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]

[ It would be better for the both of them if she wakes up assuming this was all some weird dream, because then he doesn't have to awkwardly deny it ever happened. Misa is weird and annoying and more than a little obsessed with some boyfriend who doesn't even seem to care about her wants (what the hell is up with that, honestly?) but she's young, with room to grow and learn. To make better life decisions than the ones he had.

(If only he knew.)

Predictably, he once again doesn't answer right away, stacking a few more cups together for the rest of the clean-up crew to take away and wash before turning back to face her. ]

Depends. What is it?

[ If it's something stupid, he's not answering. ]

[lifespanned]

[ Her brows furrow with the concentration needed to convey what she's trying to ask. ]

Do you act this way towards everyone?

[ It comes out bluntly, and more innocent than the meaning of the words themselves sound— but she is serious about it. The initial trek to the cavern, he'd showed her the very same tough love kind of courtesy. And he'd bandaged up her wounds despite grumbling about it. And now he's looking after her in a roundabout way again... a little hiccup comes from her, but other than that, no further sound. It seems she won't elaborate on what "this way" means. ]

[lockedon]

[ Wow, how terribly vague. That's supposed to be his schtick, saying things that people aren't sure how to interpret. He lifts one eyebrow at her, otherwise unmoving. ]

'This way'?

[ Now he's just being shitty.

Truth be told, he's well aware of what she's asking, but at the same time he's unwilling to admit that he cares more than he lets on, both about her and several others in attendance earlier that night. Personal attachments don't get a person very far in life, and he can only assume it holds doubly true in a place like this, full of shadows and secrets and people who don't have a whole ton left to live for.

But he did say he'd think about answering, and he's had enough alcohol by this point to feel a little more sentimental than usual, especially after those last two shots he's downed. He can give her an answer, though maybe it won't be one she likes. ]

Only if I think they need it.

[ Is that an insult towards Misa? A statement towards the types of people his kinder nature bleeds out towards? Who knows! Regardless, his fake dad behavior isn't over yet. ]

Finish your water.

[lifespanned]

[ Under normal circumstances, she might have reacted hugely, gotten offended at the implication that she needs to pitied. But her reaction here is more subdued, only a faint raising of her brow. His acknowledgement that he is doing any of this on purpose is enough to satiate her curiosity, so she does what he says, leaning back fully on her chair while she slips her eyes closed. ]

Thanks for worrying about me.

[ She says, smartly, teasing him. Because that's what it is, even if he won't say it out loud, right? Or something close to it. The friendships she'd had at home, those had all felt superficial in some way after she became a Kira supporter. Here, though, they're all on the side of the Regent. So it feels more authentic to become acquaintances with someone here, even if the other Kenoma don't know her too well yet. Being shown kindness, while being able to bare even a small part of her true self... ]

But don't worry too much. I'll be just fine, no matter what comes. [ The seriousness of her words is undermined by the dizzy drawl her words take on. But there's a certainty there, an awareness of the matter at hand that she typically hides underneath her naïve, ditzy persona. ] Aren't you gonna tell me who else "needs it?" Or is that everyone in your book...

[ There's a devilish note to her implication, and with that, she swallows down the last of the glass, holding it up to him with a very there, happy? lopsided grin. ]

[lockedon]

[ I'm not worrying is what he almost says, the automatic retort rising to his lips before he suppresses it back down. Based on what he's observed (and experienced) of Misa thus far, trying to argue with her on anything is a fruitless endeavor. So he lets her talk, listening with only half an ear as he finishes sweeping the worst of the crumbs off the table.

It's probably true enough that she can take care of herself. There's always been a hint of iron underneath the usual cheery girl demeanor she affects, a conviction absent in most others her age. He's not sure what to make of it yet, or even what it's for (other than her weird obsession with her boyfriend), but it's something to keep an eye out for the more he talks to her.

Even if talking to her will inevitably result in him being bullied like this. But the alcohol is doing its job and the words fail to get any rise out of him, his zen-like state remaining a little longer. ]

I'm sure you're nosy enough to find out on your own.

[ Which is all she's getting!! ]

Did your family never worry about you?

[ As always, the mention of 'family' sparks a small twinge in his heart, but he keeps his expression placid, unwavering. ]

[lifespanned]

Oh, my parents did, sometimes. I was really close with them. But they were killed almost two years ago.

