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Character of the Season
Once known as the Butcher of Whitebrim, he's now The Butcher of Dygra, stepping forward as the first created demigod of the Ancients. There is no question that Astaroth casts an intimidating silhouette. Tall, domineering and dangerous, if looks could kill you'd be dead already, but to get up close and personal with the Grounds' resident cannibal tells a much different story. Dripping with charm and clad in only the finest attire, Asta is a gentleman monster, as polite as they come and committed to his role as security for the Dusklight and those who have earned his loyalty. Be careful of that smile, though - those teeth are sharp.
Congratulations, Asta!
Credits
Court of the Fallen was created in October of 2018 by Odd, Honey, and Crooked.
OG Skinning provided by Kaons, with functionality and many custom plugins made by Neowulf!
Leaving your girlfriend alone with a newborn seems like a cruel thing to do, but Soh had practically begged him to go. Zavien tried not to take it personally since he has been a little overbearing since Reva arrived. From waiting on Soh hand and foot to checking on the infant constantly, some might consider him obsessed. It's less about a worry for their safety - although that certainly plays a role - and more of an overwhelming sense of love and affection that he didn't know what to do with. Some might count it as a good thing, but Zavien could tell Soh was feeling a little smothered and it might do them both some good to have a day of space. After all, he'd be back before she knew it.
Still, Sol takes it upon himself to distract Zavien, nudging or chirping at him whenever his hand strays to the golden pendant around his neck - like now.
He lets out an amused sigh when Sol bumps against his leg on their way up the hill. "I wasn't even touching it," he complains to the dragon, lifting his hands to show that they'd been hanging perfectly at his side - ignoring the twitch that had started to form. The companion gives a huff of disbelief but bounces up the path to reach the shrine before them, golden tail streaming behind like a guiding beacon.
Zavien shakes his head, a grin playing across his lips. He's already bored Ronin at length with the details during their trip over, so he laughs lightly when he looks at the demigod. "I swear I wasn't this time." The shrug he offers shifts the pack of offerings and cleaning supplies across his back, flowers sticking out from the top like a goofy crown over his head. Even if he had been, Zavien gets the feeling Ronin would understand.
"Hey, I wouldn't have held it against you," Ronin says with a warm laugh as they close in on the top of the barrow where the shrine to Safrin and Vi is located. His own wedding ring has been a reassuring pulse against his finger for over a decade now after all, so it isn't as though he's a stranger to needing that sort of comfort, especially now. "I know Safrin would be pleased you're taking time out to come here, but I'd want to get home quickly too."
Stretching his arms above his head as they reach the shrine at last, Ronin is quick to shrug off his own satchel of supplies and offerings, also wrestling with the broom he's brought along to whisk away any debris. "Just because Flowerbirth is slow to show up here, doesn't mean we can't make it look like it's in bloom, right?" So saying, he starts to get to work in sweeping the shrine clear so they have a fresh start to place their offerings.
Just as he'd expected, Ronin understands better than most, and he lets the humor of it overshadow any self-consciousness that threatens to rise. Laughing, his steps are lighter when they crest the hill. "I think Soh was more excited for the break than she let on." The laughter continues in his eyes when he looks to Ronin, the grin shining bright when he admits unashamedly, "I don't want to leave them alone too long, but Safrin has given me a lot, and it might be best for everyone if I have something else to do with my time other than dote and spoil," he jokes. 'Smother' might be the better word. Or perhaps 'suffocate?'
With LongNight over, his paranoia has eased, but the overprotectiveness persists, and when nothing else is distracting him, Zavien gravitates towards his girls, looking for a new way to help or protect even when they don't need anything. Hoping Ronin might have a solution, he smiles a little wider, his tone playful when he asks, "Are you still looking for help training soldiers?"
Following Ronin's lead, Zavien sets his pack onto the ground and takes in the dirty shrine with a determined grin. "Agreed." He doesn't waste time getting to work, hoping they can do Safrin justice despite the delayed Flowerbirth blooms. He pulls out some rags to wipe the stones of the shrine, clearing bits of debris and mud that have burrowed between the candles while Sol takes it upon himself to light any that might have been gone out.
"Ah, I don't think there's any such thing as spoiling them at this age," Ronin objects with a grin as he sweeps the flagstones around the shrine free of dead leaves and withered flowers from older offerings. "How is Soh handling everything? Well, presumably, if you're the one she needs a break from and not the baby." Humour dances in his blue eyes as he speaks, the Knight careful to hop over Zavien's legs to avoid accidentally sweeping him away too.
