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!
Paige sat perched on a crate, blue eyes narrowed in concentration as she watched the steady stream of people, trying to time the ebb and flow of traffic. Her goal was simple. Make it over to the opposite side of the dock without getting stepped on. She'd been trying to do this all morning. Sometimes she could make it across and other times she had to scurry back to safety about half way through. Twice she'd almost been smooshed. Which would have been super duper bad.
Taking a deep breath, the girl suddenly shifted to her weasel form, scurrying across the sun warm wooden planks as she ducked and weaved between the various legs of passersby. Almost there. Almost there. With one final mighty leap Paige made it over to the other crate, tiny furry chest heaving as she caught her breath, looking back and forth to see if anyone noticed her.
Love you to the moon and to Saturn Passed down like folk songs, the love lasts so long
The honeybee had been at the docks all morning, assisting in unloading various supplies they’d collected throughout the season. When that had been accomplished, and her arm muscles ached in the way that denoted work, perseverance, and strongholds becoming mightier, tougher, the youth glided along the gangplanks, joining the crowd milling back and forth.
She’d fully intended heading somewhere down the marketplace for some nourishment and sustenance, when she noticed a bizarre movement. Below the traffic of people seemed to be a smaller cretin: one she hadn’t seen before. It darted and wove, and she stopped for a moment along the sides, out of the way of passing individuals, tilting her head, arms folded across her chest. It reminded her of squirrels in their haphazard way of movement and motion, in never quite knowing when and where to get out of danger.
Eventually, it seemed to make it to the other side, and Melita shook her cranium, easing a sigh of relief. Time for food. Her companion, nestled at her ankles, watching the commotion too with his uncanny gaze, escorted alongside, leaping and bounding past. “Best be careful, little one,” she added to the weasel as she passed by, as if the animal could understand her. Fangorn gave a very singular glance to the creature, narrowing his eyes, immediately suspicious, sniffing at it.
help tonight to split its seams
Give the bruises out like gifts
Her little black eyes went wide at the sight of Melita and she let out a sound that was likely a greeting. Not that the Accepted could understand her this way. It wasn't until Fangorn gave her a look that she suddenly shifted back, still sitting atop the crate, a bright smile on her face. "I'm being careful! I'm just practicin'. I'm not very fast yet and it's still kinda hard to dodge people." Paige informed her, lips pursing and brows drawing together, seeming rather put out by the notion.
Now that she was back to her normal size, she reached forward and gave Fangorn a pat on the top of what she figured was his head, "Hi again! What're you doing? Were you working? Do you live on a ship?" The questions came quickly, blue eyes bright as they lift up to Melita, head cocking to the side curiously.
Love you to the moon and to Saturn Passed down like folk songs, the love lasts so long
That the weasel had been Paige all along made Melita’s eyes widen, and then she subsequently burst into laughter. “So sorry! I had no idea you were Attuned.” Now that she understood the nature of the girl before her, it seemed very appropriate for the child to be dodging and wandering amidst traffic, trying to better herself. The youth snorted, reminded of herself, once deep in the depths of childhood, without a care in the world for the hazards, for the danger, surrounding each and every corner. “There has to be an easier way than putting yourself under people’s feet though,” she answered with a half-smile.
Despite all of that, Melita listened, while Fangorn waved his vines about, content with the pat. “I work for Jack on the Ark,” and she pointed to the ship in the background, docked and loaded, the rest of the crew dispersing. “I was heading towards the market to get something to eat.” A long and low growl from her stomach exalted and wandered at the claim; and she shrugged her shoulders, not even remotely embarrassed by its outcry.
help tonight to split its seams
Give the bruises out like gifts
Oh, there likely was a much easier way, but Paige wasn't known for doing things the easy way. Nope! Not her! She always seemed to pick the hard way to do things. This was no different. Paige lifted her shoulders in a shrug, grin firmly back in place at Melita's laughter, "Mhmmm! I didn't show you before, but Ludo changed me! I brought them some marbles I stole and they liked them a whole lot." She informed Melita in a matter of fact tone, unaware that the Accepted before her was also a friend of Ludo's.
