Perhaps the closest equivalent of Caido’s golden retriever energy, Zavien has been the light in an otherwise patch of darkness. Always putting others first, working hard at being a Dragoon and helping Stormbreak thrive in kindness, and always being optimistic, Zavien’s outlook is refreshing and wonderful even with drama and terrible things occurring around him. He always has something helpful to say and a willingness to lend a hand that makes it so fun to keep up with him and we can’t wait to see what else comes his way.
Congratulations, Zavien!
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!
'Cause you've got a mind that is so hell bent on
Fixing me up before I get my coat off
It had been a while since Bastien had had a proper conversation with Az. They popped into say hello every so often, but his child was off in the world having a life of their own now, and he tried his best to respect that. It could be hard, especially on days when he missed Rexanna and thought of how much she had missed, or just how much Azrael's eyes looked like hers. He had a book of sketches of Azrael as they'd grown up, and he often thumbed through it late at night.
But they had a task to do together, something that would take a while, so he hoped they'd have a real chance to talk. Beaming like the proud dad he was as they walked towards the Spire, rod in hand, he asked: "So, Azrael, tell me what you have been doing since I last saw you. Have you been busy? Explored? I do hope you were careful, but as you've come back to me in one piece, I assume you were."
You with those hands that are so hell bent on
Making a mess to suggest you'd think something
Skip a levelling requirement (100x the requirement level. Skipping a requirement at level 2 costs 200, at level 10 costs 1000)
Skipping a req for level 4
Skip a levelling requirement (100x the requirement level. Skipping a requirement at level 2 costs 200, at level 10 costs 1000)
Skipping a req for level 4
The prospect of building something with their father was something that (despite not needing sleep) would have been enough to keep them up all night. As it were, though, they’re practically vibrating the second they start heading out toward the Spire, Bastien at their side, their bright gaze dancing between the large black structure in the distance and slips back to their father. “Nate, Isla, and I went to the Last Step and met a bunch of dragons!” They chime, almost with a chipper tone before they catch themself last minute.
“They weren’t... Nice dragons, but it is how we found the Prince!” This is said with a furrowed brow, a hand rising to their nose to tap before they perk up completely to glance at their father, wondering whether approval would lie within it. “I was careful, though.” They offer Bastien a brighter fanged smile with this, offering some relief that they were indeed in one piece.
Oh, brother, run fast, brother, run fast They're coming your way, coming your way
'Cause you've got a mind that is so hell bent on
Fixing me up before I get my coat off
Azrael's enthusiasm was always appreciated, but Bastien could not help the little shout of alarm that left him at the content of his child's words. "Dragons?! That sounds very dangerous. You are back in one piece, so I suppose you must have been careful, but...I have heard the dragons can kill a man in an instant, or perhaps do even worse. And...who is this Prince? I wasn't aware anywhere had one." Never having joined in for the search for the creature, Bastien was unaware of the ancient Ascended experiment-turned-companion.
The Spire grew ever closer and he looked up to it's tip, where they'd have to go in order to successfully complete their mission. As he did, a thought came to Bastien and he asked: "Azrael, have you ever actually been in the Spire?"
You with those hands that are so hell bent on
Making a mess to suggest you'd think something
Skip a levelling requirement (100x the requirement level. Skipping a requirement at level 2 costs 200, at level 10 costs 1000)
Skipping a req for level 4
Skip a levelling requirement (100x the requirement level. Skipping a requirement at level 2 costs 200, at level 10 costs 1000)
Skipping a req for level 4
01-19-2022, 11:32 PM (This post was last modified: 01-19-2022, 11:33 PM by Azrael.)
Azrael
The shout of alarm has a small giggle leaving Azrael, a small look of shyness overcoming them as they shake their head. “Papa, I’m okay. I even got to ride one!” They admit with a small amount of wonder – like reading one of the storybooks in the Atheneum, only it had actually been them. “Well… The dragon I rode was Nate. But he was still a dragon!” And it had been exciting even if it had been terrifying.
