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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!
walked from revelation to revelation came back storm-drenched
Convincing the Sword to ‘relax’ had been a continued trial and tribulation for multitudes of people. He’d strive and try for hours or days at a time, but always seemed to swiftly return to his former prowling, restlessness, and need to plan and maneuver as soon as something else struck. Starfall and its influences had impacted a large amount of his routines, so the simple notion of spending any time unwinding almost irritated him further.
But the natural beauty and wonder of the Eye of the Storm gave him pause; narrowed eyes searching and scanning for threats first, and then to the hot spring proportion itself. “You were not kidding,” he mused to Zavien, and watched as Belial zipped forward, hovering over the fringes of warm plumes, taking in the warmer bounties. “We have something similar in Halo.” God-made, at their request, and there had always been Frey’s Breath too. “Does it have any specific properties?” Like mending – as theirs did in the mountains, or simply the heat it presided and provided?
through shattered mountains and aching famine stronger than all of it
"I know, right?! It's so cool!" Zavien stepped lightly towards the edge, glancing down past the crystal water towards the clear bottom. He wasn't one for heights - in fact, they terrified him - but as long as he didn't look down while he was in the water he didn't mind enjoying the relaxation.
His eyes found Deimos's with surprise. "Really? What can you see below yours?" If it wasn't in a floating city, what did it show? The center of Caido? Nothing? It was a weird thought that had his face scrunching while he proceeded to remove his sweaty clothes. "Other than the warm water and neat view? I think people talk about it being good at helping with muscle recovery, but I don't think that's due to any magical properties." Zavien flashed his friend a wide smile before leaping into the water with a bursting splash. When he resurfaced, his golden hair was plastered to his forehead and his scruffy grin sparkled in the sunlight. "Hop in! The temperature's perfect!"
walked from revelation to revelation came back storm-drenched
Deimos spent his time along the shores of the pool inspecting – eyes narrowing, scrutinizing, and studying, watching the elemental portions akin to suspicion, arched brow and all. It was in his nature, and experience, to be immediately on guard rather than perpetually relaxed and eager, so he likely served as a strange outlier to Zavien’s energy and enthusiasm. The fact that he could see the world below the water a mystifying and bizarre experience, and perhaps that was why it took him a little longer to finally relent.
“Hm,” he uttered in response first, removing his customary boots and placing them alongside. While Belial seemed eager, the Sword eventually removed his shirt too, drifting along the outer portions before opting for a certain area to drift amongst. The temperature was refreshing and glorious, already wrapping around his limbs in a warm familiarity, and he snorted as he drifted inward, following after the peryton’s hoots and ignoring Zavien’s splashes. Had it been those more familiar, the Sword would’ve been throwing his own watery assaults. “Nothing. Ours is in the Fangs. We had it created by Frey's Nature aspect.” A bottom portion of mountains opening to the sky. “But ours do heal.” And eventually, they’d be able to do the same for infected.
through shattered mountains and aching famine stronger than all of it
Dipping his hands into the water, he cupped more of the warmth over his head, running his fingers through his hair. It felt glorious, clearing the dirt and grime from his skin. Zavien didn't notice the way the droplets turned brown as it fell from his body, leaving clean tracks in their wake. It wasn't that he hadn't bathed recently, but their training had scuffed up the dust, coating his skin and clothes.
He turned back to Deimos, wading in the deeper portion with practiced ease. "That's probably normal, but I'm so used to our view that it seems strange." The filtering light from below seemed to support his claim as it made the water sparkle a million times brighter than the usual puddles. Although Zavien made a point not to look down. "It's cool that it has healing properties though! We'll have to keep that in mind as a possible upgrade for the Eye." Not that he thought Dahlia would be super interested in improving Stormbreak.
Leaning back, Zavien let his hips float to the surface, his body relaxing on top of the water. He let his eyes close to the bight sky above. "Do you use your spring often?" he asked Deimos absently as he let the tension (and dirt) drift from his body.
walked from revelation to revelation came back storm-drenched
The Sword took the opportunity to sink beneath the water entirely, swimming downward to inspect the earth underneath. He had years of experience flying within his soul, so the domineering height didn’t worry him, but perhaps fascinated instead, glancing over the swift-moving clouds beneath. He did wonder how it was all secure, strong, and sturdy enough, but perhaps it had some deity-layered portions to it as well.
