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!
Ophelia had initially retreated to the Outer Brambles for game - as it was always plentiful in the heavily wooded islands - but the neverending deluge of rain has yet again made a mockery of any sort of plans. Not only is it cold and distracting as an Ancient, but the constant downpour has a negative impact on hunting, as it has completely altered the normal cycles of the prey in the overgrowth.
Having grown slightly distempered from bloodlust, Ophelia distracts themself in the next best way - being childish.
Muck and mess were bosom buddies growing up on a farm, but they were simultaneously things to avoid at all costs given the expenses of new clothes and boots. Now, there is nothing to stop Ophelia from dirtying up their skin and attire - and so it is that they go stomping and running through the growing puddles along the shoreline, shrieking and laughing to themself as they plunge into the next pool of mud. Happy to chase away their irritation with simple fun, even if it is a little strange for someone their age to be partaking in.
For Justice knows the balance and your case cannot be won By pressing down the scales with your own thumb
Flying in the rain is miserable. But after investigating the crash site, Edmund needs to replenish his supplies before going home. With Kings End now livable, he could have stopped there yet he's made his way to the Grounds to check in on his fellow Ancients. It still feels strange to associate the Grounds with Ancients and not Ascended, but it's a welcome change.
As he's soaring above, the sound of laughter draws his gaze down. It's been far too long but Edmund recognizes the Ancient from the fort 'fight'. It seems like they're back to having fun and with childish glee, he dives down. Wings against his side shift into the paws of a molten tiger midair. When he lands, he does so with the full weight of the tiger. The resulting splash instantly soaks him and lets out a happy chuff of greeting to Ophelia.
Ophelia doesn't have much reason to keep their eyes on the sky, so it's not until Edmund is diving that they really take notice of what's going on. More inquisitive than fearful especially when gore crows usually signify other Ancients, they startle backward only as the shape balloons out into a giant tiger, the wave of muddy water that sluices out from its paws much louder than anything Ophelia could have managed.
Laughing delightedly as they realize this can only be Edmund, Ophelia swings their mud-soaked skirt in a dramatic curtsy, half-bowing to the shifted Ancient. "I haven't seen you in a while," they remark airily, no judgment in their tone but clear mischief in the way they hop forward, using their skirt still in their hands to fling more mud at Edmund's dirtied stripes. "Are you coming home to the Grounds?" For in Ophelia's mind, everything is simple and structured. Danta leads them as the eldest Ancient and the Maverick, so surely much like the Ascended, the Ancients must belong in the Grounds. It doesn't really matter to the ghost that Edmund can't talk back - they would have asked regardless, truthfully.
For Justice knows the balance and your case cannot be won By pressing down the scales with your own thumb
If Edmund were in his normal form, he'd have laughed. Instead, he returns Ophelia's curtsy with a bent paw and a deep bow. When their skirt sends mud at him, the molten tiger's nose squishes before he lets out a rumbling huff of amusement. Flicking his tail, he returns the favor and sends muddy water back at his fellow Ancient.
The younger Ancient doesn't share his kin's view. The Grounds belong to Danta and thus the Ancients, but that doesn't make the Maveric the Ancient's leader or the Ground their home. Tilting his head, he then shakes it. Taking a claw, he roughly writes out two words in the soaked dirt. 'Torchline. Climb.' Those were home for him. The Grounds was simply part of their territory.
But now's not the time for a debate. Especially not in tiger form. Instead, he drops into a crouch, tail clicking excitedly as he bursts forward to gently tag them before running away.
Ophelia isn't expecting the tiger's tail to be so agile, and another startled, airy laugh escapes them when the mud slings with devastating accuracy against their legs. Truly, they don't mind that Edmund seems disinclined to shift back to converse; Ophelia often spends days at a times lazing about as a Lial, languishing in the comfortable simplicity of a primordial brain and forgetting humanity for a bit.
Reading is still an ongoing skill for Phi given how they'd only been taught upon Ascending, and mud isn't a great vehicle for script, but the words are short and give up the ghost of their meaning after a bit of squinting and turning of their head. "Hm. I haven't traveled outside of the Grounds - only once to Torchline's port with Samuel." A sad fate perhaps, but Ophelia was already raised to paranoid, spiritual parents who never let them into town unless it was to trade supplies. They're used to their world being small, even after the fall of the barrier.
Startled from their thoughts when Edmund tags them, Ophelia laughs and gives chase on human legs, holding their skirt in bunches in their pale hands. It's faster - temporarily. Until they have no hope of pinning Edmund down without an extra burst of speed, where they then shift and lunge, scaly and huge and fast to bump their snout off Edmund's hind leg.
For Justice knows the balance and your case cannot be won By pressing down the scales with your own thumb
12-14-2023, 03:40 AM (This post was last modified: 12-14-2023, 03:40 AM by Edmund.)
