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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!
Nodding his head in agreeance, Zavien relaxed into the easy joy of planned dates and time with Lena. Perhaps some might call the smile on his face stupid, but he couldn't help it when so much of their recent weeks had been stress and plotting. He'd missed this, and he felt lighter than he had in some time. "That's a good point. Everything smelled so good, but we only had time to try the one place."
He lost himself in memories for a moment, recalling more of their first day, the butterflies that had fluttered in his chest. Not unlike the feeling that was unleashed with her next suggestion. Zavien might have been staying with Lena since his death, but it hadn't exactly been in a 'romantic' setting - more out of terrified necessity than anything else. He'd gotten very familiar with her couch after all. Staying in the same room felt like something else entirely, something that immediately made him flustered. "Sure - I mean, if that's something you want to do -" A blush started at his ears as he cleared his throat, getting ready to say more than he probably should.
Luckily - like a golden angel - as if to save him from his own embarrassment - Zavien felt something that had him stilling, glancing around suddenly. It was barely a tickle, something familiar yet distant. Perhaps it was just his imagination, a hope that he was trying to manifest in the midst of so much other happiness, but it had his hand tightening around Lena's, unable to hide the way he searched the trees, the sky. His mouth sat open, breathless as he whispered, "Lena. I think -" He didn't finish the statement, too nervous to be wrong, too optimistic to ignore.
The real tragedy is men who are afraid of the light
“Exactly,” she hummed, punctuating her point with her wine glass and a stick of licorice she’d pilfered in between other snacks. “And if they don’t work out, we know exactly where we can go back to,” as the food, and the company, had been beyond pleasant.
Based on his subsequent reaction though, she wasn’t certain if she’d blundered. She’d never pushed anything with Zavien. Questions. Inquiries. Faith and trust, all mettled and molded together. She wouldn’t commit to anything he was uncomfortable with. She’d just thought it’d be romantic, instead of seeming to constantly be walking amongst the eggshells, trying to find a solid surface. Noting the tips of his ears turning red, the Caretaker presumed she’d stepped a bit too far, and smiled, gentle as ever all over again. “Only if you’re comfortable with it. Or we can do something else.” No pressure, no overbearing nuances. Maybe they just weren’t ready for evenings beyond terrors at the moment.
But then there were other instances and snippets, and she gracefully slid upwards from the blanket, brow quirked, arching – fingers clenching around his. “Do you think - ,” and she stopped herself too, not wanting to say it out loud in case the predictions weren’t right, and would only bring further heartache. Desperately though, she reached outward with her Attuned bond, striving to search for a singular little dragon in all the midsts of creatures breathing in the Celestine.
'Blundered' wasn't the right word when Zavien was trying very hard not to read too much into the suggestion. Of course he wanted to spend the night with Lena - and all that might entail - but he didn't want it to feel like he was pressuring her, or risk not meeting whatever expectations she may have. He'd never wanted to come off too strong, not sure how to approach something he's never done without looking very much a fool. Not that he hadn't thought or dreamt about it, but he didn't want Lena to think that was the only thing he cared about, to think that his feelings might be so shallow.
And thus, their overly considerate hearts stuttered and crashed apart in spectacular fashion, his grasp on her hand tightening as he interjected, "No! I -" But time ran out for explaining himself when the bond glittered so close, and Zavien was forced to pause whatever words he might have fumbled through.
He nodded mutely at her broken question, staring off into the distance where he could feel the golden strand growing stronger with every second. His eyes nearly watered; anticipation, joy, and overwhelming relief tightened his chest and throat, the emotions so strong that he could scarcely breath. Slowly, cautiously, he sat up on the blanket, waiting.
When a flicker of golden movement moved across the twilight horizon, Zavien finally took a breath, the air useless around the laughter that bubbled. He immediately turned to Lena, his smile brighter than morning sunlight refracting through diamonds. "He's back." Then he kissed her, swelling with so much happiness that he couldn't contain it, and all the more grateful that she was there to share the moment with him.
The real tragedy is men who are afraid of the light
Lena was as patient as the days were long, and she waited, content if he had something to add or share, or ready if there simply wasn’t anything. Deep down though, she wondered if she’d just errored consistently – never quite knowing how solid the foundations were because the earth kept splitting around their feet. And try as she might, she didn’t know how to fix it without more forthright endeavors, and given how she’d just tried –
Besides, there was Sol.
The gilded motions above caused her to grin, and the relief flooding through her veins, her pulse, for him and dragon both, were enough to alleviate the thresholds of apprehension for the present. She took a long, deep breath, gathering her thoughts and wits together, only for Zavien to gild them away with one kiss – and she grinned into it, pressing back in her soothing movements and motions, before pulling away. “Well go get him,” she winked.
As she broke away from the kiss, Zavien let out a breathy laugh, giddy on happiness. His head shook at her words, caressing a hand down the side of her neck as he smiled. "I can't go without you. Come on." He then stood from the blanket, offering her a hand before leading them across the field towards the growing figure amongst the clouds. It wasn't that he couldn't do it without her, but Zavien didn't want to. For all the uncertainties still in their relationship, he wanted her at his side to share every moment with him.
