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!
Sunlight blazed down from a clear sky by the time Seren left Aisha and the guildhall. The uncharacteristic drizzle of rain had left pockmarks all along the streets and made the footing precarious. Yet despite that, there were people milling about everywhere. To Seren it was still biting and cold in the air, but she saw children playing without coats, and women sat lined up on benches along the street as she walked by, laughing and sunning themselves with blouses unlaced. There were rolled up sleeves, hatless faces and everywhere she looked there were smiles and a cheerfulness that was infectuous.
Finding herself in a similarly good mood, she lingered outside and roamed the small town in search of something to do. A glistening structure of ice looming over the rooftops caught her attention, and with more curiosity than caution Seren approached it. Awed, she craned her neck and absorbed the damages done to this enchanted castle-looking building. What had happened to it? Why hadn't people repaired it? It seemed so wasteful, to let something so beautiful just wither away.
Crouching down by the side of a gate, she started shifting snow into a pile. Building and carving, Seren attempted to replicate the structure ahead.
It's written in the stars above Exactly who we are is just enough
✰ 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.
what tried to destroy you didn't have the strength
Last LongHeat had him mostly incapacitated, mourning, ill, and out of his mind; so this one was already an improvement. No setting fires. No hallucinations amidst wanderings. No lost notions, no ghosts – save for the ones he kept close at hand, eternally in the back of his mind. There were hundreds of thoughts still marauding and maligning in his flesh and bone, for he likely never quite ceased, and with the passing of time came an increase in fortitude, in turning, in churning, over new boundaries and fringes. In what to do next.
The warmth of the sun was different too – and more than once he’d glanced out along the eaves of the barracks with a seditious sort of envy – until eventually all of them, him and his soldiers alike, caved into the possibilities of a break, and rambled off in various directions. Furs and overcoats peeled away, something that only happened when they were laboring and fighting, permitted to be grounded in the warmth of the sun; rarer and rarer still. They took their opportunities with laughter and merriment, and the General shook his head, but did the same, encouraging his companions to follow along as they trod through familiar streets, closer and closer to the Palace.
Zuriel kept near his side, her haughty nares widening over sights and smells, but Belial, young, intrepid, and foolish, became all the more galvanized as they walked – the Sword raised a brow as the peryton flew swiftly, careening, careening, careening -
A warning did not come soon enough, either from him to his bonded, or to the crouched figure by the gate, straight in the path of the deer. Belial bellowed, probably something outrageously silly, before lightly skimming over her head, and Deimos pressed a sigh into the air. “Apologies for my companion,” he called out towards the stranger (which was bizarre; considering how often he patrolled, there should’ve been some semblance of recognition), while marching towards where Belial had landed – the peryton stomping along the grounds in all manner of mischief.
Absorbed in her art, the girl didn't notice the onslaught until it was right on top of her. Literally. The rush of wings and the sudden bellow took her completely by surprised, and with her nerves still slightly on edge after being alone in the Wilds for so long, she squawked and shuffled out of the way. Slipped, of course, because snow did not make for good footing, and... splashed a gloved hand straight down into her masterpiece.
With equal parts peeve and amusement, she laboriously got to her feet and turned startling blue eyes on the approaching man. More specifically on the prancing companion. She thought there was a smug look about the creature, like it was very very proud of itself... but it might just be her imagination. "It's alright. I want to say no harm done, but - " she gave her snow fort a regretful look. Then squinted at it from an angle, and sighed. "I honestly don't know if it's better or worse now. What do you think?"
Pushing a tangle of black locks away from the face, she took a step back and invited the man with a gesture to judge. While still rough, there was a distinct likeness to the citadel above them. Soggy snow did a poor job of replicating clear ice, though the general layout was well thought out. Of course, there was now that giant handshaped hole in the middle of the model...
It's written in the stars above Exactly who we are is just enough
✰ 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.
what tried to destroy you didn't have the strength
Belial was quite pleased – if deer grinned there’d be some Cheshire length dashed across his face. Deimos’ piercing glare met the young peryton’s gaze though, and he instinctively hung his head, much like a guilty dog (with all intents of doing it again, some other time in the near future). The General’s eyes flicked back over to the young woman, and her mangled castle, wrinkling his nose a little at the loss of its minarets and spires. What could’ve been a decent rendition of the Citadel’s might and ice, given the right platitudes, had been fairly demolished. He tilted his head a fraction, studying it, gaze going back and forth between the mighty structure, and the miniature one. Eternally a creature of judgement, he folded his arms over his chest. “Could be better.”
