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!
It shouldn't be surprising that the Silk Houses is the first place to resume bustling activity. While wreckage and desolate streets still remain elsewhere, life slowly returning to the city, the darkest places remain teeming. He doesn't mind the seedy alleys too much, having snuck out plenty a night to find a bit of fun and challenge along the low-lit roads when the bright ones had been too well watched to get away with anything. It's a stark reminder though, that for all of Stormbreak's order and proud, gilded surfaces, there's still some hint of mold and rot beneath. Things that had set in and grown before the Family had stepped foot here.
Makes a mean beef stew though. The beef could be questionable sometimes, but as long as you don't think about it too hard, it's fine.
He snags a smaller table in a back corner for them. It's the sort of alcove that seems to get less attention if the sticky floor is anything to go by, the sort favored by a couple trying to erase the world between each other's lips. It's perfect for the disturbances they're sure to cause though, because he has a feeling yelling out guesses won't go over as well as a light stabbing would here.
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.
I've done nothing wrong Except for all the atrocities
Melita’s exploration of Stormbreak hadn’t included many portions of the bars or establishments – besides, most of the time here she’d either been fighting or terrorizing the local townsfolk. But to see it lacked the Family, and in desperate need of cleaning, was better than the alternative.
So she didn’t even wrinkle her nose as they came into some of the more desolate streets (she was used to the grime of Torchline’s corners at any given moment), settling her movements for a light skip and a hum as they meandered through the routes. If anyone tried anything she’d fuckin deck ‘em.
But no one bothered, so she was fine to follow Kaisel towards the back corner, gilded gaze taking in everything before settling into the chair. “Great place,” came out sarcastically, picking up one of the sticky menus from the table, prying it from the surface. “What’s the best drink?”
A smile turns his lips crooked at her praise, and he ruffles his hair absently before leaning onto the table. "Yeah, well, it's better than the Slob Knob, so." As if that says enough, he shrugs and ends it there, waving over a server when they meet eyes across the floor. "I don't know that they have a house favorite," he admits as his gaze returns to Mel, "but the beer's cheap enough to match the flavor. The stew's tasty though." To which, he places an order of a pitcher of one with the waitress that arrives, and a bowl of their beef stew.
"So you guys all killed the dragon here, huh?" he asks with an impressed bounce of his 'brows as he leans back into his chair, looking at her with appreciation. "Thanks for helping clear the shit out of our home." He means it, too. He wishes he'd been strong enough to do more, but he's content just to have the results, to have the city relieved of all its opression.
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.
I've done nothing wrong Except for all the atrocities
“Oooh, the Slob Knob. Sounds like a reputable establishment,” she hummed from behind her menu, perusing the selection. Agreeing upon the whole damned pitcher of beer to bring her some contentment, she aimed for the pretzel combination too, figuring they couldn’t fuck up gigantic pieces of salty bread too much. And if they did she’d steal some of the stew.
The question made her snort though as she passed the menus back to the waitress and sighed, already propping up an elbow and placing her chin her palm. “I wouldn’t say I was much help. Didn’t even get a hit in. They brought in a lot of other demigods too.” So she’d been essentially useless, and yes it did bother and rankle her edges. She’d grabbed a dragon scale for her troubles and irritation though. “But you’re welcome,” just the same, at least she’d tried. “You guys putting Sohalia back in as leader?”
He can understand the idea of being there and ready and found to be useless, so he sympathizes with some of Mel's edge, but the excitement of retaking Stormbreak beats out anything else. "Hmm, probably, but that's all a bit above my pay grade." He hasn't really been part of the discussion, in part he's sure because he's been avoiding his cousin and the truth of the matter that he would not be returning here, not at first. However, he's not really one that would need to be conferred with or brought in on the inner loop of it all. He's low ranking, young, not strong enough to stand and watch the dragon be felled even. He is... lacking in so many ways. He is constantly reminded of this lately, and though he strives to keep climbing up, it feels like every rung takes too long to grab hold of.
"Well, how about we play before we wait for the food to arrive?" Something to distract him from thoughts of inadequacy. "I've got a timer here," and he reaches into his pocket, withdrawing a small hour glass that counts down three minutes worth of time. He's also got a bundle of cards with various things written onto them. "You can jot your own down and add them to the mix," he suggests with a shrug, in case she has her own ideas or worries against cheating.
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.
I've done nothing wrong Except for all the atrocities
So much for leadership gossip and tea from Kaisel, not even bothering to hide her huff of disappointment. Instead of pouting too long though, she pondered over stirring the pot, and contributing to the constant nosiness. “Oh. Well who would you want to see as a leader?” Maybe anybody was better than the Family, but she figured the displaced Stormbreakers still had opinions and preferences.
