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!
07-11-2020, 07:03 AM (This post was last modified: 07-16-2020, 06:23 AM by Kiada.)
if through some miracle, you are granted the chance to see him again
whether in this life or the next
There are times where Kiada holds onto her anxieties, squirreling them away to look at later. And there are also times where it shows, like today as she slips around her kitchen with Chulane, having already fixed up part of the home from LongNight’s damage. She flits about like a bird, tending to this and that, ensuring the seats are fine, that the table is ready and welcoming enough, that Auni has a space with his bed in the dining area just to have him near.
Her gaze flickers to Chulane, a soft smile playing on the corners of her lips, thankful to be focused on something else other than the recent events that have overcome them. “They should be here any minute.” She says softly, wiping her hands on a cloth before grabbing a dish of the food to be set out, coming over toward him and handing it to him. “Excited?” Comes the quiet question, an avian tilt of her head.
you are, and always shall be, his
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
Excited? came the question, and he grinned, swallowing with a bob of his Adam's apple in response. Kia's anxiety expressed itself with general busy-ness, keeping herself occupied with this task and another, Chuy's did similar, though his thoughts often stole him away to introverted threads of random this and that.
He soon grinned a slanted smile at her though, reassuring her that yes, he was indeed feeling many emotions. "Excited is certainly one of the many things I'm feeling right now," he set the dish of food on the table, moving around serving implements in miniscule, unmeaningful ways.
"I'm relieved to see you smile again," he said a bit softer, moving closer to her to give a hand a squeeze with his own, before continuing to help rearrange the chairs and place-settings at the table.
if you don't terrify people a little then what's the point
For once, these movements didn’t brew and brim along his form with a brutal sense of unease. There was no apprehension, no consternation, in their advance towards Kiada’s domicile; perhaps because it was familiar, another boundary of sanctums and sanctuaries, amidst the turmoil, chaos, mistakes, and sedition. If one were capable, and there were several of those individuals around, of reading the nonchalance, the reticence, the reserved domineer, they might’ve even detected the barest hints of amusement.
They’d meandered their way along family dinners before, back when the Harpy could investigate, poke, and prod at Deimos and Amalia.
Now it was Kiada’s turn, and the monolith was fully intent on enjoying himself.
Tucking away the traces of devilish predilection, the Sword and Shield didn’t have far to go from their house to Kiada’s, and only seemed to meander carefully due to the amount of food they were bringing along. Along Deimos’ held platter was a turkey, fresh from the morning’s hunt, plucked, defeathered, then subsequently cooked, and portions of Amalia’s baking. Reaching the front door, he bordered on actual propriety and knocked with a free foot against the aperture – instead of barging in as either of them would ordinarily do – bestowing his wife the barest hints of a smirk.
07-15-2020, 10:18 PM (This post was last modified: 07-17-2020, 12:54 PM by Amalia.)
I belong to you the way the moon belongs to the stars
Amalia has entirely over-prepared for this dinner, even knowing what a talented cook Kiada herself is. Family dinners and introductions are a foreign concept to her, and to have this on the heels of so deep a darkness as has pierced them in these past weeks is both comforting and reassuring, a balm and a wound.
But Deimos is happy and so Amalia smiles, finding solace and strength both in his presence and the promise of this brief escape. Burdened with a basket of fresh-baked bread and the starwhale perched on her shoulder, the Shield places her hand in the Sword's, squeezing his fingers in hers.
the stars in your eyes will bring me back
and once again, i will kiss the sky
if through some miracle, you are granted the chance to see him again
whether in this life or the next
She’d really only made a few side dishes, knowing Deimos would come with the main course, knowing Amalia would come with dessert, prepped and ready. But that didn’t mean that Kiada couldn’t go a bit all out when it came to the sides – after all, she’d spent an entire season thriving off of Ningo this and Ningo that, root vegetables and the like, and gods she was tired of it. So she’s made something a bit more fresh, some fruits and vegetables that came from the Greatwood, hoping to ensure Chuy finds it just as good as well.
He helps her set the table, and Kiada can’t help the slight crinkle in the corner of her eye as the smile grows a bit wider. “I think it’s anxiety.” She replies easily, though there’s amusement that bounds between them. It’s easier to push it aside, to worry about the dinner and the embarrassment that was sure to come rather than her own sorrow.
