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!
Remi had taken his time in calling in those who had offered their assistance so many weeks before. The tide was turning and though Remi was a strong swimmer both metaphorically and literally, even he wasn't stupid enough to think he could tread water forever. Yet here he was, knee-deep in the Stongsong.
It was either ironic or idiotic. Both, probably.
Having sent letters to Deimos, Aisha, and Hotaru explaining what they should bring (gloves, waterproof boots, other supplies they might need), now the alchemist waits in the rushing waters of the river with his hands on his hips. He almost looks as though he might begin flyfishing were it not for the lack of a fishing rod in his hands. Or perhaps he might look as though he's about to be painted, all golden curls amidst the sparkling teal waters brightly coloured vegetation. If only any of them had the time for such things, anymore.
PQ to add some defences to the Greatwood!
No posting order; Deimos, Aisha, and Hotaru, please just post yourselves arriving! <3
Who are you? They ask. Death? Sometimes... I say. But not today
Speaks with a thick Italian accent.
Force and magic can be used against Remi without permission.
Considering the amount of work they’d been toiling within amidst Halo, the letter arriving several weeks after offering assistance hadn’t bothered the General. Tending to defenses, training, and then other aspects of the greenhouse necessities had drawn him into reels of constant motion. Ignoring another pending lecture from Hotaru, he’d smirked and laughed their way through packing up supplies for the trip, curious, inquisitive about the nature of defenses for the Greatwood.
It’d been a long time since the Sword had stepped within the Fae’s thresholds, and while a swarm of memories threatened to supersede and override, eyes glancing over familiar pathways, heart aching over something he wouldn’t name, they’d also come to complete a task. He’d never permitted recollections, no matter how grand, severe, or painful, to condemn his abilities to fulfill oaths, vows, and assurances.
So he led the way with companions of human and animal variety in tow, bag of holding over his shoulder, winding along the interwoven link of the Stonesong’s rivulet, until they came upon the Lullaby – standing there in the midst of it. “Remi,” he announced their presence by way of a deep rumble, inclining his head towards the embankment, familiar with the river’s currents. “Where do you need us?” There – occupied and immersed in the tides too, or elsewhere, ready and willing and able, as they’d promised?
Out of sight and out of mind
Make everything alright
So let the sky and sea collide
Just not in our lifetime
Aisha and Hotaru really had no say in Deimos's level of engagement this time, seeing as they were going too. With the new guild having sprung to life, training and lessons to continue doling out to interested parties, greenhouses to prepare for, Aisha had been scraping out little bits of time for herself here and there. This venture to the Greatwood wouldn't really count as a break, but she would enjoy it to the extent it could be enjoyed.
The trip there was uninterrupted save for any conversation, soon the band of Halovians and their animal companions were interspersed within the mystical forest and it's vibrant blossoming energy. Aisha loved it here, seeing it in person again reminded her why she'd come, what she was going to be protecting. Soon they found themselves at the stonesong, Aisha gave a grin for a greeting, then waited for the lullaby to begin his assignments.
For all he can chortle and chuff his way around her, Hotaru does not intend to let Deimos off so easily. It's to his benefit that they are both sworn to Remi's cause, that Aisha is there to add her spirit to their party; work is to be done, and as such she will answer the call. Their travels are simplistic enough, aided as they are by the portals, and the mood is relatively high as the trio submit themselves to the wonders of the Greatwood. Hotaru has scarcely stepped foot in this place, not since Vi's call for aid against the Blight. It reminds her a little too much of her childhood home.
Remi is backlit by spring sunshine and the mist that hangs in the air around the Stonesong, and the Halovians come to embrace him into their fold easily enough. "Hello Remi," she calls out after Deimos, already beginning to shed layers from their icy travels to place in Atlas' saddlebags.
She doesn't care about your words or how you'll try and save her
Hotaru has a passive magic that makes her glow with an internal golden light; it makes her appear youthful and her hair seems to look like moving sunlight. Can only subtly illuminate dark spaces.
(what asshole forgets about their own PQ omg. we'll rush through and make this timeline ambiguous x.x)
It's a funny thing, the things that no one says when you're a merciful murderer like Remi. Things like, why are you standing in the river? for instance. "Down to business. Is the Greatwood really so bad?" He asks, shooting the three a smile.
"If one of you could help me with this—Deimos?" Remi nods his head toward the river. Once the Sword nears, he'll see the reason that the alchemist had been standing where he had been: large L beams have been held down by weighted stones. Once the pair remove them, Deimos will likely understand that they'd been placed there so that the water might help cool down the fittings that Remi had previously made warm to fit everything together.
"Hotaru, I know you previously worked with glass. I was hoping you might be in charge of the solar panels? And Aisha, if you would lend a hand?"
