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!
For someone who had been exiled and had all her plans overthrown, Maea was doing surprisingly well. After the initial shock had settled, she couldn't even say Flora's conditions were all that unfair. A tad too emotional, perhaps, but definitely not unreasonable. And it offered Maea an excellent chance to explore places she had not been before. Save for the one brief visit together with Talyson, the Sidhe village was such a location. Finding a guide willing to take her there, Maea roamed the winding paths with an odd sensation of being tall. All but the rare fae was shorter than herself, the architechture perfectly suited to her size, from stairs to thresholds down to the chairs and benches. She followed the flight of lithe creatures through the air, realizing after a while that the multitude of animals traversing the silvan town had to be more fae in shifted form, and stopped at one point to watch with delight how a storyteller wove a tale to an audience of youths with the aid of illusions.
It was a place she could get used to. As she searched her way to the Bodega, Maea quietly questioned her insistence on Torchline for a new home. Even if she did find a flower and brought it back, she doubted it would do much to change Flora's mind about her. It would be far easier to stay here, learn the ways of the fae and the forest, let the rest of the world take care of itself...
Ah, but who was she kidding? It wasn't to make friends with the Doubletake she was here. Being 'hated by everyone' bothered Maea less than she'd have thought, save for being inconvenient. It was for the people she thought of as friends that she had come all this way; it was for being able to live near them, and for what the flowers could do in safeguarding them all against the Void. Proving herself to herself, regaining some confidence - all were far more valuable reasons than to again the approval of a self-righteous girl, and then she could be ever so much a queen.
Leaning against a railing overlooking the water, her tail swayed languidly while she took in the scenery. Around her the sounds and scents of a busy marketplace faded into a pleasant drone, turning into ambiance that filled her ears and lulled her thoughts to a rare quiet, all as she waited for two of said friends to appear for lunch.
I see a new horizon, holding on to hope Say goodbye to all my pain when it's time for me to go
"Maea." The deep voice was quiet, but its low rumble traveled through the bustle of the busy marketplace, warm and welcoming. The man who spoke was difficult to miss amidst the diminutive Fae who called the Sidhe Village home; indeed, though he was often head and shoulders above many humans he truly towered over the local inhabitants like a giant. Black leather trousers kept his legs warm, and in a concession to the lingering chill in the air he wore a wrap top with spacious, flowing sleeves, layered in white below and Arclight-blue above and held closed by a wide belt of seafoam green cloth. He moved with care, however, his steps unhurried, and in that way was able to avoid unfortunate collisions with the smaller pedestrians in the area as he made his way over to the railing where the pale ancient stood.
"Are you well?" And that question as he tilted his head down at his friend held the weight of many more beneath the genuine concern that her letter had caused him. Still, there was no denying that she looked better than she had when she had first found him in the Climb. Happier. More at peace. And it was a balm to his heart as he rested one hand on the rail. "There is a cafe not far from here, once we find Thalassa. It has outdoor seating, if it is not too cold for you?"
"Unless she finds you first." There was a smile in her tone before she stepped up from one of the staircases to the docks below. When she appeared next to the pair, Thal had a pleasant grin on her face, fire twirling through her fingers as she glanced around at the strip of shops and cafes. It was almost charming if not for all the people. The small ones in particular looked like they existed purely to get under her feet.
The weather wasn't too bad, only a slight chill still lingering in the air, and the thick layers of her black clothing discouraged the cold from settling in her body. Regardless, the fire ensured her fingers stayed nimble in case of danger. It was also a great deterrent for any of the 'friendly' types, the glint of her daggers under her cloak acting similarly. All of that to say, Thal just shrugged her shoulder at the mention of the cold. "I think we can make do."
Pulled from whatever reveries, Maea turned to freer her friend with a warm smile. Hadama truly looked the part of a titan in this setting. From anyone else she would have expected chaos to follow in their wake, of crushed feet, toppled baskets of goods and broken furniture. In hos case, she was more concerned that some careless fae would fly into the back of his head or accidentally tumble into the back of a knee. Amused by the notion of the king falling like that outlander giant, whatever its name was, toppled by a mere pebble, the was glad he seemed to be in good health. If a bit tired looking, still.
"Hey you. Yes, I am perfectly fine," she replied, hoping to dispell any concerns before they could take root. Just then Thalassa appeared, and Maea's grin extended the greeting to her fellow Ancient. "It should be alright," she agreed, about staying warm. "I'm dressed for the weather. If it gets chilly we can always ask for a brazier."
Pushing herself away from the railing, the short woman indicated for Hadama to lead the way to that cafe he'd mentioned, then tucked her hands into her pockets. "It's good to see you both again. Thalassa and I met up recently, but with you it's been a while. How've you been?" She'd seen him at Seren's funeral, of course, so she couldn't imagine he was fine, exactly.
