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!
07-08-2021, 12:46 AM (This post was last modified: 07-08-2021, 02:08 AM by Seren.)
Even when there is no star in sight, you'll always be my only guiding light
She stepped from thin air, from a shimmering void, from nothingness into the warm Torchline evening. The step from Halo to this tropical paradise was alike a punch in the gut, and before she even had reached the door to the living section of the Halenani, Seren was drenched in sweat.
Uncaring of the heavy furs, still glittering with frost (soon melted, only so much water) she barged in with a tense, worried look about her. Asking for Maeve, she was escorted to a sitting room and told to sit, have some tea, the Madame would be with her shortly.
Seren did not sit. Worry gnawed at her insides, the letters having only managed to feed that fire of concern (so many, so anxious and pleading it ripped her heart out that she had not known) and she kept pacing the room up and down, while peeling off heavy furs and thick gloves. Uncaring if anyone saw her shove them into her pocket realm, and heedless of anyone before her friend arrived.
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.
There were few times in Maeve's life where she rushed more than she did now. Amelia delivered the news of Seren's arrival to her so casually, unaware that the Madame had been worrying herself sick over the starchild, going through scenario after scenario in her head of what fate could have befallen her. Only for Amelia to simple deliver the news as if she was talking about the weather. Maeve tugged on her robe, uncaring of the rest of her appearance, rushing down stairs and across the footbridge into the Halenani proper to find her friend in one of her sitting rooms.
She didn't even say anything, throwing the doors open and launching herself at Seren, pulling her into a fierce hug as tears pricked her eyes. Maeve buried her face against her shoulder, unaware of the way she's trembling so, arm wrapped tightly around her friend. "I was so fucking worried about you." She rasped, voice tight with emotion, barely keeping herself together as she clung to her.
Only when her arms began to ache from holding her so tightly did Maeve draw back, holding onto her upper arms, leaning back enough to look her over. Clearly searching for anything amiss. When she found nothing, a breath of relief pushed past her lips, tears slipping down her cheeks as it sunk in that she was finally here.
Even when there is no star in sight, you'll always be my only guiding light
Open arms were offered the moment Maeve came through the doors and caught the Madame in a rough embrace, heedless of baby bumps or scoldings. That she was being cussed at only drove it in further how desperate the woman must have been, and the starchild forgave everything in a heartbeat.
"I am so sorry for being late," Seren whispered into her friend's dark hair. "Those damned letters... but I'm here now. Oh, Maeve, I... Please. Tell me everything."
Seren did not let go of the woman even for a second, especially not when she saw the tears begin to fall. With an arm securely wrapped around Maeve's back, she guided them both to the couch and slumped down, practically pulling the girl into her lap so that she could cradle her.
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.
Maeve went with her easily. There was no resistance when Seren pulled her onto the couch or gathered her in her arms to cradle her against her chest. To simply be held without a promise of favors or deals was something she hadn't felt in weeks now. It almost made her break down fully, but she didn't fall apart. Not yet. Maeve sniffled, laying her head against Seren's shoulder, trying to decide where to even start. "I'm not mad at you, Seren." It was the first thing she managed, wanting the girl to know that she held no irritation for her, simply glad that she was here now.
"Locke left me. I- I don't even know what happened. Why it happened." Maeve's voice cracked, hitching around a sob that suddenly threatened to push past her lips, throat growing tight as her tears streaked a hot path down her cheeks. "We were having dinner and I told him about moving back. I gave him the pendant your mother made for me. Then it was like a switch flipped." The pain in her words is palpable, chest tightening almost unbearably and she hated that it still did, that she still wanted him. It would be so much easier if she didn't. "He told me he didn't need me. That he didn't want me. He told me to leave and- and I did." She pressed her face against Seren's shoulders, shoulders shaking as she tried desperately to keep her breathing even, unwilling to let her sobs get the better of her.
"He left on the Ark. He's just gone." Maeve swallowed thickly, her free hand drifting down to her belly, pressing against the barely there bump that's hidden by her loose camisole and robe. How did she even say it? How does one delicately drop that bomb? She doesn't know. So instead of giving herself a moment to think on it further, Maeve lifted her head so she could look up at her friend with red rimmed eyes, "I'm pregnant, Seren. That's what I didn't want to tell you in the letter. I'm pregnant and it's his. I didn't even get to tell him. I found out after he left."
There was so much more to add, but this seemed like a safe place to start. The rest was far less emotional and Maeve needed to get through this first. She needed to know that Seren would be with her even if Locke wasn't.
Even when there is no star in sight, you'll always be my only guiding light
This was the part of being a supportive friend that Seren found the hardest. The moment when the silence came, and she was left to sit indecisive, still figuring out what to think, how to feel, what to say. There was so very little she could do besides being there, holding Maeve and stroking her hair as if the pain was something that could be brushed away.
