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!
08-25-2023, 04:13 AM (This post was last modified: 09-02-2023, 09:39 PM by Liam.)
Tell the tales of the trail of dead Lovers learned from slower hands
Liam was nothing if not meticulous, and so it was that he had gone to great lengths to prepare for an evening with Phoebe. She was, after all, the leader of the Greatwood and a demigoddess, to boot, and despite his simple desire to build a friendship with her, he had to admit to some nerves. Had he been too forward in asking her to dinner? Was dinner too formal for friendship? Was he interested in Phoebe romantically?
What would his late wife think?
Still, once the invitation was accepted, it would have been terribly rude to back out, and so he had asked around for a nice restaurant in the Bodega, made reservations, and appeared on Phoebe's doorstep at the appointed time to escort her. He'd dressed nicely, but not too formally, and he was trying very hard to avoid running his hand through his hair nervously in an effort to avoid mussing his golden curls.
Well, no time like the present, he thought, and then knocked on the door.
While Liam was fretting over the evening, Phoebe was calm, if not excited. It wasn't often she got treated to a night out after all! And Liam was a friend so the company would be good as well. What was there to be nervous about?
Phoebe opened the door at the knock, revealing that the demigoddess had chosen a seasonal-worthy dress that came to mid-calf. But in true Frey demigoddess fashion the neckline was dangerously low. Not that she had much to show off in that department, but ever since her change she felt more restricted by her more modest clothing. "Hello, Liam." she said with a bright smile, golden locks cascading in waves down her back.
"You look very nice." she said, the compliment coming easily as she stepped out the door and shut it behind her. "Ready?"
she sprouted love like flowers grew a garden in her mind
Tell the tales of the trail of dead Lovers learned from slower hands
Phoebe, of course, was looking as radiant as usual, dressed in a rather revealing dress that Liam had to admit was quite flattering. "So do you," he said, which was perhaps not the most elegant way to compliment a woman's beauty, but hey, this is Liam we're talking about. He's not particularly smooth.
In any case, he smiled as Phoebe shut the door behind her. "Ready when you are," he said, offering her his arm. They strolled together for a moment in companionable silence. "So," Liam said, when the silence became too loud, "How have you been? How is leadership treating you?"
"Thank you!" she said brightly, looking down at the dress she wore. In a girlish manner, she pulled the skirt out at the sides, swishing it around. "I've been looking for an occasion to wear it. And look, it has pockets!" she said happily, shoving her hands into said pockets. She always sewed pockets into her dresses, but it wasn't often that a dress just came that way.
Taking his arm, she followed his lead to the Bodega. She didn't mind the silence, because it wasn't really silent. The life of the forest buzzed all around them. But she was happy for conversation too. "Busy. There is so much to do. The Greatwood is so far behind the other nations, I don't even know where to start." she said with a sigh, brows furrowing. "I was considering asking the gods for a quest to improve the village or forest, but I am stuck on what. Any ideas?" she said, looking up at him.
she sprouted love like flowers grew a garden in her mind
Tell the tales of the trail of dead Lovers learned from slower hands
Phoebe's enthusiasm brought a smile to Liam's face, and he took the opportunity to look the dress over more closely as she swished the skirts around. "A true rarity," he said of the pockets, a wry grin on his face. He had heard his late wife complain many a time about the lack of pockets in women's clothing, and once he was aware of the problem, it was hard not to notice it. He was no fashionista, but pockets were certainly one thing that he could be enthusiastic about.
He hadn't meant to bring a frown to her pretty face with his line of questions, and he considered thoughtfully with the hope that he could come up with a suitable suggestion. "Maybe some kind of enchanted signposts for the forest?" he mused. "You know, since the paths like to change. Maybe signs that always point back to Sidhe Village or other points of interest?"
Phoebe considered his suggestion with a furrowed brow. For someone from Stormbreak, it seemed logical. The city was organized and well planned, with guiding markers all around. But she wasn't sure it fit the Greatwood, and after several moments of silence she shook her head. "The wood does that to keep invaders out. Adding directional signage would defeat the purpose." she said.
That still left her in the same spot she had been in before. But a thought came to mind and she smiled. "What about lights for inside buildings and throughout the village? Ones that can be turned on and off without the use of fire?" she said with some excitement. Fire was a hazard in the Greatwood after all - it was all made of wood. A lighting system that didn't require that would reduce risk of damage to the Village and greater wooded areas.
she sprouted love like flowers grew a garden in her mind
Tell the tales of the trail of dead Lovers learned from slower hands
While his suggestion came from a place of logic, he felt a little disappointed in his inability to help Phoebe with her musings. Of course, when she explained why his idea wouldn't work, it seemed perfectly obvious, and he nodded with a rueful smile. "Of course, that makes sense. I was thinking in terms of city infrastructure. Things are different here."
But it seemed that the Guardian of the Greatwood didn't need his input after all, as she suggested a different approach. Liam considered fireless lights as they walked, humming approval of the idea. "That makes sense," he said with an encouraging smile. "Would they be fixed in certain places, or would any of them be portable?" He could see the use of both.
The Nightingale smiled at him warmly. "It wasn't a bad suggestion. I can see where you were coming from." she said. Signs like that were common in Stormbreak. It just wasn't something that suited the Greatwood was all. She didn't want this one instance to discourage him from voicing his ideas in the future. In time he would come to understand the nuances of the Wood.
