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!
Little does Mildew know that it won't be to Ronin that he goes offering hallucinogenic mushrooms. And Remi likely has less scruples about such things. Either way, it remains to be seen, and he plops into his seat next to Everest while his friend explains the Spyglass to Mildew. "Oooh," he says, predictably enthralled by the offer to pick a card, though before he can reach out, Ever has already decided his own fate. "Oh..." His eyes widen, the boy turning over his own card.
And it's a gorgeous depiction of Safrin that stares back at them, scantily clad and enveloped by the cosmos. "The Star," he reads, then glances back at Ever again. "We've drawn both of my dads," he says suddenly, his smile bright and unworried. "That can't be a bad thing, right?"
"Ohh. I see." Mildew said non-committedly. In a world with magical items and Gods, it was hard to know what was just a child's imagination and what was real. Glasses that allowed the sight of something others couldn't see weren't ridiculous, but also could just be a father's way of entertaining his son.
Ever seemed a little hesitant to pick a card; Mildew couldn't help but laugh at his aghast expression as he saw the skull. She let Mateo draw too before she spoke though, stirring the pot a couple of times as he spoke - a kind child, it seemed. She liked him.
Once she was satisfied with the state of her recipe, she stepped down and knelt next to them both. "Don't worry, darling." Mildew said first to Ever, picking up his card and facing it toward him. "These cards are not literal. Their meanings tell me things that might not be obvious. This card actually means a change is about to come, possibly one that will make you grow. That can only be a good thing, when you're still young." The witch gave a warm smile and handed the card back, hoping it might now have taken on a different meaning for Ever.
As for Mateo... "Ah, The Star. You're lucky - though I suppose that's what happens with two Demi God parents. This card means inspiration and love are coming your way, if they aren't already there. Safrin must adore you." A simpler, easier fortune to give.
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React to your fortunes, next round is the last : )
Wriggling in his seat, Mateo peeps over at Ever's card again as Mildew gives his fortune, and his blue eyes are bright and excited to find out what it might mean. "A change - that sounds really fun!" he gushes, almost vibrating to hear his own fortune. Only when it comes, it's kind of... sticky. Though Mateo's smile never leaves his face, he somehow manages to make it look like he's eaten something sour at the same time.
"Oh," he says. "Oh, I... hooray." Rubbing at the back of his head, he honestly can't think of anything more terrifying than LoVe, or Safrin adoring him. Swallowing hard, he offers the card back to Mildew. "Thank you very much." I hate it.
Hesitantly the boy accepts the card, and though he smiles politely at Mildew as he murmurs, "thank you", no part of his expression seems to suggest that he believes her. Death was not good. Change wasn't even very good, in his opinion. If everything was always changing, how were you meant to know what to do?
Listening as Mateo's fortune is told, the boy's blue eyes grow wide with alarm, and then wonder. "Maybe it means Paige?" He suggests in a low whisper, raising his eyebrows speculatively. Change and love had to be the worst fortunes for these two particular boys, and yet here they were receiving them, from a demigod, in a magical hut in the spoopy swamp.
But if the song never stopped, it wouldn't have any magic So even though it's gotta end, I'll keep singing along
Oh dear - it seemed neither of her fortunes went down very well. It was hardly the first time in Mildew's life her predictions had garnered a negative reaction, but it was disappointing to have children unhappy with their lot. "Well, you both seem thoroughly thrilled." She said jokingly, mercifully ignoring Everest mentioning a specific name.
Then it was time for stew and dessert and for them to go home; Mildew enjoyed looking after the kids, but was always a little glad when they went too - she'd never wanted to be a parent. Looking after nature was much easier; it didn't complain or decide it didn't like the food it had had for years suddenly. It was sensible and consistent and very, very old. Just like her.
She sent the kids home with a little box of the mushrooms they'd found and two bracelets made from Swamp weeds and wood. Usually she'd enchant these before giving them away, but hopefully simply the item itself would be enough for a child. Waving goodbye at the edge of the Feverlands, the witch disappeared back into the wild.
