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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!
Not that it was sunny. The sky was overcast and dreary, clouds pregnant with a downpour that was no doubt soon to come. It was cool for Flowerbirth, the last remnants of winter lingering among the roses that were just beginning to bud. The ground squelched beneath dainty hooves as Soh walked among the hedges, a spot of white among the wide swath of green. Her great, feathered wings were tucked neatly along her body; her ears twitched this way and that, taking in every slight sound that rustled amongst the thorns. And when she'd found the agreed-upon meeting place, she stood prettily and waited, eager to see her best friend and have a chance to catch up.
Despite having spent LongNight in Torchline - and, indeed, some of it in Wildering House - she and Flora hadn't really had a chance to talk recently. Soh wasn't sure if it was something she'd done (after all, she hadn't handled things with Kai and Caly particularly well), or if it was simply that Flora was in love and spending more time with Kai (understandable, Soh supposed, even if the thought brought a cold bloom of jealousy into her chest). Whatever the reason, the Luminary was desperate to remedy it.
Her tail flicked against her hocks as she waited. The clouds scurried past overhead, a cool wind whipping at her mane. It was always strange, getting used to a new body, but this one had been like coming home. It was something special, something uniquely hers, and she felt at ease within this shift in a way that she didn't entirely understand. Perhaps she was simply more prey than predator (her tide jaguar form felt far more alien than her pegasus one), or perhaps it was the wings. After all, her first shift had been an owl. Flying had long since become second nature. Or maybe it was that this shift was powerful in a way that her others weren't. She could feel the difference in her bones.
A noise from nearby had her ears flicking forward eagerly. Was it Flora, and would her best friend recognize her?
Like any real love, it's ever-changing
Sohalia
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Sohalia.
Flora’s voice precedes her, a melodic lilt threading through the shifting hedges as if she’s trying to charm the maze itself into letting her through. "I’m just saaaaaying," she calls out, her words softened by a swing-song sort of laughter, "meeting in a maze was a terrible idea. I’ve already passed the same rose bush twice, and I think one of them winked at me."
Her boots squelch against the damp ground, mud licking up the sides of her calves despite the so-called protection. The air smells like rain and green things about to bloom; her curls are pinned back with gold, though several have already rebelled, haloing her face as she rounds a corner, only to stop short.
The pegasus standing there is breathtaking: wings folded like ivory sails, eyes bright and knowing, every inch of her as striking as she is out of place. Flora’s breath catches in her throat. Sohalia had mentioned a new shift, but gods, this was not what she’d pictured. Blinking once, twice, Flora hesitates before stepping closer, her head tilting to the side. "...Soh?" she ventures, the word lilting upward, half wonder and half disbelief.
Then, with a slow grin that chases away her surprise, she adds, "If this isn’t you, I’m about to feel really stupid for talking to a random horse."
The rustle of the hedges was not, in fact, Flora; it was a random rabbit, which hopped out to scrutinize Soh's equine form before fleeing to the safety of its burrow. The Luminary snorted, the sound out of place in the quiet of the hedge maze, but before she could decide to take flight and find the Doubletake herself, a familiar voice lilted through the air. If Soh had been human, she'd have grinned; as it were, her large eyes danced with a special sort of mischief, an expression that only Flora had ever been able to draw out.
The queen rounded the corner and stopped short. At her tentative question, Soh nodded her head, stepping forward to gently touch her muzzle to Flora's hand. Her eyes were filled with mirth, and glee, and all things happy and free; for a moment, Soh was truly happy, joyful in a way that didn't come easily to her, these days.
Then, reluctantly, she shifted, her body reforming into a human figure. She was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet as she embraced her friend. "Hey you!" she whispered. Then, withdrawing just enough to hold Flora at arm's length, she added brightly, "It's so good to see you! How have you been? Tell me everything."
if all of the days have no more light and all of our dreams are lost tonight
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Sohalia.
The moment Soh’s muzzle presses into her palm, Flora’s fingers instinctively move in gentle circles, tracing along the soft velvet of her friend’s nose. Her aqua eyes widen with delight, lips curving into a grin that’s equal parts awe and disbelief. "You know," she laughs, the sound bubbling out of her like sunlight breaking through cloud. "I just realized that I'm petting your nose right now."
