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!
and sweetest in the gale is heard and sore must be the storm
“Some haven’t been putting enough weight on. Maybe the winter was harder for them,” which was how they’d wound up in the Celestine at all; at least this herd in particular. King’s End boasted a fine amount of grass in every other season, but if the snow or ice lingered too long, the equine could end up in jeopardy. “So I’ve been giving them some additional supplements to balance out what they’ve lost.” Already quite a few had started filling in; where ribs and hip bones were once prominent.
As they continued meandering in, and Lena had refilled the water, she walked over to see how Sohalia was getting along. “Sometimes we have to direct them. Most of them know the drill though,” and she pointed towards one in particular (a radiant palomino, with matching gold horn) breaking off from the herd, ambling towards them. “They’re quite clever.” Her eyes watched the others as they drifted around, ambling to their spots. “I can talk to them too.” Which helped greatly, as more and more began to file and trickle in.
that could abash the little bird that kept so many warm
Soh looked the unicorns over again and, sure enough, she could see that some of the horned creatures did indeed look skinnier than the others. She made a noise of sympathy for them. She could only imagine what horses would endure in the winter, when the land turned brown and dead. She took the vials of powder and began to add them to the various feed pans, relying on Lena to correct her if she started to place the medicine incorrectly.
"That's so interesting, that they just learn where to go. I suppose it makes sense, I just never really thought about it." Her eyes caught on the beautiful palomino that Lena pointed out. It was pure gold, save for a radiant white mane and tail, and Soh found herself enamored with it immediately. "Oh, it's so beautiful!" She watched as it came closer, clearly more interested in its dinner than in her. She longed to pet it, but she wasn't quite comfortable enough for that.
When Lena admitted she could talk to them, though, Soh twirled to face her, her eyes lighting up with interest. "You can?" she practically squealed. "How? Did Frey gift you that ability?"
and sweetest in the gale is heard and sore must be the storm
The Caretaker opted to direct traffic, per se, as more of the herd came in. Not only did the palomino require her supplements, so did a vast number of others, including a few painted, spotted, and black ones, all in their own shape and form, but obvious need of groceries. “Most animals adapt quickly,” she noted, because otherwise, they were lost. If it were in the wild, it wouldn’t be able to survive without managing to alter course rapidly, swiftly, efficiently. Within the Celestine they had more time and opportunities, and hopefully some learning curves, before they returned back to their own land.
While more shuffled over to their hay, the youth nodded, snagging at more of the balm in her basket to apply to several worn-looking hocks or mishaps from obvious herd alterations. “They’re wonderful creatures. I’m just glad they have a place to turn to whenever they need it.”
Humming under her breath as she glided gently over to a brown mare, her eyes flickered back to Sohalia. “All Attuned, once they are strong enough, can have that ability.”
that could abash the little bird that kept so many warm
The Celestine was a marvelous place, one that the young woman could certainly see herself returning to. What a beautiful gift, to be able to help the injured and needy to heal! She'd always loved animals, and a place like this was a dream come true. And now, she was even able to help - even if it was only a small amount. "They are lucky to have you," she told Lena, her eyes shining with admiration for the older woman. What she wouldn't give to be like Lena, some day!
As Lena told her that she, too, could one day have the ability to speak with animals, Soh squealed with excitement. "Really?" She felt a little silly for not having known that already, but there was little she could do about it now. "I didn't realize..." What else would she be able to do, one day? She already knew that other Attuned had multiple shifts, and that they could speak with each other mind-to-mind, but were there other abilities that she hadn't learned about? She glanced at Lena sidelong, too shy to admit her lack of knowledge, and went back to pouring the medicines, focusing on her task until she ran out of vials.
and sweetest in the gale is heard and sore must be the storm
Her cheeks flushed at the compliment, even as she ducked her head and studied the mare’s hock, making a few more adjustments with the ointment. “Thank you,” came on a modest grin, before she rose back from her steady crouch, and began to study and survey the eating habits of the herd. Sometimes it was all a watching game, assured each was getting exactly what they needed, without having to fight or fend off comrades and brethren, simply by pecking orders and arrangements of herds.
