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+---- Thread: shine like a star (/showthread.php?tid=13046)
shine like a star - Sunjata - 07-23-2026
It hasn’t even been a full day between when the herding of the unicorns had ended and Sunjata finds his way through New Haven with a particular end point in mind. Not wanting to overwhelm – as he had a tendency to do – Sunjata had hoped the time in between let Niki get some rest. But, he hadn’t been able to stay away for that long, not with the dark flower crown hanging against the wall of the loft he’s returned to living in, beckoning him to go and see the necromancer.
It’s still cold outside, but at least the sun has been up for some time now to shed the town in a bit of warmth. It also gives him time to peruse the stalls already open, such that as he arrives at Niki’s door he’s got his bag of holding slung on an arm and two cups of coffee from the Sunbean in hand, knocking and awaiting an answer, suddenly feeling quite bad that if Niki was extremely sore from the adventure that he’d have to get up to get to his door just to open it for the Heartless.
Maybe the moniker fits a little more than he’d anticipated.
RE: shine like a star - Nikandr - 07-23-2026
Niki is extremely sore from the adventure, the combination of wagon-sitting for a couple of days in a row and sleeping out on a bedroll one that his body has been protesting for hours now. On the plus side, the work will soon have a healing river flowing through the bones of King's End, and if anyone can make very good use out of it, it's an ailing and bruised necromancer. All of that is to say that when Sunjata knocks the door, it does take a bit of time for Niki to answer, and he almost leaves it to pretend no one is home.
A good thing he doesn't in the end, slate blue eyes widening in soft surprise to see the Heartless on his doorstep; dressed in a dark cableknit sweater and soft black pants, the necromancer seems even more ruffled than usual (because he's just crawled off the sofa from a nap). [say]"Good morning, Sunjata,"[/say] he says automatically, a smile twitching at his lips as he steps aside for him to come in.
[say]"You brought coffee? That is very kind of you. To what do I owe the pleasure?"[/say]
RE: shine like a star - Sunjata - 07-23-2026
It takes longer than he expects for the answer to come, but Sunjata finds he’d probably sit out here all day if that’s what it took just to make sure he hadn’t inadvertently murdered the necromancer by asking for his help. Thankfully, it isn’t all day, and when Niki answers – looking ruffled and like he’s just woke up from a nap, Sunjata’s smile is immediately lopsided as it blooms on his face. “[say]Coffee, among other things.[/say]” He shrugs a tattooed shoulder – one slightly seen by the dark grey short sleeve shirt worn.
He steps in when Niki steps aside and waits to follow him presumably to the living room. “[say]I just wanted to see how you were doing after the big trip. And to show my thanks.[/say]” He murmurs, raising the coffee as if that was the only gift he brings. Little does Niki know the few things that hide in the bag of holding, its leather soft looking where it hangs and appears relatively small from his elbow. “[say]Sooo, how are you?[/say]” He asks with a soft laugh, assuming he can guess the answer.
RE: shine like a star - Nikandr - 07-23-2026
[say]"Among other things...?"[/say] Brows furrowing as he glances over Sunjata, seeing nothing but the coffee, the relatively small bag and his usually handsome self, the necromancer nevertheless beckons him inside and clicks the door shut behind him. [say]"Apologies,"[/say] he says as they head through to the living room, [say]"I believe I woke up and fell right back asleep on the couch. It looks like a cave in here."[/say] Given that he hasn't had a chance yet even to open any curtains.
As for how he's doing, Niki lets out a laugh that's equal parts weary and boyish, like the other man should well be able to guess. [say]"I feel as though I just herded unicorns across King's End,"[/say] he says, like that should be explanation enough. [say]"But it was good to be able to help, so please do not feel bad. I will be less sore in a couple of days, I am certain. And I did not fall out of the wagon at any point, or get kicked by a horse."[/say] So, you know, win-win.
RE: shine like a star - Serendipity - 07-23-2026
A group of Speaking Squirrels bursts into view, chattering excitedly as they scramble over roots and stones. Tails flick wildly as they wave their little paws and shout in unison.
“Come!” one calls, racing ahead a few steps before stopping abruptly. “Follow!” another adds, pointing in a direction that leads directly into a dead end or an entirely unremarkable patch of ground.
They regroup quickly, whispering among themselves before trying again, utterly convinced of their own usefulness. Whether they ever manage to lead anyone anywhere is doubtful, but their enthusiasm never wanes.
Speaking SquirrelsAreas Found: Hollowed Grounds, King's End, Greatwood — Common Appearing like a slightly larger version of a common ground squirrel, the speaking squirrels - as their name suggests - can speak. Or they appear to. Their vocabulary is limited to "yes", "no", and "follow me!" Though it is entirely unclear whether or not they understand actually speech and the words they are saying, they nonetheless will answer questions and will lead wayward souls further astray. Calls of "follow me!" have led a number of victims to their death, as the squirrels have absolutely no idea where they are going.
