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Character of the Season
Frail in body but dangerously quick of mind, Nikandr is the sort of character who proves that curiosity can be just as perilous as any weapon. A necromancer, inventor, and problem-solver with more ambition than self-preservation, Niki approaches the world like a puzzle box begging to be opened, even when what’s inside has teeth. Blunt, dry-witted, fiercely independent, and carrying a history best left partially buried, he has a knack for making even failure feel fascinating. Whether he’s raising the dead, moving across Caido to King's End, or experiencing a hangover for the first time, Nikandr brings a wonderfully strange spark to Caido, and we can’t wait to see what trouble his brilliant mind wanders into next.
Congratulations, Niki!
Credits
Court of the Fallen was created in October of 2018 by Odd, Honey, and Crooked.
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"Ah, you did? Were you successful?" Niki wonders, tilting his head at Flora as they creep steadily closer to the front of the line. "I used to enjoy watching them. I suppose I might have become a fisherman in another life." It's a skill that doesn't involve having to run or climb, and he's far from the squeamish sort.
He doesn't need to look at the menu to know what he's going to get, but opts to anyway, just in case. And when it is their turn at the counter, the boy's order is predictably succinct and straightforward: a flat white with an extra shot with nothing to sweeten it. Stepping aside for Flora to order as well, he considers her question with a furrowed brow. "I had just turned four, the previous Deepfrost," he recalls.
"And that is kind of you. I have no doubt that the spirits of the house will be happy to help with the matter." He nods. "But just in case, I was being serious when I said I do not dislike tea."
stay your pretty eyes on course keep the memories of who i was before
Flora nods brightly. "Sometimes we were!" she says. "My dad’s friend Ianto was a merchant, and he always promised he’d trade us if we brought him real goldfish." Her grin tilts crooked as she remembers, aqua eyes glinting. "Somehow, though, he was always conveniently gone whenever we actually caught some." At his mention of being a fisherman, she tips her head, considering it. "I can see that," she muses. "You’ve got the patience for it. Sitting still, mapping out the best spots."
When their turn comes, she orders a latte with coconut syrup before moving aside to stand with him. A low hum slips past her lips as she tries to remember what being four had been like herself. It’s a blur, really, and hopefully it is for him too, lessening the trauma somewhat. "I’m sure my dad would let them come down and see you, if you ever wanted," she says softly. "So they could see what has become of you." Flora will understand, though, if he'd rather than subject himself to that, but still the offer stands.
With a laugh, she takes their drinks from the counter, handing his over with a flourish. "I heard you the first time," she teases, grin curving as she lifts her own cup. "But now that I know it isn’t your preference, obviously I’m obligated to make a huge fuss about it."
i scream for whatever it's worth "i love you" ain't that the worst thing you've ever heard?
"Ah, the fox with the Wishing Wagon?" Niki raises his eyebrows, because of course the wagon and its quirky owner had rumbled through the woods on more than one occasion. "I only saw it once when it was quite young. A man had traded for a sword that made everything taste spicy. I do not think that was the point of the sword, but..." He shrugs. Who is he to tell people what to buy?
Accepting his drink from Flora when she collects them with a murmur of thanks, Niki considers her offer and, after a few moments of consideration, gives a gentle shake of his head. "I do appreciate it, but in truth I do not even really remember them," he says, sounding apologetic about it, though to whom is a mystery. "Bringing them back, I would feel a little awkward," he confesses. "I do not think there is anyone I would like to see back from the dead, in fact."
In a non-necromancy way, he means, clearly.
Sighing with appropriate drama at Flora's next comment, Niki nods with the quiet acceptance of the long-suffering. "Understood. I look forward to my new coffee station and I thank you in advance."
stay your pretty eyes on course keep the memories of who i was before
Flora’s face brightens instantly, her nod emphatic. "Yep! That’s Ianto," she confirms, grinning as the memory clicks into place. Hearing about the sword makes her laugh under her breath, her shoulders shaking with barely held in laughter. "That sounds exactly like the sort of thing he’d have tucked away. My dad swore up and down once that the wagon was bigger on the inside than the outside." Her grin turns crooked, fondness curling through her voice. "And honestly? I believe it."
She’d half-expected Niki’s refusal, so she only nods, taking a sip from her latte before answering. "I get that. At this point it’d probably feel like walking up to strangers and telling them about your life, huh?" Tilting her head curiously, she adds, "So does that mean you don’t bring lanterns to the Festival of Lights either?"
She leans lightly into him, nudging the necromancer with easy affection, her grin playful as she lifts her cup. "Well, in that case, you can expect your shiny new coffee station in the next few days. Maybe the spirits will even figure it out so they can brew you a cup."
i scream for whatever it's worth "i love you" ain't that the worst thing you've ever heard?
"Bigger on the inside?" Niki echoes, smiling to himself and giving a gentle nod. "I will admit, I can see it as well. I recall he would disappear for quite some time while fetching things for people." Longer than you would have thought possible for such a compact wagon. "Perhaps I will come across him again one day. I will let you know if I do."
Sipping from his own coffee, he nods the affirmative to Flora's assumption. "That is exactly how it would feel, I think. And you are right - I do not bring anything to the Festival of Lights other than myself. Though it has been quite lovely to be able to attend these past couple of times," he says.
Setting off again after receiving his mandated affection from the Doubletake, his eyebrows raise in curiosity at the idea of the spirits learning how to brew coffee. "Now that would be something," he agrees. "Though, even if it just giving me outfits to wear, I am grateful all the same..."
It's with those thoughts in mind - string bikinis and ghost coffee and all - that they continue back towards Ahi Coast, and Wildering House beyond.
~FIN
stay your pretty eyes on course keep the memories of who i was before
