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!
Having just finished up with a client, Elizabeth didn't hurry home. As much as she enjoyed Halo, she was quite enjoying the warmer climate of Torchline. The sky was already starting to darken, eliciting a soft sigh from her. It didn't seem like she'd be able to soak in anymore sunlight, but perhaps she could still bask in the atmosphere. One way she liked to do that was visiting with the heart of any place: its people. Remembering a lively bar she'd once visited, she made her way across the beach to the Hanged Man.
It was just as she recalled. A rowdy crowd had gathered, bumping shoulders, throwing back drinks, and singing loudly into the dusk-filled air. She smiled warmly, surveying the area for something that interested her. Normally, she'd settle in with a notebook to observe the various interactions, just people watching. But Elizabeth was feeling a little more social than usual.
An intense game of poker had started in the corner, drawing her eyes. They stared at each other with suspicion, eyes darting to spot any signs of sleight of hand or tells of their bluffs. She watched with veiled interest as she ordered a drink at the bar and made her way over to them. Although not much of a card player herself, Elizabeth was good at reading people, and there were some very intriguing interactions between them. It gave her the sense that something was going on.
Without hesitating to consider that it could put her in the middle of something, Elizabeth gave them all a polite smile, snagging a chair to join their table. "Deal me in?"
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
11-22-2024, 12:21 PM (This post was last modified: 11-22-2024, 12:21 PM by Ronin.)
RONIN
kiss your perfect day goodbye
It would be wrong to say that Ronin has been kicked out of the house to give Remi some time to himself, and rather that he has been encouraged to have a drink or two at the Hanged Man to take the edge off. But given the time of year and the Knight's current state of mind, the only thing he's really focused on is the time passing and when he might be able to slink home again. At least, that's his initial plan until, as he's nursing his second glass of whiskey, he notices the very same poker game that has caught Elizabeth's interest.
Ronin isn't watching with any intention of joining - rather he's keeping an eye out for trouble, but as the petite young woman pulls up a chair (and my, those are some very sharp looks towards her from the players), the Knight is already instinctively on his feet. "And me, too," he adds, dragging over a free seat from another table and plonking himself down next to her with a lopsided smile. "Seems like a good night to take a gamble, no?"
She took in the sharp glances with a respectable level of bravery, if she didn't say so herself. Elizabeth does momentarily reconsider her decision, but then a very polite looking gentleman joins the table as well, making her feel slightly safer amongst the possible troublemakers. Returning his smile warmly, she nods. "As good a night as any." And the others seem to agree as they begin to assess the newcomers like appraisers at an auction, wondering just how much money they might be able to squeeze out of them.
Ignoring them, she lifts her drink in lieu of a handshake. "I'm Elizabeth." A few others grumble names or obvious aliases (who goes by 'Stumpy' on purpose?), some even glance at the man with nervous recognition, staying silent. It has her taking another glance, her eyebrow quirking just enough to reveal her intrigue as she accepts her cards. She forgets to look at them as she scans the other players, watching for any of the signs she'd seen earlier.
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
Inclining his head towards the woman beside him - and perhaps flashing the hint of a warning look to everyone else around the table - Ronin lifts his own drink as well, clinking it against Elizabeth's. "Nice to meet you. I'm Ronin," he greets, glancing back around the table (he thinks he knew Stumpy when his name was still Gary or Robert or something, but the war changed that, by the looks of it).
Accepting his own hand of cards as well, the Knight does look at them between sneaking looks at the other contenders, watching a twist of their lips or a soft sigh. Some give more away than others - one even folds instantly and takes himself off to the bar for a drink, wanting no part in it, and then they begin throwing in trinkets and other bits and bobs as their bets. Fishing in his pockets, Ronin sets down a few shimmering golden dragonscales as his own bet; it helps, he's found, to have a shift he can use as currency.
"I can spot you, if you like," he offers to Elizabeth, not knowing if she has anything to put on the table.
From the corner of the room a massive wine-spider scurries. Running toward you, it tries its best to crawl up your leg, hovering against you for warmth. Clearly something has startled it. Poor thing.
This is not a RE nor a rare creature. It cannot be used for levelling.