But, by means of more apologies from his companion’s antics, he sidled forward, crouching before the destroyed snow, and placed a hand over its denizens – until water incantations molded, melded, lifted, shifted, returning back to its previous adornments, permitting her to continue as if there was no harm done. Thereafter, he resumed his previous stance, backing away and allowing her amusements without the deer in the crossfire. Belial tucked his way along the Sword’s legs, while Zuriel looked on, her own silent scrutiny furnished.
Only then did he indulge in his curiosity, because there were some portions of her features that seemed resoundingly familiar, but he had no name, no title, nothing coming to mind. Neutral tones, nearly indifferent save for inquiry, rumbled out into the air. “I have not seen you here before. Who are you?”
Not a man of many words, eh? And those he delivered were very pointed. Seren huffed in indignation and crossed her arms, small but fierce as her eyes narrowed on the general. "Oh, could it now? You know, it's the polite thing to offer suggestions on how things could improve instead of just - " Cutting herself off, she watched him hunch down by the mangled snow-castle. And gaped, as the snow very obediently began to settle back into its previous state. Slowly, steadily, until no giant had ever smooshed through the towers and turrets.
Slowly, a delighted smile grew to replace her scowl, and as the man stepped back again the starchild followed his movements with glittering curiosity. "Wow. That was... very kind of you! Thank you." Sky-blue eyes flitted from him to the animals. The little peryton, and the unicorn. With a thoughtful nod to herself, Seren drew some conclusions - though what they were wasn't entirely clear. "I'm Seren Taliesin," she simply replied. "I'm, eh... visiting, I guess you might say." Not entirely by choice, but she wouldn't sweat the small details. "And you are?"
It's written in the stars above Exactly who we are is just enough
✰ 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.
what tried to destroy you didn't have the strength
He ignored the huffs of indignation and irritation, shuffling off his wayward walls and armor like they were never lofted in his direction at all. The significant change in her depictions and demeanor after he’d rendered the snow castle repaired insinuated a gruff snort and an inward eye roll, but otherwise he merely nodded. “You are welcome.” Considering it’d been his companion that had done the damage in the first place – his gaze lowered down to the peryton cheekily standing beside him, as if nothing had happened.
The name stuck more than the reason behind her appearance in the icy world. Taliesin. A logical conclusion in his mind meant this was Ronin’s child, and likely the Safrin one – though the age differentials made him calculate a little bit further. Perhaps it was like Azrael’s, a child one season, and then grown in the next. Inexplicable and unfathomable reaches of Caido depictions; and he nodded, processing his own venue of introductions. “Deimos Ignatius, General of Halo.” One finger pointed towards the unicorn now standing along his shoulder, the mare’s stare dutifully scrutinizing the girl with some manner of sagacity or just too much pride. Probably both. “Zuriel.” The same digit corresponded to the young deer in turn, though she’d already been swiftly established with his nature. “Belial.”
Unaware that her name and heritage sparked anything with the man, Seren was busy looking between the companions with keen interest. "Nice to meet all of you," she smiled, her whole demeanor warm and cheerful as the initial peeve was forgotten. "I've never seen a real unicorn before. Or a peryton. Can I greet them?" Peeling off her gloves, the girl held out a palm towards each of the animals in invitation, leaving space to refuse in case they weren't the cuddly sort.
"Is it okay that I'm out here, by the way?" she asked, turning to look at Deimos. "I wouldn't want to trespass. Just, the building made me curious. What happened to it?" Jerking her head back in direction of the grand Citadel, the motion saw a lock of dark hair fall into her eyes. She blew it aside, hardly noticing.
