From being an Abandoned who had rarely left the Hollowed Grounds, to embracing the call of adventure, to dying and being reborn first as an Ascended and then as an Ancient, Maea has gone through quite the amount of changes in her life. One thing remains common, though, in her attempts to find out just where she belongs; she’s always had a craving for knowledge which has brought her to so many places and to meet so many people here in Caido. We can’t wait to see what else is in store for her!
Congratulations, Maea!
Credits
Court of the Fallen was created in October of 2018 by Odd, Honey, and Crooked.
Skinning and hosting by the epically talented Kaons, and functionality fanciness by the coding magic of Neowulf. If you ever see either of them around, make sure to show them some love!
Aonghas recited the Queen’s name again, this time with proper enunciation. He’d do well to make sure he got it right in the future, should the need arise for him to ever meet with her majesty.
Listening more than he spoke was something that came easy to him, it was the best way to scope someone out and interpret their intentions. Aonghas nodded in agreement. ”Seems smart, I’ll keep that in mind. I imagine that since people are being brought here from every realm imaginable, no doubt, that tensions can run a bit high. Last thing I’d want to do is rub someone up the wrong way.” He had been told that there were no real customs to adhere to but he imagined there would be a culture shock to contend with, and not just with himself. He was already unaccustomed to being welcomed so warmly as a stranger when he was used to people erring on the side of caution. Then again, perhaps that was just Loren. Not that he could rightly say he had sized him up even a little yet.
The notion of a hot meal sounded good. It sounded really good. He hadn’t noticed just how hungry he actually was. A hand gingerly moved to his stomach. This ridiculously frail body. He kept his internal grumblings to himself and tried not to let his mild irritation show on his face. ”Mm yes, I agree. I’m sure there is only so much that the tomes in here can tell me comparative to first hand experience.”
Loren’s words clanged in his head like a bell. This place changes people. As far as he could tell when he first portalled through his abilities were gone and he physically couldn’t change back. Aonghas shifted uncomfortably in his chair. This was unsettling however if the magic Loren lost returned after time then it was the best that he could hope for himself. The thought of being stuck here with no real ounce of himself left twisted his already uneasy stomach. He realised that his silence after Loren’s question had gone a little longer than he intended. He straightened himself up. ”Oh as I first mentioned, I am a little out of sorts since my arrival. I had some magic where I came from but it seems to have left me now. I was curious if it was anything I should worry about.” He did his best to muster his biggest “I’m fine” smile that he could. ”But if you said the magic that you once had came back to you then maybe all I have to do is have patience”. Be patient. He was sure that was something he could do.
09-22-2019, 05:45 PM (This post was last modified: 09-22-2019, 05:45 PM by Loren.)
They say blood makes you related but
loyalty makes you family
Well at least Aonghas got the queen’s name correct the second time around. And the other man’s analysis of the political and cultural situation was spot on. ”Tensions are very high. So yeah, my main advice is to be patient and get used to apologizing a lot.” Gods knew the Launceleyn took a long time to learn that lesson. ”Most people’s hearts are in the right place. It’s...just been a rough year.” Between the outlanders and the blight and Zariah’s reign, most people were feeling the strain. Even Loren, who’d only been back a short time, was stressed about it all.
The summoner chose to ignore the other possible interpretation of Aonghas’ statement about rubbing, given the Launceleyn’s current romantic difficulties. It was very, very easy to rub someone the wrong way, and Loren sometimes felt like he’d found every single one. Of course, that still didn’t stop him from finding new, even more embarrassing ones.
At the other man’s comment about what could and could not be learned in the Atheneum, Loren smiled. ”Trust me, you’ll get sick of learning new things before too long.” Welcome to Caido. Although, maybe Aonghas would feel differently: the summoner had once had an insatiable thirst for knowledge. That had been before everyone kept telling him just how ignorant he was and always would be. It would wear down even the most curious of souls.
It wasn’t surprising to hear that Aonghas had once possessed magic that he lost. There had been many who’d changed when coming to Caido, as Loren had already explained. However, he hesitated, giving the man an apologetic look. ”Maybe. But...maybe not.” He felt bad saying this, but it needed to be said, or else it might cause Aonghas a great deal of grief. ”What magic did you have before, if you don't mind me asking? And do you possess any magic now, any abilities, either the ones you used to have or new ones?” If the other man had been changed in some fundamental way, there might be no getting his magic back. Best for him to know that now. But Loren needed to know more to make that determination.
