What do you get when two ruthless assassins raise their daughter travelling through the wildest reaches of Caido? Take one look at Theea and you'll get a pretty good idea. Cheerful and tenacious in equal measure, and curious beyond all else, she began her journey on a mission to find those her mother once called family. And find them she did, soon rubbing elbows with demigods, leaders and even ghosts from the past. Her determination is resolute, her thirst for knowledge unmatched. We can't wait to see where her next adventure takes her!
Congratulations, Theea!
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!
Mastered Item:
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
La Verbena | A personal skyboat (schooner) capable of travelling at 2x wagon speeds over most types of terrain. Can accommodate 2 people onboard during flight.
Was hunting for lilies considered a vacation? She was away from home…and her vocation, so, the Attuned presumed it’d be enough. Subsequently, Lena returned to Frey’s Breath with the same stalwart determination – but a lot less jovial hope. It’d probably been misplaced, to think she could so easily snag a flower and help to save an infected region. Instead, she should’ve figured and calculated that it would take far more than aspirations, desires, and expectations; so the Caretaker rallied her dreams and aimed to make them real and tangible again.
Striding through the cavern’s network of twists and turns again, and avoiding the outcry of gore crows hovering down another tunnel, she took a massive inhale upon the sights and sounds of the warm plumes once more. Without Mittens, for she wouldn’t bring the snowball anywhere near the Climb, she had the area all to herself, for now anyways, and could place her bag amidst an outcropping of rocks.
And began to search all over again.
She started on the furthest wall first, still adorned in her swimsuit but not taking the pleasure from the springs just yet, searching, eyes scouring for any distinction of petals and blossoms against the darker outlines.
09-09-2024, 06:22 PM (This post was last modified: 09-10-2024, 06:25 PM by Bane.)
Bane
Your shadows betray you They serve me
Bane, in his human form, moved cautiously through the winding passages of Frey’s Breath Caverns. The humid warmth from the steam rising off the hot springs was a welcome relief for his aching muscles. His emerald eyes, alert and watchful, scanned the cavern’s damp, glowing walls as he navigated the twisting paths. Wearing a lax outfit of loose cotton shirt, and pants that were rolled up to his calf muscles, and boots as he had trekked through the dangerous climate.
As he rounded a bend, he emerged into a large, open grotto.
His attention was immediately drawn to a figure moving along the cavern walls with focused intent. The woman was not relaxing in the hot springs as he had initially assumed but was instead crawling methodically over the rough, moss-covered stone.
Bane’s eyes widened in surprise. He stopped abruptly, his face registering shock and confusion at the unexpected sight. He stared at her for a moment, trying to process the scene before him.
“Am I… interrupting?” His voice was steady, though tinged with a hint of bewilderment. He looked at the woman with a mixture of curiosity and unease, trying to understand the unusual situation.
He remained where he stood, waiting for a response, his emerald eyes reflecting both his genuine interest and the perplexity of encountering someone so unexpectedly in the cavern’s depths.
Pain is a teacher that never forgets Etched in the flesh
Mastered Item:
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
La Verbena | A personal skyboat (schooner) capable of travelling at 2x wagon speeds over most types of terrain. Can accommodate 2 people onboard during flight.
Her hands gently and nimbly combed around the stark, dark granules of rock and crag. Not desperate, but light and spirited, figuring at some point one of them would yield blossoms and petals. Her steps were methodical, carrying her along the edge of the shallow warmth until she turned another corner and started there; equally determined on each stride.
So steadfast, focused, and concentrated on the task, in fact, that she hadn’t heard anyone else approaching.
The voice was unfamiliar, and she jumped practically out of her skin as she turned to see the stranger; body going stock still. Not recognizing any portion of this figure, she rapidly shook her head thereafter, suddenly feeling very exposed and bare. Her eyes darted to her bag nearby, before flickering back to the man. “Oh, no, sorry, you just startled me. I’m looking for Rae’s Lilies.” Wondering if she had interrupted something, her brows furrowed. “Is that a bother?”