It's written in the stars above Exactly who we are is just enough
✰ 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.
what tried to destroy you didn't have the strength
“If you want,” came the neutral response – though he arched his brow in the direction of the beasts at his side instead. Zuriel, though smug and proud, was often regarded warmly by those who’d been healed and mended by her abilities, and easily bribed. The unicorn’s vanity remained in full as she drew her head upwards, a makeshift tower, and stepped forward to greet the girl with a residual dip of her cranium. Not out of respect, but clearly searching for something in the youth’s palm. “She enjoys treats,” the General attempted to explain, when the mare snorted from the lack of food. He patted her on the neck, and refrained from rolling his eyes; considering the amount of times she’d saved him from doom, damnation, and demise.
Belial, young, eager, and naïve, was far easier to impress, and where he’d already been incredibly obnoxious earlier, paraded right to the forefront, until he could sidle underneath Zuriel’s chest and stick his head out. A forthright eagerness; to be naughty, unruly, or nice was a gamble in itself.
Deimos didn’t quite expect the inquiry that followed, pondering why it would be an issue at all; but then again, she was visiting. “It is fine.” Halo citizens and inhabitants were in and out of the Citadel, the hall of offices (that he currently avoided too), and the like. As for the Palace itself, other than meeting Morgan there once or twice, he tended to not wander into its midst; something ostentatious and pretentious about its attempts at might. The mountains didn’t need any such display. His eyes followed where hers had gone though; at the age-old damage from before, locked away during another LongNight's drastic and demolishing exposition. “An attack from the Eirachi, a few years back, according to the stories.”
The girl shook her head ruefully at the explanation, and dared a gentle pat on the mare's nose. "If I had anything it would be yours," she assured, "but I'm afraid I don't even have treats for myself at the moment." At least Belial was easy to please. The eager nose was greeted with gentle pets and, if so desired, thorough scritches.
"Oh I see. You were not around for it, I take it?" If it was relegated to stories and legends... The man made it sound as though it had been a long time ago, and as she looked closer at the Palace, the bruises marring the structure did indeed appear weathered. "A shame on such a pretty building. Has anything been heard of Eirachi since then?"
Withdrawing herself from the companions, Seren returned to her sculpture once reassured that she could indeed be where she was. With bare hands, the bite of the snow was sharper on her fingers, but in return she was able to create more detail into the work. She was quite skilled at it, and was clearly enjoying herself too.
It's written in the stars above Exactly who we are is just enough
✰ 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.
what tried to destroy you didn't have the strength
The unicorn, more than spoiled for her constant efforts of putting the Sword, and his constituents, back together again, seemed entirely miffed at the lack of treats. Though the world didn’t revolve around her, she was in the belief that it very well could – and took on a very, eerily reticent stare at the girl. Belial was more than satisfied at the scratches, and leaned, tilting his head further into the pets.
As for the Eirachi debacle, the prelude and its subsequent ventures, he hadn’t been here for, but certainly heard enough about. The fact that Neron was still permitted to walk around, without some semblance of banishment or exile, was still a little bizarre to him, but he shrugged his shoulders, went along with the notions. “I was not. Apparently there were some deals unfulfilled.” Tampering with deities, seasonal or otherwise, had its own fair share of potential drawbacks; maligning one, as Neron had done, ensured greater casualties and calamities. “No, nor the cultists involved.” He’d asked around last year, poking and prodding for information about lingering threats – beyond the normal rounds of surprises, monsters, and any other manipulations in between, only the cannibals seemed to remain with some distinction.
She returned to her sculpture making, and the man arched a brow. Considering how often he created things for others, he rarely did so for amusements or himself, and paused in the notions for a moment. Thereafter, he did the same as he’d done before, controlling, contorting, the granules of snow, but permitting them to rise along as miniature formations of mountains. Not the ones beyond, but of the Aurora Basin, summits always pressed into the back of his mind; memories that called for home.
Humming thoughtfully, Seren nodded her understanding of the explanation. "That is something she would do," she murmured, half amused despite the slight wrinkle between her eyebrows. For a moment, the slow smile on her lips and quiet knowing in the gaze let the young demigod a striking resemblance to her mother. "Here's to hoping she remains in obscurity." It would be less chaotic if she did.
Half expecting the general to move on, Seren was pleasantly surprised when he not only lingered but chose to participate in her silly little game. That he chose magic rather than his hands as a tool did not bother her, if the little smile was anything to judge by. Sitting back on her heels, the girl looked over Deimos creation, nodding with approval.