Aonghas was definitely more than a little bit curious about the "tough year” comment from Loren. It was clear that there had been some unrest here before his arrival but what the extent of it was, he was unsure. Again, he chose not to press his host with questions on matters that he wasn't at all familiar with just yet. Perhaps they weren't even questions that needed to be asked at all and pieces would fall into place for him after a short while here in Caido. Coups or other large political plays, like Loren had mentioned with the Queens tended to leave fractures in the everyday goings on, visible ones at that. He would leave the subject alone until a better time presented itself for him to ask. Not that the politics of the land was something he normally found himself drawn to anyway.
Getting sick of learning new things hadn't been a luxury Aonghas possessed back in the land he came from. He had been around for a long time so had helped craft the histories that were being created around him in a way. Perhaps that was why he felt a little vulnerable here. He didn't enjoy knowing nothing. "I suppose you're right", he said a little hesitantly.
His brow furrowed; not exactly delighted to hear that maybe not was an option. Nor was he particularly keen on getting into the nitty gritty of his abilities or his origins. His abilities had been just as a part of him as the flesh and bone of this new form, it wasn’t like the magic he knew others practised back home. It was just him. But for this instance, he would do his best to explain as if it were. He gave Loren a soft smile before answering. "I don't mind. My magic is only slight. Some basic control over elemental forces and very weak regenerative abilities. As far as I can tell I don't think I have anything new." He brought his hands up and flexed out the fingers on both in the same motion as before. "At least, it doesn't feel like it." He lowered his hands again and folded them in his lap. "I suppose that's what is most troubling. I normally can feel it. Magic where I am from is a deeply ingrained thing and without it I suppose I feel a little... incomplete. Almost like I'm missing something physical." His voice trailed off and he wondered about the silver necklace he had left behind in his own world. His bridle. Perhaps that was the reason he was now disconnected from his abilities? ”Then, I don’t really want to make assumptions of your own connection to your magic, so maybe you can understand what I mean”. Aonghas stopped short of making the comparison that to him being without his abilities was like being without a limb, but his grave expression told all as his features were now etched with concern.
Aonghas seemed to doubt Loren’s statement about getting sick of learning, but he didn’t blame the other man for that. Once upon a time, the Launceleyn would’ve felt quite similarly. Now, though, he was trying his best to just let people come to him rather than seeking him out; he’d been so eager since his return to get back in the swing of things that he’d managed to upset a lot of people with his arrogance.
He listened to Aonghas’ explanation, a sympathetic look on the summoner’s face. When the other man finished, Loren was silent for a long beat. ”My magic has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. But if you don’t feel yours within you any more, the only advice I can give you is to pray that the gods of this land restore some of what you once were.” The Launceleyn searched Aonghas’ face, trying to figure out what the other man was. It didn’t sound like he was an Abandoned, or an Attuned, and he was definitely not an Ascended, given how the cold had affected him earlier.
That left one option. ”It sounds like you might be an Accepted, which means the gods are favorably inclined to grant your prayers. Still, be careful. They are dangerous beings, and not to be called upon likely.” Thankfully Loren was mostly beneath their notices.
At least, for now he was. That would change, in time.
Aonghas wasn't sure if Loren's reference to praying to the Gods was merely a figure of speech or not. However he didn't have time to give that pause for thought as the young man across from him continued. Saying the name of what people like himself in this land were referred to as. Accepted? He supposed that just meant ordinary. He already decided he didn’t like that term, especially applied to himself. Then when he heard the mention of Gods looking favourably upon his prayers he knew the previous statement wasn't just a turn of phrase and Aonghas' expression darkened. A short humourless laugh was his initial response to it all; his distaste for deities quite apparent. He knew all too well just how dangerous Gods could be.
”The Gods granting my prayers? Aye, that’ll be right” He was certain the sarcasm in his voice just rang out as bitterness. ”Callieach Bheur, has been the reason for all my misfortune as of late – and no doubt the cause of my showing up here! Now I’m stripped of my essence she’ll grant my prayers? I can’t see her being that gracious all of a sudden”. The penny hadn’t quite dropped, that his Gods were not in fact the deities of Caido. It hadn’t occurred to him that they wouldn’t be. Mostly he was just blinded by the idea of yet more God meddling that he didn’t even bother with trying to use reasoning.
