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!
The announcement had been made above and below the sea. The Underwater City would soon be open to all humans, both Attuned and not.
But there would be rules. And those interested in visiting the City were invited to attend a meeting to learn a bit more about them and their underwater neighbors to the west.
Much of the world had changed since Hadama had once advocated against allowing humans access to the Underwater City. Much of Torchline had become impassable to the merfolk after rising into the air, for instance.
But the willingness of the humans to build the canals in the first place was not forgotten. Chrysaora had argued for opening the City to the humans in exchange and Hadama remembered that conversation and the one he had shared it with as he waited in the Miana Pool for the arrival of humans and Mer alike, considering how he had changed as well.
He only regretted that she was not around today to see it.
Maeve was with him instead, standing upon the beach as humans filtered down to the Pool and Mer swam in from the sea to hear what this new tide would soon be washing upon their shore. Some faces were familiar and friendly while others were unknown to him, but the King waited until the stream slowed to a trickle before beginning the meeting.
This Torchline Regional Quest ME is to discuss the rules and social norms of the Merfolk that human visitors to the City should observe. Humans, feel free to ask questions! Merfolk, feel free to bring up traditions the humans should know about!
Ray arrived just after Hadama and Maeve did. Settling into the crowd she stayed near the front as was necessary for her position on the council. Once the crowd grew, she started with her first question, giving the King a warm grin.
"Hadama, would you mind starting out with what limits you have for humans in the city? Such as restricted places or protocols that we need to follow?" That seemed like a strong starting point for others to branch off of. Her thinking was that if they covered the absolute 'do not's, they'd then be able to dive into the dynamic questions such as trade or communication. Maybe even cross-cultural exchanges like education.
With the day he'd spent conversing with Hadama after the war newly appointed in his mind because of the meeting, Harper arrives with warm smiles and friendly greetings for those that gather around. He has gotten used to council meetings and the like being held on shores and beaches now, and often wonders why they didn't do it any sooner. The rhythmic lap of the waves is far more soothing than the shuffle of idle feet on wood, or the echo of tired voices in empty rafters.
Lifting a hand to wave cheerily at Ray as he approaches, Harper opts to stand as the meeting commences, never one to tolerate stillness for too long. Maeve is of course the one he gravitates to, but he doesn't try to erase her importance by standing too close at the start, comfortable as a fellow councilman. "I also think it would be good to outline progressive measures for correction and disciplinary measures if those rules aren't followed, like who would have jurisdiction and such. After, of course," he says with a wink towards Ray. Best to get the thought out before it's forgotten though.
When you're lost I'll show you the way back home I'll stay until the morning comes, and show you how to live again
Flora was a tad late, but given the small size of the party who had gathered—no Jack she noticed, what a pity—she didn't feel too badly about it. Flouncing in despite her lateness, the girl wraps her arms around herself; the gesture was not one of nervousness or defensiveness, but merely was a subtle attempt to make her cleavage look better.
With a glance towards Hadama and Maeve, and another for Ray and Harper, Flora twitches her lips a few times before making several throat-clearing sounds. "I know this isn't exactly what you asked, but...I mean, it all feels very us and them, you know? Like, up here the merfolk can sort of do whatever they want, right? Whereas now it's like oh my god, don't touch the coral, don't float above a window, only sustainably-made bathing suits and don't talk about eating sushi."
Glancing around briefly to see if there was any uptake, the girl simply shrugs and carries on. "So I guess what I want to know is...are we all part of Torchline, or is the Merfolk city like...I dunno, some sort of connected by not really type of thing?"
Maeve is quiet for the most part, seemingly more reserved these days, resting gently against a rock with her toes buried in the sand as her shoes lay beside her bare feet. Pale jade eyes flicker between those that are gathered, a hand extending silently for Harper to join her before she's leaning lightly into his side, taking comfort in his presence. All the points brought up are valid ones and the former queen can't help the way her lips twitch at Flora's thoughts. "She has a very valid point. There are few limitations for the mer along the shores of Torchline and when they visit in the canals. However, the feeling isn't mutual when it comes to the Underwater City."
Pausing, the Nightshade glances towards Hadama, meeting his steel gaze, "While I think there do need to be some things in place to protect the citizens and wildlife, much like we would do if that was a concern for above the surface, I don't know that it needs to be so... harsh." Her shoulders lift in a slight shrug as she finishes the thought.
But I don't like a gold rush, gold rush I don't like slow motion double vision in rose blush
Hadama floated quietly, listening to each of the councilmembers and citizens in turn and nodding solemnly to each as they finished. There were a number of questions and concerns to answer, and though he might have intended to focus on the questions from Ray and Harper, there was no doubt that Flora and Maeve’s points needed to be addressed first.
