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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!
Sol had been gone a lot longer than Zavien had expected, and part of him worried that something had happened. But he would know, right? the bond felt distant, but it didn't feel gone, and he found that he had to trust his companion, to trust that he would stay safe and make it home.
He'd started to reach a new baseline of normal without Sol, anxious but willing to power through the darker moments. The first few weeks had been difficult, filled with overwhelming moments and an inability to regulate his emotions. However, as time passed, the intensity faded again, and hope started to blossom, hope that when his dragon returned, he might make him proud. He'd already secured the Rose and had made plans to meet Hadama to exchange it, and he was still diligently training in the meantime.
Until then, he felt like it was the perfect day for a picnic. Longheat had just begun, and the sunlight was in full force, pushing the clouds from the sky as he entered the Celestine to look for Lena, a basket of goodies at his side.
The real tragedy is men who are afraid of the light
The weeks had been busy and all-consuming; almost as if it had been purposefully orchestrated, to perhaps negate the well of feelings and emotions threatening to buoy and consume. It was easier to wind her way through gardens, mend her creatures, and focus on Zavien’s needs through the trying and sacrificial efforts, than tend to anything miring its way through her mind.
So as the Dragoon approached, her head raised upwards from the weeds and herbs she’d been conspiring within, granting a wave so he wouldn’t miss her on the way by. “Hey!” She called in singsong, tucking her planting gloves back into her basket (also already laden with prepared foods – some poultry pieces cooked and spiced, heaping portions of seeds, cheeses, and fruits), and striding over. Meeting him halfway, she extended a kiss to his cheek, tucking her arm through his elbow amidst a brilliant grin. “I already found the perfect place,” steering him in that said direction. “How are things?” A hidden inquiry laden in there somewhere – but she figured if Sol had returned, he would’ve said so.
But still, the Caretaker had always been full of hope.
Her voice reached him first, and Zavien turned to find Lena in her natural habitat amongst the foliage of the Celestine. It made him smile as he returned the wave, meeting her halfway as he made sure to avoid stepping on any of the carefully curated herbs. He was looking down when she kissed his cheek, and he couldn't help the stupid grin that spread across his face, a soft laugh escaping. "Perfect. I can't wait to see." There were so many places in the garden that he had yet to visit.
The question was so simple, and simultaneously the most complicated to answer. In all honestly? Things could be better, but they could also be worse, and Zavien would much prefer to focus on the positives right now. He gave Lena a bright smile, tightening his grip on her arm. "I can't complain when I get to have a picnic with the prettiest woman in Caido." When he looked down at her, his green eyes were less shadowed than before, although worry had begun to replace the other anxieties that creased their edges.
Letting Lena lead the way, he shifted the basket on his arm. "How are things here?" He'd spent most of his free time training or helping her, but he still liked to ask, curious if anything new had changed - he also liked having an excuse to hear her talk.
The real tragedy is men who are afraid of the light
Her brows arched at his insinuation, and she grinned again, trying to keep the moments light – beaming at the compliment, even if it prospered a melodic laugh. “Just for that we’ll find the best area then,” as she’d had several options, but then one could argue the portions she picked out had already been marked as substantial and sovereign.
She studied him out of the corner of her eye. It was difficult, sometimes, when one saw their partner every day, to discern the constant changes – but he seemed a little brighter. Slightly less tinged in grief and forbearing, steps more certain, outlook not as bleak. Or maybe it was her wishful thinking. Perhaps it was simply the promise of a dragon returning home.
Humming within the eventuality, she steered them down the length of a path brimming with purple and yellow flowers, all stretching over hedges and curling towards the endless evening skies, imbued with the finest aromas and perfumes; calming, distinct. “Busy as ever. I’ve had more tourists here than before.” She didn’t have much explanation for that – save for curious eyes and endeavors. “Hadama was here too, visiting for a bit. I gave him a slight walk around. Have you talked to him recently?” She wouldn’t be surprised if there’d been more to the brief holidays.
Drinking in her laughter, he ducked under a low-hanging branch of green leaves (don't ask him what kind). "Wait. Would you have taken me to the second best place if I didn't say that?" His eyebrow raised in a teasing manner, something he hadn't done much of recently. It felt good, although it didn't erase the gaping hole still in his chest. Regardless, it felt right, and he did his best to live in the moment.
Zavien let her steer them towards wherever she had in mind, just enjoying her company and the flowers that bloomed around them. It was peaceful, and he wasn't surprised to hear that more people had been visiting. "Really? I suppose that's a good thing." Although if it was because of Vox, he might change his mind.
At the mention of Hadama, he recalled when he'd seen him just a few weeks ago - and Maea. It made him wince a little, his smile thinner although still present. "I - uh - helped him with some Void stuff in King's End." And nearly lost his cool. "Otherwise, I was actually planning to meet him in the Greatwood soon, to give him the Rose." His smile strengthened, proud that he would soon be able to help with the fight against the Void.