It was not. Nor was it supposed to be.
"I'm so sorry," she said again, because that was apparently she was capable of in this moment. Locke was gone? But what about their bar brawl? What about his painting - the canvas already prepped and planned, lying on her Island and waiting for paint and inspiration? Seflish worries about where her brother had disappeared to and what was going on in his head kept intruding, so that her gaze seemed a little stunned and distant when Maeve looked at her.
"Are... you alright? What are you going to do?" The question was very quiet. Pregnant? A baby. Maeve was having a baby.
'We have ways to know before the child is born if it is Abandoned. They are born dead and the bodies are disposed of outside of the city walls.'
Gideon's words came unbidden to her, like a swirl of poison suffusing clear water. Thank all the gods this wasn't Stormbreak. Seren felt nauseous.
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.
Was she alright? It seemed like such a simple question, but it held a weight that Maeve couldn’t even wrap her head around. Physically? Yes, she was alright. The baby was alright. It was a healthy and viable pregnancy. None of her previous actions had affected things negatively. Emotionally? That was another story entirely. Equal parts heartbroken, confused, overwhelmed, and happy. She was glad to be having a baby. She always wanted a family. Even if it didn’t look like the one that she had imagined in her head for so long. Maeve wasn’t going to be alone. She had Aurelia and she had Seren. Her goddess would hold her up too. The Nightshade wouldn’t bear this solely on her shoulders.
Maeve drew in a shaky breath, reaching up to brush away at her tears as she rested in Seren’s embrace, letting the gentle stroke of her fingers through her hair soothe her frayed nerves. ”I’m hurting. I wish he was here. I wish that things hadn’t gone the way they did. I want to understand, but I don’t…” She murmured, shifting slightly in Seren’s arms so she might more easily gaze up at the starchild, jade eyes glassy and red from her tears. ”But I’m okay and so is the baby. Healthy and growing the way they should.”
There was a flash of determination in her gaze, already knowing her plan, ”I’m keeping them. They were made out of love even if it has passed for him. I’m going to seek out your mother and ask her what I can do to keep them safe when the war comes.” Maeve hoped desperately that her friend understood her choice. That she would have her support in this decision too.
Even when there is no star in sight, you'll always be my only guiding light
Nestling her friend like she remembered her mother doing for her, Seren hummed soothing, meaningless noises in the silence while Maeve considered. It was a relief to know that at least physically there was nothing wrong, but just as hard to realize that the body was far easier to mend than broken hearts.
"I wish I understood too. We talked at the feast, and I thought he seemed tense then. But I had no idea it would break out into this." She made an abrupt gesture with a hand, and night followed in its wake - a paint stroke of darkness and distant stars that soon dissippated. "If you need help with anything, you know I'll do what I can. I don't know anything about babies, but I can learn."
Her acceptance of Maeve's choice was utter and immediate, no questions asked. Seren squeezed her friend closer, into a hug that might border on the painful.
"Congratulations, Maeve. You're having a baby. You're going to be a mother." Nothing could be more fitting, or appropriate.
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.
Maeve's brows drew together, confusion swirling in her eyes as Seren mentioned her talk with Locke, how he had seemed tense. The Madame straightened up a bit further, momentarily distracted by the flash of darkness that trailed behind her hand, making not to ask about that later. "You spoke to Locke? What did he say?" Whether it would provide any illumination to the current situation, Maeve didn't know, but if he had seemed off to Seren then perhaps it wasn't as unexplainable as she previously thought. "What do you mean by tense?" She hadn't noticed anything off with him at the party, so caught up in Paige and Seren, that it hadn't occurred to her that something might have been off then, too.
"I know, Seren. I know you can." Maeve murmured, reaching up to cup her cheeks, drawing her forward to press a kiss to her forehead before resting hers against the starchild's lightly. "I'm so glad you're here. I don't think I could do this without you." The confession was softly spoken, almost a whisper between them as she drew back enough to look at her once more, a small smile managing to tug on her lips.
If nothing else, this baby was a blessing to her and would always been seen as such. "I know. It's... It's crazy to think about and a part of me is terrified, but I'm so happy." Truthfully, Maeve would do it all over again if it meant that she was able to have this child. She would take a thousand heartbreaks just for this. She knew it in her bones.
"That's not the only thing, though. I have more to tell you."
For every tyrant, a tear for the vulnerable In every lost soul, the bones of a miracle
Leaning back into the couch and slumping down a bit, Seren hummed a soft sigh and tucked a stray lock of hair behind Maeve's ear. An absent look came over her as she tried to recall the exchange she'd had with her brother-of-heart.
