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!
"Not unlike this one, though with far different gods and a land that stretched on uninhibited as far as your legs could take you. Have you heard of Helovia? There are many who came from there aside from myself." A few had already been aware of her home by the time they'd asked her about it, and she's not going to prattle his ear off with information he may already know.
"A good boy wouldn't try and stop me anyway," she says brightly, though the cut of her expression is entirely devious as she parries back at his teasing. It's easier to swallow conversationally than the tentative ground they walk surrounding Zariah. "The betrayal is all the greater coming close from the heart. Or bloodline, in your case." Acknowledging that he had not been spared from her tyranny, but also that he seemingly holds no love her for. Manipulation is not fondness after all.
She lets him distract her from that particular topic, and she returns the book she'd been holding in order to reclaim his elbow with a pleased expression alight upon her features. "Lead on then, and we'll see if you can charm me into a more personal tour."
But baby take a look We have it all
Hotaru has a passive magic that makes her glow with an internal golden light; it makes her appear youthful and her hair seems to look like moving sunlight. Can only subtly illuminate dark spaces.
"Only the bare bones, not many specifics." Loren smiled at Hotaru. "And even if I had, I would've preferred to hear the details from you. Everyone's experiences are different, and I can only imagine you have quite a few insights others lacked." Tone complimentary, he gave her an encouraging nod. He found he was actually very excited to hear more about the land that had been mentioned to him more than once.
Eyes sparkling a bit, he smirked. "Who said I was a good boy? You did say you had to punish me earlier, didn't you?" He licked his lips, making no attempt to hide his flirtation or his open admiration at this point.
Surprisingly, he found himself grinning as the conversation swung back around to Zariah. "Joke's on her. She made the mistake of disowning me, which means I can ignore her tantrums except when it suits me." He winked at the blonde, hoping she'd join him in his amusement.
Still grinning, he nodded. Leading her through the halls, he stopped at another door not too far away. "These are the kitchens. I've always found it beneficial to befriend the chefs. And the rest of the staff, of course." Actually it was more than that. He legitimately liked getting to know the people he worked with. Indeed, as he opened the door, he looked around the room fondly. It was one of his favorite places, strange as that might seem.
Slipping his arm out, he headed towards the corner, where a pot of mulled cider was kept at most hours. Pouring two glasses, he held one out for her.
"There's not much to say about the land itself. It was beautiful, chaotic. Far more well-defined ruling classes, resources were more important to keep territories for and as such there were more wars. More reasons for spies and thieves like myself, though I admittedly became Queen not long after my reign of terror." Not that she'd ever really stopped being that sort of person. "I loved it. It was home." A small shrug of her shoulders casts away the bitterness to her tone, not wanting to appear homesick when she knows that even if the land still stood, she'd have no way of returning to it.
Instead she allows herself to sink into his flirtations, the salaciousness of his tone and the promises that lie just below each rumbling word. "Good boys who make bad decisions earn their punishments," she corrects with a sly smile. "Which would you prefer to be?" Hotaru can easily reward or punish him, it's his actions that will garner such a response. She's eager to see which path he chooses.
Loren's amusement is infectious, and she shares in it gladly. "Her loss, then." And really what more is there to say on the matter? Loren has clearly come out the other end better for the disownment, and Zariah can pout about it however she likes.
She is summarily swept away into the kitchens, and she admires the well-oiled machine that the place makes itself out to be. "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach, why am I not surprised?" Her laughter is quiet to avoid echoing in the space or disturbing any of the surrounding workers, but it's amusing that Loren so accurately fits the old adage. "Being present is the best way to foster loyalty and friendship." Something she'd taken to heart during her own rule. Simply being around, visible and interested in some way in the going-ons of her people, had made them all the more dear to her. And she to them. She takes the cider happily, though she nurses this one a little slower, aware that with her stature she's already getting a little too warm-and-fuzzy. But it's delicious and she hums happily as it trickles over her tongue in wordless appreciation of the taste.
But baby take a look We have it all
Hotaru has a passive magic that makes her glow with an internal golden light; it makes her appear youthful and her hair seems to look like moving sunlight. Can only subtly illuminate dark spaces.
Listening as Hotaru recounted what Helovia was like, Loren found himself smiling a bit wistfully. When she finished, he gave her a sympathetic and understanding look. "Northwind, my first world, had an incredibly stratified class system. And it was at war with a terrible group of enemies. So terrible that we ripped open a hole into another world, Northaven, and sent our best and brightest through even though we knew it was a one way trip." A last ditch effort to save their people.
