+- Court of the Fallen (https://cotf-rpg.com)
+-- Forum: Out of Character (https://cotf-rpg.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=26)
+--- Forum: Important (https://cotf-rpg.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=27)
+---- Forum: Archives (https://cotf-rpg.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=38)
+---- Thread: [PQ] into the twilight (/showthread.php?tid=12133)
Pages:
1
2
into the twilight - Noah - 02-05-2026
Noah chose the time to work carefully, avoiding the shine of the high noon sun that would cause blinding over the snow. Even Halo felt the touch of Longheat this year, with its unbearable rays and unrelenting heat. Though most visitors would not find this weather hot by any means, Halovians knew this wasn't quite right. Thus, he chose late afternoon, knowing their work may bring them into the evening. If they were lucky, they may even be touched by the first sight of Safrin's stars in the vast Halovian sky.
His meeting time had been sent out to those he knew followed the goddess closer than any -- Deimos, Safrin, and Hadama -- though the demigod had kindly said his duties could not pull him away from the underwater city at this time. Sah, he knew, was away on a trip with his twins and wouldn't be home when Noah wanted to assemble the shrine.
So now he waited, for Doubletake and Sword.
He had already gathered the necessary supplies. On the sled, with a wheelbarrow beside it, the haul included rakes and shovels, water and concrete mix, and several other various tools he thought might be helpful (ie, general hand tools for "yard type" work and masonry). The supplies were all gathered around the main attraction: the shrine proper that Nova had helped Noah bring to life.
Welcome to the Shrine Assembly PQ for Noah's quest requirement to "Complete a PQ with fellow Safrin followers preparing the ground and assembling the shrine".
This will be for a Safrin shrine near the Olson Hunting Lodge. Nova and Noah designed and create the shrine in this thread: you can hear it in the ground and this team will be preparing the grounds and assembling the shrine in its proper place!
1. Noah
2. Flora
3. Deimos
RE: into the twilight - Flora - 02-05-2026
Flora comes into Halo the way someone from Torchline always does, bundled past the point of dignity and still losing the fight with the cold. Furs and thick wool swallow her frame, layers cinched and buttoned until only her face is really visible, breath fogging immediately as it leaves her mouth. LongHeat or not, Halo’s idea of mercy still bites, and she tucks her chin deeper into her scarf as her boots crunch over snow packed thinly over dark, fertile earth, the smell of green life and cold stone mingling in a way that feels unfamiliar and sharp all at once.
Spice, entirely unbothered by the temperature, flits ahead in loose, delighted loops, pale wings catching the light as she darts between low ferns and the edge of the lodge, trilling softly to herself as though this were a holiday rather than a near-arctic forest. Flora watches her with a fond, exasperated huff, gloved hands rubbing together as she approaches the clearing where the sled and wheelbarrow sit, tools laid out with careful purpose around the shrine.
Her steps slow only briefly, enough to take it in, before she lifts one mittened hand and waves toward Noah. A smile follows just as easily, wide and warm and a little too luminous for the cold, the sort she learned early could carry heat where her body could not. [say]"Heya,"[/say] she calls out, voice clear despite the scarf and the chill, cheerful as sunlight on snow. [say]"Long time no see."[/say]
RE: into the twilight - Deimos - 02-05-2026
Deimos arrived at the lodge after a morning shared between his home and the Barracks; outfitting the new nursery and instructing soldiers had become another regular routine, his thoughts refusing to echo over the complexities of Noah’s request – how seasons before he’d clenched his jaw over the parameters, and here they were, putting one at the man’s house. How many pilgrimages would some be making to the roots of the hunting capacity – and how comfortable would that be for everyone?