Wine Spider: These friendly arachnids can grow up to the size of a small housecat. With fuzzy bodies and spindly legs, they are often found lurking around wine racks or kegs of beer. They are almost always drunk, hiccuping and stumbling about. It is said that finding a baby wine spider in your drink is a lucky omen!
The name definitely strikes a chord, and Elizabeth lets a small widening of her eyes be the only evidence of her familiarity with the demigod's reputation. She takes a small sip of her strong beverage when she pulls her glass back, using the act to take in the same clues Ronin sees. There's one specific man who has a large pile of bets piled before him, looking a little too confident. It has Elizabeth paying especially close attention as she lifts her cards up to see a good enough hand to play out the round.
Ronin's offer makes her smile. "That's very sweet of you, but I've got it." She still has a few extra gemstones from her visit to the Climb with Evie. They glitter enticingly as she places them on the table. The movement is accompanied by a tingling sensation that runs up her leg. Elizabeth glances at the man next to her, wondering if he was getting handsy as she swipes her hand down the bottom of her travel skirt. Luckily, it turns out to be a wine-spider that she sees scurry off to the next table. A small sigh escapes and she flashes Ronin a grin, returning to the game. "I might need some help with this game though." Her eyes twinkle with untold meaning. He seems the kind that would help her foil whatever unsavory plans these men are up to, if he's up for it.
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
Smiling and ducking his head in response to Elizabeth's reassurance, Ronin lets her place her bet and likewise takes note of the overconfident man. He tries to decide whether or not his boldness comes from a genuinely good hand or from a particularly good bluff; in the meantime, a quick glance to the side shows a wine spider scuttling away across the floor. With a smirk towards it, Ronin considers his own hand and then sets his cards face down, equally as willing to play.
"But of course. Why do you think I joined? I'm more of a blackjack player, in truth," he replies, the words spoken under his breath and tinged with amusement. Luckily, whatever unsavoury antics that were primed to take place have likely already been spooked away by the Knight's presence (and his penchant for do-goodery, if not his willingness to punch problems if necessary). And as the players begin to reveal their cards, it does all seem suspiciously calm; Ronin has a double, but it's not enough to take the pot, and he shrugs away the loss, unbothered.
As the round commences, the large man grows more confident with each fold, mocking them as they take large swigs of their drinks or slink away to the bar. It makes her wonder if he has a reason to be so cocky or if he's just a bully. However, the way he guards his cards with his hand makes her think that he must have something. She files the idea away as she lets the round play out.
Tilting her head to Ronin, she hums low enough for only him to hear in the ruckus of the bar. "Really? Poker is fun when you get to read the other players. It's a game in itself." Who sucks at lying? Who has it out for each other? Who is desperate for a win? Although maybe that's just her and her overt fascination with people. Not everyone enjoys analyzing every small movement or interaction. So she offers another point with a sip of her drink. "And it's less of a 'luck' game. I have terrible luck after all." She chuckles lightly, not in the least bit bothered by the ringing or biting chill that had plagued her recently. It makes her smile all the more genuine as the large man across the table boasts a trio of aces.
Ronin may only have a double, but Elizabeth turns out to have a flush, gasping softly at the appearance of five hearts when she reveals her cards. The men around the table groan, pushing the small pot towards her. She thanks them even as she hears grumbles of "Beginner's luck" and "Women." Her target seems especially upset, the over-large grin now missing from his face. She pretends not to notice, as she accepts the next set of cards graciously.
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
"Oh, I have no doubt. I'm just not all that patient a player," Ronin says with a grin flashed across to Elizabeth. Blackjack is a quick, fiery game compared to the kiss-chase of poker, and the Knight prefers to keep his gambling on the move on the nights he does choose to engage with it. (Granted, his usual game of cards these days is playing go-fish with Remi on the deck of their little houseboat). "It doesn't look like your luck is all too bad," he adds, the words spoken more under his breath as she reveals her flush and puts the large, cocky man rather at a loss.