The real tragedy is men who are afraid of the light
“Hmm...maybe they’re both anyway,” she hummed, not quite directly answering the question simply to keep the tease and ruse going. Truth be told, she’d selected the section out of fondness for the area, and because she thought he might enjoy it, regardless of compliments.
The clearing ahead was just that – an unfurling little spot neatly elongated between rows of hedges, with just the right angle of twilight sky and patterns of clouds to dapple over the horizon. Little lights here and there, intermingled amidst the occasional growl of some animals in their enclosures nearby (or the faint snort of unicorns, as they were certainly close to a makeshift meadow design). The grass itself was lush and comfortable, and adorned with several pockets of moss for softer seating arrangements. If he recognized any of the plants nearby she’d be doubly impressed and proud. “What do you think?”
She only detached from his arm to assemble the blanket she’d stowed away, unfurling it in rapid fashion while she listened. “Ah. Are they overrun there too?” She hadn’t been back to King’s End in several seasons – busy here and there – and the thoughts of the infected equines always left her feeling slightly bereft. “But that’s good, about the rose!” Which meant one step closer to other individuals being able to render Starfall apart.
He fell silent as they stepped into the clearing, speechless at its beauty in a way that left his mouth slightly agape. It always amazed him to see the different corners and features of the Celestine, and he quickly decided that this would be one of his new favorite spots. Although he might not be able to name a single plant (sorry Lena), their vibrant shades spoke of a life bursting through every cell. They leaned and whispered to each other in the light breeze that cooled the lingering heat of the day, as if they shared the secrets to happiness and the cure for heartache. Small lights shone in the twilight, beacons of peace and safety despite the city they resided in.
Zavien let out a soft laugh at Lena's question, still trying to take it all in. "I think..." Glancing down at her, his smile was the soft light of morning peeking through drawn curtains, full of hope and more sunlight to come. "You undersold it." He leaned down to place a gentle kiss on her cheek before releasing her.
While Lena worked on setting out the blanket, Zavien took both their baskets, setting them out and beginning to rummage through for the various food stuffs. "It wasn't too bad, not like the Feverlands - or Halo." He added the last part a little reluctantly but continued with a shrug of his shoulders. "Maybe it was just awkward because I ran into Maea... and without Sol there, it was a little hard to stay focused." An understatement, but true, nonetheless.
Once she'd fixed the blanket to her liking, he gestured for her to take a seat, following her "But we killed the Voidquicksand moss and burned away the purple flowers in the hedges of Queen's Gambit, so things worked out in the end." And as she'd said, the Rose was a positive.
The real tragedy is men who are afraid of the light
She beamed in the response, every little bit of resplendence and effervescence she had once presided in so thoroughly – before everything else seemed to dim. But she leaned into the kiss rather than dissipating the good humor of the day, laughing and parading away while she layered the blanket downward, opting to anchor the sides with some small stones from nearby.
The inclination of Maea had her curious; though she’d often gotten along with the Ancient, she knew it wasn’t the same for everyone. “Did she bother you?” She wasn’t immediately defensive, but Lena’s sheltering, protective, and shielding hand hadn’t gone without lectures and sharp grit when it was necessary – but if her tone sounded a little more inquiring and mindful than before, she couldn’t quite help it. Not after everything Zavien had been through.
Settling down on her stomach, intending to be radiantly comfortable and content, she reached for some portions of cheese, listening all the while. “That’s a relief.”
He took a moment to consider the question, uncertain how to describe his interaction with Maea. Was 'bother' the right word?
Setting the assortment of foods across the blanket, he let the work distract him as he spoke, his voice slightly tense with the memory of thrown words and raging flames. "Not really... I'd been trying to help her a while ago and she said some things - things that hit pretty hard after I died, about how I didn't understand the fragility of life or something along those lines..." He winced a little, recalling how much that had hurt after everything. Along with the insults to his mother...
Zavien swallowed, setting a platter of meats out as he shrugged. "She apologized last time we ran into each other, and told me about her own struggles, but things were still too raw to talk with her about it." Pulling a bag of pastries from his own basket, he set it next to the savory items. He then made himself comfortable next to her, lying on his stomach as he brushed a hand over the soft moss. A long sigh pushed from his chest as he tried to discard any dark emotions that might dampen their picnic, giving Lena a soft smile to reassure her that he wasn't overly bothered by it. "It's just awkward more than anything. We were able to work together fine." Not that he still had any desire to tell Maea about his own experience with death, but at least they could have a professional relationship without any issues.
The real tragedy is men who are afraid of the light
Lena wasn’t one to bristle, but the very notes Zavien delivered were enough to have her shoulders lined straight, rather than relaxed. How he hadn’t understood the fragilities of life? She was reminded of discussions with an Ascended, over by the well amidst the desert, trying desperately to convey why their vengeance upon Stormbreak hadn’t yielded anything in return except hatred, and the constant, vicious, ongoing cycle – and why would Maea of all people say that to him –
Very lost for a moment in all those heartbreaking ventures, her mind came back to fruition at the platter of food nearby, at the apology that had already been rendered. She took a long, slow breath, trying to stall the rush of heat to her cheeks, and settled back into herself, shaking her head to rid the patterns from her mind. “Okay. And I hope she understood that.”
