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!
BREATHE IT IN, IT'S JUST SNOW, WE'RE JUST FALLING WE WON'T ALWAYS FREE FALL BACK TO NOTHING
Iskra hadn't really meant to tour all the bars of Caido, but after having visited many, he thought it was finally time to visit the one in Stormbreak, now that he actually could. Although the idea of marching into the viper's nest, surrounded by some natives who still held some distaste for his kind, wasn't the most appealing thing. That's what the alcohol was for though.
Shifting the pack on his shoulder, Iskra stood with his dog Goose at the door, admiring the impressive antlers and the subtle glow they emitted. Even better than that though, was the fine wood of the door itself. He smoothed a hand over it, appreciating the grain and the embellishments carved and laid into it. This had once been a mighty tree, and a master craftsman had done it justice. Iskra gave a small smile, then pushed on the door. He and Goose stepped in.
He found a quiet table near the back and sat on a chair after ordering an ale. His pack thumped down on the empty chair next to him. Goose gave a large yawn and a low stretch before settling in for a nap under Iskra's chair. He drummed his fingers on the table for a moment, mulling over a thought, before grabbing his glass and taking a swig.
I'M JUST STARTING TO LEARN I'VE ALWAYS BEEN CHASING GHOSTS
On her way home from the Greatwood, Elizabeth's ship had made a pitstop in Stormbreak. They'd reported that they needed a few hours to load some supplies and other goods, leaving her with time to kill and little to assuage her boredom. However, she was used to entertaining herself - or at least finding entertainment in others. As such, she gathered her pack containing all her reading and writing materials, and headed for the last place she'd visited with Noe: The White Hart. They'd spent some time drinking and people watching amongst the bustle of people, laughing about rumors they overheard or uncomfortable interactions they saw. It had been a fun night for sure, but Noe wasn't here now, so she'd have to make do on her own.
When she stepped into the bar, the warmth of fire and lowered inhibitions brushed against her skin, encouraging her to strip away the thick brown travel jacket she wore. Her white blouse and brown trousers were much more practical, blending well with the wooden aesthetic of the place. Tucking a strand of stray hair behind her ear, Elizabeth's brown eyes scanned the crowded space with practiced precision, taking in the atmosphere that hummed with potential. Her first order of business was a drink, and she made her way to the bar, offering a warm, inviting smile that earned her a spiced mead that felt perfect for the semi-chilly weather of the day.
She cradled her drink for a moment before spotting a more secluded corner to settle in. Claiming an empty table, she pulled out a notebook and a pen before taking a sip of her drink.
Dive into the sea of thought, and find there pearls beyond price.
BREATHE IT IN, IT'S JUST SNOW, WE'RE JUST FALLING WE WON'T ALWAYS FREE FALL BACK TO NOTHING
Iskra stared into the din of the bar, but he did not see much of it. He was somewhere else, his eyes glazed over with the distant travel as he maneuvered past thoughts and memories. It was only when there was nearby motion in his peripheral that Iskra snapped back to his seat at the bar. He blinked rapidly, as if remembering himself, and turned his head to watch as Elizabeth sat near him, also claiming the more secluded corner. She was equally alone as he, and he wondered if she'd also come here to get lost in the spaces that existed between spaces, to tumble in the folds of her own heart and the dark depths of her own thoughts. A dangerous place to wander, Iskra knew.
Mindful not to scooch his chair into his dog, Iskra carefully rose from his seat, drink in hand. "Hey," he greeted her warmly, a soft smile falling into place with practiced ease. "Sorry to intrude, I can definitely go back to brooding alone and leave you to do the same, but we could also maybe brood together?" His eyebrows lifted with the question, another unspoken part saying, I can also fuck right off. While never one shy about speaking to strangers, Iskra was also content to nurse his brokenness with his dog and his alcohol, as he spent most nights doing.
I'M JUST STARTING TO LEARN I'VE ALWAYS BEEN CHASING GHOSTS
Elizabeth was just uncapping her pen when a voice sounded next to her. When she looked up from her notebook, she was greeted by a warm smile that she couldn't help but return. There were no signs of annoyance or frustration on her features, her eyes showing nothing by pleasant surprise as she shook her head. "Please! It's no intrusion at all!" She gestured to the empty seat with a delicate hand, her tone playful and inviting as she said, "I'm not much of a brooder, but I'm happy to keep you company in yours - as long as you don't mind my talking." If only to prove that she doesn't only talk, she took a small sip of her drink, waiting for the man to take his seat.
