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!
what tried to destroy you didn't have the strength
Another day and evening of travel pressed on them – and even if they were weary, homesick, and a little fatigued from their journeys, there was only one last task lingering along their minds. The swell of humidity made it feel all the more laborious, and Deimos had long since peeled back any layers from his tunic, rolled sleeves well past his elbows, and wrinkled his nose in vague directions.
Perhaps, because in the back of his mind, he was out of his depths with the assignment.
He’d be the first to readily admit any ignorance on his part; for he’d never delved into the notions of blushberries, what they looked like, effects, or uses. Luckily, he figured the Evergreen had long since adopted any standpoints or information, so when they arrived, it was an opportune time for her to extend her sagacity to the masses. The inquiry came along an arched brow, eyes flickering from Evie, and then to Alys and Noah. Maybe they knew too. “What do blushberries look like?,” was an inquiry announced without shame, handing out tiny bags or baskets for them to utilize for gathering.
--
This is the third thread for gathering/collecting portions of the RQ! We’ll be collecting blushberries.
Please let Evie post first, then have your character arriving/beginning to search.
With two years time between her current life habits and her days of nomadic life, the journey is beginning to wear on her. She is envious of Attuned as of late, wishing she could sleep in an animal form instead of on the ground - no matter how high quality their pads and blankets, it is a far cry from her cozy bed.
Her mood lifts as soon as she is up and about, and only rises higher as Deimos presents her with an opportunity to educate. Hotaru may have taken over the Academy but it had once been her own dream, and teaching is still something she holds close to her heart. Expression far brighter now, she turns to her compatriots with her empty basket in hand. "Luckily they're easy to spot. The bushes are short with round green leaves, and the berries are a vivid yellow. They shouldn't be picked through because most animals assume them to be poisonous." Which would hopefully make this endeavor easier for all of them if the fruit are plentiful. "The bushes themselves don't grow together in groups though, so we'll have to wander around a bit." She is about to do just that when she pauses and bites her lip, heavily debating.
Should she tell them what happens if they eat them?
If she were not currently acting as Warden, Evie could say with certainty that she would just so happen to forget to warn them. But as it is technically her job, she sighs internally. "They're edible - and harmless - but the name has some vital context clues." There, good enough. Now maybe their curiosity would eat them alive and they'd be tempted to try - to Evie's amusement. Turning off into the brush, she begins hunting for a bush of her own to harvest from.
- - -
Evie explains what to look for and then goes to hunt for her own bush!
Now here they were in the Oerwoud, a place as hot and humid as any she'd been to. She was past ready to be home, back into the welcoming, chilly embrace of the Citadel, but she was here for a reason, and she was determined to see it through. With her dark curls piled haphazardly on top of her head to get them off her neck, dressed in light pants and a sleeveless tunic, she cut a messy figure as she followed Deimos, Evie, and Noah through the undergrowth.
She listened as Evie explained what to search for, frowning at the mischievous warning-not-warning. What was that supposed to mean? She wasn't sure, but she certainly didn't want to find out, and so as she set about searching, she determined not to try one of the berries. Even if a part of her was curious to see what would happen. Maybe someone else would try one instead.
She meandered into the bushes, taking the opposite direction from Evie, keeping an eye out for anything that was bright yellow.
------
Alys arrives and begins searching for blushberries!
funny how it all works out in the end you dance with the devil and you lose your head
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Alys.
Noah was tired of this. Sorry, Frey. Sorry, people of Halo. His heart wasn't here. His head wasn't in the game. But his tenacity and his grit wouldn't let him give up. As easy as it would be for him to thumb the compass in his pocket and teleport back to the Citadel and then use his own magic to bounce back to his home and he in the arms of his wife within the next breath, he wouldn't. This was the right thing to do, this was good, even if he felt horrible doing it.
He listened to Evie's description despite his poor attitude and his ever-growing desire to go home. He had to mentally repeat her description a few times in his own head before he could remember it. Noah shifted his eyes to his polar bear, and began searching.
Noah partially shifts his eyes and begins to search!
Life isn't always what you think it'd be Turn your head for one second and the tables turn
what tried to destroy you didn't have the strength
They’d all known this journey would be comprised of a lengthy process, and while the burn of homesickness, of people, might have scalded and fueled, they were one step closer to their goals. And that would be enough for the Sword to persist. Besides, the alternatives seemed worse.
That being said – maybe someone needed to give Noah a blushberry.
Not bothering to address the sour attitude floating near the Sentinel, Deimos listened to Evie’s explanation, eyes flickering immediately to the forest floor, pondering over short greenery with round leaves and yellow berries.