Sighing, his smile gained a rueful edge. "I loved Northaven too, for all its many, many flaws." He sighed. "I think that's why I'm so hellbent on making a place for myself in Caido. On finding where I belong here. Because I worry that it will never feel like home unless I do." Letting out a huff of laughter, he shook his head.
However, his smile turned into a wicked grin as she responded exactly as he'd hoped to his suggestive tone. Leaning down a bit, he whispered in her ear, breath hot. "I'll be good." However, the teasing tone in his voice indicated that he wouldn't be that good.
As she inspected the kitchens, he grinned at her words, not at all bothered by her incorrect assessment. "Yup, that's right, I'm easy." Voice cheerful, he sipped from his cider. "I have certainly been accused of being a little too present in people's lives before." His grin gained a wry edge as he chuckled, as softly as she had before.
Then he held his elbow out for her again, holding his cup in his other hand. "Shall we? I can return the glasses later." If she was amenable, he'd lead her on to the next step of their tour.
She listens just as avidly to his spun tale of his homeland, comparing their two experiences which - while not particularly similar - have clearly left a mark on both of them. "And were you one of those best and brightest?" Or had he been brought through to Caido in some other fashion? By The Voice like the rest of the Outlanders? How had his tale here begun? She makes a soft, emotional noise at the notion of home, his words digging into a sensitive and raw place that he likely didn't intend to do. Turning her gaze away to avoid having her emotions read clearly, she clears her throat softly. "And do you think you're starting to find it? Here, in Halo?" Part of her wants to grasp him by the shoulders and beg him to tell her how he is achieving it, when she is still torn between all three lands and feels as if she will never find anything close to 'home' again. Rexanna and Deimos have both found a home, in the land or in their partners, and though she's unsure where Kiada's mind rests on the subject she is sometimes envious and bitter, wishing she could feel the same. At least she's not alone, if Loren's words are true.
It's easier to sink into the familiarity of teasing and taunting than to consider such delicate and complex emotions. To embrace the deep thrum of his voice, the hot breath that caresses her ear and makes her visibly shudder at the sensation, breath catching in the hollow of her throat. Instead of responding she slants a sultry look at him from the corner of her eye, promising far more than words can say.
She finishes the cider rather quickly, knowing it will go to her head but finding she doesn't much care. Though she's slow to trust, Loren has proven at least reliable, and if she ends up tipsy she'll escort herself home. "Their loss then." Gaze clear and penetrating as she accepts his elbow once again with a small quirk of her lips, happy to let him lead her to whatever he desires to show her next.
But baby take a look We have it all
Hotaru has a passive magic that makes her glow with an internal golden light; it makes her appear youthful and her hair seems to look like moving sunlight. Can only subtly illuminate dark spaces.
05-04-2020, 09:42 PM (This post was last modified: 05-04-2020, 09:43 PM by Loren.)
Love mends even the broken parts
Letting out a huff of laughter at Hotaru's inquiry, Loren shook his head. "Hardly." Expression amused, he shrugged. "My father was, though, as was my stepmother, and they refused to part with their family. So off we went." There was a wry tone to his voice.
As the conversation moved on to home, or more accurately, the lack of it, he paused, sensing how important it was to her. And to him, of course. Hesitating, expression thoughtful and distant, he finally shook his head. "Not yet. Maybe not ever."
Taking a deep breath, he gave her an inscrutable look. "But I'm trying harder here than I ever did in the Hollowed Ground. Maybe this time it will stick." His voice was firm on that point, and something stubborn flickered in his eyes and appeared in the way his jaw feathered with tension.
Smirking at the promise in her gaze, he simply led her on to the next stop on their impromptu and admittedly enjoyable tour. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't preening a bit, both from her attention and because he had the chance to show Halo off a bit.
Finally stopping at an unassuming set of double doors, he pushed them open, revealing the small and enclosed courtyard that held their newly refurbished training grounds. "Our renovated training grounds. I made the practice dummies myself." Grinning, he pointed at them. Then he gestured for her to take her time in examining the space.
"Do you regret it?" Leaving with family when he hadn't made the decision himself, or so it seems? Did he ever wish to return to his old land, even with the war and threat that seemed to be present? A question that she finds all the more intriguing with his admission. Gaze departing from his as she hums softly, considering. Admittedly, she feels the same. Though Hotaru is not quite to Loren's phase of healing; attempting to dig out a place for herself in this land. "It may never be the same, but trying is all you can do. The intention behind it may make a difference." Instead of coming naturally as most first homes did. She envies him the strength of character it takes to make that decision.