Challenge Rating: Easy HP: 38 | To Hit: +30 | Dmg: 9 Movement: Scurry 30 ft.; Climb 30 ft.; Leap 15 ft. SPECIAL SKILLS Limited Speech: vocabulary is only “yes,” “no,” and “follow me!” and it’s unclear they understand the words; Misleading Guide: will confidently lead wayward souls astray without any sense of direction; Chorus Echo: nearby squirrels pick up the cry, creating a misleading chorus from multiple directions; Gap Squeeze: slips through holes and hedge tunnels too small for most pursuers |
TRAITS Slightly Larger Ground Squirrel: looks like an upsized ground squirrel with bright, curious eyes; Tree & Wall Climber: agile on trunks, ruins, and hedges; Hedgerow Local: nests in the twists and hedgerows, popping in and out of tiny gaps; Fearful but Curious: skittish at noise yet drawn to travelers and their shiny gear ACTIONS Chatter Reply: answers any question with “yes” or “no,” regardless of sense; “Follow Me!”: darts a few bounds, stops to look back, then scurries on, luring travelers deeper; Tail Flag: flicks its tail to signal others or draw attention to a false turn; Dart & Vanish: bolts up a trunk or into a hedge-gap, reappearing on a different branch a moment later |
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RE: shine like a star - Sunjata - 07-23-2026
“[say]You’ll see.[/say]” Sunjata hums in a little singsong voice, shooting him a grin despite the apology that he shakes his head to. He gets it – he wouldn’t have expected anything else if he’s being honest. But for now, the Heartless is happy to trail the necromancer right to the living room. “[say]It’s okay. I can open the curtains if you want. I’m also okay with sitting in the dark, honestly.[/say]” He can make it work either way, though the light would help with the gifts he’s got in his bag.
He reaches the coffee table and sets Niki’s coffee down before he has a chance to spill it, setting his down beside it and the bag of holding where it slumps to its side. A snort leaves him at the mention of the unicorns, though, because it had been grueling and tiring, but just as Niki says, they managed it. “[say]I hope the ride wasn’t too bad. I don’t usually pull carts as a Pegasus, I forget to account for the wings sometimes.[/say]” He winces a little, before stepping over to the curtains to help Niki open them, assuming that's what the other man wants. "[say]Your directions helped a ton.[/say]" Beyond the curtains as the light starts to filter in, the dull echo of follow me! calls from outside as well as another makeshift herd – a pack of speaking squirrels that dart by Niki’s window.
RE: shine like a star - Nikandr - 07-23-2026
[say]"If I sit in the dark for too long I will fall back asleep,"[/say] Niki says with a chuckle, already having walked to his main windows to draw the curtains back. Murmuring his thanks when Sunjata joins him, the squirrels that scurry past have him jumping a bit in alarm, but a laugh escapes soon after. [say]"Gods,"[/say] he says. [say]"I am still not used to that. We had them in the Greatwood, but usually out on the trails."[/say] Still, with light now pouring into the room, Niki abandons the squirrels to pull back the rest of the curtains and then retreats to the sofa.
[say]"It was perfectly fine. Thank you for taking the trouble,"[/say] he assures the other man of the wagon. [say]"Honestly, I do not think there was a person there who did not walk away sore, so I treat it as part of the adventure."[/say] But now that he's home he's much more interested in recovery, and in not having to go out again for a little while.
Grabbing his coffee with another thanks, he's no longer surprised to see that Sunjata knows his order, merely settling back to cup it between his hands. [say]"I am glad you thought so,"[/say] he says of his directions. [say]"Now what is it I will see?"[/say]
RE: shine like a star - Sunjata - 07-23-2026
Glancing over as soon as Niki jumps when the speaking squirrels drift past, he can’t help the small smile that blooms on his face at the sound of his laugh. “[say]Yeah they’re quite the menace these days.[/say]” He agrees with a little sigh, finishing up and joining Niki on the plush sofa. He pulls the bag toward him as he hears the assurance, lips quirking in a lopsided smile.
He opens up the bag and reaches in, toying with himself on which he wants to present first, choosing the conversation over showing his goods just yet. “[say]Yeah, no, we were all pretty fucked up after it.[/say]” Even Sunjata’s shoulders had been sore from the wagon and the running, which was a quiet surprise for the demigod that rarely got winded doing anything.
But with the question, he glances over at Niki with an almost conspirator’s squint, humming under his breath a little playfully. “[say]For starters, this might help.[/say]” He withdraws these little warming pads. They almost feel sandy within the thin fabric it’s contained in. “[say]Shake them up and they’ll heat up. You can put it on your sore joints.[/say]”
RE: shine like a star - Nikandr - 07-23-2026
[say]"There you go, then - bonding,"[/say] Niki says with a roll of his wrist, as if everyone being fucked up after the two-day trek is something to suffer with pride. (Make no mistake, though, he is suffering). But then Sunjata starts to go rummaging in his bag and the necromancer sinks further into the couch, daring to sip at his coffee and feeling pleasantly surprised that it isn't too hot. He's about to ask how much could possibly be in the bag when the Heartless finally withdraws his gift, Niki's brows raising as he accepts the little warming pads.
[say]"Ah, be still my heart,"[/say] he says dryly, grinning at the other man and shaking one of the pads to activate it. [say]"Who needs flowers or chocolates when you can have a muscle relaxer?"[/say] He might be teasing, but the gratitude in his eyes is genuine as he presses one of the pads to the back of his neck, letting out a soft sigh of relief. [say]"Thank you for thinking of me and my laughably broken body in my time of need."[/say] He grins.
RE: shine like a star - Sunjata - 07-23-2026
A soft laugh leaves him at Niki’s wry remark, but it isn’t until the heating pads are revealed and handed over that the Heartless waits for the response. The necromancer’s brows lift and Sunjata, for a moment, wonders if he has to defend the choice he’s made like he isn’t happy to try and alleviate any of the pain Niki’s dealing with precisely because Sunjata had asked.
But they’re taken and placed, and amusement gleams in the steel of his eyes to hear the term flowers, though he had not brought chocolate. Two out of three should be a good start, though, he thinks. “[say]They work well. I’ve got one on my back right now.[/say]” He explains, though it’s hard to show the abandoned where it sits directly between his shoulder blades.
“[say]Eh, I’m not done yet.[/say]” He hums in an almost melody, reaching back into the bag to produce the flower crown he’d made with Melita. The crown itself is made up of a variety of flowers – braided into a gradient that goes from white to grey to black, with the only pop of color being the green stems. “[say]You mentioned flowers?[/say]”