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 approach of LongNight had been swift and unwelcome. Her crew had been preparing, debating on which port to whole up in for the week. Their 'business' often suffered when so few others dared to traverse the seas in the perpetual darkness. Instead, they used the time to relax and refresh from a year of hard work. So after much deliberation, they had agreed on the Hollowed Grounds for their temporary refuge. Its abundance of activities and added protection of the Inner Quarter had overwhelmed the temptation of the more familiar Torchline docks. The Marauder now bobbed in Jack Tar Landing, waiting for the sun to rise once more.
So with her schedule now wide open, Thal was anxious to find something to occupy her time. And the Dusklight had quite the reputation for 'entertainment.'
Pulling her thick hood down from her head, she glanced around the boisterous bar atmosphere. Apparently, many others had the similar idea to either pass the time completely inebriated or with intimate company. Thal grinned at the activity, excited to join in. The warmth of fire and bodies allowed her to comfortably remove her cloak and reveal the skin-tight leather attire beneath. A few heads turned to inspect the weapons sheathed against her second skin and the size of her other assets as she stalked towards the bar, swinging her hips confidently at the expected attention.
Leaning against the counter, she tucked a strand of curling dark hair behind her horn. After a wink to a particularly attractive man, she turned to the bartender to order a drink, only to be greeted by a familiar white-haired woman. Thal flashed her fangs in pleasant surprise. "Maea. What a coincidence."
And time it waits for no one It heals them when you die
Ghosts awakened with the setting of the sun. The last true day of the year had been a frantic race to make it back home from Torchline, and despite her original intention to spend the longest night safely at home, Maea simply didn't make it in time. The second best option was this. Having donned a bartender uniform she signed up for shifts and threw herself into the hectic activity of plying the guests of the Dusklight with drinks. There was work enough to go around and even with her limited experience the other workers were grateful; at least she could chip ice, pour beer and whisky, rum and gin and leave their hands free to deal with the more complicated drinks.
Staying busy was necessary. A leaden weight had settled in her gut as the stars winked out and she flinched every time someone opened the front door. Only the location of the brothel deep within the Last Whisper kept her from panicking - when a lifetime of ingrained terror clashed with the new times, challenging her perception of what was normal and safe.
And so Maea poured drinks. Cleaned shot glasses, wiped the counter, restocked the shelves and poured more drinks. Turning towards the newly arrived customer when the heard her name drop, she recognized Thalassa and flashed off a customer service smile, entirely forged.
"Thalassa! A welcome coincidence, indeed. What can I get you?" Stuck in service mode, it felt a bit strange to serve someone she knew; they both knew this was not her usual place, and it left Maea feeling like a fraud.
And soon you are forgotten A whisper within a sigh
Maea's impersonal greeting wasn't completely shocking considering their history, but Thal still cocked her head to silently communicate her observance of the tone. "Whiskey." She didn't mention the shallow smile or nervous energy, choosing to let Maea focus on her own emotions. Whether that was burying herself in work or sharing her feelings was up to the Ancient.
Taking a seat at a barstool, Thal shot another playful glance at the man down the counter. Her blue eyes flashed with dangerous interest in his chiseled jaw, cropped brown hair, and bulging muscles. He looked like he could throw her around easily - which was exactly what she wanted. Maybe when she was done with this drink, she would let him talk to her.
Until then, she looked back to Maea. Ignoring the man would only build the tension. "Keeping busy?" she asked the Loreseeker, mild interest showing through as she listened for the answer.
And time it waits for no one It heals them when you die
"Coming right up. Just a second - "Having to leave Thalassa to entertain herself as others called for her attention, it was perhaps lucky that the woman had eye-candy within easy reach. It certainly spared Maea the need to apologize for being a bit short with her.
Returning a few moments later with a glass and a bottle, she poured a measure of the amber liquid and slid it over to her young friend. "Yes, well. I'm sort of between projects at the moment... need to pay for my living somehow." Looking the woman over, she noted the practicality of her clothes and the utilitarian nature of her weapons. "How have you been since last? Not that it was too long ago." Remembering their long dash across snow-laden sea meadows softened the tension in Maea's gaze, enough to warm the smile into something far more genuine.
And soon you are forgotten A whisper within a sigh
Thal accepted the glass with a nod of appreciation, taking a large sip as she listened to Maea. The liquor seared a path down her throat, burning a comfortable pit in her stomach. At the mention of 'projects,' she was reminded of the experiment and how it had caused so much tension between them. Or the ghost before that, when they'd practically dissected the pale Ancient's dark past. They didn't seem to work well together in an official capacity, even if the Run Fountain had gone well enough. Thal made a note to stay out of Maea's projects for a while. So rather than comment on the business side, she just grinned.
Not much had happened since the hunt. She'd been preparing her crew for the approaching LongNight, putting aside her own desires to cause trouble at every waking moment. "Fine. Although sadly nothing exciting or entertaining. I could use something to get my heart rate up." Thal pointedly ignored the man but made sure her words were loud enough for him to hear.
Leaning onto the counter, she took another swig of her whiskey, letting it swish around her tongue to draw out the flavor. It had a depth that satisfied her palette and she rotated the glass to watch the amber liquid swirl. Before she had a chance to comment on the vintage, her drink was jostled, sloshing onto the counter. Quick as a serpent, she was spinning to pin the culprit with a searing blue gaze that promised death.
The man was obviously well into his cups, stumbling drunkenly and bumping into everything within reach. His more 'responsible' friends were laughing and raising their glasses at his antics. Before she could threaten violence, the man bumped into the counter, slurring a chuckle as he looked down at her. "P-prethy mermaid - " With a confused glance at her feet and horns, he cocked his head in befuddled curiosity. " - lotht your thail?" His buddies burst out in loud rumbles of laughter at his supposed insult, but he just continued to look perplexed as his eyes rolled into the back of his head and he dropped to the floor with a crash. More clapping and brutish humor ensued while Thal just glared down, kicking his arm off her barstool without a drop of sympathy. If he couldn't hold his liquor, he shouldn't be in public. It was disgusting.
She lifted her glass in pity and sighed. Giving Maea a frustrated roll of her eyes, she asked, "Could I get another?" The man's words hung oddly in the air and Thal tried to ignore the strange choice of insults.
And time it waits for no one It heals them when you die
Maea hummed, sounding amused. "You're in the right place for that, I dare say." More than one of the milling throng around the bar were casting lingering glances upon the woman, and if she was any judge there was one musclebound fellow a few stools down the counter who seemed to be paying particular attention to what they were saying. It was not Maea's first choice of 'activity', but neither did she intend to get in the way; that would be bad for business.
She frowned as the drunken man bumped into Thalassa. On the wrong side of the bar, all she could do was watch as the fool slurred something and promptly went down. Craning her neck to look for someone to haul him out of the establishment, she flagged down a bouncer - not Asta, for which she was both relieved and disappointed - before turning back to her friend.
"Of course. Sorry about that. What was he on about?"
Reaching for a new glass, it was soon placed within reach of the dark-haired woman, while Maea began to mop up the spilled whiskey with a rag.
And soon you are forgotten A whisper within a sigh
