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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!
“It’s just one more garden,” she hummed, chattering away and grinning at Zavien as they lugged tools over from her house and to the Dragon's Nest. Perhaps much like sweets, there could be too much of a good thing, but in the case of herbs and flowers, the Caretaker would argue all were a necessity. Especially for the Dragoons, who seemed to need of mending most of the time.
Having already planned out particular little spot of dirt that would eventually be the designated plot (full of sun, close access to fountains, and within arm’s reach of the barracks), she gently placed her shovel, satchel of seeds, and basket down near the loam. Pinning her hair upwards, and ignoring Mittens’ already grumbling state, she gazed down at the sight, mind already whirling over the necessities. “We’ll need to clear all of these out first,” like the assorted weeds already nestled within the rather dry space. “Otherwise they’ll take over,” she winked, wrinkling her nose, before shifting into her arctic fox form, fully intending to dig with lithe paws.
"Isn't that what you said at the last one?" Zavien laughed, shifting the burden of gardening tools in his arms. When he'd agreed to help Lena, he hadn't expected to spend most of the time knee-deep in soil and lugging equipment around, but that didn't dampen his mood. Any time spent with her was enjoyable, and it was always nice seeing the Caretaker in her element. Even if he ended up sweaty and caked in dirt. He'd long since removed his outer shirt in preference of the tank top underneath, grateful for the Deepfrost breeze that cooled his brow and back.
Sol was similarly covered in a layer of dirt that dulled the sheen of his golden scales. Not that he minded. He was having way too much fun ripping up weeds and old roots. When Lena directed their attention to the next plot, the dragon dove forward without hesitation, teeth wrestling with a particularly thick stem. His determined growls were adorable, and Zavien smiled between his companion and girlfriend. "You don't have to tell him twice." Without paws of his own, the Dragoon had to make do with a trowel and brute strength. Grabbing a large weed nearby, he began to pull, green eyes narrowed and jaw clenched with serious effort, a battle against the aggressive plant.
Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.
“Me? I couldn’t have,” and she batted her eyes in his direction, vague and innocent. But she wasn’t about to let Sol triumph over here when it came to digging either; so by the time she shifted, dirt and loam were flying in heaps of directions. Which was fine, they could shovel everything off to the side later, as the little fox was determined to snag and nab at every last weed. Roots once nestled were taken and driven away, colliding with Zavien’s shovel often, or gobbled up by Mittens (why not).
Once that portion was done, the little fox shook off the specks of dirt already turning her illustrious white coat a vivid brown, and altered back. “There. That looks good.” Save for the loam and soil everywhere. Including her hair and cheeks. “I brought some seeds too – mostly herbs.” She wrinkled her nose and winked though, for good measure. “And some pumpkin. For future desserts.” Perusing their new makeshift pile, she tilted her head, considering things. "We should plant them specifically in rows, with labels, so we know where everything is."
Trying his best to stay out of the line of fire (and failing), Zavien hummed a [s]little[/i] lot off key, content to let them hash it out in the dirt. Sol didn't let up, burying his muzzle in the soil to search for any lingering roots even after she'd shifted back, but they'd done a pretty thorough job and the dragon flopped back on his tail with a humph of disappointment. Placing a comforting hand on his companion's head, Zavien chuckled.
When he glanced back at Lena's dirtied form, he shook his head, laughing more at the sight. "And you thought you couldn't take me anywhere." He winked playfully as he brushed some of the loam from her hair. "Mmmm. I'm sure everyone will appreciate that. Although you'll probably have to give a lesson on what they're all for." Gods knew he couldn't tell the difference between most of the green plants. He doubted many of the other Dragoons could either. They'd probably all try to cook with them. Nonetheless, he lifted his shovel and started gridding out the dirt, ready to dig holes for the seeds. "Want to work on the labels? We both know I'll probably just misspell everything." If they could even read his handwriting.
Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.
Digging into her bag for a treat to grant to Sol and Mittens alike, she glanced back up at Zavien’s announcement. “Hm? Oh,” as more dirt was pulled and pried out of her hair. “Latest fashion,” she declared with a grand smile, brushing several other spots off her shoulders, then figuring it wasn’t worth the effort. Not when there’d simply be future intervals and layers.
As for lessons, she beamed again, a resplendent and radiant thing. “That’s a good idea. I’m not sure many would listen or attend…but certainly worth a shot.” Humming a little now, content to get to work, she propped herself on the side of the plot, rooting around for parchment in her satchel. “I hope you know I’m not going to let you use that as an excuse,” giving him a very brief side-eye, before her hand clasped over both charcoal and paper.
And from there she could also admire him working. Fantastic.
