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 ocean does not apologize for its depth and the mountains do not seek forgiveness
Another change and alteration seethed and slashed upon them, and for the most part, the unknown beckoned as it so often did, reaching and crawling, begging for them to look and glance its way. The stretch of time had seemed endless in repose and peace, and all of them ultimately knew it wouldn’t be – that was how worlds worked.
And so the beginning of Deepfrost arrived on cold winds and frigid decrees, with him leaving Halo alongside Evie, drifting closer and closer to a land, and situation, he’d much rather avoid. But the Sword had made a promise, and he’d uphold it as he always strived, true to his word. Coasting wings of thunderbird expanse eventually led them to the Refuge, where he could land and they could arrive and set things up for the amount of people soon to join them.
With the hopes of granting and giving information, alongside notions of what was to be done.
Casting a singular glance at the Evergreen, he then started orchestrating set aside tables and chairs, if not a few snacks, to lend itself to more of a gathered area amidst the open spread; close to the water, so all leaders could hear, and become immersed it what was to be shared.
--
This is the Mini Event (and can count as a seasonal if you wish!) for Leaders and Demigods to discuss recent plot happenings. Please post your arrival and I’ll move this on in a few days’ time. Thank you!
Hadama was grateful for his Academy-granted cold resistance as he swam the rest of the way up the river until he came up against the Refuge's magic-cancelling field. He waited at the edge of the town for Harper to arrive so they could enter together.
He nodded appreciatively to Deimos for setting the tables and snacks near the water, and gave Evie a warm smile of welcome. They had much to catch up on, but now was neither the time nor the place. The sobering contents of the letter that had gathered them all together implied a cause for concern rather than celebration, and his serenely stoic facade soon slipped back into place.
As others arrived he gave nods or small smiles depending on their relationship to each other, but overall the Tidebreaker waited quietly for the meeting to begin.
09-02-2023, 12:45 AM (This post was last modified: 09-02-2023, 12:46 AM by Sohalia.)
How deeply are you sleeping or are you still awake? A good friend told me you've been staying out so late
All in all, Sohalia had not known what to make of Deimos's letter. It certainly did not seem to imply warm tidings, and that made the young Heart uneasy. She was still so new to leadership - and was sure to be the youngest in attendance at this meeting - and she was unsure of her ability to lead her region through any tumultuous times that may linger on the horizon. Still, she was determined to do her best by her people, and she had never shied away from responsibility before.
She arrived at the Refuge on feathered wings, keen to remain in her snowy owl form - which was far more comfortable in the cold than she was as a human - for as long as possible. Still, that would hardly be appropriate for such a meeting, and so she shifted on the outskirts of the Refuge, glad that she had thought to wear some of the warmer clothes she had purchased on her visit to Halo last season. She was not what one might call comfortable, but neither was she freezing, and she took that as a wind.
She swept towards the gathering with her head held high, Tarak on her shoulder, doing her best to imitate the calm stoicism that she so admired in some of the other leaders. As she passed Harper, she couldn't help but reach out to squeeze his arm in greeting, shooting a smile at Hadama as she did so. She made her way towards Deimos and Evie. "Is there anything I can do to help set up?" she asked politely, eager to be useful if she could, if only so that the activity could dispel some of the nervous tension she carried.
Be careful, oh, my darling, oh, be careful what it takes From what I've seen so far, the good ones always seem to break
// ships are launching from my chest some have names but most do not //
After sending the letter to Ronin, Sunjata’d started on getting the Refuge prepared for a big meeting – ensuring that those that still lived there knew what was occurring while also making sure to have enough chairs and tables as needed for everyone to have a seat. And for the most part, when Deimos and Evie arrive, he stays specifically out of the Sword’s way, helping where he can to set up but otherwise being nothing more than a discarded tool on the wall, there just in case anyone needed him to be.
At least, until people began to arrive – picking a spot nearer to the outskirts, nodding politely to those he knew and remaining silent for those he didn’t have an okay relationship with. Sohalia receives a smile and a small wave of greeting before he seems to do his best to meld into the background, attentive and waiting to see what everyone might say or do.
the flood
// if you find one, please, let me know what piece i've lost //
No permission needed for power play!
Feel free to use magic/force on Sunjata, without killing him <3
Sunjata speaks with an Australian accent and has a passive magic that makes him produce a subtle scent that matches exactly to whatever those around him most desire him to smell like.