"That's very nice," she said. "You've got some talent there, General. Where is that vale? Can't say I recognize it." Not that she had visited every nook and cranny of Caido; it might even be a vale in Halo and she wouldn't know.
It's written in the stars above Exactly who we are is just enough
✰ 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.
what tried to destroy you didn't have the strength
Another arch of his brow followed and flickered the insinuation that she had heard of the Eirachi, and possible, other debacles. Curious and inquisitive to a fault, he tilted his head a fraction. “Are you familiar with her?” Other than the story from that wretched LongNight, the depiction of the seasonal goddess was intertwined into the land itself – the legends scorched into several books he’d found along the way. But she seemed readily different from her Longheat counterpart, Tanau, and much like other heralds, prone to mercurial dispositions. Maybe Seren had heard of her elsewhere, or they were all still, better left to leave her amongst the tundra.
His creation earned some recognition, and he muffled a laugh, let it settle into his chest rather than out into the air. “Thank you.” Crouching before the proportions, he permitted some level of deliberation into its next maneuvers, ensuring the peaks had the correct rise, that some proportions of stone were hollowed out along caves, and a small hot springs was outlined down in the spread and reaches of its valleys. “It is not within Caido. It was my home before.” Before, before, before any of these circumstances – pulled and twisted and resurrected, his bones laden in those grounds and then not all the same. A very faint smile lingered along the corners of his mouth, though he debated shrugging it off, a rumble quietly explaining as he worked. “It was called the Aurora Basin.”
Attempting to focus on her sculpture and talk at the same time, the girl didn't look up as she answered the question. "Hm? Oh, not personally. Mother told me stories about the Seasonal Ones though, so I'm not surprised that Eirachi would be harsh on those that crossed her." Cold as Frostfall and just as merciless. "It would definitely be interesting to meet one of them though, don't you think? I wonder where others are." She said it cheerfully, without a care in the world for the kind of consequences such an encounter might bring.
She stole glances at Deimos' handiwork every once in a while, fascinated with the magic he used as much as the details he added. It brought to mind other encounters, from what seemed a long time ago. Another Abandoned-hybrid had entertained her with snowflakes and stories while ash fell from the sky, distracting her from what might have been a traumatic experience. While her mother might hold disdain for the spark that supposedly tainted these souls, Seren saw nothing wrong with it.
"It looks beautiful," she said with a soft smile. Warming her hands against the sides of her neck, she leaned in closer to absorb the mimiscule details of the valley. Another world...? Now that was something to be fascinated by. "Do you miss it very much? Would you rather be back there, still?" That it might be a sensitive topic did not even occur to her.
It's written in the stars above Exactly who we are is just enough
✰ 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.
what tried to destroy you didn't have the strength
A swift nod indicated through his inner workings and outer motions, incantations instilling another rise of a smaller peak, adjusting heights and variables, pondering how best to display the auroras when Seren countered with meeting the others. A vague inclination of his head manifested another small tilt, as if he were studying, concentrating, and processing the wake before him. “I have seen Tanau. In the Climb.” After snagging at lilies, after striving to render cures. “He assisted us with the leviathan.” How, Deimos couldn’t say. He’d followed orders of extending shelter, and ducked below the mounds of earth while the seasonal, elemental figure worked. “But I do not know of the others.” Somewhere out there, in the midst of everything else.
His eyes flickered back to her as she commented on the beauty of the range exuding from his hands, and he sighed, adjusting the pervading of puffs of air, coiling, cooling, into a wider smile. “It was.” And they’d been proud of those frozen roots and glacial preambles, the might, the weight, the destruction behind its breathtaking accord. The grin dimmed somewhat though, when she asked if he missed it – uncertain how to answer when it everything had been altered, destroyed, tainted, and ignited, under another false god’s lies and oaths. Perhaps it’d been for the best that he’d already taken his final breaths well before then – he couldn’t imagine himself capable of seeing those illustrious summits taken down, smothered, and consumed by shadow. “Even if I did, it would not matter. It is gone.”
So he had his memories, and pieces of that world still here: Kiada, Hotaru. Rexanna’s memorial.
He shook his head and went no deeper – lofting an inquiry back in turn while he polished off more snow from a cavern threatening to go asunder. “What prompted your visit to Halo?” Not often a destination spot – that was Torchline.