Not giving it voice, he waved towards Noah as he shifted from eagle to human, tilting, then lowering his head in a modest bow when he saw Flora – wholly unexpected but not unpleasant. [say]“Flora, good to see you – Erebos has not stopped raving about your generosity,”[/say] to which he wrinkled his nose; amused but grateful nonetheless. While Zuriel would have safeguarded him on his candy shop spree, the unicorn didn’t have the capability of extending further treats and indulgences, unlike newfound favorite Torchline leaders. [say]"Thank you,”[/say] he granted a slight wink and a juvenile grin, before his attention had to meander back to the task at hand, gaze flickering to the Sentinel. [say]“Where do you want us to start?”[/say]
RE: into the twilight - Noah - 02-05-2026
Noah noticed movement against the glare, a silhouette shaped by familiarity rather than detail. although, from this distance, she could have been her mother. He straightened from where he had been checking the tools over again and lifted his hand to wave. [say]"Hey Flora!"[/say] He gave the queen a bright smile, a cheerfulness behind it she may have not seen from him before. [say]"Thanks for coming."[/say]
Deimos came on her heels, and exchanged some thank you regarding Erebos that made Noah's brows raise, but he didn't press on asking more about it. He did wonder, though, what generosity the queen may have offered the boy. He knew Flora to be many things -- fierce and powerful, diligent and headstrong, charismatic and kind -- but he had never seen her interact with children to know the depths of it. With them both here, now, it was time to begin. [say]"Thank you for coming too, Deimos."[/say] Noah said as he extended his hand to greet his warden.
Both seeming ready, he answered Deimos inquiry. Turning, Noah gestured towards where he shrine would live. His gaze swept the chosen stretch of ground again. Snow crust lay unevenly across it, wind-carved and dimpled, broken by scattered icefall from the shading trees and the brittle remains of long-dead brush. [say]“First step is clearing. Everything loose goes. Limbs, brush, old roots, ice slabs,"[/say] He made a circular motion with his hands as if to say etcetera etcetera. [say]“We’ll want bare ground or packed base before we set anything upright."[/say]
He took a side step, then towards the sled, and grabbed out tools. He handed a sturdy metal-headed rake to Flora, while he grabbed a spade-headed metal shovel. He assumed Deimos would be using his magic, but lifted his eye to the hybrid to see if he was wrong before setting off to work.
Round 1! Let's work to clear out the area of any debris or obstacles and level out the ground. No post order!
RE: into the twilight - Flora - 02-06-2026
Flora’s gaze flicks to Deimos as he comes into view, the shape of him registering with the easy inevitability of someone who always seems to be exactly where duty drags him, especially in Halo. It doesn’t surprise her in the slightest, but the smile she gives him is still bright and immediate, eyes crinkling warmly despite the cold nibbling at her cheeks. At the mention of Erebos, a laugh slips out of her, soft and genuine, her shoulders lifting in a small, pleased shrug beneath all that fur and wool. [say]"Oh, he absolutely earned every bit of it,"[/say] she says, tone light and fond all at once, before it eases into something gentler, more sincere. [say]"He seems like a really great kid."[/say]
The explanation of the work ahead earns a quiet, dramatic sigh from behind her scarf, the sound exaggerated on purpose as she peers at the snow-crusted ground and the assortment of tools like they might suddenly transform into something far more glamorous if she squints hard enough. [say]"Just once,"[/say] she murmurs, not quite under her breath, [say]"I wish someone would ask for my help taste testing cocktails or...I don’t know, evaluating mattress softness."[/say]
She flashes a grin between Noah and Deimos, unapologetic, rolling one shoulder as if to shake off the complaint as quickly as it arrived. [say]"I just came from King’s End,"[/say] she adds lightly, as though this explains everything, [say]"helped Colt prep for her rodeo. So clearly I’m on a thrilling tour of physical labour this season."[/say]
The rake settles into her gloved hands, metal cold even through the leather, and she gets to work without further fuss, dragging it through loose brush and brittle debris, the scrape and crunch oddly satisfying as she corrals ice chunks and dead growth into a growing pile. She leaves the heavier roots and stubborn slabs where they are for Deimos and Noah to deal with, breath puffing steadily in the cold while Spice darts overhead, entirely delighted by the chaos below.
RE: into the twilight - Deimos - 02-06-2026
Nodding his head at Noah’s greetings, the arch of his brow was still reserved for Flora; content to know that others thought Erebos was a stalwart youth too. It was one thing experiencing it for themselves while raising the lad, it was another to hear the notions were extended out into the rest of the world. He laughed at her insinuation, a low and deep rumble cast about the ice and roots. [say]“That is good. I would not want him complacent. And thank you.”[/say] Pausing, taking a breath, he wondered if this was where he could cast some multitudes; figuring it’d come out sooner or later. [say]“Evie is expecting another in Leafchange.”[/say] At which he gave forth another grin, that determined set to his brow as Noah began to list off the necessities.
