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!
Clem must stifle his giggles at Amun's ridiculous eyebrow acrobatics, amused but reluctant to let the man see it and take it as encouragement. Of all the people in Caido, Amun is the last person who needs any kind of external inspiration to continue being his ridiculous self. Instead he snaps his teeth playfully at the older Ascended as he reaches to ruffle his hair. If it's clear that Clem stays still long enough for it to happen, to relish in the closeness he feels at the motion, at least he can duck his head to conceal the smile that breaks through the surface in a betrayal of his joy. A useless effort as Nate comes along to throw his arms over the boy's shoulders, and he cackles joyously as he shoves at both men weakly. "I'll live in the tunnels in the Grounds, duh! Can't have ya crampin' my style," he lobs back at them with a gleam of mischief in his eyes. He loves them both so much it feels too big to fit in his chest in that moment, and no amount of gross perverted comments can squash it down.
Clemente can't even remember the last time he felt truly safe in a man's grasp, and yet here he is buoyed between the two of them without a care in the world. Which makes it all the easier to rely on them when things take a darker turn as they are suddenly revealed to not be the only ones there. Nate moves to shield him, and Clem doesn't have a heart that can race any longer but his grip flexes nervously on his own pickaxe as flaxen eyes dart around for any other potential weapons. "What should we do?" Voice casts the question low, the tremble of uncertainty revealing his nerves but the strong cut of his shoulders more than making up for it. If they need to fight their way out, Clem isn't going to shy away from doing some damage.
Amun grinned wickedly at Nate's response. "I'm sure we can arrange for some...one on one time." The pause was suggestive, as was the way the potter's eyes openly roamed over the doctor's body.
Giving one last ruffle of Clem's hair, making sure to get it nice and messy, Amun chuckled. "What style?" It came out almost gleefully teasing.
Then, however, their happy little tableau was interrupted. "Not yet." He grinned almost a bit savagely at the approaching men. "You two should close your eyes and get ready to run." It came out a hissed whisper, audible only to their ears.
Then Amun reached down to shoulder his pack before stepping forward. "Evenin' gents!" It was a cheerful call.
The 'gent's were less cheerful. "Foolish outsiders. Hand over ye valuables and we'll let ye live."
The potter tilted his head to the side, as if he was considering the offer. However, eventually he smirked. "Nah. I think not" With that, he raised his hand and fired a flash bang directly into the center of the group of would be attackers.
Spinning around, he reached for Clem and Nate's shoulder to spin them as well. "Go now, while they're disoriented." The potter's voice was a whisper again as he pushed the other two Ascended to run.
”Looking forward to it.” Nate purred back to the potter, spreading his arms to show off a little bit more, give the other ascended something to enjoy. While returning the favour, of course.
The weak shoves don’t affect Nate at all, if anything, he doubles down, leaning some of his weight against Clem. ”You’re not gonna have any style without us kid.” He teases alongside Amun, though his voice comes out a fair bit warmer, genuine affection pooling in his chest.
Nate knew what the plan was as soon as Amun whispered, and though he wasn’t entirely clear on the details, he had enough trust in the other man to nod, shifting his weight back so he was ready to pivot. An arm came out behind him as well, guiding Clem into a similar position without looking.
His eyes narrowed as Amun stepped forward, sharp gaze trained on the figures harassing them, watching for anything funny. He only looked away when Amun answered the second time, barely managing to avoid being blinded himself. It was as clear a signal as anything to run, Nate already turned and pulling the youngest ascended along.
Adrenaline didn’t seem like something that would still affect them, but there was no other way to describe the jolt of energy that went through him as they ran, a laugh barely caged between his teeth. This was nostalgic, in all the best ways. All the ways that felt like family.
Clem's heart swells with love for these two silly, stupid men. The corners of his lips twitch with mirth even as he groans dramatically, sagging playfully beneath Nate's weight as if to send both of them to the ground before catching himself. Take that, sucker. "Hey, I've got style!" The offended whine has a bubbling undertone of laughter, having no real quip to give when he most certainly doesn't have style. Or suaveness.
But he is quite good at running. So when Amun whispers to them, he obediently closes his eyes, and even though his heart can't hammer his brain still rabbits about with frantic energy. Restrained and steered only by Nate's guiding hand, and released all at once as the distraction frankly erupts. Amun's voice and Nate's pulling hand kickstart him, and he follows alongside the older man, his own hysterical enthusiasm far easier to hear than Nate's withheld glee.
As Clem complained that he did indeed have style, Amun made a big show of looking the boy up and down, then peering around at their surroundings. When the potter looked back at Clem, Amun grinned. "Where?" It was cheerfully teasing.
However, obviously the fun times were over as he practically shoved Nate and Clem into motion. However, the potter didn't need to give them much encouragement. Soon, all three Ascended were dashing through the night, their enhanced speed leaving their potential attackers far behind.
Sadly, those weren't the only dangers of the Rainbow Road.
Indeed, the ground underneath Amun erupted as a geyser went off below him. Despite his speed, he was unable to dodge and was blasted off his feet, slamming to the ground with a grunt that was more instinct than pain. Directly in front of Clem and Nate, another geyser went off, and only quick thinking and quick feet would save them from plunging into it.
Getting away isn't really a question. The three of them can run faster than their assailants, if the men were even in a state to give chase. Speed didn't keep them safe from the environment, and the geysers are far less enchanting up close and personal. Amun is swallowed up in a sudden spray, Nate barely stopping in time to avoid getting swept up himself, his arm coming out to catch Clem's chest.
Nate took a moment to catch breath that he didn't need, glancing over at the youngest ascended to ensure he was alright before running to find their fearless leader. "Amun? You alright?" It wasn't quite a shout, but it was hopefully loud enough that he could find the other man, check him over, make sure nothing was broken, again.
If Clem had any air to lose it would be forced from his chest in a hilarious strangled noise, but luckily he's spared the shame as Nate's seatbelt-arm nearly knocks him off his feet. At least he doesn't end up broiled like a spring chicken. The gratitude clearly shows on his face as he stumbles and looks at Nate, checking over the man for any injury before he realizes he has no idea where Amun is.
Nate seems to have a better idea if the way he calls out is any indication, but it's not exactly comforting when he asks if Amun is okay. It's second nature to jog behind Nate, tailing him like a particularly stubborn sticker you get from kindergarten that never fully scrub away. Safety in numbers and all that. "Y'didn't get cooked did ya?" His voice rises next to Nate's, though concern still curls in his chest as they await an answer.
The only thing bruised and broken was Amun's pride. Still, he clambered to his feet spryly enough. "I'm more than alright, you know that." Winking at Nate, the potter slid his hands down his body, smoothing his shirt. Although there were maybe a few red marks from the scalding water, they were already healing and of course there was no pain.
Glancing back in the direction they'd come from, he saw no sign of their assailants. "Come on, let's get out of here before those idiots recover." With that, Amun began to lead his companions away and into the night. This time, though they were still moving quickly, it was much more careful, and they managed to avoid further geysers.
Once he felt they were a safe distance from any trouble he turned to face Nate and Clemente. "Thanks for your help, you two. You get the first rides." The potter's gaze drifted to Clemente. "On my boat, of course." Chuckling, Amun turned to lead them back towards the portal.
