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!
"I hope it will," Seren replied softly, even knowing that Aisha was probably right. "Staying out of the conflict should be a choice, too." One everyone should be allowed to make. Her own situation... made things difficult. But for once Seren didn't bring that up, heeding Hotaru's advise to keep things quiet unless people needed to know.
"I would assume so," she mused, as the topic shifted back towards dragons. "Then again, most companions bond to humans because they cannot make it on their own. From illness or youth or such. Everything I've ever heard of the bond indicates that it is mutually preferable." If there were exceptions, Seren had not come across any. "Hm? No, not that I know of," she continued. That was an interesting notion, however. Dragon's hatching on the rooftops of Stormbreak was a charming picture. Like storks in spring, but better. "She just told me how to attract one of that color. If it works... we'll see, but Mother knows so much, I have no doubt that her tasks will lead me right." The faith with which she spoke was quiet and unwavering, as sure as the angle of her next shovel aimed at the ground.
It was too bad that the blade hit a particularly solid chunk of ice, and ruined the whole effect by jolting her from arms and all the way up into the head. The pain that followed blanched all color from her face, and Seren found herself leaning heavily against the shovel, as the world spun around her.
I've got to make room for this feeling
SEREN
✰ Starlight (Passive) | Starfilled night billow around her like a veil as she moves. It is more noticeable in daytime and when she make sudden movements.
Seren's reply was comforting, and wholly agreed with. Most seemed pessimistic about the ability to stay out of the coming conflict, but this was a reminder that there was hope. She wasn't the only one avoiding a decision, or rather making the decision not to choose. She smiled, "I agree."
"Mmmm," Aisha hummed, taking in that point and fitting it into place. Dragons that needed people as much as the people needed the dragons, it was interesting, she'd love to see what knowledge the dragoons had of dragons coincided with that of other regions. They were likely experts in their own charge, but how different was their experience from the rest of the world? There were no hatcheries, the dragons just found the people, and Seren's mother had taught her how to go searching.
"Is your mother a dragoon?" she asked, casual as she continued shoveling. Though it wasn't long after that she noticed her companion had stopped. She looked over to find Seren reeling, she'd been so into the conversation that Aisha had almost forgotten that she wasn't fully alright. The leopardess brought herself and her shovel closer, "Hey, you okay?" There was concern once more written into the draw of her lips and tightness of her brow.
and it's all in the way that you talk starts with a whisper
The question warped and twisted in her ears, as Aisha's voice seemed to come from very far away and much too close at the same time. 'Is your mother a dragon?' Seren giggled at the idea, but couldn't really deny it, the image was so perfect. Couldn't stop the little chuckle from splitting her head either, and sucked down tiny sips of cold air as he stomach revolted.
"Mh, just... need to sit down," she managed, and all but staggered off to the side before slumping down into the packed drove. Back where she had started. "My mother is Safrin," she added, belatedly remembering that there had been a question. Then she almost cursed, recalling to late the decision to not declare that to anyone who asked.
Too late now. Dragging a gloved hand over her face, Seren found the layers of clothing stifling and started to tug at the feather-lined covers. One glove, then the other fell to the ground by her feet. Then she started tugging at the collar of the coat. Her skin prickled, too hot and too sensitive. Maybe she didn't feel so good after all. Gods above, her head was killing her.
I've got to make room for this feeling
SEREN
✰ Starlight (Passive) | Starfilled night billow around her like a veil as she moves. It is more noticeable in daytime and when she make sudden movements.
Her question met puzzled ears, comprehension was likely too hard when struggling to stand. As the icy eyed woman staggered further Aisha too jolted, attempting to catch her before she fell. However Seren didn't fall, she simply slumped down onto the compacted snow, weary and pained. They'd shoveled enough, Aisha collected the shovels and placed them on the side of the road before crouching next to Seren.
Her mom is Safrin? the thought struck Aisha, confused, surprised, maybe a little recognition. She wanted to ask more, intrigued by the notion, but clearly the starchild was not up to that task. "I can walk with you back to wherever you're staying," she offered, not wanting to push or prod. As the woman began to strip her warm layers, Aisha caught them, slung over the crook in her arm. "Or do you think you need a healer?" she asked. If Seren couldn't reply, Aisha would make the decision instead.
and it's all in the way that you talk starts with a whisper
There was no reply for a while. Seren's heart was a drum beating erratic rhythms in her ears, and every throb reverberated through her head. The faint light seemed blinding. Rather than squint against it, she screened against it with one hand while the other dug fingers into the snow. The cold helped a little, centered her and offered something to focus on. Heat kept billowing across her skin, now stifling, now clammy and cold. For a while, she felt as though she would be sick.
