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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.
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03-05-2025, 02:53 PM (This post was last modified: 03-26-2025, 08:50 AM by Koa.)
No better version of me I could pretend to be tonight
After ensuring the (relative) well being of his family and further discussion with Zav, Lena is clearly the logical next step on Koa's Life-Changing Tour. He doesn't fully grasp the issues currently plaguing his friends' relationship - call him a terrible person, but he's juggling too many personal crises to fully invest in theirs - but he knows that Zavien wants to leave Stormbreak while Lena does not, and can only imagine how difficult that decision was for both.
It's early afternoon when he reaches the Celestine, a threshold he cannot cross without cringing at the memory of Flora's rejection and the way he'd spiraled in response. Gods, but that feels like a long time ago, insignificant in the grand scheme of a fading world. Shaking his head, he pushes past the entrance and deeper into the enclosures, pausing periodically to ask for guidance as to where the Caretaker might be.
He finds her outside an enclosure, though he can't tell what animal lives within. "Lena!" Koa cries in bright, warm greeting, the sign of her familiar figure easing tension from his chest. "Gods, it's good to see you!"
He's holding a basket of ube donuts that a friendly neighbor had thrust in his arms; now he brandishes it in offering. "Do you have some time to catch up? I brought snacks."
The Celestine represented so many things to Lena – care, mending, tending, soothing, and assuaging, not only for the animals, but for herself. A routine, a structure, a tendency towards striving in determination, in ensuring someone out there, no matter how small, was taken care of. Dedication to her craft, to the things that bolstered her away from melancholy and strife, that ensured her mind wasn’t cloaked in dastardly wakes or separations or where the earth shook and broke and cracked. She’d been appointed here, and so she would stay, bowing her head to nature and its sway.
She closed the gate of the small unicorn herd, securing it neatly before placing the basket of remedies down so she might firmly latch the enclosure. And outcry called over the ramparts though, and she glanced over her shoulder to see Koa appearing – seemingly out of the ether – and she took a shaking breath, felt it rattle and course through her lungs, before claiming a smile over her features. “Hey – how have you been?” Not where, because perhaps it was none of her business, but gods, so much had occurred –
Double-checking the quarters, she didn’t expect the donuts, nor the inquiry, but nodded just the same. “Sure. There’s a couple benches over here,” and she pointed towards another set of the metal-lined vessels, closer to her next venture and stop amidst a more forest-laden portion.
No better version of me I could pretend to be tonight
"I have certainly been better," Koa admits as he comes to a stop, his smile growing crooked and strained. "Anju and the rest of leadership have been... generous with long-term assignments for the past couple seasons. A more paranoid person might even think they were intentionally keeping me out of Stormbreak." He rolls his shoulders in a shrug as though to say but certainly not me, I don't think that - then winces as the movement pulls his still recovering rotator cuff.
He follows her lead toward the bench; he'll make no complaint about getting off his feet. "How have you been, Lena?" Koa asks as they settle, peering searchingly into Lena's face. "I talked to Zavien... I can't even begin to imagine what that was like for you. I'm so sorry I wasn't here." Koa reaches for her hand, if she lets him, guilt pinching his voice and face.
Her brows furrowed into distinct points; neither angry nor antagonistic, but perhaps bothered, concerned to hear of such assignments, and from Anju of all people…but she didn’t let it show any further. That simply meant more on the subject of her friend – of a woman who might very well be entrenched deeper into the Family’s fold than she’d ever reckoned. Her heart had been persistent in defending her, but – was this under Dahlia’s reign? Was this a way to ensure Koa remained unaware of his sister’s plight and infection, or…
She realized she hadn’t answered and softly shook her head. “That’s awful. I sincerely hope that’s not the case,” which was the truth of the matter, while her mind contemplated and she settled upon the metal fixture. The question reckoned back at her gave her pause; because while she wanted to be honest, she also had no intention of burdening the Dragoon further with her own woes.
But he’d talked to Zavien already, and so she flinched ever so slightly, wringing her hands around the basket handle. “Oh, um, it hasn’t been great,” she mustered instead of uttering or murmuring about heartbreak and loneliness, of duties and responsibilities, of ties to gods and things she’d always wanted so firmly in place, and others flickering away on multiple ties and knots. Had Koa been there, would it have made things easier? Better? Or still simultaneously worse? She could hear his guilt, his desire to help, but she wasn’t certain how or what, and kept, perhaps for both of their sakes, her fingers tightly wound around the container. “I just feel a little lost, after everything-,” unmoored might be a better word for it. Like she’d known everything before and now didn’t have a single clue or step in any direction. “Do you know what you’re going to do?”
No better version of me I could pretend to be tonight
While he, too, wishes his suspicions to be wrong, he's notably low on hope. Koa shrugs, crooked smile unable to bring any mirth to his downcast eyes.
