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!
This was it. The last big push. She's been working here all season. First they cleared the land, then it was materials, and finally the building. That's taken the longest. She's had help, of course. Here and there people have pitched in, but today is the final day. Maeve stands with her hands on her hips, examining the building that has slowly sprouted up over the last few days. The framing is complete, the walls are up, and the inside done, but there are a few things that remain to be finished.
She has a list. Always tracking and checking and crossing things off once they finish. Maeve blows out a breath, already sweating from the heat, fanning herself to fight it off. As people arrive she lists off what needs to be done. "First, thank you all for coming. I really appreciate the help with this. We've got a few big things left. Namely the roof, windows, and doors. Not to mention bringing in the furniture and painting the exterior. We'll start with that and then go from there." She tells the group that's gathered. A few key figures and then her volunteers from the docks, various workers she's hired throughout the process, and some of the Halenani workers themselves coming to help finish the job.
Welcome to the final PQ to rebuild the Halenani! Please write yourselves arriving and starting your task.
i can't believe that you could just say that "the answers unlock this gate"
He had said he would help, even if in the moment he feels less than inclined. It’s like that with most things nowadays, more content to simply curl up in the comfort and safety of his home, avoiding the constant heartbreak that awaits him outside. But he had said he would help.
So here he is.
His mood is sour, his throat still raw, and he’s already decided to pick the tasks that kept him away from the rest of them because he knows just how mood dampening he’s become. He can’t help it, but he can help how many people get stuck in the crossfires.
Arriving, he offers everyone a nod, before the tasks are laid out. And once he knows what it is, he picks the roof just as he had with the jail. “I’ll take the roof.” His voice is still rough, painful, burning despite the humid air and the heat he breathes in. He tries to keep it minimal.
So he shifts, into his macaw form, drifting to the roof, and gets to work to attempt to finish up the shingles and whatever else needs finishing.
Sunjata takes the roof and gets to work!
'cause if you knew his name, not a thing would change you'd still be wishing you were blessed
No permission needed for power play!
Feel free to use magic/force on Sunjata, without killing him <3
Sunjata speaks with an Australian accent and has a passive magic that makes him produce a subtle scent that matches exactly to whatever those around him most desire him to smell like.
This woman, with dark hair and bright eyes, had been running around asking for help with rebuilding Halenani. Rin had seen her asking for volunteers at the dock which was when she offered herself up for the cause. Though she wasn't particularly strong or smart, Rin was a dedicated worker and loved to see Haulani being rebuilt into something big and beautiful. She did not really know what Halenani was, but if the woman needed help, who was Rin to ignore her?
After thanking all of those who showed up to aid her, Maeve tells them that there are several jobs still needing completion. The first tasks she says - roofing, inserting windows, and placing doors - seem to be rather strength-orientated tasks. Rin's eyes fall to her arms for a moment, scrawny and lost in the overwhelming folds of her large shirt. Then, the woman says the exterior needs to be painted and Rin mentally decides that will have to be her task. Though particularly unartistic, the outsides of buildings tended to be mostly one color so Rin figured she could manage.
Noticing one of the men among them opts for roofing, Rin doesn't wait for further instructions before making her move. "I don't think I can lift these heavier things," she begins. "But I can paint the exterior, for sure." Never having painted any sort of structure before, she is initially worried she might do it incorrectly, but after grabbing an assortment of brushes and coloring one of the walls with its first splotch of color, she is far less worried about the process and continues onwards.
Rin chooses to paint the exterior, grabbing paint and starting on that.
We can be the kings and queens of anything, if we believe.
Seren was in much need of a change of pace. When Maeve's note reached her, asking for help with the Halenani, she was only too happy to accept. Not quite as exuberant as she usually was, she still maintained a sunny smile and bright cheer as she greeted her friend and waved at the woman she hadn't seen before. Sunjata would have been given a hug, but her uncle disappeared up onto the roof before Seren could manage more than a 'hello'. Frowning up at him with some concern, the young woman shrugged and turned to the tasks instead.
"I can hang the doors," she offered, already heading towards the blueprints to see what she needed to do. Inexperience with tools could be made up for with patience and attention to detail... and she did have a few tricks up her sleeve to help things along, if necessary.
Seren chooses to hang the doors! She looks over blueprints and gets to work.
