[Mini Event] in order to form a more perfect union

After the Climb, after returning Ru, after a day spent talking herself in circles as to whether she was or was not to blame for Kiada’s death, Wessex turns to the quickly growing list of things to-do. Various items left over from Deepfrost or earlier, the Wraith sighs and begins to call on the family. Asking them to meet her at the usual time and place the next night, she then delivers location instructions to Evelyn and Mabel, knowing they’re the only ‘new’ brethren who haven’t been to the Safehouse. When they arrive, Wessex is already there, finishing up some thoughts for her own future plans; a guild, a premise, a group to willingly undertake the dangers of the world so she wouldn’t have to ask others to do so. The fools, the blowhards, the curious and the strong, if she has her way with it. Offering each a smile and a nod, the demigod is remarkably less animated than the last time many of them saw her; reserved, tempered, tired even, if such a thing were possible. And in a way, she is - tired of people dying, though the truth is that it’s nothing new for her - tired of some responsibilities, tired of the silent weight of relationships. Two faces will be noticeably missing amongst the crowd, and it is only just now as they begin to file in that she realizes that. Wessex swallows is all back down; there is work to be done. WESSEX come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts unsex me here

we need love, but all we want is danger.
we team up, then switch sides like a record changer

The changing of the times brings her out of the woodwork. She's always been there, lingering, lurking. Best not to focus your pretty little heads on the details, it'll only get confusing.

"This is certainly a look, Wes." Mara says with a velvety purr of approval that she doesn't for a second mean. She gets it, of course. A little hideaway where the dogooders and their ilk can't come a'knocking, but gods if this isn't the most cliche baby-sitter club bullshit. They should be in a fucking tower, or somewhere with heads on spikes. Something that gets the blood fluid going.

But you know times haven't been easy, and demigoddess or not, Wessex has gotten the short end of just about every stick. Rather than sitting, you opt to lurk in a particularly shadowy corner of the room with your arms crossed.

the rumours are terrible and cruel, but, honey most of them are true

my love affair with water runs deep into my soul,

the serenity as intense as the tides ebb and flow

Amun, of course, greeted Wessex with a cheeky grin, coming right on the heels of Mara's statement. "Wes always looks good," he declared, smiling at both women. Emphasizing Mara's nickname for the Wraith, he shot Wessex an amused look. "As do you, Mara." He nodded at Mara, whom he didn't know that well, but liked well enough.

Good to see you again, Princess. Though it might not be good for you to be seeing the rest of us. The telepathic thought was for her alone, and he winked, a bit of his old cheer having returned to him. Hopefully it would help her with whatever funk she

Surprisingly, the potter wasn't alone: a little baby landshark chewed happily through the ground behind him. Entering into the Safehouse, Amun shooed Zhanshi ahead. Then the potter took up station in one of the corners, lounging on a chair. However, his posture was deceptively languid. In fact, he was poised to grab his companion when Zhanshi inevitably tried to bite someone.

nothing is softer or more flexible than water,

yet nothing can resist it

AMUN

NATE

Every time he thinks he's done with the Hollowed Grounds, something happens to draw him back, some reason for returning comes up. It's beginning to wear on Nate, his mood as dark and stormy as the beaches he'd left behind to come to the safehouse. The starwhal that trails after him is the exact opposite, excited to be meeting others of the family, to be surrounded by those chosen by the Voice.

A greeting is offered to both Mara and Amun, cordial enough, though his mood shines through, in the smile that struggles to stick to his lips, the way his hands are tightly clenched, his arms tightly folded. Wessex receives a silent greeting, only a touch warmer, more respectful. You're looking better, boss. The thought is sent out as he takes a seat close to the front, Pemota doing a lap of the room, cooing for attention, despite Nate's withering stare, his clear disapproval.

I love to see the sun
In spite of all it's done

EVELYN

They come.

It isn't the first message they've received from the woman, though that doesn't make it any less surprising, or unnerving. But they hear the instructions all the same, and they follow them - who were they to deny the call of their brethren, to turn away from a chance to know the faces of the others who had seen the way to the Voice's beautiful embrace?

Evelyn is the picture of grace and poise, though in truth she is nervous and anxious. Being raised on a farm had meant only a few ventures into the marketplace of the Grounds - crowds and gatherings were something she had only recently grown used to, and obviously they still stirred up insecurities within her.

It was all for naught, as she elected to float a few inches off the ground, travelling smoothly beside her sister towards the safehouse, thinking it looked very much like a shack that might've existed on the farm she and her sister were raised on - thinking it grossly insufficient a place for those of the Ascended family to associate it.

