From being an Abandoned who had rarely left the Hollowed Grounds, to embracing the call of adventure, to dying and being reborn first as an Ascended and then as an Ancient, Maea has gone through quite the amount of changes in her life. One thing remains common, though, in her attempts to find out just where she belongs; she’s always had a craving for knowledge which has brought her to so many places and to meet so many people here in Caido. We can’t wait to see what else is in store for her!
Congratulations, Maea!
Credits
Court of the Fallen was created in October of 2018 by Odd, Honey, and Crooked.
Skinning and hosting by the epically talented Kaons, and functionality fanciness by the coding magic of Neowulf. If you ever see either of them around, make sure to show them some love!
Though Torchline was still bathed in the golden light of late afternoon, inside the Hanged Man perpetual twilight filled the corners with thick purple shadows as the twinkling lights from candles and chandeliers sent long gleaming fingers across the tavern's floors. Newly renovated, there was not a wicker chair to be seen and nor were the surfaces of the counters or tables coated with a constant layer of sticky grime composed of sea sweat and beer. Nearby the outdoor patio a wonderous bonfire raged, seasoned with sweet-smelling botanicals and a few harmless chemicals so that the fire burned purple in addition to smelling like juniper and lilac.
A hired band played in one corner, filling the tavern with the sort of music that demanded indulgence and invited bad choices. Behind the bar, dressed in an understated black dress that clung shamelessly to every asset Flora had to display, the Doubletake was putting on a show of pouring drinks. With liquors and alcohol from every corner of Caido, Flora had curated a special offering of drinks tonight with a little help from her friends: a drink that would make colours seem to bloom and sparkle thanks to Paige; a botanical extravaganza for the senses compliments of Mateo; gin made and brewed from the upside waterfall from Remi; and a rum with Jack's stamp of approval (so Flora would tell people).
On Sunjata's recommendation, Flora also provided finger food and water so that her grand re-opening wouldn't be cut short.
'Don't forget to put your name in the jar!" Flora sings out over the music of the crowd. 'I'll do a draw for the super special prize at the end of the night!'
Welcome to the grand re-opening of the Hanged Man ! We have music, drinks, food, a bonfire outside, and dancing! There's also a raffle! Don't forget to put your name in to win a prize!
Fever dream high in the quiet of the night You know that I caught it
"She seems so grown up." Remi says a touch wistfully as he stares down into the drink Flora had made for him. It was his gin, but she'd rimmed the cup with sugar and added an umbrella; entirely unnecessary in his opinion, but of course, he'd never say so. Taking a deep breath and reaching for Ronin 's hand, the Lullaby gives it a soft squeeze as if to try and release the sadness he was feeling that hung around his heart like low laying mist. Any pride he felt for Flora was always slightly tainted by thoughts of Enzo. Having already lost one child had taught the Lullaby much about how to live with his grief, but the know-how didn't always make it easier.
Perhaps that's why he'd pulled Ronin out by the bonfire rather than lingering inside, where he wasn't as likely to see the ghost of his son minding the bar with his twin.
Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!
Speaks with a thick Italian accent.
Force and magic can be used against Remi without permission.
Miss her niece's grand reopening? She wouldn't dare!
Phoebe arrived promptly in a barely there dress, ready to have a good time. First she dropped her name into the raffle jar, finding it very fun. Who knew would win whatever this very special very secret prize was? Then she headed over to Flora. "It's good to see you. Congratulations on your grand reopening!" she said with a big, proud grin. Taking on a business was no small feat after all.
Phoebe then grabbed a fruity looking drink from the nearby bar. If there was one thing she knew about the Hanged Man, it was that the point was to get wasted - and she planned to.
loving you was the most exquisite form of self destruction
"Auntie Phoebe!" Ignoring the order she was supposed to be making in order to dash out from behind the bar, the Doubletake threw her arms around her aunt's neck and pulled her tight. "I'm so glad you could make it!" She trilled loudly, her cheeks swollen with joy that the Nightingale had been able to make the trek.
"Also, we need to talk about Harper because I hate him now." She whispers conspiratorily into Phoebe's ear, before pulling back and flashing her aunt another wide smile. "But for now, have fun. Pedicures tomorrow? But not too early." Flora adds with a wink; if all went well tonight, hopefully, Flora wouldn't return to the world of the conscious between noon at least.
Fever dream high in the quiet of the night You know that I caught it
From the corner of the room a massive wine-spider scurries. Running toward you, it tries its best to crawl up your leg, hovering against you for warmth. Clearly something has startled it. Poor thing.
This is not a RE nor a rare creature. It cannot be used for levelling.
