[KQ] all the triumph overhead, disaster underneath

MORGAN

Some nights, I wish that my lips could build a castle
Some nights, I wish they'd just fall off

The conversation started about as she thought it might, but then it took a sharp turn; first with Hotaru informing her that her position would be taken with force, then Noah, one of her trusted councilmen, turning it into a much more blatant threat. Her heart sunk into her stomach as she stood, silent as her mind whirled with what to say in the face of the new information that had been so unceremoniously dumped at her feet.

Why did this keep happening? Betrayals, actions and plots made under her nose, no one telling her anything until it was the last moment? Did they not trust her? Morgan didn't know what more she could have done, how much more she could have loved her people. There was hurt swirling in her chest along with anger and confusion, but she determinedly did not show it on her face, keeping her expression stony and still.

Looking to them both in turn, Hotaru then Noah, she took in a breath. "So. Rather than speak to me of your concerns, treat me as the friend I have treated you, you come in here to threaten me." Her eyes especially burned at Noah, who to this point had never revealed this opinion of his Warden. "I would have thought you of all people would have the decency to address me directly before this point. Since we began we have both been countrymen wanting the best for our people. You don't even have the courage to come yourself?" She shook her head.

As for the matter at hand...it stabbed her heart, but she nodded. "I can promise you that my relationship with Neron, which I will admit to, does not affect my decisions concerning Halo. However, I know convincing you of that would be impossible. The best course of action, if there is this doubt against me, would be to hold another election. Let the people of our Citadel decide, not the Gods: they don't live here. If the people here want me gone I will not question it, but they will always be my priority. And I thought yours, Noah." Hotaru's betrayal hurt too, but she was not a council member; she had no official obligation to give Morgan her thoughts.

But then her eyes caught a motion behind Hotaru, the light from the door disappearing gradually; her breath hitched. "...Ah. I see I am already in your trap. Threats and violence it is, then?" It looked like dirt crawling up her walls; Hotaru as far as she knew didn't have that magic and Noah was Attuned. "Who else is here? I would like to see all of my assailants, speaking of cowards."

--
Morgan replies to Noah/Hotaru, suggests they hold an election, notices the door being blotted out (admin approved) and calls for anyone else in the room to make themselves visible.

But I still wake up, I still see your ghost
Oh Lord, I'm still not sure, what I stand for

DEIMOS

The sound of iron shots is stuck in my head
The thunder of the drums dictates

All a part of the waiting game, the beast listened – to Hotaru’s speech, to the sudden knowledge of the Voice potentially controlling her own. The realization tensed through his shoulders and elongated through his spine, measure upon measure of reality sinking further into his mind. He hadn’t thought about those possibilities before, and something in his heart sunk (Kiada), flickering down through his veins until he clenched his jaw and stuffed it away. Down, down, down into his ribs for another day.

The pendant warmed at Hotaru’s lie, and he stifled a sigh, supporting Seren while the voices echoed around the room. Noah’s statements rang true and clear, and his eyes shifted to watch Morgan, to see how she would take the opportunity; to slide away, or to venture forward, into more rubble, more ruin.

He bit back a formidable slew of thoughts yearning to revolve and reverberate outwardly, and they were kept to a low growl for the Attuned within the chamber. How could she say she cared about her people, when time after time he’d told her of what the Voice had committed within the Grounds? How she’d made monsters out of experiments, how she’d permitted them to lay waste to citizens year after year after year, how she’d spread sickness and disease? Morgan had seen her inhabitants ill and out of their minds. Hypocrisy and double standards; indulgent, wounded pride lingering here rather than the heart of the matter. I have told her the same things I described to you about the Voice, he indicated to Noah. If her concerns laid with Halo’s people, why does she not listen?

This wasn’t the best option; not by a longshot. She was only putting them further at risk.

His brows furrowed, piecing together his notions for the hunter and Valkyrie. She was given the option. I say we stick to the original plan. He wasn’t going to listen to any more of this ridiculous farce. Even at the coward line, which earned an eyeroll and nothing else (save for a shake of his head for Seren; no, they wouldn’t be removing themselves from a furtive tactic to appease Morgan), he remained still, unimpressed.

Then continued to manifest his Mastered Earth enchantments, intending to line them accordingly along the door once more.

--

Deimos ignores Morgan’s request and continues to use Mastered Earth to block the door.

Earth Manipulation: Can create and control the earth. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Grey | Rank: Mastered

The rhythm of the falls, the number of dead
The rising of the horns, ahead

Dark hair for catching the wind, not to veil the sight of a cold world

Tension was a plague within her limbs, barely contained by creaking jaws that threatened to widen into stressed out yawns. It was only the close proximity to Deimos that gave the young demi-goddess courage enough to withstand this waiting game; the physical contact helped to ground her and maintain some level of focus on the conversation. Maintaining her weightlessness cost very little, to the point where the young woman began to grow restless with the urge to do something.

