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!
06-15-2020, 10:07 PM (This post was last modified: 06-15-2020, 10:07 PM by Noah.)
NOAH
I can't wait for this no more,
My eyes have come undone
Longnight would be upon them in mere hours. After speaking with the rest of the council, they had decided to open the Arcane Academy for the entirety of Halo to seek shelter from the penetrating cold. There were some people who's homes were damaged beyond repair for the season. Even then, there were homes that people would try to take shelter in that weren't as well-equipped as the academy and the freezing temperatures and lack of sun would surely claim lives.
Noah had been working throughout the day to prepare for the mass of citizens that would rest within these walls. He set up cots in hallways, and extra beds within the already established dorms. He moved firewood to each hearth to make sure it was enough to keep stoked. While the attendees of the academy may not need the fires to keep warm, he was glad there were still fireplaces within the building for use. He made sure the kitchen and storage rooms were ready to receive extra loads of meats and dried goods that the people would bring with them.
When exhaustion set in his bones from his labor, Noah finally made his way back to the entrance of the academy. It was a great entryway, with beautifully carved doorways. He readied the few people he had rounded up and set them up with paper and writing utensils, and tasked them with taking detailed count of who would be staying. They would need to take an attendance of sort every night, to make sure that everyone stayed safe.
Morgan had been making rounds through the city, checking in at each home; a lot of them were empty, people already having made their way through the portal or up to the academy for Longnight. Those that weren't she spoke to, asked if they were determined to stay in their own accomodation: if they were, she would not move them away, just warn them of the dangers. There were plenty of families who had survived Longnight on their own before this, after all.
With the few stragglers she had convinced she arrived in the academy, carrying a pack on her back with a sleeping roll, some paper and pens for making plans and notes during the stay, and a few weapons she had grabbed from the guard's supply just in case. In case of what she wasn't sure, but after the last month they'd had, Morgan had a constant wary buzz in the back of her mind.
Putting her things down in a corner by the door so she could respond to anything that needed her quickly, she began to organise and arrange her space.
And round about his home the glory That blushed and bloomed,
Relocating guests, refugees and all their items from the Kraai to the Academy took some doing, but Korbin stood by his decision to close down for the week. He poured all of himself into the tasks at hand, and a surface glance might suggest he was back to being the same person who had worked to restore calm and order after the attack on the Citadel. Thinner, harder perhaps, and with hollows like bruises beneath the eyes, but clear in the head, and working hard.
It would be easy to think he was okay now. It was fine if people thought so. Korbin tried to make himself believe it too, and drowning himself in work at least helped keep his thoughts away from dangerous impulses. Lugging baggage, ale kegs and what remained of the food and firewood stores kept him busy, as did setting up the temporary little bar. It was basic; a stack of mugs, a few propped up barrels, and a table to separate himself from the thirsty and the bored. Serving and rationing supplies to last the week would leave him something to do.
It was all good. Until suddenly his tavern was empty, the people in place, his supplies ready, and his hands left without anything to busy themselves with.
That's when he went to see Noah. Finding him by the entrance, Korbin tugged at the scarf tied about his neck, eager to get it off but unsure if there was a point before everyone was inside.
"Need a hand with anything?" he asked. Really, Korbin was exhausted. But he couldn't stop now, couldn't bring himself to relax. It was too hard to get himself going again. And his friend looked like he could use some help.
Is but a dim-remembered story Of the old time entombed.
Delphine had come to the academy early in the morning, to pick out the dorm room that she and Noah would stay in. She'd deposited some canvasses and paints early that morning (because an idle mind was certainly one that caused trouble), as well as her stash of healing supplies in the dorm room she'd claimed.
Then she had disappeared, back out to the house up, to check for anything she might be forgetting. She made sure the furs were in place on the walls, ensured both bedrooms were locked and empty of useful supplies. She finished cleaning out the kitchen of anything that may spoil, ensured that the fire was truly out, and gathered some candles.
