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!
Cool guys don't look at explosions, even if they're imaginary
This had become a pattern for Edmund, but his mum didn't seem too upset about it so why should he stop? Leaving a note on the kitchen table of where he planned to go today, the young Abandoned packed his bag and headed out. Today he'd decided to explore the Port. His mummy always brought fascinating items back from the merchants there so today Edmund wanted to see it for himself.
Now he found himself meandering past stalls with wide eyes. The sights and smells were a little overwhelming for the child. Bursts of color against the backdrop of water-stained wood. Spices and sweets colored the air and made him sneeze. It was incredible and Edmund was so glad that he'd come today.
Edmund felt the collection of stones from the Rainbow Road in his pocket. Maybe he could trade them for presents for his Mummy and Papa?
Torchline is strange in the way seeing a storm for the first time is strange. Bewildering, curiosity-inducing, a little intimidating. Enzo generally doesn’t go anywhere without Flora at his side, which is another cause for his off-kilter equilibrium, but still he must persist. And by persist he means explore. He must be brave so he can bring back stories for Flora of the colorful market and its wonderful secrets.
Slipping away from his mother is a frank impossibility when they are so far from the Greatwood, but she is amenable enough to his explorations while she shops. Though curious as to how she knows the place so well, Enzo is a young boy, and easily distracted by the freedom of a lengthened leash.
The sight of another child - alone at that - is like a glowing neon sign to Enzo. Scampering over he practically teleports to the boy’s side, wide grin an exact replica of Remi’s as he rocks on his heels. “Hey! Whatcha doin’?” Fearless and extroverted as he shamelessly injects himself into the child’s day.
you are young and life is long and there is time to be killed today
Cool guys don't look at explosions, even if they're imaginary
Edmund turns out at the sound of a voice so close to his ear. Wide eyes quickly scan Enzo before relaxing. "Oh, hi!" He doesn't recognize this kid, but his cheerful demeanor instantly has Edmund smiling right back at him. "I have some pretty stones from the Rainbow Road that I'm trying to trade. I don't know what to get though..." He tilts his head, hand on his chin, in thought.
Blinking, Edmund realizes he hasn't introduced himself. "I'm Edmund. What's your name?" He held out a hand for the other child to shake. Internally Edmund was berating himself slightly. It was bad manners not to introduce yourself! How could he have forgotten?
The boy is a little younger than Enzo - or short, maybe, he doesn't have a lot of experience with other kids yet - but doesn't seem daunted by his sudden appearance at his side. Good, that would suck otherwise. "Rainbow road? You can't walk on rainbows though," he points out, brows drawing together in confusion. That had been explained to him already. "Can you fly?" A far more intriguing possibility that has his eyes going wide with excitement.
Oh, right, manners. See, Enzo doesn't have those. Hotaru is a stickler for many things, but he and Flora generally are allowed their more mischievous ways. Still, Enzo reaches out to shake Edmund's hand far too eagerly, pumping it too many times with a foxlike grin. "Enzo!" Dropping the boy's hand he turns to peer at the table Edmund had been perusing. "So who are you tryin' to get it for?" He's quite good at giving opinions, even if they're unwanted.
you are young and life is long and there is time to be killed today
Cool guys don't look at explosions, even if they're imaginary
The boy's question makes Edmund giggle, "No, I can't fly!" Still grinning he elaborates, "It's just a path that shimmers with all the colors you can imagine. It's beautiful!" The road really was an incredible sight to see. Though flying would be amazing too.
Edmund practically jerks with the force of Enzo's handshake, but a grin remains on his face, "Hi Enzo!" Making a new friend was worth the whiplash. The other child's question has Edmund humming. "I want something for Mum, Papa, and Lady Safrin. But I think I'd rather make them all something so I'm looking for craft supplies." There was so many options at the port. Colorful papers, beads, strings, fabric, etc. It was a little overwhelming.
“Oh well that’s not as fun as flying,” he mumbles unapologetically. “It sounds cool though!” He likely won’t see it anytime soon, but it’s secreted away for the future regardless.
