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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!
Once an idea had shaped its way into Melita’s impulsive, emboldened mind, it was often difficult to shake out. With respect, she could admit half of it had been garnered by Ludo, and begrudgingly, the other by Kai, but she’d like to think she would’ve gotten there, eventually. With the paper and sketches presided upon paper, and shoved deep into her pockets, she went searching for a victim candidate (to bully) for the proposed artifacts.
She had to be careful on this round though – because if Iskra was there that day, the whole thing would go up in smoke. Opting to use her invisibility to scout around, she didn’t even have to tiptoe; submerged into silence and determination, her gilded gaze set upon the kiosks and merchants, recognizing some, but not pinpointing anyone in particular…until, of course. Niki. That little waif lad from the Greatwood with his dead bugs. Perfect.
Zooming over, she reappeared out of nowhere on a gust of ambition and a grin. “Niki! Just the man I was hoping to see!” Pulling up a chair before he could refuse, or scamper away, she leaned over the counter, eyes already perusing wares just to be nosy, before gazing back at him. “I have need of some items!”
This is a gift, it comes with a price
Who is the lamb and who is the knife?
Midas is king and he holds me so tight
And turns me to gold in the sunlight
Things have been going well for Niki since his initial visit to Astaroth in the Grounds. He doesn't often make trips out here, granted, but given his collaborations with the butcher and the location of the Gilded Market's guildhall, it's worth the trip every few weeks to replenish supplies, take a few unusual commissions, and to broaden his own horizons.
Today finds him seated and busy, as per usual, the counter littered with small pieces of metalwork and the odd scrap of something, though it's unclear if even Niki would be able to explain it, and he's just putting the finishing touches on what one might swear is part of a piece of armour when Melita suddenly appears.
Jumping - because doesn't everyone when someone invisible decides to visible unexpectedly, the boy nearly drops what he's been making, catching it at the last second and raising his eyebrows at the fire-haired young woman. "Oh - Mel," he realises, conjuring a polite smile and promptly backtracking on inviting her to take a seat, because she already has. "Some items? Like what?"
my body's on the line now, I can't fight this time now I can feel the light shine on my face
She grinned when he jumped, relishing the menacing quality she sometimes exhibited, but presented herself primly upon sitting down; innocent air only withstanding so much before reality was back into play. “Mhm,” and she briefly rustled through her pockets, before producing a piece of parchment with her rudimentary designs on it. Unfolding and flattening it before the crafter, he’d be able to see two Pegasus drawn upon the paper, with long outstretched wings and various things noted on the sides; including colors, hues, and blends. “I was wondering if you could make these molds, but with wings that moved on their own? Only about this big,” and she indicated the distance between her hands, large enough to be considered model size.
She’d seen the talent he worked on his butterflies – though those were no longer living. One might consider this aspect the same, but they’d be token artifacts and pieces of the past, carved out of memory and stories. “And then I can paint them,” at which she smiled again, pleased with herself. “Name your price, of course.” She paused, considering something else. “How’ve you been?”
This is a gift, it comes with a price
Who is the lamb and who is the knife?
Midas is king and he holds me so tight
And turns me to gold in the sunlight
Mel cuts right to the chase, which honestly suits Niki just fine when it comes to designs and the prospect of creating something new, and the boy carefully makes room on the table for the pieces of parchment she lays out. He pores over the sketches for a few moments, taking note of the winged horses, the Honeybee's requirements in size and whimsy, and eventually he gives a small nod of his head
"I do not see why not," he says. "What would you like them to be made out of? Metal is my specialty, of course, but I have done some woodwork previously. Are they ornaments?" He's wondering whether to keep them hollow for some hidden purpose or if she'd prefer them to be solid throughout.
As for the price, he shrugs and offers a smile. "You have a skyship, do you not? Would you be able to sail me down to King's End, do you think?" That would cover the price well enough in his mind. "I have been very well - glad not to have to deal with any more mud or rain. How about you?"
my body's on the line now, I can't fight this time now I can feel the light shine on my face
Contemplating the inquiries, she nodded. “Metal would work. More for…decoration?” she supposed, having not thought about the purpose other than sentimental notions – whatever the woodcutter wanted to do with them thereafter would be up to him. She couldn’t quite think of anything he’d need to hide inside of them (if it were her, it’d probably be a dagger – but that didn’t quite seem up his alley). “So probably not hollow. Solid, I think.”
Grinning at the price, she laughed; an easy feat (as long as he didn't mind going fast). “Of course. I need to head there soon to see my uncle anyway.” Especially after the whole Ru fiasco; might be best to check in more often; still uncertain on what to do with the mess other than…well, grimace for the present. “Mm. I can imagine it wasn’t wonderful for the Greatwood, though the fires probably aren’t either.” Her nose wrinkled slightly as she rested her elbows on the table, humming a little under her breath, calmer now that she’d managed to get things started without being noticed. “I’m good! I’ve got enough Ludo business to keep me occupied.”
This is a gift, it comes with a price
Who is the lamb and who is the knife?
Midas is king and he holds me so tight
And turns me to gold in the sunlight
"Solid metal it is," Niki says with a decisive nod, reaching out to carefully angle the parchment more towards himself so he can see the design in better detail. "I do not anticipate this taking more than an afternoon if I make a start on it right away," he decides, glancing back across at Melita and offering a small smile. "You are welcome to stay if you like, but if you have other things you need to do, I should be done long before the sun goes down."
As for the payment, his smile grows a little brighter as she easily accepts his terms, Niki holding out a hand to shake. "Then it is settled," he says. "Two pegasus decorations with moving wings in exchange for a trip down to King's End." And more's the better if the Honeybee already needs to go in that direction.
"Ah, yes," he adds regarding the fires, wincing a touch. "It has been like living in extremes lately. I am glad to hear that things are going well for you, though. What does Ludo business entail, exactly?"
my body's on the line now, I can't fight this time now I can feel the light shine on my face
At the timeframe, she nodded, already getting up from her chair. Gods knew she’d be of little use to the mage; far too busy conversing or making a scene about something else to contribute much to the crafting portion of the day. “Sounds good! I’ll leave you be,” and she granted a modest salute, winking – before another grin launched itself upon her face, composed and comprised of merely mischief. “Oh, you’ll see!” Which meant anything from things blowing up to other methods of chaos she’d yet to concoct. The cannons were on the first line of business though.
“Thanks again!” and before long, she disappeared – invisible once more to commit to further bidding and foolishness.
[FIN]
This is a gift, it comes with a price
Who is the lamb and who is the knife?
Midas is king and he holds me so tight
And turns me to gold in the sunlight
