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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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03-23-2025, 09:11 PM (This post was last modified: 03-23-2025, 09:11 PM by Kaisel.)
KAISEL
So, you wanna start a war? Bang, shots fired
Kaisel was no stranger to the soothing springs. Many soldiers frequented the waters to alleviate aching muscles and tired joints. With days spent training and running low-grade missions around town—and some nights pummeling (or getting pummeled by) ruffians in the Silk House pits—he was in desperate need of the warm embrace of this natural bath. He would have come days ago, but exhaustion caught up to him sometimes and resting his eyes became a nap that turned into a sleep. He was probably pushing himself too hard lately, especially with his midnight adventures, but the desire to 'level up', so to speak, was hounding him. There was so much wrong happening around him that he couldn't be idle, but he knew he lacked the strength to make a difference. His mind and his heart were willing, but his body, his abilities—hell, even his dull arsenal of basic steel and cheap leather—were not at all ready.
So he pushed—and now, he was here, reaping the result of that hunger.
He groaned as he slipped slowly into the water, the heat wrapping around him like a living thing. He'd stripped down to just his skivvies, his pile of clothes on the shore nearby, along with a bundle—his packed lunch. He drew in a breath and plunged his head underwater. He popped up a few breaths later, shaking the water from his face as he turned and hugged the bank. His feet kicked idly as he reached for his lunch, peeling some purple grapes from their stem. He turned around to lean his back against the side, slipping down until the water lapped at his neck. He popped a grape into his mouth one at a time, keeping the rest carefully above the water in one raised hand. He closed his eyes in comfort and peace.
If only it could last.
Pain is what you desire So, you wanna be immortal?
Wearing a watery blue, faded and stretched-out sparkling hair tie on his left wrist
There had been a time when his every trip to Stormbreak has begun and ended at the Eye of the Storm, between the hours of moonrise and moonset on the night of the full moon. It had been a year and a half since he had moved under such limitations. An eternity. A blink of an eye.
And now, for the first time since legs had become a regular way of life for him, he had returned.
Hadama ducked beneath the leaves at the grotto's entrance, though he could not avoid their touch entirely as he paced slowly along the path. His eyes traveled the shadows, noting what had stayed the same since Sohalia had been deposed as the Heart. Noting, too, what had changed, whether for better or worse.
Or more violet.
He was not expecting there to be another in the waters when he reached them. A stranger, but there was something familiar in the cast of his eyes. The curl of his hair. Enough that the Tidebreaker remained outwardly relaxed as he began to disrobe, removing his wrap top to reveal a heavily muscled torso crossed with scars that had been tattooed over in gold across his brown skin. Each scar a lesson in survival, stitching together a man with long hair that looked grey in the twilight and eyes the green of true emeralds. "Pardon my intrusion," he murmured, his voice the deep, low rumble of distant summer thunder.
And as he slipped into the water there was a moment of hesitation. A ripple of tension through his body as his legs sank beneath the heated surface. A flicker of shadows over his skin, swiftly obscured by steam as he settled into the much-needed springs and let the warmth begin to soak into his muscles.
Though Kaisel had sensed someone else was in the vicinity before the man spoke, he'd remained as he was, gauging the peaceful intent. Then again, he was green in the world of warriors, so perhaps such trust in his own talents was unwise. Only one way to limit test it.
Once the voice broke the calm, one of Kaisel's eyes slid open. He regarded the Tidebreaker with a cool interest. "Always welcome, Hadama" Kaisel greeted politely, recognizing the legendary merman. Though, was something missing? Kaisel's 'brows knit together in concentration as his gaze traced the distorted limbs under the water. He thought the merfolk had fish halves down there. He had half a notion to ask, but he heard an admonishing voice in his head eerily like his mother's that suggested that was rude. "Surprised to see you here though," Kaisel admitted. While these pools were something he'd always found worthy of admiring, the demi-god before him surely had the best secret spots for water-based relaxation. "I'd have expected you to control your own private baths." Kaisel smiled, standing up a bit more as he leaned over to grab more grapes and some nuts.
"Want some?" he offered over his shoulder without looking. A breath later he held up a bundle of grapes above his head.
Pain is what you desire So, you wanna be immortal?
Wearing a watery blue, faded and stretched-out sparkling hair tie on his left wrist
A steely grey brow rose at the casual use of his name, though he was hardly in disguise. "Thank you. I do not believe we have met...?" The young man had him at a disadvantage since he could not recall the specifics of his face, much less a name. Though again there was that sense of familiarity as he took the invitation to study his host more closely.