Edmund luckily doesn’t seem discouraged by Enzo’s enthusiasm, though he also seems to be rather more kind and demure than Enzo is used to. That’s okay, he’s adaptable as his family says. Striking a confident pose in lieu of a thinking one, hands on his hips, Enzo gums loudly in consideration. “Well! Everyone makes boring stuff like bracelets and necklaces, so don’t do that. You could make a dream catcher! Or or or uhh a kite!” Kites sound way more fun than something you wear and forget about, but then again Enzo is eight and far more enamored with something he can run around with than wear.
you are young and life is long and there is time to be killed today
Cool guys don't look at explosions, even if they're imaginary
Edmund lets out a giggle, "True. It is a cool place." It was a bit dizzying to see so many colors at once, but it was worth the trip. Enzo's feedback is appreciated and has the younger child nodding vigorously. "You're right! I should make something different. But what's a dream catcher?" How could you touch a dream, much less catch it?
Making a unique gift would be wonderful. Though Edmund still thinks he'll make the bracelets he'd been considering as well. It just means he'll have to get some extra supplies. Feeling for the stones in his pocket, the child counts them. There were likely enough to trade for what he needed.
Ah, what indeed? Enzo knows his dad can dream walk, so of course the topic had come up if only in passing, but admittedly the boy isn’t sure on the ins and outs of it. Does he know what it looks like? Sure. Does he know what it does? Roughly. Does he know how it works? Absolutely not.
Not one to be found incorrect in any way, Enzo sticks to his guns and doesn’t let any doubt or hemming and hawing creep into his tone. “It steals away nightmares! You hang it over your bed, and all the strings are like spider silk - they catch the dreams before they enter your head.” Because surely dreams have to get inside your head somehow, and a mistlike entity is his best guess. “They’re big circles with strings wrapped around and across the center in any kind of design, with feathers and beads and all sorts of pretty things attached.” Whether those things have a purpose beyond the aesthetic is something Enzo isn’t sure of, but they ought to include them just in case.
you are young and life is long and there is time to be killed today
Cool guys don't look at explosions, even if they're imaginary
Edmund listens with rapt attention, growing more excited by the second. "That sounds perfect! It'll be a gift that can also protect them! Bad dreams are the worst. It's perfect. Thank you, Enzo!" He'll still make those bracelets, but dream catchers are a must now that he knows about them. He'll make one for his Papa and his Mama. His own way to protect them. He wasn't sure if Lady Safrin dreamt, so a bracelet would best for her. Maybe a necklace too. It'd feel strange to give his parents each two things and only give his Goddess one.
Edmund glances at Enzo imploringly, "Will you help me find all the supplies? The market is so huge, and I've never been here before." Actually, collecting everything was beginning to feel daunting. Maybe his new friend could help him? Beads, string, wire, feathers. There was so much to find.
Enzo puffs up like a satisfied bird at Edmund's gushing gratitude, shoulders drawing back proudly. He's not much of a gift giver himself. Unlike Flora he hasn't visited any of the shrines in the Greatwood or beyond, and as of yet has had no desire to. Time is better spent exploring, learning. At his mother's knee, or Vai's side in the garden, or with Flora as they get into any manner of trouble in the Wood's labyrinthine borders.
Which is why he deflates a little at the next request, not enticed by the prospect of errands. It's not that he's devoid of empathy - if it's Edmund's first time in the market, he can understand why it would be intimidating - but Enzo is a wild spirit that doesn't enjoy monotony. Still, after hesitating a moment, he decides a potential friendship is more promising and gives a sharp, decisive nod that has dirty blond curls bouncing. "Totally!" Glancing around with an imperious eye, he snags the boy's shirt with one hand and points with the other. "That seller does baskets, I'm sure we can ask them to make us a loop for the base." Without waiting for agreement he eagerly pulls at Edmund, diving between legs to cross the path as buyers hustle about, holding tight to his new friend to ensure they're not lost to the river of bodies.
you are young and life is long and there is time to be killed today
Cool guys don't look at explosions, even if they're imaginary
Edmund has just a moment to feel grateful to Enzo. A brief second to throw out a "Thank you!" But then he's being practically dragged through the market and the child can only feel bewilderment. It is rather nice though to have someone leading the way when he has no idea where he's going. Bumping into people as he scrambled to keep up however is not ideal.
It's over soon enough and Edmund takes a moment to let out a sigh of relief as he approaches the seller. Reaching up on his tip toes the child places some of his shiny rainbow stones on the counter. "Can I trade these for some help? I'm making dream catchers and need a base." Looking up at the man with earnest and eager eyes gets a quick confirmation. In a matter of minutes, the seller has taken the stones and handed the newly made bases over.
Edmudn turns to his new friend with triumph, holding out the woven circles, "Look! They look great already!"