"Probably, but this way is fun! It's like a game." There were likely much better games for learning such skills, but Paige didn't have many people to play with in Torchline anymore. Not with Kamaria gone most of the time. Mateo and Everest lived in Stormbreak and she didn't think that they got to come here very often. Ever still hadn't written back to her about coming to have a bonfire together.
At the mention of working on a ship and Jack, Paige's eyes went wide, "Are you a pirate?" She whispered conspiratorially, leaning close as to not let anyone overhear her, even going so far as to lift her hands to shield her mouth so no one could read her lips. "Oh! Food sounds good! We could get pastries." Was that a proper lunch? Nah, but Paige didn't care. Hopping down from the crate she joined Melita on the dock, intent on following her to the market.
Love you to the moon and to Saturn Passed down like folk songs, the love lasts so long
“Congratulations are in order then,” and she smiled, an effervescent grin, content to know Ludo was amongst the child’s favorites too. “It loves any kind of games too, if you ever get the chance.” Fondly recalling the latest food fight, tilting her head as Paige mentioned the similar accord. “Do you want to play something like that? We can on the way to the market.” Because the sound of pastries and fun combined sounded like a fantastic way to spend the morning.
She couldn’t help but laugh at the secret, furtive whisper. “Don’t let Jack hear you say the p-word,” and the honeybee snickered. “He prefers ‘smugglers’.” The former were the ones that seemed to tick the Captain off the most. Perhaps Melita would save the insult for a special occasion.
help tonight to split its seams
Give the bruises out like gifts
"Are you friends with Ludo? Are they nice to you? Do they play games when you visit them?" Paige asked, blue eyes wide and bright as she looked up at Melita, skipping along beside her as they start towards the market. She was sure that Melita probably was best friends with Ludo. If her and Paige got along so well it just made sense. All three had a penchant for mischief. That much was clear. The mention of playing a game distracted her enough from spouting out more questions and she eagerly nodded. "That sounds fun!"
A skeptical brow raised and Paige cocked her head to the side, ready to argue that smugglers and pirates were rather similar according to all of her books, but she keeps her mouth shut despite the way a grin threatens to break across her face at any second.
Love you to the moon and to Saturn Passed down like folk songs, the love lasts so long
“I’m one of it’s followers.” Did that make the deity a friend? Melita wasn’t certain about such parameters, and wouldn’t yearn or crave to overstep her boundaries. “It’s always been kind to me, and sometimes we do. It started a food fight last time.” The grin enlightened, heightened once more, arching her brow as Paige skipped to and fro, as they threaded and headed their way towards the marketplace.
Considering the acceptance of the game, the honeybee tapped on her chin, mocking heavy thought. “How about we play a version of tag?” Certain the younger girl had played such an entertaining diversion before, Melita intended to up the ante as they maneuvered along. Maybe they could find obstacles (people) to avoid, or a base to preside. “I’ll even let you have a head start.” Fangorn waved his vines around, eager to join in as well – both of them waiting for the verdict.
help tonight to split its seams
Give the bruises out like gifts
She wasn't entirely sure how friendly you could really be with a god. Did they have friends? Melita wasn't even sure she was friends with Ludo, but she was a follower which was good enough for Paige considering that's what she was too. The girl grinned at the mention of a food fight, giggling at the very thought, "That sounds like fun!" She exclaimed before slowing to listen to Melita's suggestion. With mischief in her eyes and a widening grin, Paige nodded eagerly, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
"I love tag!" The young Attuned gushed, waiting for any real parameters to be given to her, but there were none other than her getting a headstart. That was just fine by her. Paige took off through the crowd, ducking and weaving between legs and beneath arms, making her way still towards the market place.
