To Court the Fairies (Graded)

[Thysbae]

He had feared that his answer to the question might not have been good enough. He fretted it as the fairy drew closer. But it was not, apparently, because one moment he was in the ring, the next he was in a hall. Quite a big one at that. Bug-eyed, he turned about in a circle to take in everything before a new voice sounded behind him, causing him to jump.

This fairy was yellow - blonde? - perhaps that was her name. Or were all fairies named after colors? What happened if they happened to share the same color? He imagined that could be confusing. He was pulled from his imagining as they began to get moving, jogging slightly to catch up with the others.

There was a man with him who was more than familiar. But there was no name to go with him yet. Or maybe Bae knew it already and it just didn’t stick out so much. Whatever the case, it appeared they would be working together. The important rooms were told to them - Bunnies! - and another familiar face appeared there. Bae lingered back a little to wave as well. Best make himself known.

However, when he caught up again, there were more fairies. And he was being put in charge of something. Bae had a dozen or more questions running through his mind. The yellow fairy, however, was soon nowhere to be found. Disappeared. Gone. So the remaining fairies would need to answer him.

“Uhm...where are we?” His voice felt a lot smaller in the wide halls. Not loud enough for an echo, but loud enough to be heard.

The fairy nearest him turned, unimpressed. “You’re in the Great Hall.”

“But where?”

A huff. ”I don’t remember what exactly you all call it. I think...it’s a fracture or something like that.”

That answer didn’t much help him. “What is a Fracture?”

“You ask an awful lot of questions for someone meant to be in charge.”

“I was put in charge very suddenly. I don’t...know what I’m doing.” The mortal born shrugged, brows furrowed. “Why’s there a bunny room?”

”The Bunnies are one of our closest allies and as such, it’s only right that they attend Court. They sent a few representatives so those are their accommodations.” This newer fairy was more than eager to flex their knowledge. A bright green, she flipped her hair and drew closer to the mortal born. ”Feel free to direct all your questions at me. Opal isn’t very amicable when stressed. I’m Green, by the way”

“Okay. Hm. What exactly am I supposed to be doing?”

”Setting up, silly. That was the first thing we told you. We need to get the decorations in order, make sure the food is acceptable and ready and a final check that the menu is suitable to the tastes of everyone attending. And our special guest.” Here she dropped her voice a little lower, glancing around to see if anyone was really paying attention. ”I heard he was a lover of Jesine some arcs ago.”

“Is that why he’s a special guest?”

”Yes! Paramour to the Jesine? You’re as good a royalty here.”

“Is she particularly special? Jesine?”

Green ushered him over to a seat, sitting in one herself a moment as she pieced her words together. ”She holds power over Emea, the plane of dreams. She’s a god, even to you mortals. So, yes, she is something special.” A pause and then - ”Now! Since you appear to be the most confused, why don’t you go see to our special guest and check on the bunnies? Once that’s done, you can come back and help with the decorations. How’s that sound?”

For a moment, it felt as though Green was speaking to a child, but the thought was dismissed in favor of another question.

“If this is a fracture, is it like...Emea? Can we change things with our minds like in a dream? Wouldn’t that make setting up so much easier?”

At this, Green laughed. ”If only that were true. Now, hop to it!” And he was shoved back towards the bunny room.

Speech | Thought

[Kisaik]

Kisaik was surprised when, after getting wrapped in a Rabu hug (The best kind of hugs, mind), Purple disappeared Rabu! Even more shocking, the fairy princess roamed right up toward Kisaik and told him the secret to dispelling evil was tenacity, and then laid a kiss on his wooden lips. Then he was transported.

The wooden knight found himself in a blue, glowing forest, surrounded by scores of shining fairies that smiled on them. The Blue Queen, roughly the height of Kisaik, greeted them there. He nodded happily and followed the Fairy Queen, since that was what Knights did, right? Obey royalty?

