal]

Unfortunately being posed questions doesn't mean Makoto will necessarily have the answers.

His pale gaze shifts to search Gray out, once her quiet voice filters it way to him. His expression doesn't change except to perhaps grow a degree or two more drawn. It's not directed at her but rather the fact that they are still largely acting on partial information — that, and an not unsubstantial amount of faith. He continues in the tone of someone who hates acknowledging there's something (or anything) he doesn't know: "My apologies, miss, but I'm afraid I don't know the specifics. It might be impossible to know for sure."

He pauses, putting his thoughts together, and then continues. "What I can think to recommend is... Whatever pain, tragedy, or injustice you might have suffered before being brought to this place, hold an image of it in your heart. The Regent seeks to create a reality without such burdens, so believe that they will learn from us and do so."

[gravings]

That truly seems like a daunting task, and a result her feeble imagination couldn't begin to envision. But there's also the implication that the Regent is looking to the Aions for inspiration as well, so perhaps they intend to be a responsible and open-minded architect of whatever future they see beyond the current existence.

Her hood bobs slowly in understanding. "Thank you." And so she hits her (extremely low) public speaking limit, falling silent to make way for any other questions.

[subsist]

At its core, Kaeya thinks he can understand the concepts behind the Pleroma and the Kenoma. It isn't the first time he has encountered the notion of duality, and he can accept that for one side to exist, the other must be allowed to as well, but he knows that not everyone will be quick to see it that way. Still, there is one thing he can't help but wonder about.

After Gray sits down, he raises a hand politely to catch Makoto's attention. "One question, if I may," he starts, and a smile comes to him easily enough, "You mentioned that we are here to help this existence reach its destined end. Is that to restore balance? Since the Pleroma has disrupted it?"

He wants to know why the Pleroma refused too, but that might not be an answer anyone in this room can easily provide.

[affal]

These more conceptual matters are probably the least important to them in their day-to-day struggle — what was more important was topics to come, such as who the Regent was and what exactly it meant to be an Aion, as well as what they would expect of them as Aions of the Kenoma. But this information was still important, and he hoped that it might steady some of the wavering new souls out there.

If not, then perhaps time might.

He glances up and takes note of Kaeya's raised hand. He indicates him and listens carefully. Makoto frowns, all too aware that he's peddling secondhand information. He doesn't have all the answers, but he does what he can to elaborate.

"I can only relay what the Regent themself said to us a month or so ago, and perhaps my own interpretations along with it. As I recall, they said the Pleroma's stubborn grasp on this existence is worsening damage that its fabric has already sustained. I'm afraid we didn't inquire further at the time," perhaps a mistake, but hindsight is 20/20... "but based on that, it could be inferred that inaction will only cause the situation to deteriorate further."

He doesn't say so, not wanting to spread wild conjecture while in a place of relative authority, but he has to wonder if that damage to reality's fabric is why their worlds had befallen the fates that they had in the first place.

[subsist]

Makoto's answer does nothing to reassure Kaeya. If anything, his only exposed eye narrows slightly once the other man is done talking. Why doesn't it surprise him that they are being fed incomplete information? Not that it's entirely Makoto's fault, given that others didn't care to press for more information either, but...

"Not surprising," he says, his voice remaining light and friendly, despite his words, "Letting a problem fester is no good, after all. It might become unmanageable in the future."

Of course, that's what he says, but what he's thinking about is entirely different. Lumine is fighting for the other side, after all; he won't accept that the only solution they have is to be rid of the Pleroma. He needs to know if they've been told the same story. That's a problem for future Kaeya though, so for now—

He nods his head, gesturing he's done. "That will be all from me. Thank you for your time."

[impiety]

Dream.

Archangel blinks; he has a hazy memory of what happened before he awoke. He knows it was different than the darkness that he had been trapped in and there were heated discussions that he had. His eyebrows furrow. He can't remember anything else, but he does know one thing -- he feels an intense hatred for the man that is speaking.

Why? His head tilts to the side. Usually, he knows why he feels a dislike towards someone; it is some (minor) slight that they have done which tells him that they are unworthy of being forgiven for the sin of being human -- or in the case of the person talking, being humanoid shaped. Who knows.

