Perhaps the closest equivalent of Caido’s golden retriever energy, Zavien has been the light in an otherwise patch of darkness. Always putting others first, working hard at being a Dragoon and helping Stormbreak thrive in kindness, and always being optimistic, Zavien’s outlook is refreshing and wonderful even with drama and terrible things occurring around him. He always has something helpful to say and a willingness to lend a hand that makes it so fun to keep up with him and we can’t wait to see what else comes his way.
Congratulations, Zavien!
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 snow falls around her in clumps, drifting down through the fog as if from invisible tree branches. A chill runs down her spine from the cold seeping into her bones and the creepy tombs dotting the hills. Although leafchange has come to an end, the veil between realms feels thin here, as if the fog might disguise a wandering spirit or a whispered voice. She looks closely at the stone frames and their rusted iron doors. Her untrained eyes tell her nothing about who may be buried within.
Thal sighs, causing a white cloud to obscure her vision momentarily. Although it seems pointless, she hopes that the neutral grounds might serve as an ice breaker between her and Maea. The snowy weather may even be able to dampen their fiery tempers and act as a balm to painful memories. If not, they will freeze together in a foreign land full of unknown souls. Either way, Thal is determined to clear the air.
She had never been so glad for new clothes as she was this Deepfrost. The season had barely even begun and Maea already held a newfound appreciation for socks, knitted sweaters and mulled wine, not to mention the Halo-crafted coat that kept the worst of the chill at bay. She still looked rather miserable as she came trudging through the snow. High slits in the long skirt made her new dress easy enough to walk in, but a layer of white powder was steadily building up along the hem that would soak moisture up to the knees the moment it started to melt. Bundled up in layer upon layer of wool and silk, she squinted at Thalassa through a narrow gap between hat and muffler.
"Is there a reason why we couldn't meet indoors?" Fire danced around her like so many will-o-wisps, warming the air marginally; still, it wouldn't let them stay outdoors for very long before it became dangerous.
Maea's approach was more welcomed than not at the prospect of clearing the air so that they could promptly leave, even if she looked like a heap of walking clothes. Thal could barely make out her pale skin peaking out around her eyes. It would be hard to have a conversation when she was tempted to laugh at the speaking bundle of fabric and fur.
She chuckled at Maea's question. "I figured we could bury our quarrel in the snow amongst other forgotten disputes. Although these ended in a different way, perhaps we can settle ours in a more civilized manner. Maybe scream at each other again until our throats go hoarse? After all, only the dead can hear us out here." Thal reached out her arm in emphasis of the empty snow hills that wouldn't cast judgement on their recent exchange of choice words that resulted in the eternal rest of her sister-in-law. Her own feelings were still hurt so she couldn't imagine the other Ancient's own emotions. With her arms outstretched, Thal gave Maea a challenging grin. "Do your worst."
Tucking her gloved hands into the pockets of her coat, Maea followed the widespread arms to gaze across the landscape. Blanketed in white, the brightness stung her eyes even under an overcast sky, and the bitterly cold wind echoed a chill that had settled somewhere near her heart ever since their clash in her office.
"There isn't really anything to discuss, is there," she said, pale eyes turning back on Thalassa. "I asked for your assistance. You gave it, and we solved the problem. That's all there is to it." She didn't think any amount of snowballs thrown could make up for the harsh words she had been subjected to. It didn't really matter that they had been true - what hurt would always hurt, and that was that.
"I'm not holding it against you. Just let it lie." She could be civil and polite about it if they ran into one another; it wasn't like they needed to hang around one another, and as Thalassa was a nomad they had plenty of opportunity to steer clear.
A heartless laugh echoed across the sparkling snow. "Oh, Maea. Don't lie to me. I'm a big girl. I can see the anger still simmering there. You don't have to pretend to be cold and dispassionate with me." Thal put a single finger in the air and indicated to the empty space around them. "After all, there's no one here to judge you or compromise your precious reputation."
Stepping closer to Maea, she whispered quietly, "Don't you hate the fact that I know your darkest secret? Or that I have higher expectations of you than you do of yourself? Or that I understood your family better than you did?" It was a low blow, but it wasn't healthy to keep such strong emotions bottled up and Thal was willing to push any buttons she could to get her to crack. They needed to let out the hurt and anger in order to move on. Their previous meeting had been about Maea's family and inner struggles. This was about her and Maea. Thal had just started developing what she might even consider a friendship with the pale Ancient and she wasn't willing to walk away just yet. Not without a fight.
Pale eyes made gray by the overcast sky narrowed as Thalassa slithered closer. The taunting hiss brought her mind to a snake, and Maea's lips curled with a mixture of irritation and cold amusement.
"The only one who cares about my reputation is you," she pointed out, folding her arms across the chest. It annoyed her that she had to look up to meet the younger woman's gaze. "I don't have one to protect, and the only thing that pisses me off about you is how you keep focusing on my family instead of searching for your own."
Leaning down, she scooped up a handful of snow and began compacting it between her gloved hands. "You had some nerve, saying all those things to me, only to throw yourself away during the experiment. Do you think your lack of memories excuse you from disappointing your own family? You're not one ounce better than me, girl, so stop acting like it."
Clearly Thal wanted to have snow hurled at her, so Maea obliged her. The throw was swift and hard, aimed straight at her smug face.
