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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.
OG Skinning provided by Kaons, with functionality and many custom plugins made by Neowulf!
Instantly flushing to see that Ever has not, in fact, taken his seat yet, Isla is forced to look away with a soft laugh, feeling shy in a way that, as anyone who had danced with her at the ball would know, is very much out of character. "Thank you," she murmurs. "I suppose we both owe Mateo some thanks as well for his choices." Ah, if only there was Instagram in Caido, the botanist might already know.
Clearing her throat as if to try and clear her head at the same time, she glances at the menu offering Ever suggests and scans it briefly, finding it particularly enticing especially next to the more traditional items. "And wine pairings, too? I can hardly say no. As long as that suits you as well?" Having been an Ascended for so long means that Isla no longer understands the idea of being a picky eater - all experiences are to be savoured, whether or not she ultimately goes back for seconds.
Luckily for Ever, she has every intention of coming back for him time and time again.
I'd still know you, not being shown you, I only need the working of my hands
"Of course you can say no." Everest says, perhaps a touch too seriously. "If you'd like anything else at all, you need only to say." Nearly about to reach out for her hand—it's halfway across the table as the waitress arrives—the aviator is handed a small glass jar with water in it. Mumbling a thank you, he reaches for the flowers Isla tucked into her bag and places them on the table.
"Mateo would kill me if I let them sit without water." He explains apologetically, not wanting the Remedy to think he was merely trying to bring his offering back into the forefront for the restaurant to see.
After placing their order, only then does Ever try again to take Isla's hand across the table. "I'm sorry again. My duties as the Spyglass were particularly busy after the ball, and having left Mateo without La Verbena for longer than expected, I wasn't able to just take her and come down to Torchline the way I normally would."
Having, of course, been joking, Isla is surprised at the sudden drop in Ever's tone, and as she realises the cause she feels her stomach flop in a mix of nerves and quiet delight for this man and the care he already seems to hold for her. Indeed, her hand is reaching for his in return when they are interrupted by the waitress, and the Remedy willingly surrenders the flowers so they might get a drink while they sit and order. "You're very sweet for saying so," she manages at last, "but everything is wonderful, I promise. Let's order this."
Taking his hand at last and giving it a warm squeeze, she shakes her head kindly as if to assure him that his apology isn't needed. "We are both busy individuals," she says, "so I completely understand. Things were hectic at the clinic after I came back, so I wasn't able to make it up here either. When I got your letter, though, there was no way I was going to miss the opportunity."
Grinning again properly now, Isla glances around at the restaurant. "This is an amazing date so far, Ever," she tells him honestly. "You've thought of everything."
I'd still know you, not being shown you, I only need the working of my hands
Whatever other conversations are happening around them, Everest is hardly aware. A bomb could have gone off and he'd hardly have noticed but for the feeling of Isla's fingers against his own. Not only did her touch kindle something warm in his belly, but just the knowledge that her fingers were so skilled had him marvelling; and no, not in that way (or not just in that way). Her hands had saved lives, and now here they were, tucked against his own.
"Don't worry, I'm sure I've forgotten something." He says, returning her grin.
Given that the LongNight Platter was prepared in advance, it was brought out almost immediately. Plated on a plank of live-edge wood, the board was nearly too long to fit comfortably on their table and had to be placed at an angle. Covered in meats, cheeses, dates, fruits, dips and breads, their wine had to be placed on the table next to theirs given how little real estate was left over afterwards.
Reaching for his glass, he held it out toward Isla. "To the first of many dates."
It's with a playful expression that Isla lifts her glass to clink it against Ever's, because she absolutely doesn't think that he's forgotten anything. And if he has, luckily for the both of them, Isla is an expert in adapting to a situation as it unfolds.
(Not to mention, if he's forgotten something like his own bathing suit, she's hardly going to call it a problem).
"To the first of many dates," she agrees with something of a coy smile, before taking her first (and far from last) sip of wine of the evening.
As it happens, the Singing Stone is an expert at its wine pairings as well as its tapas, and amid the bubble of conversation as niche as it is compelling, the two nerds will find themselves quite at ease for the duration of their meal.