If he wasn’t bothered, maybe she shouldn’t be.
Reaching across to squeeze at his fingers, maybe for him and for herself, she coiled the restless emotions back into due diligence, and then plucked at one of the meats, opting to combine it with some cheese. “This is amazing,” she honored, biting into the savory bits and pieces with another light hum to continue removing the tension from her own frame.
Between words, Zavien was faintly aware of Lena tensing next to him. It didn't make him happy to make her worry over him, but something about her reaction reminded him that someone cared, warming his heart despite the pressure of darker emotions. He leaned a little closer into her orbit, letting her sigh be for the both of them as he released some of his own stress.
There hadn't really been a chance to speak with Maea during their last meeting, so he couldn't say whether she 'understood' or not. That didn't mean he planned to linger on it, smiling gently as he shrugged his shoulders. "I think she did - at least she didn't press the issue." Which meant he wouldn't let it plague him unless Maea made it an issue again.
Feeling her hand against his, Zavien's smile deepened as he twisted his so that their fingers were intertwined. He squeezed hers back, leaning on his other arm as he split his attention between Lena, their surroundings, and the food. The cured meat was delicious, and when he followed her lead with adding the cheese, he let out his own low hum of appreciation. "I agree. Although it would probably taste better with some wine." A good beer might also do the trick, but wine seemed appropriate for the moment, and it just so happened that he'd brought a bottle along with the sweets.
With a charming grin, he released her hand to pull the wine from where he'd placed it nearby. It didn't take him long to pour two glasses, offering one to her. As he did so, a thought appeared, surprising him enough to make his green eyes widen. "I just realized, haven't we been dating for almost a year?" Had he missed the day? Was he fumbling? What did she expect? Should he have gotten her something? Suddenly, amongst the shock and excitement, a tingle of nerves gathered in his stomach.
The real tragedy is men who are afraid of the light
Her brows inclined upward at the mention of wine, granting a light laugh as he unveiled it properly. She took the offered glass quickly, clinking it against his in a little toast. “Ah, then it truly is perfect now,” and she sipped away, hovering over more of the savory bits and pieces, tidbits and morsels, opting to crunch down on some almonds and cranberries as he made another announcement.
Though, this time, instead of something stressful or wearing, her grin was buoyant and radiant again, for she’d been thinking of it too, in between the way life had swayed and swerved. “Goodness, time flies,” making no mention of the heartaches in between. It had been a grueling tide of a year when it shouldn’t have been – but they could make the most of it. Her certainty always prevailed in the eyes of storms. “I’ve been thinking…,” to which she wrinkled her nose, and then swung her eyes back in his direction. “What if we just went away for a couple days to celebrate? I can probably get someone to cover for a night or so.” Anywhere Zavien would like to go – places without haunting memories or traumatic events or Family debacles hovering in the midst.
His brow furrowed slightly as he took a sip of his own wine. The words 'I've been thinking...' immediately had him worrying. After all, nothing good every came after that. Zavien was quickly wondering if the stresses had finally gotten to her, if she had finally come to the conclusion that he was too broken, if she was going to break up with him on this beautiful picnic. He knew it was stupid and illogical, but all the anxieties built up until she finished the proposition - and he suddenly felt it evaporate like smoke in the wind, warmth and joy taking its place.
He let out a soft breath, his face breaking into a smile as he chuckled at his own internal stupidity. "That sounds like a great idea." Zavien reached for her hand again so that he might have a physical reminder of how blessed he was that she's stayed despite all the struggles they'd had to endure. Pushing away the other thoughts, he tilted his head to look into her eyes. "I was actually thinking about how I still owe you a date to the Atheneum. Maybe a trip to the Grounds?" It would certainly fit, considering where their first date had been, and the bright green of his eyes seemed to suggest that he would like very much to go back to that time.
The real tragedy is men who are afraid of the light
She waited, smile still regal and radiant, sipping at her wine while Zavien puzzled things over. Unaware of how much she might’ve stirred, merely by happenstance and accident, her head tilted, watching his features change in rapid formation. Maybe she hadn’t thought it through enough, and that hadn’t been a proper suggestion…
To which she should’ve laughed at her own reaction. Perhaps it was the pent up days of never-ending apprehensions that still coiled within. She intertwined her fingers with his once more as he pledged the idea had been great, leaving her to ponder over particulars until he came up with his own. “Ooooh, I don’t mind the sound of that,” and she wrinkled her nose mischievously, eyes casting elsewhere while she scrutinized and speculated over the other parameters, full of wonder and opportunity. “There were also all those restaurants we didn’t try…,” nor had she gone anywhere near some of the other portions of the Grounds; like the Oasis, or Brambles, or even the Temple. “We could get a little room at an inn too.” No one there to bother, save for themselves. And the companions, of course, once Sol returned.
