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!
The sun shines bright onto the glittering pool of water, but it's nothing compared to the burst of color sitting at its edge. Nova - in her neon orange and pink sundress with bright purple sunglasses and jean jacket on - lets her bare toes reach forward just enough to send a ripple through the water, wiggling them as she giggles at the cold temperature.
Picking up a pink stone, she uses her magic to coat it in glitter before flipping it over in her hands. "I wish..." Her brain spins for a minute (all three braincells) before she decides, tossing the rock into the deep blue water. " - to be the strongest in all of Caido!" Her voice echoes through the empty space, making it feel like her wish might actually come true. Giggling, she flops back into the sand, her gold and peach hair pooling around her head like a halo.
The sun kisses her skin as Flora steps barefoot onto the sand, curls caught in the sea breeze, gold jewelry gleaming like constellations against her tan. She doesn’t speak at first—just watches. The girl at the water’s edge is a firework of colour: sundress loud as laughter, sunglasses too big for her face, hair a sunset shade of defiance. Even from this distance, Flora recognizes something in her—maybe it’s the angle of her smirk, the way she tosses the stone with a little too much flair. Or maybe it’s just the ring of her voice as it echoes out across the pool, declaring her wish like it’s already true.
"Bit ambitious, isn’t it?" she drawls finally, her voice warm as summer honey as she strolls closer. The sand shifts beneath her feet, her wrap dress fluttering like seafoam around her knees. "Though I appreciate the sparkle. Can’t say I’ve ever seen a wish dressed up quite so fabulously."
She stops a few feet away, tilting her head. "The strongest in Caido are...two of my dads, I think. If you ever want an introduction so you can tell them that you're coming for their spot."
The rumors are terrible and cruel But honey, most of them are true
Her chin tilts up to look behind her at the approaching voice, finding it very amusing to look at the familiar blonde upside down. She doesn't hide the bubbling laugh to see her 'walking on the sky,' Nova's purple sunglasses falling to her forehead with the movement to show the glittering blue of her eyes. Ignoring the claim that her wish might be too 'ambitious,' she takes her words for the compliment they are, grinning. "Why thank you!" Whether Flora is referring to her outfit or the sparkly stone that sinks to the bottom of the pool, she couldn't care less.
Spinning onto her stomach, her sunglasses fall back into place, her feet kicking into the air behind her. Nova's head tilts curiously, recalling Remi and Ronin with a bright hum. "Hmm. I already met them, but they didn't look that strong." At least not when they were getting fortunes told or helping direct crabs through Haulani. Maybe she'd have to do what Jack suggested and 'practice' against them first, just to test her strength. Nova props her head on her chin, smiling to herself as her feet continue to play footsie with the sky.
Flora's brows shoot up dramatically, a laugh escaping her lips as she watches Nova flip over onto her stomach, entirely too at ease for someone who's just casually dismissed two literal demigods. "Oh, trust me, they're stronger than they look," she says, voice lilting playfully. "But don't tell them I said that—ego management is, like, a full-time job in my family." Pausing, the queen smirks. "They both have their weaknesses, though."
She grins, head tilting as she considers the girl with a fresh curiosity, curls spilling across her shoulder as she crouches down gracefully beside the glittering pool. "Nova, right?" She arches a brow, already knowing the answer, but there's a sparkle of mischief as she dips her fingers into the water, sending small ripples dancing across its surface. "You got your style from your mom, obviously. Same flair for making a statement." Her gaze flickers to Nova's brightly coloured dress and glitter-coated fingers, lips curving into an approving smile. "I love it."
The rumors are terrible and cruel But honey, most of them are true
Blue eyes twinkling with mischief, Nova finds herself liking the Queen, especially as she offers up her own family drama. Her and her siblings are absolutely in the 'ego management' business as well, although they don't have nearly as much to back theirs up. Still, she can relate, letting out a playful giggle as she asks curiously, "What kinds of weaknesses?" In her mind, weakness equates to the inability to be 'the most powerful;' after all, how are the strongest people supposed to have any tender places to strike? They have to be invincible!
She turns to watch as Flora walks to the pool's edge, propping up on her elbow to see the glittering ripples. "Yep! And you're my dad's girlfriend, Flora, right?" It seems strange that they haven't met before, given Nova's relation to her significant other, but it isn't like Jack's a real 'dad,' even if she throws the word around so flippantly. It's just easier to say than 'father' or 'genetic sample' or 'everyone's favorite pain in the derriere.' Sometimes she wonders if they're actually related, because few people mention her likeness to him versus her mom, just like Flora does. Not that she minds. The comparison of her to Safrin is met with a beaming smile, the stars on her cheeks stretching with the movement. "Obviously! She's the best." Nova may be somewhat biased, but not many people would disagree with how great the goddess is.