However when he heard himself speaking a little faster and with a slight rise in volume it made him stop and clear his throat. Realising his anger was misplaced he apologised "I uh, sorry. My relationship with the Gods isn't exactly a happy one." A conscious effort was made to soften his expression again as he hastily swiped a blonde curl out of his eyes.
Well, Loren certainly hadn’t been expecting such a vehement reaction from Aonghas. Nor was the summoner entirely sure what the other man was talking about. However, the Launceleyn was sure that he wasn’t going to try and actually pronounce the name Aonghas used. ”Well, I don’t know who that is, but she’s certainly no god of Caido. Ours have much uh, shorter names.” And less complicated names to pronounce, though their dynamics and what they put mortals through seemed even crueler than whatever the other man had experienced. However, if Aonghas was indeed Accepted, there was a chance he could turn things around in this world. ”Wasn’t a happy one. But that’s not to say it won’t be in Caido.” Loren made sure to make his voice as low and soothing and gentle as possible, and Astra snuggled closer to the other man as well, making sure he had all the comfort he could get.
Feeling the gentle pressure on his legs, Aonghas did feel some comfort from Astra, and it did soothe him a little. So the hag wasn’t in this world either. That was also somewhat comforting - the idea however of dancing in the palms of new Gods wasn’t. Quietly he chewed over what Loren had said, and although he was instinctively wary of what the Gods here could have planned for him there was a curiosity in him that burned like a dim candle. Maybe a fresh start wasn’t going to be such a bad thing after all? ”I’ll make sure learn their much shorter names.” A sheepish smile played on his lips. Trying to show that he had reigned in his slight outburst. ”Oh and I’ll make sure I’ve nailed the pronunciations before repeating them this time.” He added quickly with a chuckle.
After a moment Aonghas sank back in the chair and raised a hand to his forehead, rubbing a thumb on his temple. He took stock of today’s revelations. So, no abilities, no Callieach Bheur, new gods, and a new mortal body. It was if everything that was sinking in was settling into a tension headache. He paused before letting out a sigh, his gaze flicking up to meet Lorens. ”I hope you don’t mind but I think I would like to take you up on your offer of somewhere to rest now?” He was definitely feeling more overcome with events of the day - not to mention his stomach had let out a few quiet grumbles. Food, along with rest, was definitely starting to seem like an attractive option right about now. Shifting and then sitting forwards in his chair in hopes that Loren was willing to escort him to his new temporary lodgings.
Loren grinned at Aonghas. ”I’d be happy to teach them to you, but maybe another night. I feel like I’ve told you too much already for your first day here.” The grin broadened at the comment about pronunciations. ”Don’t worry. Most are simple, one or two syllables at most.” Indeed, nothing like whatever that goddess the other man had brought up. As Aonghas rubbed his temples, the summoner frowned and leaned forward, hands already reaching forward with the sky-blue glow of healing magic. However, it seemed the other was just tired, and the Launceleyn figured there was only one cure for that.
”Of course.” Standing up, he smiled as Astra came back to his side. ”You can keep the cloak. Follow me.” With that, the Launceleyn would lead them out into the snow and the cold, summoning a phoenix for warmth and to light there way; before too long, the Manor would appear, and Loren would do his best to get Aonghas settled in. Yet another to add to the growing list of residents in the Launceleyn's home.
Maybe this one would actually make it feel like a home.
”Another night then” Aonghas grinned. He felt perhaps that he had tried to take in too much of this world as it was. Pronunciations, he was sure, would be the least of his worries. He would definitely be surprised if half of what he was told would actually be retained until tomorrow. That’s what he gets for asking so many questions at once, he supposed.
His hands curled tightly around the outer seams of the cloak Loren had just graciously gifted, and he thanked him. A stray wonder of how many people Loren had helped out this way popped into his head. He was sure he would find out. Aonghas still wasn’t sure what to make of his new landlord, entirely. On the surface he was pleasant and charitable enough, but there was something that lurked under the surface that he couldn’t quite put his finger on just yet. But perhaps it was just his tired head not giving him the best scope of details right now.
Another roving thought of what may lie ahead for him played in his mind. The idea of Gods, different or not, in this world still made him uneasy. He knew how fickle they could be and how quickly he was able to once earn their wrath. Still… He would make an effort to fit in here as best he could. Jump through the hoops and not ruffle any important feathers.
It was cold here. But he felt a little more prepared this time as he marched through the snow, cloak wrapped tightly around him as he followed Loren to his manor. Definitely not the lodgings he expected but he was sure Caido had many more surprises, pleasant or otherwise waiting for him.