Once she was satisfied she had gathered everything that could possibly be useful, she claimed the two baskets of things and started back to the Academy. For once, she was thankful she'd been exploring Halo. It meant she knew how to get to and fro quicker, little short-cuts if you would.
Entering the building, she settled the two baskets in a corner out of the way and wandered towards Noah. "House is good," she murmured, cheeks flush from the cold. She'd probably never get used to Halo. "Anything else to do?" Other than getting people accounted for?
Tala was still uncomfortable staying with Delphine and feeling like she was perhaps intruding, not to mention the inherent discomfort she had with staying in a rigid house rather than the comforting pelt tents she was used to. It had been almost relieving to hear they were going to the academy for LongNight, so that at least she didn’t feel she was a burden upon someone’s home.
She’d lashed her quarterstaff onto her backpack so that she could carry a basket full of bread and everything else Delphine had asked her to help carry to the academy, and then trekked along beside the blonde woman towards the interior where the academy lay. It was easy enough to take everything she owned with her since it was how she always lived, but somehow she was still anxious that she might’ve forgotten something. The prospect of spending many days inside a building, with many people she didn’t know, intimidated her like crazy. She kept as serene an expression on her face as she could manage.
After placing the basket where Delphine directed her, she broke away and went to the bed in one of the dorm rooms where she’d be staying. She stashed her backpack, swords, and staff under the bed, though kept her pair of bone daggers in their holsters on her hips so as not to leave herself completely undefended. It made her nervous to leave any of her stuff unattended, but she kept her most important items in the pouches she wore anyways.
Once unencumbered by her pack, she wandered back out to find Delphine, and found her standing beside Noah. She was surprised to see Korbin there too, and offered a small smile. ”Hello again.” She said, then looked over Noah and Delphine as well. ”What can I do to help?”
Wandering towards the Academy in the dying light of the last day before this dreaded week of darkness, Chuy couldn't help but feel a combination of anxiety and anticipation. He had heard tell of previous Longnights, in the Grounds mostly, of the horrors that came out at night there, seeking a way inside to ravage those who still lived. He walked, with Kia and the remaining few straggling Grounders, to their new temporary lodging, where they would find a great many others gathered - those who had had their homes destroyed, those simply seeking the company of others, and fellow cabinet members too.
He offered a warm smile to Noah and Morgan as he entered, and nodded to Korbin and Delphine too, before heading straight for the storage room to place the great sacks of vegetables he and Kia had stored at the cottage to last the week. It was no longer theirs, now it would feed the masses, just as all the food in the storage rooms would.
His mind churned over the possibilities of how he might offer ways to improve their food supply for the next year. He was anxious about the Longnight, but also excited to see it through, to step outside and find Flowerbirth had begun, and so he could begin his plans for the region. There was also the matter of travelling the world with Kia that he would attend to in the warmer months too - and the family dinner as well. He smiled idly at the thought of it, as he ensured his sack of vegetables were placed in such a way that didn't disturb the rest of the food within.
When he stepped back out, he took a moment to appreciate the grandeur that was the Academy, wondering what would become of it in the future months. Then, he followed Kia to where they would be sleeping for the week, unable to hide the concern on his face at the smallness and openness of the beds that lined the walls of the many rooms of the Academy.
Dormitory life once again.
I let you see the parts of me, that weren't all that pretty
And with every touch you fixed them
She follows on Chulane’s heels, her own bag of things brought with her as she enters the Academy with the straggler Grounder’s from the Kraai. And then, after a few moments of ensuring everyone’s settled, she drifts toward the countertop where Chuy had placed his bag of items. She takes a moment to scan the room, offering small nods here and there. One granted to Noah, one to Morgan. The rest of them she either doesn’t know or doesn’t care to speak with just yet.
She may or may not still be pissed as hell at Korbin.
But she doesn’t have the time to go through her items, not as she sets them down and goes to gather a few of the more steadfast Grounders to break them up into groups and show them where they’ll be staying. And after a few long minutes of explaining and gesturing toward each section, she finds Chulane’s side again with a small smile given toward him, trying to be as calm as she can be during this time. But it was hard.
