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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!
"Mm, for better or for worse," Niki agrees with a smile as he glances around at the hustle and bustle, and the continuing heat overhead. "Sometimes I do miss the shade and the rainy days." That's a polite way of putting it - he very much misses those things, but it doesn't mean he's enjoying his visit any less without them.
Digging into his lobster as he listens, Niki's eyebrows raise as Elizabeth clarifies, and he reaches for a piece of the calamari as he replies, "Did you not? My apologies - I assumed you were born in the region. Where did you grow up? I have only ever known the Greatwood until coming here."
Which is a convenient segue into whether he'll be travelling further, the boy smiling around at the comparatively new landscape compared to the woods. "I think I would like to travel more, now that I have seen some of what is out here. They say that Stormbreak is quite a sight, and it is not so far from here."
my body's on the line now, I can't fight this time now I can feel the light shine on my face
Sharing in his smile, Elizabeth hums her deep understanding. "Mmm. The rain does have a certain magical quality about it." She might even call it 'romantic' with how it gently encourages people to cuddle inside, lulling them with the quiet rhythm of raindrops. It's less harsh than snow, but just as effective in creating cozy environments; plus, any romance book worth its weight has a heart wrenching kiss in the rain. If she hadn't picked Halo for its people, she might have been drawn to the Greatwood.
Alas, it's no surprise when Niki assumes incorrectly, and her smile is no less warm. "No apologies necessary." She steals another bite of the calamari, bobbing her head as she explains, "I grew up traveling all over Caido with my parents. My dad focused on history while my mom studied the plants. I only recently settled in Halo when they retired here in Torchline." Although, 'recently' might be a little liberal considering how long it's been, but it still feels like she only just moved to the region.
Elizabeth does her best not to slip into 'therapist mode,' but it's never really off, so when she hears his plan, she's already running through the pros and cons of the floating city along with what it means for his progress in venturing out. Smiling her encouragement, she reaches for another bite of her clam chowder. "I think that's a good step. Still close enough to go home, but a great way to see something new. You'll be able to see a lot from there." And maybe it would give him an idea of where to visit next. Raising an inquisitive brow, she asks, "Are you going to travel alone? Or maybe with your friend?"
Dive into the sea of thought, and find there pearls beyond price.
"The Greatwood might be considered magical enough even without the rain to help it along," Niki says with a small smile, enjoying his piece of calamari before skewering another bit of lobster meat with the fork he'd been supplied. "Oh, is that so?" His eyebrows raise to hear of her childhood, infused with travel and learning. "That sounds like it must have been wonderful. And I cannot say I blame your parents for choosing Torchline as a place to retire." It definitely seems like one of the more gentle options, weather-wise. "What made you choose Halo, when they did?"
Knowing nothing of Elizabeth's profession, as she falls quiet and thoughtful, Niki merely turns his concentration back to their shared meal, quietly offering out a bit of lobster to try as they had spoken about. "I think so too," he says of Stormbreak with a nod. "I hear they have a large telescope called the Spyglass. It will be something of a challenge for me to get up there, but I would like to see the view." No different to the Observatory in the Sidhe Village if he thinks about it.
"I think it would be nice to have company, if my friend would like to come. But if not... I do not know," Niki admits. "I have never travelled alone, but... well, I have already made it this far, no?"
my body's on the line now, I can't fight this time now I can feel the light shine on my face
"Fair enough." She laughs playfully, aware that the rain is only the beginning of the Greatwood's magical qualities. The slight movement of her head turns into a nod as she's taking another bite of the chowder, reminiscing on her childhood with a fond smile. "It was. But I decided I wanted to be like the people in Halo. They're strong, resilient, unshakable - more so than other areas of Caido." She tilts her head to think for a second, like she's made a curious discovery. "Maybe that's why I still don't quite fit in." The laugh that follows isn't self-deprecating or whining, just a gentle recognition of her own qualities that haven't quite adapted to the cold, unforgiving environment.