And luckily, when the chairs are organized and settled in, the side dishes on the table, that’s when Deimos knocks and her heart thunders a bit with her anxiety. Reaching for Chuy she offers him a small shy smile, moving to the door with her hand in his to open it and gaze upon Deimos and Amalia with an easier, softer, hopeful smile crossing her face.
“Oh, you brought a turkey?” She asks, immediately smelling it and sighing happily, before realizing what she’s doing and swiftly attempts to recover. “Deimos, Amalia, this is Chulane.” She says, moving to the side so he might be a bit more in view, looking over toward him with a wide smile. “Chuy, Amalia and Deimos.” Of course, Deimos would know him – at least more than Amalia would. But dinner would certainly change all of that.
you are, and always shall be, his
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
when all the pretty birds have flown, take a chance on me
He was a very basic cook; he enjoyed the food he made, but really, he wasn't capable of anything fancier than simple meat and vegetables. He'd helped Kia with whatever prep he could, whether it was in the kitchen or cleaning the house, the smells of cooking food stirring up his appetite (though perhaps it was just the excitement of the evening to come). Surviving on ningo and a slowly dwindling supply of root vegetables in Halo for over a season had made him very keen to try almost anything else - if his nerves settled long enough for him to actually enjoy the meal he'd be all the more happy.
He chuckles softly to her response, happy to see the way her face crinkles with a proper smile, and also glad that they have something like a family dinner to be anxious about. Then the knock (kick?) at the door happens, and a shot of adrenaline hits him like a hammer, his heartrate decidedly skyrocketinig. He sought her out even as she did to him, smiling a warm, but also nervous smile in return, following her to the door, before bracing himself for what was to come.
He'd be lying if he said he didn't start salivating at the sight of the turkey, the giant roasted bird something he was yet to experience in Caido. Recovering about the same time as Kia did, he stepped back to welcome them into the house, smiling and holding Kia's hand all the while.
He knew Deimos by now, having met the man enough times to be able to recognise him from afar. He would go so far as to call him a friend (and he had, in fact, the first time they had met, he is leopard form and Deimos as a hellhound), but wasn't sure if the other man regarded him the same way. And Amalia, he had met in a chance meeting in a field the other day, neither of them realising who the other was until quite late in the meeting - he had liked her before he knew who she was anyway, her affinity and ability with animals catching his attention early on.
"Amalia, Deimos, it's a pleasure to finally, officially meet you," he said with sincerity, gesturing with his free hand to bring them inside, to encourage them to come to the table, offering to help carry some of their burdens, but not being offended if they declined his help (it was only a relatively short distance from the door to the table, after all). "What would you like to drink?" He asked, reluctantly pulling away from Kia to head to the kitchen, to where water or wine or other such options of beverages awaited their pleasure.
if you don't terrify people a little then what's the point
There’d been a time where Deimos amused himself by seeing how many he could intimidate – with reserved scowls, with impassive denizens, with whispers and legends surrounding his Reaper regime. It’d been true when the world understood he’d stop at nothing to defend what was his. It’d been true that violence and vehemence stirred through his ichor with inherent ease, flames stoked, chilling ramparts fervent, ready. It’d been true about the death contorted within his soul, rampant, mutinous, another aspect of his nefarious wake, beyond upheavals, invasions, and wars.
There were less terrifying aspects of him now; when this land had seen him as more than a dragooning force of wills, provocations, and vigilance – but it didn’t mean he wouldn’t try.
A snicker resided in between ribs, waiting for the right moment. His eyes went immediately to Kiada, and though she likely couldn’t see the amusement contorting around him, she’d be able to sense it by Attuned bond alone. Vengeance was a favorite pastime of the Sword.
He squeezed Amalia’s hand in return, as if posturing away the tension, but in reality just provoking more fires of spirit and mischief; setting the turkey down on the table, then releasing the Shield to freedom and liberation. The monolith nodded towards Chulane, already met twice prior, withholding out on if he could say it was a pleasure to reacquaint with the man.
Mostly just to be obnoxious.
“Wine, thank you,” and then he glanced around, waiting for Amalia to put in her choice of beverage, before his gaze landed on the hosts. “Do you need anything else done?”
