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!
Sah suppressed a scoff at Took's words. What man didn't like fresh berries? Sociopaths and psychopaths, that's who. Clearly the man had far too many screws loose if he didn't see the value of fresh fruit in an arctic climate. Did he grow up in Torchline or something?
Regardless, it dawned on Sah that this man was not one for logic or common sense. As such, Sah blatantly ignored Tal's warning looks and simply scooped up the furs as the courier made a new offer.
"Mr. Took. I'd say that's our final offer." The Thunder calmly packed away the fox furs and reached a hand out to place it on the ursur before sending a glance at Talyson, "If we can't make a deal here, we can go elsewhere, Tal. There's no shortage of butchers in Halo." How could they trust such a delusional man such as Mr. Took to make an actual trade? Heck the jerky could be leather for all they knew.
~
Sah backs up Tal's newest offer and tells Mr. Took that it's their last offer or they'll be seeking to make a trade elsewhere.
The news he shares in undertone as they enter the stall is enough to buoy her good humor through the entire trade, which seems to be felt by the nervous woman to their great benefit. Patience is their best attribute, and Evie is happy to leave a few of the small samples she keeps with her as a good faith token before they depart with their armor. Except now they’re rather over-encumbered, which means the two men will have to wait before their rescue.
“We should probably store these first. The Barracks are already pretty well-equipped, even without the weaker training implements - might be better if we put these in the Council Hall.” If the Barracks were taken, as well, the next fall back would be to the Hall or the Palace. Putting all their eggs in one basket only invited trouble. Even so she smirks over her shoulder at Deimos a moment later. “Then we can save them if they still haven’t rescued themselves.” Let them struggle a little while longer first.
- - -
Evie suggests putting their goods in the Council Hall.
the difference between a garden and a graveyard is what we choose to put in the soil
One could’ve mistaken Took’s sneer for delight, amusement, and maneuvering the parameters in his favor; an open snicker contorting his bloated features into something ghastly. ”Deal.” Even if it physically pained the courier, his emotions certainly didn’t much matter to the butcher. ”You can have the thirty.” Within a moment, he’d snapped his fingers, and an assistant stepped forward, hastening the supplies, wrapped in cloth, into Sah and Talyson’s arms.
And then, purposefully to rile and rankle (as if he hadn’t done enough already), Took laughed again – not a pleasant sound. Jarring, sending the assistant briefly upward and skittering away. ”Some advisor,” hastened under his breath, but maybe by then both of them would’ve left.
With those occupying the sled, Talyson and Sah likely found quite a bit of room left, enough to consider a trip over to Mrs. Knotwise, and prepare themselves along the way.
--
Belial followed and trailed along, a piece of motion on the wind before blending in amongst the backdrop, and Deimos’ sigh of relief was an audible thing, pooling out in soft plumes along the cold air. ”They managed a deal,” he murmured lowly, uncertain if he was content, proud, or merely reassured they were capable of getting the job accomplished.
The Barracks being well equipped was a certain thing, considering who ran it. “Fair enough. And that way they can be spread out a bit more.” It wouldn’t do to have everyone running and hastening towards one area if and when the time came for their souls to be prepared – making an additional note in his mind to ensure there was a notice posted later on.
Dragging the sled over to the Council Hall was no difficult feat – though there were more than a few people who looked up with widened eyes to see him physically present in its keep – the Sword rarely (if ever) using his office. If anyone ever needed him, they knew where to find him, and it wasn’t amongst dust and desks.
It was only when they were unloading the armor and weapons that any issues cropped up – namely Evie’s fingers missing a number of them right in the middle of the open parlor. The crash and clanging echoed resolutely over the stony walls, leaving the General to stifle a laugh as he placed his wares amongst the adjoining, chosen room for storage.
--
Talyson and Sah have completed their first deal with Mr. Took and can head over to Mrs. Knotwise!
