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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!
Niki has been in Torchline for a couple of weeks now, and whilst everyone has assured him that it is not nearly as hot as it had been during Longheat, the boy can't deny that he's suffering with it. A child of the Greatwood, he's used to humidity and he's used to warm days, but not quite this bright or relentless, and the consistent heat has dragged him into a nap most afternoons since his arrival.
Today had been no different, and so the day is winding down towards the evening when he finally ventures out, the sky painted dramatically in shades of pink and violet, the breeze bringing cool relief off the ocean. He's not explored along the boardwalk of Kaiholo yet, and so his feet - slowly, but surely, with the assistance of his cane - bring him to the long stretch of stalls and bars and restaurants.
Soon enough his wandering finds himself in line at a stall selling grilled lobster, battered and fried fish and other street food. Unfamiliar with most of the dishes (again, Greatwood born and raised) he's nevertheless hungry enough to try it.
my body's on the line now, I can't fight this time now I can feel the light shine on my face
She's still a little alarmed after her experience with Maea, perplexed as to the new magic that has suddenly surfaced. It's something she's committed to exploring later - experiments on limits and specifics - but it's startled her enough to make her cautious, and she decides that a break would be appropriate. Normally, she might find a perch to people watch or a comfortable place to read. Unfortunately, that would give her plenty more opportunities to think, not making it much of a 'break.'
So Elizabeth decides on food. It will fuel her and give her a chance to mingle among people. And with the port so close to the skyships, she'll have a chance to hop on and head home when she's done.
Approaching a stand of delicious smelling seafood, she stops next to a young man to read the menu, tucking her hands into her large maroon sweater despite the heat. Her head tilts, face scrunching in exaggerated consideration of her options. "It all sounds so good. I'm not really sure what to order." A loud sigh parts her lips before she turns her warm gaze to the person next to her, cradling the strap of her book back closer to her chest. "What are you getting?"
Dive into the sea of thought, and find there pearls beyond price.
Also peering up at the menu, the sigh from the person next to him might as well be his own thoughts made material, and when she speaks up, Niki blinks across her before offering a wry smile. "I confess, I was having the same difficulty as you," he says, tilting his head and glancing back up at the menu. "I was considering the grilled lobster, but the calamari also looked quite good too..."
And with an abundance of sides to go with the seafood - bean and corn salad, sweet slaw and baked potatoes to name just a few - there's no way Niki will be able to stomach more than one thing. Furrowing his brow, he pats at his pockets and withdraws a small coin. "Shall we flip for it, perhaps?" he suggests. "At least that will take the pressure of the decision away."
my body's on the line now, I can't fight this time now I can feel the light shine on my face
Smiling to hear she's not alone in her dilemma, Elizabeth gives a laugh as gentle as falling leaves that drifts into a hum as her stomach shouts various opinions about what to order. "Mmm. Yes, the calamari looks delicious, but I was also smelling the clam chowder and it might be calling my name..." She taps a slender finger to her chin, just below the conflicted pout she wears.
The warm brown of her eyes flits to the coin, brightening at the suggestion. "That would certainly make the choice easier." She turns her head to look at him a little closer, a quiet and casual observance that doesn't initially appear like anything more. Tucking a strand of hair from her face, Elizabeth smiles again. "If it's heads, we could both get the calamari, but if it's tails, you get the lobster and I'll get the clam chowder. How does that sound?" If he has alternate choices or recommendations, she's happy to adjust, as evidenced in the smooth easiness of her tone and the lack of pressure in her gaze.
Dive into the sea of thought, and find there pearls beyond price.
"Well, now I did not even consider the chowder..." Pursing his lips and glancing back to the menu, eventually Niki shakes his head. "No, no. I will keep to my two choices - no need to muddy the waters further." And as she makes her suggestion, his eyebrows raise in approval. "Now that sounds like a gamble I would be willing to take," he agrees.
Stepping briefly out of the line so they aren't holding up any of the prospective customers, he gives the coin a practiced flick that sends it whirling and spiralling up into the air. Glinting off the sunlight, for a second it looks as if it's going to sail off somewhere else before Niki snatches it on the descent, clutching it tight in his hand. Then he holds it out and opens his palm with a flourish.
Tails.