Her hand lingers a heartbeat longer before Soh’s form ripples and reforms, feathers melting into skin, light into limbs. Flora’s grin only grows. "Gods," she breathes, voice pitching upward as she throws her arms around her best friend in an exuberant squeeze. "You’re stunning, Soh! That's like, the prettiest shift I've ever seen?"
Pulling back just enough to catch her breath, she gives a little shake of her head, curls bouncing as gold glints at her ears. "No, no, you first!"
It was all Soh could do not to squeal with excitement. She managed to hold it in - but only just - opting instead for a wide grin. "Thank you!" Beaming with pride, she added, "I think it's my new favorite!" And why wouldn't it be? She could fly, she could run, and she could even carry someone on her back if she had a mind to do it. Her hooves and teeth made her a force to be reckoned with, even if it lacked the sharpness of her tide jaguar shift.
As Flora released her, Soh grabbed her friend's hand. "Here, c'mon - there's a gazebo around the corner. We can go sit there in case it rains." Leading the way, she babbled on: "Oh, nothing new with me, really. I haven't had much going on - nothing's really happening in Stormbreak, and I haven't heard from Zavien lately. I spent LongNight in Torchline. Oh, I played strip poker!" She laughed, shaking her head at the memory, feeling a bit sheepish. "I went a little hard over LongNight."
Her reasoning sobered her slightly, although she remained buoyant as she led the way into the little gazebo she'd found within the maze. Taking a seat on a bench, she crossed one leg over the other. "But, seriously - I want to hear about you! How's ruling alone going? How's Kai? Is everything, you know - okay, after you guys fought?"
if all of the days have no more light and all of our dreams are lost tonight
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Sohalia.
"Why wouldn’t it be?" Flora exclaims, her delight mirroring Soh’s, laughter bright and effervescent as it lifts through the hedges. "You’re literally a flying horse—what’s not to love? Have you gone for a fly yet? Does it feel different from being an owl?"
Happily swept along, Flora lets herself be tugged through the maze, her boots squelching behind Soh’s lighter steps. "I haven’t heard from Zavien either," she admits with a mild grimace, lowering her voice just enough that it curls under the wind. "Kinda had words when I saw him last." There’s no bitterness in her tone, just the easy honesty that only Soh ever really gets from her. The confession fades instantly into a theatrical gasp as Soh mentions strip poker. "You did not! Soh!" Flora cackles, bumping her shoulder into her friend’s as they walk. "Okay, but—did you win?" She pauses a beat before smirking, eyes alight with mischief. "And by win, I obviously mean did you get naked."
Her laughter lingers, fading only when the gazebo comes into view. "Gods, I’m sorry I kept missing you at the house," she adds more softly, brushing her fingers through her curls as they step beneath the shelter. She plops onto the bench beside Soh, tucking one leg beneath her and kicking off a bit of mud from her boot heel.
"Actually, I'm not. Ronin came by and offered to be on my council to help with things." The words are followed by a bright but slightly uncertain smile. "I was kinda worried about how that would go—queen and dad politics—but I think it’ll be okay. He’s...really been showing up lately, and I guess I can always fire him if it doesn't work out."
Her grin returns easily when the conversation turns to Kai, that familiar spark of mischief tempered by affection. "Oh gods, yeah. That fight was one of those that gets way too tense way too fast," she says with a laugh, rolling her eyes at herself. "Totally my fault, though. I was a little drunk, not really paying attention, and Asta and Danta were over. I, uh, suggested we just all skinny dip in the hot tub because it was easier than fussing around for bathing suits." Her brows lift as if waiting for Soh’s inevitable reaction. "I honestly don’t know if Kai knows I’ve slept with both of them, so in my mind it was no big deal because like, obviously they'd already seen me naked before. But for Kai..." She winces playfully, raising her shoulders in a half-shrug.
"Anyway," she finishes, eyes sparkling now, "the fight lasted maybe five minutes and we definitely kissed and made up after."