When it came to the Prince though their brows furrow together, and their steps slow a small amount. “I was told the Prince was one of the first ones to Ascend… But things went wrong and he was sad and slimy and Sam had been looking for him for a while. They almost got him once before he slipped away and Aunt Wessex thought maybe me and Nate and Isla would be better for getting the Prince so I agreed. And we did!” And the Prince had turned into something incredible.
Their attention is drawn back toward the Spire, though, their sapphire and ochre gaze rising to the top point as their father’s does, before the question has them cocking their head. “I’ve only been inside it to use the portal… I’ve never been up in it though.” So it would be its own little adventure, this time with their father by their side.
Oh, brother, run fast, brother, run fast They're coming your way, coming your way
'Cause you've got a mind that is so hell bent on
Fixing me up before I get my coat off
To ride one. At this point Bastien was nearly speechless with worry, which was a good thing, because another undignified squeak could have easily found it's way out of his throat. Azrael was grown in body, yes, but in soul...they were so innocent, so trusting. He would have to speak to Nate about what exactly he was taking his child to do. "I...see. It sounds like it was exciting, at the least."
The Prince being sad and slimy made little sense to Bastien, but the mental image made him laugh. "Well, I'm glad the Voice has improved her method since then. I would not like to be sad nor slimy." He wasn't really surprised to hear Sam failed (what didn't Sam fail at?), and did feel a glowing pride to know Wessex had chosen Azrael for the job instead. "It sounds like you helped him. Does this Prince have a name?" It seemed like an odd title; Bastien could have been wrong, but he hadn't thought the Voice was one for royal monikers.
"Of course, the portal. Well, you can see very far from the top of it...perhaps not as far as from your dragon, though." The shock had worn off a little and Bastien smiled, going to touch the edge of the Spire with his fingertips when they were close enough. "It is a magnificent structure, in many ways. Imposing, not my usual kind of design, but...if we should ever have the time and resources to devote to it, I would love to transform it into something new."
You with those hands that are so hell bent on
Making a mess to suggest you'd think something
Skip a levelling requirement (100x the requirement level. Skipping a requirement at level 2 costs 200, at level 10 costs 1000)
Skipping a req for level 4
Skip a levelling requirement (100x the requirement level. Skipping a requirement at level 2 costs 200, at level 10 costs 1000)
Skipping a req for level 4
“It was!” Azrael insists with a bright fanged smile of their own, a bob of their head which causes the curls to bounce as they keep walking. As for the rest of it, they inform their father of the Prince and the information regarding him, waiting for the prompts of questions that they may or may not be able to answer. “Me too, Papa.” They agree with a soft chime of a laugh, so eerily similar to Rexanna despite not having known her very long. “He does! It’s… Uhm…” Their hand rises to tap their finger against their temple as they try to recall it. “Emyr King!”
Soon the Spire is upon them, however, and their attention flickers back to the obsidian building around them, their gaze lifting to follow the places where it’s smooth and well crafted to the spaces where it looks like it’s sustained some damage. “Really?” They ask incredulously, following their father to the Spire to mimic him as they place their fingertips against the building. “Maybe we can… After the war?” They ask with a bit of hopefulness, turning their head to peer up the few inch difference between themself and their father.
Oh, brother, run fast, brother, run fast They're coming your way, coming your way
'Cause you've got a mind that is so hell bent on
Fixing me up before I get my coat off
Bastien supposed he ought to be glad that Azrael was doing exactly what he said they should; adventuring, feeling out new experiences and people...but Gods, he wished they could do it wrapped in cotton wool in their bedroom. He just politely smiled as they confirmed they had fun, wondering if this was how his own father had felt when he'd announced he was going to Venice.
"Emyr King and he is the Prince? That is...ironic naming. What can this Prince do?" Being an old Ascended and worthy of special mention, Bastien assumed the new comer might have some kind of special ability.
His fingers slid off the smooth surface of the Spire slowly, Bastien stepping around to the entrance of the Spire. "Yes, that'd be nice. Azrael, let me ask you something. Do you plan to be involved in the war? To...fight?" There was obviously an answer he'd prefer to hear, but Bastien left the question open, entering the Spire and beginning the ascent.
You with those hands that are so hell bent on
Making a mess to suggest you'd think something