He relaxed into the water until it rose to his shoulders and his hair floated in thick ropes on the surface. Though his eyes were half-closed he watched the other man from beneath the shadows of their lids, catching the drift of a brown gaze to the water where his legs had disappeared.
And perhaps he should not have found a reason for anything other than grim solemnity in these difficult days, but--
"I am not looking for companionship," he informed his fellow warrior with all due seriousness before inclining his head to the side in gratitude of the man's interest. "But thank you."
The grapes, however, were met with a true nod and this time he reached a long arm to carefully break a small bunch from the bundle that was offered. "Thank you. Land grapes are juicier than the sea grapes in the Underwater City."
Honestly, he didn't think someone of Hadama's status would care about him, but being known without knowing in return was a disarming feeling. "Kaisel Ashborn, sir, a Dragoon" he offered hurriedly to the Tidebreaker. Clearly, that hadn't been enough, because the king pointedly told him to fuck off in no uncertain terms. He understood. There was plenty of water to go around—he didn’t need to keep bothering the busy, weary man with his formality fumbling.
But, Kaisel didn't like not being liked. It made his skin crawl, like there was something wrong. What wasn't to like, honestly? Maybe he'd sounded rude, suggesting it was strange Hadama was here? Had it sounded like he didn’t want him here? Damn. Or maybe Hadama had only joined because Kaisel looked like the quiet type—which, what a misjudgment. He'd just been grateful for peace. Perhaps the universe was trying to give it to them both.
Kaisel, dense as ever, was completely unaware of what had actually transpired. That was better for them both, because the disruption he would have caused in response would have definitely soured the remainder of both their days.
The grapes were his olive branch as Kaisel—ever the Labrador of a man—tried to undo whatever slight he'd caused. He warred internally about speaking up again. Maybe the grapes could do the rest of the talking. He just couldn't fucking help it though, because what in the fuck were sea grapes. "What does a sea grape taste like?" A pause. A thought. Another battle lost. "Do you eat... underwater?" How?
I'm absolutely DEAD at Hadama thinking he was catching a peek
Pain is what you desire So, you wanna be immortal?
Wearing a watery blue, faded and stretched-out sparkling hair tie on his left wrist
"Mm. It is nice to meet you, Kaisel Ashborn." He inclined his head in acknowledgment of the ritual of greeting, though interest sparked in emerald eyes at the mention of being a Dragoon.
First, however, he could not help but to allow himself a brief moment of mischief among the shadows that gathered around him in such profusion these days. A gentle teasing that passed over the head of the earnest young man with all the grace of a cygnata and left Hadama momentarily bemused and silent.
That was who he was reminded of when he looked at this stranger.
Accepting a cluster of grapes, he plucked one and ate it thoughtfully, enjoying the flavorful burst of juice from it. "Sea grapes are succulent, not sweet. They are much smaller than these." He was long-used to such questions, even from native Torchers. It had not been all that many years that the Mer and the humans had been in alliance, after all. Only since he had taken the crown on the eve of the war with the Voice.
Still, some questions were more... oblivious... than others. "Indeed," he answered, his tone quietly solemn to match his expression, though there was a spark of something suspiciously like subdued mischief in his eyes. "Have you ever visited Torchline?"
Kaisel watched Hadama a touch too intently as the man ate the grapes. His own were forgotten in his hand, one still half raised to his mouth, but frozen. Although Hadama was currently above water eating, it might provide a clue as to how he ate underwater. With no real answers exposed, Kaisel remembered his own grape and hastily popped it into his mouth. The crunch was satisfying and the grape was sweet. Honestly, he preferred the sour green ones, but he was too hungry to complain.
"I haven't" Kaisel admitted sheepishly. Hadama was likely proud of his kingdom, as Kaisel was of his hometown, and the ignorance of it shamed him. "I have only ever been here, sir. And the Greatwoods, recently." He'd like to blame his overbearing parents, but he was probably partly to blame for this one. His home had plenty to keep him busy and was full of his family and friends. He'd never seen a reason to leave it, to be honest. Now he had one, though - Sea grapes.
"What else grows there that's worth eating?" He wondered if it was taboo for Hadama to eat fish. Would it be like, a distant cousin?
Pain is what you desire So, you wanna be immortal?