Deimos and Evie have started unloading their supplies in the Council Hall, but Evie has dropped some (how embarrassing!)
No post order!
we exhume our enemy's bones we are battling, hungry beasts
It’s a nice reminder that though she doesn’t say all of it out loud, Deimos can track the path of her thoughts well enough to follow along to her natural assumptions and projections. It’s no surprise; even without taking into account their friendship, he had been the General she appointed as Queen, and they’d had a rhythm for the short time they’d been in those respective roles.
Still, nothing is perfectly seamless during these work gatherings, and as the metal slips from her fingertips gone numb with cold, Evie winces horribly at the loud clatter. Embarrassed, but too stubborn to do anything other than fix the issue, she gives a pained sheepish smile to any offended faces she sees nearby and begins picking up the armor and weapons she’d dropped to haul them into their proper places. Cutting a flush-faced look of disapproval towards Deimos for his laughter, even if the caustic nature of it is horribly dulled by her embarrassed expression.
- - -
Evie picks up everything she dropped to put in the proper place.
the difference between a garden and a graveyard is what we choose to put in the soil
Tal knew better than to breathe a sigh of relief where Took could see it. The man was like a shark; drawn to blood in the proverbial water. Instead the courier busied himself carrying the loads of dried meat out to the sled so he wouldn't have to see that ugly smug grin on the butcher's face. He didn't waste the old man's time with further courtesies that neither of them meant as he left, but he did roll his eyes at Sah and throw an elbow towards the younger man's ribs once they were outside for good.
"You have got to get out of the Palace more, Jester," he grumbled, turning the sled towards Mrs. Knotwise's shop. "But keep the fox pelts handy. They might work at the next stop." With Mrs. Knotwise, one just never knew what was going to catch her fancy.
Tal guided the dogs down the road to their next stop and headed in. Boreal followed Tal in this time, scaly tail wagging eagerly at the tempting smells emerging from the cook's shop. "Hello? Mrs. Knotwise?" Tal called, looking around for the lady in question.
Tal heads to Mrs. Knotwise's place!
Sah sends Took a feral grin with bared teeth, "Oh I'm used to advising war meetings, not small trades. Sorry old chap." With a lazy wave he makes his way out.
As they walk to the next place he snickers at Tal's comment, "I'm hardly ever in the Palace Errand Boy. I'm usually with my pups, out in the Tundra or out in the Wilds." He pauses for a moment and shrugs his shoulders sheepishly, "But your point still stands."
Still who knew trade and negotiation could be so annoyingly difficult? This was what diplomats were for though. Seems being an advisor entailed that in Halo? They'd most certainly been separate things back home. He'd have to work on that.
Sah lets Tal take the lead as they come to the next location, simply remaining silent as the courier calls out.
~
Sah snarks at Mr. Took, teases Tal, and follows along to Mrs. Knotwise's place
Despite any initial drawbacks Evie might’ve had with the slippery metal, they eventually unloaded all the armor into its designated location. Content, brushing his hands together, the Sword closed the storage door and checked in on the others through Belial’s continued efforts. “They are Knotwise’s now,” and he shrugged, certain that could go either way, based on his encounters with the shopkeeper.
Considering they were finished…a little goofing off was to be had. “We can go get some snacks across from there,” and with another Cheshire grin, he stepped out of the council hall, waiting for the Evergreen to follow or come up with another idea.
--
As Talyson and Sah entered the Knotwise’s shop, there was plenty to see. Displays upon displays of fresh meat sat beneath a counter, ice packed behind it, while dried goods hung from other portions and hooks, waiting for others to come and peruse. An assemblage of other food remained stocked and packed as well, including baked items, and rations specially designed for those who went out hunting in the Tundra for lengthier periods of time.