On the other side of the StoneSong is a framework building that the alchemist has already begun to work on. Rather large, it winds and curves such that most rooms are smaller than they would normally be; during construction, not a single tree was cut down, you see. The solar panels are already on the roof, neatly stacked at one end of the building. It will be up to Hotaru and Aisha to decide best where they should go.
Deimos: Help Remi remove the L brackets from the Stonestong. There are about 8 of them, and though they're about as tall as he is, Deimos should be able to lift them easily enough with his strength. Careful though, the current is strong and the rocks are slippery!
Hotaru/Aisha: Help position the solar panels on the top of the building!
Who are you? They ask. Death? Sometimes... I say. But not today
Speaks with a thick Italian accent.
Force and magic can be used against Remi without permission.
An arch of a brow, a curl of a smile at the joke from the Lullaby, shaking his head as he cast his supplies down upon the river’s bank. “Not at all. But you seemed quite occupied.”
So the beast followed down at his summons, stepping into the river without so much as a pause, wading through the water with his stature, precision, and might. If the rivulet or current thought to give him any trouble, he could always manifest the water incantations emblazoned through his veins.
His eyes drifted towards the L beams, the stones, and the height of their dominion. Unbothered, and intending to secure his feet somewhere where the rocks wouldn’t cause a fall, he sought to lift them out of the Stonesong.
--
Deimos goes to lift the brackets!
Out of sight and out of mind
Make everything alright
So let the sky and sea collide
Just not in our lifetime
With friendly greetings through and done with, the team did get down to business. Aisha planned to stay a bit in the Greatwood, visit a certain hybrid that'd built his home here, but that didn't mean she would dawdle on the task here. Deimos was to go with Remi, Aisha and Hotaru were to position the solar panels. Her hand brushed Ru's shoulder, shooting the woman a smile before she hiked up her pants and moved across the stonesong to the structure on the other side.
Up to the roof, Aisha forwent any scaffolding in the favor of her leathery dark wings, fluttering up before shifting back at the top. Once Hotaru joined her she placed her hands on her hips and started towards the panels. "They should probably be pretty evenly spaced? We could start here at the edge and leave a full panel space in between them," she offered, taking one side of the panel and waiting for her friend to help her move it into place.
It is an easy stroke of her ego, to be known and recalled by someone she is only acquaintances with, and like a preening bird she turns to the task at hand. It helps that Aisha is to be her partner, lovely spitfire she is. There is no better team for the day in her opinion.
At first she takes stock of what they have already built before them, hands on her hips as she slowly maneuvers around the structure, noting the fall of light and tracking the trajectory where the sun’s path across the sky would shift them. By then Aisha is already on board so to speak, and Hotaru has a better idea of the final product in her minds eye.
Climbing is a little harder for her with only human limbs but when it’s over and done Hotaru is there to help grab the other side of the glass panel. “I think that’s our best bet. We’ll need to have them tilted appropriately for full reflection, we can do that after placing them.” She isn’t keen on dropping one of them off the side by trying to do too much.
She doesn't care about your words or how you'll try and save her
Hotaru has a passive magic that makes her glow with an internal golden light; it makes her appear youthful and her hair seems to look like moving sunlight. Can only subtly illuminate dark spaces.
05-31-2021, 07:38 PM (This post was last modified: 05-31-2021, 07:39 PM by Remi.)
REMI
Grinning toward Deimos, the alchemist concedes with a nod. Convenient that the (former) general is so strong; making quick work of the stones, only a few slip from his grasp. This soaks him thoroughly, but better that than twisting an ankle or being carried off by the Stonesong to be deposited downstream.
Wiping at his brow as the final bits of stone are removed to free the L Beams (Remi isn't tired, but the day is hot already), he nods his head toward Deimos. "Let's move them over here. You will see what they are for when we get there." And indeed Remi very much assumes Deimos will. Near the framework of the building are a serious of deep tunnels. Presumably these go underground and outward so that those within might have an easy escape should it be needed. "We'll put them down here, and then cover them. I do not remember much from when we tunnelled from the bakery to the jail, but I remember enough collapsing ceilings to want to avoid that." Did the tunnel even still exist? He has no idea anymore.
"There are materials just there—" The alchemist calls to Hotaru and Aisha. He isn't privy to their plans, but hopefully the various bits of wood and stone that he's meticulously gathered with help with what they plan to do.
Hotaru/Aisha - Panels are easily enough placed! There are some rudimentary building supplies available and tools that you can use to tilt the panelling as you see fit!
Deimos - Move the beams with Remi to help support the tunnels!
Who are you? They ask. Death? Sometimes... I say. But not today
Speaks with a thick Italian accent.
Force and magic can be used against Remi without permission.