Already writing out lavender for the first, she made notes down below, neatly and efficiently, to describe the necessities and mending adornments of the wondrous plant.
Sol's treat vanished like magic, not even a jaw movement to hint that he'd inhaled the thing. His eyes looked up at the Caretaker, wide with the innocent question of 'What about mine?' Zavien laughed at the exchange, nudging him on the tail end enough to insist he not give Lena the puppy-dog eyes all day. The dragon huffed loudly and made his way to Mittens, hoping the fellow companion might side with him, maybe find a way to finagle more treats.
Meanwhile, the adults looked eerily similar to a pair of children who'd thought to dig up their backyard looking for treasure. Grinning boyishly, he held his dirty hands up to hers. "Good thing we match this time." No need to 'share' the mess.
He took a moment to lean against the shovel, admiring her bright smile and sharing in her excitement. Zavien gave her an encouraging look as he said, "I can promise you at least two students." Even if Koa wasn't enthusiastic about attending, Zavien would find a way to drag the man to the class. And if his girlfriend was teaching a class, every Dragoon would be convinced through one method or another. He'd do everything in his power to ensure that she had a full and attentive class.
But that didn't mean he'd promise to take notes. He flashed her a wink and a smile before turning back to the forming grids. "Never." Knowing full well that she wasn't one to let him wallow in weakness or self-pity, Zavien felt all the more grateful for her. Maybe if he'd had more people like her growing up, he'd have flourished in school despite his difficulties. But then again, maybe he wouldn't have become the strong Dragoon he was now, with a dragon companion, an amazing girlfriend, and a litany of holes to dig before him.
Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.
Lena arched her brow at Sol’s impeccable impression of a starving dragon, but didn’t relinquish any further treats. Caretaker she might be, but she’d also navigated many begging faces. Mittens grumbled in return, much in a ‘don’t even bother’ kind of way, before going to swallow down a few more bits of soil; finding some worms.
Her gaze went to the ‘matching’ attire and hands, giving off another light laugh. “No need to hose off in the fountain this time, I hope,” she returned in her own volley, before placing the lavender card down, and beginning to write out the wondrous benefits of echinacea. His response, and perhaps potential bullying of Koa, earned another grin, grateful that he’d try. “Mm, but will they listen?” She couldn’t quite see either of them paying the upmost attention – goofing off in the back seemed much more their style. Maybe she’d have to go for a more hands-on approach and add in demonstrations. Or another healer to mix things up.
Mulling this over, she made her legible print, only occasionally looking up to witness him digging – and not be caught in the act.
Content to help Mittens dig up worms if only for something to do, Sol shifted the dirt around, nuzzling any he found in the snowball's direction. Meanwhile, Zavien moved around the duo, digging into the first spot. Grinning, he couldn't hide the gleam in his eye. "I know I'll be interested." And if he had to gag Koa to minimize any distractions from admiring his very intelligent girlfriend talk about plants? So be it.
Being more serious, he shrugged his shoulders. "And I'm sure once the others realize it can help them in battle, they'll be more interested." There were few things that grabbed soldiers' attention more than battle applications. That and "Food would also help." He winked, thinking about helping her bake an assortment of goodies for the class. Not noticing any sneaking glances, Zavien diligently persisted through the first row of holes, just comfortable with the company and conversation.
Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.
Mittens didn’t quite understand the assistance from the dragon, but that was probably its own flaw. Glaring at the other companion, it grumbled low for no apparent reason, then grabbed one worm before zooming off and upwards.
Lena blinked again, looking up from her cards at the insinuation, shaking her head. “Goodness, this is becoming quite a process. Lectures and food.” Making an addition to the latest notecard, she sighed, wondering when all of this was supposed to be conducted…and any other notions hanging around. But rather than make this another day of impending doom and lingering thresholds, she tried to make the most of it, sliding into a more crossed-legged position so she could write easier.
Maybe, instead, something else that was gnawing at her. “Did Koa ever seem a little off to you? Like…that he was down?” Perhaps difficult to detect in his usual happy manner, but certainly a forced disposition, nagging at her occasionally.
Noticing Mittens depart, Sol lost interest in the dirt and worms. The dragon had started learning the snowball's nuances better and recognized that he wouldn't be welcome if he followed. Head hanging with disappointment, his tail dragged as he made his way to Lena and flopped down next to her in a puff of smoke and dirt.
Zavien took advantage of the leaving companions to speed along his progress, shifting to where he'd had to divert before. He noted Lena's growing reluctance with the idea, flashing her another encouraging smile. "Perhaps, but you wouldn't be doing it alone." At that, he left it alone, letting her ruminate on the idea and what it may entail. Although he'd help as much as he could, she'd still be doing most of the work, so it was ultimately her decision.