"He was rather... touchy. Quick to pick apart what I said and twist it. He told me about how he attuned, and when I worried that it would place him and you in danger to side so blatantly with me, he was offended. Later, I asked him why he left the Dragoons... and it seems to me that he is conflicted about the Voice, and the Ascended. Apparently the Voice showed up at the hospital fire to put it out... and he all but chided me for not opposing mother's views on the Ascended." It was a painful subject in general for Seren, and even though it was she who was the support here, her gaze dropped down, to follow the subtle patterns in Maeve's robes.
"He... told me about something awful that happened to him as a child. That he did not want to help run a brothel because of it... or want you to have anything to do with it, either." Seren would not divulge details; it had been a conversation in confidence, after all. "He was very angry, and almost sounded cruel a few times. I think there is something brewing beneath the surface in him, Maeve... and leaving you might just have been the first outlet for it."
It was all conjecture. Seren didn't know Locke as well as she would like, and the idea that he might keep his distance with her too was painful. Yet they had made promises together... and she would have him live up to them. Even if she had to drag him.
Turning her focus back to her friend, Seren smiled warmly in response to Maeve's happiness. "Of course you could. And you will, if you have to. But I'll do my best to make sure you won't, okay? So, what's this other thing?" Tilting her head aside, the young woman looked curiously at the Madame.
In every dreamer a dream - we're unstoppable with something to believe in
✰ 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.
Pieces start to click into place for her as Seren spoke, recounting their conversation, how wildly Locke swung from one thing to the other. His feelings all over the place, his reactions volatile, his whole frame of mind uncertain. A part of her wanted to laugh at how blind she'd been. How had she managed to miss all of that? Maeve often prided herself on her ability to read people and yet Locke was like an enigma. Still so hidden from her view.
"The Voice put out the fire at the Wren Society, yes. I- I understand that feeling. I was conflicted too. A part of me still is. Not about the Voice, but about the Ascended themselves. There are some who didn't even choose that path, but they will be punished all the same." Adam came to mind, knowing how unhappy he was with his new lot, but grateful to be alive all the same. How did you even come to terms with the fact that you could die because you were turned into something you didn't even choose to be? How could you be okay with hurting those people? It was a hard spot to be in.
I don't like brothels very much. Something he said during their first few encounters together. Her brows drew together, thinking back on their interactions. How vehement he was about the fact that she was more than just a whore, his aversion to kissing, the way he treated the girls. All of it suddenly sunk in and she drew in a sharp breath, dread filling the pit of her belly because she knew. She knew exactly what type of thing had to happen to a person to instill those things into them. She knew what kind of life he had to live. It was one that she'd lived herself. Sent off to the highest bidder at seventeen. Seren didn't have to divulge details, Maeve already knew.
"I think you're right, Seren. I- I think he's scared." Of her, of love, of losing what he holds the dear, the war, all of it. Maeve couldn't blame him and suddenly things were so much clearer to her.
She took another breath, looking to her friend once more, "Your mother called me to her a few nights back." Maeve began, unsure if Seren already knew the news or if she'd been too caught up in her own dealings to hear. "She appointed myself and Aurelia as the new rulers of Torchline."
For every tyrant, a tear for the vulnerable In every lost soul, the bones of a miracle
The young demigoddess bowed her head, but didn't offer anything in regards to the Ascended, or the Voice. Her own thoughts on the matter were too confused to voice, contradictory and - in her own mind - rather cruel. But this was not about them, or the Voice, or even her. It was about Locke and Maeve and a baby on the way, and it seemed that her retelling of the events gave her friend some clue as to what might be up with the man they both cared so deeply for.
Then Maeve had other news, and Seren blinked slowly upon hearing what it was about. It took a moment before her mind connected the dots, but when they did her eyes went wide with surprised delight.
"Maeve," she breathed, "that's... I don't even know what to say. Congratulations? Condolances?" Laughter pulled at her mouth, and she couldn't help but to nudge her friend playfully. Governor? The image was so intrinsically tied to Remi and Sunjata in her mind that this diminutive woman barely managed to fill the spot. Perhaps that was why there were two of them. "Aurelia, huh. I'm... not sure we get along, if I'm honest. Do you know her well?"
She sighed faintly, thinking back on the burning Slagveld, the dead unicorn, the heated conversation they'd had when Seren stumbled into the woman on the street. "Something similar has happened in Halo," she murmured. "Hotaru Kaito and Noah Olson are Wardens now... do you think that will be trouble?"
The regions used to be allies. What would happen to that now? Would these hot-headed, fierce women carry on their feuds across borders, now with soldiers at their beck and call? Hotaru had claimed that she could separate politics from her own personal matters... but Seren still felt a cold lump in her gut. Had she made a mistake in aiding the woman...?
In every dreamer a dream - we're unstoppable with something to believe in
✰ 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.