Once he was settled, she leaned forward on the wooden table, gently closing her notebook as she reached out a hand in introduction. "My name's Elizabeth. I'm just passing through on my way home. Are you from around here?" She tilted her head in polite curiosity, although more than willing to accept a request for silence so the man may commence with his 'brooding.'
Dive into the sea of thought, and find there pearls beyond price.
BREATHE IT IN, IT'S JUST SNOW, WE'RE JUST FALLING WE WON'T ALWAYS FREE FALL BACK TO NOTHING
Goose lifted his head from under the empty chair as he watched Iskra slide into a new seat with Elizabeth. The dog gave a low huff, but remained, aware Iskra's pack was still there, and that the night would likely go on a while yet. Licking his lips, the husky put his head back between his paws and shut his eyes for a nap.
Iskra laughed faintly as he took her invitation and sat. "Not at all," he reassured, "I'm happy to talk instead of brood." He had guessed her incorrectly, but was happy for it; he had spent too many quiet nights, it was time for a louder one. He reached over the table to clasp her hand in his calloused one in greeting. "Elizabeth, well met. I'm Iskra, and no, I came here to visit this bar." He settled better into his seat and took a swig of his drink. "I'm from Halo, but I've started to tour the different bards of Caido. Might give them all a rating and post it on the notice boards so everyone knows which one to select." He laughed easily, the joke obvious, he hoped. Well, the review part was a joke, him touring bars was sadly true.
"So, where's home for you?" he asked, glancing at the notebook she'd closed earlier.
I'M JUST STARTING TO LEARN I'VE ALWAYS BEEN CHASING GHOSTS
Catching the huff of a dog, Elizabeth looked down to spot it lounging beneath the table as Iskra took a seat. She might have asked after it, but she was distracted by the rough hand that engulfed hers, his words pulling her back into the conversation.
Her smile was bright with laughter as she propped her elbows on the table. "What a coincidence! I actually live in Halo, too; although I grew up traveling with my parents around Caido, and now I spend most of my time traveling for work, so it doesn't always feel like it." She shrugged her shoulders, too pleased to be busy with clients for her to feel upset about missing her own bed and fireplace. If anything, she missed her books the most.
Elizabeth tilted her head, intrigued by the man and his motivations. Did he just really like bars? Or traveling? Or alcohol? Or maybe there was a different reason? She took a careful sip of her mead before letting her curiosity show. "Visiting bars is an interesting hobby. Where's been your favorite so far?"
Dive into the sea of thought, and find there pearls beyond price.
BREATHE IT IN, IT'S JUST SNOW, WE'RE JUST FALLING WE WON'T ALWAYS FREE FALL BACK TO NOTHING
Her cheer was an easy, infectious thing. Like turning on a light, it dashed away all the shadows that had crept around his heart. It reminded him of how he had once been, how he tried to be when he could muster the energy to offer more than a sad smile. "No way!" he grinned broader at finding them both to be Halovians. "Funny we'd meet here then," he laughed. "Though you're very smart for picking a traveling job if you live there. Wish I'd thought of that."
He took another sip of his drink, eager for the warmth of it to settle in his gut and chase off the remaining chill of the season. He grinned at her question and leaned forward, counting each bar on his finger. "Well, there's the Kraii, of course," belonging to Halo he suspected she'd know it well. "It's close to home, so it ranks high due to convenience. It has a cozy quality to it too, much like the VlamVloed. Though, I have to admit I prefer VlamVloed's scenery and decor. Then the White Hart here, it's got the best door by far, but as for the rest... I guess I'll find out tonight. So I'm afraid I'm not nearly well-traveled or skilled enough to give you a great answer. I've yet to visit the House of Midnight or the Dusklight. Those bars do feel like more of an afterthought after the main... proclivities they attract. And the Hanged Man... haven't been there either." Didn't plan on going, he didn't add, because he was determined not to drag up his personal woes this evening.