"It's a great honor to meet you, your Highness." Kisaik hoped that was the proper way of addressing Fae royalty. "If I may ever be of service in anyway to your Domain, don't hesitate to call on me."

Kisaik removed his green mantle and black half-cloak, folding it in his arms as he went forth. His boots trod the verdant soil of the Fairy’s forest, as the little ones touched and grazed him and the others with their glowing hands. He nodded politely to each of them, saluting a few when he could be bothered. But for the most part, his atteention was directed at the Queen.

He wasn’t surprised to find that the one known as Purple, was the daughter of this fairy. He wondered, perhaps lamely, if their coloration was directly linked to their lineage. What then would Purple make if mated with Green or Orange? Would there then be a fairy princeling known as Brown? It was a puzzle for another time, and perhaps too rude to ask or touch on in this instance. So he listened politely to Blue refer to her daughter as ‘Normal’.

When told that they would need to provide King Scarlet with a gift, Kisaik wondered for a moment. He had very little with him but his mantle, half-cloak, and boots. So for him it was a toss-up between those objects. In the end, he supposed a Fairy that claimed a warm color might appreciate a way to stay toasty in cold weather. ”I would be honored if King Scarlet would accept my gift of my mantle and cloak!” Kisaik said, lifting it in his arms, looking at Queen Blue.

To be sure, Kisaik could not smell any hint of fire or see smoke. Perhaps their Fungal, Mushroom palace got cold this time of year? It didn’t look very defensible either. Kisaik daydreamed for a few moments while Queen Blue asked Nox specifically what Mortals valued. He imagined the Fairy Kingdom calling him to defend it as a knight, and all the battles and chivalry that would be had on such an epic occasion.

While waiting for Nox to answer the Queen’s question, Kisaik followed on his newly grown wings, flying upwards behind Blue toward the Castle.

[Nox Cross]

It was true, the little winged creatures are not of Idalos. The Queen turned Nox and his companions into the same size as them plus the wings.

“Greetings Your Highness.” Nox tried his best to return the courtesy and bowed.

Nox listened to the Queen’s introduction. Before he could reply one of his companion have offered his mantle and cloak. Nox thought of gifts to be presented to King Scarlet since he had nothing of value at the moment with him. He along with his companions followed the Queen into the castle.

“What do Red Mortals like?” The Queen asked Nox

“Wha-What do Red Mortals like?” Nox replied, then he looked at his hair then at his surroundings then at his two companions.

Seriously? Ah perhaps because I’m red and King Scarlet is obviously red too, as no one would name themselves King Scarlet and wear pink colours.

“Queen Cerulean, forgive my blunt thoughts.” Nox said in case they could read his mind

“For me, my people the Aukari, what we want is inner peace. We have been plagued with inner turmoil since our birth and if we could not keep ourselves in check, then we will be burned up by the living fire within us. So for me what Red Mortals want is inner peace. I feel that King Scarlet is also plagued by inner turmoil and he seeks inner peace. If it would not be a bother, I would like to request a private audience with King Scarlet. My gift for him is how I handle the inner turmoil I experienced daily. I also know what it feels like to lose a war. Perhaps I could ease his troubled mind.” Nox replied

[Rabu]

Rabu smiled at Purples kind words and squeezed her back gently, letting the hug wash over him. He suddenly opened his eyes when he no longer felt her warmth against his and was greeted the faces of blue fairies smiling at him from azure trees and turquoise bushes. Rabu’s friend Kisaik soon arrived, followed by a red-haired man and The mortal born smiled back at both of them but more so to his fellow tunawa. Before Rabu could start a conversation with the others, a regal looking fairy women appeared and introduced herself as Queen Cerulean and the mother of purple. She then stated that court was starting soon and that they had to follow her. As they traveled the faeries poked and prodded the foreigners in curiosity, Rabu didn’t mind except when one of them became overzealous and pinched his cheek hard.

