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.
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// I tried to scream but my head was underwater //
While Flora visited the shrine, Maea amused herself as best she could on her own. Picking up the most colorful leaves she could find and weaving them together produced a lush wreath, one she kept adding to little by little. A fallen cluster of rowanberry, the wilted seed pods of a plant she couldn't quite name, stalks of browned grass and soome ivy wound throughout made for a wonderful crown.
Turning it between her hands to ensure that it was even enough, Maea looked up when Flora returned, and smiled easily at the younger woman. "All done? How did it go?"
Digging into a pocket, she hauled out a small bag of marbles and went to place it on the shrine. The wreath too was settled gently beside them; she was tempted to linger, but it wasn't like she couldn't come back any other day. A token of appreciation would have to do for now.
Maea
// They called me weak, like I'm not just somebody's daughter //
Sunlit Shadows (mastered) | The user can read the surface thoughts and emotions of those within a 60ft radius. Control is excellent. Note: "Thoughts and emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
Type: Grey | Style: Offensive | Level: Mastered
Deadly Recall | Can recall 1, or 2, or 3 of her feathers to her hand, within a range of 30ft. Recalled daggers do 1/2 damage when recalled.
Rescue (Mastered) | Remi can bring a fellow Old God demigod to his side in a time of crisis for three concurrent posts. One use per thread. If the summoned demigod also has mastered this ability, they can remain until the end of the thread.
Flora emerges from between the red-barked trunks with her grin already in place, curls bouncing as she crosses back to Maea. "Went great," she declares, that particular brand of satisfaction in her voice like she’s just finished making the perfect mischief. She flashes the ancient a quick, conspiratorial smile before rocking back on her heels. "Told Ludo I’m building a new place in Torchline and asked if they could hook me up with some ghosts to haunt it."
Her hands slip into her pockets as she leans in a touch, like this is the good part. "Nice ghosts, obviously. The kind that’ll make you cocoa or tea if you’re polite. But if you’re rude..." She arches her brows, drawing the words out, "...maybe they’ll make your shower run cold. Or pull the blankets off you while you’re sleeping. You know—gentle hauntings. Character-building stuff."
She straightens, shrugging one shoulder. "I figure that way, even if I’m technically living there by myself until I bring Enzo back, it won’t feel like I am." The sentiment is tossed out casually, but it hangs for a moment in the cool Leafchange air before she brushes it aside with another crooked smile, her deep-seated loneliness not a thing she wanted to actively discuss.
My house of stone, your ivy grows
And now I'm covered in you
// I tried to scream but my head was underwater //
A gently haunted house, huh. Rubbing a spot of dirt off her finger, Maea smiled as she came away from the shrine and fell in beside Flora. "I like it," she said, approval bright as the mischief glittering in her eyes. "A house with a personality - normally you don't get that until after a few generations have come and gone. I hope your guests will know to appreciate it." Hoped the place would be filled with more than ghosts, at the end of the day. The smile on Flora's face discouraged her from commenting further, or from offering more than the invitation she'd already extended. Her concern for her skirted too close to pity, was too easily misunderstood; so Maea simply extended an arm to her, to hook into while they made the trek back towards the village.
"Speaking of houses... Did you ever live in the Guardian's Treehouse? I hope it doesn't feel too weird that I'm there..." It hit her, occasionally, all the history between its walls that she didn't know anything about. On most days it was comforting, but every once in a while the old insecurities reared their heads, and made her feel a stranger in her own home.
Maea
// They called me weak, like I'm not just somebody's daughter //
Sunlit Shadows (mastered) | The user can read the surface thoughts and emotions of those within a 60ft radius. Control is excellent. Note: "Thoughts and emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
Type: Grey | Style: Offensive | Level: Mastered
Deadly Recall | Can recall 1, or 2, or 3 of her feathers to her hand, within a range of 30ft. Recalled daggers do 1/2 damage when recalled.
Rescue (Mastered) | Remi can bring a fellow Old God demigod to his side in a time of crisis for three concurrent posts. One use per thread. If the summoned demigod also has mastered this ability, they can remain until the end of the thread.
Flora grins, nodding like Maea’s hit on something she’s been thinking all along. "Exactly. Things that are new don’t always have to feel that way," she agrees, her voice warm with the kind of certainty that comes from already picturing it in her head. At the mention of her guests, her brows bounce, eyes glinting. "Honestly? I’m kind of looking forward to seeing what happens to the ones who don’t appreciate it."
The thought sparks a private flicker of amusement that she doesn’t bother hiding. Even though she’s still furious at Kaisel, her mind immediately drifts to him, imagining the way his face would pinch at the creak of a ghostly floorboard or the chill of a deliberately cold draft. She can already see him hating every second of it, and the mental picture is pure delight.
At the question about the Guardian’s Treehouse, Flora shakes her head, curls swaying. "Nah. Only been there a few times." Her tone shifts, playful but edged with something more as she rolls her eyes. "I know you’re close with my Remi and Ronin, but...they were pretty shit dads back when we were growing up in the Greatwood." She says it like it’s just a passing fact, something not worth dragging into the light for long. "Ronin would literally uproot trees if he saw me or Enzo, so we weren’t allowed to live with Remi or be anywhere Ronin might reasonably be. Kinda limits your housing options."
My house of stone, your ivy grows
And now I'm covered in you
Orbs of light beckon and call from the darkened angles and shadows of trees. Were those whispers of your friends? Family? Fallen allies?
Was that a scream? Could they be in trouble?
Is it all in your head? Just your imagination?
Or something else altogether – because what if it’s true?
You’ve encountered a Will-O-Wisp. This counts as a common creature encounter for the purposes of levelling, but does not count as a Random Event for levelling or MP. There will be no further admin/re intervention. If you choose to follow this creature, you do so at your own risk, however, just having it in this thread is enough to satisfy your levelling requirements.
Will-O-Wisps (common): Glowing orbs of light that dance and weave between the branches, despite their usefulness, these creatures are not to be trusted. Mischievous and loyal to no one, they will lead travellers astray at a moment's notice.
// I tried to scream but my head was underwater //
"A long cold night sleeping on the beach, is my prediction," she laughed, gleefully ignoring that one Leafchange when she'd been haunted and definitely didn't take it well. Maea imagined it was different when the haunting wasn't personal and didn't come with emotional baggage. Something unseen that rummaged through the kitchen or wrote messages on the bathroom mirror felt way better than a shade of lingering regret in the corner of your office.
Sobering at the mention of the Taliesin family's complicated past, Maea hummed thoughtfully, doing her best to keep from spiraling into her own mixed experiences with them. "To be honest, we didn't really talk much until after the war. I was ascended at the time, and did my best to avoid both of them... quite successfully, I might add." She was still alive thanks to that - and thanks to whatever kindness Remi had found in himself that let him spare her life that one time when caution hadn't been enough. "But, well... they've changed a bit since then, right? Or try to, at least. And it's thanks to Remi that I have a roof over my head."
Glinting specks of light drifted through the trees around them, brightening the shadows and the brown of moldering leaves. One of them came darting towards them, and Maea extended a hand to touch its gasping ember with a soft expression on her face. "I did promise him that he and his family would always be welcome in that house. So, you know... stop by whenever you want. When Liam's cured, or even before - I'm sure we'll survive some time apart." The table was big; there was always room for one more plate at dinner time.
[FIN]
Maea
// They called me weak, like I'm not just somebody's daughter //