With companions left to help protect and provide for his wife and children, Noah went to the refuge.
The journey was quick with sky boats and his magic, even in the winter. But as he stepped through the barrier, he felt it. He felt everything magical part of himself nullify. It nearly took his breath from him, even as he expected it. Brushing his hands down his chest and smoothing his coat, which kept him warm enough even as it lost its Frey-given magical properties, Noah headed forward.
He arrived at the gathering on the heels of the Stormbreak queen. He didn’t waste any time closing the distance between himself, Deimos, and Evie. To the red-headed warden he offered a warm hug, and to Deimos an equally warm hug and a broad pat to his back. His eyes settled on them each for a long time, a sinking yet knowing glaze covering over glaciers.
Then he turned to everyone else gathered, and gave them nods. ”Thank you for hosting us.” He said to Sunjata as his eyes finally fell on Frey’s demigod.
It is her first time within the borders of the Refuge, and the sudden nullification of her abilities - as inherent to her as the blood in her veins or the breath in her lungs - makes her nearly queasy, hovering close to Deimos’ side in a way that is blessedly familiar to anyone who may be witnessing them from the outside. Though she knows many of those in attendance, the gravity of what they’ve come to discuss has her reluctant to appear anything but the Warden she is.
Sohalia speaks to them first, young and altruistic in her kindness, and Evie smiles in return. “Chairs will be nice for if the meeting goes long. Deimos could use extra hands.” And distraction from Sunjata.The Evergreen can see them available, but they’ve yet to be pulled out or set up especially given they’re outside, where such things were not normally left. Noah is the first to wrap her in his arms, and she goes with a soft laugh meant for only his ears and a firm squeeze of her own arms. He is a familiar face that helps to soothe the prickles of discomfort that the meeting - and topic - bring to her shoulders.
As for Hadama she ventures boldly to the water’s edge with a smile. “Do you need anything to make you more comfortable, Dama?” He is the only one bound to the water, so his opinion is the only one that matters to her. Though she’s not the main event in the least, it’s instinctive to take small measures of control in the quiet murmurs of newly gathered bodies, striving to create comfort and peace in the way that comes natural to her.
Phoebe arrived to find a crowd. Apparently this was going to be a very large meeting. Nerves crept up her spine - was she really in the same league as all of these people? Sure, she was a demigoddess and the Guardian of the Greatwood, but some of these people led nations that were nearly paradise! Steeling herself, she swallowed her nerves. She was a chosen of Frey. She deserved to be here.
So she found a seat near Sohalia, the only one she really knew well, giving small smiles and waves to others as she passed. Then she waited soberly for the meeting to begin.
loving you was the most exquisite form of self destruction
The daughter of Mort had sighed upon receiving her letter. Was the world truly in danger again so quickly? But she was not in charge of such things. Had it been her way, it would have been another 300 years before something major happened again. Alas, she lacked that power, and it seemed only a few scant years would pass before Caido was threatened again.
She appeared from the ether, finding herself standing near Hadama. Delphia had never met the Tidebreaker, but she knew of him of course. "Hello." she said, corners of her eyes crinkling as though she smiled. A hand lifted to touch the lightning scar on her neck, haunted gaze finding Deimos, who bore a twin scar. She nodded solemnly. Here they go again.
09-02-2023, 03:01 PM (This post was last modified: 09-02-2023, 03:01 PM by Remi.)
the lullaby
Having never been to the Refuge before, Remi was forced to rely upon the accounts he'd heard of the complete nullification of abilities that took place once one entered. Nothing prepared him at all for the way all of the senses he relied so heavily upon - the attuned bond and his emotional magic the most - just utterly vanished as he and Ronin stepped over the threshold. Giving a shaky look down at one hand, the Lullaby hisses out a strangled sort of sigh before reaching for his husband's hand and clasping it tightly.
Spying the ground ahead, Remi trudged onward, not looking entirely pleased, but of course what else was new. Knowing everyone in attendance, save for Sohalia and Harper, the Lullaby nodded to each before sliding into a chair and folding his arms comfortably over his chest. "Not even before the war did we have a meeting like this." He mumbles to Ronin, though made little effort to try and hide his words from the others.
I got a feeling inside that I can't domesticate
It doesn't wanna live in a cage,
A feeling that I can't housebreak
Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!
Speaks with a thick Italian accent.
Force and magic can be used against Remi without permission.