Wearing a watery blue, faded and stretched-out sparkling hair tie on his left wrist
Surprising exactly no one except Kaisel, Hadama ate his grapes one at a time, taking care to chew each one and enjoying the flavors before swallowing so he could answer the other man's question. They made for a pleasant snack in contrast to the hot waters of the Eye, cool and refreshing. And if he was being observed while he nibbled, the Tidebreaker did not show his awareness of the fact.
One did not cover one's scars in golden tattoos without expecting to draw a little attention, after all.
If he was disappointed that Kaisel had not traveled to the western coast he did not show that, either. He simply watching the Dragoon with a calm gaze and inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment of the young man's focus on his hometown. But he did not miss the sheepishness either, and there was a thoughtful cast to his serenely stoic expression even before a question was returned to him. "Hmm. Pineapples, molten and otherwise. Bananas, coconuts, and many fruits. Rhampire are popular with the landfolk. And we have the finest kelp farmers in Caido." Of course.
Hadama relaxed back against the rim of the springs, steely hair floating around him in thick tresses on the surface of water, watching Kaisel once more through half-closed eyes, though he seemed to be quietly enjoying the conversation.
"What drew you to the Greatwood?" Of all the places in Caido to begin his explorations outside of his home, the Greatwood was a significant trip even by airship, and had not been a civilized region for many years now.
Though it certainly had charms of its own to draw interest in these violet-shadowed times.
03-31-2025, 09:58 PM (This post was last modified: 03-31-2025, 09:58 PM by Kaisel.)
KAISEL
So, you wanna start a war? Bang, shots fired
Familiar with most of the foods Hadama listed off, Kaisel found his mouth starting to water. They all sounded delicious, and his handful of grapes felt like not nearly enough in hindsight. "OOOOH, yeah, we, my family, buy that kelp, it's my favorite!" He'd have packed some today if he hadn't polished off the pack a few days ago. He made a mental note to swing by the market on his way home and pick up some more.
As Hadama settled contentedly against the spring's edge, Kaisel was reminded that the man had said he did not want company. Shit, he was doing it again. Asking too many questions and yappin'. Sometimes he even talked too much for his own liking, but he hadn't found a way to stop it yet. Still, he thought he ought to practice before he found the last nerve of the King of Torchline. Inhaling deeply, as if he might just hold his breath to stop himself, Kaisel closed his eyes and also settled against the lip of the steaming water.
At Hadama's question, one eye flew open and slid back to the merman. Kaisel smiled. "Protection duty for the travellers doing some flower finding out there, sir. A bit too, uh, nature-y, for my tastes to be honest. Saw some vipers there too, though we were far enough away nothing came of it." In hindsight he maybe should have spun a heroic tale about fighting off void beasts, but with his luck Lena and Hadama were best friends and he'd be found out within the week. "I can't do much else," he admitted, for the first time. "My commanders say I need to keep training. That's why I'm here, been training as much as I can." He sighed dramatically. "Some things just take time, though. Which is unfortunate. I'd like to get our city back.".
Pain is what you desire So, you wanna be immortal?
Wearing a watery blue, faded and stretched-out sparkling hair tie on his left wrist
The enthusiasm for one of Torchline's exports was noted, and Hadama inclined his head in gracious acknowledgment of Kaisel's excellent taste. "I am glad," he murmured, a hint of pleasure easing the skin at the corners of his eyes and mouth. "Perhaps you will come to Torchline some day, and try it while it is fresh." Though being dried for storage and transport made that less of an issue than with some of their other exports. Like fish, for example.
For a short time silence settled over the springs, but Hadama was curious about this young Dragoon and he sought to draw him out a little more, asking a question that might have had more than one reason behind it. Hearing that there were flowers involved he nodded slowly in quiet satisfaction. "I am glad there was no trouble." the Void Vipers could be... unpleasant. Though they were far from the worst of the Void's corrupted creatures to deal with. But it seemed proof enough that there was no Rose found on that foray, or the Vipers would not have been in the area. Rather than pursue that line further he listened with solemn courtesy to the young man's woes. He inclined his head in appreciation for the training that the Dragoon had undertaken, a faint sparkle in emerald eyes.
"Is Koa Carpenter one of your commanders?"
Noted, too, was Kaisel's patriotism. Though just how they would retake Stormbreak was, as yet, a question without an answer.
