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!
It felt peculiar, to walk with her head high and back straight through corridors and hallways where she had previously slipped through unnoticed, tucked beneath cloaks and with dagger in hand. Even more strange was the act of requesting a formal appointment with a Warden. Seren had never done anything like this before, and while it was somewhat comforting to know that she would be talking to Hotaru... that in itself was cause for nerves to fray, given the topic of this conversation.
Reaching the door she had been directed to, Seren knocked and waited for permission to enter before slipping inside. She had made an attempt at formal attire, but felt overdressed against the rustic, homely backdrop of these halls. A little stiff backed and nervous, she glanced around the room, and finally let her gaze come to rest on her friend. Aunt. Co-conspirator, and general benefactor.
"Thank you for seeing me on such short notice," she said with a soft smile, glad that at least her voice did not betray the inner turmoil - it was enough that her hands were icy and a little numb. "I'm sure you must be busy, with... everything." She made a vague gesture to their general setting; somehow the image of Hotaru behind a desk was not very fitting.
The torturous stars are taking every breath I wish I held The love in my heart is never ending
✰ 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.
Word of Seren’s desire for a forms audience had been a curiosity, but Hotaru had quickly worked the girl into a schedule already beginning to tighten. Luckily the political landscape of Halo was the easiest part. Regional quests, her own pregnancy, prepping for any retaliation attempts…those were far more time consuming.
A soft knock brings her attention back to the map before her on the desk, and she lifts her golden crown to call for Seren to enter. Hotaru’s greeting smile softens, endeared by the awkwardness that cloaks the demigoddess. Though her feet are tired, Hotaru rises to move around the desk and recline against it, hands folding delicately over the edge in hopes of removing a little of the formality.
“I’m always happy to rearrange things to see you, even if it’s only a formal visit,” she assures warmly. Gesturing with one hand to the plush chairs in front of the desk to bid Seren to sit, she crosses her ankles to relieve a little pressure. For all her swollen belly she at least has not lost any of her elegance, an aura more than a physical expression. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”
My baby wants me all of the time But whenever we're kissing I'm rolling my eyes
Hotaru has a passive magic that makes her glow with an internal golden light; it makes her appear youthful and her hair seems to look like moving sunlight. Can only subtly illuminate dark spaces.
If anything, the brake from protocol only made Seren feel more awkward. Was she supposed to greet with a handshake or a hug? Ask about Hotaru's health, the way she wanted to, or get straight to the point? In the end, her warm, timid smile did most of the talking for her whether she meant to or not.
"I'll make sure to come visit you properly, too," she promised, and took a seat. Hovering nervously on the edge, she took a few steadying breaths before straightening her back. Better just get this over with.
"Last season, my m - Safrin, tasked me and my father with exploring the waters beneath the Sea of Glass," she began, at the last moment shying away from the familiar term. Keep it impersonal. "She told me that there is much forgotten knowledge to be found in the world, and while she did not specify exactly what I might find, she did imply that it might be something of great importance." Or perhaps not - unless personal growth for Seren over the course of this adventure could be called important. To herself it absolutely was, but to the rest of the world...?
"When father and I went out there to do some reconnoicance, we realized that it would be impossible for the two of us to breach the ice on our own. So, we decided to gather up some people to help us, and then try again. I have asked Deimos if he might be willing, since he has fire and ice magic both. And," she pressed on, somehow managing to refrain from a steadying breath, "my father recommended Aurelia, the new leader of Torchline. I have received tentative agreement from both to participate... and I would like to clear this with you, so that there can be no misunderstandings."
Knowing fully well that Aurelia's name probably was the last one Hotaru wanted to hear, the young demigod paused and leaned back, bracing herself for a storm she hoped would not come.
The torturous stars are taking every breath I wish I held The love in my heart is never ending
✰ 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.
Hotaru smiles indulgently, but doesn't respond to the initial sentiment. Seren seems uncomfortable enough already, and clearly building up courage - interrupting that would likely only make it more difficult for the girl to get the words out.
As they come, Hotaru doesn't let herself react visibly, projecting a calm she only partially feels. There is a lot to the story, and she hums softly when Seren's words fall to inevitable silence, ensuring some sort of sound is present to assure Seren that her words are being considered and not forgotten in some sort of apoplectic rage or whatever it is the demigoddess fears.
"When you spoke to me about me becoming Warden, you said you feared I would make things personal. So let's talk about it, hm?" It is spoken kindly, in a manner closer to mentoring. "Here are the facts, free of any emotional entanglement: Deimos is my General, and was involved in the fire that destroyed the Advocates. That means I would be sending him into a potentially fraught scenario, especially as I as both a woman and a Warden only have Aurelia's worst moments to judge her personality on. Though he's his own man, it is also my duty as his Warden to protect him - so I am initially not inclined to have him go at all, even if I did approve her presence here." One hand comes to rest habitually on the swollen precipice of her stomach, reclining back against the desk, the fingers of her other hand tapping gently against the wood as she thinks.
"He and I are also still banned from a land she now rules. In fairness, why should I allow her into my own land? We have not discussed the formal ties between Halo and Torchline. It would put myself and all of Halo at a disadvantage at best to allow her here, and at worst would give her the opportunity to cause great harm - not that I'm assuming so, but these are considerations a ruler must contend with." Hotaru doesn't think Aurelia would have the guts to do anything, especially with Deimos, Ronin, and Seren present - and being so far afield from the city - but all she knows of the Fireheart is her rashness, her desire for revenge. "Furthermore, if I allowed it on the basis of it being your quest, it would show blatant favoritism to you - especially considering you are not a Halovian citizen." And Hotaru would not make her be one, not if it wasn't what she desired, and certainly not after encouraging the girl to adventure to her hearts content.