I belong to you the way the moon belongs to the stars
Even though she's met Chulane once, even though she loves Kiada, even though she trusts Deimos with her very soul, Amalia is made of trepidation and anxiety and there is no saving her from herself. The door swings open to reveal the happy couple - and how strange to see the independent Harpy bound into a couple, this sweet young man her newfound shadow, an augment to her whole - and Amalia places a smile on her face, clinging desperately to her husband's hand.
She needn't have worried. The attention of all is swiftly caught by the massive (and incredibly aromatic) turkey which Deimos carries, greeting exchanged with a shocking ease that soothes Amalia at once. Nodding her greeting to the pair, the Shield is swift to slip toward the dining room, ready to release her burden of bread.
It ought to be Rexanna here, not her.
She is followed by Jyoti, the little starwhale ever attuned to her soulmate's needs. Reaching up to caress the creature, Amalia shakes her head with a smile. "Go play with Auni. I'm fine, I promise."
the stars in your eyes will bring me back
and once again, i will kiss the sky
if through some miracle, you are granted the chance to see him again
whether in this life or the next
It goes relatively easy, though Deimos’ wicked smirk sends a pulse of that anxiety down her spine once again. She can feel the amusement that radiates from Deimos’ end of the bond and she shakes her head, trying to toss it out, toss it aside, her iceberg gaze narrowing slightly at him before she’s guiding them inside the home and to the table where the turkey can be placed. Chulane begins to offer drinks, and Kiada grabs a glass for wine for herself, flashing Chuy a bright grin before turning her attention to Amalia.
Auni is far more excited to hang out with Jyoti regardless, darting toward the star whale and Shield with a waggling nub of a tail in his excitement, prepared to steal the other companion away. Kiada takes this time to focus on the Shield, stepping forward to offer a hug to Amalia, before guiding her to a chair and moving to take her own seat.
Her gaze finds Deimos with a small shake of her head. “Nope, we got everything ready.” She says softly, a small smile crossing along her face. “Just… Sit and enjoy? Chuy hasn’t had anything else other than root vegetables and Ningo’s since he arrived.” Her gaze slips toward her boyfriend, flashing a wink and a grin, a huff of laughter.
you are, and always shall be, his
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
when all the pretty birds have flown, take a chance on me
He dutifully retrieved the drinks, smirking at Kia when she flashes him a grin of her own. His attention is pulled when a whale drifts through the room to join Auni, and he pauses in his task to watch it with open curiosity. He guessed that it was a companion of Amalia's, for it was as enchanting as the woman herself. He'd read about the vast variety of companions that could be found in Caido, and bonded to, but to actually see one… He'd had to investigate into further, later on.
There was a dinner to be had, an investigation into, well, himself, by their guests.
Setting the drinks down before everyone - wine all around tonight, apparently - he too sat down in his chair, smiling and chuckling at Kia's words and agreeing with a nod. "Halo isn't really known for its variety of meats," he said with a wry grin, before lifting the cup before him, only halfway through the gesture wondering if toasting drinks was even a thing done here, and if this was an appropriate time to do so.
But he was committed to the action already and so held his cup before him anyway. "To good food and good company?" he offered, clinking his cup against others if they joined him, otherwise raising it in the air a moment before bringing it back to his lips to take a first sip.
"Alright," he said as he placed his cup back on the table, glancing to the meat, but then to Deimos and Amalia with open interest. "Have at it - what would you like to know?" he offered a way to get to the guts of the situation, to cut through to the core of why they were here - they were here to judge him, to test him, to see for themselves if he was worthy.
And to be honest, he was curious of that himself too.
if you don't terrify people a little then what's the point
It’d been Kiada’s reaction he’d been aiming for – the slightest narrowing of her eyes, the rampant disapproval – igniting the ghost of a smirk, the ire of his mischief, the rapacity of his devilish accord. It was another measure of weaponry, simply being obnoxious, and only extended to those he truly cherished (if only everyone could be so fortunate).
But he was distracted for a series of movements, told to sit and do nothing (which had never been high on his list; a creature of maneuvers, action, and motion, prone to restlessness if not given a singular goal). Drawn back to introspection for an instant, he pulled out a chair, resigning to not being an irritating git while standing, arching a brow but following suit to Chulane’s toast – it’d been common for them to smash their cups against one another one evenings before battle, drinking until the apprehension was gone.
