[Mini Event] Midwinter Conference

// you knew who I was //

If a semblance of a meeting is what is needed in order for them to get out of this with all limbs present and accounted for, then so be it. Inclining his head to Evie and offering her a cheeky smile for her trouble, Danta collects a drink for himself and sinks back into his seat, snorting at @deimos’s offer. ”Ordinary ones? Or ones like Kiada has in her possession?” he wonders. Deimos is one of his favourite people, but he doubts an ordinary winter jacket from Halo will do much for them.

More updates come, and the Maverick raises a glass to them. ”It sounds as though everywhere is thriving. We recently engaged with Dygra to make a portal from here to The Climb, so that should improve things further for the Grounds, given that most of us are Ancients. Shall we have a toast, then? To our continued good fortune, and to the Midwinter Ball to come.”

Dantalion

// with every step that I ran to you //

Those left behind would undoubtedly have their own thoughts on how things proceeded, but even if Hadama had been in the habit of giving explanations for his actions there had been neither time nor opportunity given the company. He focused instead on what could be done in the present - though when Evie fled past without even a glance his heart went cold.

In that moment he might have gone after his friend, one of the few he would find the words for, but Maea suddenly pulled away and his attention refocused on her.

Her shaking hands.

Her shaking voice.

The trajectory of her steps.

"What will you accomplish by going back?" he rumbled, his serene expression unchanging since he had arrived and not shifting now as he moved to place himself between her and the stairs once more, shamelessly utilizing his longer legs to do so without hurrying. "I will not stop you if you seek your own destruction. But neither you nor I have the power to stop her if she turns violent." Whatever else Dahlia was, the former mermanta recognized a predator when he saw one. One that would not hesitate to exploit a weakness once she had sensed it. Whether that would be to dismiss Maea as a servant and ignore her, or to needle her with a sharp-toothed smile and fanged words he could not yet guess. But it was hard to imagine the proud Ancient taking either approach well. "Will you be able to swallow your pride again if she pushes you further?"

DEIMOS

ache first, but then let the cuts close
spit out the blood

Quiet deliberations and discoveries, a hastening of his clenched jaw and twisted components, with more buried far below the surface. Were they not so transparent with one another, Evie’s last words might’ve been an insult, but Deimos knew himself, and her, well enough to understand the harsher outlines hastened warnings and endeavors. So while his chest threatened to burst and his eyes managed an imprint of their fleeting backs, hoping it wasn’t the final image he’d ever have of them, he remained deliberately muted, closed off, and hushed.

In fact, he hoped they could make this pretense of a meeting dull enough to bore Dahlia away, and since he couldn’t teleport or evaporate into the floorboards, he’d take those notions of extended justices from Danta and Sunjata to do exactly that. “What can King’s End trade?” Never mind if they had no intentions of doing so – his eyes went from Sunjata the moment another voice popped into their heads – Dahlia’s henchman seemed to be Attuned – and instantly placed any and all emotions behind his wall of nonchalance. Everest would find no reaction from him. Besides, the threat mattered little to him now; she was already here in the room.

Stormbreak updates from Vox, were noted in the back of his mind, as was the ominous remark, and Maea and Hadama’s escape from responsibilities and disordered dilemmas. Rather than responding to Dahlia’s inclinations, his intrigue swept back to Dantalion. “Both, though if you prefer the latter, I will warn you they still have limitations.” And then to toasts, and hopefully, enough of a farce to slip away thereafter.

watch your body pull itself back together
then let your soul do the same

you know i'm gonna change, things just don't stay the same no more

Dahlia’s compliments as they settle further in has Sunjata relaxing a fraction – even if her next set of words seem to prove the opposite. He’s nearly ready to respond to her quiet threat while Deimos and Dantalion are talking, but he’s suddenly spoken to by Deimos which has his gaze drifting immediately to Halo’s Warden. “Unicorn shavings.” His accented voice breaks the air between them. “It can add a healing option to items, as we’re finding out.” And thus, the option and opportunity to collect it and potentially use it for trade was something worth adding to this conversation.

Because certainly Sunjata can’t think of any other reason to have them all gathered. But then the Maverick begins a little toast, and Sunjata inclines his head with a snort, nodding as he indulges in the toast, before his hand finds Dahlia’s once more, remaining connected with her for a variety of reasons, most notably that aside from Everest, he’s the most comfortable one here in this room. “To the continued fortune and the Midwinter Ball.” He hums, before his tone takes a hint of sarcasm, inclining his head a little toward Dahlia to alleviate more of that tension in the room. “For a meeting that could have probably been a letter exchange, maybe we should go and join the festivities now?”