While Sol lights the candles Sugar keeps watch overhead as a small, pale arc in the sky, the little dragon never one for socialising unless under duress. "Soldiers?" he repeats as he sets the broom aside and goes digging in his pack. "Always. Torchline gets busier every day, and there's always some crooked thing happening in Haulani's underbelly. Any help you want to give would be great - though I will say, new recruits can get spoiled if you dote on them too much."
Getting out a few fresh pillar candles, he sets them up on the shrine as well for Sol to ignite.
Zavien hasn't stopped smiling for weeks, but the expression shines a little brighter when he talks about his girls, laughing at the truth in Ronin's joke. "She's doing great - still recovering, but motherhood suits her." They're still in the lovely newborn phase where the baby only wakes for a couple of minutes before settling back down to rest. Their sleep has taken a small hit, but Zavien doesn't mind getting up to spend a few moments with Reva, letting Soh get what little reprieve she can. In fact, he's slept better since the baby arrived, his worries dissipating now that they've passed the first hurdle, constantly being reassured by their beautiful faces.
Chuckling, Zavien swipes his rag across the stones, scrubbing to release the dried wax. "Noted. I'll save my doting for Reva." But it would be nice to have a routine again, to build community with other soldiers, to find purpose outside of his family. It's not like he means to escape them or miss any of the big moments, but he misses the Dragoons, and he offers another smile. "Just let me know where you need the help."
Sol gets to work lighting the new candles, but when the broom kicks up dust, he lets out a full body sneeze that spouts a small burst of flame. It threats to catch on the flowers and Zavien jumps up to smother the sparks, shaking his head when he wipes away the soot.
"That's good to hear," Ronin says, grinning. "It must be a relief to be in Torchline too, with the healing fountain so close by." Any issues or illnesses can be resolved nearly immediately thanks to the city's magic, and they aren't yet in Longheat either where the days will become heavy and stifling. At Sol's sneeze he lets out an apology through a laugh, waiting for the dragon to finish lighting his candles before following up with a last sweep with the broom.
With that done Ronin returns to his pack for his offerings; a gorgeously engraved silver mirror polished to a high shine, and some carefully wrapped star-gazer lilies. "The twins are good," he says, setting the mirror face up where it won't catch the light and risk a fire at the wrong angle. "Full of mischief of course, now that they can sneak around with one another and get up to their own trouble. But they seem happy, and that's all I've ever wanted for my kids. Remi and I are careful to keep a close eye on them."
Nodding his head, Zavien scrubs the last bit of dirt from the stones. "Certainly. It's one of the reasons we moved. That, and being closer to Flora." King's End was working on its own healing property, but with the birth fast approaching, it had been necessary to take precautions sooner. Plus, having a support system for Soh and the baby had only been logical, no matter Zavien's reservations. The region's still growing on him, but the pros have far outweighed any cons he can conjure.
Sol drifts back down from his sneeze to light the last candle, wagging his tail at Ronin before hopping off the shrine to search for flowers beneath the lingering frost. Meanwhile, Zavien stows the dirty rags, pulling out the offers he'd brought. "Happy and healthy are the best," he agrees, arranging the lavender and sunflowers across the stones of the shrine. "They're lucky to have dads who can keep up with whatever mischief they find themselves in." Zavien grins. He knows that won't diminish any of the stress, but at least the two men have an abundance of magics and abilities to keep the boys safe, and a large network of influence to play on if necessary.
Oblivious to Zavien's reservations, Ronin merely offers a smile and a nod at his reasoning. "Has Flora come to meet the baby yet?" he asks. "If not, perhaps she'll visit while we're out here." To provide that support network the other man had been hoping for whilst he's in another region. "And I know - long may it last." The happy and healthy, he means, Ronin carefully unwrapping the lilies and setting them down on the shrine as well.
"And you say we can keep up, but they can be surprisingly sneaky. I'm blaming that trait on Remi, though if I'm honest they might have inherited it from me." Chuckling to himself, Ronin settles on his knees before the shrine now it's been cleaned up and they've set out their offerings, bowing his head in silent prayer with the candlelight playing across his face.
Once he's offered his thanks in earnest, he rises to his feet and steps back, smiling to Zavien. "I think that might do it, don't you?"
