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

[lifespanned]

Oh, so that's how it is? All the boys were just mad because you always beat them...

[ This explanation makes sense to her, and actually, she seems to find it quite comical. It's funny, isn't it? Imagining someone like Ciel, who she sees as so straight-laced, always whaling on boys who just couldn't beat her at anything? That's #girlbossery if she's ever heard about it!! ]

You know, you don't have to feel so embarrassed about it!! It's awesome if you can stand up to them like that. Our tough Ciel. You'll have to put all the guys who think they're tough on this side in their place someday.

[ There's an affectionate note to the little nickname she's crafted, as well as in her tiny joke. Look, as someone who plays at being weak and frail and useless, she's fine with not competing like that— actually, it's all the better for her the more she's looked down upon by her peers. But that doesn't mean she can't appreciate someone who is capable of it. ]

But okay, I'll let you go with that one, since I learned something really fun. Your turn!

[expiera]

[It was just a few things?? Like track, dodgeball, snowball fights... She wasn't ALWAYS motivated to give her best depending on what sport they're made to do in PE, so it's not like she trashed them EVERY TIME or anything... gosh.]

It wasn't like that... And why "this" side--?

[But no amount of bemoaning or trying to clarify things will change Misa's mind, will it? Thus with a heavy sigh, Ciel can only hang her head. (How does she KEEP ending up in this sort of situation with her? Misa's power is truly immense...)

Right. With a deep inhale, she drags her slumped back up straight once more and falls into a more thoughtful silence. Can she even... Oh, wasn't there--?]

Never have I ever been on TV?

[It's slightly tentative, but she manages to get the full question out without pause. Misa talked about modeling during Lottie's communion, right? So magazines and variety shows may very well be things she's potentially been featured in?]

[lifespanned]

Is it that obvious? Everyone keeps saying something like that when I play with them.

[ She doesn't seem annoyed or bothered over this in the least - actually, no, she even seems a bit proud. It's a compliment to be recognized by others as a starlet even when outside of where you were actually famous, right? Besides, she's in a good mood getting to tease Ciel even more, so she tips her head back and empties the shot glass, swallowing it down with little fanfare. ]

Right before I arrived in the Lovers shrine, I'd actually landed a huge commercial. And I've been on talk shows or in dramas before, too... being on TV isn't as scary as you might think it is. [ This kind of thing is deserving of further context, right? That's what this game is about, so she just rambles on about herself openly, giving a firm nod in acknowledgement. ] Actually, it was kinda helpful in preparation for coming here.

[expiera]

You do have a great figure for a petite and slim model, and you have a upbeat and extrovert personality too. It is a bit of a low hanging fruit, that's true, but it's hard to imagine you as anything less than a star in the making, at the very least!

[She nods firmly, giving an unsolicited analysis as she looks back at Misa seriously. Yep yep, anyone with a decent sense of observation should be able to tell that much!]

I see... That's amazing. Your routine must have been quite something, too. I don't think I would be able to stick to a rigid diet, if it was me. [...] It did? In what way, if you don't mind me asking?

[lifespanned]

[ Misa smiles at her appraisal, drinking in her description like it's praise. Even Ciel's comment about being unable to stick to a rigid diet gets a chuckle out of her, because like, she has probably seen Ciel go to town on a plate (plates) of curry by now.

To answer her question, though, she holds up one finger. ]

For one, I'm used to talking to big important figures or being in a room full of people more powerful or rich than I am. It doesn't really intimidate me much.

[ Company execs, CEOs, and the like... in her mind, the Regent is pretty synonymous with that. And sitting at the table among Aions is like that, too - Misa has had to learn to be confident and forward even among rooms of men with far more influence than she. It's not exactly the same, but it does help in staying confident while talking with them, or with people like Xishen. ]

And for two, I know how to handle the Achamites, too. They're just like fans? Haven't you seen how some of the Kenoma totally freeze up when they get swarmed? It's pretty funny.

[expiera]

[Ciel IS a fattydingdong big eater, guilty as charged... She doesn't LOOK it, but such are the 'advantages' of a fast metabolism and superior grade body in both the physical and magical sense, probably. With how much she gets around though, she's definitely doing things to burn those calories...

At least Misa isn't teasing her about that though, so she's good to settle with listening attentively to the smaller girl's breakdown and nodding along.]

Right, that makes sense. I did, yes, I'm more surprised that they haven't taken the steps to hide their shard if they don't want the attention. [It's what Ciel does, she normally never leaves the citadel with her shard visible.] The idea didn't even occur to Barnaby until I mentioned it, though he didn't look like he had trouble handling the crowds either. [His heart just obviously wasn't in it, from what Ciel could tell.

She also sent Barnaby back herself, telling him he didn't need to stick around if he didn't want to, and that she'd cover for him if need be. Hopefully his extended absence hasn't been noticed...? The speeches were done with, and it WAS starting to get late. Perfectly normal to retire if you feel tired, right?]