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

[lockedon]

[ The longer Misa and Lottie fail to blink into existence at his elbow with yet another threat-laced plea for him to go have some fun, the more he can feel himself relax bit by bit. The alcohol helps, the mellow warmth spreading through his veins enough to lift his spirits up to merely mildly annoyed instead of venemously frustrated.

Unfortunately, the absence of their gracious hostesses does not mean the absence of all further woes. Eventually, he feels the eerie sensation of eyes and turns his head to peer through the crowd at.....

Actually he's not sure what he's looking at, other than a figure appearing to wink in and out of existence (????). Is this some secret attraction Misa and Lottie had smuggled in at the last second? A coded message between Xishen and the Regent? No, he's pretty sure he'd seen the woman (?) in the crowd during the speeches earlier, though she hadn't been.....blinking, like this before.

Peeling himself away from his corner, he threads his way through the loose crowd, coming to a stop a safe two feet away from the mysterious blinking apparition. ]

Are you....okay?

[ Kind of a stupid question, considering he wouldn't even know what to do if she wasn't okay. The bow in his hair jostles merrily as his ears flick forward and then back. ]

[spiritfury]

[ She doesn't realize she's been caught until he starts moving in her direction. Rin starts to panic, which only makes her hair float high above her head as she looks for an avenue of escape. She could just phase-walk away--yes, that's what she should do, literally disappear into the crowd and find some--

--oh no! She's been truly caught.

And...and his ears have a bow. ]

I--

[ Say something, Rin! Don't just stare. ]

--I like your bow!

[ Nailed it. ]

[lockedon]

[ Yes, thank you, his bow is indeed very cu—wait, what bow?

He stares at her uncomprehending for about a second before a tiny lightbulb goes off and his hand reaches up to pat awkwardly at the side of his head before his fingers come away with said sparkly pink bow.

He looks at it for a moment. Thinks about his options. Then holds the bow out towards her a little awkwardly, his gaze lifting towards the mass of dark hair just casually swirling above her head. ]

Here.

[ Is he giving her the bow? Asking her to get rid of it? Someone help this sad excuse of a man. ]

[spiritfury]

[ He's...he's giving her the bow. This isn't what she was trying to do. It looked so good on his ears and it seems like most things she puts on end up tattered and bloodied and she wouldn't want that to be done with something this cute--

Oh no, has she frozen? She has absolutely just frozen in front of him.

It's with an awkward, twitching movement that she reaches out to accept the bow and only part of it is from nervousness. There's something about the way her arm bends, though covered with a long black sleeve, that seems unnatural and broken, yet it works all the same. ]

This...is for me? Are you sure?

[lockedon]

I don't wear bows.

[ Despite the single point of evidence to the contrary that's been displayed tonight. Actually it's kind of embarrassing that he's gone so long with one in his hair this entire time, but too late to do anything about it now. All that's left is to dispose of the evidence (by foisting it onto someone else) and hope that said person never speaks about this again. ]

It would look better with your... [ he makes another awkward gesture, this time motioning towards the space above her head ] hair.

[ Can ghosts even wear bows?? Ferry had worn plenty of accessories, so surely it's possible... ]

[spiritfury]

[ He thinks...it would look nice with her hair.

Her fingers spasm and shake but she accepts the bow like it is as delicate as an egg and looks at it as if it were more precious than gold. ]

...

[ A wild and excitable expression flashes across her face, shifting in and out with genuine surprise before she gets ahold of herself again. As gingerly as she can with her nervous limbs, Rin affixes the bow to her hair instead, close to the front where she may have worn it in her school days. ]

How does it look...?

[lockedon]

[ It looks....fine? Why is she asking him this, he doesn't know a thing about women's fashion or what the latest accessories trend is supposed to be (other than the ubiquity of masks throughout all of Achamoth). A brief second passes as he stares at the bow in her hair. ]

Good.

[ Except it comes out sounding more like a question than any statement of fact. Quickly, he tries to change the subject. ]

There are more by the artist's booth. If you wanted a different color.

[ Surely the artist will not mind handing over some of his wares to an Aion? Or maybe he'll be too terrified that there's a ghost in front of him to turn her down. ]

[spiritfury]

[ He thinks...it looks...

Good!

Rin was nervous about attending and almost decided against it, what with fearing making a horrible impression and starting off on a terrible note with her seniors, but this...is so much more than she could have imagined.

Her pale blue skin turns a little purple at her cheeks. She may, in fact, be blushing a little. ]

N-no! This...is very kind of you. I like it just the way it is.