"Grilled lobster and clam chowder it is," he announces. "Although... if you would like to also try calamari, I am happy to split some with you?"
my body's on the line now, I can't fight this time now I can feel the light shine on my face
Elizabeth smiles at his own fluctuating confliction, but her attention ultimately turns to the flipping coin that glints in the sunlight, curious as to what their outcome would be. Her head tilts to watch, then she leans forward to inspect the verdict.
Tails.
She can't say she's upset, more than happy with whatever delicious smells are flowing from the stand, yet his own proposition has her laughing lightly. "Well, that's a fantastic idea. Maybe we should have just done that to begin with." Although sharing food with a stranger isn't something most people would suggest straight off the cuff. It makes her wonder what it says about him, whether he's trusting, kind, or simply pragmatic. Setting aside the thought for now, she adds, "You can even try some of my clam chowder if you want."
Another sigh escapes as she's about to step back in line, a realization hitting her. "I haven't the faintest idea what to do about sides though. I think there are a few too many options to flip a coin. Maybe I'll just tell them to pick something random... or forgo the extra food altogether." Clam chowder and calamari alone are quite a meal, and she'd hate to waste food that she can't finish, but she looks to the young man, curious what his thoughts were since they seem to be sharing anyways.
Dive into the sea of thought, and find there pearls beyond price.
"Maybe so, though it is good to know what we would have decided to split between us in advance," Niki says with a smirk, shrugging his shoulders and slipping the coin back into his pocket. "I am happy to share some of my lobster as well. It seems as if we have a plan."
Stepping around so that they can join the back of the line - though it seems to be moving relatively quickly, to his relief - he glances back towards Elizabeth to hear about the next dilemma on the list. "Ah, you have a point." He chuckles. "Perhaps we can order and eat this, and if we are still hungry there will be time for sides afterwards?"
As they shuffle forward, he realises they've missed quite a fundamental step in their conversation. "I am Niki, by the way. It is good to meet you."
my body's on the line now, I can't fight this time now I can feel the light shine on my face
The answer has her leaning towards practical in her assessment of the man, sharing in his amusement as they come to a decision on foods and consumption plots. "It seems that we do." Then she slips into line behind him, eyes trading between the line ahead and the man as he speaks more logic. She laughs a bright note, nodding her head. "That sounds perfect. Plenty to look forward to after."
Her gaze is focused on the approaching front of the line when he finally introduces himself, making her blink as she turns her attentions back to him. Her smile is warm with humor, tilting her head. "I suppose we did miss a step." Laughing lightly, she tucks the errant strand of hair behind her ear. "Nice to meet you, Niki. I'm Elizabeth, but feel free to shorten it if that's easier." Not many people have taken her up on the offer, but she still likes to give the option, knowing that 'Elizabeth' can be a mouthful.
Dive into the sea of thought, and find there pearls beyond price.
"Quite so. If not more food, then possibly a nap from eating too much," Niki considers with a grin, shrugging his shoulders and settling back into the line which, luckily, is still moving quite steadily. (Though he would have considered it an ironic par for the course if the stall had closed for a break in the time they'd been deciding on their menu items).
"It is good to meet you as well, Elizabeth," he replies, his accent rolling around her name with purpose, as if to enjoy it without shortening it. "Do you live in Torchline, or are you just paying a visit?"
Having to pause as he finds himself suddenly at the front of the line, Niki quickly orders the lobster and their calamari to share, before stepping aside to wait for the items. When the food arrives, he gestures to a nearby picnic table under the shade of a parasol, and goes there to sit and wait for her.
my body's on the line now, I can't fight this time now I can feel the light shine on my face
Elizabeth is laughing again, her finger coming up to playfully chastise the man for daring to suggest such a thing. "Don't tempt me with a good time." Her smile only stretches a little wider when he says her name, getting the rare sense that it's not a clunky burden or waste of syllables when it flows from his tongue so easily. Curiosity sparks as she considers why that might be, but then he's asking more realistic questions just in time for them to reach the front of the line.
She waits patiently for him to order, taking note that he'd secured the calamari while she requests the clam chowder, then retrieves it when their food is ready moments later. Niki's cane presents a suspected obstacle to carrying the food, yet she refrains from overstepping or impeding his independence with assumptions. She doesn't offer to help verbally but stays casually close in case he decides he wants assistance, answering his question as she follows with her own dish in hand. "I'm just here to visit a friend and meet with some clients. I actually live in Halo."