He could hear Flora’s murmur nearby, barely stifling his snort. [say]“I have never had such requests either. Last fun one was probably taste-testing your fathers’ choices of wedding cakes.”[/say] Unless of course one presumed monster slaying and Family battling and wars to be an all-encompassing amusement – depended on the day.
Resolutely unbothered though, he shifted his hair into a messy, haphazard bun, then made his way over towards some of the gnarled limbs and decrepit roots; content to, at the very least, unleash a large bout of fire into the knotted proportions, eager to engulf and unfurl.
--
[say]Deimos uses his Mastered Fire on some limbs and roots.[/say]
RE: into the twilight - Noah - 02-07-2026
Noah caught the edge of Flora’s complaint and huffed a laugh through his nose, breath ghosting white through his beard. He straightened from the sled, resting his weight briefly on the shovel handle. His eyes flicked between them, humor settling easy in his expression. Then Deimos’ news landed.
For a half-second Noah simply blinked, not working to mask any of his surprise, before it broke into a broad, genuine grin that wrinkles the corners of his eyes. He stepped forward without hesitation and clapped a firm, congratulatory hand to Deimos’ shoulder. [say]"That’s wonderful. Truly. Congratulations."[/say] Noah was so delighted for the Ignatius family to bring another member in. Kids were a blessing that Noah never could have understood before having his own, and since he did he wanted it for all of his friends. He knew how much the warden and his wife cherished Amhran and Erebos, and another child in that tight, loving circle was a light in this world.
Only after squeezing Deimos' shoulder briefly with the weight of his joy, then did he shift back into motion, turning toward the marked stretch of ground with renewed purpose. He drove the shovel down, breaking through crust and uneven ridges, boots braced wide for leverage. The impact traveled up through his arms. The work was welcome and helped him focus, and nothing could wipe the dumb happy smile he wore from Deimos' news.
They worked together well. When roots resisted, he carved around them. When snow sloughed loose, he packed it firm with the shovel’s back, so there was ease with the reach of Flora’s rake. The controlled spread of Deimos' fire brought the debris to ash. With their diligence, the first task of clearing the area was finished without blisters breaking over anyone's hands.
[say]"Okay, next we can create the stand for the shrine. I have some concrete mix for that. Deimos, can you use your earth magic to make sure the ground is totally level. Flora, can you help me with the concrete mix?"[/say] He asked of the warden and queen, taking back Flora's rake once she finished with it.
Round 2! Deimos, assure the landing spot for the shrine is level. Flora, help Noah mix up some concrete for the base in the wheelbarrow. No post order!
RE: into the twilight - Flora - 02-07-2026
Flora freezes mid-rake when Deimos speaks again, the motion stopping so abruptly the tines catch on a crust of ice. Her head snaps up, scarf slipping just enough to reveal the full, unguarded reaction as her mouth drops open in a perfectly theatrical O, aqua eyes going bright and incredulous as they bounce from Deimos to Noah and back again. [say]"Shut up,"[/say] she blurts, entirely without offence and full of delight, before it tumbles immediately into, [say]"Congratulations!"[/say]
She laughs, breath puffing white, joy sparking sharp and genuine across her expression as she shakes her head once, like the news has tilted the world just slightly off its axis. [say]"That’s incredible,"[/say] she adds, softer now, still smiling, still glowing with it. [say]"And honestly? Amazing timing. My dads are expecting a baby soon too, so apparently this is just the season for it."[/say]
At the mention of wedding cakes, her attention slides back to Deimos with a sly, knowing curve to her mouth, brows lifting as she gives a deliberately vague shrug that carries far more implication than explanation. [say]"Who knows,"[/say] she says lightly, tone breezy as fresh snow and just as concealing. [say]"Maybe there’ll be more weddings soon, too."[/say]
Then Noah is looking to her again, handing out the next task, and she straightens with an easy nod, already stepping closer. [say]"Can do,"[/say] she says brightly, moving to his side and reaching for the bag once he steadies the wheelbarrow. The weight pulls at her arms as she hauls it up and tips it in, powdery concrete dust puffing faintly into the cold air.