Queen cerulean lead them to a small village of toad stools buildings and twig structures, much like a tunawa city but far more surreal with rich blues that permeated everything. Rabu’s eyes wondered right away to the massive ornate mushroom that was likely a castle for the tiny emean creatures. To fit in with the setting, the queen transformed the three into small winged creatures, like the locals. The mortal born strained his neck to look back at his newly sprouted appendages, marvelling at their beauty. The wings appeared translucent, with splashes of bright colours like his bark and Rabu enjoyed the sensation they gave him when he fluttered them about.

“A gift?” Rabu mumbled while still transfixed on his new wings. The queen had just met them but wanted a gift for her husband the Scarlet king. It seemed odd that she was trusting complete strangers to give her husband gifts but if he enjoyed the mortal world then mortals would be the best place to look for inspiration.

Rabu listened to the others suggestions of gifts while he thought things over. He had grown up with the stories but fairies were still a mystery, there was mentions of a war that occurred in a few tales but never much mention of what it was about. It was a war in Emea, and could there for be over practically anything from Rabu’s limited understanding of the dream scape. Rabu did know a bit about the red Fairies, mostly in how passionate they were. A Red fairy loved strongly and heart break was devastating to them. It would likely talk more than a simple gift to help the poor king but while fairies are playful tricksters they tend to accept nearly any gift.

“How about deh green leaf?” Rabu asked while holding up a freshly plucked leaf from his scalp. “Green is colour of compliment to deh Red.” It seemed like a suitable enough gift.

[Cervantez]

☠ Cervantez ☠
☠ Mood: Out of Depth
☠ Company: Gaggle of Fairies
☠ Current Thought: Welp time to get to work
☠ Current Theme: Bury Me Low
☠ Attire: Masterwork Armor

"Common Speech"

"Xantheon Speech"

☠ It was in that moment Cervantez knew he would be in for a ride. He watched as the purple figured approached each inidividual, shifting her size to meet eye level with each one. Some interactions were pleasant, were as some where...not so much.

When she had arrived at him and another male, she answered his question which was one that he too had been thinking of, but was more concerned with building a bridge between knowledge. He watched as she met his height and snapped her fingers.

Next thing he knew he was standing in a hall some sort, looking around to take in the place. He couldnt believe his eyes in what he was seeing. Was this really happening? Was he really no longer in yaralon anymore? No, he was almost sure he wasn't as his eyes, hands, and feet lit up immensely. They were either in emea or in a fracture, but who was to really say.

As he pondered his surrounding he heard the dissatisfied grumbling of a new figure. She was cloaked in yellow, and since the other figure like her was named purple and thus was that color herself, he could only assume this one was named Yellow, or gold or some variation of that. In any case, he followed behind the fairy as she pointed to doors and gave instructions.

It seemed that this was an important moment for them, that they needed things to be perfect for the first court in what he could only guess is a long time. Cerv had been getting the general idea that they were to set up, which was only confirmed by Yellow's command to get things ready. She also hinted at three doors which led to the different fairy kingdoms he assumed.

With a snap of her fingers, an armada of fairies encircled them and she left them to get to work. Looking around he turned to the fairies in his immediate vicinity.

"Tell me, how many of you are there exactly, to help us get things ready for court?"

he asked watching as one came fluttering up to him. As many as you need fire eyes. he said with a giggle.

"I see, then how long do we have to set up until court starts?

his eyes looking to the black one that now seemed to be the ambassador for his group. It won't start till everything is perfect, so as long as it takes to make it perfect.

He was glad there was at least no time frame in which things had to be done, otherwise, it may not turn out too good. He then had a thought from that.

"Do we have to prepare the food or have you all done that already?"

his brow raised hoping he didnt have to cook, he didnt cook. The black fairy smirked and shook his head. We got that covered, we just got a few more dishes to prepare is all.

He moved a little further in, and then turned and asked his next question.

"I noticed Yellow never explained what these doors are or do?

this one was met by a gaggle of laughter by all the fairies, till the black one spoke up. Guess that means you'll have to figure that part out then huh?