"It's definitely different," Soh said, tilting her head thoughtfully to one side as she considered. "It's so much bigger, and I'm not used to having four legs and wings, but it's just as instinctual, you know?" She smiled to herself, not even realizing that Flora couldn't know, since she wasn't an Attuned. "I think I could even carry someone. Wanna go for a ride?" she teased, squeezing Flora's arm affectionately. She was only half joking; a part of her wanted to know just what her newest shift was capable of.
But there would be time for that later. For now, the women settled on the bench, Soh twisting to keep Flora more squarely in her silver gaze. "I did not win, but it was a close thing," she laughed. "Definitely should have started out with more clothes, and maybe a cursory understanding of the game." But all was well that ended well, or something like that.
Making a mental note to circle back to Zavien, Soh bumped her shoulder against Flora's. "No, no - don't worry about it," she hurried to reassure her friend. Of course, spending time with Flora would have been nice over LongNight - and she might not have made so many questionable choices - but she understood. Now, more than ever, Flora's attention was split, and Soh couldn't hope to hold a candle to her best friend's other obligations. She understood - even if she had to hide the way it chafed.
The news of Ronin had Soh raising a brow. While she herself admired the demigod, she also knew that there were some rocky times in Flora's past with her dads. "I'm glad you're not shouldering it alone anymore," she said honestly, toying with the loose ends of her hair, braiding them loosely over her shoulder. "I know how leadership can be, even when you have people to share it with." She hoped that Flora was surrounding herself with people - looking at you, Kaisel - who would remind her to take some time for herself, in and amongst all the politics.
Speaking of Kaisel, Flora's tale had Soh raising her brows. She instinctively disliked that her friend seemed to be taking all of the blame, but she said nothing, opting instead to shake her head affectionately at Flora's complete lack of self-consciousness. "As long as you guys could talk through it," she said, smiling at Flora's clear infatuation. "I guess everyone's going to fight sometimes, yeah?" It was the aftermath that mattered. And as long as Flora was happy... well, that was enough for Soh.
Right?
if all of the days have no more light and all of our dreams are lost tonight
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Sohalia.
Flora lets out an inelegant snort, shaking her head with deliberate exaggeration. "No, babe, I really don’t," she teases, laughter spilling from her lips as she squeezes Soh’s arm. But then—"Wait. Ride?" The word bursts out of her in a gasp of delight, eyes going wide, curls bouncing as she straightens up. "Oh my gods, yes. Absolutely yes. You have no idea how fast that’s a yes." Her grin softens into something warm and reassuring. "And if I fall off, don’t worry—I’ll just channel and have one of the dads catch me." Nothing like a parental safety net to add to the thrill.
The image of Soh ending up nearly naked in a card game has Flora snickering before she can stop herself. "You poor thing," she laughs, leaning in conspiratorially. "But tell me you had fun. Because if you’re gonna lose your shirt, it had better at least be worth it." And had there been a boy involved? Ace, perhaps?
Flora's rings glisten but her truth ring remains close as one hand rises to brush her hair back, her laughter fading into something gentler. Soh’s tone might have been easy, but the subtle undercurrent makes Flora’s chest tighten even if it wasn't an outright lie. "Hopefully with Ronin helping out, I can travel more," she murmurs, nudging Soh’s shoulder in return. "I know it’s selfish, but I’ve missed you so much since you moved back to Stormbreak. It’s just...quieter without you. And I hate that you always have to come to me." Her grin flickers back, small but bright. "But now with Ronin, hopefully I can come visit you more."
At the mention of Kaisel, though, something shifts entirely. Her face lights up like sunrise over the sea, that same helplessly radiant glow she always gets when she can’t quite contain what she feels. "He’s..." She trails off, teeth catching her lower lip as if trying to hold back the words, but the smile wins. "I think he might be—" her voice dips, soft and a little shy, "the one."
