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!
It's time. It always is, eventually. Seasons blip by, and before Jack knows it, the last preparations are underway for their Leafchange voyage. Voyages, in fact, but that's a secret kept quite close to his chest for now. He's sent out word across Haulani, to the marketplace, to the Hanged Man, to the Halenani, to anywhere his crew might be hiding, that it's time for them to pay the Ark her due. And for those who have sailed with him for some time now, that means only one thing: hard graft.
An asshole Jack might be (and he really, really is), he still runs a tight ship, and he's spent much of LongHeat ensuring that the Ark is in good working order after their FlowerBirth tempest and ghost whale shenanigans. But this is the final push, and it requires more than a few pairs of capable hands.
The captain waits on deck for them to arrive, his arms folded, surrounded by crates, provisions, timber, nails and mops. "If I hear one complaint 'bout how early it is, I'll remind you that we could always do this when the sun is high," he mutters. "There's repairs to make, the deck to swab, provisions to put away an' somethin' special for someone who likes a challenge. Pick your poison."
Welcome to the PQ for the Ark repair! You have a choice of:
Swabbing the deck
Repairs
Putting away provisions
The Secret
Please choose a job at the bottom of your opening post!
Saiden showed up on time. Actually, the early hour wasn't a problem for him, since he rose early to get breakfast ready most days, either for the crew or his customers. Nodding at Jack, the cook tensed for the captain's reaction to the Hali's eye patch. He probably looked a little too much like a pirate for the other man's liking, but what with Saiden losing his eye there wasn't much he could do about it.
Listening to the options, he spoke up without hesitation when Jack finished. "I'll load up the provisions." The cook managed an impressive glare with only one eye, but he was understandably protective of their food and drink and didn't want any of the others fucking up his system. Grabbing the nearest water barrel, he begins to move it belowdecks, grunting at the weight.
Melita didn’t hide. She was always a very obvious figure whenever she arrived or wandered anywhere – not scrupulous by any means. Instead, she was a firecracker, a sizzling, bristling, impulsive ember, winding her way over the shores, heart slightly lightened with the prospects of her family healed from the latest afflicting clutches. There were always other things, other moments, other presses of time and anguish doomed and damned to come (Sunjata still hadn’t told her of his recent role alteration, and that bit into her knuckles just a bit while she walked and adhered to orders).
The youth made no mention of Ludo and the repairs from before, arriving with her bag over her shoulder, with her faithful Fangorn at her ankles, with her eyes scanning, searching, out of habit for the rest of the crew. No Eloise – and that seemed like a bizarre punch to the gut. She hadn’t known the woman well. But she’d been a part of the Ark, and now there were missing figments; more than just the tangible reaches.
Jack didn’t say anything about it, and the slightest bit of wonder, of scrutiny, contorted its way through her mind. She didn’t either, uncertain how or why or when to bring it up, gaze going over towards a newcomer instead – a cheerful wave granted and given to a new face. A quick glance to Saiden - and was he missing an eye??
Thereafter, there were tasks to be chosen. So, ever foolish, ever defiant, ever ridiculous, Melita’s chin jutted upwards. “I’ll take your challenge.”
--
Melita remains her idiotic self and will take The Secret.
And that the world is always our fault When we did nothing, how did we do wrong?
Aurelia stood near the supplies, watching as the crew filtered in. She had found some clean clothes to wear and her hair was pulled back by some twine. She was no longer the bloody mess that had first arrived on the docks, though her tension remained. After today's work, she intended on leaving to find more information.
Jack relayed the tasks he needed done to the crew, which was surprisingly small for such a large ship. The first to step forward was a burly man with dark hair, adorning an eyepatch. Briefly Aurelia wondered what happened to him, but she quickly stepped aside as he headed for a barrel nearby. Perhaps someone happier and more friendly would've said something to break the ice but, Aurelia was not happy nor did she boast the friendliest demeanor. She only nodded curtly to him as he passed. A redheaded girl, young and lively, waved at her. The gesture was so casual and bright in comparison to the disgruntled company she had been around until then, that she couldn't even think to respond before the girl was on to claim the 'challenge'.
What with everything that happened (and everything that could've been happening at home), she just wanted to do what was asked of her and work on getting back. So, without waiting for the task to fall to her, she said, "I've got the deck."
She located a water pail, plopped some soap into it, grabbed a mop and a bristle broom in the other hand, and set to work. Although she did keep an ear out for what Jack's challenge was. There was always a spark of interest towards anything deemed a challenge but, she didn't want to play the part of the fool.
Aurelia will swab the deck.
And I've been thinking that when we thought The world would break us, that we weren't wrong
The fact that you show up is testament to the strength of Vai's Vomit-Tonic, as you have affectionally named it. Even docked as it is the listing of the ship sets your stomach rolling, and yet today as you stand upon the deck you feel weirdly... fine. Some kinda witch magic, and you'll be sure to show your thanks appropriately.