The next stop of their destination is just as impressive, though her hands itch to test the mettle of the dummies that Loren proudly proclaims he had made. "A man of many talents," she compliments with a cheeky wink, wandering around the room and letting her hands explore the construction of each training implement.
But baby take a look We have it all
Hotaru has a passive magic that makes her glow with an internal golden light; it makes her appear youthful and her hair seems to look like moving sunlight. Can only subtly illuminate dark spaces.
Shrugging, Loren shook his head at Hotaru's question. "Hard to regret something you didn't really have a choice in." However, his expression had grown thoughtful. "I guess...not really? It brought me here, didn't it?" He smiled faintly at her.
The smile grew sad around the edges. "You know what they say about good intentions." Running a hand through his hair, he let out a huff of laughter. "Maybe I can stubborn my way into acceptance this time." His tone was wry, and he gave her an amused look.
"Flatterer." Still, he looked and sounded pleased at her compliment. Winking back at her, he leaned against the doorframe as she took in the training ground.
Hotaru gives a soft him, conceding the point he brings up. "It did," she agrees softly, eyes liquid warmth. "I, at least, am glad of that." After all, had he not been brought alongside his family, it's unlikely they would have ever met.
"I've never been one to rely on old sayings, but Caido isn't far from hell sometimes as is." The amusement twisting down her brow and into the dimple of her cheeks as she smiles makes it clear she's only joking, hoping to lift the sadness from his shoulders. "Though stubbornness is certainly an adequate alternative." Hotaru prefers slyness to stubbornness, but both have served her well in her years.
Turning away from the Grounds at Loren's voice, she forsakes the rest she has not seen and comes close, hands reaching to tug at the hem of his shirt to bring him closer. "I only flatter that which deserves my praise." Leaning up on her toes to kiss his jaw, pulling away with a wink and breezing past him as if it had not happened at all. "Anything else, my wonderful tour guide?"
But baby take a look We have it all
Hotaru has a passive magic that makes her glow with an internal golden light; it makes her appear youthful and her hair seems to look like moving sunlight. Can only subtly illuminate dark spaces.
Grinning faintly, Loren leaned in a bit towards Hotaru. "I confess, I am very glad to hear that." His voice came out with a bit of a sensual drawl to it, but just a hint.
There was a little too much truth in her statement for him to be happy about it, so he laughed instead, even if he didn't quite feel the humor. "At least hell is warm, or so they tell me." Now he smirked a bit, expression wicked. "And I don't mind a bit of heat, especially in this cold land."
Shrugging, he shook his head slightly. "Worst case, I'll at least be able to fool myself into believing I've made a home here for a while." Tone still wry, he shot her a curious look, wondering what she'd make of that.
As she kissed his jaw he fully grinned. "Says the spy." Still, it was clear he was pleased by her response. Holding his arm out for her to take once more, he nodded. "I've got a couple more things to show you, yes." Winking, he turned to guide her through the halls again.
This time, they stopped at his own place of work. "This is the infirmary. It's not much, but it's enough to treat the few who make it all the way up to the Palace." Despite the words, his expression was proud.
"Warmth is easy to make, it's overrated," she laughs, charmed and cheeked by the smirking man at her side. "Unless you've found yourself lacking in it lately?" Something dangerous flickers like shadows over her pretty face, her own smirk targeted and teasing. Has his suave nature failed him in these icy reaches? Oh, for shame, perhaps she just comfort him...It's very apparent on her face as she thinks it, content to needle at him and drink in his variety of reactions. Until he proves her wrong, of course.
She'd like to comfort him. To assure him that what he seeks can be found here. But would it not be a lie? Has she not wrestled with those same concerns since the moment her own home was lost? So instead she merely squeezes his hand as her lips find his skin, and hopes it can be enough. "A bold accusation, are you sure someone like me could continue to be a spy?" Laughing eyes depart from his as she is pulled deeper into the Palace. Their last stop clearly means something to Loren if his reaction is anything she can trust. Considering his role here, it's likely something he has built up by hand. "This is where you work then? It's amazing." Truly. It's more than she had ever been offered or shown in the lands she'd wandered before The Voice dragged her here. Quote impressive, no matter what he says.
But baby take a look We have it all
Hotaru has a passive magic that makes her glow with an internal golden light; it makes her appear youthful and her hair seems to look like moving sunlight. Can only subtly illuminate dark spaces.