The jackets from Halo to the Ancients of the Grounds don’t matter to him, as far as he’s concerned, and he’s said his statement as have everyone else. And now he wants nothing more than to go peruse the drinks and food offered in the main Temple.

you know i'm gonna break your fading heart

SuNJATA

Flora

Whether or not Dahlia was going to buy what it was they were all trying to sell her hardly seemed to matter as the conversation steamrolled ahead about topics that they clearly hadn't all gathered to speak about. But given the Reaper's point about how they were all clustered together, and given how Dahlia had turned her father into a punching bag, the Doubletake wasn't keen on pressing her luck. "Maybe Torchline will see if we can bottle up some sunshine for you." Flora purred to @Danta, tipping the ancient a sly wink. Of course she had absolutely no idea whether such a thing was possible or whether it could warm ancients against the proper Halovian cold, but that didn't really matter.

Unless...if Dahlia could read minds..?

"Ugh, yes." The queen agreed, glancing to Sunjata and raising her glass as well. "Not for nothing, but I could absolutely do with fewer meetings." She added emphatically. That, at least, was true.

Nodding obediently, Everest slipped out of the large doors with Dahlia's coat still folded over one arm. Tailing behind Maea and Hadama, the aviator kept an appropriate distance that he couldn't necessarily hear the exact words whispered between them, but close enough that he was sure his presence would be more than felt.

Doused and drowned in a violet dream that muted his instincts and enhanced the senses that best suited the Reaper, Everest would boldly stop the pair lingering by the stairs by whatever means were necessary. Rarely did he call upon his more predatory shifts, but they did indeed exist and if any action was taken to harm his queen or otherwise disturb a meeting that she had every right to attend, he would do his best to subdue those who tried to throw a wrench in her plans.

So, like an ever-present watch dog, the attuned stood and watched the ancient and the demigod with a focused and clear blue stare.

I will not be brave
but i'm grateful to get through

For meetings that might have been letters - and meetings that might have been entirely different were it not for her fortuitous arrival - Dahlia nonetheless seems satisifed with the knowledge that both is and is not shared amongst the group. She raises her own glass in a toast as well, taking a sip of her drink and inclining her head towards Sunjata with a smile blooming across her lips.

"Quite so," she purrs, "though I am afraid you may have to go on without me to those festivities. I have other engagements tonight." What those might be and whether they have anything to do with the fact that all regions are currently without their leaders... well, one can only speculate.

"I have told Everest that he may stay for as long as he wishes. Do let him know if you have any messages to pass to me after tonight." Finishing her drink and pressing a soft kiss to the Flood's cheek, within but a moment, the Reaper is gone once more.

---

Dahlia out!

Magic: Void Shift | Can void shift to any location.
Type: Dark | Rank: Mastered

let me put my lips to something
let me wrap my teeth around the world

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

Maea

My heroes had the heart to lose their lives out on the limb

Finding her path blocked by Hadama, the pale-haired woman scowled up at him. The calm logic of his reasoning infuriated her at first - but the anger was only a symptom of already stirred up emotions, and only proved him right. So she stopped and drew in a deep breath. Exhaling, Maea worked her jaw until some of the tension eased.

"I'm going back because it's the right thing to do," she replied in a low tone. Meeting his gaze, there was no mistaking her fear, nor her determination. "So what if I die? If I'm the only one who survives after bringing these people together I wouldn't be able to live with myself anyway. As for my pride..." Her lips stretched into a humorless smile. "What do I have to be proud of? If groveling is what will keep everyone alive I'll lick every boot in Stormbreak. Don't worry, I won't do anything stupid. I've done my share of that for the rest of the year."

Patting her tall friend on the arm, she stepped around him and headed back towards the stairs. A crawling sensation came over her as she realized that Dahlia's escort was hovering near the stairwell - and for all that she'd rather kiss a snake, Maea managed to produce a bland smile for Everest. Hopefully he'd just let her pass.

---

No post order from here on

And I remember thinking — I want to be like them

DEIMOS

ache first, but then let the cuts close
spit out the blood

Were he not in a very dour mood he might’ve agreed with Flora on the subject of less meetings (if they never had one again the Sword would be content). On the whole though, the moment Dahlia slipped away, he eased a sigh of relief. Turning to Danta, he nodded, figuring the Ancient could come find him later for the jacket request and ensemble, before hastening towards the door – extending a vague wave to anyone nearby. Entirely done with the matters at hand, especially after the latest debacle, his main mission was to find the rest of his family, and return home at the earliest convenience.