Thereafter though, the demigod turned her attention to what his whole point had been, brow arching at his suggestion. “Sure,” came with a signature smirk, immediately grabbing hold of several of the cards. “You got a theme in mind?” Maybe he wanted specific animals, events, gods or something – if not, the Honeybee would be putting in a multitude of ridiculous shit.
He shrugs. "I dunno, Soh is who I know, so, she seems like a good choice." The fact the city fell under her reign is not a favorite point of his, but the Family had been an impressive foe so he can't fully fault her for that. He'd also not paid enough attention to it all, just trying to finish his schooling and training before becoming old enough to enter the Dragoons. "I guess Koa or Zavien would do well too though," he admits with a scratch to his jaw, trying to imagine either of them as the top dog. "Which sounds a bit biased," he laughs, shrugging again, because what does it truly matter. Someone will lead, and he won't have a say in it, and it won't be him. He'll take his orders as assigned, like always. At least, when he moves back anyway.
The game is way more interesting than who will lead his city, which might be one of the many indicators of his continued youth and easy go at life thus far. "Demi-gods and leaders," he says with a bit of a smirk, closing his eyes as he reaches out at the table and grabs a card. Pulling it to his lap he peeks down at it, grinning, before turning it over and setting it aside. "Alright," he says, reaching to tip the timer over and standing to his feet.
He holds up 4 fingers to her, then flashes 4 fingers again, then lays 1 finger on his arm. He drops his hands then, growing still for a moment before striking a pose that might suggest he has thrust a sword through some foul beast, his other hand bracing like he has a shield. Aware of the time, he moves on from that display, flashing out his 4 fingers again and this time a sweeping arm overtop his head. He drops his arms again, before launching into 'flapping' around the table with his arms, taking aim with a finger gun pointed heavenward for a moment before targeting something on the table and them swiping it all off with a flourish, silverware clattering.
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.
I've done nothing wrong Except for all the atrocities
She took the notions with a steady nod and a shrug, content when their drink orders came first, and she snagged at a cup and poured herself some beer. It’d probably take a whole lot of liquor to get through this. Gossip and bias or not, given that Melita had seen a number of turnovers amidst Torchline (difficult to tell now, with how steady Flora and Hadama had been), she’d figured there’d be some amidst the floating isle of Stormbreak too. Maybe individuals gnashing at the bit to restore their lost glory. Or some shit. Both Zavien and Koa seemed to hold that latter thought – but Sohalia would probably like some redemption. “Oooh, do you think any of them would fight for it?” A devilish smirk persisted, and then they were off, writing down names for demigods and leaders.
She’d giggled and snorted a little as she designated hers out and then folded them, sitting back and waiting for him to take a card. Then she was sipping at the alcohol, brows furrowed, concentrating on the portions necessary. The sword, the shield, and then the heavenward action made her think of several individuals – she was certain it’d be of the Vi orientation…”Okay – is it Ronin?”
07-28-2025, 01:10 PM (This post was last modified: 07-28-2025, 01:11 PM by Kaisel.)
the rumpus and ruckus are comfortable now
Her question is so startling he can't help but be stunned for a moment, staring at her with slowly widening eyes before a laugh barks out. "Fight?" he echoes, shaking his head. "No way, they're too good of friends, they're likely trip over each other trying to offer it to the other instead." Soh had prior experience to lean on, and Koa had his rank as a superior officer, so seems like Zavien might be the one with the least luck if he in fact, was not willing to fight for it, but then Kaisel doesn't know him all that well. People can always end up doing surprising things, especially if their home is at stake.
The game unfolds though, and Kaisel stands up straight, pointing at Mel as she guesses. "YES!" he says with a victorious shout, glad that all his miming had made sense. Utterly pleased with himself he slumps back into his chair, pouring himself a glass in celebration. "Alright, your turn to look like the idiot," he grins, blowing past the foam as he takes a sip of the ale. Hopefully she pulls someone he actually knows well enough, maybe even herself, hah. While he has studied up on the leaders and demi-gods as part of his upbringing, he can't say he'd know them all well enough to pinpoint a mimicry in this tavern among a game.
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.
I've done nothing wrong Except for all the atrocities
She sighed; any dramatics, chaos, or upheaval didn’t appear to be coming full circle upon upcoming ascension to the throne, so she let it go, unimpressed and uninspired by it all. She had half a notion to shout “boooooring” as if she were speaking to peasants, but refrained – growth and self-control rivaling the audacity. Maybe that said more about her than anything else.
But she’d had quite good luck on the first round, as Kaisel announced her correct answer. With a Cheshire grin, she proudly beamed, indifferent to any of the locals looking over at them. Taking a sip of her beer, she then snagged at one of the cards, unfurling it and glancing at the title and name listed. Heh.