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.
and my hands aren't clean maybe they never will be
There's a nigh constant need for rebuilding and repairing lately. It sucks. It's hard on the people and working in the heat just makes things more miserable. But Aurelia's here regardless of that, or maybe because of it. Either way, she's keeping her word to Maeve. She accepted the role of Arbiter to be able to help Torchline and that's what she'll do, complications notwithstanding.
So she arrives shortly after the others, running a few minutes late. It's right on time, though, because just as she hurries over Maeve is directing people with needed tasks. She spies a few familiar faces but, like Sunjata over there, she isn't in much of a chatty mood. So as he shifts away to the roof, she watches him for a moment - only to find that she's left with one option.
"Leave the windows to me," she says by way of some communication, glancing across at Maeve. She then takes the tools and materials necessary, and sets to work.
The work is attempted with diligence, taking extra care to get the measurements correct and make sure nothing is broken. There's a concentrated grimace on her face as she works and, even if there are mistakes, she'll be quick to try to tackle them.
Aurelia starts installing the windows!
but they can still carry you home when you're ready to sleep
They all split into their respective tasks and Maeve bounces back between everything except the roof. That is out of her element and the Flood is still incredibly grumpy. She knows better than to seek him out when he's like this, having spent enough time with him during Flowerbirth to know when it's best to let him stew. His quiet anger does him well enough in his task. Sunjata makes good progress over the next couple of hours and with the help of the other recruits, they manage to finish shingling the roof. While there are a few mishaps, nails falling over, a thumb hit with the head of a hammer, and a few busted shingles everything goes well enough. They might have to replace some sooner rather than later, but it's good for now.
The new comer that Maeve recognizes from the docks takes to the painting, "Just get the coats even as you can and we'll be good." Maeve tells Rin, passing by to help her out, showing her the best way to hold the brush and how to get even coats. With the Madame's guidance, Rin and the other workers who aren't the strongest strength wise get the front and left side of the building covered. They'll have to do the back and the right side before they're done with the building.
Seren has plenty of patience and that will serve her well. Seraphina was thorough in her blueprints and everything is labeled clearly. While the starchild doesn't complete the job quickly, she does manage it all on her own, hanging all the exterior doors and the interior doors with the help of the other volunteers. Maeve makes sure to give her a pat on the back after she gets the first one up. "That looks great, little star."
Maeve helps Aurelia the most. There are a lot of windows and even with all the extra help, another set of hands wouldn't hurt. "Thanks for coming, 'Relia... I really appreciate it." She tells her softly between hammering, helping to brace the frames as Aurelia gets them securely fastened. Between the two of them the bottom floor is done and half of the others. The Arbiter will have a bit more to go before the task is finished.
Good first round!
- Sunjata can move on to building the railings for the porch. First, second, and third floor.
- Rin still has some painting to do.
- Seren can move to help with another task. Either painting or starting to put furniture into rooms with the help of volunteers.
- Aurelia still has some windows to finish.
No posting order!
Long nights, daydreams Sugar and smoke rings, I've been a fool But strawberries and cigarettes always taste like you
We can be the kings and queens of anything, if we believe.
Stepping back to inspect her work as the final door was properly fitted, balanced and hung, Seren took a moment to stretch out her back. It was more fiddly than complicated, but with a bit of luck none of the doors would have to be adjusted until after the next monsoon season, when the new building had been given time to set.
"Thank you! Want me to get started with the funishings next?" Smiling at Maeve, the girl looked around. Everyone seemed deep into their work, and while some tasks had yet to be completed, nothing was in progress that would risk damaging the items.
Said and done; once her tools and helpers had been gathered up, Seren began to direct the steady flow of couches, footstools, chairs, tables, side tables and cupboards, wardrobes and bed frames through the front door and to whichever floors Maeve wanted them. Her ability to lighten the load made it quite a bit easier on everyone, and while it raised some brows that the smaller of the workers would carry the heavier items, Seren minded not at all.
Peace was settling into her bones as she worked, and her cheerful stream of talk - gossip, encouragement, instructions and reflections - became more and more genuinely happy with each passing minute.
Seren starts moving furniture with the volunteers!
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.
i can't believe that you could just say that "the answers unlock this gate"
Apparently, handiwork while pissed off seems to work in his favor. Aside from the few small instances of nails slipping down the roof and thumbs getting struck, there’s something satisfying about hammering down the nails into the shingles, something about getting that anger out in a productive way, he supposes.