Bane watched her carefully, the steam from the hot springs rising around them like a shroud. He let out a low, rumbling chuckle, his mask amplifying the sound so it seemed to resonate off the stone walls. But then, in a surprisingly fluid motion for someone of his size, he reached up and unclasped the mask, setting it aside on the rocks behind him.
For the first time, his face was exposed—scarred, hardened by countless battles, yet there was something unexpected in his expression. A grin curled at the corner of his mouth, sharp and amused. "Interrupting?" he repeated, his voice now unfiltered, a little rougher, but somehow lighter, almost teasing. "No, little flower seeker, you do not interrupt. You provide… an unexpected distraction."
He leaned back against the edge of the hot spring, the heat of the water soaking into his muscles, a quiet satisfaction visible in the way his shoulders loosened. "And if I needed quiet, I wouldn’t have come here, would I?" His grin widened, a playful glint in his eyes. "Though I admit, it's not every day one finds a woman so determined to find flowers in a place like this."
He watched her reaction closely, enjoying the shift in her expression. "So, no," he continued, his tone a blend of challenge and curiosity, "you are not a bother. But perhaps you can tell me… what makes these lilies so special that you risk the travel?"
He rested his arms on the stone, his grin lingering, as if daring her to answer. The water's warmth seemed to have brought out a side of him that was both disarming and, in its way, just a little bit dangerous.
Pain is a teacher that never forgets Etched in the flesh
Mastered Item:
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
La Verbena | A personal skyboat (schooner) capable of travelling at 2x wagon speeds over most types of terrain. Can accommodate 2 people onboard during flight.
Her attention was now divided between flower hunting and the stranger; the uncertainty lingering down the depths of her spine and chest, mind already conjuring hordes of options should something go awry. Normally she wouldn’t be discomforted, but either from the mask, or the purposefully dark chuckles, she was already on the edges of irritation or apprehension, and they were muddling together rapidly.
Rather than courting any further taunting, she straightened her shoulders and persisted in searching, gaze landing upon naught but rock. Rather than taking on the defeatist mode from last time, she simply persisted, purposefully inclining her range closer to her bag and away from the stranger. She’d answer his last inquiry, but only because they truly were a matter of great importance. “They have special healing powers,” she noted, with only a minor glance towards him again. “I’m sure you’ve noticed the regions currently infested by the void.” Unless he hadn’t been out that way anytime in the last few seasons. Picking at a stone and moving it aside, she found nothing again, and placed it back where it had once lain. “The flowers can assist in bringing the lands back to order.”
Bane leaned back against the warm, wet rocks, his emerald gaze drifting away from the woman who continued her search. Instead, his eyes roamed the jagged ceiling of the cave, tracing every crevice and divot that could hide a secret or two.
As she explained her purpose, a spark of interest flickered in his eyes. If the land was restored… could it ease the burden on those living in poverty? Brief flashes of dirt-smudged children and weary mothers struggling to provide for them crossed his mind—a sharp contrast to his usual thoughts.
“Hey… little flower picker…” he called out, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as he glanced at her from the corner of his eye. “Do you think your plan could actually help those less fortunate across the regions? If you manage to pull it off?”
His question might have seemed unexpected, coming from someone so often shrouded in darkness, but even Bane had his softer sides, carefully hidden beneath his rough exterior.
Pain is a teacher that never forgets Etched in the flesh
Mastered Item:
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
La Verbena | A personal skyboat (schooner) capable of travelling at 2x wagon speeds over most types of terrain. Can accommodate 2 people onboard during flight.
Wondering if this man was being purposefully demeaning, she allowed him her brief attention again. “I’m Lena.” Then she tended to another scale of rocks, going further from the shallows and into deeper treads, where the water lingered along her calves, then hips, to allow some form of relaxation and Zen under the intense scrutiny and driven focus. Uncertain what he had to be smirking about, and not all that keen to know, she kept herself light, airy, and warm, rather than build into apprehension again. She was close enough to her bag to be able to evade anything he’d like to try.