He dismisses his rising hatred as a fluke and goes up to greet the one who spoke. "What a wonderful speech that you gave." Holding his hand out, Archangel offers a pleasantly warm smile. "I do appreciate all of you for being so willing as to help us understand the situation that we find ourselves in. This would have been much more difficult if we did not have those that cared as much as you did."

His words sound sincere and unbothered, at least.

[affal]

Having spread his attention throughout the newcomers that the Kenoma had managed to successfully retrieve from the shrines and convert to their cause, he had already taken note that the Archangel was among their number. Given their relatively short encounter, he's not surprised. It was a realization that had come with an immediate wave of irate mania and consternation, but once he had rode that out, he had settled into a reptilian sort of calm. It's fine. Makoto actually prefers to keep his enemies close (a little too close, some might think); all the better to keep an eye on them and better maneuver them for one's own aims and ends.

He'd seen the man in the assembled crowd as he'd spoken, and it's a credit to Makoto's considerable acting skill that he descends the podium and greets his approach with a bright, amiable smile. But something like that, for him, isn't so strange. Considering the murky complications of his relationship with J, how he can hate the man with such immeasurable fervency and yet be completely unable to escape the spell he seemingly has over him, it's second-nature for Makoto to wear a genial mask over his seething rage.

"Ah, you flatter me, sir, but thank you." He reaches out without hesitation to take his hand in a single shake; his hands are soft, seemingly not the type accustomed to any harsh work, and there's not much strength in the gesture either. There are many that would underestimate him for qualities like these, and that's fine by him.

"I can only speak for myself, of course, but making sure that you are all equipped with the same knowledge that we are is a high priority of mine. After all," and as he continues his odd, pale gaze seems to edge itself in a cutthroat keenness, "It would only be a liability to us all if you were so under-prepared, yes?"

[impiety]

"You're welcome."

Archangel takes note of the hands; the softness of them and the gentle nature that the man grips his own. His eyebrows furrow, but he dismisses the feeling of hate that he lingers on. Must be just disliking him for being a person. He easily dismisses it by being entranced with being able to shake hands with someone. If he's able, he may have lingered for a moment with how their hands touched, running his thumb over those soft fingers, before letting the hand go.

"It certainly would be an unfortunate liability if we were not prepared." Letting out a small sigh, he lets his gaze become distant. He thinks for a moment on Dextera -- because when does his thoughts stray that far from thinking about him? Well, I did give those clones a means to know what was in the Neuro Tower and what he needed to do. "Sometimes, even if someone is prepared for everything, they still die."

Yet even as he says that, his lips curl into a warm, pleased smile.

His eyes refocus on the man's face. "Sorry, I wasn't thinking of how nice it was for one of our compatriots to die. I was thinking about something else. Sometimes, that thought makes me very irritated, and sometimes, it makes me quite happy." A tilt of his head. "A vague kind of comment, but all I'm saying is, I let my mind wander as I was talking."

And he laughs; soft and happy.

[affal]

Makoto has no issue with lapsing into passivity to bait out whatever behaviors the Archangel might make; it's not without his risks, but he's morbidly curious enough in the man that he would be willing just to learn whatever he could about him. It's already strange enough to him that he seems to have either forgotten about their encounter or is just as remarkably good of an actor as Makoto is, and... given how easy it had been to rile him up into a furious froth, he would be sincerely surprised if it was indeed the latter.

He pauses for a pointed moment, then replies smoothly, "Yes, that's true."

He can draw his own conclusions for what context lurks behind such a statement — likely the same which colors the contented smile that curls the line of his lips. Whatever guess he might have had seems largely solidified as the man continues to speak. A sudden spasm of fury lashes out in his gut like a swallowed snake, but he maintains his calm composure.

"No need to apologize. You all have been through much in the last few days, and so I would be remiss to hold such a thing against you." His shoulders lift in a slight shrug. "That, and it also simply wouldn't do to be too concerned with our allies' potential loss. Just as we don't want those ill-equipped and uneducated to act as a millstone around our necks, it would similarly troublesome if we were too distracted by their deaths, when they happen." Because they will happen.

His smile remains just as light and as blithe as ever.

"If I don't have to worry about such a thing from you, then I will count myself as relieved." A brief beat. "Might I ask your name, sir?"