The waters were soothing as they lapped around Kaisel's shoulders. "Definitely. I need to see what these sea grapes are all about too, and Flora's bar." Kaisel, not prone to travel, had already made up his mind to visit the other kingdom. Perhaps it was time to try new things.
As Hadama summarized the Greatwood venture, Kaisel disagreed. Young blood craved action after all, so 'no trouble' just meant boring. Deep down, he knew he ought to be grateful for it, but he was ready to be the star in one of the campfire tales already. Politely, he nodded, staring down at the water as he moved his hand around just under the surface. "No flowers either though," he said with some disappointment, that was felt by every soul that had wandered there and come back the same.
At the unexpected mention of his cousin's name, Kaisel's head shot up, his 'brows rising. "Yeah, he's my cousin," Kaisel said with a proud excitement. "We've been training together, isn't he great?" Kaisel was determined to climb up the ranks with him, to be just as strong and capable. Maybe then he could do something about the void. "I don't think he's here right now, if you're looking for him." Kaisel murmured, the joy dimming. "He's been gone a lot ever since..." wordlessly, Kaisel just gestured towards the distant shape of the tower that Dahlia had commandeered.
Pain is what you desire So, you wanna be immortal?
Wearing a watery blue, faded and stretched-out sparkling hair tie on his left wrist
Silent nods met the dragoon's statements about the Hanged Man, and about the frustration of going flower hunting without luck. The hunt had been going on for so long and so many forays had been made that came back empty-handed that Hadama was unsurprised at Kaisel's lack of success. It would always be disappointing, of course, but it was far from unexpected, and he took the news with calm acceptance.
Koa's name brought some interesting news with it, however, and Hadama tilted his head, focusing his bright gaze on the young man even as he continued to relax in the hot water. "Mmh. An admirable young man." His agreement was solemn, though the twinkle remained in his eyes, especially at Kaisel's pride in his family member. The dimming of that excitement, however, brought an understanding inclination of the King's head. "Indeed. I understand." His serene expression took on a faintly thoughtful cast, a subtle wrinkle appearing between his brows as his gaze went faraway for a few moments. "I had meant to ask him for a tour of the Dragon's Nest. But if he is not available... hmm." He sighed briefly and then accepted what could not be changed. When he looked back to Kaisel it was with an inquiring tilt of his head. "Would you be able to do so in his place?"
He idly wondered what Hadama's experiences with his cousin had been that the King of Torchline complimented him so. It wouldn't be hard to guess though. Koa was both a capable soldier and a good man, his deeds always rooted in what was best. Kaisel could not boast the same, but tried his best, which was enough.
"Oh, uh, sure." Kaisel had never given a tour before, least of all to an important figure, but he had grown up here and was practically raised by the Dragoons. "Sir." He hurriedly added, forgetting himself for a moment as every fact about the Dragon's Nest seemed to evacuate his mind just then. "We can head there when we're done here, if that suits you?" Kaisel had no immediate needs to attend to, but he did have to patrol tonight still, and would need to finish soaking soon if he'd toss a tour in-between. "Are you looking at raising an army in Torchline sir?" he asked carefully, not trying to pry, but unsure why else someone would care to see the Dragon's Nest. It was not a particularly beautiful place, as it was built for the simple task of organizing soldiers. It was functional, and there was beauty to be found in that, in its own way.
Pain is what you desire So, you wanna be immortal?
Wearing a watery blue, faded and stretched-out sparkling hair tie on his left wrist
If it was not the most enthusiastic of agreements, it was still a willingness to try and Hadama inclined his head in appreciation before tilting it back and closing his eyes. The belated 'sir' did not cause so much as a twitch, but he did slowly blink one eye briefly open to survey Kaisel before he put a quiet reassurance into the rumble of his voice. "Thank you for your respect, Kaisel Ashborn. But you do not need to call me 'sir'." He was not the man's commanding officer, nor was he his ruler. "I am visiting Stormbreak as a... hmm. A tourist right now. Not as a king." It did not stop him from being a king, of course, but he saw no reason to stand on ceremony when he was going out of his way to avoid it.
He had no desire to make waves right now. Not here, in the Family's territory.
At the question, however, he was silent for a long minute. Thoughtful. Before giving a slight shake of his head. "An army? No." Guards, they already had. But after a few more moments he straightened from his lounge, sitting up higher in the water and beginning to wring the weight of it from his long hair. "Koa once spoke of expanding the Dragoons into other regions. I would like to learn more about them. About you. While I am here."