On the need for further motion, he rose again to start slicing apart the turkey, only momentarily arching a brow as Chulane attempted to cut straight to the chase – slashing along at the tension. There were a whole series the Sword could’ve asked (are you prepared to do dangerous and stupid things? since that was somewhat of a hallmark of this extension of the family, do you know how to fight another). But he started small, figuring they could work their way up, a glint of a snicker sent Amalia’s way, before proceeding to speak and lacerate the meat all at once. “Where are you from?” He’d be amongst fellow Outlanders, save for Amalia; with certainly an entire array of different experiences and skills.
I belong to you the way the moon belongs to the stars
She accepts Kiada's hug more than willingly, taking the Harpy into her embrace with an affectionate mental pulse. "He's nice," she whispers against her hair, an endorsement easily given at this point. Nothing more to base judgement on than one chance meeting, but a pleasant one for all of that. Stepping back, she gestures to the spread. "This is lovely. You never fail to impress, Kia."
She watches Jyoti go off to frolic with slightly softer eyes, moving to take a seat beside Deimos, unsure what else to do. It is eerie and uncomfortable, not being the hostess, the one in charge with busy hands. Before long Amalia finds herself fidgeting, her fingers wrung beneath the table while lilac curls into the gold of her hair.
But Chuy breaks into the awkwardness with an admirable aplomb. Admirable, and woefully naive, opening up the floor for questions from two who can cut like knives. Though Deimos may be a master of subtlety and the steady rise, Amalia knows no such talent. Looking straight at Chulane with frank dark eyes, the Shield voices her first question: "Do you plan to stay in Halo?" Are you taking her away?
the stars in your eyes will bring me back
and once again, i will kiss the sky
if through some miracle, you are granted the chance to see him again
whether in this life or the next
They settle, and Kiada finds herself facing Amalia as the compliment is met, a wider, bright smile crossing her face and replacing the one aimed for Deimos in quiet retaliation. “Thanks Ama.” She murmurs quietly, a softer tone to her voice before they’re sitting and she’s settling a bit more comfortably, dishing out the sides while Deimos breaks into carving the turkey.
Her gaze flickers toward Chulane as he dives right in, dark brows raising in surprise. Of course she doesn’t miss Deimos’ amusement with it, her cheeks flaring a bit red as she considers it, giving Chulane time to answer. And then Amalia’s question has her reaching for her wine, trying to drown out the awkwardness before she offers her own commentary in the midst.
“I’ll be staying here when he goes back.” Because they’d slightly talked about it, a small comment before he’d found his second shift. A comment of how things would change, if this could work, how Kiada doesn’t see how it wouldn’t.
you are, and always shall be, his
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
when all the pretty birds have flown, take a chance on me
He knew what he was asking for - at least, he thought he did. No amount of preparation could have been sufficient, for the glances and direct stares, and then the actual questions. But he welcomed them with an unfaltering smile, determined to see this through, to rise to the challenge, to the interrogation.
"Earth," he began, accepting a slice of turkey, scooping up some vegetables on his plate as well. "I've heard that others from Earth have come through as well, though none of them from the same time period as me, so far." There was Oliver, someone Wessex knew from ancient Egypt, and others he'd heard of through Jigano. "I come from a hot, dry country called Australia, though I was on an expedition to a region similar to Halo to study the wildlife there when the portal took me."
He tried to be succinct in his answer, to give what pertinent information he could in as few as words as possible, but he'd never been good at keeping to word limits on essays at uni.
Then Amalia asked her question, and Kia piped up to supply her input. With a quick glance and a smile to her, he refocussed on Amalia and nodded slightly as he spoke. "I plan on staying, for some time at least. After being there over Deepfrost and Longnight, I have plans that, if successful, should help them secure a steady food supply without having to rely on trading or sending their hunters into danger so often." Fucking ningos, he thought idly, learning to love and hate his ambitious designs at the same time.
"With the portal, and ravens, and Kia being the incredible woman we know she is," he paused to flick her another smile, unashamedly shifting the attention to her for a moment, "I have confidence we can deal with the distance. But -," he said, before deliberately pausing to take another sip of his drink. "I do intend on living with her, wherever she is, when all things are said and done."