His strides were long, eating up the distance with uncontained eagerness. When his eyes weren't glued to the golden silhouette, they glanced back at Lena, his smile bright and cracking wide across his face. Only once they'd reached the edge, when the bond thickened to a gilded pathway in his mind and he could see the shimmering of Sol's scales did he release her hand, stretching out his arms as the dragon dove towards them. "Sol!!" The name was echoed in a celebratory roar.
Zavien's breath was knocked from his lungs with the force of their reunion. The world around seemed to flood with color, worries and stress falling like dust from his shoulders. Sol nuzzled into his neck, excited coos and chirps rumbling through his chest like the overloud purrs of a cat, soothing every wound and injury that had been sustained in his absence. The Dragoon tightened his hold on the dragon, ignoring the coating of dirt that dampened the gold sheen of scales or the small pouch that still sat securely around his neck. He just breathed in deep and full like it was his first real breath in months. "Ooooh. I missed you SO much."
The real tragedy is men who are afraid of the light
She laughed, bright and merry after all the calamities faced, the relief billowing out in waves of enthusiasm and ebullience. The merciless wakes faded away for gold and pathways of secured bonds, tassels tied together in knots and selfless efforts. Mittens crooned from somewhere, hovering nearby, and she shook her head, following the long strides and ardent pace, casting her own motions to follow, to glory and sacrifice and the very rapturous nature of gifts granted all over again.
When they rambled back together, she grinned, stopping paces away to watch and grin and sigh like a wistful thing, content. Giving them the space to relive that bond, to feel it whole and together and full once more, she only stepped nearby, hovering on the edges, to provide that backdrop and balance. “Welcome home, Sol,” she crooned in a sweet tone, already digging through her pockets for some treats.
It the clutches of the Dragoon, Sol did his best to soothe and repair the damage the last few weeks had done. For a few moments, they remained suspended, the bond thick and brimming with golden light that warmed and reassured; however, the companion could only be contained for so long. He wiggled excitedly, his tail flicking and wagging until he couldn't wait any longer.
Zavien laughed, releasing his hold so that Sol could leap back down to the ground where he began chirping, growling, spinning, and flapping his wings in an animated tale of his adventure. It was impossible for him to tell the details of the story, but Zavien understood enough to feel a swelling of pride that brightened his features in a vibrant smile. "It sounds like you were very brave." And he wouldn't diminish the sacrifice by demeaning the dragon's efforts, even as he knelt down to address his companion, his green eyes pleading. "But please don't leave again anytime soon. I was a wreck without you. Just ask Lena." He looked to her, a soft smile on his face as he let the struggles have one final moment before vanishing like mist in the sunlight.
When he rose again, there was a new energy in his movements, a lightness that spoke of receding shadows and returning hope. He took Lena's hand again, turning to the direction in which they'd come. "I think we left our food unguarded. Think you can help us with that, Lieutenant Sol?" His tone was playful, thick with praise for the successful mission and subsequent 'promotion.' The dragon puffed his chest, grumbling out a confident 'Yessir!' in dragon-speak as he trotted by their sides.
The real tragedy is men who are afraid of the light
Sol returning was another missing piece of the puzzle, and as he began his animated storytelling display, Lena watched in earnest, laughing and grinning in all the right parts. By the end she was clapping for his tales, granting him all the attention he’d earned and deserved. “What a time you had. Thank you for protecting the little one out there,” presuming, through all the fantastical swells of ventures, the griffin had made it safely into its natural terrain.
The plea within Zavien’s voice didn’t go unnoticed – nor, did she figure that Sol would forget it. Opting for lightness amidst the reunion and renewal, she nodded, on a solemn pretense alone. “Mm. He was quite a sight,” and she winked to both, before they all turned back to their picnics and food stashes. Mittens grumbled ahead, either not excited to see the dragon or really too stoic to allow any other emotions upon its snowball face.
Taking Zavien’s hand in hers, she leaned a little on his shoulder, glancing upwards with a smile to spy any changes on his face. “You okay?” It might’ve been overwhelming, to have the bond suddenly snapped right back into place – or exactly what he needed, given everything else.
Sol accepted all the praise like a soldier receiving medals and ribbons after a war hard won, his head angled to regency and his wings tucked tight to puff his chest further. He was the picture of golden victory with an imaginary banner flapping behind him. Despite the dirt marring his scales, he somehow shone in the twilight, a beacon of hope.
The dragon only paused in his basking to nuzzle his snout against Zavien, feeling the burden that his absence had cast. There was a hint of apology there amongst the pride, even if there was no regret for having fulfilled his duty and accomplished his mission. It was enough for the Dragoon to accept, knowing that they wouldn't always be by each other's sides. For now, he was just grateful to be reunited once more.
As they walked back towards the picnic, Zavien didn't try to fight the beaming smile glued to his face. It felt impossible to be any more content, but as Lena looked to him, he felt like he was floating on cloud nine, a giddy chuckle leaving his lips as he said, "Better than okay."