[impiety]

"I appreciate your understanding." His head bows slightly, all the same. "I understand that what we are attempting to do is beyond fathoming for most. Death will happen; there will be no stopping it. But the end result will be something where all those sacrifices will be for good."

A slight pause follows. "If I die, I shall hope it will be a good stepping stone for those before and after me." He rests his hand on his chest; his eyes closed. Yes, isn't he just the most perfect member of the Kenoma already? Willing to die for the ideals of creating a new world?

Well, he would be if he could trust everyone else to move forward properly. He doesn't and so he can't die. But he can't very well say that, can he? What he can say is that he accepts the deaths that will happen and not-so-casually add himself to the mix to appear empathetic and sympathetic to everyone else.

"My name? It is the Archangel." A beat. "And it is a pleasure to meet you."

No. No. No!

Something about his voice and his face irritates him. Something about the way that he smiles makes him furious. But why? What is it? Why does he hate him? Is his madness deteriorating his senses that much?

No, no; he's sane. He's saner than anyone else... than everyone else. He knows what the cost of a beautiful, perfect world will be. Thousand, million, billion deaths and the constant suffering of one heinous sinner. His eyes burn a little bit before his expression settles.

What was that? He wonders. Why did his mind wander so much then? Troubling.

"I hope I can be of use to everyone as you are yourself, sir."

[affal]

He'd had a better sense of when a person was telling the truth or lying when he had been a demon, but a human being contracted with a demon was little more than an insect in the web of a spider, deluding itself with dreams of escape as it was slowly interred in silk. He doesn't have that sort of baseline power over anyone here, not freed as he was from the laws of Hell, but that wasn't purely a negative. That his strength wasn't tied to others' perceptions and the fear behind his name... It had been an annoyance at first, considering all the time he'd invested into such a thing, but he'd come to realize it could be a boon as well.

It meant that he only needed opportune timing and planning to make a move, rather than decades or even centuries of consolidating power.

"Their end result will be what is necessary."

Perhaps it's just the wont of a demon, but he chafes at the sanctimony of declaring anything good or ill. He serves the Regent's will because he finds their ultimate goal right but not righteous. Though, given that the man names himself "the Archangel," the lines of diametric opposition between their two ways of thinking are already apparent enough, even without recalling what he had said in the dream. "The pleasure is mine. Please, call me M."

His smile widens, slick as ice. "Of course. I feel the same way. What better can one do than to give purpose to something so meaningless as death?" Of course... Makoto thinks that life is similarly meaningless, at least without either being given it by the one living it or attributed to it by those observing it. But that's just his opinion.

He laughs, the sound light and carefree. "I surely hope so, but, please, don't judge me based on this. Words won't get us very far — it's our actions that will truly decide what we are to both the Regent and the Kenoma."

[impiety]

“Yes, all the suffering will be made worthwhile.”

He runs his tongue along the inside of his mouth, pausing to suck against his teeth like he has food caught in between. What is this hatred? Archangel doesn’t understand it. There is a sheering anger building up in him every short interval. He feels it burning between his eyes and wonders the significance of it.

Is it the black hair that is upsetting him? Reminding him too much of that sinner?

“I suppose the opposite is living and constantly being of use.” Archangel turns his head and lets out a series of soft chuckles. “Being ground into the dirt for the purposes of a better world, perhaps?” His tone shifts to a more joking one, like that is something he would hesitate to even suggest someone be forced into.

He soon sobers up.

“Sorry, that is a bit macabre to say even as a joke. I’m sure there are those that are worried that they are just being used by the Regent.” And that may very well be the case; he pauses to look down at his body, flexing his fingers a few times. His body was reborn in this world, but is he just a clone? A clone that has all of the Archangel’s memories?

“After all, we’re not the original. We’re not who we say that we are. You’re not M, and I’m not the Archangel.” He smiles, it lacks the humor of before. “We are just bodies given their memories and shape. The originals are, probably, dead and gone.”

He abruptly sneers. This is all Dextera’s fault. If he had just listened to me instead of carrying out the madness of his selfishness… our world may have been spared. But even the original is gone. Now there is just these false versions of ourselves.

“So, whatever use we really are remains to be seen. Still, I take heart in the fact that we still have the means to save everyone… once our Regent’s goals are completed, anyway.”