Being soaked by water wasn’t a deterrent in the slightest – the beast laughed at the deluge, soaked to the bone. Being born beside the sea had long since ensured he wasn’t bothered by anything in regards to the liquid, shrugging it off simply by tying the drenched strands of his hair back again. If anything, it kept him cool in the summer’s haze, and he merely nodded at Remi’s summation.
He picked up the beams, following after the other man, to more measures of tunnels. The aspect, and reminder of days long since lost (better, in some proportions; as if rebellion through a bakery and under a jail cell could be considered such) drew something along his face – tilting his head through the murk of concentration. “Yes,” he made by way of a snort, a brief chuckle. “And it was mostly just that – ensuring there was ample support.” Wood upon wood upon wood, crossing and parallel, striving for survival in the dust and dirt – but both of them were stronger now. Deimos had faith in their abilities.
--
Deimos moves the beams!
Out of sight and out of mind
Make everything alright
So let the sky and sea collide
Just not in our lifetime
Remi is delightfully one step ahead, and Hotaru aims a wink at Aisha when his commentary arrives on the tail end of her own statement as if orchestrated that way. “At least we won’t have to climb a second time,” she points out, glad they’ve not encountered any problems so far but unwilling to say it aloud lest she jinx it.
It’s a precarious situation but she is relatively confident in her balance as she maneuvers along the beams of the structure to the materials left stacked neatly for them. “Wood first then stone in the corners?” The suggestion is aimed towards her partner even as she begins to hand the materials to Aisha on the other side of the first pane, pulling it up for the woman to place the first layer.
- - -
Ru hands Aisha materials and holds the pane at the right angle to begin placing it beneath!
She doesn't care about your words or how you'll try and save her
Hotaru has a passive magic that makes her glow with an internal golden light; it makes her appear youthful and her hair seems to look like moving sunlight. Can only subtly illuminate dark spaces.
"It feels like a lifetime ago...and so much simpler than what is happening now." Remi remarks, and though there's a smile on his lips, it's weighed down by all that has happened since those easy days of baby-rebellions and tunnel-digging beneath bakeries. "Can you brace this with your magic, while I put up the rest of the beams?"
Lacking such abilities now, it's convenient indeed that Deimos is here to keep the tunnels from collapsing around them.
On top, Aisha and Hotaru will find their work slowed by an inquisitive hoard of hanging snakes. They drop from the trees, trying to drape their slender green bodies around the two woman. Dipping around the glass and fitting into the corners Hotaru is trying to make, they'll have to deal with them before continuing.
Skipping Aisha!
Remi asks Deimos to use his magic to help support the tunnel while he works.
Hanging snakes are interfering with Aisha/Hotaru's work!
Who are you? They ask. Death? Sometimes... I say. But not today
Speaks with a thick Italian accent.
Force and magic can be used against Remi without permission.
Because it had been simple – at least, in comparison. Before they’d thought themselves immersed in rotating sovereignty roles and power-hungry dictators, but that had been just the beginning. Before rage had truly settled into the hearts and minds of others. Before every intricate step seemed to irritate one herald or another. Before hearts broke and shattered.
But he’d been told many, many times that he couldn’t keep living in the past. It wasn’t fair to any of the loves ones left behind. They certainly weren’t regrets.
His smile faded, and he nodded. “We did not know what was to come.” Perhaps they should’ve, given histories.
Another nod of assertion and agreement coiled along, and the Sword enacted his earthen incantations to do exactly as Remi described; strong-holding and supporting, while the beams were put in place.
--
Deimos uses his Mastered Earth to support and brace the tunnels.
Earth Manipulation: Can create and control the earth. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Grey | Rank: Mastered
Out of sight and out of mind
Make everything alright
So let the sky and sea collide
Just not in our lifetime
Admittedly she startles when slender green bodies start dropping from the trees. This isn’t her normal stomping ground, and snakes don’t fall from trees in Halo. Luckily Hotaru isn’t much dissuaded by creatures of the scaly variety, and with a huff of a laugh she begins plucking them off and hanging them as far as she can reach over the side before gently dropping them down to the grass. Hopefully they’re worse (or at least slower) climbers, and will give them enough time to get the glass settled.
It takes a few trips, careful not to disturb them aside from the whole tossing them off a roof deal. She works quickly to try and get them out of the way of the first glass pane, leaving the others for the moment to get the correct angle before she moves on.
- - -
Hotaru grabs the snakes gently to deposit them off the side and into the grass, clearing the first pane of glass initially to get it in place.
She doesn't care about your words or how you'll try and save her
Hotaru has a passive magic that makes her glow with an internal golden light; it makes her appear youthful and her hair seems to look like moving sunlight. Can only subtly illuminate dark spaces.