[ It means more because it came from someone else! A new colleague. Yes, this is someone she is meant to be working with, isn't he? ]

Thank you very much...!

[ Rin bows deeply in gratitude, holding it for a painfully long and awkward moment before she finally decides to straighten again. ]

I look forward to working with you in cleansing this world, Mister...?

[lockedon]

[ WHY IS SHE BOWING AT HIM..... It's just a bow? Not even a bow he'd originally planned on giving anyone but here she is, acting like it's the greatest gift she's ever received. Eustace is left frozen in place in front of her, a look of obvious discomfort settling in on his face. Coming to this party was truly a mistake.

For once in his life, he doesn't hesitate in giving out his name, desperate for anything to move this conversation past her gratitude. ]

Eustace. [ This is where any normal and polite person would solicit for the other person's name but instead he asks: ] Are you settling in?

[spiritfury]

Mister Eustace.

[ He doesn't ask for her name so she doesn't give it, used to being known by her moniker anyway. But his name is one she will remember. Eustace who gave her the bow...

...the first gift she's received since she died that wasn't somehow a plea for mercy or a tattered suit to terrify Survivors.

Most of her initial nervousness is gone now with this newfound feeling of...joy? Yes. It's been a long time since she felt it, but it's pleasant and warm. They may only be colleagues but this is a kindness she won't soon forget. ]

Yes, I think so. But I am eager to get started on our mission. Do you think we'll be sent out to meet our enemies soon?

[lockedon]

[ Oh thank the gods, business, he knows how to talk business above all else. Gone is his previous discomfort from before, his expression clearing and spine straightening a little as his whole body swings into focus. Ciel (and probably Lottie and Misa as well) would no doubt chastise him for talking shop during what's supposed to be a festive downtime party, but at least in his defense, he can say that Rin brought it up first.

He is simply doing his duty as a veteran Kenoma in providing information when asked.]

Most likely in a few weeks. To give you [ you being the new Kenoma, that is ] time to get settled in.

[ Does that fall under her definition of 'soon'? ]

Were you a combatant before this?

[ She is so eager to get started.... ]

[spiritfury]

[ A few weeks--

--there's a palpable look of fear and then disappointment that flashes across her face at that. But Rin trie to rein it back in. She...would prefer not to wait a few weeks. ]

...I-I see.

[ No, definitely not soon enough. ]

Yes.

[ At least she feels confident to answer that. ]

Hunting is my specialty.

[ The quality of that word in particular is...off from the timid timber her voice has had up until then. But it comes and goes. ]

...And you, Mr. Eustace?

[lockedon]

[ That sure is some way that she emphasizes the word hunting. It gives him pause and has his brows furrowing, unsure if he's actually heard right or if it'd been some figment of his delusions brought on by social awkwardness.

He chooses instead to focus on her apparent disappointment over their impending weeks of respite, briefly answering her question before circling back around. ]

I was a soldier. [ Of a sort. ] I'm used to fighting in wars.

[ Sort of. Enough about him though. ]

I'm sure there are resources you could make use of in Achamoth if you wanted to [ hm ] brush up on your skills.

[spiritfury]

[ A solider. Yes...in some ways she is a soldier too, isn't she? Was, is. Doing the bidding for a larger power with the intent of receiving her due reward in the end. She won't pretend it's selfless service--far from it. The only reason she's here is to enact her own desire for revenge. ]

Then you understand...

[ Or so Rin believes, at least. Surely he must understand that waiting for battle is the hardest part.

The thought of not having to stand around idly, however, clearly piques her interest. Rin's eyes widen. ]

Really? Where? Mock trials? Training grounds?

[lockedon]

[ Mock trials...? He's not sure he can help her there, maybe someone else can, but the latter at least he has experience enough with. ]

There are training grounds in the Citadel, and any weapons you might want available for use.

[ Unless she's the type to fight with her bare fists...? That would be impressive, if so. His gaze drops to her hands momentarily, trying to discern the presence of any callouses. Though, really, are incorporeal beings even limited to the same physical rules that bind the rest of them?

Maybe he should watch her one day as she trains. ]

If you let me know what you need, I can prepare it for you.

[spiritfury]

[ Training grounds...it's not quite the same, but she will take it. And he's even offering to help her out? He's given her a gift and is still wanting to help her?

This...really is a special day! ]

...That is very kind of you!

[ She smiles, a little privately but she's clearly feeling very fond at the moment. ]

I have my blade, I just need an appropriate target to wet it.