She glances up quickly, half-sheepish, half-giddy, as if bracing for Soh’s objections. "I know it’s fast,' she says, a rush of laughter following the admission. "It’s not like I’m about to propose or anything, and we haven't even talked about it, but gods, Soh…" Her voice gentles again, curls tumbling forward as she shakes her head with a lovesick sigh. "I’ve just never been this happy before. It’s like I can’t see anything ever pulling us apart, and it just feels so—" Her hands lift, searching the air for a word big enough, before she finally settles on the simplest one of all. "—so good."
At Flora's excitement, Soh grinned, a genuine expression of joy unlike anything she'd felt recently. She'd almost forgotten what this was like: happiness, without any strings attached. That she'd found it again with Flora was no surprise, since her best friend had a way of drawing out that which Soh hid away; but that it existed at all, after everything Soh had been through, shocked her to her core. Gleeful at the realization that perhaps time would heal her wounds, she nodded with mock seriousness. "That is a perk of the whole dads-who-are-demigods thing, isn't it?"
The laughter that follows at Soh's predicament was shared easily between the two women. Soh had come a long way from the prim and proper young woman who'd first met Flora. She might not be quite as free and open as her best friend, but she certainly wasn't the blushing maiden any longer, either. "It actually was fun. I made a new friend - her name's Colt - and we were trying to win a bottle of tequila off the guys running the game." Her lips quirked at the memory. Even if it hadn't been as fun as it might have been were someone like Ace involved, Soh could admit that, even now, with a bit of sheepishness to color the memory, she'd had a good time during LongNight. Maybe it had been exactly what she'd needed. "I think... loosening up a bit was good for me. Everything's been so serious for so long, you know? So getting rid of some of that was like... coming up for air."
Flora's offer to travel more had Soh perking up, visibly excited by the prospect. "Oh, that would be wonderful!" she said. "I've missed you terribly. I even -" She paused, biting her lip. "I even thought about giving up my position and moving to Torchline." The admission was quiet, something small and vulnerable in her chest as she spoke. "But it feels like... I don't know. Like I'd be doing it because I'm selfish and don't want to be alone anymore. But at the same time, I think I need to be alone for a little while." Her brow furrowed for a moment, but then she shrugged it off. "I guess I'm still trying to figure out who I am and what I want to do next, without any of the baggage that I've carried for so long."
A gentle breeze tugged at Soh's golden waves, and she tucked the strands behind her ear. She was delighted to see the way Flora lit up when she spoke about Kai, even if there was still a part of her that was uneasy. Maybe, in her heart of hearts, she was just jealous. Of Flora, for having someone to love her; of Kai, for taking Flora away from her. And that was a ridiculous thing to be, when all she'd ever wanted for Flora was happiness. And if Kai brought her that, then wasn't that all that mattered?
Soh's eyes widened at Flora's shy admission. She'd never seen her best friend so thoroughly giddy, so taken with someone in such a genuine way. With Jack, things had always been... well, messy, at least from what Soh had seen. But this side of Flora was something she'd never seen before. Props to Kai, she supposed, for bringing such happiness in Flora to light. "Well," she said slowly. "They do say that when you know, you know." Not that she had much experience with that herself, but that was beside the point. She smiled, reaching out to squeeze Flora's hand. "I'm happy for you, Flora. For both of you. There's nobody in the world who deserves happiness as much as you do."
if all of the days have no more light and all of our dreams are lost tonight
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Sohalia.
Flora laughs, shoulders lifting in an almost helpless little shrug as if to say what can you do? "Yeah," she admits, amusement rippling through her tone, "it’s definitely a perk, even if I do usually get a lecture after." Her nose wrinkles playfully as she tips her head. "Although full disclosure, I’ve only ever ridden a horse like... once? Maybe twice? And even then, it was more clinging for dear life than riding. Am I supposed to hold your hair? Mane? Does that hurt?" Her grin widens, delighted by how ridiculous the question sounds the moment it leaves her mouth.