Coming up for air closer to some rocks, he listened to Zavien’s explanations as he tied back the sodden portions of his hair. “Not unlike flying at times, I suppose,” and he shrugged, before treading further towards an outcropping and leaning against one of the boulders. “We are upgrading ours to be able to heal any infected, so if you know of any…,” came with the slightest of hints, but not too loudly in the wake of Stormbreak’s walls.
Scrubbing at his own face just for some of the relief and cleanliness (gods knew coming home with less dirt and blood on him would probably be a shock to his family), he nodded at the question, with the slightest of smiles tucked in the corner of his mouth. “Yes.” Given how Evie and himself had flocked to the Frey’s Breath one and altered the course of their relationship within its threshold did leave some nostalgic properties to any encountered hot springs. “And we can bottle the water to be healed within Halo at large as well.”
through shattered mountains and aching famine stronger than all of it
His body gave a shudder at the comparison and Zavien grimaced, mumbling under his breath, "I'm not sure I'd like flying very much then." Zavien again avoided looking down as he swam through the water on his back. But at the mention of healing infection, he stopped, flipping up to look at Deimos. The movement unintentionally sent a ripple through the water. "Really?! That's great!" He half expected Dahlia to be standing on the shore as he looked around before saying quieter, "I'll keep that in mind. Thank you." His smile was soft but excited as he resumed his swimming.
Considering the Warden's answer, he closed his eyes to the sunlight again. "That must be really useful. Do you find yourself needing it often?" Zavien didn't come to the Eye as frequently as he'd like, but as he soaked away his worries, he felt the urge to do it more.
walked from revelation to revelation came back storm-drenched
He arched his brow at the mumbled response – though perhaps he hadn’t met many with a fear, or dread, of heights. “Not that much different from the skyboats.” Deimos found his own capabilities of flying much more liberating though – an act of deliverance and defiance, control and power, looming amidst the clouds before plunging or hovering, swift and sure and certain, or massive and dominating.
He gave a nod at the quieter inflections and then continued glancing around, taking in the proximity with greater scrutiny; the question giving him enough pause to cease for a few moments. “Once in a while.” Free moments weren’t a liberty he often had – but the springs were a favored point. Between those figments, Zuriel, and Evie’s healing abilities, he didn’t suffer as much as he had in the past, well before Safrin had allowed him to be mended at all.
Then his stomach growled, and he snorted, figuring it’d been a multitude of hours since he’d last eaten, and given the spar, and now swim, he’d need something before too long. “What do you have for places to eat?” He could probably bring portions home too – mind already thinking ahead.
through shattered mountains and aching famine stronger than all of it
Nodding at the comment, Zavien tried not to think about flying too much. He didn't particularly enjoy skyboats either. When he'd ridden on the Peregrine, he'd had to keep his eyes on the horizon, focusing on the task of looking for Sohalia. It didn't help his nausea. Because of that, he preferred to travel on foot. It gave him a chance to explore the land as well.
Zavien straightened again, letting his body glide through the water with ease. His muscles shone in the sunlight as the dirt finally fell away. He made his way closer to Deimos, smiling optimistically. "I'm glad to hear that." As he leisurely approached, he heard the growl of both their stomachs, laughing lightly. "I know just the place." A grin split his face as he thought of Erica. She'd love to see him again, especially with another friend in tow. He had no doubt that the mountain of a man would have no difficulty devouring the massive portions.
Pulling himself out of the water, he shook the water from his hair like a satisfied puppy, the grin still present on his face. Zavien grabbed his shirt, sliding it over his head. It stuck to his wet chest, but he didn't much care, shoving his feet into his boots and lacing them up. His own stomach growled in anticipation of the delicious food that awaited them, rushing his movements. By the time he stood, ready for Deimos, his clothes were askew and he was shifting his feet, his smile ready to burst from his face. "Warm water then warm food. The best recovery for any training session." And with that, he led the way.