[ Misa admits, with an uncanny level of straightforward clarity. Whether her ease at speaking on the subject comes from her breezily accepting it as a fact of life, or from her current state of intoxication is difficult to tell, with the lazy way her head lolls to the side after saying so. Her expression... stays warm, steady, despite her slurred words, though she fixes her gaze at some arbitrary detail of the wallpaper rather than at Eustace himself. ]

I guess that's why I'm not used to it anymore?

[ Someone worrying about her in this particular fashion, that is. In a way, his actions are not those of a friend, from her perspective - he barely likes her, if at all, she's aware. It feels more akin to the begrudging actions of an annoyed family member, the way her older sister would tug her along when she dilly dallied too long at the store, or when she forgot to hold her hand while crossing the street. Misa gives a shrug, looking up and away, lost in a distracted, airheaded string of thoughts, like she hasn't really noticed ever missing that kind of care. It's like she's just realized she's been without it from that source. ]

[lockedon]

[ His stills ever so slightly when she drops the bit about her parents so nonchalantly, the glass in his hand clunking back onto the table dully as he looks back at her slouched in her chair. It's not so surprising that there are any number of them here without families in some form of another. (And even if they did before they certainly don't now, if the Regent is to be believed.) Misa certainly doesn't seem bothered by it anymore, though whether that's because she's learned to live with it or because she's had too much to drink he doesn't know.

None of that stops his heart from hurting a little, the hole left behind by his own long-gone family making itself known again.

His movements start back up, glasses clinking together as he sets them off to one side. He tries to inject a healthy dose of indifference back into his voice when he speaks again. ]

Don't get used to it. I'm not cleaning up after you next time.

[ He will absolutely clean up after her again next time. ]

[lifespanned]

[ Misa watches him turn back to the task, her expression dimming when he says that. It's not that she's disappointed, really, but more that the words remind her that, yes, being on the receiving end of anything like this will always be temporary. She hasn't thought about it much (because she's been willfully trying to ignore it), but being here is actually pretty lonely. Being without her parents, she was used to— or at least used to it while having something else to cling on. But now... ]

I didn't say I was going to get used to it. Geez...

[ She corrects him, bluntly, muttering under her breath after doing so. It's the truth - she doesn't expect Eustace to be there for her at all, or for anyone on this side to be, in serious matters or otherwise. Which is fine. At present, she finds she doesn't have the energy to muster up an animated, irritated response. So she just settles for sulking, feeling annoyed for being berated when she never asked him to help. ]

You're the one who keeps inserting yourself. For the record. [ I could've dealt with this on my own, being the implication. ] You can't fool me.

[ Fool her over.... what?? She doesn't elaborate, finally getting bored of sitting around and shakily moving to stand again, that drink she'd wanted so badly all but completely forgotten now. ]

i was so pained by your tag it took me three days to reply

[lockedon]

[ He regrets his words as soon as he says them, the unhappiness creeping into her voice a sharp knife lodging itself into his heart. After so many years of distancing himself from others, he's forgotten how to act in a way that's charitable and understanding rather than brusque and cold.

Sighing to himself, he finishes stacking plates before picking a small glass, half-full (of alcohol this time), staring soberly at the golden liquid sloshing around inside. Out of the corner of his eyes, he can see Misa doing her best to upright herself from her chair. He doesn't offer to help, waiting until she's back on her feet.

Quietly, mostly to himself: ]

You remind me a little of my sister. That's all.

[ Cute, breezy, a little spacey.....actually he doesn't know if she would have stayed that like after growing up but it's a nice thought to have. Taking the glass in his hand, he steps forward and presses it to Misa's forehead gently. Remember when she asked for booze? Yeah, it's here now. He didn't forget his fake promise. ]

Don't drink this too fast.

[ Please know that he will NOT be abandoning her after this, he is a (sort of) responsible adult. ]

[lifespanned]

[ His sister...? So, her inkling that this was totally big brother behavior was on the mark. To her drunken mind, it really only registers as a score under the 'MISA IS GOOD AT GUESSING THINGS' score board, rather than make her consider more deeply what him hiding this side of him might imply. Besides, there's a little tightness in her own chest, too, at even being compared to someone else's family, felt more abruptly and suddenly than she might usually let it on the account of the alcohol. ]

Hey! My makeup...

[ She complains, unbidden, raising her hand to take the glass immediately so that the condensation doesn't mess with any of the cosmetics on her skin. It's the best for both of them, she thinks, if she glazes over his little comment. If she doesn't examine it deeply, then she doesn't have to acknowledge it seriously, and he can keep playing at being some distant lone wolf (literal). Right? Isn't that what they both should want?