Capping the lid on the balm, she listened to Sohalia’s realization, the mode of information and wisdom dispensing immensely strong and determined, as they listened to the munch and crunch of the equines. “Partial shifting, compelling animals, multiple shifts, and even mythical shifts, come along in time. Your communication will improve too.”
that could abash the little bird that kept so many warm
Sohalia contemplated all that she would eventually be able to do and practically bounced with excitement. Had she simply failed to read the fine print? Surely someone had told her what to expect from her Attunement, and she had just been too excited to listen closely? That did sound like her. "I suppose I should have known that," she admitted, making a face. "But it's exciting, isn't it? All the things we could be able to do one day?"
She spun in place, her skirts swirling around her ankles, and gathered up the now-empty vials of medicine for the unicorns. She tucked them away where she'd found them, in Lena's basket of goodies. The sounds of the equines munching on their food was oddly soothing, and Soh found herself content to wait for Lena to finish whatever it was she had left to do before they continued their tour.
and sweetest in the gale is heard and sore must be the storm
Once the unicorns had finished the higher maintenance portions, she waved Sohalia back, gathering up the rest of their supplies. “They should be fine now,” taking the feed pans away, stacking them for the next rotation of supplements. “We can go tend to the cloud wyrms next.” They’d be in the next enclosure.
After Sohalia had stepped through the gate, Lena did just as she’d said before, and locked the portions. There was no need for any great escapes or liberations, especially when most of them were well on the mend, and would be able to leave soon.
Humming to herself, as Mittens drifted alongside (it seemed to be practicing its expressions – for there was a range of the stones on its features maneuvering in different facets), she nodded and smiled at the notions of the future, strength, and accord, stride gentle and light as they continued under the eaves of more gardens. “There should be some books in the Collegium about that too, if you want to know more.” Skills of the Attuned, written down by those who’d experienced the act of alteration and change.
that could abash the little bird that kept so many warm
Leaving the unicorns was harder than she'd expected. She could probably sit and watch them all day without a care in the world. Even just watching them eat was an education. She watched one mare pin her ears angrily at a neighbor for seemingly just existing; the neighbor flicked an ear in response, but otherwise ignored the grumpy chestnut. Down the line, the beautiful palomino that had so enamored her swished its tail, banishing any lingering flies from its flanks. A few curious foals, interested in their mothers' meals, lipped at grain and hay curiously. But Soh helped to gather the remaining items in the enclosure, copying Lena's movements, and exited with only a little sadness. After all, the cloud wyrms were sure to be interesting as well!
"I'll be sure to look up the Attuned when I visit the Collegium," she promised. They meandered down the quiet paths of the Celestine, Soh lost in thought. She felt as though she'd learned a great deal today, and yet the day was hardly close to over. And so many creatures! She'd seen some variants on her travels, but there was something special about being up close and personal. Her fingers itched for her journal. She would have to record as much as she could remember later in her notes.
and sweetest in the gale is heard and sore must be the storm
Another hum persisted, something melodic, as they strolled past the gardens and towards the wyrms’ enclosure. “I’ll warn you, they tend to be very mischievous,” not that she could say much, considering her own companion. “And they also like shiny things,” which meant anything of such note upon Sohalia’s person would be subject to perusal, and attempts to steal.
Sliding the gate open, she allowed the fellow Attuned in, before going through the same motions as before, checking water, and then going through food. The wyrms themselves were overhead, in their puffy, ivory forms, slowly descending from their higher vantage point – watching below with a sort of caution befitting a crow or raven, heads tilting, noses twitching. Glancing over her shoulder, the Caretaker began peeling apart the buckets of pellets and grain. “Do you want to help put some of these out?”
that could abash the little bird that kept so many warm
Lena warned Soh about the mischievous nature of the cloud wyrms, bringing a smile to the young woman's face. She didn't mind a bit of mischief and fun, really, and how much trouble could the cloud wyrms bring? From her knowledge, they were small, serpentine creatures no bigger than a weasel. They could breath clouds, which she found fascinating, and they slithered through the air without wings, which she found astonishing. "How many do you have?" she asked curiously. "What's wrong with them?"