I see a new horizon, holding on to hope Say goodbye to all my pain when it's time for me to go
Warmth remained in emerald eyes as he turned to appraise the captain, who appeared like a phantom out of the crowds, seeming to materialize at their sides. "Captain Sanguis," he rumbled welcome. And he accepted that the Ancients knew their levels of comfort and tolerance better than he could, inclining his head at their assurances.
He did not answer Maea's question immediately, instead beginning to make his slow, careful way towards the indicated cafe. He walked in silence a few moments before speaking, inclining his head to Thalassa first. "I have been... training." He paused, and for a brief moment his straight shoulders seemed to sag. But it was for a moment only, easily missed as a Fae flew by dangerously low over his head. "There were deaths over LongNight. A daughter of Safrin. And one of my Merfolk. Both friends." And just why he was training in the wake of those deaths would not be hard to guess, though he was not foolish enough to give his intentions voice when the Family might be listening.
The cafe was used to serving humans from beyong the Greatwood's borders and so he only had to hunch awkwardly to duck through the door, rather than bending nearly in half. But the ceilings were tall enough inside so that his head only barely brushed them as he led the way to a table near the center - far from the windows and any errant cool breezes that might chill his friends while they ate.
Grinning in greeting to the two, she followed at a leisurely pace towards the cafe. Thal didn't really want to talk about the training where she'd ended on her face in the sand, but she gave Hadama a small dip of her head in respect for their session. It'd been quite a learning experience if nothing else, and she had no doubt they would continue their tradition in seasons to come.
The cafe they entered was quaint. Not really her style, but pleasant enough for their lunch. She followed inside, taking in the windows with a view to the river below and the tables spattered with people. When she'd taken her seat across from the Mer King, Thal's face shifted into a serious frown. It wasn't necessarily sympathetic but concerned all the same. "I'm sorry to hear that. Do you know what killed them?" Had it been the same thing for both? Or just coincidence? Should she be worried about her own safety? Or theirs?
Seren she had known about, but not that a mer had been killed. Murmuring soft condolences as they headed for the cafe, she glanced with mingled suspicion and worry at the king though didn't say anything for now. Training was well and good, but he wasn't planning anything stupid, was he? Between them, she was usually the one more likely to do that.
Choosing a seat that offered a nice vantage point over both her friends, Maea leaned back in her chair, accepting the stack of menus passed on by the waitor, only to leave hers unopened for now. Too intent on the answer to Thalassa's question, her attention remained on Hadama for the time being.
I see a new horizon, holding on to hope Say goodbye to all my pain when it's time for me to go
"The Void." He spoke succinctly, tone neutral, but there was a flicker of pain in his eyes at the admission. "It has also destroyed the Healing Springs in Halo." Preventing the curing of the infected in the future, at least until they could be rebuilt. "It is growing more active. More... aggressive." Unspoken - because they could never be sure of who was listening in - he did not say that they could not ignore the threat much longer, hoping that someone else would step in and face it for them.
A waitress appeared, wings folded but steps light as she approached the table with a perky smile and offered a menu for the group to share. Hadama made a murmured request for water and hibiscus tea, no stranger to the cafe and its offerings, and sat back to let the ladies peruse the list. Once their server headed back to the kitchen to collect their drink orders he spoke again.
"How were your LongNights?" A question asked to both in turn, curious but not too worried. He had seen Thalassa just after Flowerbirth had begun, and Maea seemed unharmed as well. Both were in good enough spirits that it seemed unlikely they had encountered anything catastrophic while the sun had been gone.
Thal frowned at the news, trying to piece together what her role in everything might be. She wasn't a fan of the Void, and she'd certainly kill something if the opportunity arose, but she wasn't the 'altruistic' or 'heroic' type that thought they needed to make a difference in the world. It would ultimately come down to how it affected her and those she was beginning to care about. If it was starting to affect Torchline more, that put her right in the line of fire.
Nodding her head, she asked, "Are plans being made?" Thal didn't expect him to speak of specifics in the middle of a crowded cafe, but she'd like to know if things were going on, or what efforts were being taken.
Momentarily distracted by the waitress, she ordered a mead (it was never too early to drink) and a platter of honey cookies she'd recommended. As the Fae departed, Thal tilted her head to curiously inspect the wings, not caring if she looked rude. She found them interesting, wondering what other kinds of peoples had wings, and what it might feel like. It wasn't like she remembered having a fish tail.
Drawn back by Hadama's question, she let out a noncommittal hum. "Very uneventful. I babysat my crew while they tried to make trouble in the taverns." Despite her words of annoyance, there was a playful smile on her face, fond of the men (and few women) who served on her ship.
