[KQ] all the triumph overhead, disaster underneath

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

Deimos’ letter had been a relief to receive. His doodles alone had helped comfort her that he was safe and unharmed, still capable of childish mockery even in the depths of his mission with the demigods. Still, she is heavily pregnant and prone to anxiety, and when he had mentioned a friend who could support her, Hotaru had felt foolish for not thinking of the man herself.

“Thank you for coming with me.” It’s spoken bravely, but it’s clear by the way she hovers at Noah’s side that she is sorely in need of contact and support. As the head of public affairs, she had wanted him included in the meeting now that she better knew the aims and plans of Sunjata and his Arbiter. It helped that she quite liked Noah, felt more settled at his side. While Hotaru had faith in Morgan’s support of her, a little extra never went amiss.

She had requested a private time to meet with the Warden, and that time was now here. Taking a bracing breath, she raps her knuckles on the door and leaves it open behind her for Noah to enter after. “Hello Morgan. I hope it’s okay I brought Noah - I wanted him to know what I had to share.” Wringing her hands, she curls them around her belly, and tries to recall the whirlwind of events that have led her here. She waits a moment for Noah to give anything he wants to say, or for Morgan to pose any immediate questions.

HOTARU

Noah

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

When Hotaru found Noah in his office, the hunter did not hesitate to hug her. He had wrapped his strong around her fully, letting a sigh that released his worry for her away. When she asked him to come with her to speak with Morgan, Noah agreed without hesitation. Following her from his office to the Warden's, Noah stayed close to her. "I am glad you are safe in Halo, rather than in hands that are difficult to trust." The hunter placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, an eye-wrinkling smile breaking over his face to give her as much nonverbal support as he could. It was hard to ignore the growing life inside her now, with the way it changed her. The Chief of Public Affairs did not ask questions, but his protective nature wrapped itself tighter and tighter around the valkyrie.

Following at her side, with Eira slinking behind them, Noah touched his hand to her forearm, giving one last boost of his confidence before they saw the Warden. "Morgan," Noah greeted the Warden calmly, but not cooly. He offered her a small smile, stepping to the opposite side of the open door as Hotaru. This was her meeting after all, and he was here merely for support and to hear out the information she had to give -- after all, it was his job. A job he had been left out of for far too long. He had not known about any of this before Deimos told him. By that time, Hotaru had already been swept away to Torchline.

then I'm willing to
wait for it

MORGAN

And oh, poor Atlas
The world's a beast of a burden

Morgan was a little surprised to hear from Hotaru again so soon. After her trial in Torchline and with her pregnancy, she had expected her to want to lay low and be quiet for a while; still, Morgan was admittedly curious about what had transpired, and any of her citizens that wanted to talk to her were welcome to. As the knock on the door came she called for her to enter, and simply nodded at Noah's inclusion. As one of her councilmen, he was welcome.

"Hotaru, Noah. Please, have a seat." She gestured to the two chairs before her desk, glancing at Hotaru's heavy belly. Morgan gathered up papers she had been looking at on her desk and put them to one side, leaning forward onto the surface to give the two her rapt attention. "I'm interested to hear what you have to tell me. Begin wherever you feel is appropriate."

And the ships are left to rust
That's what the water gave us

DEIMOS

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

Quiet, methodical, footfalls meant to be hushed, even as they carried his towering form. Solid and stoic, hushed and tactical, he moved as if part of the backdrop, slowly and stealthily enough, even as he carried Seren on his back (meant to be weightless) and hopefully in proportions to silence. To remain undetectable; counterparts draped in invisibility. His bag of holding, containing multitudes of his magical items, also held vials of potions, sleeping, poison, and other multitudes, hoping he wouldn’t have to use any of them – tucked and wrapped, given to Seren to hold.

He effused calm and composure, even as his veins pulsed, even as some portions would always render drums of some other emotions in the back of his mind. Time and time again he’d orchestrated these means and measures, and it was just another round, another volley. He had to be cold. He had to be calculating. He had to be more than the restless punctures layering in his ribs. For Halo. For the people.

The soldier directed them through the open door. Not rapid movements, but cautious, as a hunter, a predator, might be. We are in he ghosted through the Attuned bond to both Noah and Ru – glad and content to see them (but incapable of anything else for now; it could all wait) – before striving for a corner, intending to tuck the other member of their party safely behind him. Once more, he considered his fellow compatriots. Can one of you shut the door?

--

Deimos attempts to sneak him and Seren into the room undetected using his invisibility cloak. Deimos is carrying Seren (who is going to use her weightless ability), and Seren is hanging onto his bag of holding.

Other than his magical items, his bag of holding contains sleeping potions and poisonous potions, made here: unburned and alive.

Type: Grey
Invisibility Cloak | (Upgraded) Ornate, detailed cloak, that when worn, renders up to two individuals invisible.

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