She followed Lena into the enclosure, watching the creatures overhead with awe. They were puffy and white, and they watched her almost as curiously as she watched them. When Lena asked if she wanted to help, Soh obliged without complaint; she didn't want to be a burden, after all, and Lena was taking the time to show her around. She wanted to help as much as she could. She took a few buckets of pellets and grain and began to space them out around the enclosure.
and sweetest in the gale is heard and sore must be the storm
“Six,” she supplied, pointing upwards as the amount drifted around them, trying to puzzle through their current situation. “Sickness went through their group, though most of them are over it.” In response, two hacked and coughed in the distance, to which Lena frowned. “I’ll get the medicine out.”
While Sohalia tended to the pellets and grain, the Caretaker measured out the amount of dosage necessary, intending to tuck and hide these away in portions of the food. “They tend to be a bit sneakier than the unicorns,” she noted, by way of putting the pills’ contents into a makeshift treat, demonstrating the motions to the Attuned. “So I have to get crafty too. But its been working.” And so she didn’t complain about the additional necessities. “Come along then!” She hollered to the group, and the wyrms began their descent, immediately sniffing for their food.
that could abash the little bird that kept so many warm
Soh watched the cloud wyrms drifting above them, fighting the sudden urge to shift and join them at the top of the enclosure. She felt that way often when she saw other creatures flying; perhaps it was some of her owl shift permeating into her very being. She wondered if that could happen, but given her earlier lack of knowledge, she was too shy to ask. Instead, she made a mental note to look it up when she visited the Collegium, adding it to the ever-growing list of topics to research.
Soh spread the food pans about, trying to ensure there was plenty of room between them for the cloud wyrms to eat without jostling their fellows. She watched with interest as Lena hid their medicine inside a makeshift treat, then tried to copy her friend's motions; after a moment, Lena called the wyrms down. They were a sight up close, like little wingless dragons, and as they settled to eat, Soh crouched to eye them with interest. "They're so interesting!" she told Lena for what felt like the hundredth time that day. "I know they breath clouds, but is there anything else you can tell me about them?"
and sweetest in the gale is heard and sore must be the storm
Her keen eyes narrowed as the beasts all settled in, watching to ensure they’d snagged the medicine through the treats. When it was apparently nothing had been spat out or hidden under their fluffy exteriors, Lena softened again, waiting for them to finish, as they’d done with the unicorns, while still perusing and checking over other things.
At the inquiry, the Caretaker nodded, eternally eager to supply whatever information people craved. “They’re cousins of dragons, and tend to be very playful.” To go along with the mischief, and she grinned, shrugging, unbothered by it all. “There’s also another kind called lava wyrms, but I haven’t seen many come in. They can be found in the Climb.” Perhaps they were a bit hardier than their counterparts, or simply didn’t make it within the enclosures in time.
that could abash the little bird that kept so many warm
Soh stifled a giggle as Lena stiffened, watching her charges like a hawk to ensure they ate all of their medicine. To Soh's unpracticed eye, it certainly looked like they had, but she watched until she saw Lena soften again out of the corner of her eye, just in case. She remembered that Lena had said they were quite mischievous, and she supposed that must be true, if her friend watched to make sure they took their medicine so closely!
"If they're cousins of dragons, I wonder if someone could have one as a companion?" she mused thoughtfully. Which reminded her: "Can any creature be a companion? How does that work? It seems like everyone I come across has at least one." It was said without judgment or jealousy, but Soh thought it must be nice, having someone to share a bond with. Sometimes the world felt a little lonely when she was on her own.
;)