And when they’re done, the roof is complete and there’s the edge of a sunburn starting along his shoulders that he ignores in favor for coating his skin with his snake shift scales, something to cover his skin while also still letting some of the predators within him loose. A warning, perhaps, for those to stay away.
Working on the railings for each floor also provides some comfort to the Governor. To hammer the nails into the boards, to ensure they’re straight and level, solid pieces that wouldn’t break or fall off. He does utter some rumblings to the workers that have come with him to help, some direction to help them set up the posts and to hold the rail in place for the nails to go into.
Sunjata moves onto the railings and works with his group of workers to make sure they’re even and sturdy.
'cause if you knew his name, not a thing would change you'd still be wishing you were blessed
No permission needed for power play!
Feel free to use magic/force on Sunjata, without killing him <3
Sunjata speaks with an Australian accent and has a passive magic that makes him produce a subtle scent that matches exactly to whatever those around him most desire him to smell like.
Everyone is scattered around doing their own work, some hanging things, others building things. After she had declared her desire to do the painting, two others come forward and claimed their own tasks. Rin recognizes the woman who gave her kabobs a few days ago amongst them, but doesn't really interrupt anyone's work to say hello, though part of her would like to.
After a bit of time passes, the orchestrater of their tasks makes her way around to each of them, nodding approvingly at some and helping others. When she approaches Rin, she tells the girl that all she needs to do is continue to make sure the coats of paint she lays down are even. In response, Rin nods. Grabbing one of the paintbrushes, she shows Rin a new technique that might help her finish the task more efficiently. Her technique is slightly altered, but Rin has no difficulties adapting to her style and continuing the walls once the woman has left.
It feels as if no time has passed when Rin and a few others have finished the front and one side of the building. Taking only one second to admire the cleanliness of the new paint on a new building, Rin and a few others begin on the remaining two walls.
Rin continues painting, tackling the last two walls.
and my hands aren't clean maybe they never will be
As she works her way around, Aurelia does notice that there are, in fact, a lot of windows. For a brief moment, she stutters at the realization. This is when Maeve comes up to help her, and she looks over her shoulder with a bit of relief. "Oh, that's okay. I owe it to you," she says, adding, "thanks for helping me with the jailhouse. The least I can do is return the favor." They work as a fairly cohesive team, Maeve setting things up so that it's easier for Aurelia to hammer it all into place. She's appreciative of the help, but a bit too proud to admit she needed it.
When she's able, she'll move on to the upper floors. This brings her closer in proximity to Sunjata, who she casts a spare glance at. The tension in the way he works is evident, and if she were able she might try to communicate to him with the Attuned bond. Alas, she decides to just let him be. She does also take this time to realize that she recognizes the girl painting. If she can catch Rin's eye, she'll offer a wave. Her expression is a bit unreadable as she goes back to her work.
Aurelia continues to work on the windows, offering Rin a wave!
but they can still carry you home when you're ready to sleep
New tasks are given and old ones are continued. Seren has a knack for organizing and her bubbly attitude rallies the volunteers like nothing else. Easily they get the furniture brought in to each room, setting it up and starting the assembly on pieces that need it. Her gravity pulse helps tremendously when they start heading up the stairs, making it easier than breathing to carry the multiple bed frames and wardrobes up the various flights. Over the next few hours they get it all staged, leaving little to do besides bringing in the mattresses and making the beds with the self cleaning linens they scavenged previously from the site.
Sunjata might have been successful with channeling his anger into the roof, it isn't as successful here, making the work a touch more challenging. On more than one occasion he accidentally splits a plank by hammering the nail in too hard, finding a weak spot the compromises the wood, leading to frustration for every party. The volunteers having to make more planks for the railing as they don't have enough to finish. While the governor gives directions, they aren't as clear as the could be and many of the workers are too nervous to ask for clarification, causing for plenty of confusion. It takes them twice as long to finish this project than it should have originally, but they manage mostly due to Sunjata's pure stubbornness.
The painting goes... okay. Only okay. It isn't that the paint job looks bad. It doesn't, but Rin has an unfortunate run in with a gust of wind that sends the tray she's been using flying, slinging paint all over the poor girl. It gets in her hair, on her clothes, and a bit on her skin. The greyish white a stark contrast against her person. While an unfortunate accident, it doesn't keep her and the volunteers from finishing painting the exterior of the building.