Taking her seat across from him, Elizabeth arranges her book bag at her side, tilting her head as she focuses her attention on Niki. "And what about you? I don't feel like I've heard many Torchline people with your accent before." She pops the lid off of her bowl, laughing lightly as she adds, "Or - don't take this the wrong way - your complexion." Even she looks more like a Torchline resident, with her golden skin and warm smiles. It would come as quite a shock if he proved to be from the coastal region. She might even have to reevaluate her career.
Dive into the sea of thought, and find there pearls beyond price.
Grinning after Elizabeth, clearly this isn't Niki's first rodeo when it comes to carrying things and keeping his cane in mind, because he's already asking for a small paper bag to transfer the food into. Once he's packaged it up, he gets himself over to the table to sit with her in no time at all, leaning his cane against his seat. "In Halo?" he echoes, sounding interested as he takes out the lobster and the calamari for them to share. "I imagine this must be quite a chance from there."
As for himself, now it's Niki's turn to laugh - evidently he absolutely takes no offence when it comes to his pale appearance. "I am from the Greatwood," he agrees with a nod, "though, even there, I do not expect many people sound like this. I am also here to visit a friend, though I suspect I will stay throughout Deepfrost at this rate. The woods do not get as cold as I imagine Halo to be, but they are treacherous enough in their own way when it snows."
my body's on the line now, I can't fight this time now I can feel the light shine on my face
Settling in the shade of the umbrella, she notes the forethought and comfort with accommodating his cane, ever more curious to ask about the history of his injury. But Elizabeth holds her tongue, filing away the information for later if a moment arises. For now, she smiles, situating the food on the table so they could properly share the meal. As she divides the utensils between them, another light laugh flows, thinking of the endless differences between Halo and Torchline. "It is. I'm wearing significantly fewer layers." It's a blissful feeling not to have heaps of fabric weighing her down.
Lifting a spoonful of delicious smelling clam chowder, Elizabeth blows gently to cool the soup while giving the rest of her rapt attention to Niki. Her smile peeks through the pucker of her lips, glad to hear she hadn't been wrong in her assumption. She pauses for a second to let the spoon cool, tucking her hair back as she props her elbows on the table. "I see. Do you visit your friend often? To escape the cold?"
Dive into the sea of thought, and find there pearls beyond price.
"I suppose even the warmer seasons must be bitterly cold up there, in comparison," Niki agrees of Halo, accepting his utensils and leaving the container of calamari between them while he focuses on his lobster dish. "And in truth, this is my first time visiting her," he admits, his smile turning warm with affection. "And so also my first time seeing Torchline properly. It is a lot to get accustomed to, after the woods."
He imagines Elizabeth might have felt the same way the first time she saw the sea and felt the tropical sun after the ice and snows of Halo. "That is not to say it does not have its charm. And the food has been nothing but impressive." He gestures between them. "Though I do get a little homesick for the forest. I do not know if you feel the same way about the glaciers."
my body's on the line now, I can't fight this time now I can feel the light shine on my face
Elizabeth nods her quiet agreement of Halo's unshakable cold - something she occasionally regrets - surprised to hear that this is Niki's first time in Torchline. Her eyes widen, curious as to what differences he may see beyond what she does. "Oh? I can only imagine. There's a lot more sun and activity here." She gestures to their surroundings and the bustling of people that are soaking up what sunlight can be offered before Deepfrost claims Caido.
The way his eyes melt when talking about his friend has her wondering about why it's taken him so long to visit. Her thoughts are already running through possibilities, even as she finally slips the spoon of clam chowder into her mouth, humming and bobbing her head before sliding it forward for Niki to try. "I can honestly say that I miss the people in Halo, but I didn't grow up in the ice and cold, so it's not something I find myself missing very often." The smile she sends across the table is too soft and warm to have been formed in the brutal environment of the northern region, although she finds no offense in his assumption.
She reaches forward to grab a piece of calamari, tilting her head with obvious interest as she asks, "Does this trip make you want to travel more or less?" If this is his first excursion, she'd be fascinated to know if she'll be seeing more of him or if he'll be discouraged from travel entirely, tucking himself away in the forest again.
Dive into the sea of thought, and find there pearls beyond price.