Flora’s laugh is rich and genuine, a sound that’s both light and warm, spilling into the salty air between them. "Oh, the list of weaknesses is long and entertaining," she confesses, leaning back on her palms, her gaze flickering back to the sea momentarily before returning to Nova. "Their biggest weaknesses are other Vi demi's for Ronin, and people he loves, for Remi." Flora explains with a casual shrug. "But really, they're both big softies. If you ever pretended to be hurt they'd instantly drop the tough guy act to come over and help, and that's when you could strike."
Her smile deepens at Nova’s description of her parentage, nodding with an exaggerated sigh. "That’s me, guilty as charged," she admits, her tone threading with amusement and a tinge of fondness. It should have been a good deal more strange to be chatting so candidly with one of Jack's daughters, especially given how close in age Nova seemed to be to Flora, but with everything so wonderfully purple, the Doubletake couldn't find a single reason to feel uptight about any of it.
At Nova’s glowing praise of her mother, Flora’s expression softens, a reflective quality shimmering through her light-hearted demeanor. "She really is," she agrees, glancing at the sparkling water as if it might mirror some of Safrin’s splendor. "There’s no denying that Safrin knows how to make an impression. It’s a family trait, apparently," she adds, winking conspiratorially at Nova.
Shifting to sit cross-legged, Flora gestures towards the pool with a flick of her hand, where the ripples have smoothed back into calm. "Jack tells me you've got another sibling on the way, too."
The rumors are terrible and cruel But honey, most of them are true
The first don't sound like the kind of weaknesses she can capitalize on, but the 'damsel in distress' card is one she's happy to play. Her smile widens, perhaps a touch more mischievous than was healthy for her - or the demigods. "Ooooh. Thanks for the tip!"
Unnecessary introductions decidedly finished, Nova basks in another one of Flora's compliments (at least that's how she takes it). Giggling, she flicks her fingers to copy the Doubletake's actions, a ring of glittering water rippling away from the gentle touch of her magic like a muted explosion of stars. "I like you." Maybe it's the flattery or the elegant confidence, but the words ring true as she shoots the Queen a genuine grin full of the easygoing friendship only found in those unfamiliar with the harsh realities of the world.
Nova straightens suddenly, sand and random glitter scattering around her like confetti. "REALLY?! That's so exciting! I wonder what they'll be like!" Considering how different she and her siblings are, it's really anyone's guess. And with Jack knowing about them, they must be another full blooded sibling! Although that begs the question... "Does Jack like having kids?" Her head tilts curiously, her finger coming to her chin as she tries to reconcile everything she knows about the captain (which isn't much) and the overabundance of kids (which is comparably a lot). None of it really makes sense to her, and she wonders if Flora might be able to shed some light on the matter.
Flora chuckles as she's bathed in Nova's excitement. "Well, Jack is... Jack," she says as if that explains everything, the edges of her voice curling up with both amusement and a hint of exasperation. Leaning back slightly, her arms supporting her weight on the sand, Flora looks out towards the horizon, then back at Nova. "And he must not hate it too much if he agreed to have another one, right?" There's too much purple floating around Flora's mind for her to remember why this fact is meant to sting, and so she says it with a shrug.
"Let's just say your mom made it very worth his while." Was that the sort of thing someone like Dahlia would like to know? Mmm, anyway.
"Kinda weird that you and I are like, basically the same age, huh?"
The rumors are terrible and cruel But honey, most of them are true
'Jack being Jack' is explanation enough, the man singular in nature if only in his 'oh-so-serious' face. It still makes her wonder about his motivation though. He seems to put up with her and her siblings, but he doesn't look like he enjoys hanging out with them. Despite that, Nova can't find a reason to disagree with Flora. "I guess not..."
Scrunching her face in thought, Nova slowly starts connects the dots, the hamster spinning in overdrive as she thinks. It's hard to hear the Doubletake's words through the steam pushing through her ears, and she has to replay her question before answering. "Mm? Not really." But she also hasn't thought about it much. It's not like she really 'aged,' so it's strange to see others so obsessed with a number.
Something finally clicks into place in her mind, a sadly puzzled expression marring her pretty features when she looks to Flora. Her voice is quieter than before, almost nervous as she asks, "So... I was part of a trade?" It's the only thing that makes sense, and deep down she knows it's true, but she still needs to hear it, in case she might be mistaken.
Flora's shrug is nonchalant, almost casual as she responds, the infection subtly influencing her lack of filter. "Yeah, that's basically it," she confirms, her tone breezy, absent of the usual tact she might have employed. "Even Seren before you. Safrin doesn't just fall in love and decide to start a family. She has plans, ambitions... reasons or whatever." She picks at a strand of sand-stuck seaweed, flicking it away with a flick of her wrist.