"Either way, there's good spirits and better company abound," he concluded, firmly ascertaining that all bars were his favorite.
I'M JUST STARTING TO LEARN I'VE ALWAYS BEEN CHASING GHOSTS
Elizabeth watched the way his features brightened, pleased to distract him from any 'brooding' he'd been planning to do. The smile fit him better than the stoicism. Perhaps if they'd known each other better, or if he'd seemed inclined to talk about it, she might have asked after his troubles, but Iskra leaned into the laughter naturally, and she was content to keep the conversation light for now, smiling along with him. "It's never too late to change professions." It was a playful joke, even if she meant every word, the therapist in her threatening to show.
She sipped her mead slowly as she listened to him, enjoying the passion he displayed. The comment of a 'best door' made her smile, noting the peculiarity of it in the midst of his bar list. It wasn't until he was finished that she spoke, straightening to think about his comprehensive assessment of the establishments. "Ah yes. I think people often forget that the House of Midnight and the Dusklight are more than just brothels." Her laughter showed no signs of judgement for the pastime or profession, although she hoped the alcohol or dark lighting might hide the gentle blush of her cheeks. Twisting a lock of her hair in her fingers, Elizabeth let out a low hum. "Hm. But the Hanged Man was nice. The dusk atmosphere made it pretty cozy despite the multitudes of gamblers." It was one of the only bars she'd visited recently, including the Kraai. She liked people watching but ended up doing it more outside of Halo than in it.
Glancing to her side, she saw where the husky was still settled comfortably beneath the table. Elizabeth couldn't help but smile, although she resisted the urge to disrupt its peace by trying to pet it. When she looked back to Iskra, she leaned attentively forward again. "Does your dog always join you? He seems very well behaved."
Dive into the sea of thought, and find there pearls beyond price.
BREATHE IT IN, IT'S JUST SNOW, WE'RE JUST FALLING WE WON'T ALWAYS FREE FALL BACK TO NOTHING
It seemed as if the gods, or fate, were speaking to him as of late. He was starting to recognize a recurring theme as she said, It's never too late. For someone who felt like he'd wasted years of his life and was now stuck, it was a necessary reminder that the only thing holding him back was himself. He hid the thought well as he tucked it into his subconscious, unwilling to return to brooding so soon, when such a bright light was in the room with him.
He waited readily for her response, cracking a smile as she picked through his remainders. "Yes! Exactly!" he thumped the table with his agreement, laughing. "See, you understand. In fact, I bet the liquor there is cheap. I might have been emptying my wallet for no reason." He supposed they'd want their clients inebriated quickly so that they'd spend their coin on the other features of the business. He pressed his drink back to his lips as she played with her hair. Whether because of the low light or because Iskra was dense about most subtleties, he did not catch onto her blush. As she recalled the features of the Hanged Man, Iskra wondered why the universe was so fond of irony. Naturally, she'd have a good impression of the one bar he wouldn't set foot in.
As she leaned forward, he instinctively did so as well, as if half expecting a secret whisper. "Goose?" Iskra asked her, a bit surprised as he glanced towards the dog still dozing easily by the tables. At his name, the dog flicked an ear towards them, his head lazily tilting to regard them with one eye as he lay flat. Most people did not pay much heed to his best friend, and he was surprised she was so acute. "Yeah, we go everywhere together. He's like my shadow, my brother." His reason for living, but he kept that to himself. "He's the best boy," Iskra admitted, and at that secret phrase, Goose jumped up, striding over to them. He set his head on the edge of the seat Iskra was on, and he gently scratched at the husky's ears. Goose gave a mighty yawn and moved onto Elizabeth's side once Iskra had stopped. He set his head near her, a silent bid for attention.
"So, what exactly is it you do for work, that you travel so?"
I'M JUST STARTING TO LEARN I'VE ALWAYS BEEN CHASING GHOSTS
His smack of the table jarred her shoulders a little, and Elizabeth let out a loud, surprised laugh, again basking in his exuberance. "You're probably right, although any money saved on alcohol would probably be spent on other means." Her smile was light and playful, trying to act casual about the topic despite the heat reaching for her ears. Taking a drink of her mead helped to cool her, but she had to be careful, knowing that she didn't handle her alcohol very well.