That response did help him at all, but his next question would help ease his nerves before he could do anything else.

"I take it that from the way my mutations are reacting we are in a fracture or Emea?

he inquired hoping that his assumption was correct when they had arrived. That would be correct my weird looking man, we are in one of those reality ripping things, the fracture thingy. he answered in an animated fashion.

With all his questions satiated, he clapped his ethereal flamed hands and got to work.

"Ok for starters half of you begin preparing the food for court if it hasn't already been started, the other half of you with split into two groups, one will assist me in decorating the hall, and the other half will go and grab the decorations from the storage room Yellow pointed out."

with that said, he watched as they giggled and went to work, and seeing the other male that was with him go off somewhere with another fairy.

At that time, the one that had been answering his questions came back, a smirk on its face. The name is Onyx by the way? He said in an inquiring manner.

"Cervantez, Cervantez Xeleno"

☠

[Praetorum]

Watching the fairy grow to a towering height, Praetorum was getting the distinct impression that he had missteped. Before he could explain or apologize, there was a sharp crack across his face, and Prae stumbled back, startled. 



When he oriented himself, he was... elsewhere. Blinking at his surroundings, Prae spun around, staring through the bars at slitted yellow eyes. Cats. Large ones, at that. One seemed to licking its lips? Perhaps Prae was only anthropomorphizing these animals... hopefully. 



Someone spoke up from beside him, another fairy, it seemed. This one called himself Inky, and it wasn't hard to see why. Just as Purple had been wreathed in her own color, Inky had dark wings, dark clothing, and ashen hair, with dark tendrils creeping out of his wrists. Praetorum rubbed at his face lightly as Inky spoke, considering what he had to say. 



"A.... demon invasion? What do you mean?" Prae asked, settling down on the ground to face the fairy. 



"Demons are coming from their empire to your lands." The fairy made a face. "They plan to take it all for themselves. If you fall, we fall next."


Privately, Praetorum was a little skeptical. A demon invasion? He supposed if it could happen anywhere, it would be Yaralon, but at the same time, he had a hard time imagining anyone or anything successfully invading the city. Still, it seemed important, at least to the fairies. 



"Why did they toss you in jail for that?" Prae asked. "I would think an early warning would be welcomed."



"I get a little loud sometimes." The fairy admitted. "Fairies tend to not like such stressful matters much, especially with the Court so near."


That... seemed like a bad reason to ignore an impending invasion. "Can't you warn them afterwards?"



"I could. I don’t want to now."


Now that, Prae could definitely not understand. If he knew the demons were coming to slaughter all the fairies, why wouldn't he put in the effort to help? He'd already admitted he had friends here, didn't he want to save them, at least?


Still, Prae had stuck his tail in his mouth already by making assumptions about the way fairies worked, or... whatever. Perhaps he should gather more information? He also wanted to speak with the other Yari who'd come with him to this place; maybe one of them could do more. 



"Inky, do you know if there's a way to be let out early? Maybe with an apology or something?"



The fairy shrugged, leaning back against the bars of the cage. His wings fluttered, dangerously close to the maw of one of the cats behind him. "It’s fairy politics. Anything can happen."


That sounded like a solid maybe to Prae. 



"Do you know how I could ask?"


"Shout for one of the guards." The fairy suggested. "They always come when I do it. They might listen. Depends on their mood."


Prae nodded. "Alright, thanks Inky." He hesitated, then pushed forwards anyways. "I really do think you should stay to help. If you don't want to see your friends hurt, then you could do something about it, even if it's scary or dangerous." Without thinking, he clenched his fist, activating the Taithir ability Prae had earned only a few trials ago, inspiring Inky. 



Then, he turned, and stepped up to the bars. "Excuse me." He called out. "Can I speak to one of the guards please? I'd like to be released and attend Court. I'll behave myself."

Inspire

Prae has used the Inspire ability of the Taithir mark.