Wine Spider: These friendly arachnids can grow up to the size of a small housecat. With fuzzy bodies and spindly legs, they are often found lurking around wine racks or kegs of beer. They are almost always drunk, hiccuping and stumbling about. It is said that finding a baby wine spider in your drink is a lucky omen!
relive who i've been at my worst, every single night, looking for a distraction
There is quite a bit of optimism the Flood has going into this event. Misplaced? Perhaps, but he’s been invited, and it’s rare for him these days to get any letters actually requesting his presence. So he’s dressed well enough, reverting back to his Torchline attire, a dark pair of pants alongside boots, a sleeveless shirt that’s a poor attempt to keep him cool yet shows the scars and tattoos that trace his arms and shoulders. His hairs still cut short enough, he’s wearing the earrings he never takes out, and all in all looks surprisingly put together.
A part of him thinks Frey might be proud that he isn’t wallowing away at this very moment.
He’s invited Isla, not realizing who else Flora may have invited, (which nightmares of both of their pasts may be in attendance) which only adds to his useless optimism as he reaches the doors with Isla in tow. “Looks like she invited half of Torchline.” He murmurs quietly to Isla where nobody else can hear, before stepping inside while his eyes are still on Isla to see her response to his quiet mutterings, only to turn around and be faced with a lot of his ghosts.
Eyes spot Ronin first, then Remi, then Phoebe, and he’d be lying if he didn’t admit that a little bit of color drains from his face. He can be reasonable, though, and he shoots another glance back toward Isla before he finds Flora to greet through the crowd, offering her a wave but not wanting to interrupt her conversation with his ex-wife.
the flood
waiting for the sun to rise pretty sight for some hollow eyes
totally sniped from odd ilu
No permission needed for power play!
Feel free to use magic/force on Sunjata, without killing him <3
Sunjata speaks with an Australian accent and has a passive magic that makes him produce a subtle scent that matches exactly to whatever those around him most desire him to smell like.
"That's right, you were Governor here once," Isla muses softly, her arm loosely threaded through Sunjata's as they head into the Hanged Man. It's her first time here, so she's got no idea what renovations have actually taken place, but the vibe is one she can definitely get behind. In a billowing white sundress that clings in all the right places and her fair hair loose down her back, she thinks this is the first time she's been out since long, long before the war.
In fact, the last time was probably on a date with an alchemist, making star maps under the open sky.
Isla has just gotten a chance to swallow down that memory when a parade of ghosts come for the two of them, her pebble blue eyes growing wide as she spies a few very familiar faces indeed. Now that she's got blood in her veins it can absolutely drain from her face, and she glances up at Sunjata with a pleading smile. "Want to get a drink?" Or ten?
we're gonna separate ourselves tonight we're always running scared but holding knives
Playing the part of hostess with ease, Flora flits from Phoebe and makes a beeline toward Sunjata. Towering above everyone the way he does, it isn't as though his presence is hard to miss, especially with the blonde bombshell at his side. "You came!" Flora sings, ringed hands clapping together as she all but announces the Flood's presence to anyone paying attention. Tossing her arms around his middle (he's far too tall to reach his neck, even with the heels she's wearing), nevertheless, she squeezes him tight. Careful to make sure she doesn't transfer any of her carefully applied makeup to his clothing, she flutters her lashes up at him and beams. "What do you think?"
In his roles across all of Caido, bar franchiser is the one Flora is most interested in just now.
Glancing toward Isla, Flora lets her jaw drop appreciatively at the Ancient's choice of attire. "And who'd this?"
Fever dream high in the quiet of the night You know that I caught it
"Were you expecting her to be a toddler on a step-stool behind the bar?" Ronin jests to his husband, standing beside him at the bonfire he'd both made and started, his fingers laced carelessly with Remi's, his drink in his free hand. His is the captain-approved rum, and the glass has also been dipped in sugar with an umbrella added; unlike the Lullaby, Ronin believes it is entirely necessary.
It is nice to see her grown up, he adds softly through their Attuned bond, the implication being, of course, that there's one daughter they share that will remain forever youthful in their hearts and minds. Slipping his hand out of Remi's so he can wrap it around his waist instead, Ronin draws the other man close and lifts his drink to his lips--
Right as he glances back into the bar.
He notices Phoebe first, just about to remark to Remi that they should say hello, only for both Sunjata and Isla to appear just afterwards. "Oh fuck," he says instead, because even the Supernova can't put an eloquent spin on this.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, everyone's the drama, now get out of Jack's way. The captain has arrived with the Ark's crew in tow, assuring that the Hanged Man's reopening isn't going to lose too much of Torchline's true vibe - and maybe some of the burlier members have been explicitly told to break up fights and act as security, drunk or otherwise.
(Does he know, of course, that a lot of the fights are likely to be supernatural? Yes. Does he think it'll be funny to watch his crew try to split them up anyway? Also yes).
Making sure to slip by through the crowd such that Remi and Roninwon't see him slyly pat Flora on the ass on his way past, he cocks her a wink and a gruff nod. "Bar," he says, with all of the aplomb as if he's congratulated her on a fantastic opening night.