"Of course, love. It's what friends do." Maeve gives her a wink as she lets her fingers skin across her arm before she's leaving her to finish the rest of the windows. The Arbiter does so easily, implementing her developed system with the rest of the volunteers to complete the task at hand in record time. All of them hung securely in place without a single broken pane of glass.
Thankfully Maeve doesn't have much to do besides keeping things organized and offering words of encouragement, bringing water to those that are working outside to keep them hydrated, gushing over all of their hard work in a way that would likely make them flush if they weren't already red in the face. "That about sums it up for outside besides the fence surrounding the property and laying the planks on the footbridge that connects the living space to the main building. Inside we need to hang the sconces and install curtain rods to start."
On to round three! Only two more after this!
- One person and their volunteers needs to mend the fence around the property
- One person and their volunteers needs to lay the planks for the footbridge
- One person needs to hang sconces
- One person needs to hang curtain rods and the curtains
No posting order!
Long nights, daydreams Sugar and smoke rings, I've been a fool But strawberries and cigarettes always taste like you
We can be the kings and queens of anything, if we believe.
It was a delight to see the work come together. The final result would surely be amazing and Seren realized more and more that she would have to come visit here once things were done. Maybe take Maeve up on an old promise and spend a night with games, stories and drinking, rather than the - eh, other - pursuits the workers normally were hired for.
But there were lots of things to do still before the house was fit for guests, and while enjoying the temporary break, she listened to the list of remaining tasks.
"I can hang curtains!" she volunteered cheerfully, and flashed a smile to all the others. Sunjata still looked grumpy to her, but she didn't let that dampen her mood.
Rounding up a few of her helpers to aid with handing things up to her and keeping track of screws, nails, lengths of fabric and so forth, Seren set to work. The gravity pulse came in handy here too, but in a slightly different way. Dismissing the offer of ladders, the girl floated unassisted up to the top of the windows, and hovered effortlessly in mid air while she worked. The startled murmuring made her giddy with delight - it felt good to make people surprised.
Seren starts hanging the curtains, using her gravity pulse to suspend herself in mid air rather than use ladders. Because fun.
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.
i can't believe that you could just say that "the answers unlock this gate"
Well, it doesn’t go quite according to plan. But his aggression and frustration over it only ever goes to the materials. It takes longer and he notices the way the workers tend to be a bit more nervous around him and he simply tries to tone it down – tries to loosen the tension in his shoulders, tries to loosen the muscles in his jaw, and it takes almost twice as long but they manage it. He also manages quite a few quiet apologies to the workers paired with him.
The next tasks are laid out and Sunjata imagines if he tries to lay more planks down and ruins more that his workers will probably get pissed off even more at him – so he opts for the mending the fences. This time, he does acknowledge others, offering a dip of his head to Seren as he passes by, as well as a quiet hello through the attuned bond for Aurelia, before he gets to work with the fences around the outside.
Sunjata chooses to work on mending the fences!
'cause if you knew his name, not a thing would change you'd still be wishing you were blessed
No permission needed for power play!
Feel free to use magic/force on Sunjata, without killing him <3
Sunjata speaks with an Australian accent and has a passive magic that makes him produce a subtle scent that matches exactly to whatever those around him most desire him to smell like.
With some volunteers handling and finishing tasks like roofing and railing while Rin works with others on painting, it seems that the woman's precious Halenani will be fully complete in no time. The only hiccup in the process for the young girl has been a pretty hefty amount of paint accidentally falling all over her due to an unfortunate gust of wind, but otherwise everything has been according to plan.
She is even delighted to see that Aurelia remembers her.
After scraping the remaining paint from her eyes and hands and finishing her task, Maeve lets them all know what needs to be done next. Fencing, flooring, hanging, and... more hanging. Rin immediately decides she doesn't not have the skill level to fence or floor anything, so she decides that the hanging of things is definitely more her speed.
Reaching over, she grabs a sconce and when Maeve looks in her direction, she smiles and points to it, letting the woman know that she'll work on that next. Though a slightly awkward task for the short girl, she manages to figure out how to hang the light fixtures pretty quickly.