But, here they were all the same. Evelyn bowed her head to everyone, before making to stand off to the side - present, but not in the spotlight of the meeting.

innocence
is but an illusion

NERON

the hailstorm

A broody little hole for a broody little meeting, headed by their broody leader. Neron is beginning to feel as though the Ascended have an aesthetic. Hilarious from a man who dresses exclusively in black, true, but he’s nothing if not a massive hypocrite. He arrives on the heels of the others, looking decidedly better than their last meeting - it’s funny, how shrugging off responsibility can do that to a person. Wessex ought to try it.

He tips her a wink in greeting, having to avoid getting his toes gnawed off by a baby landshark, arching an eyebrow at the floating narwhal that circles the room. Eventually he settles in one of the seats, feet propped up on a low table, looking for all the world as if he’s come for a friendly family visit. Let’s get on with it, then.

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

MABEL

All part of the family now, entrenched rather than discarded, immersed rather than decayed. Wessex’s messages rang loud and clear, and the dread Mabel had fought off during LongNight scorched along her bones now. Not for meeting and greeting, but for everything else that might come with it. Or might not. The uncertainty was a palpable thing, and to be young, feral, and ridiculous wasn’t quite the right ingredients for any semblance of confidence.

But she went with Evelyn, as her sister floated along (no envy there for powers that Mabel herself didn’t have; maybe it would come with time, with patience), and they came upon the shack. Not much different from where they’d come from, and a smirk, a snicker, wrapped itself along her lips for a moment, merely meant for her twin and no one else.

She followed through as they came within, nodding to those she recognized and those she didn’t, the unfamiliarity more present than anything more. Another breath she didn’t need lodged within her, old habits still dying hard, before she twisted along the confines, next to her sibling, eyes piercing, following movements, waiting for the inevitable.

I bare my teeth
and stretch my claws out

Samuel

Hope for the best
Prepare for the worst

Sam considered not going, sure that the meeting was going to be full of people that hated him, especially when so keenly reminded of his decision the last time they'd come together like this. The only reason he had eventually decided to come was that he felt Wessex would probably kill him if he didn't, and if he came to the meeting he risked at worst a beating.

When he did arrive in the safehouse (He'd made this place, once, when he was far more enthused about all of it) he tried to slink in quietly, stay by the back. When it was time to give votes he'd make sure his was counted, but until then Sam wanted to avoid as much attention as possible.

Wait all your life to see what you see

With your big heart, you praise God above, but how's it working out for you, honey?

Bastien had not expected to be called back to the Safehouse so soon; he had immediately realised he would be going without Rexanna (obvious, yes, but it still hit hard) and thus it had been a herculean task to get himself out of the house and to the meeting. He took Azrael with him, the child's recent growth spurt meaning they were now roughly 2, still able to be held but now by his arms, no slings.

When he arrived he passed Azrael down to someone at the bottom of the ladder as he got down himself, thankful that at least his child would have the chance to meet some of their family. Taking them back, he would speak to anyone that wanted to come and say hello before the discussion, quite content to stay in the happy realms of baby introductions than whatever inevitably horrible business they were about to discuss.

Do you feel loved?

Bastien

Base Code by Sky!

They go, because their father goes, because there’s so many of their family that they haven’t met yet. And they’re excited. Bouncing on little toes, following and absorbing everything they can with the walk toward the Safehouse. And once they’re both inside, moving down the ladder, only then does Azrael finally see what their family is like, who’s all a part of it.

And even if there is sadness in the room tonight, Azrael doesn’t know. A wide grin splits their face, a bit of babbling as they look around. And after a pit of a pout, Bastien sets them down, and they’re drifting. Perhaps it’s distracting, but it’s the first time they’ve seen many of these faces. They drift toward Mabel and Evelyn first, small hands lifting to clutch at a pant leg. “Mabby! Lynlyn!” They greet in passing, moving toward the front of the room. Dark curls cover their head, shifting back and forth as they scan the rest of the room and their eyes land on Wessex, drawn to her initially with wide eyes.

But instead of going toward her, Az promptly stumbles their way directly in front and plops to the floor — eyes wide and waiting. “Hi!” They say to everyone, though their eyes remain on Wessex.

progress, not perfection

Azrael

Osozo

all watched over by machines of loving grace

They are late to this meeting, the last one to arrive, in stark contrast to the first time. Nothing will begin until they're all there, so it isn't as if Osozo is worried they'll miss something, but still they rush just a little, slipping down the ladder and taking up residence near the front of the group, worried eyes on their sister, on Wessex. She has come back in one piece, whole and healthy looking, but there are still shadows on her face, still a weight dragging down her shoulders.