When he tensed from some exchange of words, Seren gently squeezed him in a quiet hug, hoping to soothe whatever ruffled feathers there was back into focus. This was no time to get riled up; they had not come to exchange words, after all. But threats were issued, and awareness seemed to dawn on the Warden that something was up. The girl passed a questioning look at Deimos under the shelter of the cloak, but stilled immediately at the shake of his head.

Very well. No time to reveal themselves yet. But that did not mean she had to do nothing.

When Hotaru spoke of Safrin and the goddess' demands, Seren drew on her magic and summoned her star critters. Two slender wolves of condensed stars appeared, meant to flank Hotaru on either side rather than form near Seren; gleaming softly with starlight, they were calm and quiet, a promise of impending violence as loud as any threat the others issued. Protective, guarding and capable of healing should the conversation take a turn for the worse, Seren was ready to guide them wherever was necessary. Or not at all.

Please don't be stubborn.

---

- Seren remains cloaked and weightless thanks to Gravity Pulse, piggybacking on Deimos.
- She attempts to summon two star-wolves, one on either side of Hotaru, to defend her and be ready in case anyone gets violent and healing becomes necessary.

Magic: Star Critters | Can conjure 2 medium or 5 small creatures composed of stars. Creatures have physical mass/presence and cast starlight in their wake. Can also heal one character at basic level. Cannot move more than 20ft from Seren.
Type: Light | Rank: Upgraded

Magic: Gravity Pulse | Can increase or decrease gravity within 15ft of her body. When used on herself she can jump higher/take larger bouncier steps/hover 10ft off the ground /etc, or root herself or something/someone else in place (Must have a str of +15 to move her/the item). Not effective against large structures like houses.
Type: Grey | Rank: Upgraded

Seren

Deimos 's magic is unable to offer any further reinforcement to the door as he is currently using it. The gaps in the wall and doorframe have been fully filled in. Two star wolves appear on either side of Hotaru. Because of this, as well as the two hidden bodies, Morgan's small office begins to grow almost uncomfortable warm, especially as tempers flare. Remember to include a summary at the bottom of your post with all action taken. If weapons/upgrades/abilities/items/shifts/etc are used, please include their desc. from your profile at the bottom of your post as well. Your posting order is Hotaru, Noah, Morgan, Deimos, Seren You have 24 hours to reply.

we are just bodies of the faithful stacked dozens by the roadside

The hurt is an inevitability, and Hotaru is selfishly grateful that Morgan betrays little of it visually. She bears each word silently, quick mind plucking necessary information and spotting loopholes as needed, but otherwise remaining still and poised in her chair. She abandons it then as Morgan's words draw to a close, rounding it and placing her hands on the backrest, bracer still held in protective formation - Hotaru would like to think the best of Morgan, but the betrayal goes both ways here.

"It is not a threat. It is a command from a Goddess - I came here, pregnant and vulnerable, and chose to tell you instead of hiding it from you. That is the only kindness this situation allows me." And it is a great one, even if Morgan does not see it that way. They could just as easily have stormed in and knocked her out without a word of explanation - killed her even, were they different people. "An election is not out of the question. The people of Halo deserve to choose their replacement, yes - but only after you have been removed. For all Halo is ruled by the people, it is also a land created in origin by the Old Gods. This is the only middle ground." There's an idea to apologize at the end of that, but why? What would it achieve? It would not lessen the burn of betrayal and anger on both sides.

Glancing at the door as Morgan's attention is drawn to it, Hotaru then glances down as star-wolves glitter at her sides. Silent guardians of the night, they appear like a sign from Safrin herself - only in reality, it's her daughter that brings them to the fore. Raising a brow to Morgan as her gaze moves from them to the Warden, as if saying 'see?', Hotaru tilts her chin higher. "No threats, we have told you everything in fairness to you. Violence...well, that depends on you." Her pale eyes are hard and flinty in a way the Warden has never been privy to. For all her pregnancy, Hotaru finally appears as the woman she is - bloodied and reigning champion over lands she has toppled many times before in the past. "We intend to escort you out of Halo magically. No harm necessary. Will you do so?"

It is the ultimatum.

- - -

Hotaru gets up and moves around to stand at the back of the chair, bracer still held before her belly. She poses the ultimatum to Morgan.

HOTARU

Noah

if there's a reason I'm still alive
when so many have died

It is undeniable that their actions have stabbed nerves within the Warden. Noah shifted as she stood, knowing that the once-Captain was not above using force. He had seen it before, he was sure he would see it again. His jaw feathered again, the tension in his shoulders taught as he listened. The blood boiled within his veins and his heart pounded with fury, but on the surface and what everyone would and could see was only the man Noah ever was -- glacial, cold, stoic.

He did not let his snowfire eyes move away from Morgan, even as Hotaru spoke. He did not believe that the woman before them trusted him. Time had shown that -- Noah was never invited into the inner workings of this government as he should be. Morgan had only ever used him as the man the citizens complained to. There was not a spot for him in her inner circle. He was a pawn, and he was tired of it. The mental prodding from Deimos was heard and acknowledged through the bond with a wave of understanding and fury mixed together in equal parts.