”The Mer have needed few limitations along the shore,” he rumbled, meeting Maeve's eyes with calm solemnity. ”There are very few Mer who can leave the canals. Most cannot enter your homes, or go inside your shops. We must ask for help to purchase anything that is not sold beside the water. Those who would cause harm to people and property are limited in what they can reach. Humans visiting our City have no such physical restrictions. If they are able to make the journey, they can go wherever they please unless they are seen and stopped.”
He inclined his head to Flora next, allowing the more facetious aspects of her question to pass over him like a cloud over the water as he considered the pearl hidden within her words. ”Until now we have only allowed humans in with a Mer escort. Opening the City with the bubble stream will change that. Humans will be allowed on their own. But we have been separate peoples for many generations and learning to integrate our cultures will take time. We ask the patience of the humans in this. And we will give the same. We are more closely connected now than we have ever been, and this will help that connection grow.” Over seasons and years and more projects to come, with Safrin’s approval.
Now he turned back to Ray, and though his stoic expression didn’t change his eyes warmed at her respect for his people. ”Kill nothing while within the City’s borders. Some creatures you see may be pets or livestock.” He inclined his head in acknowledgment before a protest could be raised. ”Except in self defense.” Not all Mer pets were well-behaved or trained, any more than human ones. ”Do not enter the residence areas without invitation. You will be warned. A second time, and you will be barred from the Underwater City for a week. A third time and you will be banned from the City. It may be appealed to me.” He tilted his head thoughtfully, considering Maeve and Flora. ”If you cannot use the Attuned bond, you must bring a way to communicate until we can find a better method. We can discuss that later once the bubble stream is open.”
Harper's practicality was invaluable and Hadama turned his attention to one of Torchline’s staunchest defenders next. ”The Mer have access to the Court of Stars. If we widen the access pool beside the fountain it will serve for trials where both Mer and humans may participate. Our laws are not so different for most crimes. Theft. Assault. Murder. Repayment. Service to those injured or the community. Imprisonment. Disciplinary measures should be the same across Torchline.” He paused, considering for a moment before nodding slowly. ”But aside from repayment, I think that Mer should mete out punishment to Mer. And humans should oversee punishment of humans.” It would be inhumane to imprison a human away from the sun for too long, and the human jail could not accommodate Mer. Likewise service had several challenges that made it impractical between land and sea. ”But I would hear your suggestions,” he rumbled respectfully to the humans – many of whom would also be involved in whatever trials would come from increased contact between the peoples of Torchline.
Ray listened quietly as Hadama addressed their concerns. Sending a small burst of pride towards her aquatic friend, she nodded. "I think all of that sounds reasonable. Torchline is one region, but it'll take time to fully integrate our people, just as you said. I'm glad we can start bridging that gap now."
She paused, "This might be redundant, but what if there was a guide or something? A piece of literature that mer can read to help understand Haulani, and one for humans to read to better understand the Underwater City? A way of giving our citizens a broad overview of the expectations we have for them more or less." Not every individual in the city may have had access to mer before now, and vice versa. Having something for the citizens to reference might be useful.
Though Hadama was doing a great Judge Newman impersonation, Flora didn't really feel as if her questions had been answered. Admittedly that might be because it wasn't the sort of thing Hadama had asked for, but..shrug.
"Okay, but that isn't really what I asked though." She protests with a smile. "And you make it seem even more us vs. them with the whole "Mer punish mer" and "humans punish humans." Flora continues with a delicate shrug of her shoulders.
"Is Torchline all one, or no? Because right now it seems like no." When the canals had been opened the Torchers hadn't gotten together and made a bunch of rules for the Mer, had they? No. They'd just expected them to follow the laws like everyone else. But this felt like different rules for the Mer and different rules for the Torchers, which, in Flora's humble opinion, meant they weren't really one people.
03-05-2023, 10:55 PM (This post was last modified: 03-05-2023, 10:56 PM by Hadama.)
Ray's suggestion was considered first and Hadama thought it over before nodding his agreement. "Guides for new visitors are a good idea." It would reduce confusion and accidents, hopefully. "That will be a task for the council." Most of whom were already present. And Jack had... other duties to attend to.
And then there was Flora, who Hadama considered solemnly before inclining his head to the side in acknowledgment. "It was not my intention," he rumbled slowly. "To imply a divide. But we are physically different. And our physical punishments differ because of it." He paused, thinking through his words carefully. "We are one law. And punishments will be the same, as much as physically able to be. But when they must differ, they will be equal in effect." After another few moments of intense thought he looked around to the rest of the humans gathered.
"More than that is beyond today's meeting. But Flora has raised an important point. I will consider it, and I will give you an answer by the time the bubble stream is completed."