When this skill is activated, those around the user find themselves able to resist the fears and doubts that plague their minds, allowing them to act in spite of them when they might otherwise be unable to do so. This does not only apply to martial fears and doubts, but to fears and doubts in all facets of life.

[Aegis]

Rabu, Kisaik, and Nox

"I do not forgive your blunt thoughts."

She snapped her fingers and Nox disappeared, finding himself tossed back out into Idalos, right in the center of the Fairy Ring. She smiled sincerely at both Kisaik and Rabu, "No mean thoughts in your perfect little heads." She looked at the leaf that Rabu offered from his very own head, and the cloak that Kisaik had offered.

"How lovely. Might I?"

Holding each of the offered gifts hand, she smiled at the two Tunawa. "The bond between you two is delightful." Her hands began to glow, and a small, thin line of green-white energy formed, connecting Kisaik and Rabu. "See? Delightful. A new flower, beginning to grow."

She held out the two objects, and a small tendril broke off of Kisaik and Rabu's bond, and branched out toward the objects. They glowed bright in the same color, and the queen brought them together. They merged into one, and soon, the glow disappeared. What was left was Kisaik's cloak, made of the same material as Rabu's leaf.

"It's perfect."

She cuddled the new cloak tight, "Now, what can I do for you? It seems court hasn't yet begun, so it is not time for us to go."

Cervantez, Thysbae, and Mastemyr

Under Cervantez's command, the fairies set to work. Food was being cooked, decorations were being fetched, the Great Hall was being adorned. Yellow streamers, red lanterns floating in the air, blue carpets, green table cloths, purple butterflies fluttering about, orange seats. It was a colorful explosion and mess in the process.

It was not in the least bit tasteful.

It seemed that these particular fairies were not experienced in interior design whatsoever. They loved color, too much. But they needed direction. Specific direction. Fairies fluttered toward Mastemyr, offering up flower necklaces and crowns, and other adornments for him. "Come! We have a special seat for you!"

The fairies were eager to show Mastemyr his throne in the great hall. It was made of pure silver moonlight, studded with emeralds, with a thick, plush, black cushion on the seat and back. It was in the front of the room, among the other four seats of high honor.

"Do you need anything else before Court begins? You have the honor of ringing the bell."

The fairies indicated a large, crystalline bell in the corner of the room, all of them smiling. It seemed many of them hadn't been around the last it had been rung, and were rather excited to experience it.

And that was the moment that those in the bunny room decided to come out and investigate the festivities. Rabbits began hopping all through the halls, and the Great Halls, starting to nibble on the plant based decorations. They didn't speak, of course, for they were bunnies. But they did eat. With vigor.

Praetorum

A guard, all in black, weaved through the cats, having heard Praetorum's call. "If you'll pinky promise, I suppose you could," the man said, quite seriously. He stuck out his right hand, pinky extended, which was glowing with a bright white light. "You'll be held to your word."

If, and only if, Praetorum accepted the pinky promise, the guard would unlock the cage with just a touch. "Black Guard Inky, you're charged with keeping this prisoner to his word. If either of you step out of line, you will be executed. Understood?"

And with that, the Black Guard stepped away, to get back to his own things to worry about, leaving the door open for them. The cats continued to mull about but seemed to pay no mind to them. Inky sighed, looking at Praetorum, "I suppose I should help. Not sure why, but you seem to have convinced me. You're weird." He stepped out, the cats parting for the Black Guard, "Court won't begin until the bell rings. What should we do until then?"

!	Message from: Aegis
	All of you get 5 OOC questions maximum you may ask me, through Discord or PM. This can be for details in your scene, plot insight, what-ifs, etc. BUT by asking them, you will be expected to include the answer in your posts. This is optional. Good luck.

[Rabu]

An involuntary gasp left Rabu’s mouth as the man known as Nox was quickly whisked away with little warning by Queen Cerulean with just a simple snap of her fingers . The words the tall folk said weren’t too bold but his thoughts? Could the queen have been insulted by what he was thinking?