The connotations of their side effects struck a chord, and a mulish note of not eating one came to his mind. No matter the temptation.
Snagging a snack from his bag instead, he stuffed half of the jerky into his mouth and began meandering, nearly crouching, brushing aside pockets of verdant leaves. No such luck was to be had, however, as the Sword only spied a normal variety of berries, and some sticks.
Evie had a much more opportune find (the blushberries themselves!), all golden and tucked away around the corner of a massive tree. Whether or not she’d alert her fellows, or keep them all to herself, would be up to her!
Alys didn’t happen upon blushberries, but perhaps a far more enticing range of blackberries. Maybe she’d like to have a snack? Put some away for later?
Noah, in his stalking, smoldering pouts, and polar bear eyes, also discovered a cluster of blushberries. Perhaps this would put him in a better mood! It’d also be up to him if he would alert any of his fellow constituents, or hoard!
The length of their trip didn't bother Alys as much as it seemed to bother some of their companions; Noah's sulking permeated the very air around him, and Alys was pleased to get some distance between her and the Sentinel. She poked around for the blushberries, keeping an eye out for any bright colors, to no avail. She was about to turn back when something else caught her eye instead.
Blackberries! Or, at least, she thought they were blackberries. Maybe the Oerwoud had some kind of freaky, blackberry-like plant that would cause some manner of strange side effect if eaten. She eyed the bushes with suspicion. Maybe, if she picked a few for later, one of her companions could tell her if they were safe to eat or not. With that in mind, Alys picked a few handfuls to place in her basket before resuming her search for the blushberries.
------
Alys takes a few handfuls of blackberries and resumes her search for blushberries!
funny how it all works out in the end you dance with the devil and you lose your head
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Alys.
As irascible as the hunter was becoming, Vi was still looking down on him. A blessing in the way of the berries, Noah did not have to look long. Keen polar bear eyes fell on the plants that matched Evie's description, and his heart did a turn towards happiness. He let out a low whistle to get the attention of the quest's other constituents. I found some followed out after the whistle over the attuned bond.
Then, the hunter began to harvest. He was not careful in the way he took what he did -- he took whole branches from the bush rather than picking at just the berries. He wanted to ensure they got all that they needed, for he would not be willing to return if Frey turned them away. Though -- in all reality -- his sense of duty and honor and doing the right thing would probably turn him back here, if their quest was deemed "half assed" in any way.
Noah alerts his friends and TAKES LOTS OF BERRIES.
Life isn't always what you think it'd be Turn your head for one second and the tables turn
Nobody comments on her wording, which sends Evie off with a grin that only the forest is privy to. As much as she privately hopes somebody will give in to their curiosity, all in attendance are quite sharp so she highly doubts it will happen. Maybe she will be the one to make the sacrifice? Evie normally only makes herself the butt of a joke for Deimos, but everyone is clearly weary, maybe it would cheer them up?
She is lucky to find blushberries rather quickly, and she begins using her cutting shears to lop off entire heads, branches and all, like clumps of grapes so as not to lose berries by trying to pluck them right off their tiny stems. They all go into her basket which is padded and covered in linen. If anyone expected the Evergreen of all people to come unprepared for plant harvesting they are sorely mistaken.
Hearing Noah's whistle, she continues harvesting until the bush is nearly empty (leaving some for the preservation of the plant of course) before making her way towards the sound, looking for further berries as she goes.
- - -
Evie harvests her bush before heading towards Noah's call, looking for more as she goes.
what tried to destroy you didn't have the strength
The search persisted and continued; some attitudes either heightened by their newest discoveries or dampened by residual fatigue and homesickness. Prevailing instances would reign supreme for others – and well –
Deimos could hear Noah’s whistle, and the subsequent call over the attuned measures, and began to straighten out, figuring he’d follow the notions and see if there were any to spare for his container. Unfortunately, in that brief moment, rising from his crouch meant his pants snagged on a thorn, splitting them very nicely down the calf. Airy! With an annoyed roll of his eyes and a deep grumble, he measured out his movements carefully, heading to the Sentinel’s outreach.
Alys fared better, with her latest snack and traversing. And while she’d spy something golden, it wouldn’t be the famed blushberries – but some other denizen of plant. Maybe it was poisonous. Maybe it was simple and herbal, medicinal, necessary. Would she pick it? Or carry on?
Noah, while not exactly careful about his picking, came away with heaps of branches of the bush. He’d be able to pick them off one by one quite easily, if those were his intentions – or risk losing them amidst the branches, brambles, and brush.