Accepting his own new hand of cards, Ronin raises his eyebrows at those players who seem patricularly upset with her winning the round - a few more drop off in response, but of course the cocky man is keen to recoup his losses, and he proudly announces that he's going all-in after receiving his hand. Humming at that and inclining his head, the Knight decides to follow suit with another handful of dragon scales, glancing to his new friend to see what her decision will be.
"Fair enough." Elizabeth shrugs her shoulders as she flashes a smile in return. She's not much for patience herself, but when she's analyzing people, time seems to fly by, her mind speeding along theories and possibilities from her observations. Just as she does now when her opponent appears waaaay too eager this time around.
She barely glances at her own cards, already knowing her decision. "A rare occurrence I assure you." Punctuated by the fold of her own hand as she gives Ronin a humorous smile. Her action looks like it bothers the man across the table. Maybe he's upset about losing his opportunity to take back some of his lost earnings? Choosing to ignore the outcome of the current round beyond Ronin's involvement, she continues her conversation. Elizabeth chuckles as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. "Just ask the gods. They probably have nothing nice to say." Not that they have many good things to say about any Abandoned, but it doesn't change the fact that the world seems against her at times.
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
Having to bite at the inside of his cheek to stop from laughing as Elizabeth (whether out of necessity or on purpose) decides to fold this round, the cocky man grumbles and throws his cards on the table; they happen to be enough to win, or they would be if Ronin doesn't notice something. "If you've got three queens and I've got two, something isn't adding up," he remarks with a slow raise of his eyebrows.
Meeting the cocky man's gaze and letting him decide whether or not to bluster, admit to cheating or (perhaps the wisest choice) get the hell out of dodge, Elizabeth's comment trickles into his ear and the Knight flashes her a quick smile. "Depends on which gods you ask," he says. "I find myself much too entangled with them all too often, but they aren't all bad."
The man turns a ruddy red at Ronin's call out. He grinds his teeth against what Elizabeth can only assume is a questionable response to the demigod. Instead, he gives a thin lipped smile, a veins threatening to pop on his forehead. "Must be a faulty deck. Maybe we'll bring a new one tomorrow night." He seems simultaneously reluctant and eager to gather whatever winnings may remain after the failed hand, although Elizabeth catches on the 'maybe' in his promise, wondering if their actions tonight would change anything.
Shifting to take another sip of her drink, she doesn't leave the table, taking in the others as Ronin speaks. Elizabeth hums through a soft smile. "Hmm... perhaps. I've been told that Safrin is a good one to ask, although my last shrine visit got hijacked by some nasty spirits." She shivers away the memory again, considering what it must be like to have frequent interactions with the gods of Caido. It didn't sound all good. "I suppose there are pros and cons?" To having the gods notice or ignore you?
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
"Mmhm," Ronin says to the cocky man almost dismissively, raising his eyebrows and watching with a flat stare as he gathers his winnings and makes a rather quick exit. Glancing around the table and nodding to a man who has managed a trio of kings, he folds his hand and lets him grab what's in the pot, opting not to go in for another round of cards. It looks as though between himself and Elizabeth they've managed to ruin everyone's fun besides.
Sipping at his own drink, he tries hard - and almost succeeds - at hiding the wrinkle of his nose as she mentions Safrin. "There are absolutely pros and cons," he says, setting down his glass. "I used to be very close to Safrin. I was her chosen," he explains, rubbing at the back of his neck. "It was like flying too close to the sun in the end. I probably would have made a lot of different choices, if I knew then what I know now."
Watching the others depart, Elizabeth decides that her observations and hypotheses around the situation have been completed. The large man had certainly been up to no good, and the only remaining players appear too disinterested for any nefarious business. Despite the new lack of threatening figures to study, she finds herself lingering at the table, intrigued by the conversation with Ronin. She tilts her head curiously as she props her chin on her fist.
Watching closely, Elizabeth registers the flinch, but doesn't comment on it, letting Ronin share what he's comfortable with. Which still turns out to be an enlightening level of information. The demigod's past affiliation isn't a secret even if she hadn't been expecting the accompanying expressed regrets. Trying not to go all 'therapist mode,' she limits herself to one question, "Oh? What would you have done differently?" She takes a sip to break the expectant tension from the forward lean of her body, hoping not to come off as too pushy.
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