The star wolves stepped to either side of the valkyrie, and Noah stood with them. Eira stood in the chair, a low growl rumbling from the depths of her throat as her bondmate's rage and hurt collided with her heart. "The people are our concern, and if they were yours you would be doing just as we are -- protecting them from the Voice. You've seen her atrocities with your own eyes--" His words were icy, cold, cutting  "-- abandoned the people in Halo to see them -- and yet you choose to ignore it. You are not ignorant to what she has done to the people in this world for centuries. I will not let Halo fall to her hands. Not now, not ever." Noah stepped to the side, though he was intentional not to stand before where Deimos and Seren were hidden from Morgan.

"Morgan, we are preventing you from making the same mistakes that Neron made." Mistakes that he was never punished for, a slaughter he was never set on trial to attest to, the hunter wanted to add. "Alliances and allegiances or even neutrality to the Voice will bring the fall of this Citadel. No Warden has ever been talked out of their seat, as I have watched even you pull one down by the collar of their shirt." His gaze does not waver as he remembers the day, clear and bright, that they all pulled Neron from his seat. Hotaru talked of escorting her out and away from this place, and Noah crossed his arms over his chest, waiting.

---

Noah continues to speak with Morgan. He has stood up off of his chair but makes sure not to stand in front of invisible!Seren and Deimos.

then I'm willing to
wait for it

MORGAN

Some nights, I wish that my lips could build a castle
Some nights, I wish they'd just fall off

Their words continued and became a wash over her mind, meanings lost in a rise of disgust and exhaustion. It seemed they were all determined to paint her as a fool, one taken in by the Voice and unaware of her flaws, when really Morgan had more sight than any of them: she would not have served the Old Gods so blindly as they did, with the same conviction they accused her of holding for the Voice.

She ground her teeth, especially when Noah spoke. Morgan usually tried to stay above petty insults and anger, but silently (perhaps it would come through her eyes) she did think of him as a vile sycophant to the Old Gods and his new masters, eager to betray someone he had worked with for a long time now as soon as something that sounded better came along. As for Hotaru, for Deimos (who, given his proximity to Hotaru, had to be involved somehow; Neron had even warned her of this)...it hurt too much to put a name to it.

Brown eyes went from one side of the room to the other; her hands did not go towards her hammer. Instead she folded them before her, took a heavy breath. "I know I am outmatched. Clearly, there are other people here, someone barricading the door for you." Morgan turned briefly to look at her window, to see if that was blocked too; it didn't seem to be, but she hoped she wouldn't have to make that exit. "There's no point in me telling you how much of a mistake you are all making. Even if I won in this battle, I would not have a council left." Morgan smiled ever so slightly, a huff of unamused laughter.

"Well. I'd ask you one favour. Do not escort me magically out. If I am to be banished, let me collect my things, my companion, and walk through my beloved Fangs. Can we agree to that?" Chin jutted up, she stared Hotaru in the eyes, hoping the shaking of her hands (rage, the desire to explain to all of them, a little bit of fear that she despised within herself) was not too obvious.

--
Morgan reluctantly admits theres no point to her fighting and asks if she can leave on her own terms, getting her companion/things and hiking out through the Fangs.

But I still wake up, I still see your ghost
Oh Lord, I'm still not sure, what I stand for

we are just bodies of the faithful stacked dozens by the roadside

Noah’s anger is understandable, what little she knows of it, but Hotaru quietly watches Morgan instead of the man at her side. For all her cruelty Hotaru is not a coward, and she will watch the woman’s faith in her die as punishment for what she has done. Regrets and apologies will mean nothing now. She says them privately in her heart instead.

In a way, Hotaru is touched that Morgan still turns to her with her last request. Even pregnant and encumbered, Morgan does not see her as lesser, but an equal. One who has now dethroned her. It is a bittersweet acknowledgement. Hotaru tilts her head, and as Morgan hides her shaking hands, Hotaru conceals the downturn of her lips. “Yes. I can agree to that.” Honor and poise are the things Hotaru can still give Morgan and she will not steal them away without reason. We can trail her if necessary, her warm voice exudes out to the other Attuned in the room - she doesn’t see a need for it personally, and will likely not volunteer herself, but Ru will also not entertain any doubts or disagreement. She doesn’t believe they would considering the peacefulness of the outcome, but woman to woman - leader to leader - Hotaru will at least give Morgan this.

Stepping aside she waves her hand at the door, assuming Deimos will remove the barricade and providing whatever visual cover she can for his involvement. She is still Abandoned after all, hybrid or not, and could have conceivably come to master such enchantments. Standing perpendicular to her chair, she leaves space for Morgan to exit, and says nothing more.

- - -

Hotaru agrees to allow Morgan to leave of her own volition, and steps aside to clear the path to the door.

HOTARU

And just like that, it's over as strangely as it had begun. Morgan has voluntarily stepped down as Warden. Hotaru and Noah will take her place as of this thread. You have 1 week to begin a PQ to to make yourselves a new government building/adapt the offices as you see fit!