Appreciative of the distraction from her analytical thoughts, Elizabeth accepts Niki's offer of lobster, leaning forward to snag a small bite. Silently gesturing her approval of his choice, she perks at the mention of the Spyglass. "Oh! I've heard the view is amazing, although I have yet to see it myself. It has to be worth the effort of getting up." She doesn't know the extent of his capabilities, but it seems appropriate to encourage him, even if it might be difficult.
Similarly, she grants a warm smile when he comments on his achievements thus far. "You certainly have. There's no doubt in my mind that you would find a way to enjoy it - maybe share a meal with another stranger." There's a twinkle in her eyes as she switches back to the calamari, shrugging her shoulders as she offers, "But if you need a travel buddy, I end up going everywhere for work, so feel free to reach out - if you want the company."
Dive into the sea of thought, and find there pearls beyond price.
Raising his eyebrows with quiet interest, Niki listens as Elizabeth explains her reasoning, surrendering the bite of lobster and reaching for another piece of calamari. "I suppose being born in that sort of environment, resilience is just part of growing up for Halovians," he agrees with a tilt of his head. "Though I do not know what would make you think you are not any of those things - or not enough to fit in." He smiles down at his food. "I like to think we all have all of the qualities we admire in people, even if they are not perhaps quite so obvious."
Equally as happy to let that philosophical string go in lieu of discussing Stormbreak, the boy nods appreciatively. "I have heard the same," he agrees. "And I have managed to live around buildings and businesses located in trees for much of my life, so how hard could it be?" He laughs quietly, though not for a moment does he understate the potential challenge the enormous telescope might pose.
"Maybe so," he says of sharing a meal with another stranger, lifting a piece of calamari as if in a toast. "But that would be nice too - I will certainly reach out, should I find myself somewhere new and no strangers to invite to lunch. Thank you, Elizabeth. What do you do for work that takes you so many places?"
my body's on the line now, I can't fight this time now I can feel the light shine on my face
The sentiment is optimistic and full of a hope she doesn't often see in people. It has her smile brightening with warm appreciation. "That's a sweet way to look at things." Tilting her head, she adjusts her perception of Niki to fit the new piece as she offers him the spoon and bowl of chowder. "I definitely have all those qualities, but as you've said, they're not as noticeable, and mine aren't as easily translated to the unforgiving Tundra." She doesn't think having a strong mental fortitude would do much more than prolong her suffering in the icy wilderness. That doesn't mean she's any less satisfied with who she is, but she won't pretend that she's as physically resilient as the natural Halovians.
Niki, on the other hand, seems to be heartier than his appearance suggests, and Elizabeth is grinning to hear the motivation and accompanying laughter. She joins in with a small bubble of a laugh that shimmers in her eyes. "Sounds like you've been preparing for it your whole life." The Spyglass doesn't stand a chance.
Beginning to feel full from the abundance of food, Elizabeth lowers her fork, poised in her fingers like a pen. Her voice is nonchalant, expression casual when she freely admits, "I'm a therapist, so I travel wherever is most convenient for my clients." Always happy to let people brush over the controversial topic or linger as they please, she taps a finger against the end of the utensil. "And what about you, Niki? What do you do for work?"
Dive into the sea of thought, and find there pearls beyond price.
"Well, but then it makes sense that you would want to live there," Niki says with a smile, accepting the offer of the chowder with a polite murmur of thanks. "Perhaps you can tease those qualities further out into the open by living in Halo. And I suppose it helps that the region is supposed to be quite beautiful, for those who like the snow."
Humming his approval at the chowder and offering it back, he makes a mental note to order it the next time he passes the stall - especially if it's on one of Torchline's chillier evenings. "Exactly," he agrees with a self-deprecating grin. "Just imagine how unprepared I would be if I found all of this easy."
Similarly starting to feel full, Niki settles on a small, further bite of lobster and sits back for a rest, listening with interest as Elizabeth explains her profession. "That is noble work," he says earnestly. "And rewarding, I imagine, if not always easy." As for himself, he rolls a shoulder in a casual shrug.