"So, where does that leave us? Even if I were to involve Noah for fairness, these are hurdles he would have to consider as well." Expression gentle and patient, Hotaru gives a small smile, hoping Seren has not taken any of this negatively, and gestures for the girl to speak her mind.
My baby wants me all of the time But whenever we're kissing I'm rolling my eyes
Hotaru has a passive magic that makes her glow with an internal golden light; it makes her appear youthful and her hair seems to look like moving sunlight. Can only subtly illuminate dark spaces.
Seren had not come unprepared. Many long, sleepless nights had gone into thinking up every possible objection and counter argument that might come her way, and it would seem that it was time well spent. She was grateful that there was no tension or anger visible in Hotaru - that made it so much easier. She could set aside personal sympathy and dislikes, loyalties and favoritism in exchange for pure, simple logic.
"I see," she replied, straightening with a newfound confident. Here were actual concerns she could address, and offer promises on. "Then let's begin with me. I am here today, not as your friend but as Safrin's daughter and demigod. What I ask is not for me, but in the name of my goddess, and for the benefit of the Old Gods. Halo is now a land aligned with their interests, and as such I ask you, Warden Kaito, to consider this quest in that light." The formal address was like slipping into a suit of armor - Seren quite liked the ring of it, as she secretly had enjoyed the pomp and intensity of donning her best dress and doing up her hair. It was new, and chafed a little - but perhaps it was not wholly bad.
"As for Deimos' safety, I can give him the same assurances that I offered Aurelia. That I will personally guarantee the safety of my party members against their fellows for the duration of the expedition. If anyone were to make a hostile move against another ally, I will immediately remove them from the location and end the venture then and there. I am sure that my father would agree - we have nothing to gain on internal sqabbles while we go about this, as I am sure it's not going to be uneventful regardless of what we find."
She paused for breath, in her element now; something seemed to have come alive within the girl's eyes, bright and sparkling with purpose.
"As for why you should permit Aurelia into Halo, when you are banned from Torchline - that one is simple. She has not raised a hand against this region. Her attack and killing of your companion was in direct retaliation on your destruction of property within her region. That is a personal matter. I am not, may I add, inviting her along as the Queen of Torchline, but as a mage and follower of Safrin. The same is true for Deimos - his being general of Halo is an added benefit, and with your leave, a sign of cooperation from the Wardens of Halo, but ultimately he is one of Safrin's chosen ones, and it is in that capacity he is asked to join my quest."
Seren took a moment to go over all the arguments, to make sure that she had not forgotten anything. When she was content, she nodded to Hotaru, passing over the figurative torch so that the woman could pick apart her arguments again.
The torturous stars are taking every breath I wish I held The love in my heart is never ending
✰ 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.
Hotaru smiles proudly at Seren's initial statement, and there is even a small degree of fondness that warms her eyes. "Wonderful. Then yes, continue - your quest is now fairly awarded consideration." This is as much a test for Seren as it is for Hotaru, and the girl is doing splendidly so far. It is quite mature of her to offer protection on her own basis before offering Ronin's assistance, and Hotaru nods, clearly accepting and absorbing these words but refraining from commenting just yet. There are still other matters and concerns she had raised after all.
"She has not raised a hand, no, but would this not afford her the opportunity?" Once more it is spoken peacefully, a posed curiosity instead of a demand or a paranoid accusation. Uncrossing and recrossing her ankles the other way to shift her weight, Hotaru idly strokes her belly as she feels the babe move within, sensing her own increased activity after having been motionless in the chair before.
"I'd not make a decision without Noah's input of course," she prefaces. Seren's fear of that before the coup had not gone unnoticed. "But if you are giving your word as a demigoddess, and seeking to enter a more formal pact with me as Warden that this quest will be headed by you and that both my General and land are assured safety - therefore taking responsibility for any failures on both sides - then..." smiling, Hotaru extends her hand, eyes crinkling. Seren has passed, if she desires to see this as a test. "You have my cooperation and blessing for your quest, and for Aurelia's presence in Halo."
My baby wants me all of the time But whenever we're kissing I'm rolling my eyes
Hotaru has a passive magic that makes her glow with an internal golden light; it makes her appear youthful and her hair seems to look like moving sunlight. Can only subtly illuminate dark spaces.
Leaning forward again when that one concern was raised, Seren nodded almost eagerly. "It might, if she was permitted to wander Halo freely. But I can see to it that she does not set foot in the Citadel. You would not have to lay eyes on one another, and as soon as the quest is completed, I can escort her safely back to Torchline." Safely for everyone.
Satisfied that Hotaru was not only listening with consideration, but intended to discuss the matter with Noah as well, Seren smiled and took the offered hand.
"Thank you, Warden. I do give my word, and should anything unforeseen occurr then I will take full responsibility. I swear it, on my name."
Would it be breaking protocol to whoop in triumph? Probably. Seren managed to contain that urge, but her bright smile would not be quelled, and it lit up her face even as they relaxed into less important talk - about babies and names, and common friends, until a knock on the door signalled that Seren's alotted time was up.
- FIN
The torturous stars are taking every breath I wish I held The love in my heart is never ending
✰ 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.