As if Maeve could read the woman's thoughts her lips tugged into a smirk, "Not just governor. Queen. It's what your mother wanted." She lifted her chin, eyes bright as she met the starchild's gaze, "I think congratulations are in order. Maybe a hint of condolences, but overall this is good." She was excited for the opprotunity, eager to show Safrin that she hadn't made a bad choice, but that she was everything she saw and more.
The mention of Aurelia suddenly had the Nightshade's cheeks suffusing with heat, a soft almost nervous laugh bubbling up from her chest, glancing up at Seren from beneath her lashes. "I do know her fairly well." It worried her to hear that Aurelia and Seren didn't get on very well, but she shouldn't be surprised with how upset Seren had been over what Aurelia had done to Atlas. Not that she blamed her. Maeve was upset too, but she had spoken to Aurelia, gaining more of an understanding for why she did it. Not that it made it right or fixed it. "We're rather close, if I'm being honest."
The question caught her by surprise and she grew quiet for a moment before finally shaking her head. "Hotaru and Aurelia have history, this is true. There is bad blood between them. However, both Halo and Torchline are secured for the Old Gods and for us to be against them would be the downfall of both of our regions. Neither of us want that." Did she think relations between Hotaru and Aurelia would be easy? No, she wasn't naive enough to believe such a thing. Did she think that they would make choices based on the well being of their people? Yes, she does.
For every tyrant, a tear for the vulnerable In every lost soul, the bones of a miracle
Seren arched a brow at the title, and even more at the blush. Maeve was rarely bashful, and she wasn't sure if this was a good or bad thing. Would romancing a co-ruler be of hindrance or aid when it came to governing the region? Seren wished she could be only happy for her friend, but given the recent disappearance of Locke, the tension with Halo, the situation with Hotaru and a slew of other things... she sort of wished Maeve would stick to thinking with her head, rather than the heart in this instance.
"It means a lot to you, that Mother asked you. Doesn't it." She chose to focus on the one aspect of this that did not give her a headache, and managed a soft smile that neatly covered the desire to groan and bury her head in a pillow. "You really love her?"
As her legs began to cramp, the young woman gingerly scooted Maeve down from her lap, so that they could sit close together rather than piled in a heap. Kicking off her shoes, Seren pulled them up under herself and looked around for something to drink - more to have an object to occupy her hands with than due to thirst.
"I hope I can leave the diplomacy between them to you. I'd try, but since both of them see me as a nosy child meddling where I don't belong, I doubt I can do much." The slight bite in her voice expressed plenty of frustration with this - like every young person ever, who had to dive into situations bigger than their years. "Besides... I've got some things going on at home that I need to look into." Scowling at a decanter, she tried to determine without reaching for it whether it contained wine or something... else.
In every dreamer a dream - we're unstoppable with something to believe in
✰ 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.
While Seren's concerns were valid, this wasn't something that the Nightshade shared with the starchild, not that she was privy to her thoughts. The people of Torchline and this region were of biggest concern to her. Even if she had feelings for Aurelia that would never change. Not when Maeve was so insistent on doing right by them. She wouldn't let her heart get ahead of her with this. Maeve didn't know if Locke was ever going to come back to her. She didn't know what the future held. What she did know was that both Aurelia and Seren had promised to be there for her. As long as she had them to help bolster and guard her heart, she could do whatever else was placed before her. Including running Torchline.
At this Maeve's flush deepened and she nodded to Seren, shifting so she was relaxing against the cushions of the couch instead of piling herself into Seren's lap. "It does. Your mother... She saw something in me that no one else did. She already had plans for me before it even occurred that I could be anything more than what I am." There is nothing but adoration and conviction in her voice, a soft sparkle in her eyes as she looked up at her friend, "I love her, Seren. Truly. I will forever be grateful that your mother chose to grace me with her presence the first time I tried praying again."
"I already have plans to send a letter and perhaps arrange a meeting. Worst comes to worst, I can meet with them and do the talking if that's what it takes. We will do what we must to make it work." Sensing her irritation, Maeve reached for her hand, giving her fingers a gentle squeeze. "Leave this part to me. As frustrating as it is, this isn't the job you were meant to do." The mention of home had Maeve arching a brow, head tilting in consideration as she suddenly followed Seren's gaze to the decanter, making to stand. "Come on, let's go up to my apartment. I can pour you a drink, have some food brought up, and we can catch up. I want to know what you've been up to."
Maeve extended her hand to Seren, smiling softly as she snagged the decanter with her other, leading her through the Halenani towards the other building. A quick stop to the kitchen with a request for something savory and plenty of sweets for the girls to indulge in, they made their way up to her apartment, Maeve ushering her inside. "It's still a little sparse, but I'm working on getting it decorated." The main area they were in consisted of a kitchen, living room, and dining area. A hallway led off from the living room, holding three doors that were likely the bedroom, bathroom, and a spare room that Maeve planned on turning into a nursery.