RE: into the twilight - Deimos - 02-08-2026
He grinned at each congratulations, nodding his head in gratitude; the mental preparations always intermingling with the rest of the calculating hordes. [say]“Thank you.” [/say]What he hadn’t expected was Flora’s news – eyes widening momentarily as he loosened a chuckle. [say]“I had no idea,”[/say] but perhaps they hadn’t had any lengthy conversations since Families departed – a sobering thought, perhaps, to think old friends barely spoke unless it was at war. He knew he had to be better about it. [say]“Congratulations to them. I will send something their way,” [/say]he added with a hint of mischief; though it’d likely be a care package of sorts.
But it was the other insinuation that drew an arch to his brow, the vagueness just enough in his shrewd notions to give her a juvenile narrowing of his eyes, jocular, as if trying to pry out the answer – mind already wandering and pondering as to who the Doubletake might have been insinuating – either herself or…[say]”Really,”[/say] he drawled instead of asking, the smile still there as they began to shuffle back to work. Perhaps it was just as he and Evie had discussed – all the fighting, all the protection, all the plots and conniving and striving had led up to points like these; where there was regrowth, rebirth, and a sanctity, a shelter, they’d harbored within.
He had another inquiry for Flora, but figured he’d save it for later – as it was a much more melancholic one – and he nodded at the notions of utilizing his magic. Summoning the earthen abilities within a breath, he carved and contorted the ground into something smooth, flat, and level.
--
Deimos uses his Mastered Earth to level the shrine spot.
RE: into the twilight - Noah - 02-09-2026
Noah faintly caught the news from Flora which made his grin stretch so wide across his face that his cheeks started to hurt. [say]"Amazing!"[/say] He exclaimed, joy rippling through his chest and out across the attuned bond. More children, more blessings, more hope and life and love. Noah could hardly contain his happiness for all of them, and it made the work easy.
Stone and soil answered Deimos without struggle, the uneven ground smoothing beneath his command. With subtle shifts and settling breaths of earth, ridges sank, hollows rose, and the shrine’s foundational spot became clean and level under his precise, practiced control. Deimos made quick work of the earth, flattening and leveling with precision and mastery over the element. Flora started emptying the cement bag into the wheelbarrow and Noah mixed it with water, keeping his knee against the basin to keep it from toppling over. He worked the shovel through it, folding and turning until the dry pockets vanished and the mixture thickened to a heavy, workable paste. [say]"Consistency matters,"[/say] he said as he stirred the water in, glancing briefly to Flora. [say]"Too thin and it’ll crack. Too thick and it won’t bind. I learned that the hard way, making cement and mortar to help repair the Citadel walls many, many times."[/say] He said, chatting idly in a way that he hardly ever did. It was the joy from all the good news seeping through.
Motioning towards the sled, he asked Flora, [say]"Can you grab out a trowel? We will head back over and I'll shovel the mix out and you can help level it."[/say] Hefting the wheelbarrow, Noah headed that way, confident Flora would be on his heels. Once he arrived, he looked to Deimos. [say]"Good work. The next part will be to set the foundation, and then the shrine itself. While Flora and I lay the cement, can you dry it?"[/say]
Round 3! Noah will shovel the cement, Flora will smooth and level with the trowel, and Deimos will dry!
RE: into the twilight - Flora - 02-10-2026
Flora grins at Deimos’ reaction, shoulders lifting beneath her layers as if the whole thing is simply the most natural progression in the world. [say]"They have charms so that letters and stuf falways find them, buttt..."[/say] Her mouth quirks as she adds, a touch more conspiratorial now, [say]"They’re in King’s End at the moment at the baby patch."[/say] A vague tilt of her head follows, the sentence tapering off into an airy shrug. [say]"Since, y’know.."[/say] She lets the rest dissolve into the cold air without spelling it out, doubting she needed to clarify.
When Deimos’ gaze sharpens with that familiar, assessing curiosity, Flora meets it head-on, fluttering her lashes at him with exaggerated innocence before offering a noncommittal little hum that lives somewhere between a shrug and a tease.