Edmund's ear flicks and he taps the word 'Torchline' with his claw in an attempt to extend an invitation. If Ophelia wishes to explore the sunny region, the younger Ancient will happily show them around. The name Samuel is unfamiliar to him, so he tucks it away for later. Maybe he'll meet the person behind the name someday?
Much to Edmund's delight, Ophelia is eager to play. He lets out a chortling huff as they chase him. His claws tear through the muddy earth as he races ahead. He only startles slightly when there's suddenly a snout at his leg and he puts on another burst of speed. Making a sharp turn he twists and with a playful growl, changes directions to throw Ophelia off of his trail.
Clearly Edmund is offering an invitation, which makes Ophelia brighten in a childlike fashion. Torchline had been beautiful the one time they'd gone, but it had also been far too dangerous for an Ascended - hot and in full view of the sun. Now, that's practically paradise for an Ancient, and with the constant rain it would be incredible to get away, even if the region is experiencing its own crazy weather patterns. "I'd love to visit! I'll send you a letter," they nod decisively, pleased with the prospect of practicing their handwriting again.
But who needs handwriting - or even hands - when there is tag in animal bodies instead?
Lial are known for their devastating speed, but Edmund is far more agile, and his playful growl is met with chortling and eager snaps of Ophelia's long maw as he shoots off in another direction. Streaking after him, Ophelia lunges a second time, hoping to jab their snout (sans teeth, despite the ever-present desire to crush and consume) into the back of his leg or graze the side of his hip to tag him back.
For Justice knows the balance and your case cannot be won By pressing down the scales with your own thumb
The tiger perks up, ears flicking happily as he nods. Mother will be so pleased. She wished for him to help his siblings and he had been worried about how to go about that without abandoning Torchline. Showing Ophelia around was a perfect compromise. The promise of spending time with them appeals just as much. They've only met briefly but the older Ancient was a bright and fun soul to be around.
The game is on and the lial very nearly tags Edmund. Yet the tiger's tail is a useful weapon and by flicking it sharply to the side to throw his body weight, the younger Ancient can swiftly switch direction. As a bonus, it allows him to playfully tap the lial on the snout as he passes by. He chuff in delight, egging his sibling on.
Ophelia very nearly tags Edmund, but the tap of a fuzzy tail on the nose makes it clear it's not going to be that easy. Ophelia stomps their front feet into the mud in what outwardly appears to be an expression of frustration, but what is truly just excitement.
As they race after Edmund again however, another scent - a scent they can't turn away from - tickles at their leathery nares. Freezing, Ophelia snaps their teeth together lightly to alert Edmund and turns their head toward the scent. There is no bond to guide them, but Ophelia is certain Edmund will be able to smell the same thing. The bloodlust stirs like a living beast in their veins, encouraging them to abandon all play and pretense for something far more necessary. Without waiting for Edmund - now it really would be a race - Phi darts off into the underbrush, intent on hunting down whatever is bleeding, be it predator or prey.
For Justice knows the balance and your case cannot be won By pressing down the scales with your own thumb
12-28-2023, 12:44 AM (This post was last modified: 12-28-2023, 12:46 AM by Edmund.)
The excitement and joy of play quickly shift to bloodlust as the scent reaches Edmund. With an eager snarl, he twists and swiftly races after Ophelia. He hasn't tended to his needs nearly enough this season and the pounding of his heart and salivating fangs betray his need. Whatever creature has found itself injured will not have to suffer for much longer. He'll happily put it out of its misery.
Breaking past the tree line into a clearing reveals a trio of speaking squirrels, all mumbling anxiously. Blood spots the side of one as it heaves. A broken branch beside them paints a clear picture of what has happened. Edmund barely glances at it.
The tiger is already pouncing, claws sinking deep into one of the other squirrels as mud squelches beneath their combined weight. The squirrel barely has time to squeak out a "No!" before it is silenced. Edmund lets out a pleased rumble as he tucks into his meal, glancing up to make sure that Ophelia has also caught a squirrel to eat. If not, he'll happily share with them. It might make his instincts twinge, but Mother had said he should help his siblings. So, help them he shall.
Ophelia follows in Edmund’s wake, the race forgotten in favor of shared devastation and indulgence. Squirrels are a little small for Phi’s liking, but their bloodlust doesn’t care about volume, only prompting urgency and need. Edmund leaps, and Ophelia waits only long enough to see which squirrel he aims for before lunging with all the speed of a Lial, snapping their jaws around one of the remaining animals.
Their tail swishes in heavy, rhythmic motions, plainly communicating their pleasure in a rather catlike way. Maybe that’s for the best given Edmund’s current physical state.
Bloodlust dampened but not quite sated, Phi spins slowly and gestures their giant rocky head toward the deeper forest in clear offer to hunt together. Whether Edmund takes them up on it or not, off the Lial goes, intent on slaking their thirst.
- Fin!
For Justice knows the balance and your case cannot be won By pressing down the scales with your own thumb