The question caused her head to raise though. “Well, it would diminish the void. Places like the Greatwood wouldn’t be dangerous to access any longer.” He’d be able to ascertain the following results – anyone still living in the depths could come and go as they pleased, the markets could thrive again, some amount of salvation and restoration could be established…”I hope no one is living in the Oerwoud or Feverlands at the moment. Not until we can return things to normal.”
Realizing he had forgotten his manners, Bane cleared his throat abruptly, a flush of red creeping across his cheeks. Social graces weren't exactly his strong suit, a fact that often showed in his interactions. “Ah, shit. Sorry,” he muttered with an embarrassed grin, rubbing the back of his head. “I’m Bane.”
As he listened to her explanation, his expression shifted to one of concentration, his brows furrowing while he mulled over her words. Then, with a sudden splash, Bane pushed himself up from the water. “Well, if that’s the case…” he began, cutting himself off mid-thought. She didn’t need to persuade him further.
Without waiting for more, he stepped out of the water and moved to the opposite side of the cave where she was searching. Determined, he started climbing along the wall, his fingers trailing through the crevices and peering behind the rocks. “Two pairs of eyes are better than one,” he called back with a toothy grin at Lena , eager to dive into the task.
Pain is a teacher that never forgets Etched in the flesh
Mastered Item:
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
La Verbena | A personal skyboat (schooner) capable of travelling at 2x wagon speeds over most types of terrain. Can accommodate 2 people onboard during flight.
She hadn’t expected that alteration in disposition, and quickly glanced back over at the man as he formalized introductions. At least she had a name to a face and mask, rather than various nicknames and conjectures. But she stayed her ground as he rose from the water, brow arching, before realizing he was going to help.
Granting a smile instead of a looming, neutral, regal configuration, she bowed her head and continued her work, muddling deeper into the hot springs threshold as she searched. Fingers were light and dainty, careful not to disturb all the stone formations, while she combed through them, withdrawing any latent sighs. The determination was too harbored and rooted. “Thank you. It is much appreciated.”
But upon not finding anything in this section, she opted for another round of what she’d tried before – vantage points and all. “I’m going to fly over and see if I can spot anything from above,” so not to spook him when the alteration took place – and so shifted into her bird form, complete in gray and rose, intending to gain height as she rose along the plumes of heat.
we are more weather pattern than stone monument sunlight on mist; summer lightning
"Honestly... Anything to help out where I can. And if one of the things is finding this flower, well. I'm at your service."
Bane watched her with a mix of curiosity and respect as she worked. When she mentioned switching tactics, he raised an eyebrow but gave a nod. "Flying, huh? That’s a good idea. Sometimes a different perspective can make all the difference," he said, his tone appreciative.
As she shifted into her bird form and took to the sky, Bane resumed his search with renewed energy. The hot springs were a curious place, full of hidden nooks and crannies, and he was determined to uncover whatever secrets they might hold. With a practiced eye, he examined the surrounding area, carefully probing the stone formations and keeping an ear out for any signs of her return.
While he worked, he allowed himself a moment to reflect on her earlier comments. He respected the determination she had shown and admired her ability to remain focused and graceful under pressure. Even in her bird form, she managed to convey a sense of purpose and precision that was impressive.
"Let’s see what we can find together," Bane muttered to himself as he continued his search, keeping a keen eye on the changing landscape around the hot springs.
His fingers found creeping vines that.. absolutely led to nothing but more vines, and sometimes an occassional clump of dirt, dust, and soil mixed together in a disgusting glob from the moisture.
Pain is a teacher that never forgets Etched in the flesh
Mastered Item:
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
La Verbena | A personal skyboat (schooner) capable of travelling at 2x wagon speeds over most types of terrain. Can accommodate 2 people onboard during flight.
She nodded at his initial inclinations, unaware he’d be able to hear her through the shared bond, as she drifted along thermals of warm air and the various reaches of crag. Her eyes scanned as she hovered and moved, wings hastening greater heights or lower dominions, but in the end there were no outlets of surprise hues or petals blossoming from the rock faces.