She flashed four fingers at him as well, before pinpointing on the first word – holding up her index finger. From there, she started making air kissing at the crowd moments, and then drawing an invisible tether, as if pulling multitudes in.
07-29-2025, 02:55 PM (This post was last modified: 07-31-2025, 03:21 PM by Kaisel.)
the rumpus and ruckus are comfortable now
He watches with the rapt attention of someone who is competitive, albeit used to losing, his eyes trained to every movement she makes like it could be the hint he needs. Meanwhile he keeps count on his own fingers in his lap, whispering under his breath, counting out a name that he thinks might suit. Ever present is a stupid grin, one that breaks into a yell as he stands up suddenly out of his chair and slams one hand on a table with his exuberance. His other snaps in the air and points at her, like the sightline of a gun pressed against his cheek, the gleam of his sharp gaze the trigger. "HOTARU!" he exclaims, so confident he celebrates with a triumphant smirk before she even confirms.
Though he does wait, for confirmation, before reaching for his next card and turning the timer back over to reset it and start anew.
The card and the name in his hand now rouse a bemused expression, and he pulls another sip of his beer down before he sets the sand in the timer to tumbling for his turn. He flashes her 3 fingers this time, and waves his hand over his head to signify he is doing the whole word at once. At that, he lays down on the ground and starts to pretend to swim, although he doesn't grab a breath over his shoulder as one might expect for someone quickly maneuvering through water. After a moment of that, he spins onto his back, holding just his legs up and out, the pair kept tightly together as he waves them like a set of fins.
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.
I've done nothing wrong Except for all the atrocities
Melita would take the nearly instant answer as a compliment; that she’d been able to encapsulate Hotaru so swiftly and quickly that she’d perfected the art of charades. Acquiescing the response with a tip of her beer and a nod of her head, she sipped at the drink. “Correct~,” came thereafter on a painfully singsongy tone, and then she was watching his next attempt.
The swimming narrowed down the list of demigods and leaders in her mind; but then there was familiarity in the broad scope of a potential tailfin formed, that she laughed and barked out “Hadama!”
Thereafter it was her turn again, and she snagged at the pile of cards again, hand digging around until it could pull something from the bottom. Chuckling to herself, she cleared her throat, then flashed five fingers (because we’re counting last names too), then went to the fifth finger to indicate the word she’d been applying shit to. Turning the timer over, she started, imitating a stern, stoic face all while holding an intangible, pretense of a blade, then thrusting it around (almost spilling the pitcher in the process), and pretending to stab.
He throws his hands up from his merman display in triumph at her correct guess, finding it just as victorious to have mimed correctly as to name the charade. "Yesss," he laughs, hauling himself back to his feet. He dusts himself off, hand brushing over something sticky that lingers on the side of one pocket. Grimacing, he wipes at it with a napkin, but it persists. The downside to commitment, it'd seem, or just the half-assed cleaning of the darkest corner.
Pushing his wonder about what, precisely, is sticking to his clothing, he sinks back into his seat in preparation for her turn. He grabs at another sip of beer, pointedly ignoring all the attention from the surrounding patrons that they've begun to acquire. "Hmmmm," he ponders for a moment, head tilted with chin in hand upon the table. Five words had confused him a bit a first, and he counted under his breath at the possibilities as he paired them up with the brief display she'd given him. A bit less confident than before, he carefully says, "Deimos?" The stern features certainly match, and the thrusting maneuver certainly appears like a sword.
As it turns back over to him, he grabs for a card. Glancing at it for a moment in thought, he makes a decision and rises to his feet. He flashes her 2 fingers, and motions with an arc over his head that he's applying the motions to entire name. He grabs for the lantern on the table and sets it down between his feet, the light casting bold shadows where his legs block it. He also angles himself away from her, just enough to still glance over his shoulder, which he does with a lazy, lip-pursed effect. His fingertips have slid into his pockets, just the tips, and he shrugs faintly when his eyes meet her.
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.
I've done nothing wrong Except for all the atrocities
“Right again,” she smirked, figuring it was because of her excellent imitating skills. But then Kaisel was starting again, and she paid attention to the movements, brows furrowing at the 2 fingers instead of the usual four or five. No title belonging to this individual again, which whittled down the options significantly. Not a leader, or someone who’d been out and about in the world enough to receive a legendary status. Not yet anyway.
Then came the play of shadows, and her mouth rounded into an open gasp. “Aha, I know exactly who this is!” she shouted, earning another few eye rolls her way as she pounded her fist into the table. She’d seen his actions enough before. “Vesper!”
Content with it all, she might’ve started again, had the waiter not arrived. “Ooh, fuck yeah,” and she immediately snagged at her plate. “I think we did a fine job!” And then they could reward themselves with a wondrous meal and loud, obnoxious noises towards any other patrons.