Anyway. Repairs. The crew is more motley than usual, with the navigator absent and the cook missing an eye and a new lass among them and Jack being Jack. You've taken up a position leaning against a wall, and the look you give Jack is very pointed as the tasks are doled out. "Not much'a a carpenter," which translated means loooooool.
Still you grab a hammer and some nails, not really sure what you're supposed to be fixing but confident you can at least put together the appearance of helpfulness.
Provisions - check. Deck - check. Repairs - fuck you Zeph. And the challenge? Jack grins to Melita and jabs a finger up the main mast he's casually leaning against. High, high above, the honeybee girl will see that the crow's nest is shrouded in... clouds?
"Been a long season at shore. Some cloud wyrms have made 'emselves at home up there." Jack grins. "They ain't dangerous, but they like to play, an' they especially like shiny things. Be a doll an' figure out what they've stolen? Oh - an' get 'em to fuck off, while you're at it?"
In the meantime, Saiden will find his provisions heavy, but in relatively good condition. Ah, all but one crate of fruit, anyway. Within that, the cook will find a number of large and very unhappy spiders. What's he going to do about it?
As for Zephyr, whilst yes, the Ark has been repaired by Ludo on their last trip out (Jack is not the type to forget), the god did not put her into mint condition. There are a few cracked and squeaky boards on deck to replace, and a few minor tears in the sails to be remedied.
Hopefully he gets to relay this information to Aurelia before she swabs all over the place he'll need to be sitting! Her work goes remarkably well, and she's unaccosted by any trouble so far. Good job Aurelia! Once the main deck is done, the steps up to the fore and aft are next to be scrubbed.
No post order! Keep it up, kids!
you wanted perfect, you got your perfect but now I'm too perfect for someone like you
Very unhappy spiders, meet very grumpy cook: When Saiden discovered the pests infesting the crate of fruit he growled. Glaring at them, he put his hands on his hips. He considered his options for a few moments.
Then his lips curled in a smirk. He walked towards the nearest barrel of water. Opening it, he called up his magic. The water rose and swirled around him.
Returning to the crate, he waited until he was closer. Then he began to power wash the spiders off the fruit, hopefully cleaning it and sending the spiders off the deck and preferably plunging into the ocean.
For such a secret, the youth gave a shrug, grabbing hold of Fangorn and motioning off towards the crow’s nest. “All right.” Her glance caught the whirl of clouds, the notion of the creatures causing it, but she’d never been a witness to such things. No dread, no apprehension in her bones; just a singular curiosity.
That quickly changed into delight – eyes widened at the sight of them along the next, placing Fangorn down upon the wooden boards and face turning into a wry grin. “Well, aren’t you all lovely!” And they were – beautiful, mystical, puffs of plumes and vestiges, already thoroughly distracted by whatever her task she’s been given. She’d be content to sit up here for hours and simply play amongst their docile, slithering entities. The youth sat down beside her gourd, who’d given a generous grumble of a greeting to the dragon-like creatures, before curling in along her knee. To the closest one, she offered a hand, not reaching out to touch, to pet, or to scratch without permission. “Are you enjoying the Ark too?”
10-24-2020, 09:44 PM (This post was last modified: 10-24-2020, 09:46 PM by Aurelia.)
Aurelia
And that the world is always our fault When we did nothing, how did we do wrong?
Aurelia paused in her sweeping of debris to look up at the crow's nest, using her hand to shield her eyes from the sun. She watched in surprise as the girl happily made her way up to those weird vaporous creatures. This world was so opposite to the one Aurelia knew, it was insane. It wasn't even noon yet and there she was, witnessing some strange new thing once again.
In her distraction and frazzle, she accidentally tipped the whole bucket of water over. She moved to catch the lip, to keep it from spilling any more. But the sudsy water was quicker and slicker; her foot slipped. She fell ass-first into the water and the mop careened into the air. The water had poured in one impressive sweep across the main deck thanks to the power she'd unintentionally put behind it, which was sure to earn her some unhappy glares.
Her entire expression had fallen into one of complete and utter annoyance. She brought her hand up to wipe a splash of soap off her face but, her whole hand was soaking wet and soapy. With an aggravated sigh, she let it flop back into the puddle that surrounded her.
And I've been thinking that when we thought The world would break us, that we weren't wrong
Well it seems like glaring isn't going to work forever, and it's time to get down to brass (iron, really- who the fuck makes 'em outta brass?) tacks. With a good deal of obligatory grumbling you shoulder some slabs of wood, making your way over to where the deck isn't quite ship-shape. "Poor lass, what'd that fucker do t'ya?" you mutter, patting the boat affectionately and setting about your work.
It's easy enough to remove old boards, armed with a crowbar and a hammer as you are. It would be even easier if it weren't for the new girl's clumsiness. You're not paying attention when the water washes down, sloshing underneath your feet and towards the hole you've made. "What tha-"
You turn around just in time to see the poor girl go down hard. Your first reaction is to start laughing, but you very valiantly school your humor, raising an eyebrow and offering a hand to help her up in quiet comradery.
10-25-2020, 07:00 PM (This post was last modified: 10-25-2020, 07:00 PM by Jack.)
