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!
07-22-2022, 11:59 PM (This post was last modified: 07-23-2022, 12:00 AM by Maeve.)
Maeve
Maeve purses her lips, dark brow furrowing as she watches the fish swim in the shallows before her, scales glinting in the sunlight. She remains poised, bow string drawn back, pressing against the side of her cheek as she takes a steady breath. The arrow releases, cutting through the water and impaling two fish in the process, a bit of blood tinting the water. She steps forward, retrieving the arrow and fish in one go, wading back towards the shore and the bucket sitting in the sand.
It was a measly haul, causing the Nightshade to scowl as she looks down at the bucket that's barely have full. This weather was going to cause a lot more problems if they didn't figure out what to do about it.
Long nights, daydreams Sugar and smoke rings, I've been a fool But strawberries and cigarettes always taste like you
In the clear blue waters the broad, dark shape of the manta ray swimming leisurely towards the blood in the water was clearly visible. The prodigious wingspan of the gentle giant might have been of more concern if its dark back wasn't crossed with golden tattoos over its scars; tattoos that shimmered in the sunlight as it skimmed along beneath the surface.
But as it came closer it seemed to shrink, wings shortening and body growing more slender as fishy hide melted into a muscular human torso and steely hair streamed back along dark brown skin. The golden scars remained, but it was a familiar merman who glided the rest of the way into the shallows and lifted his head out of the water to observe Maeve and her catch thoughtfully.
"They have gone deeper, and further out," he rumbled by way of greeting. "If they can. Many are still in torpor this season, with the cold."
The approach of Hadama wasn't startling in the same way as before. She'd come to expect seeing the mermanta whenever she was near the water. Still, the sudden voice caught her by surprise and she quickly turned his direction, tension in her shoulders dropping as she realized who it was.
"It's concerning. Apparently there was been a shrine built to the Deepfrost goddess." The Nightshade said with a sigh, shaking her head, "If the cold persists our ecosystem is certainly at risk." The tropical waters wouldn't do well with continued cold. The things here needed the warmth that came with Flowerbirth to thrive. "I'm unsure of what to do. Destroying the shrine will surely evoke her wrath, but Safrin is unsure of what she'd be able to do without a foothold here."
Wading back out into the water with another arrow on her bow, the Nightshade begins to track the silvery bodies of fish through the shallows once more, preparing to take another shot.
Long nights, daydreams Sugar and smoke rings, I've been a fool But strawberries and cigarettes always taste like you
07-26-2022, 03:07 AM (This post was last modified: 07-26-2022, 03:08 AM by Hadama.)
The merman took in Maeve's words thoughtfully, silent for a long while as she continued her meager fishing. He took his time making up his mind and deciding what to say, and when he did finally break his silence he spoke slowly, choosing each word with care.
"I have seen the perks of your power, in the war preparations. In how your people answered your requests," he rumbled, watching as she drew her line on the fish.There had been little to no haggling; once the Queen's name was mentioned they had taken what he offered without question, and obeyed. "Now, there is its price. Will you take the Eirachi's wrath on yourself, to save your people and destroy this shrine?" And emerald eyes settled on the Queen's face, calmly and keenly, waiting patiently for her response.
In truth, the Nightshade wasn't concerned at all about the wrath of the goddess. Not when she was a follower of Safrin. This was her land. The Queen didn't doubt that Safrin would ensure her protection. She's quiet for a moment, considering his words as she draws the string of her bow back, releasing it and striking two more fish. "The cold threatens our way of life. It drives out the fish, keeps our crops from growing, and it could possibly cause the monsoons to change too." She murmurs, sorting through the cons of this weather out loud as she grabs the fish she skewered.
"To let her hold remain would be a detriment." The Nightshade finally surmises, glancing towards Hadama, a slight smile on her lips as she already knows what the answer is. "Guess we'll find out if she can do anything about it."
Long nights, daydreams Sugar and smoke rings, I've been a fool But strawberries and cigarettes always taste like you
07-28-2022, 04:52 AM (This post was last modified: 07-28-2022, 04:55 AM by Hadama.)
Hadama listened to the reasons without comment or interruption, respectful of Maeve's thought processes. Her bow shot was clean and swift, taking two fish on one arrow; something he would admire later, when the topic of conversation was less serious, and its outcome less uncertain.