The assembled group of family is looked over quickly, some faces missing, some faces new to the Demi-god, and they wonder what they might have missed, while they spent the season away, in Torchline. There will be time for questions later though. Right now, they wait patiently, give Wessex the room to speak.

LETHA

For the seasons Letha has been here, she should gave deeper friendships. However, the turmoil and uncertaintly that she encountered the last time all of the Ascended gathered had made her confidence in trying to deepend the relationships she had diminish. Nate and Amun -- the ones she could call her friends, brothers -- were the only ones she smiled at when she arrived. The quiet girl, the new girl -- though not the newst -- seemed quieter than usual. She found a place to sit next to Amun, hoping to draw strength from him and his nearness.

She looked about, catching sight of the tiny Ascended. When they met last, Letha learned about the coming of the child. Now, they were here, blossomed and warm and bright and brilliant. Her smile formed again, and she beemed down at the child when (if) it made eye contact with her on their traversing of the room. Oh, she loved children. A spark started in her breast. It was familiar static, starting slow but surging throug her. She remembered this fondly, and held on to it tight.

It was the spark, the desire, the will and determination to protect.

You can't choose what stays and what fades away

BASE INSPIRED BY ODD <3

And then they’re eleven. “Are you saying I nailed ’threat to all of Caido’ perfectly? Damn.” she quips back as Mara enters the room, eyeing her for a moment before Loki swoops in on her heels. Guess it’s going to be a regular fucking zoo in here. Then comes Amun, who seems in higher spirits. She’s not quite sure what he means, but brushes the concern away. Nah, always a good time for a family meeting. Gets the fluid flowing. Because things always go well and they always get along. It’s been only a few days, if that, since she’s seen Nate. Liar. How’s Ru doing? she asks, Loki darting out to inspect Pemota with obvious fascination. She trills a curious hello to the other floating creature, eyes wide and snout very, very active. And the twins, of course. An impressed look for Evelyn and her floating, with the Wraith whispering into her mind. Nice choice, Evelyn. But the one who truly garners her attention, in a surprising turn of events, is Azrael. Much like with Osozo, like calls to like, and as Bastien descends with the child in his arms, she is surprised to see how much they’ve grown. Somewhere in her head, it makes sense that the child is actually a demigod and of course they don’t grow the same. “Hello Azrael,” she says, moving from her initial position to crouch down in front of them (with a glance to Bastien, to make sure this is okay), beaming down in a very un-Wessex like way. “I’m Wessex.” she almost coos. “I’m very excited to meet you.” How glad she is to have been wrong about them. Pushing up and away, the Wraith looks at the group. “Thank you, again, for coming. I’m sure these are annoying as fuck sometimes. So let’s get on with it. You already know that Rexanna and Clem were murdered by Safrin during LongNight, but there was another Ascended who died as welll. Robin. The working hypothesis is that the Fae killed, dismembered him, and then sent body parts to the various areas of Caido, but there’s no hard evidence for that yet, so please, be careful.” Be careful during Fiat Lux. Be careful during your everyday life. Her gaze shifts to Nate, though she doesn’t out his injury. “They may appear like children or small adults needing help, so just be diligent.” Live their lives, but for Goddess’s sake don’t be heroes. “Second, I need a couple of volunteers for a task for the Voice. Can’t say much about it now, other than it might be dangerous, but shouldn’t hurt any non-Ascended.” And it needs to remain secret, so that’s all she’s going to say about that until she gets volunteers. “Third, and I know none of you are shocked about this - we need to decide what to do about the Monsters this year. I’ll remind you that we all need to be on board. I don’t know what that means for us in regards to the actual fighting, but I have to believe that the Voice wouldn’t make us put our newest siblings at risk. And I think we could get a lot of magical help from - well, everyone else.” She pauses. “But of course it’s up to you.” And this time - “Majority rules.” Did she just change the rules on them without batting an eye? Yes. Yes, she did - because she’s tired and cranky and she’s earned the right to pull shit like that. Stepping back, she lets everyone else have the floor. WESSEX come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts unsex me here

NERON

the hailstorm

Ooh, but if Wessex doesn’t know how to strike a presence. It’s true, Neron does arch an eyebrow at the way she approaches the suddenly-small-child who has come to join them, the Hailstorm strumming his fingers along the back of the couch he’s sitting on. He listens, quietly and intently, tilting his head to the Wraith when she’s finished before glancing about expectantly. And when no one else pipes up, he does.

”A secret task? Now you are just teasing,” he drawls. ”Count me in. As for the rest, you already know my decision. As I said last year, I’ll fight your monsters. As it happens, I no longer have a Citadel to worry about.” His shrug is lazy. He doesn’t seem bothered by it.

---

Neron volunteers for the extra task for the Voice, and votes to fight the monsters as promised.

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!