So eventually she landed. Rather than giving into despair like last time, for which she still felt guilty at Zavien’s expense, she stifled all that disappointment down into her chest. It could lodge there for the time being, with all her other culpable, ashamed notions towards the void and the Feverlands specifically, while she shifted back. “I didn’t see anything,” she offered back, the smile gone. “I’m going to try over here,” to which she pointed at a smaller pool, a little more difficult to see when shrouded in shadow. “But then otherwise we’re probably out of luck.”
Bane had been steadily searching along the wall, to no avail his attempts kept failing at finding the flower that the woman had been searching for. Seeing her return, he gave a brief nod of understanding, something that didn't need to be said. When she spoke, her disappointment was palpable, even though she tried to mask it. His brow furrowed slightly, understanding that feeling all too well.
He glanced at the smaller pool she had pointed out, nodding as he adjusted his stance.
"Alright, let's check it out. If we don't find anything, we'll call it a day. No use beatin' ourselves up over it. Because at least you tried. That's.... all we can do in instances like this. It's more than some would do. It's ... admirable." He moved toward the shadowed pool, glancing back at her. "We can always try again another time."
Just then it donned on him. "I know what can help me see just a little bit better in the dark. I always forget because it's usually not the first thing on my mind." The man then shifted from his normal form, to his panther form. His ebony fur contrasting against his eyes. The man's gaze scanned in the dark, heading over to the pool that she had pointed out. A low rumble left his lips, as he had started to walk into the water.
The warm water hit him as he had began searching. He would had much rathered be searching in his normal form, but... Take advantages where he can. It's something he learned quickly with Lena when she had taken her flight form. His paws sifted through the water, leaving the large feline soaked. His face even drenched, giving him a grumpy appearance.
Pain is a teacher that never forgets Etched in the flesh
Mastered Item:
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
La Verbena | A personal skyboat (schooner) capable of travelling at 2x wagon speeds over most types of terrain. Can accommodate 2 people onboard during flight.
She’d heard similar sentiments from Zavien, and though she understood the nature of them, it was still difficult not to feel those familiar disheartening entities returning. Brushing them aside as best she could, she kept that stalwart ebullience with a firm nod. “Right. We can always come back.” Though she had begun to wonder how many times it would be before anyone found something – she hadn’t heard of any discovered blossoms since the time of the Voice’s rampant spread of disease.
So rather than crossing her arms over her chest or pouting, the Caretaker followed suit – watching as the man shifted into a panther. She hadn’t realized Bane was a fellow Attuned, so she gave a small smile at the notions – opting to partially shift her own gaze into cat semblances – and gently flowing in after him.
But even then, darkness attributes or otherwise, it felt like a dead end. The pool was still lovely, invigorating, and lush, yet yielded not a single flower in its midst. The sigh flowed through her regardless, a long deep breath signifying platitudes of feeling – cheeks puffing out until she’d finished the patch of air. “Nothing here either. Maybe we’ll have better luck next time.”
Death is not the greatest loss What dies in us in life is
Bane drug his paws through the water, feeling nothing but uneven stone at the bottom. Not even a lowly twig within the warm waters. As she had signified that there was nothing that she could see either, confirming his thoughts. He had shifted back into his human form. It was easier the more he changed, altering between the forms.
The man waded through the water, hands on hips. He wouldn't let himself be disheartened by something such as this... No. While it still could fix a mass majority of the problems they were facing, there's always reasons they couldn't find what they were looking for.
"You're right, you're right." He said, with his palms shifting upwards in slight defeat, though not too troubled. Truth was, he hated that they didn't find anything this go-around. Just the idea of them being able to fix at least something that was happening was a notion that he would had been happy with. At least to make the lives around them just a little better.
"On that note, I don't know about you. But -" He went back over towards the deeper pool, and leaned back in it. His muscles nearly screaming from the training, and running he had been doing. This felt as though it was long overdue. "I say relaxation is in order."
