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welcome to achamoth

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.

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[She pats his shoulders gently, looking down at him until the artist directs her to "look up, please!" Trying her absolute best not to fidget, to stand still and set her gaze on the Achamite.]

I did. I made it out to the Visionary shrine, at the end. [Meteion looks to see if her quarry had made it to the party; he'd be impossible to miss.] I don't see him here, but he's really tall! You'd know if he were here.

[Not that she's sure Eustace would be the type to want to meet Zenos viator Galvus. Not to mention that Zenos viator Galvus isn't the most sociable of individuals, either...] He's kind of intense, though.

[hello, understatement!]

[ Now Eustace absolutely has to go meet him, if only to scope out this (apparently really tall???) person that seems to snagged a spot as Meteion's newest friend.

For now, he settles for a quick scan of the party from his seat in the chair, feeling only a twinge of disappointment when he fails to see any notably tall people milling about. Guess he'll have to settle for a verbal description of the man insetad. ]

Intense how?

[ Plz explain. ]

I think his greatest joy and love is fighting. Maybe his only joy and love. [That might be an understatement, too, but Meteion doesn't know Zenos that well, yet--it's questionable as to whether or not they even know each others' names, at this point. The topic may or may not have come up; if it hadn't in their exchanges at the shrine, that is likely why she doesn't name him...]

He didn't fight me physically. [Obviously. She's still here and standing, not regenerating from her shard or recuperating in bed somewhere.]

I'm not sure he'd be happy to know how I really feel either--we had a battle of wits, and he drank the Kenoma stuff. [This is matter of fact. If Meteion is proud, she doesn't show any evidence of it. Zenos, likely, would disagree.]

[ A man whose only joy and love is fighting, huh? Not exactly the most compelling of recommendations, but he supposes better a man with a lust for battle than someone too cowardly to leave their room. They (the Kenoma) haven't exactly made for the best showing so far, so it can only be a boon to have someone on their side willing to fight, no holds barred.

But—ah, he looks down at her last simple comment, a brief flicker of curiosity blossoming on his face. The painter sighs and redirects him to look back front, if you please. ]

How you really feel?

He takes joy in fighting. We did not fight. I...I didn't trick him, but if it was a battle of wits, for all that he is also clever, he did not come out the winner.

I think he might be upset with me--quite a bit upset--if he realized.

[But so far as Meteion knows, Zenos hasn't figured it out yet, and so she's. Probably not safe, but not in any real danger, yet. She shrugs, but it's quick enough that the artist doesn't have a word to say to her. Yet. The bird hasn't looked down, but her face seems very carefully locked on that of the artist.]

I don't want to let on. It might be difficult for me, if I do. You see?

[ He considers her words thoughtfully, expression mild. Meteion certainly has a point; from a physical standpoint, she's certainly ill-suited for battle, looking both small and frail. The thought of her getting injured in a fight makes his heart hurt a little, and he's glad she'd managed to finagle her way out of battle with a man with a lust for it. ]

That was very smart of you.

[ Good job, little bird. ]

Though I don't believe he has any right to be upset or angry with you. It doesn't sound as though he's very considerate of the needs of others.

[ A bit ironic given that Eustace also doesn't usually care about the needs of others. But somehow it's different when it's an adult potentially mistreating a child. ]

I don't think he is. He's very...bored. Like you might have to prove yourself to him. Or else he'll overlook you. And it feels like it's difficult to prove yourself. He's strong.

[Meteion doesn't really have any idea how strong, either. She'd never met him on Etheirys. She isn't familiar with Zenos viator Galvus, or who he really is...but she ducks her head slightly as Eustace tells her it was smart of her. Only for a moment, though--she knows the artist will complain if she doesn't return to the pose.]

It is what it is, though, I guess. Did you go out to the shrines? I can't imagine you wouldn't have. It'd make more sense for me to have stayed behind. The Regent might be mad I did go, but they can't argue that I achieved results. Or a result, at least.

[ Note to self: never challenge this guy to a fight without carefully researching all his skills first. Not that Eustace particularly enjoys fights for the sake of them; unlike some of the rowdier Kenoma around the Citadel, he's always preferred spending his free time in a more peaceful way.

