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 oppressive intensity of Longheat's temperatures had yet to fully settle in for the day, and the Port was bustling in the morning sunlight as both sea ships and skyships arrived at their respective docks, bringing goods and visitors from other regions to Torchline's welcoming shores.
The Tidebreaker had emerged from the Bubblestream a short while ago, traveling at a calm, sedate pace through the canals that traced through the Port like veins of starlight until he found one of his favorite pastry vendors to supply his breakfast: one cherry and one coconut cream danish, crisp and hot and sweet. He traded for several extra and swam to the agreed-upon meeting place for the first task of their new quest. The statue of a previous Governor still stood in a little court near the docks, miraculously undamaged after all of the upheavals in recent years, though the Hels had left numerous comments upon its tarnished bronze surface. The Leafchange rains would wash it clean soon enough, and it made an easy landmark for their meeting since a broad canal ran right past it.
Hadama waited patiently for his fellow ruler and fellow Mer, respectively, content to people-watch from the water and nod greetings to those locals that offered him a wave in passing on their ways to and from the docks, fish market, and taverns that were preparing for the lunch crowd.
This is a PQ to find and establish a site for the future Lucky Rum Fountain!
Harper has been quieter and more withdrawn since Maeve's return, but he hasn't lost his punctuality. Arriving not long after Hadama, he comes in shorts, flip-flops, and a wide-brimmed sunhat more befitting a feminine style. Despite the odd attire he is rather reserved, though he smiles at Hadama while the two have a moment alone.
"Good to see you Hadama." Approaching the edge of the dock he squats comfortably, aware they'll be moving along soon enough. Finding nothing more to say, he merely soaks up the companionship of his fellow ruler and awaits their last member's arrival.
Pain is a well-intentioned weatherman Predicting God as best he can
Time spent with two kings? Even if there was work involved, Andromeda was willing. There was simply no way to pass up a private audience with both of the most powerful men in Torchline. Even if she didn't need anything in particular in the moment, this was just an investment. Only a fool would pass up such a thing.
So, spending time to make herself as beautiful as she could, by the time Andy arrived the kings were already there. "Boys." Her voice was satin as she batted her eyelashes at them, a sultry smile lifting one side of her lips higher than the other. "Pardon my tardiness, will you? Takes time to make all of this happen." She finished, offering Hadama a wink.
"Harper," he murmured fondly as his co-leader arrived. There was a faint pulse of concern through their bond; his friend looked... tired, and Hadama knew there had been much for him to deal with lately. But he was content to wait until Harper was ready to speak of it. For the moment their duty to Torchline called, and neither man would be found lacking.
Andromeda's appearance soon after was a welcome sea breeze. The Tidebreaker inclined his head to the lady with a gleam of appreciation in emerald eyes. "It was worth the effort," he rumbled solemnly. The artist in him always admired the beautiful mermaid's aesthetic sense and none could deny her exquisite style.
"First, we must find a place for the fountain. But we do not want to disrupt the docks or skyport," he explained, just to ensure they were all on the same page. "Let us split up and look for likely places. Ones that are not as busy. But still in reach of the canals," he added, nodding to Andromeda, who would understand. "Meet back here in one hour."
Round 1: Look for a good place to build the fountain, not too close to the docks or skyport, or where it would be too disruptive. Make up locations within the Port as you go!
The faint touch of concern brings a small smile to his face, one that widens when Andromeda appears if for the sake of appearances only. "Absolutely," he agrees with Hadama, though far more impish as he winks good-naturedly her way. They've yet to meet before but he can appreciate anyone's beauty, with or without makeup.
Splitting up is the logical choice, and Harper stands from where he has been squatting to pace back down the dock and into the mingling early morning crowds. Given he's accompanied by two mer it's only fair he scout the inside market. A few options stand out within the hour, and he returns with a small list on a pocket notebook to share with his comrades.
"There's a small overgrown area that nobody has bothered to clear for stall space near one of the canals." Mostly brambles and debris; a place for people to litter pretty much. "That was the top of my list, but I did find two more." He hadn't liked them enough or they required more work, so he will hear out what else has been found first.
- - -
Harper returns after an hour and gives his most promising find.
Pain is a well-intentioned weatherman Predicting God as best he can
Basking in the easy attention, Andromeda almost didn’t listen to Hadama as he gave out their first task and instructions. She didn’t hide the way she inspected Harper up and down, half sizing him up and half admiring the way his copper red hair swooped to the side of his face. But the two men were more focused on the business than she was, and started off. Andy’s bottom lip pulsed out for a second in a mini-pout before she sighed and pushed off.
Swimming around, Andromeda took her time. She stopped to chat with those that caught her eye or offered her a smile. She even took a minute to share a snack with a little girl who was drawn to her madly beautiful fins. If she had found one more person to spend time with, she surely would have forgotten her task altogether. Thus, It was well after Harper had returned and given his findings before Andy came in. The betta swam in an arc around the men and started off on her findings. She did not seem phased at all that she took the hour as a generous measurement of time.