Then the sensations began to ebb away. Gradually, until she could straighten up somewhat. "No healer," she managed to say. They would only bring foul tea and order bed rest anyway. "I'm fine..." Which was an utter lie, of course. The clammy sweat on her face betrayed her. But the girl was nothing if not stubborn, and there was work to be done.
Except, at some point the shovels had disappeared. Looking around, Seren realized that they had been cleared away. When? Had she been that out of it?
I've got to make room for this feeling
SEREN
✰ Starlight (Passive) | Starfilled night billow around her like a veil as she moves. It is more noticeable in daytime and when she make sudden movements.
There was silence, the uncomfortable kind that came when things were uncertain. Aisha wasn't sure either of them knew what was best, but she waited just a bit longer before trying to help the girl to her feet and escorting her somewhere. Finally Seren spoke, asked for no healer, a decision either born of truth or stubbornness. Aisha had a feeling that it was the latter, but she'd respect it. "Okay, daughter of Safrin," she said with a sigh, and a lightly playful smirk to the woman.
She noticed Seren looking about for the shovels. She hadn't laid them far, just on the opposite curb, but she wasn't sure they really needed to do anymore. Seren had done more than enough, "I can finish, or I'll get one of the other Shields to come do it. We don't have to worry about it now," she assured, hoping that was enough to keep the other sitting.
and it's all in the way that you talk starts with a whisper
"Okay." It was a sign of how she felt, that the girl gave in so easily. Truth be told, the ache in her head made even the task of standing up feel overpowering. Shoveling more snow was out of the question. Yet she couldn't sit there forever either. With nothing to do, and having trouble keeping up the conversation...
She sighed. Then held out a hand, mutely asking for a little support as she made to stand.
"I'm staying at the inn," she told Aisha. Out of two options, the idea of being walked back was slightly better. Though the more sensible thing would probably to see that healer and have this thing taken care of for good. But who wanted to be sensible, anyway?
I've got to make room for this feeling
SEREN
✰ Starlight (Passive) | Starfilled night billow around her like a veil as she moves. It is more noticeable in daytime and when she make sudden movements.
Relief swept over Aisha when Seren gave in, glad that she wouldn't have to push further or else watch her really hurt herself. This was probably the best idea, Aisha nodded and offered her free hand. With the clothes on one arm and the other supporting the woman Aisha set off down the streets, leaving behind the rest of the snow for someone else to dig into.
"Alrighty," she answered, in a voice that sounded almost too 'mom' for her liking. She snorted through the though, heading in the direction of the inn she assumed Seren was talking about. The other she knew about was her own, so this was the likely option. They'd walk until they made it to the old building, it stuck out from the surrounding residences, bright and lively inside.
and it's all in the way that you talk starts with a whisper
Seren only knew of the inn she had been taken to upon arriving here. If it had been named, she did not recall it, and it would seem that they arrived to the proper location in the end, so it did not matter. "Thank you," she said as they arrived at the entrance. "I'm sorry for the trouble... you've been really kind to help so much." Seren hovered a bit uncertainly, glancing between the building and Aisha. On the one hand, she should probably invite her in, but on the other... all she wanted was to lie down and sleep away the rest of the day.
"Can I... come see you, when I'm better?" she asked, trying for a compromise. "I'd love to know more about your guild..." Somehow she had completely forgotten to ask about it, but that did not mean it wasn't hovering at the back of her mind. That her father somehow might be involved was interesting too. Yet despite the curiosity, Seren couldn't think of a single intelligent question to ask at that moment. A rare thing, that.
I've got to make room for this feeling
SEREN
✰ Starlight (Passive) | Starfilled night billow around her like a veil as she moves. It is more noticeable in daytime and when she make sudden movements.
Aisha let Seren go when they reached the entrance, letting the woman stabilize on her own. She shook her head to the apology, "No worries, it's partly my job anyway," she said with a saccharine smile, tilting her head and placing her hands back on her hips. "I would love that, I think I'll be making a trip to Stormbreak too if it's possible so maybe I'll meet you there," she assured, then stepping back a few paces, figuring this was goodbye.
"I'll see you around, hope you feel better soon," she gave a wave, falling back onto her heels and turning to begin walking her own way. Back to her initial destination, before she'd met the daughter of Safrin. There was much she wanted to discuss with the woman, with her monster hunting, god fucking father too, but that could be saved for another date.
Fin!
and it's all in the way that you talk starts with a whisper