And behind the counter, crocheting a scarf, sat Mrs. Knotwise. She might’ve been unremarkable save for the impressive ivory beehive hairdo – and how it remained completely unmoved as she swiveled her head in their direction. Eyes desperately in need of glasses (which she had, but couldn’t locate – they were at the top of her head) peered over at the courier and advisor as they meandered in. “Ahhh, if it isn’t Balyton and Pah,” she uttered, with an encouraging smile. “What can I do for you boys today?”
--
Evie and Deimos have completed their tasks and can go get snacks.
Talyson and Sah have met Mrs. Knotwise and can proceed to barter/trade.
No post order!
we exhume our enemy's bones we are battling, hungry beasts
Tal rolled his eyes at Sah's words, amused. "Yeah, well, now you're supposed to be advisin' for the war on hunger," he shot back as they left the store. "What's Halo's Advisor doin' spendin' so much time outside of Halo, anyways?" That sounded like spy or diplomat stuff.
Or maybe just Outlander curiosity. Tal shrugged and shot the Jester a grin at having made his point as they entered the next shop--
And his grin turned a little pained and a little fond at the same time. "It's Ta--never mind. We're pickin' up war supplies for the General, ma'am. Is there anythin' you're lookin' for to trade this week? We want, uh..." He took a glance over the back walls and shelves to see what was in stock today and nodded to himself. "Dried meat and hunter's rations, please." He thought for a moment and then grinned, slanting Sah a smugly proud look. "I can trade frozen ursur meat, pound for pound, for the prepped stuff." His share of the ursur hunt's resolution had been stored in the shed back home, intended to feed dogs and Seawrights alike, but since it was his to dispose of this seemed like a worthy cause to spend some of it on.
The update he provides has her wincing in sympathy; Knotwise wasn’t as bad as Took, but the fact the two men were struggling so blatantly that they had only just arrived at the second merchant was painful in a secondhand way. Dusting off her hands on her leggings, the Evergreen hurries her pace to catch up with Deimos as they leave the weaponry and armor behind.
The mischief in his grin sparks and lights one on her own face, stepping out of the Council Hall and into the cold with more exuberance than normal. “Absolutely, lead the way.” Snacks and witnessing their potential plight firsthand? It was a perfect plan to Evie.
- - -
Evie agrees to snacks!
the difference between a garden and a graveyard is what we choose to put in the soil
Tal's question made Sah chuckle slightly as he reaches up to rub the back of his neck sheepishly. "I still.. even now...uh..hate being indoors? Or around buildings?" Despite his arrival into Caido being years ago at this point, the Outlander was still very much a feral creature at heart. The confinement and close quarters of civilization often grew to be too much. In those cases, he'd head out to hunt or help out with any chores or endeavors beyond the walls of the Citadel.
Reaching Mrs. Knotwise' shop, Sah barely manages to refrain from letting the butchering of his name from making him wince. "Ah, yes. Good day Ma'am. I hope you're doing well?"
Tal once again starts the trade and this time Sah throws in at the end, "Just as my friend says. Though I can also throw in some manual labor on my part should you need an extra pair of hands for anything." Mrs. Knotwise really looked like she could use an extra hand or two. Sah sends a quick glance to the forgotten glasses and wonders if he should say something or not. Would it insult her if he did?
~
Sah adds in extra labor on his part to the deal.
It wasn’t difficult to traverse directly across from Knotwise’s shop – but the array and choices of snacks would prove to be the more complicated measure. Kiosks displayed warm pretzels with options of dipping sauces, cinnamon rolls, and multitudes of other baked goods. While Deimos was usually certain in his decision-making process, surveying the domain only made him want one of everything – so he snagged a bagful, figuring he could give some to Talyson and Sah when they were done.
While Evie made her own selection, he broke off a piece and munched, gaze watching through the windows of the establishment, leaning against a fence as he did so. There was a flurry of movement, and his eyes narrowed speculatively. “Think they might have done it.”
--
Mrs. Knotwise blinked tiredly at the pair, eventually placing down her knitting on the counter and beginning to slide off the stool – but not well. “Oh uh, can one of you strong lads help me?”