Her eyes narrow slightly as she tries to piece together the tangled web of divine deals and decisions. "Let's see, the Ark being able to fly was what Jack traded for you, if I remember right. And some void necklace, I think, was the price for the next one coming up." The information tumbles out of her with a strange ease, each fact delivered with a sort of detached clarity, her mind too clouded by Dahlia's influence to consider the implications of her words.
Flora leans back, hands pressing into the warm sand, looking out at the sea as if it might offer up more answers or at least a distraction from the heavier conversation. "It's all a bit transactional, or at least it was. You all were just a handshake, but this latest kid Safrin and Jack fucked for, so..." Her voice trails off and despite the infection, something claws at the back of her throat.
The rumors are terrible and cruel But honey, most of them are true
She sits surprisingly still, legs crossed in the sand as she listens to Flora bulldoze everything she thought she knew about her existence, about her parents. Having felt her mom embrace her, love her, it's hard for Nova to reconcile what she hears of this goddess who makes children for schemes. Does that make her any better than a trained soldier or a prized horse? Is she just something to be used? She'd have guessed that of Jack - even if she still secretly harbored hope of him possessing some soft chamber in his heart. But Safrin too? And to hear of the deed that did it, like some depraved act of business -
Nova can't take it.
Moisture pricks at the edge of her eyes as she squints the closed, her hands raising to cut off anything else the woman might say to corrupt her mind. "Stop! I - I don't want to know anymore... please." The last word nearly cracks, begging Flora not to hurt her anymore.
Her arms come up to hug her legs, suddenly feeling very small and insignificant in the world. It's not something she's felt before, always striving to be the biggest personality in the room, but her garish colors and exuberant nature feel cheap and dirty, like she's a mockery of something pure. Not a child of love, but transaction. The thought only makes her grasp tighten, glittering eyes staring blankly at the water in front of her, wishing to forget everything she'd heard, wishing for the first time that she'd stayed home.
03-26-2025, 01:53 PM (This post was last modified: 03-26-2025, 01:54 PM by Flora.)
flora
Flora hesitates as she watches Nova crumple, the bright, exuberant figure she'd been joking with moments ago now withdrawn into a visibly shaken silence. Her instinct to comfort clashes with the candid bluntness that the infection sharpens, making her words perhaps less gentle than they might otherwise have been.
"I get it," Flora says after a moment, her voice carrying a thread of shared bitterness. She glances away, out over the water, her expression hardening as she thinks back to her own realizations about Jack and his dealings with Safrin. "Finding out sucked for me too." Her tone is flat, the warmth that usually suffused her words tempered by her own unresolved feelings.
"But at least you know that your mom wanted you, and was willing to give Jack whatever she needed to in order to bring you to life, so...there's that." It was better than Flora's origin story which was just a lesson in fertility when it came to two people fucking in Frey's presence. "Neither of my parents wanted me, and now look. I'm a queen."
And infected. And soon to be single (probably), but, y'know.
The rumors are terrible and cruel But honey, most of them are true
Flora's words don't make her feel any better. Sharing in the suffering doesn't make the truth any easier to hear. She doesn't want anyone to feel this way, so why would having more people make it better? (Because trauma bonding!!) Nova certainly doesn't get it, and she stays uncharacteristically quiet, still processing all the misconceptions and blatant lies that she's come to believe.
Her following words provide equally as little comfort, the terms 'plans' and 'ambitions' still twisting in her mind, warping the loving image of her mom until she barely recognizes her. Is there still another ulterior motive for her existence? Other than the desire of a mother for someone to love? She feels restless with the thoughts, her tender, naive heart bleeding from the battering of wounds, her eyes milky with unshed tears.
Wiping at her eyes with the edge of her skirt, her voice comes out weak and lonely. "What do you mean?" Obviously not about the whole 'Queen' part, but she doesn't specify, unable to formulate more than a few words.
Flora watches Nova struggle with her feelings, the silence between them stretching thin as the sea breeze. The young girl's vulnerability tugs at something inside her, the infection’s influence warring with her inherent empathy. After a pause that feels both too short and too long, Flora speaks again, her voice softer, an attempt to bridge the gap her earlier bluntness had forged.
"I mean that even though the reasons might not be... ideal, your mom wanted you, Nova," she explains, trying to find a silver lining in the dark cloud hanging over their conversation. Flora shifts slightly, pulling her knees closer to her chest as she looks out at the sea, mirroring Nova's introspection. "Sometimes, knowing the whole story about why we’re here can be tough. But it doesn’t define who we are, or who we can be."
She glances back at Nova, her expression earnest. "You get to make your own choices now, build your own life. That’s what matters." She offers a tentative smile, hoping to see a spark of Nova's earlier vibrancy return. "You're not just a plan or a trade. You’re Nova, and you're gonna be the strongest in all of Caido, right?"
The rumors are terrible and cruel But honey, most of them are true