"Don't get used to it," he said. Not listening to him at all, she drinks half of what's in the cup, already not wanting to think more about this interaction. ]

I'm just gonna finish this, and then go... [ She wipes at her mouth with the back of her hand, knowing that since everything is cleaned up, he really has no reason to stick around anymore. ] Don't worry, you don't have to walk me home or something like that.

[ Like a big brother would. And she really means that, sounding convinced that she will in fact be completely fine hobbling her way all the way back there. It's fine? She can protect herself, sort of? There's no sarcasm in her words— it seems like she genuinely does want to give him an out. ]

[lockedon]

[ Why does no one listen to him around these parts??

He watches her chug what's in the glass with exasperation, eyelids lowering as he restrains himself from yanking the glass right back out of her hands. Don't worry she says, as she proceeds to do every single thing that would make any reasonable adult worry. ]

Can you even walk home the way you are?

[ He fires the question back with a touch of superiority. Please, he may be old and crotchety now, but he was young and stupid once. He still remembers the sensation of his whole world tipping unevenly around him, with the lights too brought and all the noises ever so slightly off-beat. If she were someone else, older and rougher, and if she hadn't so casually dumped a snippet of her Tragic Anime Backstory™ on him, he might have been more inclined to leave her be as someone else's problem.

But unfortunately, he can understand all too keenly the pain of having important connections abruptly severed and subsequently being alone even when it's unwanted. Just because he's had to get used to it doesn't mean she has to.

Quieter: ]

Finish your drink. I'll take you back.

[ She's probably sloshed enough that she won't even remember most of this come morning. It'll be fine if he stays just a little bit longer. ]

[lifespanned]

Pffffft, of course I could.

[ She might as well be singing with the way her tone meanders up and down, already getting distracted once again. As if to prove this, she holds up one finger, drinking down the rest of what's in the glass, and then as immaturely as possible, she tips the glass upside down once it's empty. ]

You don't believe me, but Misa is actually pretty tough. [ Hard to tell if she's joking or being serious... the truth of the matter is at the moment, she's totally forgotten she doesn't have some scraps of her Note on her person, which is where this attitude of (semi) invincibility originates from. So at present, she sounds like she really believes she could not only walk home on her own, but eradicate any potential threats. ] But, well! Since you insist!

[ As gracefully as she can while wickedly drunk, she strains to stack her glass at the tippy top of the pile that Eustace so neatly made, just barely keeping the stack from falling over with a huge crash. Misa pays no mind to her obvious clumsiness, instead balling up a fist and pumping it a bit into the air, as if to cheer herself and Eustace on for this very long, very arduous trek home. ]

Let's be on our way... ahaha.

[lockedon]

[ Sure, Jan. Whatever you say.

That's absolutely the vibes he's sending out right now, from the slight backwards lean of his whole body to the absolute look of disbelief plastered clear as day on his face, but he (wisely) holds his tongue as Misa stumbles to her feet, looking about as steady as a top on a pocked table surface.

And also about as steady as that stack of glasses she almost knocked over seconds ago, a near miss that had sent a bolt of absolute panic through him. Now, though, he's filled only with extreme doubt. One hand on his hip, one eyebrow raised, all he can do is ask: ]

Can you even walk?

[ There's an unmistakable hint of challenge in his voice, as if daring her to prove him wrong. ]

[lifespanned]

Yeah? Just come here.

[ Her words have very um, duh? energy, despite the fact that she certainly is wobbling much more severely when she reaches out her arm to greedily tug him closer to her. Yes, she's planning on just hugging onto his arm as they walk, because Misa naturally assumes people will allow her to do this even when she's sober. Who wouldn't want to be close to her, anyways? As far as he'll allow her to, she will unsteadily be looping both of her arms around his arm and leaning heavily onto his side, which is really the only way she can manage to take steps forward in her current state. ]

For such a tough guy, [ Hiccup. ] You're such a worrywart. Geez.

[lockedon]

[ Good grief. This is about as much of a walk as the flailing limbs of a cat in a half-full bathtub might be construed as a swim.

He tolerates about a minute of her barnacle behavior before he abruptly stops, peeling first one arm and then other off of his arm before placing his hands at the corners of her shoulders, keeping her steady and upright until he's sure she won't tip over right away. Then he turns around, back facing towards her, and crouches down. ]

Get on.