{Deimos out!}

watch your body pull itself back together
then let your soul do the same

you know i'm gonna change, things just don't stay the same no more

Hearing Flora’s same sentiments on the matter, Sunjata chuckles a resounding sound of agreement at precisely the time Dahlia moves to take her leave. Her kiss on his cheek is one that leaves behind a sensation of content pride, even as he nods to her at exactly the second that she departs. And while everyone else starts to breathe a breath of relief and takes their departure (Sunjata is giving a small wave to you, Deimos), he instead slips back over to Flora’s side with an arm outstretched for basically his stepdaughter.

Inclining his head down toward her, Sunjata’s smile is crooked when he asks her in a quiet tone “you wanna go find the good drinks with me?” Bouncing a brow, he nods toward Dantalion with his own little sly wink, and moves to take his leave should Flora join him as well.

---

Sunjata’s heading out when Flora leaves!

you know i'm gonna break your fading heart

SuNJATA

Hadama noted Everest and gave the young man a thoughtful look before inclining his head in a courteous nod of acknowledgment, though he made no effort to move further away. His focus returned immediately to Maea and he met her scowl with impervious calm until she was ready to speak with thought and care for their situation.

And who might be listening in.

"Your death concerns me," he admitted freely, tucking his hands into his sleeves as he considered the small but fiery Ancient. "As do the deaths of everyone in that room if you return angry." But it seemed that she had regained control of herself, or a reasonable semblance of it, and at her reassurance he ceased attempting to prevent her return. She passed him by and he turned to look at Everest once more with a brow raised in silent query for if the the young man would interfere--

But others were beginning to leave. Deimos made his exit from the stairs, swift but purposeful in the manner of one departing rather than fleeing, and Hadama judged the meeting over by that sign.

Which meant there were other currents to swim and he steeled himself to descend again and bow deeply to those who remained: Flora , Sunjata , and Dantalion.  "My deepest apologies," he rumbled to those who lingered. "For endangering you. And my gratitude." He turned to Sunjata in particular. "For your courage and swift thinking."

Flora

"Please, gods yes, especially if it means getting out of here." Flora whispers in response, glancing up at Sunjata before curling one hand around his arm as if she might just amalgamate into him in case any other shenanigans might occur.

Giving Hadama a pointed stare that she'd follow up later on—for now she just wanted to be free of confined spaces and somewhere with liquor—she sighed heavily as they walked toward where the Ball was being set up, but not before slowing slightly as they passed Everest. "Ever, what the actual fuck?" The queen demanded of her former employee. "Mateo said you'd been acting strangely, but fuck." Wrinkling her nose, the Doubletake gave her head a stern shake before nodding to Sunjata that they could go.

Flora and Sunny out!

// you knew who I was //

All's well that ends well, Danta supposes, and he smoothly knocks back the rest of his drink and abandons the glass on the mantelpiece, before turning to watch as the Reaper makes her swift exit, and they can all take a collective breath. Not him, of course, imprisoned in his waistcoat as he is, but the sentiment is still there. Tipping a wink to Sunjata and Flora and offering a more solemn nod to Hadama, while there's certainly much to discuss, it isn't here and it isn't now.

Those conversations can come later, behind closed doors and with fewer sets of eyes. Besides, Danta has just brushed shoulders with near certain death tonight, and he feels as though he deserves a little celebration as a result. And so, providing there is no further drama, he takes his leave to join the ball.

---

Danta out!

Dantalion

// with every step that I ran to you //

Maea

My heroes had the heart to lose their lives out on the limb

When Everest didn't stop them Maea began to hurry down the stairs, heart beating wildly in her chest at the myriad visions of what might be going on down there. But she hadn't managed many steps before Deimos passed her on the way out, soon followed by the rest.

At the bottom of the steps, she could see the office lie empty past the open doors. Slowly she stepped inside and shared a glance with Hadama; with a long, deep breath Maea sank into a chair someone had vacated. She stared at the untouched food, the half-empty glasses, and slowly buried her head in her hands. Relieved that there wouldn't be any worse things to tidy away. Almost startled, to find that she hadn't gotten anyone killed. Her hands felt cold. They were still shaking. No doubt they'd keep doing that for the rest of the day.

"You should go, too," she told Hadama quietly. "I'll... take some time to clean up here." And regain some kind of composure. Though how she'd ever manage to patch together her shattered confidence... she just didn't know.


{Fin}

And I remember thinking — I want to be like them