When the Queen came to her conclusion he nodded slowly, his agreement and support silent but steady. "We will," he rumbled, quietly pleased. Sunlight glinted off dark skin, darker scales, and the gleam of gold that crossed both. His shift was built for the cold Deeps, unlike many of the more delicate creatures of the shallow coastal waters. He barely noticed the unseasonable chill himself. But the water that flowed along the great currents connected both the neritic and oceanic zones; what affected one biome would eventually affect all of the sea dwellers. "Do you know where to find this Shrine?"
His agreement is not surprising, but Maeve is appreciative of it none the less. Her smile is soft as she looks up at him, dipping her head in a quiet thanks at his words, appreciating his support as she retrieves the other fish she manages to shoot. "It's in the Fingers."" Probably why she didn't know it had been built in the first place. Not many can get in there without help, but Maeve highly doubts that Jack had anything to do with it. Not when it would affect his own trade.
"Not sure how deep in it is either, but I image it's hard to get to give that no one knew it was there." The queen huffs, preparing for another shot, tracking the shimmering body of another fish as it darts about.
Long nights, daydreams Sugar and smoke rings, I've been a fool But strawberries and cigarettes always taste like you
Hadama's stoic expression didn't falter, but at the place she named he drew slow, deep breath through his nose and then let it out in a controlled sigh that held no good emotion. There was a tightness in his jaw as he considered her words, and then a reluctant nod.
"If the tide is out, I will not be able to travel the Fingers," he admitted slowly. "But if it is deeply in, you may not be able to reach it and escape again before the tide returns." He watched her fishing thoughtfully for a moment, then seemed to come to a decision. "Do you have experience fighting in the water?" A blunt question as he turned his gaze from the fish to the Queen. "Even at lowest tide there are places you must cross water in the Fingers." A pause and then a concerned tilt of his head. "Those waters are not always empty." His tail swept through the water, trailing lightly over the sand in the shallows and a number of smaller creatures - crabs, small stingrays, a few sand-burrowed fish - erupted from their disturbed hiding places and darted off in all directions through the small waves.
Maeve purses her lips, thoughtful for a moment before she shakes her head, "No, I don't. Truthfully, I'm not the strongest swimmer. I've only just learned this year." After being terrified of the water for the majority of her life, fearing the tides and drowning more than any other fate in this world, the Queen had avoided the sea like the Blight. She glances towards the mer, lowering her weapon after spearing another fish with the end of her arrow.
"Do you have experience with it?" She asks, arching a dark brow, head cocking to the side curiously.
Long nights, daydreams Sugar and smoke rings, I've been a fool But strawberries and cigarettes always taste like you
He nodded in acknowledgment, if not understanding. Not learning to swim was like not learning to breathe - literally, in the case of some shifts. But he could empathize with the fear of being trapped out of the water and suffocating to death on land. For a human under the water, he could guess it was much the same.
"If you would like to practice, we can swim together," he offered, a glint of mischievous secrets in green eyes. "By Safrin's blessing, no human will drown if they are near me." A gift perhaps more suited to his father or sister; bards and diplomats, both. But as it had been given to him, so he meant to honor it.
And besides, the Underwater Court was in shambles. But that was not something the drylanders needed to concern themselves with.
Mischief faded as he considered Rae's Fingers and tilted his head slightly, a gesture neither yes nor no. "Not since Apopo changed them," he said slowly. "But it has been long enough for the previous denizens to return. Or new ones to have moved in." Nature abhorred a vacuum as much as any dog did, after all.
Well wasn't that lucky? She finds herself smiling at his offer and nods in response, "I'd like that." Plus the fact that there wasn't a risk of drowning while doing it was an added bonus as far as the Queen was concerned. Moving towards shore, the Nightshade deposits her basket and bow on the sands before stripping herself down to her swimsuit underneath. The water cold enough to make her shiver thanks to the lingering chill in the air.
"Those who are planning to come with me should be able to handle whatever might have settled inside the caves since then." She says, drawing her hair back into a pony tail and tying it with a bit of cord. Joining him once more, the Nightshade wades in up to her waist, following his lead into deeper waters.
~FIN~
Long nights, daydreams Sugar and smoke rings, I've been a fool But strawberries and cigarettes always taste like you