She turns back to the work with Noah easily, chuckling as he explains the cement. [say]"Goldilocks cement, huh?"[/say] she says, amused, before nodding and stepping away to grab the trowel as asked. The wheelbarrow is noticeably heavier now, and she lets Noah take the lead with it, falling into place beside him as they move back toward the cleared ground.
Once the mix starts pouring out, she’s quick and focused, using the trowel to smooth rough edges and coax the cement into place, small, precise motions jiggling it just enough to settle evenly. The cold nips at her fingers even through her gloves, but she works steadily.
RE: into the twilight - Deimos - 02-11-2026
The gossip and information seemed to be an unending thing today, and his nosey, curious, inquiring mind snagged at it like a snare; eyes widening for half a moment at the notions of the “baby patch.” [say]“I had heard of it, but figured it was just a rumor,”[/say] like one of those other scattered stories and legends that were passed on, embellished, and stretched too far thin to ever be of truth. To realize the garden existed brought him a light laugh and a shake of his head, maneuvering on from prying too much further. The comprehension and understanding of why was there.
He let her keep the rest of her secrets without other inquiries, the arch of his brow remaining in a pretense of suspicions sort of way – before turning to listen to Noah. Familiar with the way concrete worked, having used it many, many times, he still focused, listening to the necessities of any impending task. [say]“Sure,” [/say]he agreed, though it felt strange, odd, to wait. Once they’d molded and fixtured the foundation, he unfurled his command and control of the Air, utilizing his efforts to spin artfully and hover along the concrete, ensuring it would be dry for the upcoming and pending labor.
--
Deimos uses his Mastered Air to dry out the concrete.
RE: into the twilight - Noah - 02-13-2026
[say]"Indeed."[/say] He chuckled towards Flora's comment. Absolutely delighted with how everything was working out, from the construction of the shrine to the news from his friends, Noah coulnd't wipe the smile from his face. Everything seemed to be working out after so much darkness had shrouded their world, and it sparked a bright and hot ember within him that helped melt some of his own grief.
As Noah moved cement, he had to keep mixing it between scoops to keep the consistency correct. That gave Flora the perfect amount of time to dstribute and smooth each haul. Once the cement was set, Demos conjured his magic easily. By the time the last of the moisture lifted from the cement, the pad had gone from dark and glossy to a firm foundation, solid enough that Noah trusted it under weight. He crouched and pressed his knuckles lightly to the surface, testing. He nodded once, satisfied, and rose. [say]"Perfect. That’ll hold."[/say]
He wiped his hands on the front of his pants, then turned towards the construction that Nova had made. [say]"The last step is to erect this. And then I can go to Safrin."[/say] He was still smiling, the corners of his eyes wrinkled. He stepped towards the shrine. [say]"This part will take all of us to work together, it's heavy."[/say] Nova had taken Noah's design, the components he had gathered, and made something beautiful but something that would last in Halo's rough atmosphere.
Last round! Work together to set the shrine on the platform! Flora Deimos
RE: into the twilight - Flora - 02-13-2026
Flora straightens as Noah turns toward the finished shrine, her breath still ghosting in front of her as she brushes stray cement dust from her gloves. When it comes fully into view, her brows lift high despite herself, aqua eyes tracing the lines and structure with open appreciation. [say]"Ooooh,'[/say] she says softly at first, then with more warmth, [say]"That’s super pretty."[/say] She steps closer, tilting her head slightly as she studies the details Nova brought to life, the way it balances sturdiness with something almost reverent. [say]"Did you come up with the design,"[/say] she asks, glancing back at Noah, [say]"or did Safrin tell you what she wanted?"[/say]
When he mentions it will take all of them, she lets out a small, amused laugh, eyes flicking between Noah and Deimos with a sideways look that sparkles faintly. [say]"Well,"[/say] she drawls lightly, [say]"I’m sure between the two of you, you could probably lift a mountain, but for sure i'll do my part."[/say] So saying she steps in without hesitation, reaching for the edge of the stone, fingers curling around it as she braces her boots more firmly against the packed earth. [say]"Ready when you are."[/say]