Waiting until the others had placed their orders, Maea chose a green tea for herself, and a toasted sandwich promised to be spicy enough to singe her toes. Willing to put that claim to the test, she seconded Thalassa's tale; longnight had been uneventful, but only because she hadn't been near the beach where Seren was found.
"It's always an uneasy time for me, but nothing really happened where I was. I did drink too much, though," she admitted, grimacing as she recalled the hangover once the sun returned.
Contemplating the repercussions of the Void being able to get to a demigod inside Torchline's wards, the pale woman frowned lightly at a napkin. "Any plans would need to involve flowers, right?" she deduced, glancing at Hadama for confirmation. "There's been an influx of visitors to the Village even since I arrived. And I've not been here long myself." Whatever was going on, everyone seemed to be in agreement that the need for Roses had grown imminent.
I see a new horizon, holding on to hope Say goodbye to all my pain when it's time for me to go
"Mmh," he replied noncommittally to Thalassa's question. He met her eyes squarely, but his stoic expression gave nothing else away - neither good nor bad. Plans - or the lack thereof - were kept far closer these days.
And while both ladies were his friends, neither of them were Torchers. Not yet, at least.
Maea's contribution, however, was common enough knowledge that the Tidebreaker inclined his head in agreement. "As it has been since the beginning," he confirmed. The flower hunt had begun seasons ago, but in the past year had seemed to fade beneath the onslaught of Void creatures and monsters that had needed facing. "I will be hunting more as well, when I can." When his duties allowed, and when he felt more certain that his headstrong co-ruler would not do something dangerous behind his back while he was away.
He tilted his head curiously at the pair, emerald eyes resting lightly on first one and then the other. "Did you have a preference on where we should begin?"
When Hadama didn't seem eager to confirm or deny even that much, Thal had to fight a pang of hurt at being left out. She could understand not wanting to tell an outsider, but she wasn't really an 'insider' anywhere, not privy to any of the lofty political motions of Caido or how they may affect her. Perhaps it had been naive of her to think her friend might include her. Thal pushed aside that topic and the accompanying emotions as she reached for her drink that had just arrived, although it may be noticed by anyone who knew her well enough that the nod of her head was too slow, and something tender had flashed subtly in her blue eyes.
But it was gone quickly as she propped her elbow on the table, trying to look invested in the conversation about flowers. She honestly hadn't spent much time in search of them, not knowing what she would do with it were she to find one. So when Hadama turned to her with the question, Thal shrugged her shoulders, appearing confident and nonchalant as she looked more at her mead than the company. "I'm partial to Frey's Breath."
It said something about the times they lived in that even friends couldn't speak plainly to one another. Before Starfall Hadama had been far more forthcoming with information, quite willing indeed to share what he knew in exchange for what they'd picked up on. Now, it was clear that the leaders were playing their cards close to their chests. And why not? Even if he told them, it wasn't as though either she or Thalassa would be very useful when it came time to take action.
Understanding that didn't mean it didn't hurt to be reminded of her uselessness. Maea's gaze darted out across the room as a flush of color rose up her neck and into her cheeks; shame delaying her own response.
"I've been all over these woods in the past few days... might try Ludo's woods next. It's been a while since I went that way." Over a year ago, and she hadn't even spared a thought for roses that time. "Do you both want to come along? Or we can just split up. Cover more ground..." She wouldn't mind the company, especially given the lack of wards in the Greatwood. Void would always be a concern on any excursion.
I see a new horizon, holding on to hope Say goodbye to all my pain when it's time for me to go
He had been King long enough to learn when to keep his own hurt close to his chest. To not reveal it, when it could be used by others against him. Or when he knew that his own pain would only make the unhappiness of his friends worse. But with no way to be certain when Vox was listening in - when the Family could eavesdrop on their very thoughts - it was not a matter of trust in the women at his side today.
It was paranoia, pure and simple. But paranoia with cause. Concern that they might not share what he told them in confidence with others that they trusted in turn, but that they would think of it in a place or a time when Vox could pluck the plans from their heads.
If he could not trust himself to keep that information safe, how could he trust them?
It was one more blade to lay at the feet of the Family as he watched as they avoided his gaze. As Maea flushed and Thal flinched. And he breathed slowly and deeply and tucked the emotions that moved in his chest deeper. Tighter. Nestled close against his grief over Seren and Nysadeia. Outrage over the murder of Flora. The repeated attacks on Torchline. On Halo.
And he sipped his tea and pretended he had not seen. Hoped that someday they might forgive him, even if they would not agree with his decision. "Ludo's Woods are closest," he noted quietly. "We can search there, and I can take us all to Frey's Breath tomorrow?" It would take some region-hopping, but he could shift one person at a time with him across the width of Caido to reach the Climb so long as neither woman became warp-sick.