His thoughts returned to their interrupted conversation, and he shifted his arm to wrap around her shoulders as he watched Sol prance ahead, already expecting to find most of the meat gone upon their arrival. He smiled, feeling more stabilized with the dragon near, enough to voice his desires. "I want to spend the night with you in the Grounds." There was no 'but' at the end of his tone, only a peaceful confidence as he looked down at her, the joy evident on his features. "In fact, it would make me the happiest man in Caido."
The real tragedy is men who are afraid of the light
She watched between the pair of them – mighty and stalwart Sol, all tied and tethered back to brave and steadfast Zavien. Smiling to herself, she caught his initial reaction and turned her gaze back – brow arching at the chuckle, and then a grin to follow, content to hear it after so long of it simply not being there. Some hint, some intimation, of normalcy from what felt like lifetimes ago. Even Mittens, growling and hissing as Sol approached the food arrangement, was better than the empty platitudes from weeks before. “Good. That’s the way it should be,” she followed with thereafter, leaning in as they walked back to hopefully some food remaining.
Not expecting to return to their conversation from earlier, especially with Sol being a wonderful distraction, the Caretaker would’ve presumed they’d figure something out later on. So, when his answer came forthrightly thereafter, she blinked once or twice, giving it a moment to sink in, before her smile grew ever more radiant and content. “The happiest, hm? We’ll see,” she crooned, looking on with a pretense of smugness, nothing more than a light tease, before gentling her voice into a low whisper. “There is absolutely no pressure. We’ll go and have a fun time. A break.” And if things occurred – then so be it.
The little dragon leapt for the platter of food, immediately choosing to snag at the meats. His tail swept over a wine glass as he turned to greet Mittens with a mouthful of pepperoni and a muffled chirp. He even nodded his head, graciously offering for the snowball to join him in the feasting before their humans could reach them.
Zavien smiled, looking to Lena as he walked. Her teasing made him blush, but he was in too bright a mood to go back on his words, and he just laughed, doubling down. "The happiest. No doubts." He shot her a wink, unwilling to believe that there was much else in the world that he'd like more than spending time with her in whatever capacity that may be.
Nodding his head, his smile was somehow brighter and softer at the same time, a little more relaxed at her reassurance. He squeezed her shoulders, content to think more on it later, to not let it spoil this precious moment. "Sounds like a deal. No pressure. Just fun." And whatever happened, happened.
The real tragedy is men who are afraid of the light
Mittens scowled but took the opportunity – eyes narrowed as it watched the dragon like a hawk, then devoured a portion of crabcakes nearby in something resembling Kirby. Together, they’d probably form a demonic pair, constantly consuming before their bonded even made it back to the blanket.
Grinning further at his wink, she shook her head, granting some light laughter and holding all her focus on the Dragoon, hardly paying attention to either dragon or snowball. “Is there anything else you’d want to see in the Grounds?” She wasn’t certain how much he’d already explored – and the land was vast in its new, foreign things, and in its old, archaic portions of legends and tales from behind the barrier. There were plenty of things to do, and she didn’t want him overly bored in the Atheneum either.
Despite his offer for Mittens to join him, Sol refused to be outeaten. He buried his face in the platter, giving a playful grumble of competitive greed. All signs of the regal dragon were gone, replaced by the insatiable golden monster that would surely leave no crumb behind.
Their leisurely pace left them too far to do much about their companions, so Zavien let his mind roam on what other activities they may explore in the Grounds. He hummed, tucking his other hand in his pocket as they walked. "Maybe Levinsward? I've heard it's beautiful, although we'll have to be careful." Zavien let out a small chuckle, not really wanting their anniversary to be spent getting electrocuted - as romantic as that would be.
His eyes turned to her again, almost as bright as his amused smile. "Anything else you want to see?" He doubted they'd spend all day in the Atheneum, and food would only distract them for so long.
The real tragedy is men who are afraid of the light
Mittens had never been regal to start with – and had a lot less image to lose. It engulfed an entire plate of fruit, plate and all, before spewing the vessel outwards in a delightful spin to settle upon the blanket. A dare and a challenge towards the dragon – for the snowball doubted the lizard would be so capable.
Had Lena been anywhere remotely near scolding range, she would’ve done so – but hearts in her eyes and plans in her mind didn’t warrant any such thing presently. Releasing only one portion of her hand to tap her finger on her chin, she hummed lightly, pondering over the particulars. “Oh yes, we were going to have a picnic there, right?” On the outskirts of lightning and boundaries – which, given their fortunes, might have to be done within the inn nearby, instead of directly in the line of sparks and bolts.
It also might’ve been easier to list off the few places she had been within the Grounds. “The Oasis and Spire might be interesting – though the latter purely on historical basis,” she wrinkled her nose, glancing at him to ensure she had no interest in skipping her way into something the Voice had once utilized. “Or even the Outer Islands? We could take a boat around. Or I can use my shifts!”