Love you to the moon and to Saturn Passed down like folk songs, the love lasts so long
Acceptance and approval noted, and then the chase was on. Melita folded her arms and waited patiently, knowing the depths of her own speed, or combining it into the thrill of the hunt (or something like that). Fangorn bobbed up and down, ready to roll and launch and leap, and the youth watched until Paige was nearly out of sight…
And then she was off.
Darting around market-goers had become a pastime for her, simply through a collective of speed, impatience, and endless bounds of energy, fervency, and some unrelenting restlessness. Her longer limbs flew over cobblestones, angling around one particular merchant who’d already begun grumbling, until she could see Paige on the other side.
Fangorn might’ve had the upper hand on that end (though certainly not in speed). Flickering along feet, launching in his own grumbling accord, the gourd reached out with one vine to tap on the child.
help tonight to split its seams
Give the bruises out like gifts
Paige ducked and weaved and rolled between carts, people, and stalls in an attempt to put distance between herself and Melita. She wasn’t even thinking of the companion that could potentially catch her too. It wasn’t until she was squeezing between two people, barely making it without tripping, that there was a sudden tap on her shoulder. Her steps faltered and she spun around with a gasp of delight that quickly turned to giggles when she saw Fangorn’s vine waving in the air. ”He’s really good at tag!” She grinned up at Melita, bracing her hands on her knees to catch her breath before straightening up again.
”Now it’s your turn!” She wasn’t sure she was fast enough to catch Melita, but she was definitely going to try. Paige was nothing if not determined.
Love you to the moon and to Saturn Passed down like folk songs, the love lasts so long
Fangorn grumbled in absolute delight at his well-timed measures, and Melita gave forth a laugh; it wound its way through the flurry of people, places, and time. “He learned from the best!” And she winked, pretending that this was her, of course.
But then it was her turn, and she couldn’t hold back – bending slightly, striving to get out of the way of Paige’s outstretched limbs. Purposeful, and probably intentionally being a shit, she bludgeoned past a few people, uttering a fervent “Excuse me!” as she ducked underneath several baskets and bags.
Outcries, mutters, and growls didn’t make her cease though, and she giggled, cackling all the while as she gave way to nothing and no one – even her companion, who was bounding after her just as quickly as the youth, and skirted around an alleyway. Attempting to assail to new heights, and forgetting it was potentially stupid and dangerous, the wildfire clambered on top of several boxes, assailing her way towards the roof of one of the smaller buildings.
help tonight to split its seams
Give the bruises out like gifts
As far as Paige was concerned, Melita was the best at tag. Probably the best there ever was. There couldn't be a single person better. Nope! Not a single one! Paige grinned back at her, bouncing on the balls of her feet, "That's pretty clear." She said in agreement, but they were still in the middle of a game and Paige was going to be just as good. Just you wait and see!
Except Melita has much longer legs than she does and Paige, well, Paige isn't as fast. She sure does try though. The youth hurried after her, uncaring of the people she potentially bumped into on the way. Not when she had to do everything she could to keep up with the honeybee girl. Things were going pretty well up until Melita started climbing up boxes. That was going to be a tough one. Paige scrunched her brows together, refusing to be deterred and scrambled up after her, a hand extended as she reached the top in an attempt to tap whatever she could reach.
Love you to the moon and to Saturn Passed down like folk songs, the love lasts so long
Fast and fleet of foot, Melita didn’t expect Paige to catch her. But the youth could scramble quickly, deftly, and the honeybee found herself tagged along her ankle. Laughing despite the sudden onslaught of pride bursting through her frustrations, the smuggler shook her head. “You got me! Well done.” She hadn’t been able to conduct and concoct the next part of her plan, having fully intended to mark and chase their way over rooftops. But given their proximity, maybe Paige would be willing…
It was worth a shot, anyway. With a mischievous grin ensnared along her mouth, she jerked her thumb upwards, towards shingles, tiles, and whatever else construed the shelters of the marketplace. “Do you want to try up there?” Less people, but more of a challenge.
help tonight to split its seams
Give the bruises out like gifts