Walking with him toward the space they’ll be staying, Auni runs off ahead to the small section next to the bed she’s acquired for them, moving to set the bed from the cottage she’d brought for the little Luxere. And along with it, a small black ribbon with gold lettering that says Auni embroidered onto the top of it.
Y’know, just in case anyone tries to eat him or anything.
as cold as stone
KIADA
Kiada has a large X scar on the right side of her neck.
No permission needed for power play!
Feel free to use magic/force on Kiada, without killing her <3
a thousand faces staring at me, a thousand times i've fallen
He’d planned on hunkering down in his home with his family during LongNight. Spending time between there and the workshop. Only… Things didn’t work out that way – not with the attack on the palace. Not when the rubble had destroyed part of his home, had caught his parents in the aftermath. And a bit of cleaning up, a private funeral for his parents and all that were left of the Westfalls… Well, he has nowhere else to go other than the Academy.
He just doesn’t want to be alone.
So he grabs a few things with him, a bag of tools and some wood to craft and try to keep his mind busy, head ducked between his shoulders as he slips through the doors and ignores everyone that might try to speak to him, heading straight for the rooms of beds and pausing when he has to figure out he needs to choose one. He doesn’t know what’s taken and what’s not, and he really doesn’t feel like talking. So he evades it for the time being, moving to the other side of the Academy against the wall where a chair sits that seems particularly abandoned, and sets his bag in there – fingers lingering on the edge of the fabric of it as he debates whether or not to just set up there.
Given that Neron was imprisoned lived in the Academy these days, he did not have far to come. Indeed, the former Warden gazed down upon the arrivals, leaning against the banister at the top of one of the flights of stairs overlooking the entrance. Once upon a time he might have sneered or lingered there with Edrei (may she be causing trouble wherever she was now), but as the sun set over Halo he was more relieved to see so many coming through.
There were plenty of faces that he recognised, but some that he did not even now, and when he’d had enough of playing wallflower he retired once more to his room. His guard followed at his heels, silent and stoic and boring as always. Lucky Neron.
Opting to spend the first bit of LongNight in Torchline to clear her head, Wessex nevertheless feels obliged to drop in to Halo and the Academy to make sure they don’t need anything. If the Palace hadn’t been blasted open, if cultists hadn’t attacked, if homes and the gate hadn’t been destroyed, she might have stayed away and let the very self-sufficient Halovians be exactly that - self-sufficient.
But as she’s one of the few who can withstand the killer cold, she might as well offer her services. Teleporting briefly into the area around the Academy, Wessex finds Noah and Korbin and offers a small wave. “On the off chance you anything, hang a sheet or a flag or something in a window and I’ll pop in and see what I can do.” She has no idea if the Academy’s cold-resistance will extend to the killer cold of LongNight, but it’s the gesture itself that’s important.
“Stay warm,” she says in farewell, ready to head back to Torchline, utterly oblivious to what will soon happen in the Ground. To Neron, she says simply, I assume everything is alright. If it isn’t, I’ll teleport back in at some point. Find a way to let me know.
I can't wait for this no more,
My eyes have come undone
People flooded into the Academy and Noah sighted out his relief. He had worried that the people of Halo would be too stubborn to leave their homes, even if they weren't completely safe. He knew his people. Even he had his reservations at first of taking refuge in the Academy, but it seemed the most wise decision to make right now. And when the people seemed to support him, some coming in and squeezing his shoulders or punching his arm, it made him confident in the decision. Morgan came and went, ready to aid her people with whatever necessary. Korbin soon followed and appeared -- despite the way the grief tore at his body -- to be in a state better than he had seen him before. He wasn't ready to give him as much responsibility as he would before, but he would give him some. "Korbin, if you could make sure to keep all the fires stoked and up and make sure to keep wood distributed evenly, that would be helpful."