The queen added with a smile that there was no mean thoughts in Rabu or Kisaiks perfect heads, making it clear as day that she could in fact read minds.

“Where you take dat man?” Rabu closed his eyes tightly and raised his shoulders as he asked, fearing that he two would share the same fate.

“Oh yes yes.” Rabu nodded his head with a smile as she took his offering. He then watched as a beautiful light enveloped the two items and they fused into something new. His eyes went wide with a childlike wonder at the spectacle before him and he turned to Kisaik as if to say did you just see that?

“I glad you accept deh gift we give.” Rabu bowed in respect before adding. “I hope deh king likes it too.”

“Um..wid dis magic you has… it possible to..make sprout?” Rabu looked down and nervously twirled his thumbs. If the mortal born were to exchange glances with Kisaik, the bark on his cheeks would begin to glow in embarrassment.

“We both have deh flowers…but no…Nevermind.” Rabu looked down and could feel everyones eyes on him. How could he have thought to ask something so silly when him and Kisaik hadn’t even discussed raising a sprout together.

“I not need anything..” Rabu added before he went completely quiet.

[Kisaik]

Kisaik wondered at the transformation of his and Rabu’s gift. Amazing! And what was it she said, a new flower? Was that a hint? Goodness, the possibilities… Fairy magic was incredible.

Nox’s disappearance barely registered on Kisaik, at this wondrous display. Cerulean also revealed that she could read minds, amazing, amazing. Wonders never ceased. Yet Kisaik wondered if he would ever think of something to offend the fairies. He hoped not. He smiled broadly when Cerulean said there wasn’t a bad thought in their perfect heads, a glow flushing the dark bark of his cheeks.

”It is indeed perfect!” Kisaik finally said of their gifts, merged into one.

He listened as Rabu stammered a half-hearted request, bringing up sprouts? Kisaik had in fact thought about adopting or finding a surrogate female, although he didn’t bring it up with Rabu. There would be plenty of time for considering the possibilities later. But now, after having seen that display of the fairy merging their gifts…

Nevertheless, it might be too forward to request such a gift at this point. But perhaps in the future.

”You’ve already done so much for us, allowing us into your home, your grace.” Kisaik said with a short bow, ”I would like to extend an invitation to your court to our wedding in mid Ymiden, this year. If you need a place to stay in the interrim, there’s some room in my burrow and plenty more in Rabu’s wagon. Our accomodations are not as grand as yours, but what we have we will share. It would be such an honor to have a representative from your court at our wedding.”

Kisaik wrung his hands as he looked from Cerulean to Rabu, and back again. Am I being too demanding? After the thought, he remembered that Cerulean could read his thoughts, and began to excrete some sap from the back of his neck. He laughed nervously, sopping up the sap with a hanky from his satchel.

[Cervantez]

☠ Cervantez ☠
☠ Mood: Out of Depth
☠ Company: Gaggle of Fairies
☠ Current Thought: Welp time to get to work
☠ Current Theme: Bury Me Low
☠ Attire: Masterwork Armor

"Common Speech"

"Xantheon Speech"

☠ It was not what he was expecting, but for some reason he couldnt help but laugh. It seemed for all their enthusiasm they didnt know the first thing about decorating, not that Cervantez did either.

He couldnt, however, allow for this.....assault of color stand, so gathering some of the fairies he went about sprucing up their decorations. It was the least he could do, seeing as this was an important event, and he wanted to make it seem like he was at least a competent being in the eyes of faires. Once all the decorations where fixed he turned and looked to the doors.

They were such curious things, and his curiosity always led him to try and figure things out. Approaching one of the doors he began his investigation. It was unlike any material he had seen before, granted he had never seen a fair, to begin with.

In any case, while the fairies worked on their task he would try and figure out these strange doors, and if any fairy had a question, they knew where to find him at least. He wouldn't stray too far as this was not an every trial chance to examine fairy architecture, and he planned on taking advantage of the oppertunity. ☠