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!
07-15-2020, 09:58 PM (This post was last modified: 07-16-2020, 07:46 PM by Morgan.)
MORGAN
Work, work, work. Morgan had set her sights on Flowerbirth during Longnight and had hit the ground running, knowing that she wanted to spend the season building the Citadel to the strongest it could be: she hoped that by the time they reached Longnight in 311, the Citadel would be ten times as strong as it was now, and twenty times as unified.
So, with both of those goals in mind, the next job was a council building. Rather than a glitzy palace to rule out of, Morgan's style was far more humble. The part of the Palace that had been destroyed in the attack made a good opportunity for an addition to the building, one far more modest in material and scope; a building intended to be welcoming and useful, not striking or boastful. She hoped it would be a place where the people could gather, discuss, celebrate events together. A great hall, like the ones spoken of in stories of old.
Standing looking over the rubble of the Palace, she hoped that some of the people of the Citadel would come to help. She had put out the call some days prior, explaining that it would be hard work, but that those that assisted would be rewarded with their names forever on the building and their business or trade provided with extra funding or supplies from the Warden's desk.
---
PQ to clear the debris from the Palace destruction and build a communal council building/great hall!
There are 3 empty spots in this PQ! It's open to anyone.
1. Hester
2. Beatrix
3. Chulane
4.
07-15-2020, 10:24 PM (This post was last modified: 07-16-2020, 08:03 PM by Beatrix.)
BEATRIX
With the promise of a reward Beatrix informed Jace where she was going and set off towards the destroyed part of the palace. She thought that maybe proving that she and her brother were not... strangers to Halo, or in any way harmful to the community, might be good for the Academy.
The only thing Beatrix wanted, even more than to learn every magic she could, was to rebuild the Launceleyn name... and if that meant she had to get her hands dirty to do so, well... so be it.
And she was no stranger to hard work; after all, Beatrix was constantly nagging Jace to be less lazy and more proactive about everything. She showed up with nothing more than herself and her magic. And, of course, her attitude. That was hard to leave behind.
"Warden," she made herself known, dipping her head in greeting.
Work, work, work, indeed. Chuy found himself strung between two regions, two worlds, one that called to his heart, the other to his sense of duty, each arguably stubborn aspects of himself that warred for priority within him. The discovery of his second shift had been a true blessing in that regard, allowing him to literally fly where he was needed, to give his all to both of these callings in his life.
He'd been impressed by the repairs on the gates and sections of boundary walls that others had accomplished (and flew over it with a mental hello to the assigned attuned guard that day), and was looking forward to helping out more. He didn't do this for the reward, for the recognition, he did it because he wanted to contribute, to share and build and strengthen this community further, that they might endure the future changes and trials they were destined for.
So he arrived, an eagle spiralling down from the skies, and just before he might've landed he shifted, first into a clouded leopard to land with feline coordination and grace, and then into himself, smoothly rising into a standing posture - it was, admittedly, a little trick he'd been practicing and was glad to have executed it perfectly here. Walking towards the Warden and Beatrix with his ever-present smile and a nod in greeting, he spoke. "What'll you have from us today, Warden?"
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing
She had missed the first task, the rebuilding of the gate, a fact that ate at Hester, no matter how it had probably been for the best. And though she had gained no more building skills in the time between that one, and this current call, Hester wanted to be helpful. Wanted to be noticed a little bit too, but that was her business, and hers alone.
Besides, this was a building she was going to benefit from as well, Hester having no doubt Morgan would honour her words, her promise of time to perform in the council building, when it was finished.
Arriving in a warm bundle of furs and wool, Hester smiled brightly at the Warden, a flush colouring her face as she did. Beatrix received a thin smile as well, but her excitement was reserved for Chuy, his landing. She offers him a short applause, not caring if she's the only one, and sidles up to his side. "Pretty impressive." Comes the praise, before she's focusing on the situation with all the seriousness it requires, waiting for Morgan's words.
the devil you know is better than the ghost you don't
Noah had rested well between finishing the work of Longnight and the erecting of the new gate to now. He had taken some time for himself to venture back out into the tundra, to hunt and feel like himself again. He had taken time to sit with Delphine and watch her paint and listen to her talk of her dreams. They had planned their trip to Torchline, which would come in the following days.