Her voice was dull, and obviously full of boredom. ”There are still some limited placed for our people.” She shot Hadama a glance, before letting sultry eyes fall back on Harper. ”But there is a spot on the east side.”
Andy took way more than an hour, but came back and said the east side is better for the fountain!
Hadama swam off into the silver web of canals, heading south to seek a spot to host their fountain. It was less populated in that direction, which was good, but the canals were spaced more widely and the areas that he could see which might have worked were inconveniently far from the water. Traveling further, he finally came upon a place that had once held a small market. A broken fountain was already in its center but the shops around it were shuttered and it was a good walk from the Docks and Port, unlikely to cause disruption to existing trade.
But the question remained: why the area was mostly deserted in the first place?
The Tidebreaker returned to the meeting place at the allotted time, deep in thought. He listened to Harper's description with a slow nod. "I found a place to the south. Similar. But largely abandoned." He was more inclined to try Harper's location, and they had ample time to discuss it before Andromeda returned. If the King was displeased with her lateness or disinterest he didn't show it, only inclining his head gratefully at her report. "Thank you. Hmm."
After several moments he nodded and looked to Harper. "Lead the way. If it will not work, we will go to Andromeda's find," he decided. The betta's lack of details made it difficult to judge the suitability of her find, but Harper's site sounded promising.
The area was less lively than those right against the docks, but that was in its favor. The amount of debris and litter, however, was troubling, and even the canal had trash floating in it. "We will need to clear the area first. And negotiate the support of the local merchants." Before they could even determine if the fountain could be built there, they had to see if the ground was level and the local merchants would support it.
Round 2: Clean up!
There are large, sharp-edged bushes that need to be chopped down and dragged out
There is litter on the ground and in the water that needs to be gathered into one place for burning
There is a stall selling fresh fruit next door, with a bored-looking old woman watching you.
There is a stall selling fresh(?) fish on the other side with an even older man grilling himself a sandwich while he waits for customers.
Socializing has clearly bolstered his mood by the time he returns, so he playfully returns Andromeda's clear sizing up as she reports back her own find. He may not be in the mindset required for real flirtation, but he has always been naturally charming and complimentary, and she is undoubtedly beautiful.
Escorting the two mer to the location he'd found, he's pleased when Hadama clearly sees the vision he has in mind. There is much to be done of course, but that would have happened regardless of the location they picked. "I'll speak to the merchants," he offers readily, not just because of his natural charm but because it will surely make it easier on his aquatic fellows to not have to wave the sellers over to the water and remove them from their work. Heading for the fruit seller first, Harper waves slightly and approaches with a smile.
"Hello there. Can I barter some watermelon in exchange for bending your ear?" He won't steal her time without due payment, plus it will be a nice treat to share with Andromeda and Hadama as they all work. "We're looking to install a rum fountain and were considering that empty spot there. It'll likely make the area a lot busier - good for business, but potentially a hassle. Would you have any concerns about that?" If she has few workers she may object, but increased foot traffic when you don't have a similar product to sell is usually only a boon. Still, he phrases the question intentionally in the hopes of inspiring actual answers instead of general griping from the woman - just in case.
- - -
Harper goes to talk to the fruit seller first.
Pain is a well-intentioned weatherman Predicting God as best he can
Andromeda couldn't help her lip as it pouted out. Hadama didn't immediately choose her option? Uncalled for. Biased. Rude. She stayed silent with her pouted lip, although there was no hiding her disappointment as she followed the men. She silently grumbled along. Her sour mood wasn't brightened as they approached the place Harper had chosen. "Nice trash hole." She said and cocked her head.
Hadama pressed on, as did the toned human king, and so Andy needed to as well. Looking around, Andromeda groaned some. Harper went to work his charm, and Andy gave Hadama a quick glance to see what the merking would do. "I'm not touching any of this." She said. Swimming back slightly, Andromeda lifted her hands above her head. Her arms twisted and her wrists rotated with clear mastery. The debris around the area began to move as the betta used her air incantations to collect it into a pile.
The vendor watched Harper approach with an appraising eye. She was old but not yet dead, after all, and Harper had the sort of dad bod that most men could only dream of maintaining. When he offered to barter she perked up further. There weren't any other customers around at the moment, and she gestured for him to go on as they haggled over the fruit. "Rum fountain?" she asked in surprise, then snorted. "Aye, go on an' pull t'other one, sonny. It's got bells on!" She cackled and selected one of the larger watermelons and rolled it across the counter towards him. "Well, either way, a new fountain wouldn't do us any harm back here. An' if y'do manage t'magic some rum into it, all the better!"
Hadama looked at Andromeda calmly and raised a brow at her pouting, but she wasn't wrong. "For now," he rumbled his agreement. "Let us fix that." He nodded calm acceptance of her refusal to touch the refuse, but then she didn't need to touch it. The wind responded to her call and, luckily enough, all of the litter was light enough for her magic to sweep it up and around into an untidy pile off to the side. The King nodded in satisfaction and gave her a murmured. 'Thank you, Andromeda."