Evie would, in all her Evergreen disposition, be the one to best them all. Each berry was graciously and safely tucked away, leaving her to trail and trace after the others, or find – oh look, some more!
--
Deimos continues to fail and has now ripped his pants. 0 berries.
Alys hasn’t found any blushberries, but she found a golden plant instead! 0 berries.
Noah needs to be careful so he doesn’t lose any, but he has about half of what he needs for blushberries.
Evie has about half her blushberries needed and has found another bush!
A whistle split the quite of the Oerwoud, and Alys paused in her search to try to pinpoint the direction from which it came. She grabbed a few more handfuls of blackberries before turning and heading towards the whistle. As she walked, she kept an eye out, searching in vain for yellow berries.
There! A flash of something golden! She approached hurriedly and was disappointed to find that it wasn't berries, but a yellow plant of some sort. She considered it briefly, looking it over with curiosity. She didn't know what it was, and though she desperately wanted to find out, she also wasn't mad enough to touch something that she didn't know what it was. With that in mind, she left the plant alone and moved to try and catch up with the others.
funny how it all works out in the end you dance with the devil and you lose your head
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Alys.
In his haste, Noah almost did not notice the berries that fell from the branches he harvested. But as the others approached, the flash of a rolling handful of fruit towards Evie made the hunter slow down. He sucked in a long breath before he set the branches down he had already harvested.
Then, he moved around to another section of the small berry patch and went to work gathering more. He was more careful this time, taking smaller tines of the patch that were heavy with ripened fruit. He was careful to place these newly gathered treasures in the canvas bag with grace and gentleness -- at least, as much of that as he could muster.
Noah continues to collect berries, but is much more careful!
Life isn't always what you think it'd be Turn your head for one second and the tables turn
Some more indeed! Evie carefully harvests the ones that crop up between her clearly lucky spot and the rest of the slowly converging group, glancing up to see one of Noah's clumps of berries rolling away from him and smiling kindly. He has been the most stressed of them all, and though they all are prone to poking fun sometimes, she knows it must be hard to be away from Cordelia.
With her basket practically teeming with berries in comparison to the variable luck of her teammates, Evie rejoins them and closes the top of her basket to keep her berries safely confined. "I was able to fill my basket, how is everyone else doing?" Attempting to take stock and see how much more needed to be harvested before they could continue on their journey.
- - -
Evie collects the extras she found and returns to the group to take stock.
what tried to destroy you didn't have the strength
For all the frustrations, homesickness, and other doldrums faced, the group fared well on this go around.
Deimos, followed after Noah’s whistle, offered and lent his support (with no word or explanation about his pants) to the Sentinel. His Air incantations quietly swung along the ground, picking up any berries that had fallen into the greenery and pathways, adding them to his virtually empty container. From there, he gathered more bushels and branches, showing them to Evie as she strode up.
Though tall, and occasionally lumbering, Noah would find his methods proved fruitful (send help), for as he slowed down and gently took things apart, he wasted far less of the necessary items. Eventually, he would find his entire container, and then some, spilling and sprawling over the edge - the vessel completely full.
Alys, wisely, didn’t pick the gilded plant (well done – because it was definitely poisonous). Not yet back amidst the group, she would eventually find another series of blushberries several yards from the remaining forces.
The Evergreen, with her basket full, would be capable of helping or assisting anyone else in great need (perhaps her fellow Abandoned some distance away). Deimos made a rough assessment too, ensuring his deep rumbling voice could reach Alys as well. “Think we only need a little more, then we can head home,” along with all their other wares. That ought to put a spark into their movements.
--
Deimos has about half his container filled with berries.
Alys can fill about half her container!
Noah’s container is full and ready to go!
Evie’s basket is full, ready to go, and she can help anyone if she’d like!
Alys was still thinking of the golden flower when she came across the little yellow berries; so much so that, at first, she didn't realize what they were. But after passing them by, she did a double take, paused, and reversed to find herself before a bushel of blushberries. "I found some!" she called, hoping that her voice carried through the dense brush, before beginning to pick the blushberries and place them carefully into her container.
It was tedious work, and Alys eventually grew bored, but she soldiered on, selecting berries from the bush to place in her container. Since they were only after the berries, she picked them individually, electing not to gather branches full and waste space on the greenery. It took her a little longer, but eventually, she had about half a container full, and she moved on to try to catch up to the others, following the direction of Deimos's voice.
funny how it all works out in the end you dance with the devil and you lose your head
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Alys.