Now, however, he was ready to get his hands busied with work at the Citadel. He heeded the call of the Warden. Arriving, and meeting the group with an easy smile, Noah settled beside Chulane. Hester, the bard, he really only knew by name and face. The other girl, however, Noah did not know from Adam. He nodded to her nonetheless. He greeted Chulane with a jovial pat to the other attuned's shoulder.
"When you're ready, Warden." Noah greeted Morgan, eyes briefly shifting over the rest of group of very capable NPCs that gathered to help them this day. He remembered Morgan bringing up the fact that she wanted to work on a new place for the council and the citizens to do work. The meeting hall they had occupied for now, in an inn, would only welcome them for so much longer without payment.
so I sit and the scan the frequencies, watch the falling snow
A good group showed up. One girl that Morgan did not recognise (though there was something in her face that seemed familiar: Morgan wondered if she knew her family), but the rest were all solidly dependable and she was sure the job would be done well. "Thank you all for coming." She said to the group, then looked back to the current site: debris, ice and broken furniture scattered over messy ground. Hardly a great foundation.
"Our first task should be to clear the space." She explained. "I can melt the ice and manage the water, but will need assistance in clearing the rest and preparing the land for building." A team of builders and guards milled about to the side, discussing what had to be done and carrying supplies; Morgan gestured to them. "Anything you need, help or supplies, ask the team. Our first task is to clear and build a good foundation."
With that said, Morgan turned to begin her work, something that would take a great deal of focus and strength. Closing her eyes she held out her hands, slowly taking the ice away layer by layer, stripping the water into the air where she held it, ready to get rid of it when there was more. Focusing hard, she mumbled under her breath, ancient words to the spirits her mother had once taught her.
---
Morgan is melting the ice and getting rid of the water that is making up the debris. Tasks that need doing:
1. Move old furniture (2 people)
2. Help to even out and put stones down in the earth
3. Help the builders lay down an even foundation over that
He gave a soft laugh to Hester's praise, a playful wink flickering an eyelid shut in response. A nod and a smile was given to Noah in greeting, before he focussed on the Warden. Nodding along with her instructions, he looked to the area and took a moment to admire the way her magic dissolved the ice present.
"Someone wanna help me move this furniture first?" he promptly asked, gesturing to a large piece Morgan's magic had revealed that would take at least two of them to move, not minding who decided to join him as he wandered towards it.
Bending his knees, he positioned himself, and with a nod to his helper, lifts and shifts the piece, returning and repeating the action as other pieces were revealed beneath the magically dissolving ice.
--
Chuy asks for anyone present to help him move furniture, and gets going with that!
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing
Hester stayed quiet as Morgan spoke, an appropriately respectful look on her face. Her little crush was getting easier to manage, the more she saw the Warden, but that didn't mean it was fading. Still, now wasn't the time to be distracted, not with so much to do, and people already moving around her.
"I'll help!" She chirped almost as soon as the words left Chuy, not only because it sounded like the simplest task, the only one she had any kind of experience with. And if she was being honest with herself, Hester knew she worked best when her mouth had the chance to move. After the moving though, all of her focus required to keep from dropping anything.
There's a few moments to speak, between the bigger pieces of furniture, or while she's carrying the smaller things, and Hester means to fill each void with bright conversation, starting with the very important. "You never told me you were on the council!"
the devil you know is better than the ghost you don't
It seemed to move quickly once Noah arrived. No one stood around and talked. Morgan wouldn't have time for that -- she wasn't that kind of woman, wasn't that kind of Warden. It was something Noah appreciated about her. She was always ready to get down to business, to work hard to finish the task. He knew, though, that this part of her left a wall between her and other people. After all, he had been the one who told her about the lives of her guards. While Noah appreciated her willingness to work, he also knew there needed to be a balance. Noah was working on the balance. He, too, was good at the task.
The Warden set to work, as well as Hester and Chulane, and Noah took a deep breath before heading over towards the group of workers also setting themselves to their task. "How can I help?" He asked, looking around. One man looked at him and grunted. Noah recognized him as the stonemason that he had helped in Morgan's last construction project. Another, younger, man gestured towards the rocks jutting up from where Morgan melted the ice. "Flatten these all out so we can lay the foundation right." He instructed. Noah listened well, and set to the task. He observed the others around him and mimicked them as best as he could, laying the stones flat and adjusting them as he went along.
Noah is helping to even out and put stones down in the earth.
so I sit and the scan the frequencies, watch the falling snow
Beatrix found that everyone broke off, and she never had to say a word. Jace told her that she radiated 'bitch energy', because of her attitude, which prompted her to be quieter, to say less. Because certainly her attitude would shine through if she truly spoke.