He also can't imagine the Regent being angry at any of their Kenoma going out as directed, for better or worse. As far as he can tell, they seem to value devotion to the cause even at the detrimental risk to health. ]

I'm sure they're proud of you for going.

[ They better be, after what Meteion's managed to accomplish. ]

And I did. Not with much success.

[ True, he had brought Gray back but he's still conflicted about it, because bringing a child in to participate in a war hardly seems the right thing to do. But at least here they have resources on their side. If he just keeps an eye on her...

But speaking of—his gaze lifts to scan through the crowd. ]

I did bring one person back though. They're close to your age.

[ Maybe they can be friends... ]

No? Did you not find anyone? [No, he said not much success, not no success. So he had some, but...not good? Meteion can't believe that. But she watches him scan the crowd, head tilted, listening.]

Ohh? You did? They are? [Though that, she figures, is close to the age she looks--she's always looked like this, however, and Meteion's not inclined to correct Eustace. It'd probably just bring a lot of confusion, and there's not really any need for that.]

Where are they? I'd be happy to meet them!

Edited (I know I'm tired when I forget to close my brackets...) 2022-05-10 21:22 (UTC)

[ Hard to seek out Gray in the crowd, especially when she's short to begin with and always shrouding herself in a hood of some sort. He thinks he might see her off in one corner? But it could also be a trick of the light. ]

Her name is Gray. She wears a hood around her face most of the time. She'll probably startle if you sneak up on her too suddenly.

[ None of these are at all useful descriptors in finding an unfamiliar face in a crowd but apparently it's what Meteion has to work with right now. His lips turn down in a slight frown, thoughtful instead of concerned. ]

She doesn't seem like the type to enjoy being the center of attention, so you might have better luck finding her at the edge of the room.

[ Assuming they don't both get roped into some sort of game before that. ]

I'll look for her. I'm not terribly sneaky, unless I'm trying really hard. So I hope I don't startle her. Or not too badly! But I'll look for a hood. There are probably three of us hooded, here. My friend Majorita is wearing a similar outfit to mine. Her retainer picked them out! Miss Charlotte is really nice!

[It would be difficult to pick Meteion out amongst a gaggle of younger children, now, with the way her speech shifts a little bit. But it's clear she's less troubled with the topic of making new friends than the events at the shrines.]

I'll look for her, though. If she's really shy, you're probably right, and I don't want to make her self-conscious...she might be already.

[ He almost cracks a soft smile at the flurry of words that spills forth from her lips. It's a nice break from the false humor and self-serving actions he's gotten used to from the majority of the Aions he's encountered in the Citadel thus far. Though he can't say he recalls much about this Majorita that Meteion speaks of with such warmth. ]

It looks nice on you.

[ The outfit that she's so proud of. He doesn't really have any inkling of the sorts of trends that are popular in fashion these days but the dress seems to be made of quality fabric and it fits her more petite body well. ]

Do you spend a lot of time with Majorita?

[ Small talk isn't a particular strong suit of his and his words come out sounding a little awkward because of it, but there isn't exactly much else to do while they're stuck in these positions for now. ]

I think I get on her nerves sometimes. Also because I don't think she's used to having friends. Not a lot of time, but enough.

[It's not self-deprecating. Meteion is honestly more amused here than anything else, though if the demoness knew, it'd likely annoy her. Majorita insists that they aren't friends. Meteion ignores this. There might be a hint of impishness in her demeanor, now. As for her dress, she does a little spin to let the fabric of the skirt flare.]

You think so? I like it! Though I probably should have picked a different color. I really stand out here. But so long as it doesn't anger the Regent, it's nice, and I do like it!

[ Cute.... Though admittedly the painter particularly cute, the movement enough to disrupt his work and lead him to frown up at his pair of Aions. But Eustace finds it charming, enough that a small smile flickers across his face. ]

Do you not like standing out?

