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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!
"Of course I ate more than jerky!" Maea scoffed, in mock offense even as her eyes glittered with humor. "Sometimes I ate my catch raw. Very different." And objectively worse, but that was beside the point.
Fishing out a chunk of the hare she popped it in her mouth and chewed slowly, assessing the effect of the herbs. She didn't doubt Alys claim that it tasted good, but truth be told it didn't really remind her of any stew she'd had before either.
"Mh. To be honest, I'm just glad it isn't burnt. Maybe I should have warned you, but I'm a lousy cook. This is as good as it gets." And perhaps that was the reason for the diet of smoked meat and dried fruits. Not so much because she wanted it, but rather due to a lack of options.
She didn't sound all that apologetic either way. If Alys was content with the seasoning then all was well.
Alys smothered a smile at Maea's mock outrage. "Oh, forgive me," she said, hand going dramatically to her chest. Then, thoughtfully, she added, "Honestly, raw might be better than jerky. At least it would be warm, if it was fresh." But then, the seer wasn't a huge fan of jerky. The only reason she kept any at all was because Sascha and Boreal liked it.
As for Maea's cooking ability, Alys grinned. "I'm decent, but then I've made quite the study of herbs and spices. I generally know what goes with what. I wouldn't say I'm a master chef or anything, though." She ate another bite; this time, with a chunk of hare. At her feet, Sascha cleaned her small bowl, then pawed at Alys's leg for more.
They ate in companionable silence for a time, until Alys peered at Maea, setting her bowl into her lap. "So... what now, for you?" she asked. "I know for me, it's strange, because I feel like I've accomplished this monumental feat, and I don't know what to do with myself anymore."
I once believed love would be burning red But it’s golden
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Alys.
Emotional Telepathy | The user can read deep emotions of those within a 5 foot radius at will. Control is excellent. Note: "Deep emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
Emotional Perception | The user can read surface level emotions of those within a 15 foot radius. Control is moderate. Note: "Surface level emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
Nodding in acknowledgement of Alys' point, Maea shrugged and weighed the two like hervhands was a scale to measure one against the other. "True enough. Raw meat gets stuck in the teeth though, I'm not a fan of that." Surprisingly, it didn't feel strange to admit such a thing, despite the suggestion that she ate her meals raw more often than not. Perhaps it was a testament to the growing ease with which she was coming to view herself and her new way of life. Maybe it was simply her company that made talking in general both fun and uncomplicated. It did feel good, regardless of the reason, and Maea relaxed into the light banter with that dizzying sense of disorientation spinning the world in new directions around them.
Noting Alys' penchant for herbs and spices with interest, the following question had Maea rubbing the back of her neck, gazing into the flames. "I know what you mean. With the war going on, there's been little time to think about what to do next... Most of my free time is spent chasing flowers and traveling. I don't really mind, but... it would be nice to have something to focus on that is mine. Something I can make a living off." Scraping stew off the bottom of her bowl before reaching for the ladle to get seconds, she went on, "I've been thinking for a while that I'd like to learn more about mending. Isla taught me the basics of how to dress wounds before the war, and I have a healing ability... it's quite painful though, so it's something I don't want to rely on too much." Spending a few moments savoring the luxury of a hot meal, she glanced over at her friend. "Got any tips on how to get started?"
As Maea gazed into the flames, Alys joined her, watching the fire lick at the logs within. Some people could see things in fire, but that was not a skill that Alys possessed. She preferred her tarot cards, and the occasional foray into other forms of divination - her strange dream-visions notwithstanding. Instead, the Fateweaver looked into the flames simply because they were beautiful to watch, even if their heat was a bit much, given the season.
Alys perked up at the mention of healing. She herself had healing magic, and even before that she had made a study of herbal remedies. "If you're looking to avoid your healing ability and want to use non-magical healing, then I'd start with finding someone to learn from. There are a ton of books and things I could lend you, but it doesn't beat actual, in-person instruction. It'd be a lot of study - anatomy, for one. First aid beyond dressing wounds. Herbal remedies - what to use, how to make them, how to apply them. It's hard work," she warned. But then she smiled. "But I think you're used to that, no?"
She paused for a moment, drumming her fingers on her thigh. "My healing comes mostly from my magic, these days, but I know a lot about herbs. I could teach you what I know, if you'd like."
I once believed love would be burning red But it’s golden
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Alys.
Emotional Telepathy | The user can read deep emotions of those within a 5 foot radius at will. Control is excellent. Note: "Deep emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
Emotional Perception | The user can read surface level emotions of those within a 15 foot radius. Control is moderate. Note: "Surface level emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
Listening intently as Alys explained, Maea felt a bubbling excitement start to grow within, of a sort she hadn't felt for a long time. Perhaps this was what she needed to turn the page onto a new chapter for herself. A new project, a new career, where she could make her desire to be useful and help others into a living. It would take time to learn all she needed to know - but any impatience could be curbed by the dark grace she had already been blessed with, and because of that she had a feeling that she would be able to keep at it.
The offer to teach her was a surprise, but a welcome one. The ancient's expression lit up in a bright smile, eager and grateful all at once. "Oh, would you? Please, I would love to learn! What about these herbs - can we start with them?" Names, properties, uses; if Alys was willing then she would happily spend the rest of the night talking about herbs and medicine until the stars paled and dawn announced that the night was the well and truly over. With food and a fire and that kind of pleasant company, it refreshed the soul far more than any sleep could - and Maea was left with a long list of books to read and menders to consult. Because Alys was absolutely right - she had never shied away from hard work.