So as Noah went to help laying stones, she moved to help lay foundation. She watched the workers, before she joined them in their efforts, taking careful care to be as precise as she could... Beatrix, the perfectionist. Her perfectionist attitude was probably what made her help--to try to prove that the Launceleyn's were not all bad.
Morgan's own task was back breaking work, her magic pushed to it's limits to move and melt all the ice, make sure the remaining parts of the castle were not damaged by her adjustments: sweat beaded on her face as she concentrated, the water finally pouring out of the wall of the Citadel harmlessly after a very intense time of focus.
Once that was done, she could look to see what everyone else had achieved. The debris of old furniture and unidentifiable wrecks had been cleared and the foundations were set, flat and ready to be built upon. Morgan took some steps forward and stomped on the new ground, as if making sure it was strong enough: it held and sounded solid, so she nodded. "Thank you all, though we have only just begun. I am told our next step is to put up a frame using these posts:" She gestured towards a large cart of tall, square wooden posts to the side. "The Masons will mark out where they need to go, so all you need do is carry them...probably two to each one, I would say."
--
Choose a partner and carry a post! (There will be a strength roll, so possibly be strategic in who you partner up with!)
He was pleased that Hester offered to help him, gladly accepting it, knowing that conversation was likely to flow between them, making the task set before them all the less dull and all the more fun. He wasn't wrong in his assumption, as she shot him an accusatory comment straight off the mark. A chuckle rumbled through him in response, as he bent over the next piece of broken furniture.
"I'm just a farmer with an ambitious plan," he supplied with a grin, shifting this piece and the next with her. "Hope I can count on your help keeping those ningos in line when the time comes?" he quips playfully, arching a brow in inquisition at her.
Work progressed well, and soon enough they were all before Morgan again, awaiting further instruction. It was satisfying to see the site laid out before them, level and clear, awaiting foundations to be raised for walls and a roof to be fixed to. He looked to the Masons, and then to the posts, before glancing to Hester again. "Keen to lift with me?" he posed, before heading over to the nearest post, and getting in position, ready to lift and position the post where the Masons have designated.
"Just a farmer." Even if she couldn't quite manage the gesture with the focus she has to maintain on moving things, the roll of her eyes is more than clear in her voice. "You tell me when and where and I'll come and help." She promises, wiping her hands off on her front after moving a particularly dirty bit of furniture. "Though, I've always been more of a ningo chaser than wrangler."
Her bright delight at her own joke clearly tickles her, a bouncy smile on her lips, even as they finish moving the last few pieces, and Morgan speaks again, outlining the next steps. Moving posts. Simple enough, and look, she already has a partner, a conspirators smirk on her lips. "Keen as I could be." Comes the bright confirmation, as she rushes into position to help with the post, letting Chuy take most of the lead. It's horribly heavy, but she's certain she has a good grasp on it, certain she can make it to the designated spot.
the devil you know is better than the ghost you don't
In Halo, the springtime did not mean warmth. While the natives of this tundra may think it brings warmth, the reality is that it truly just brings the sun. However, the temperatures were still frigid and could be dangerous. Noah knew this well, and hew knew the masons he worked alongside did, and so they often took it easy and slow to prevent themselves from sweating too much. If they clothes got wet, their layers drenched, chill and sickness could fall on them easily. As he worked with the other natives, he watched how the others worked, especially Chulane. He knew that the man was smart, and had lived here now for a few months, but there were just some nuances in this land that took time getting used to -- like making sure to control your body from sweating too much when doing outside hard labor.
The day went on and as they finished up one task, the Warden had another for them. Noah was pleased with the planning it looks like she had taken, the measures to make this building a success for what they wanted. He moved over to the posts. Chulane and Hester set to work. Noah noticed the other woman who had taken a leading task in this, and waved for her attention. With Noah not knowing her, and not remembering her over the stay in the Academy for Longnight, he assumed she was an outlander. "You mind giving me a hand with this?" He asked her, already beginning to lift the post. Whether the tone of his voice was driven by the arduous nature of this building, or his normal response to outlanders, the girl wouldn't be able to tell. Truly, it was because of the tasks already accomplished. Noah was a generally amiable man, and he had no ill-will towards outlanders, or strangers in general.
--
Noah asks Bea's help to lift a post!
so I sit and the scan the frequencies, watch the falling snow
