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!
Eternally enticed by water, by the jungle air, by the humid, sultry stretches of sunlight and labyrinthine qualities, it didn’t take long for Melita to be tempted towards the Mistbanks. The pool of water by her feet would’ve been enough to send her sailing off into the abyss, racing and rambling and courting the elements until she’d reached the end – but there were other, sillier, things to savor in between.
“All right, you go hide,” she instructed the vampire gourd bounding at her feet. The companion huffed and snorted, as if the game might be quite beneath him, but after one singular glance, hissed and grumbled his way towards the thickening warren. “I’ll give you until twenty!” She hollered in return, but since pumpkins didn’t know how to count, it might’ve been a lost cause.
The youth shrugged, and then covered her eyes with her hands, beginning to announce the numbers out loud, settling and sitting down upon a massive rock by the tranquil waters. “One…two….three…”
Sah trailed after Lilly as the two wandered the Wilds on their way back to Halo. The little pup was full of energy, bounding from rock to rock, racing forward to sniff at plants and, and leaping after any insect that flew by. Sniffing a plant, the little wolf paused. Tilting her head, ears rotating. Sah walked over, his eyes on the surroundings, newly returned protective instincts kicking in. "Do you hear something little one?"
Lilly glanced at Sah and gave a happy yip, setting him at ease. Excitement and joy buzzed through their newfound bond. There was a rustle in the bushes and with a clumsy wiggle, the puppy pounced. There was the sound of commotion and ash Sah glanced behind the branches he saw Lily attempting to tackle a moving gourd. It took the former canine to recognize it as a vampire gourd, but once he did, he quickly scooped up his wayward puppy and stepped back. "Lilly!" He chastised. "Be more careful." His voice was stern but he couldn't help himself from giving the now pouting pup a nuzzle on the head. She was just too soft. Lilly now longer in danger, Sah glanced at the gourd curiously. "What brings you out here? I thought you guys were more hidden this time of year?"
“Twenty!” The youth hollered, loud and clear in case the gourd had managed to cover a fair amount of distance. From there, she launched off her chosen rock, and began seeking, contorting, crouching along the mist. “Come out, come out, wherever you are!” Was a hum and a clarity, and she probably would’ve been left searching for far longer, had she not heard her companion call out.
A screeching grumble echoed from his small expanse as another creature sought him out. The survivor of many assaults and sieges, Fangorn knew how to hide, how to best many a predator, and began whipping out his vines in a potential, seething domination – or try to seem supreme – over a pup. Melita raced forward, hardly noticing the other individual, grabbing hold of the pumpkin with devastating, swift ease. Protective and guarded and resolute, she turned back over her shoulder towards the man and his wolf, brows furrowed. “We were playing a game,” by way of explanation. “He’s my companion.”
Sah glanced at the woman who approached, noticing her protective hold on the creature. It was no surprise to him when she declared the gourd her companion. Ruffling Lilly's ears, Sah set her down on the ground, beside him. With a quick gesture from him she sat down at his feet still eyeing the gourd with open curiosity.
Sah turned to the woman and paused, his head tilting. "Melita? It is you! I'm Sah. We met during that rain storm a bit ago?" Sah then glanced sheepishly at Fanghorn. "Hello again, sorry about Lilly. She's just a pup. Too much energy." Lilly gave an indignant yip at that, which had Sah chuckling and reaching down to ruffle her fur again. Looking up at Melita from his new location, Sah gave a warm smile. "What brings you out here again? Lilly and I were just passing through on our way home to Halo." He paused. "I should probably introduce you. Lilly is my new friend. I met her in the Wildwood."
Quick reflexed and impulsive, rash movements towards ferocity and fury had always billowed within her blood. That it had happened now was a customary exercise; especially when she’d felt her companion being threatened. At least this individual had a way of taking the wolf in hand, rather than permitting it to continue escalating any issues. “Sorry. Quite a few have been after him lately.” Did they consider him easy pickings? Prey, rather than predator? Her hands tightened over the little beast, surrounding him in her arms.
Only when Melita could feel him calming down did she grant her full attention to Sah and his own bonded. She could appreciate a wolf, if it wasn’t going after one of her adornments. “Congratulations.” She crouched then, but didn’t proceed any closer – obvious inspection of the cub. “Did she find you, or did you find her?” A little smile peeked through, curling on the fringes of her mouth; if she’d had fangs, they would’ve poked out over lips. “Fangorn and I were playing hide and seek.” And avoiding any responsibilities whatsoever.
Sah's brow furrowed at Melita's clear distress over her companion's safety. "Why have they been after him?" The idea of someone hunting the small creature, or any companion made him anxious. Sah wanted Lilly safe. what if the people going after Fangorn turned their attention onto his little pup?
When Melita crouched down, Lilly crept forward cautiously. Pausing until she got a reassuring nod from Sah, the little pup got closer. She did remain a foot or so away, but her nose twitched, clearly scenting the newcomer. Sah gave the wolf an ear ruffle before responding. "A bit of both. I was in the Wildwood and we ran into each other. She was scared out of her hiding place by someone's companion and after some coaxing, ended up in my arms as she avoided the thing." He explained running a reassuring hand down the wolf's back.
Sah found himself tilting his head in confusion. "Hide and seek? What kind of game is that?" He'd never heard of it. Focused on the conversation, he didn't notice Lilly's reaction. The little pup noticed her friend tilting his head, and mimicked the motion at Melita as well.
“No idea. Maybe they think he’s easy pickings.” They’d be wrong though; because she was there, and she’d be damned certain to unleash some unholy barrage and assault on those who thought to do him harm. It’d make more sense in the autumn, when his fellows were quite alive and unyielding; but Fangorn had never purposefully hurt anyone (that she was aware of). A companion through and through.