Delphine moved in after setting up their room, and his jaw feathered some. He still needed to speak with her about private matters, mostly concerning the raven. He turned to her fully, reaching out to brush his hand along her shoulder. He would never sacrifice his affection for her because of his anger -- he had said it himself, relationships needed work and they still needed to grow in knowledge of one another. There were things about Delphine he still didn't know, but he had chosen here nonetheless. Her companion--who Noah had not yet met, but had seen briefly in his home as he came in and out--followed her. He spoke to both Delphine and Tala, "We need to make sure we have a dedicated medical station set up. We aren't sure what this Longnight will hold, and it will be good to have an established place the people know they can go to if they need healing." Since he had not yet seen Loren, he tasked the women with it. Delphine, at least, he knew was a magical healer. Her skills would be useful.
Wessex came in, briefly, and all Noah could offer for her was a nod: "Of course," Of all his knowledge and interaction with the Wraith, he still was not sure if she could be fully trusted. He knew she was good for her word, he had watched that, but her motives were unknown to him, and therefore a barrier was necessary.
Mallorie supposes that if there were a place to be functionally homeless, this is better than any other.
The academy is warm, stocked, and filled with people; yet to sort out her guard accommodation, it’s better than the inn where she was staying, even if the building still unsettles her. She makes her way through, noting the faces around her and trying to memorise the layout. There’s few people she recognises, and many more she doesn’t.
She finds a spot to settle and carefully lays down the few items she owns, besides the clothes on her back. Her sword and shield strapped close, as she’s still unsure what to expect from Longnight. Peers curiously around her, and wonders what awaits. If the guard will be called upon. Who of her fellows here are new to this, and who are used to the whole thing.
If she'll have to attempt to be socially...proficient.
Delphine could already feel the familiar dread that came with knowing she'd been locked in the building for the week. Even though she knew being locked inside was better than fending for herself outside, even though she knew that no matter where she was, she'd probably still feel trapped, she couldn't help but wish she was somewhere else.
However, Noah pulled her from her thoughts when he gave her an... order, though it was something she'd expected; especially when she had yet to see Loren. She didn't pause to wonder where the man was; they weren't on good terms, anyway.
"Consider it done," She leaned into his touch, as brief as it was, before turning to Tala.
"Two of those baskets have herbs, and the rest are already in my room. Let's each grab a basket and... we'll pick out a dorm room and set it up like a triage station, tables, chairs, extra beds or cots." She moved to retrieve one of the baskets she'd brought in, falling into the role of healer easily enough...
Despite the fact, she'd not been a real healer in years.
And round about his home the glory That blushed and bloomed,
Clearly he was not the only one who turned to Noah for direction. No wonder; the man had an air of quiet competence that was reassuring, and more easy to approach than the new Warden. Morgan had chosen well. Korbin had to wonder if people would have flocked around himself that way if things had been different. If Weaver had lived and he had remained her right hand.
As things were right now, Korbin was glad that he didn't have to carry that sort of responsibility. Shouldering the Kraai was burden enough, and he felt the press of people around him like a stifling grip around the neck. Casting a look around the milling crowd, he caught a glimpse of Neron just as the man moved away from the bannisters of the upper floor. Couldn't see Loren anywhere, but wasn't surprised; no doubt the healer had found some other place to hole up. That ridiculous igloo maybe.
Wessex popped in with a cryptic offer of emergency help, and Korbin nodded at her. Still uncomfortable with the way she came and went, how she showed up out of nowhere. The very definition of the flighty outsider he so distrusted.
But what really threw him was the blonde girl who appeared in company with Tala. Korbin actually recoiled from her, their past encounters in fresh memory, and he stared at the way she greeted Noah. At the familiar way the hunter touched her.
What the actual fuck? Seems he wasn't the only person who was bad at talking about personal stuff here. Really, Noah?
"Fireplaces. Right. I'll take care of it," Korbin said quickly, and backed off. It was an important job, and it wasn't like he expected to get much sleep anyway... It was the perfect excuse to leave.
Is but a dim-remembered story Of the old time entombed.
