the stars are everywhere

cover you when the sky comes crashing in

Complacency wasn’t something carved into Deimos’ foundations – so even while repose pressed into shoulders and terrain, he was always seeking out something to improve. It gave him more time to dedicate to Halo, and the people at large, without worrying about the next assault or siege that would take him from the land, family, and friends. So initially, he spent his moments of brief liberation in patrols or amidst the barracks, carving out frivolity in the snow for the visitors of their wintry region or citizens at large; trying not to remember what it was like to always be waiting for the ax to fall.

Which, perhaps predictably so, meant he’d be striving to amplify his own wares and skills for whatever came next – whether it be danger or something else entirely. Keeping the armor tucked and contained within his bag for now, he marched towards the shrine with his arms full of offerings instead – a delicate box laden on one arm, carefully crafted to look like moons and stars (complete with baked goods inside; each charmingly melded to some characteristic of Safrin – whether it be her beautiful features rendered upon or some galaxy-esque rendering) – and then a massive wreath adorned across the spread of his expanse.

Setting it down carefully, he arranged both just so – the latter of which spread out with wide evergreen and fir branches, neatly tucked within one another to look smooth and clean, with Safrin’s adornment etched into the center. Much as he’d done amidst the beach on Torchline last season, it’d taken up a magnficient expanse, and then he placed the box just underneath, an additional bonus and surprise.

Then he bowed his head, a light smile on his features. “Safrin, I hope you are doing well in these peaceful times.” He could only imagine, fathom, perhaps her own relief in the aftermath of everything – especially after years before, when she’d strived to ensure the Void hadn’t arrived. “Would you be willing to assist in improving my armor again?”

--

Deimos is seeking a quest from Safrin to upgrade his armor to Mastered:

Leviathan Scale Armour | Lightweight armour made from the scale of a slain leviathan. Blocks Physical damage. Has a 3 post cooldown between uses. Downgrades incoming water magic every round.
Type: Light | Style: Defensive | Level: Upgraded | Cost: (None)

Regional Score bonus: +13 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +13 should be included). Residents cannot be cursed at shrines in this region.

Hybrids roll with +5 at all shrines. Include this at the bottom of all shrine posts.

DEIMOS

Safrin

The scent of starlight arrives first—honeysuckle and night jasmine laced with something sweeter, something impossible—and the shadows of the shrine stretch not into darkness but into constellation. One by one, the stars in the ceiling seem to stir, until the silver-gold gleam of divinity catches against the evergreen boughs and glitters in the folds of silk that whisper into being.

Safrin appears with a smile already blooming, one hand pressed lightly to her heart, the other reaching out toward the delicate moon-and-star box. "Deimos," she breathes, her voice laced with pleasure. "If I’d known you were bringing baking, I might’ve come sooner."

Her gaze flickers across the wreath, the intricate weave of fir and devotion, the etching of her mark at its centre. There’s no mistaking the delight that blooms in her expression, each feature brightening with a rare and genuine fondness as her fingers trace an invisible line over the curve of a pine needle. "Beautiful."

Only then does she turn to face him fully, golden eyes finding his with warmth. "Peace looks good on you," she says, her smile softening into something fond and luminous. She tilts her head slightly, a ripple of starlight in her hair as if the sky itself were listening. "I would be very glad to help you once more."

---

Deimos has been given a quest! He must

1. Complete a training thread where only physical attacks are used against his armour
2. Complete a training thread where only water magic is used against his armour
3. Complete a thread where someone else benefits from the protection of his armour
4. Complete a thread comparing his armour to someone else's.

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

cover you when the sky comes crashing in

Safrin arrived in all her finery and glory – his attention snapping towards the motion and movement of constellations rippling through the shrine’s entity. A smile stirred along his features again, watching as offerings caught, before his eyes flicked to the herald herself, nodding and bowing his head once more. “They should still be fairly good,” he gave with a lighthearted wrinkle to his nose, content that she found the offerings and bestowals to her liking.

“Likewise,” in mutual agreement – despite likely neither of them knowing repose or peace for very long. But it could remain in calm, measured endeavors now, rather than always waiting for something else to fall apart. Listening to her directions and accord, as he so often did, he made mental notes over the depictions and possibilities, while acknowledging her kind-hearted gesture; the ability to eventually ensure the armor would be even more powerful and potent. “Thank you. Enjoy. I can bring more next time.”

With another wink and that promise, he permitted her the quietude of the area again.

[FIN]

DEIMOS