Click here for a list of weather descriptions, seasonal festivals, and a real time:site time conversion.
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.
OG Skinning provided by Kaons, with functionality and many custom plugins made by Neowulf!
// no sudden moves, don't make a sound they're out for blood this time around //
He collides with her with his own little grunt of a sound, pushing himself into her as she laughs and grabs into the tines of his horns as if he were a bull and she were trying to tame him. In spite of the corvid’s croaks in the distance, they land on the ground with her laughter infecting the mania suddenly bursting through his chest.
A low laugh escapes him, giving up as she twists and he lets her, suddenly with his back pressed to the ground and her atop him. His hair’s a mess, but he pushes it out of the way with a puff of air, able to peer up at her with his tired eyes full of amusement with a portion of panic. “I yield.” The butcher says as the crows start to fly off, his hands falling limply to the lava rock he lays upon, chest rising and falling as he catches his breath. “That was quite enjoyable, despite the gore crows.” He offers after a moment, content for a few long moments to remain pressed against the ground as the corvids fly off and out of sight.
When Asta yields, she's looking down at him, hands still coiled around his horns and hips settled over his chest to 'pin' him. There's a playful smile on her lips, the laughter slowly subsiding with the rush of adrenaline. Through the dark curtain of her own wild hair, she registers the pinch of panic still on his face, reminding her of the other aspect for their training. She glances up to make sure all the crows have gone, sending a blast of fire to one that lingers like it might just stay. As it takes to the sky, she raises up on her knees, releasing her hold on his antlers. "They're gone." It's said like an observation, even as the tone holds a buried hint of reassurance.
Untangling herself from him, she stands, all graceful movements and easy elegance. As pointless as she thinks it will be, Thal offers him a smile and an extended hand to assist him. "That was pretty fun, although I think you were going easy on me." Very much an understatement that she hopes to rectify one day. Once he's on his feet, she gathers her daggers, sheathing them at her side as she watches Asta to make sure nothing lingers from the difficult experience.
// no sudden moves, don't make a sound they're out for blood this time around //
Her comment is as much of a consolation as it is a confirmation as his horns are released and the fire flares at a lingering corvid. He keeps his gaze on her, watching the wings from his peripheral vision as it joins the others in vanishing. “Good.” He murmurs softly, nodding once he’s released, waiting for her to get up before the butcher sits up onto his elbows, casting a glance toward where the corvids had been before departing.
And by the time he looks back at her it’s with a slightly easier smile, taking her hand despite not really requiring it. “I was a bit preoccupied.” He murmurs, letting the low rumble escape him as he brushes out the loose shirt of any lingering dust, before collecting his cane and regarding her with that same smile. “We shall have a rematch once I am.. okay, again. For now, I think I owe you lunch, if you are inclined to join me?” Flashing her a brighter smile especially with the prospect of leaving the Climb behind and the last task completed.
He has a very good reason not to be on the top of his game, and Thal doesn't blame him one bit. If he knew how much she hates spiders, she hopes he might give her the same decency. But for now, she gives him an understanding nod of her head, not bothering to brush the dirt from her own outfit.
Instead, she retrieves her cloak, securing it back in place as she considers his question. "I think some food would do us both some good." To calm the nerves and renew the energy they'd used. She's preferable to something sweet, or maybe bloody, but she'll let him lead the way as she adds, "And maybe some bandages. I nicked you pretty good there." There's still a twinge of guilt that she hides behind a teasing grin, at least glad to see that it'd stopped bleeding along with her own scratch.