Setting the box of donuts between them, the Dragoon tears a small portion of purple from the whole and pops it in his mouth, more to give his fingers something to do than out of any actual hunger. He extends the rest of the ring to Lena; if she declines, he'll continue picking at it himself. "I can't imagine," Koa repeats, frowning as his gaze shifts to the distant unicorns. He feels useless, small and unmoored. His friendship with Lena isn't like the one with Zavien; he's worried that any attempt at further empathy will end with her angry and him biting off his own foot as it's shoved into his mouth.
Feeling lost is something Koa can relate to, at least. "So do I," the boy admits, the furrow deepening between his brows. Lena's next question has him glancing back, lips pursed. "I... yeah." He inhales deeply, steeling himself. "I'm going to be requesting an extended leave. Noe- my sister- she hasn't been well." Here he pauses, brows raised pointedly, though he's sure the Caretaker already knows. "So we're going to go on a family trip to Halo to enjoy their hot springs, and then... King's End, maybe. Or the Greatwood. I'm not sure yet."
Lena didn’t have much left but hope and determination, and even then, it felt rightfully adrift. Trying desperately not to frown, she plucked at the offered sentiments, quietly partaking at the pieces of donut, enriched by the flavors. At least there was always food.
Her head hung low then, wondering what else to say in the Zavien situation. She had no desire to place her burdens across Koa’s shoulders, and the pair had likely already discussed matters. She couldn’t but feel the distance; and maybe it was all her own doing, trying desperately to keep semblances under wraps, no intentions of open, gaping wounds, tenderly opting to stitch everything back together of her own accord. Just sometimes the needle wasn’t sharp enough, or the pain too immense. It was easier to drown in her work, than meander through the murk of her feelings.
So instead, she was quiet, listening to descriptions of what he planned – another departing. “You’re leaving too?” She said, though it was subdued, quiet, eyes suddenly downcast upon stones or gardens, another long sigh filtering through her lungs. But then, to hear why made sense, and she nodded, the understanding of Noe’s predicament lingering through. “I hope you can get everything situated there,” and she smiled, blurring through her own insecurities and trepidations. “If not though, the gods might listen.” Breaking off another piece of the donut, she tried and strived to keep things light, airy. “I think I’ll be visiting the Greatwood when I can too. It's lovely this time of year. Always so much to see and do.”
No better version of me I could pretend to be tonight
Guilt clenches in him at her quiet acceptance; he knows he'd be wounded, if two of his friends announced their departures in scarcely as many days. But leaving is the only way to protect his family - his only hope of saving Noe - and he trusts that Lena can understand. So rather than defenses or explanations, he offers her a grateful nod. "I'm sure it won't come to that," Koa replies with a crooked smile. "All she needs is a change of scenery and she'll be good as new."
Alas, the timing of his departure means he'll miss a very important letter, one which might have spared him a good deal of pain.
Keeping things light is Koa's expertise, and he leans into the task with gusto. "I've yet to spend much time there myself, but I'm looking forward to it... I think." Popping another piece of donut in his mouth, he swallows it before going on. "To be honest, I've never really been a plant person. Mateo used to grow some, uh, unique little monsters, and there was this one that I swear would follow me around, despite the fact that," he curls his fingers into quotations, "'plant'." Shuddering, Koa scrunches his eyebrows. "Plants aren't supposed to move, y'know? It just doesn't seem right."
That startling, biting feeling of being alone suddenly gnawed and dawned on her. They’d all been together, for so many seasons, through heartaches and beloved moments, that perhaps she’d never thought about everything being set adrift. With Zavien gone, and Koa soon to follow, she’d be the only one making their quiet little stand. The smallest of seditions, down to existing in and out of Stormbreak, fluttering around and trying her best to place assuaging herbs, bulbs, and bandages, over gaping, lacerated wounds. She managed a tight smile, disguising all the misgivings with her usual sunny disposition, nodding at the insinuations of Noe – prayers sent upwards for an easy mending with little complications. “May your trip be well received then. Perhaps it can be like a little vacation for you too, mm?”
She munched further on the donut, looking across the enclosures to witness the unicorns middling about the hay she’d placed, managing a slight grin and a light laugh at the notions of plants maneuvering. “I hate to break it to you, but there are some called walking palms, that do exactly that.” Her head tilting vaguely, she let that tease settle in before granting more wisdom. “Though they only frequent the Oerwoud, so you should be safe.”
No better version of me I could pretend to be tonight
"Cheers to that." Smiling but without much hope, Koa taps his donut against hers in a sticky, poorly thought out cheers. It's hollow, the upcoming separation looming over them like a cloud. For all his determination and bravado, Koa is afraid. No matter how uncertain the future had become, he'd always had the Dragoons, and family, and home. Now each of those things is slipping away, and the boy can feel keenly his foundations crumbling beneath his feet.