JACK
"Excuse me?" Jack starts to snap at Zeph's comments about what he's done to his ship, and he's about to go and make the dockhand's life a misery for his trouble when gods if Aurelia doesn't go down like a sack of shit. Zephyr manages to school his humour - Jack does not, and it's likely that his laughter will be heard from all the way up in the crows nest. Stepping around the girl and the large pool of water, he reaches down to grab the mop and turn the bucket up the right way again, before jabbing a finger at the repair work.
"Aight, you can hammer nails with the old man," he decides. "I'll do this, before you hurt yourself an' the ship. You babysit her good, Zeph, y'hear?" And he's not talking about the Ark, this time.
Below deck, Saiden's methods of washing the spiders off the fruit proves remarkably effective - almost too effective, honestly. Some of the fruit ends up being blasted around as well, and a couple of stubborn spiders try to scuttle away and hide in nooks and crannies. Uh oh!
And up in the crow's nest? Things do not go nearly as well. Melita (who rolled terribly ooooooof) seems to have somehow offended the cloud wyrms, something that is quite a feat, in all honesty. With unhappy croons, they flock and swarm around the honeybee girl, trying to drive her out of the crow's nest. If she doesn't do something quick, she'll fall out!
Jack directs Aurelia and Zephyr to attempt the repairs together while he takes over the deck swabbing. Saiden is successful at getting rid of most of the spiders, but a few escape him and some of the fruit is rolling around now too. Melita... does not have a good time.
No post order!
you wanted perfect, you got your perfect but now I'm too perfect for someone like you
As some of the spiders scuttled off from the water and the magic, Saiden glowered at them. However, he was far more concerned with the fruit, which was precariously rolling around from the force of the cleaning. Grumbling under his breath, he bent down to try and retrieve the errant provisions.
While he did, he tapped into his other magic. This time, air rose from him. He lashed out at the corners and holes the spiders had hid themselves in, trying to chase and blast them out of their hiding spots. If he could, he'd send them into the ocean like he had with their kin.
Saiden collects the fruit by hand. As he does, he uses his upgraded air magic to try and remove the spiders.
Air manipulation: Can manipulate the air. Must be within a 30ft radius and allows the user to levitate medium-large sized objects up to 5ft above the ground . Control is excellent.
Type: Grey | Rank: Upgraded
Well, for all her excitement and amusement, it didn’t seem to be shared amongst the creatures. Disappointing, really, to have all her grins, beams, and smiles not extended back in heralded harmony. Instead, she was flocked and swarmed, and not in a polite, friendly, or playful way. “All right, all right,” she attempted to placate, edging her way along the back, until she could see she’d run out of room.
Fangorn rumbled several warnings, a display of fangs as he settled into her lap, wrapping his vines around her, protective while the youth began to grab hold of the ropes nearby attempting to ensure that if she was pushed further, she wouldn’t be flailing instantly out of the crow’s nest. “Honestly, I expected better of all of you.” She shook her head, trying her best to appear somewhat daunting and disheartened, instead of apprehensive and nervous. “I’d heard so many wonderful things.”
--
Melita attempts to placate the cloud wyrms, while grabbing hold of ropes nearby. Fangorn has given the creatures warnings and settled into her lap, vines wrapped around her.
10-27-2020, 04:48 AM (This post was last modified: 10-27-2020, 04:59 AM by Aurelia.)
Aurelia
quote line one quote line twooooo
Aurelia looked up from the mess she'd gotten herself in - literally... also figuratively. Well, let's be honest, everything was a mess. Standing over her was a man with grizzled locks of hair. He extended his calloused hand out to her right as she mumbled out, "..sorry,"
She hesitated a moment because she was unsure. They'd both just end up falling - and this would be an even bigger mess than it already was. For that moment, she contemplated whether it'd be better if she just stayed down. Then again, there was work to be done and contributions to be made. Aurelia wasn't not going to earn her keep, no matter how embarrassing this was. She took his hand firmly and smirked slightly as Jack made a comment about him - Zeph (which was an interesting name) - babysitting her.
She shot the captain an irritated smile and said, "What! I thought this would be faster! Falling was not apart of the plan, though," she made a face as she flicked soapy water off of herself. It felt so damn slimy, and ugghhhh.... walking around was going to be very un-fucking-comfortable. Whatever, I've dealt with much worse, haven't I?
Turning back to Zeph, she offered him a less irritated, more genuine attempt at being friendly, "I'm actually used to patching stuff up. I've been-" she cringed "I was the handyman around the house, since uh... yeah," well, she wasn't going to go full on my-dad-died-when-I-was-young on them. Moving on with an awkward clearing of the throat, she grabbed herself a few pieces of ply and some spare nails. She began to help Zephyr get the repairs done, holding a piece of wood in place for him here and there and taking over any tasks he might've wanted her to do. She was not a silent helper, however; with every step, her boots squeaked. Greaaat...
"Is that a spider?" It quickly received a face full of boot, "...not anymore."