Luckily, the topic turned to the dog, whom she could only assume was named, 'Goose' based on the flick of his ears. It was a unique name that gave her the impression they had a special bond, especially as she saw how much love and affection he showered the canine with. She smiled to see them together, and it only brightened as his attentions turned to her. More than happy to oblige the request, Elizabeth reached lifted from the table to offer both hands to bury into soft fur, scratching behind ears and beneath his chin, then again at his jowls. "Why hello, Goose. You are a very loyal friend." It was said soft enough to be a secret to the dog, but loud enough for Iskra to hear over the din of the bar.
Knowing that her profession can sometimes make people feel awkward or want to close off a conversation, Elizabeth focused on Goose as she answered his question, "I'm a therapist, so I travel to wherever my clients need me." It wasn't until she gave the dog another good scratch behind the ears that she turned to prop one elbow back on the table, leaving the other hand low in case Goose wanted more pets. Meanwhile, she let her eyes fall back to Iskra, smiling with warm interest as she asked, "And what is it that you do?"
Dive into the sea of thought, and find there pearls beyond price.
BREATHE IT IN, IT'S JUST SNOW, WE'RE JUST FALLING WE WON'T ALWAYS FREE FALL BACK TO NOTHING
A low groan escaped Goose and he leaned into her hand as she hit the spot behind his ears that he could never quite reach. Iskra smiled over his glass at them. "Indeed," Iskra murmured, unable to keep his fondness from saturating each letter. What she says next to the dog, surprises him though, and he leans back in his seat for a moment, as if struck. His hands had flattened onto the table as he did so, abandoning their wreathing of his drink. He took one and rubbed his face, a stark laugh escaping him.
"Gods above" he swore, incredulous at the continued irony shoved in front of him. "A therapist?" he repeated, still trying to choke out the giggle that threatened to escape, and settled on a world-eating smile as he dropped his hand back to the table, nearly boneless. "Oh—I'm sorry, I just can't believe fate would send me you of all people tonight." He was being absurd, he knew, and yet he could not control it, his emotions like an untamed beast and he was doing his best to ride through the bronc. He held up a hand apologetically and took another deep series of drinks before he could offer her a better explanation. "I've uh—" he didn't really know what to say. Didn't really want to lay anything out for her, but wasn't sure how else to explain himself. "Well, I'd be your star client I imagine." He settled on being vague, not really desiring to have her clock in tonight, not when it had been so easy just before to just be with her.
So, as Melita so loved his mastery of, Iskra avoided and diverted, latching onto her question instead. He responded completely normal, pretending as if everything he'd just done hadn't happened. "I'm a woodcutter. Someone has to keep all those Halo fires lit, and help supply the other kingdoms too. Well, he was not so herculean as to be able to provide wood for all of Caido to burn, there were others, but that should go without saying.
I'M JUST STARTING TO LEARN I'VE ALWAYS BEEN CHASING GHOSTS
His swear surprised her, and Elizabeth flinched a little, worried he was angry before she noticed the all-encompassing smile that had spread across his face. That certainly didn't look like someone who was upset, and she settled her chin on her hand, the concern melting off into a warm smile as he stumbled through whatever explanation he had for his outburst. By the time he was done, her hand had come up to cover her mouth, to cover the laughter that had slowly increased over the last few minutes. Trying hard not to disrupt Goose as she shook with the force of her amusement, Elizabeth bit at her lip.
Recognizing that Iskra may think she was making fun of him, she waved her hand dismissively, as if she might wipe the laughter from her face (and failing). "Sorry. I'm just surprised." Despite the shock, her smile was so wide it almost hurt, sweet as honey on her lips as she added, "Most people would rather talk to anyone else." Her laughter bubbled again as she shook her head to give him an appreciative smile. "It's nice to hear someone who sees it as a good thing." And as much as she'd love to spend the night talking about whatever troubles plagued him, she was similarly invested in the current conversation. Leaning forward on her elbow, she tilted her head so that the warmth of her eyes assured Iskra of her sincerity. "And I'd be more than happy to have a session with you anytime, anywhere."