"Ah, nothing quite so interesting I am afraid," he explains. "I am a metalworker by trade. Not smithing, but things like jewellery, trinkets, decorations, that sort of thing."
my body's on the line now, I can't fight this time now I can feel the light shine on my face
Her head nods along with his words, finding that they're the same things she'd told herself when she'd first moved to Halo. "Precisely, although it's obviously still a work in progress." Smiling, she adds of the snow, "And miserable for those who don't." Elizabeth laughs lightly, sometimes considering herself part of that group when it's brutally cold in the sharp breeze of a crisp morning. She otherwise enjoys the snow and the beauty of the harsh environment, even if it doesn't always agree with her.
Accepting the chowder back, her eyes note the appreciation, leaving it centered on the table in case he wants more. Her eyebrow quirks up in teasing agreement. "What's life without a little hardship to keep it interesting?"
Elizabeth is happy to hear when Niki doesn't immediately shy from the topic of therapy, although she's silently curious if he would find it beneficial himself, but that's a question for people who have shared more than a single meal. Tucking hair behind her ear, she tilts her head, pleasant and proud in the soft smile she gives him. "It certainly can be, although I enjoy it even when it's not."
Another light laugh flows forward and she leans to prop her chin on the hand dangling her fork. "I find it interesting. Is there a specific metal you work most with? Do you have to use a forge at any point? Or is it all manipulation of softer materials? What's been your favorite piece so far?" She has a million other questions, but she starts with these few just to prove a point, amusement sparkling in the playful sheen of her eyes.
Dive into the sea of thought, and find there pearls beyond price.
"As are we all," Niki agrees with a small smile, of it being a work in progress. "I do not dislike the snow if I am indoors," he adds. "But if I need to go outside, as you can imagine it can become a little tedious." He gestures to his cane for clarification; the previous Deepfrost had been a series of misadventures because of the flurries of snow and ice in the Greatwood, and he's not keen to repeat it if he's honest.
At her comments about her job, Niki nods and sets the rest of his food towards the centre of the little table in a similar gesture as Elizabeth, though he is perfectly sated for now after their lunch together. "A sign you have found your calling, one might say," he murmurs.
Not expecting the interest or the questions surrounding his own work, Niki lets out a soft laugh and gives a sheepish shrug. "It may seem boring, but I find steel to be the most interesting to work with. It is malleable but strong, and though I do not make jewellery out of it, I still find it quite beautiful," he says. "No forges for me yet as the pieces are so small. And I made a bracelet with a stone of mageglass a while back that I still think about."
my body's on the line now, I can't fight this time now I can feel the light shine on my face
Smiling softly at Niki's wise words, Elizabeth shifts to cross her legs beneath the table. "I can." Imagine, that is, how difficult it must be to maneuver the treacherous landscape with a cane. "Snow is just as dangerous as it is pretty to look at. I've fallen on my backside too many times to count, but that's because I'm a lot clumsier than I look." She laughs again, never having found the lack of elegance to be cumbersome until she was lying flat in the frigid cold, or when the bruise pops up later.
Her eyes brighten to a warm amber, swelling with the pride and satisfaction her profession provides and how she could never imagine doing anything else. "That's what I like to think." Or that she'd been made to do it.
"Mageglass, huh? You don't see much of that." Her eyes widen unconsciously at the slip of information, having read about but never seen the substance. Unlike some, it's a clinical curiosity, wondering at the capabilities and circumstances that led it to be in his possession for a short time. However, she's more interested in other aspects of the conversation, her head tilting as she asks, "Why don't you make jewelry with the steel? Is it the material? Or preference?"
Dive into the sea of thought, and find there pearls beyond price.
"I am sure you cannot be blamed too much for clumsiness when you are up against snow and ice," Niki says with a small smirk; tripping over thin air is one thing, but when the ground turns slick beneath your feet, a little unsteadiness is almost expected. His smile turns warmer at her agreement regarding her profession, and although the boy has never given much thought to therapists or therapy in general (his workaholic mind doesn't tend towards the psychological, unfortunately), he finds himself learning plenty even from this simple conversation.