[ Somehow he gets the impression she sticks out regardless, both due to her size and general personality. ]

It's more...I've heard that white insults the Regent? I don't think it's a good idea to insult them, and I surely didn't mean to. But I was given this dress, and it's pretty, and I wanted to wear it. So I did.

[Meteion chuckles a little, smiling. Unconsciously, she's following Eustace's train of thought.]

I sort of can't help standing out. No one else here looks like me...and usually I'm fairly cheerful compared to some of the others. But I am who I am.

[ So she notices that she stands out. It's not so surprising; despite her short stature and guileless behavior, there's a certain maturity to her words and actions that don't fully mark her as the child she appears to be. Then again, he hasn't spent much time around children in the past decade or so. Maybe his perception's gotten a little warped over the years.

But he does know that he likes her just fine the way she is, and hopes she isn't forced to change. ]

As long as you like who you are, that's all that matters.

[ Of course, given where they are and who they're meant to serve, maybe things are a little more complicated than that. For now, he's content to let things remain as peaceful as possible.

His eyes travel to her head, and the small wings (he thinks?) growing out the sides. ]

I've never seen anyone with wings like yours before.

[ Says the man with animal ears on his own head. ]

For the most part, I do! [The bad memories of destruction she and her sisters have caused, not so much, but Meteion's not going to admit to that. She makes no attempt to lie, per se, but life feels so much better when we just avoid the truth.]

From what I understand, there are folk who sort of resemble you on Etheirys, but I don't think you are one. Not that I mean that to offend! Far from. You're yourself.

[Meteion shrugs at that, but smiles.] I'm how Hermes made me, I suppose. And my sisters, too. Small, compact. Easier to take flight and soar through space, that way. Though I was the contact for the rest, and stayed near him, normally.

[ From anyone else ~~Dokja~~ and phrased in any other way ~~still Dokja~~ he would have been offended by the assumption. But Meteion is polite, self-aware, and most importantly cute, and so her words simply wash over him with little fuss.

He does see fit, however, to provide a soft explanation on what he actually is. ]

Where I come from, I'm known as an Erune.

[ It's not much of an explanation but at least it can provide a frame of reference in case she ever needs it for the future. Though all things considered, what he is seems so much more insignificant in the face of what she is and what she no longer has. ]

Did you wish you could fly alongside them more often?

[ Or was she the type to stay content with where and what she was? ]

There aren't any folk like that where I am from. That I know of, at least. [Meteion didn't think there were any Erune on Etheirys, but she didn't know. She'd never been further than Elpis, and really, the star was so much larger than she'd known, so she couldn't say.]

I... [Meteion starts, and considers Eustace's question, then. Did she? She liked Elpis well enough, and the knowledge she has now, of how lonely it had been for her sisters, there between the stars...how would things have turned out, had she flown with the rest of the Meteia?]

I think I'm content to keep my feet on the ground. At least back there. I've done a bit of flying around Horos, though. It's nice, here. Even with the knowledge that it needs to be rebuilt.

[ There's a soft sound that echoes in his throat, quiet acknowledgment of her words. Beyond what little he'd managed to see of the Firebrand shrine, along with the makeshift camp they'd all lived in for their first week in Horos, he knows little else of the land. ]

You've been outside of Achamoth, then?

[ The curiosity in his voice is stronger now. ]

I've done some flying around Achamoth, and I flew to the Visionary's shrine, It wasn't an easy flight, but I made it.

[Meteion shrugs, then. She'd made it, and she'd brought back Zenos, so it had all been worth it, in her book. She blinks up at Eustace, and smiles slightly.]

Is there anything you want to know? It's very green, most of it. [She chuckles a little at that, because honestly, Meteion figures that might be something of a given.]

Green, huh?

[ That sounds nice, truthfully, and there's a little bit of wistful longing that peeks out his voice. Nicer than Achamoth, even if it too has small bursts of garden and park here and there. But little squares are different than the prairies and forests he'd grown up in and misses still.

It might be nice to get out of Achamoth, whenever the Regent finally lets them.

But it looks like the portrait artist is finally ready to set them free of this session, setting down their brush and waving their picture at them, if they'd like to come see? ]

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welcome to achamoth

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