But he keeps a smile on for Lena, eyes widening comically at her description of walking plants. "Oh no, no thanks," he shakes his head vehemently, shuddering for effect.
Having finished the last of his morsel, Koa now pops off the bench, feeling abruptly quite restless indeed. "Well, given there seems to be a fair bit of time in the Wilds in our future, I better get in shape." Ridiculous; Koa has never been out of shape a day of his life, a fact he's well aware and quite proud of. Nevertheless he pats his stomach, as though the purple morsel may have done irreparable damage to his abs. "What do you think - care to join me for a quick workout? Once youre done, of course."
Lena was never without, nor far from hope; full of bright convictions and effervescent designs. But she could understand the dimming prowess in his eyes – with his sibling touched by the infestation, with everything else reeling and rolling. Plans in place still felt far away when everything hit so squarely home. So she touched the donut back, then finished off the remains, granting a large grin at his vehement rejection of walking palms.
Though she didn’t expect the offer of training – eyes rounding significantly and then glancing downward at the stones - that usual adverse reaction to the basics of weaponry still embedded in her soul. She was getting better at the bow, and they wouldn’t talk about her latest attempts with the staff…a workout though made it sound less of a vehement and violent discourse; far more acceptable. “Depends. What were your plans?”
No better version of me I could pretend to be tonight
"I'm open to suggestions." Now that the offer has been (somewhat) accepted, Koa perks up visibly, clearly pleased to have the distraction of physical activity ahead. Still pacing eagerly, he gesticulates as he speaks. "Somewhere like here, the possibilities are endless - we could run an obstacle course through an enclosure, target practice with wrangling unicorns, wrestle an ursur..." He stops, flashing a Lena a cheeky grin to indicate this last suggestion was (probably) a joke.
Another thought occurs to him, one more practical given their current situation. "Or... we could do something like a self-defense lesson?" Rocking thoughtfully on his heels, he offers Lena an encouraging smile. "I know you're not big on actual combat, but I'd feel a lot better knowing you had the basics down. I'm sure Zav would, too."
His immediate suggestions were met with a grimace – and she was about to start lecturing on how animals needed time to heal, not with fools masquerading and marauding through their enclosures at all hours – when he granted that cheeky grin. She snorted, swatting him away. “Honestly. I was about to ban you from the Celestine altogether on those thoughts.”
Shaking her head at his jocular notions, she glanced upwards, thinking and pondering over the possibilities. She knew she needed any and all of them – especially self-defense, but gods the image of ever wanting to utilize them always sent her into the most apprehensive of figments and fragments. But she might be able to try. If she was truly horrid, Koa would probably give up on her anyway. “Self-defense might be best,” though the wrinkle to her nose indicated she wasn’t really a fan. “I don’t want to be a liability to anyone.” Especially out on any battlefields or hazardous wakes; not when she was meant to be healing, not distracting or deterring.
No better version of me I could pretend to be tonight
He marks the little wrinkle, the hesitation wringing at her heart. Don't worry, Lena - Koa has enough enthusiasm for the both of you, especially when it comes to helping his loved ones learn to keep themselves safe. "You're not a liability," he replies fervently, waving the idea away with his hand. "You're a medic," Koa goes on firmly, "One of the most important parts of a team. And you're attuned, and can compel animals. Believe me, I'd chose you for my squad any day of the week." Had been grateful to have her on more than one occasion already, in fact.
"But it is important to know how to take care of yourself. I used to do a self-defense class, actually - broke Soh's nose in one." He grimaces at the memory; it hadn't been his finest day. "I promise to do my best to avoid a repeat performance," he adds, hoping this hasn't had the opposite of intended effect.
"Anyway, wanna do some basics now? Or do you want to go change or anything first?" Koa, as usual, is already dressed in workout gear, a light jacket pulled over his tank top, his joggers versatile enough to allow for comfortable movement.
She looked down at her shoes as he informed her she wasn’t a liability, wondering if any of those portions could be true. Still, the comments were endearing, and she muffled a quiet little laugh at his attempts.
Though it was broken on the news of butchering Sohalia’s features. “Her nose?!” Eyes narrowing, she wondered about the younger Dragoon’s ability to control himself, because she didn’t have any motivation to find any of her limbs broken and altered either. “If that happens to me, it’ll probably be the last time I ever spar,” she hinted, despite the promise – and though she had her staff, it’d never been for her, personally. And she'd absolutely tattle to Zavien.
She was already dressed in her work attire; nothing fanciful for days spent with animals. Leggings, a light shirt, and a change of clothes for the evening stored in her office. “We can try now,” she offered, likely before she got cold feet and opted out of it entirely, before she removed herself from the bench, dusting off her clothes. “What first?”