Her question gave him pause, the shovel stuttering before plunging back into the soil. It didn't surprise him that she'd noticed, but it was hard to figure out the best way to respond. It went against his instincts to divulge Koa's secrets, even if it was Lena he would be telling. So instead, he toed the line, finding a vague middle ground rooted in truth. "He's definitely been down recently, although he seems to be doing better than he was." He wasn't beating on him anymore, so that was a notable improvement. Running a hand through his hair, he gave her a sad smile as he admitted, "There was some difficulty in his love life that hit him pretty hard." Unwilling to compromise his friend's confidence, he avoided mentioning that it was Flora, or that she'd left him for another. A breakup alone was bad enough. "I've been trying to stay supportive and give him the occasional distraction, but it'll take time."
Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.
Content with how things had gone, Mittens swallowed the worm down whole – pleased with itself. From there, it lowered back down to the ground, rumbling about in the dirt so that it looked..well…like a muddy snowball.
Lena patted the top of Sol’s head absentmindedly, half-occupied by writing and then lectures and food. Zavien’s statement had her blush, because she did have to often remind herself that it wasn’t just her out there in the midst, running and racing around. Still, she also didn’t like to be a burden to others, and seemed stuck in between doing everything herself or becoming greatly overwhelmed. “Thank you,” she offered in return, finishing up one card and then grabbing another, intending to start on the benefits of peppermint.
But her inquiry seemed to have cause a greater multitude, and she glanced back up, watching and gauging his reaction as he fell into silence. The notions behind the reaction weren’t what she expected – but knowing Koa, who always seemed to be the great romantic, he’d manage to dodge all the greater, more painful swells. “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” He’ll find someone measured its way through her mind, but she didn’t say it out loud – afraid, really, that it would come across as handwaving the aspects away. Or he wouldn’t, and he’d have time to grow on his own. “I’ll make sure to get him some extra goodies, the next time we’re all available to talk.”
As Sol snuggled into the Caretaker with a low rumble of appreciation for the attention, Zavien dug the shovel into the dirt again. Leaving the class conversation for later consideration, he nodded sympathetically. "Yeah. He's a great guy, so I hope he finds someone who makes him happy." Like he was himself. A grateful glance towards Lena reminded him of his and Koa's time at Frey's Breath, joking about double dates and being 'catches.' Although bittersweet now, the memory still made him smile. Koa was too resilient to be kept down for long. Especially with great friends like them. "I think he'd like that."
The topic had a sudden curiosity jumping into his brain. Zavien tilted his head towards Lena as he nonchalantly asked, "Do you have many other friends who live in Stormbreak?" She was too amazing not to have friends, but he'd certainly never met them. They had mutual friends in Koa, Sohalia, Talyson, and more, but it made him wonder. Had she grown up with the usual gaggle of girls? Had she giggled at sleepovers about crushes or braid hair? Did those friendships grow into mature coffee dates and strolls through the Celestine? Who were the important people in her life?
Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.
Agreement came in the form of her smaller smile, pausing her writing to scratch Sol again and ponder over sentiments, hand under her chin as she gazed along the surroundings. She didn’t have any clue about Koa’s unfortunate road of near-misses and blunders and the ongoing saga, nor was she a match-maker, or nosey enough to ask him outright – it simply seemed rude. But with the residual agreement, she nodded, then opted to jot something else down on a spare piece of parchment, alongside the other notions – simply to have handy later.
Not expecting the altering of conversation, she gave a very fox tilt to her head, brow arching at his question. “Well, I have Ellyra, though I suppose she’s moving..Noe, Anju…I have friends outside of Stormbreak too, if you’re concerned.” She laughed – uncertain if he thought she was a loner due to time and her now multiple occupations. There’d been others too, and her sister of course, before the war – that would’ve elicited the more gossipy, chatty endeavors. She knew he did; too much of a social butterfly to not have acquired a multitude of friends in his wake.
Zavien had to shake his head at the vibrating contentment that rattled from his companion as the dragon enjoyed Lena's scratches like a purring cat. Although, he was more like a dog as his tail thumped softly against the ground and he rolled onto his back to give her better access to the softer spots of his belly. He'd never be fully satisfied, but the closing of his hooded eyes said Sol was more than happy in the moment.
The Caretaker's list eased some of his wondering and his laugh reached out like a beam of sunshine. "Not 'concerned.' Just curious. Other than Koa and Tal, I don't feel like I've met many of your friends. You can learn a lot about a person by the company they keep and how they act around them." Smiling brightly, he paused his shoveling to tilt his head in her direction. "And I want to know everything about you." Slightly embarrassed by the admission and how creepy it would sound if they weren't dating, Zavien turned back to the work at hand, shoving the tool back into the soil.
Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.