The cautious inclusion of the cub was amusing to her though, and she could drop away the tenacious guard for a more gentled veneer. Melita didn’t move forward, didn’t push, didn’t crowd, but remained very still, Fangorn maintaining a rugged semblance in her arms. “Ah, so she trusted you. That’s a good way to start,” she hummed. All she’d had to do was offer the gourd some meat, and the rest had been history.
She only glanced upwards towards Sah when he asked about hide and seek – surprised, by the look on her face, that he hadn’t heard or played the game before. “One person is the seeker. They count and wait for the others to hide, then try to find them.” Relatively simple, and they could make it more complicated depending on who was arranging the matters. “Would you like to try?”
Sah had the feeling that any person who had attempted to harm Fangorn thinking he was easy prey was likely dead. Or at the very least, had been too gravely injured to ever try again. Melita had the air of someone who would stop at nothing to protect her own, something Sah admired in a person. Her words about Lilly brought a gentle smile to his face, and he couldn't help but give the little wolf another ruffle. It was true, their young bond was certainly one built on trust. And that fact alone had allowed it to strengthen quickly. The little pup could feel the affection coming off of her companion and sent a strong wave of contentment and joy through the bond. At that Sah, scooped her up for a hug, unable to help himself.
Sah remained holding Lilly as Melita explained the game. Hide and Seek must have been common if her obvious surprise was any indication. And although he'd never heard of it, it did sound somewhat similar to something he'd once played back home when learning to hunt and track. The game did sound fun though so Sah found himself nodding. "Sure. Let's give it a go." He paused for a moment. "Ah, I guess I'll start with counting?" Having said that, if Melita agreed, Sah would close his eyes, hands over Lilly's, as he counted down from 20.
With agreement into the framework of the game, Melita displayed a full Cheshire grin, before nodding, scooping Fangorn up once more, and hastening off. It was a gamble to rampage through the rocks, mist, fog, and lake bed, but the youth had always readily applied herself to impulsive reaches. They scattered away from the scene on the barest movement of pebbles, and as she raced along the shoreline, she pondered where it would be best to duck down and hide.
The fog provided its own cover, but it’d do the same for Sah. A muffling of not only sound, but of appearances; she wouldn’t be able to see him approach, and he might not catch her layers in the midst. As the count grew nearer, closer, to the approximate time, the honeybee had to settle into some unknown reaches, crouching diligently behind a massive boulder, feet tucked, head ducked, Fangorn muffled in her arms. With any luck at all, they wouldn’t be caught immediately.
Once the countdown was complete, Sah called out. "Time's up." He kept his eyes closed though, so used to relying on sound for tracking. He focused on the whispers of the forest around him. His human form was far less sensitive, but he still knew what to listen for at the very least. Sah couldn't hear Melita so she at least either wasn't moving or was too far away for him to hear her breathing. That sense failing, he opened his eyes.
Walking around, he focused on the ground, looking for tracks and disturbed vegetation. Given the dense fog it took a bit but he soon picked up on her trail, her steps standing out amongst those of the wildlife. Sah moved nearly silent as he followed the path, growing closer to where Melita was hiding. Though he hadn't found her just yet, having to take his time so as not to lose her tracks in the misty forest.
Melita wasn’t known for her patience, and it showed in the restless wake of her limbs, yearning to break loose and spring free from behind the boulder. To launch and conquer, to rampage and linger on, in rings and reels of laughter. Survival within the Rift had taught her to be quiet, to be still, to be hushed, but gods it’d been difficult then too. Her blood pumped and her veins pulsed and there were a myriad of things she wanted to do instantaneously. Fangorn provided some relief with a calming essence through the bond, but otherwise it quelled and brimmed beneath her skin.
And the fact that he was muffled by the fog didn’t help. So she pressed closer to the rock, as if somehow her ember locks would become a part of it, some backdrop nuance until they were caught, or if she could just…slowly edge around it.
Sah continued to follow the trail, moving as silently as he could. Soon he came upon a rock. Straining his senses, he could hear Melita's breathing. No longer hiding his steps, he raced forward and jumped, landing on top of the rock. Glancing down at the woman with a triumphant grin, he declared his victory. "Found you." Sah decided he loved hide-and-seek. The thrill of the hunt yet the relaxation of a low-stakes game. It was fantastic.
Jumping down from the rock to land beside her, Sah grinned. "Your turn?" He asked almost hopefully. Although he wasn't a fan of playing any sort of 'prey' role, he still wanted to continue the game. The challenge of remaining hidden appealing to him.
Ah, there it was. Not much longer, despite muffled fog and sounds, and Sah had found the pair. Offering a sheepish smile, the youth leapt up from her hiding spot from behind the boulder, extending a bow of her head. “Well done.” She would be just as eager to turn the tables moments later.
“My turn,” she declared; a tilt of her head, a Cheshire grin landing upon her face. “You have until 20,” came on an airy puncture, purposefully goading and inciteful – a provocation. Where would he go in the mist? Was he far more familiar with blending into surroundings, or would he opt for an easy route? Would he lurk by the water’s edge, or go deeper into the unknown? The possibilities seemed endless, but not for too much longer. “One, two, three…”
As soon as Melita started counting, Sah was gone Merging into the fog and shadows he made his way deeper into the forest. He moved as silently as he could once more, not wanting to give his location away. Keeping his eyes on the tree-line he walked briskly until he found the perfect tree.
With ease Sah scaled the tree, climbing up about half way. It was there that some of the branches met in a fork big enough for Sah to crouch in. Settling down, Sah relaxed. The position was one that he could likely hold for awhile. And the fog and surrounding leaves provided ample cover. The downside was that this useful cover also prevented him from seeing Melita coming. And being so high up, he likely wouldn't hear her either. Regardless, Sah settled in for the wait.
