From Attuned to Ascended to Ancient, Kiada Njovu-Reyes has been reborn several times throughout her short life, but her fighting spirit has never once been diminished. With beauty, grace and a quick wit, Kiada is the whole package wrapped in an infectious smile. Recent endeavours have found her in the heart of the Hollowed Grounds, aiding the region and bettering it for her new Ancient kin, and whatever she does next, we know it's sure to pack a punch.
Congratulations, Kiada!
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!
The Wraith doesn’t really get tired these days, but that - that was emotionally exhausting. Her head and heart are weary, tired of justifying, tired of defending, aching for both a real fight and real rest. She exits the Athenuem post-Melita with her two books, feeling like she’s just been put through a mini-Mathair fight again and more than ready for a drink. Maybe that should be her next upgrade - a pleasure sensor or something, so she can partake in the finer things in life again.
With a soft sigh to herself, she finds a place in the open Sanctuary to sit and opens the book. The white pages are a mere dim reflection of the moonlight to anyone else in the darkness, but to her, more than easy to read.
Loren had been studying the Loreseeker’s big book of Hollowed Grounds flora and fauna. Engrossed in its pages, and furiously scribbling notes, he hadn’t realized how late it had gotten until he left the Atheneum and emerged to find that the sun had set long ago. Sighing, he shouldered the small pack with his notes and his belongings and set off for the Manor.
On the way, though, he spotted a familiar figure seated, book in hand. He hesitated, knowing he should just move on. In the end, though, he approached Wessex. ”Good evening. What are you reading?” His voice came out politely and civilly enough.
look at how a single candle can both
defy and define the darkness
The glow from her eyes begins to fade as she turns the last page of the smaller book and looks up at Loren. “A children’s story,” Wessex replies, equally civil but definitely lacking any warmth or invitation to remain in her presence. She tucks it into an interior pocket, leaving the larger book - a catalog of magic - on her lap. Once the prize is secure, she looks up at the Launceleyn again.
“Do you want something?” she asks, neither kind nor harsh, just getting to the point. She’s not going to do the small talk thing. Not with him.
When Wessex's eyes glowed, Loren’s eyebrows rose. ”Everything alright?” Then the glow faded as quickly and unexpectedly as it had appeared. While his own eyes had narrowed, he didn’t ask anything more than that or move from his spot. He just folded his arms as he glanced at the title of the next book.
”I was passing by on my way home. Just figured I'd stop and say hello." His voice was about as inflectionless as hers. "If you want a rundown on magic, I'd be happy to provide one." His tone had thawed slightly, as had his expression. However, it was barely above polite, and definitely not even approaching friendly.
look at how a single candle can both
defy and define the darkness
“Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?” She frowns a little, never knowing Loren to care if she was alright or not. Nevermind that if she weren’t, she wouldn’t be here, ‘innocently’ reading in the half-light. His offer genuinely surprises her, and for a moment she contemplates agreeing to it. But here is a book that she is perfectly capable of reading by herself. Looking down at it, Wessex shakes her head. “Nope. If I feel like I’m missing something, perhaps I’ll stop by. Otherwise I’m fine.” She doesn’t need his know-it-all help.
Loren opened his mouth to respond to Wessex. Then he hesitated, clearly though better of it, and closed it. Instead, he sighed and shook his head. ”No reason.” Running a hand through his hair, he looked away from her.
When she told him that she didn't need his help, he bit his lip. Still, he nodded. "Alright. Have a good night, and enjoy your reading." His voice came out quietly, with the barest hints of regret in it, though she probably didn't know him well enough to recognize them.
With that, he turned and began to walk away. Although his eyes were troubled, he didn't look back. He just kept walking until he arrived home.
look at how a single candle can both
defy and define the darkness
No reason? Ok then. Giving the Launceleyn a slightly skeptical look, she nods goodnight before he walks away, completely missing whatever bare hint of regret may be in his voice. Had she noticed the regret, Wessex probably would have scoffed at the drama of it all. You sow what you reap, and if he isn’t prepared to accept the consequences of his actions, perhaps he ought to have thought a little harder about his actions and words against her.
There is only one living Launceleyn she finds amenable, and that’s the Warden in the north. Maybe Peter, if you consider him one of the family (which she doesn’t). Everyone else can fuck right off.
Unperturbed by the turn of events, the Wraith continues to read in the dark, half blatantly showing off Ascended abilities to anyone who might walk by and half actually wanting to learn about magic as quickly as possible.