"Mm, I had never seen it prior to that day either," he agrees about the mageglass. "And I have not seen it since. It was a privilege to be able to examine it up close, in truth." And Flora had offered for him to try to work with it, though he hadn't trusted himself not to pass out from the sudden influx of unexpected power. Perhaps one day he'd have another opportunity, one he won't waste this time.
As for the steel, he can only give Elizabeth a sheepish shrug. "People prefer to buy things made of silver and gold is all," he says. "I could make jewellery from steel, certainly, but I do not know if anyone would buy it."
my body's on the line now, I can't fight this time now I can feel the light shine on my face
Laughter falls freely from her lips again, not having nearly as many incidences when snow and ice aren't involved. "Fair enough. I guess I'll have to split the blame with the environment." There will still be plenty of instances where she's the only factor in play, plenty of air obstacles and dyssynchronous limbs. She'll take the small wins where she can, understanding that her mental strengths are more than enough to do the job she loves, grateful to hear that Niki agrees with her.
Nothing suggests magegless would help with her profession, although her mind briefly stutters along the recent ordeal with Maea, not particularly comforted by the idea of her new magic being enhanced. Still, the academic in her hums the consideration, a soft smile playing across her lips. "Hm. Well, if you ever come across another piece, I'd love to run a few tests on it, to see what limits it might possess or what effect it may have on the wearer." If Niki searches for greed, hunger, or nefarious ulterior motives in her eyes, he'll only find warmth and pure curiosity, the desire for power never having found a grasp on Elizabeth.
Finally bothering to set her fork down, she props her chin on her hands, content to sit and continue their conversation despite the dissipating hunger. "That's true, although steel is usually cheaper, right? Maybe those who can't afford the more expensive pieces would be interested to see what you create with steel. I'm sure they're no less beautiful for their material." She offers Niki another warm smile, encouraging without pushing as she continues to explore his hopes and ambitions, getting a feel for who he is and what he enjoys. "Do you like making jewelry? Or are there other things you'd like to try making? Things you'd try if you didn't have to worry about whether people might buy it?"
Dive into the sea of thought, and find there pearls beyond price.
"I will absolutely let you know," Niki says with a ready smile and a nod. "Though it is very rare, so I am unsure if I will ever have an opportunity like that again. But if it comes along, I will be sure to send a raven your way." With similar academic inclinations (if not along different subject matter), the boy would be more than happy to share some research time with Elizabeth, especially for something as mysterious and untested as mageglass. Though that does beg the question, or assumption, rather...
"Forgive me if I am overstepping, but does that mean you are Abandoned?" he inquires. "I do not meet many others with magic."
He hears her out about the steel, though, giving a slow nod as he considers it. "Perhaps I will have to try, see if anyone is interested. And even if not, I can also make plenty of other trinkets and with it." His blue eyes sharpen a touch as she asks about other creations, and though his smile remains polite and interested, it's clearly a card kept much closer to his chest. "I make plenty in my own time," he says warmly. "I am fortunate that I only need to provide for myself in terms of food and fuel."
my body's on the line now, I can't fight this time now I can feel the light shine on my face
Niki may never see mageglass again and Elizabeth may never see it in her lifetime, but she still smiles, nodding her head in appreciation of the promise and brightening at his following question. "I am!" She laughs, shaking her head at the lapse in clarification. "There are so many of us in Halo that I guess I forget how uncommon we are." It had taken some getting used to after meeting so few Abandoned growing up, but now it feels strange to meet people who don't have magics of some kind.
Tilting her head, she smiles politely at Niki. "Can I ask about your magics? I primarily have lightning and telepathy." Her fingers spark as she taps them playfully against each other, offering forth the information freely even if Niki doesn't feel comfortable sharing, just as she doesn't share the new ability she's still trying to understand.
At least he's aware enough to set boundaries when he wants to. Elizabeth grins her approval, both of his willingness to try something new and his obvious withholding of something else. She doesn't mind, although a teasing glint enters her eyes, curiosity flaring but refusing to press forward. "Ooh. Mysterious. Well, as long as you enjoy what you're doing and it's enough to provide, that's all that matters." And if he wants to leave it at that, he wouldn't find her digging further.
Dive into the sea of thought, and find there pearls beyond price.