From there, she glanced about at what both needed and required. “I suppose we can come to some sort of deal,” she uttered with a modest grin, though Sah probably should’ve said something about her glasses, because she was desperately searching for them within a moment so she could jot things down. Luckily, one single head nod seemed to disrupt the flow of gravity, and they came tumbling onto the floor. “Ah, here we go. All right then, frozen ursur meat, and we can use your extra pair of hands for moving it all out of here.” She gave another small smile, before accidentally knocking the knitting onto the floor as well.
Thereafter, the advisor and Talyson would be able to lift the proportions out onto their sled, where they’d inevitably see Deimos and Evie waiting.
The Sword gave them both a sharp nod. “We can load up and store things at the Council Hall,” figuring there’d be another portion of rooms to spare with enough freezing proportions to permit the food substantial longevity.
--
Sah and Talyson had successfully acquired their last round of food! All four can go help store them at the Council Hall and then we can wrap things up! No post order!
we exhume our enemy's bones we are battling, hungry beasts
“Just short of a miracle,” she laughs in undertone as they walk in synchronized step through the cobblestone-lined pathways of Halo’s city streets. It’s pathetically sad that she knows the citizens here better than individuals like Talyson and Sah. All the others she’d known when she’d last lived here had been killed or disappeared into the world without a word of goodbye. Not that she could judge them for that, but it left her with a melancholy that surfaced unexpectedly. Luckily, grief is a familiar friend, and her smile doesn’t even waver as she barters for her own baked goods alongside the General.
Waiting casually at Deimos’ side for the paired men to turn and spot them, Evie hides her smirk behind a bite of muffin. Only once everything is loaded does the Evergreen make her way to their side, intending to walk back to the Hall as a group where she would assist with the offloading. Hopefully without dropping everything this time.
- - -
Evie follows along and presumably helps with offloading when they get back to the Hall.
the difference between a garden and a graveyard is what we choose to put in the soil
Tal just snorted at Sah's sheepish admission, throwing an elbow that was more of a companionable nudge into the Advisor's ribs. "Yeah, well, join the club," he replied a little gruffly to the discomfort of buildings and being stuck indoors. "I didn't become a courier 'cause I liked sittin' around inside all day."
When they got inside he looked over to Sah with raised eyebrows that kept climbing the more the other man spoke. First at being publicly called his friend (he managed not to wrinkle his nose, and the heat in the back of his neck and ears was hidden by his parka), and then at the more humble offer in trade that earned a reluctant nod of approval.
Since Sah had offered physical labor, Tal left it to him to help the cook while he worked out the details of the amounts with Mrs. Knotwise in her books. When the trade was settled he offered his Bag of Holding to help pack up the meat and rations inside the store so they could head to the sled.
Upon seeing Deimos and Evie standing together outside Tal slanted Sah a look but didn't say anything as they settled the contents of their hunting into place and then guided the sled back to the Council Hall with the others. Once there he distributed Knotwise's rations from his Bag, and left Took's goods on the sled for the others to deal with. Tal uses his Bag of Holding to help transport Knotwise's rations and store them in their assigned place within the Council Hall.
Sah nudged Tal back with his elbow and a snort of his own. But he made no further comment. As he spoke with Knotwise, he had to restrain from laughing at the courier's rapidly changing expressions. They soon got the rations, Sah carrying the bulk of it, and made their way out. As they did so, Sah leaned in conspiratorially, "It's an expression, Errand Boy. No need to be so flustered," he noted in regard to the 'friend' comment.
When they rejoined Deimos and Evie, Sah too noticed the dynamic and simply shared Tal's quick glance. Seemed like the two of them had had a better time than he and Tal. Once everything was gathered, the Thunder joined the others in storing things as needed.
~
Sah helps carry the rations by hand and then helps store them with the others.