Nevertheless, it's to the bar he goes, thinking nothing of pouring himself a measure of the rum he's apparently approved. Oh, and he sticks his name in the stupid jar, too. Why not.
Jack being an Abandoned is common knowledge these days, however his Telepathy remains a well-kept secret:
Magic: Passive Telepathy | The user can read the surface thoughts and emotions of those within a 30ft radius. Control is excellent. Note: "Thoughts and emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
Type: Grey | Rank: Mastered
Also branded with a small star tattoo beneath his left eye.
relive who i've been at my worst, every single night, looking for a distraction
If he could shy away and burn into nothing, now would be the prime time to do so, especially as Flora sings his arrival. More surprise seems to slip through him as her arms wind around his middle, pressing herself in for a hug that he seems to freeze with, but not before his hands drop to her back to give her a light squeeze back as he looks around, pointedly ignoring the ghosts of his past.
And Jack, too, as he slips by.
“It looks great, Flora. You’ve done… A hell of a lot to the place.” He offers with a soft laugh, one that he doesn’t feel entirely through him but enough to put on the mask and play the part. As for Isla, though, he watches her zip through to grab a drink and he’s hoping she’s heard him agree to one of his own as she peruses, when he flashes Flora an easier smile, one that lopsidedly twists the scar on his face, true to the mask he’s currently wearing. He waits for Isla to find something to drink and return, only to introduce her to Flora. “This is my business partner, Isla. Isla, Flora.”
the flood
waiting for the sun to rise pretty sight for some hollow eyes
totally sniped from odd ilu
No permission needed for power play!
Feel free to use magic/force on Sunjata, without killing him <3
Sunjata speaks with an Australian accent and has a passive magic that makes him produce a subtle scent that matches exactly to whatever those around him most desire him to smell like.
Should'a seen what I wore I had a cane and a party hat
"I promise, it is perfectly alright to be fashionably late to these sorts of things," Mateo is telling Everest as they approach the Hanged Man which, by the chime of music and the low hum of voices, is just starting to warm up. "You do not want to be forced to speak to everyone because there are not many people there, right?"
Well, not so much for the botanist, because he will absolutely speak to everyone and have a great time doing it. He's already buzzed and then some, because Mateo Taliesin does not attend a party without pre-drinks and a bump or two of snapdragon, thank you very much. Stepping in through the doors, it would be wise to say that he looks like he's just been pulled from the ocean like some sexy, shipwrecked siren; his shirt is basically just netting, and his pants look like several pairs of pants got together and made a baby.
With rings adorning his fingers and earrings made of seashells in his ears, he jingles and sparkles his way to the jar he needs to slip his name into, doing just that before glancing around for his sister (and keeping a casual hand in Ever's pocket for no other reason than to keep from losing him - and it's for the aviator's safety, not his own).
I was the king of this hologram where there's no such thing as getting out of hand
Isla wishes she could have been more elegant about finding a drink for the two of them, but the truth of the matter is she's literally grabbed the closest ones from the nearest table without a thought as to whether it's something either of them like. What matters most is some social lubrication to get through any part of this sudden meeting of memories, and she's taken a considerable gulp from her glass before even returning to Sunjata's side.
By which time she's being introduced to their hostess. Handing the Flood his glass and clearing her throat, she opts to simply swallow the ice in her mouth rather than spitting it back into her drink. "It's good to meet you, Flora," she murmurs, holding out a hand for her to shake. (Go go gadget feminism). "Thank you for inviting Sunjata - he needs to get out more."
And she needs to hide in a storeroom until she's drunk, probably.
we're gonna separate ourselves tonight we're always running scared but holding knives
"Thaaaaaaaaaaanks." Flora trills brightly, releasing Sunjata if only so she could take a step or two back and not have to crane her neck up to look at him. With all the confidence of youth, the Doubletake sighs proudly as she glances around, still beaming, before the Remedy's return steals away her attention entirely.
"Isla? That's my brother's middle name." She muses, and for just a moment recognition tries to take hold of her mind. It fails to do so for so very many reasons, least of which is the alcohol in her system already and the music breezing through, and rather than realizing who Isla was in relation to everyone else, Flora merely nods. "Right? Well, you're both welcome here any time!" So saying, the Doubletake's aqua stare drinks in Isla for a moment, before she shifts her gaze up toward the Flood again. "Nicely done." She says with a not so sly wink, before returning her focus to Isla. "You're stunning, by the way."
It's then that Jack sashays by grabbing her ass, and as Flora follows him toward the bar, she waves an obnoxiously excited greeting to Mateo and Everest. Throwing her arms around each in turn and pressing kisses to their cheeks, she tells them both to enjoy themselves before slipping back behind the bar.
Fever dream high in the quiet of the night You know that I caught it