And then there was the trash in the water of the canal; whether dropped there, blown there, or floated to this quiet little offshoot by the currents, it was something he could help with. Gathering his own magic, he swirled the water of the canal into a gentle vortex; not enough to drag the Merfolk into it, but enough to pull the litter on the surface into one central ball. He froze a sphere around it and lifted it out to join the pile on shore, leaving the starlit waters looking cleaner and fresher.
"Hmm. A little more work, still," he rumbled thoughtfully, looking around at what remained to be done to clean the little cul-de-sac up.
Harper has secured the support of the fruit seller!
Andromeda has cleaned up the debris on land!
Hadama has cleaned up the debris in the water!
Round 3:
Several tasks remain
There are large, sharp-edged bushes that need to be chopped down and dragged out or added to the trash pile
There is a stall selling fresh(?) fish with an even older man grilling himself a sandwich while he watches the excitement
The stone path beside the canal (and reachable from the water) is now visible and the pavers are cracked and uneven. They need to be either replaced or at least set evenly again before a fountain can be built on them.
07-14-2023, 01:44 PM (This post was last modified: 07-14-2023, 01:44 PM by Andromeda.)
Hadama's praise brought a vigor to the betta that wiped away her pout. Instead, a sly smir replaced it. Satisfaction rolled over the mercurial mermaid. Her air magic was powerful and it showed. The debris lifted as she altered the air around it, and she piled it carefully to the side. It could be disposed of later. For now, there was more to be taken care of.
Andy's eyes moved to the bushes around the area. They simply would not do. Spurred on by Hadama's praises, the betta honed her air enchantments. She turned her arm and shot it out, intending to send the air out in a slice to be able to trim the unsightly bushes. She copied the same motions, though turned slightly to the left, to slice and trim at another part of the gangly foliage.
It's a far better interaction than he could have hoped for, and he departs with a smile, a wave, and a delightfully large watermelon in his arms. With nowhere else to safely put it, he simply decides to carry it with him towards the other merchant. Though he hopes it will go equally well, the dice luck doesn't usually hold out forever, so he tempers his expectations.
Still, he arrives with a warm smile and again an offer to barter - if he's going to upset or disappoint the man, at least he'll have some extra coin to his name. "Hello, sir. Can I barter some fish and bend your ear?" And again he says the same thing he did to the fruit seller, simultaneously pointing out the fish he'd like to purchase. Even if it ends up being of questionable quality, he can feed it to the stray cats near his house.
- - -
Harper goes to talk to the fish seller and rinses and repeats.
Pain is a well-intentioned weatherman Predicting God as best he can
Though wind could be cutting at the right angle, either Andromeda's angle of attack was off or else the plants were simply too flexible. They bowed flat beneath her assault but then sprang upright again as soon as the slicing gusts had passed. Though her magic was enough to leave them tattered and looking even scruffier than before they remained stubbornly rooted and more or less whole.
On the other hand, Harper was utterly charming once again his approach to the old fish seller, who eyed the watermelon in his hands with an avaricious gleam that was soon rewarded by the King's willingness to barter with him as well. Though the old man was gruffer and far less delighted by the idea than the fruit seller had been, he was intrigued at the business prospects. "If it brings more people back this way, that'll bring more customers t'me," he mused, tapping his fan against his chin. "Might be finally able to hire some help on. I can't get out t'the docks as fast as the younger welps, y'know, nor fight 'em t'get at the better fish from the mornin' catch. We could do with a li'l more bustle down here." With a satisfied nod he gave Harper his blessing for the project, and happily bartered away several of the fish on the grill.
Hadama wasn't able to sweet-talk the paving stones, but brute strength was something he had plenty of. He moved along the side of the canal, prying the pavers free with a combination of his trident and bare hands and smoothing out their foundation before replacing them. As he worked his way onto the next row he had to partially pull himself out of the canal, looking undignified and struggling with the more difficult angle, but he was persistent and worked with methodical patience, eventually leaving the area where the fountain would go flat and even, ready to be built upon.
He finally slid back into the water and looked around, seeing Harper's bounty and how much cleaner and fresher the area looked with a little care and repair. "We are almost done," he said with satisfaction, before pointing out the last few tasks before they could call it a day.
Last round!
Those pesky bushes still need to be cut down and trimmed back!
Set up a sign to prevent anyone else from moving into the new real estate before construction of the fountain begins
Dispose of the trash pile - the more creative the better
Harper has to fight down the desire to sigh in relief, cheer, or otherwise send his prayers up to the heavens when both merchants are easily swayed. Given how fiercely most Torchers guard their wares and way of life, Harper had been aware that the odds were stacked against him. Whatever the reason, today seems to have been fortuitous instead of disastrous.
Harper takes the newly bartered fish and watermelon and sets them with his belongings, ready to share them with his fellows when the work is done.
Then he begins working on a sign and a simple rope fence around the perimeter of where the fountain will be placed, looping around wooden stakes. Though the area had gone untouched for quite some time - clearly - Harper didn't want to take any chances.
- - -
Harper sets to work on a sign and a simple rope and stakes perimeter.
Pain is a well-intentioned weatherman Predicting God as best he can