She took another sip of her drink, finding it harder with the smile stretching her mouth, but it helped calm the fit of laughter that still threatened to erupt. When she set the glass back on the table, Elizabeth nodded her head, not in the least bit surprised by his answer based on the calluses she'd felt. "I thank you for that. We need people who are willing to trapse through the snow for those important resources. Gods know I do not handle the cold very well and would probably freeze without my fireplace." In spite of her best efforts, another small chuckle escaped, recalling an unfortunate curse a few seasons ago, and her preference for warm blankets and not tea.
Dive into the sea of thought, and find there pearls beyond price.
BREATHE IT IN, IT'S JUST SNOW, WE'RE JUST FALLING WE WON'T ALWAYS FREE FALL BACK TO NOTHING
Her laughter made it harder for him to wrangle his. It was contagious, the way yawns mysteriously were, and he knew they could both lead each other to pointless hysterics eventually if they weren't careful—as long as they were both free to the mirth. She was equally attempting to contain herself though, which only kept quirking a corner of Iskra's mouth up. He pressed it against his drink, as if the physical barrier might deter it at last. "Oh?" he asked shakily, the hum of humor still there on his breath. "Can't imagine having to chase people down to give them my wood." He realized, too late, what he'd just said and smeared his fingers against his face in brutal defeat of stupidity. "I mean, no one is unhappy to see me." That didn't sound much better, given the first statement, and he groaned.
"What I mean to say is, it must be a hard job trying to help people and having to fight to do it." There.
He chuckled at her gratitude, thankful for the recognition of the hard work. His was hard in a much different way from hers, and he think he preferred his challenges. "I think I would too." he admitted. "That's why I make sure I always get the best kindling," he smiled over his glass as he took another sip.
"I'll have to take you up on your offer one day." a murmur, like it was a quiet promise to himself to do so. He did not dwell on it though, and when he glanced back up at her there was a playful gleam to his eye. "I bet you've got crazy stories to tell. Let's have it then."
I'M JUST STARTING TO LEARN I'VE ALWAYS BEEN CHASING GHOSTS
Elizabeth was finding it very difficult to focus. Between the virality of their laughter, the slow buzz of alcohol, and the quirk of his lips, she didn't immediately recognize the double meaning of his words. Even as Iskra stumbled to correct himself, she laughed more at the reaction than the subtly inappropriate undertones. The only part she really caught was the last sentence, and she had to laugh at the idea of chasing people down, forcing healthy coping methods, boundaries, and self-love down their throats like cough syrup. It was enough to leave her ignorant of her own words as she leaned forward on her hand. "Well, as I'm sure you wouldn't offer your wood to anyone that doesn't want it, I try not to force my therapy on people." Her smile was bright and playful for a moment before the sentence echoed in her mind along with his previous utterings, knocking over a few bottles of common sense in the haze of distractions. She immediately turned a deep, vibrant shade of red that spread at an impressive speed from her cheeks to her ear tips and down to her chest. Elizabeth opened her mouth in shock, trying to find the right phrase or shove her own foot in her mouth, whichever worked better.
A glass might be just as effective as she suddenly decided to down the rest of her drink, pretending the burn of the alcohol might be the source of her flushed face and not the reason for her lapse in word choice. She knew it wouldn't convince him, but she wanted to live in denial for a second, if only to keep from joining Goose under the table. After a moment of avoiding his gaze, she finally swallowed some of her embarrassment and looked up at Iskra again. She'd have to remember to ask him to supply her own house but couldn't think of any ways of saying it that wouldn't set her face aflame again.
Back on a topic that didn't involve 'wood' or anything of the sort, Elizabeth gave Iskra an encouraging - although still somewhat blushing - smile, hoping he might actually seek out a session. As for 'crazy stories,' she shook her head, laughter bubbling up again. "Oh no. I take client confidentiality very serious." Her words may be playful, but she didn't joke about maintaining people's privacy, planning to take their secrets and confessions to her grave. Instead, she tilted her head, trying to soothe the rejection with a dazzling grin. "Plus, you probably wouldn't find them that interesting anyways. Lots of marital problems, childhood traumas, and the general Caido catastrophes wreaking havoc on people's lives."
Dive into the sea of thought, and find there pearls beyond price.