"Why not both?" she said with a grin and a light laugh."Something that can be stationary like...a toom light or a street light, but something that could also go in lanterns." she said. She had always been one to think big, and this instance was no different. "A lighted...something...that only the Greatwood has. Something unique and distinct."
she sprouted love like flowers grew a garden in her mind
Tell the tales of the trail of dead Lovers learned from slower hands
The good news was that Liam was difficult to discourage. As a soldier, he had long since learned to take constructive criticism in stride. He would simply keep this instance in mind next time he voiced a suggestion. As for Phoebe's idea, Liam laughed along with her. "Why not both, indeed?" he said warmly, nodding along with her musings. "Well, whatever you need to make it happen, I'm here to help." He would do everything in his power to assist with whatever the Greatwood - or Phoebe - required. He hoped she knew that.
In the meantime, they were arriving at the restaurant, where Liam had made a reservation. They were seated swiftly enough, and a waiter took their drink orders. Liam, true to form, ordered a whiskey. Whie they waited for their drinks to arrive, Liam half-heartedly perused the menu. "So, other than being our Guardian, what have you been up to lately?" he asked, more interested by far in Phoebe than in finding something to eat.
Phoebe smiled brightly. "I'm glad to hear it. I am sure whatever the gods require to make it happen will require a lot of work." she said. It would require a small miracle after all. Light without fire? Who could imagine such a thing!
Her apparently.
She took her seat, and perhaps to Liam's surprise, she also ordered a whiskey. Why? Why not? She didn't have to just drink white wine after all. Her eyes scanned the menu, then flicked back up to Liam as he spoke. "Oh." she said with a heavy sigh. "Jude is going through his first heartbreak, so that has been difficult to watch as a parent. There will be a gathering of all the regional leaders and demigods soon, so I will be away for however long that takes." she said, tapping her fingers on the table. "Though I suppose that falls under being Guardian. I am not very good at making time for hobbies and such." she said with a laugh.
she sprouted love like flowers grew a garden in her mind
Tell the tales of the trail of dead Lovers learned from slower hands
Grief was a funny thing, rearing its head at the strangest moments, and as Phoebe discussed her son's first heartbreak, Liam felt a twist of wistfulness in his chest. What he wouldn't give to have his children to watch over and advise in their lives as they grew up. "I understand," he said, his eyes soft as they watched her. "Or, at least, I can imagine how much you want to fix things for him. It musst be challenging to have to watch him figure things out for himself."
The news that she would be away soon disappointed him slightly, though he'd find it difficult to say why. Perhaps it was simply that he would miss his friend while she was away. "If there is anything you need done in your absence, you need only to ask," he told her with a smile. "Am I allowed to ask about what prompted such a meeting, or is it a secret?" he asked with a laugh.
Having trouble finding time for hobbies, though, he understood all too well. Even with the abundant free time he found himself with these days, he found it challenging to find things to do that didn't mimic his old life. "You're getting better at chess," he pointed out, a crooked grin on his face. They'd been doing lessons for a few weeks, and Phoebe was catching on quickly. "But in all seriousness, you really should find some time for yourself. It's important to take care of your wellbeing."
Phoebe sighed ruefully, thanking the waiter as their drinks were delivered. Taking a sip she shook her head. "He reminds me of myself at that age, a bleeding heart, placing love on a pedestal of perfection." she said, smiling at him. "But you and I both know by now that love is one of the most complicated things Mort ever blessed us with." He had been married after all. He was experienced in the realm and certainly had his own share of heartbreaks. "But I know I can fix nothing. So I will simply provide a soft place to land as he learns to fly." with a smile.
"Just keeping the peace would be enough...and checking my mail." she added with a laugh. But his second question had her questioning. How much could she trust him with? At length - and after another sip of whiskey - she said, "I trust your discretion." Then she sighed. "The gods are stirring. A few seasons ago Frey felt that something was going to happen. Now Safrin's heralds call us all together...I can't help but to think they are one and the same." she said.
"Yes mom." she said teasingly over the rim of her glass as he bid she take care of herself.
she sprouted love like flowers grew a garden in her mind
Tell the tales of the trail of dead Lovers learned from slower hands
Liam murmured a thanks to the waiter as their drinks were delivered before indicating that they needed more time to order. "It is indeed," he agreed ruefully. He'd had his share of heartbreak, though he had been blessed by his marriage - but great love left a great hole once it was gone, and that was something that he struggled with every day. Regardless, Phoebe sounded like a wonderful mother - kind, nurturing, understanding, but without trying to dictate or direct. She reminded him a little of his late wife in that way, though their children had never grown old enough to need such support.
Checking Phoebe's mail was more lighthearted, and Liam chuckled warmly. "That I can do," he assured her. As for keeping the peace, well, he was a soldier, and although he was only one person, the Greatwood had been quiet enough in his experience so far. He felt confident that he could manage in her absence.
The news of the gods' troubles had him frowning, though. "That is concerning news," he agreed. "If there is trouble on the horizon, we should try to prepare. I've heard rumors that the Dragoons are expanding to serve all of Caido rather than just Stormbreak. How would you feel about me rejoining them, and offering training to any citizens who might wish to learn to fight? I hope it's not needed, but..." But, honestly, this was Caido, and no one ever knew what might happen next.
Phoebe nodded in agreement with his concern. "So soon after the war too. I had been hoping for a longer period of peace." she said with a sigh. She didn't like the conflict or strife or peril. She had been one of the lucky few to not lose anyone in the war. Now she might lose what she had retained.
At the mention of rejoining the Dragoons though she shook her head. "I would rather you start our own security force. I love Sohalia, but she is inexperienced and well...she was my son's girlfriend." she said ruefully. "Still, I would not have you caught between two nations." she said, sipping her whiskey.
she sprouted love like flowers grew a garden in her mind