They're one of the last to arrive - not something Ronin was accustomed to when the war was so near, but that's almost ordinary now - and as they set foot into the Refuge, the Nova is seized by a similar sensation of being muted, almost. His brow furrows and he clasps Remi's hand just as tightly in return, shifting the bulky item on his shoulder as they head to where the meeting will take place.
"We probably weren't in the best state of mind before the war," he says softly. "Everything was chaos. It's amazing what a bit of peacetime will do to clear your head." He nonetheless leans across to press a kiss against soft curls, as if to try and soothe the uneasiness they're both feeling - but Remi moreso.
"I brought food," he tells Deimos - because of course he did - Ronin shrugging the shoulder with the bulky, wrapped sack on it. It's a whole pig (naturally) - he just needs a nice open fire to roast it on.
Harper arrives with Hadama who he spares a grateful smile to for having waited for him at the edge of the town. The nullification of the refuge does not bother him much given he does not experience much bleed over of urges and attributes from his shifts, so he looks to everyone with a smile.
Sohalia is the next to reach him, and he returns the squeeze of his arm with a warm smile, affection clear in every pore. Deimos and Sunjata are familiar faces, and he’d worked on the skyport with Ronin, but Phoebe is the only other person he knows on any deeper level. He heads for her next, bumping shoulders and smiling fondly down at her. He’s uncertain of where she stands with Sunjata these days, so hopefully he can be a mediator if needed. “Hey there stranger,” he teases. Deimos seems busy, but hopefully soon they can settle in and begin sharing information so that at the end the two of them can catch up.
How deeply are you sleeping or are you still awake? A good friend told me you've been staying out so late
With Harper greeted and her mind more at ease, Soh was able to help set out the chairs with Deimos. "I trust all is well in Halo?" she asked, a bit uncertain, for if all was well, then why call this meeting? Still, small talk was better than silence, in her opinion.
With the chairs set up and others arriving, Soh wandered over to Sunjata with a bright smile. "Hi, 'Jata!" she trilled cheerfully. It had been a while since she'd seen her friend, and he looked like he could use a friendly greeting. She wasn't aware of all the history in the room, but there was enough tension in the air that she hoped to ease it slightly if she could.
With that taken care of, she made her way to a seat. Phoebe joined her, and Soh offered a small, shy smile to her friend. Where did they stand, with things the way they were between Soh and Jude? Soh took it as a good sign that Phoebe had chosen to sit near her, and she relaxed further as Harper joined them, turning her attention to others around the room as Harper and Phoebe greeted one another.
Be careful, oh, my darling, oh, be careful what it takes From what I've seen so far, the good ones always seem to break
But hey, you know, word travels (we'll pretend it travelled straight into Danta's ear in one of his conversations with Sunjata at the Dusklight bar, perhaps?) and so the newly minted Maverick travels along with it.
He's never been to King's End, or the Refuge, and (as with almost all things right now), he absolutely hates it.
Entering the meeting spot with his rakish form draped in a large, thick scarf and a thicker coat, he waves a gloved hand at those he knows - the majority of them, actually - and makes a beeline for the fire.
if we're in love or if we're in pain?
Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!
Horns: Diamond - they look very similar to #2 in this image.
the ocean does not apologize for its depth and the mountains do not seek forgiveness
The muted proportions of his assemblage – shifts and magic – had him even more steeled and apprehensive, inevitable in the tautness of his spine, or the fact that he’d be speaking in front of many of these individuals over recent happenings. Distractions were good, inevitable things though, from Sohalia and Evie’s partaking of assistance into maneuvering things just so, Noah’s sudden hug, or Ronin’s inclusion of more food. He could only clench his jaw and nod to either Sohalia or the Supernova, and then permitted time to disperse, for everyone to gather something to snack on and be seated before getting started. He probably should have seen the Danta inclusion forthcoming, only arching a brow nonetheless.
And that was just it – the ominous beacons had been lit, and there was only moving forward. “Thank you all for coming,” and he meant it – considering a majority of them probably hadn’t wanted to. Casting his gaze over the crowd, he took another long breath, and began some segments of the inevitable. “Safrin called to Ronin and I in a dream, and announced that she would be departing from Caido to prevent something from happening. There seems to be a threat looming.” Which was also a bound to happen procedure, given the world that they lived in. “We wanted to ensure you were all aware, in order to prepare for potential conflict.” Then he glanced to Ronin, forging himself again so that the demigod could continue in the flow of information.