At the mention of Colt, her brows arch with sudden recognition. "Oh, I know her! Blonde hair, rancher type?" she asks, finger snapping as she connects the dots. "She’s great. Kinda intense, but great.' Her grin softens into something warmer as Soh keeps talking, and the pleasure in Flora’s expression grows with every word. Seeing her friend happy—actually happy—makes her heart feel like it’s blooming right there in her chest. "That’s fantastic!" she says, voice bright with sincerity. "And hey—if hanging out with the girls did more for you than losing your v-card on the Rainbow Road—" her brows bounce impishly, laughter trilling between them, "then maybe we should organise a girls’ spa trip at the House of Midnight. Mud masks, massages, cocktails, teaching you how to cheat at poker...whatever your soul needs."
When Soh admits she’d thought about moving back, Flora beams so hard it’s almost indecent. "Oh, I absolutely vote for that," she says without an ounce of guilt, only to temper it a moment later with a gentler look that holds real understanding. "But hey—" she leans in, nudging her shoulder against Soh’s, "you can totally be ‘alone’ in Torchline. I get what it's like to need the space to figure things out, and at least you'd be doing it somewhere with a beach and the sun. Solitude but.. make it glamorous."
Then, a beat softer, she threads her fingers through Soh’s and gives her hand a squeeze. "Wherever you are, I promise I’ll make the effort. No more waiting whole seasons to see you."
Drawing a breath, Flora nods as if agreeing with something unspoken. "After Koa and Jack, it’s just...easier to see what matters. Or at least I think it is." Her smile curves reassuringly, eyes soft and ocean-bright as she squeezes Soh’s hand again. "I’m not going to rush anything." The glint in her gaze makes that claim questionable at best, but the affection is unmistakable. Then she tugs Soh close into a hug, wrapping her arms around her best friend and pressing her nose briefly into her hair. "Thank you," she murmurs, her voice low and sincere against the hum of the wind and the rustling roses.
"Honestly?" Soh replied, laughter in her voice. "I haven't really spent a lot of time around horses, so I have no idea." She shrugged, golden waves bobbing with the motion. "Guess we can find out together." And hopefully come out on the other side none the worse for wear.
That Flora knew Colt was somehow not surprising (did she know everyone? Soh was pretty sure she did), and the Luminary nodded at the recognition. "Yeah, she was super sweet - loaned me a sweater and everything." And forced the guys to let Soh use jewelry as bargaining chips, and just generally tried to take care of her. Intense, maybe. But in trying so hard to take care of a perfect stranger, Colt had earned a friend for life.
The thought of a girls' night out - or, better yet, a girls' retreat - had Soh beaming. "Honestly, that sounds amazing." A butterfly flitted through the gazebo, drawing Soh's gaze. The young woman watched as it fluttered over to some nearby flowers, then went on its merry way. "And as for moving back... it's a possibility," she added. "Just... I'm thinking about it, you know? It's a big decision, stepping away from Stormbreak completely. I'm not sure if I'm ready." In other words, what would she do with her suddenly abundant free time?
Flora's fingers threaded through Soh's, squeezing tight, and the Luminary gave her friend a genuine, heartfelt smile. "Deal."
The hug that followed was everything that Soh hadn't realized she needed to chase away any lingering jealousy or insecurity about her place in Flora's life. She hugged the queen right back, burying her face in Flora's shoulder as she squeezed her tight. "Love you," she murmured into Flora's hair. "I'll always be here cheering for you."
A beat passed, and then another, and then Soh pulled reluctantly away. "Now," she said, tilting her head. "What happened with Zavien? I thought you guys were good."
if all of the days have no more light and all of our dreams are lost tonight
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Sohalia.
Flora giggles, a bright, unrestrained sound that rolls through the gazebo like sunlight after rain. "Okay, new plan," she declares, eyes dancing. "We need a pegasus signal. Like, if I’m pulling your mane too hard, you flick your wings or something. And if my butt’s too bony and I’m bruising your back, you...I don’t know, neigh dramatically?" Her grin widens. "That way we both survive the maiden voyage."
When Soh agrees to the girls’ trip, Flora’s face lights up all over again. "Deal!" she echoes, squeezing her friend’s hand once more. "You, me, Colt—" she pauses, lips pursing thoughtfully as she mentally scans Torchline’s roster of chaos. "—and maybe…who else would you want to invite? Do you know Melita?"
At Soh’s lingering hesitation about moving back, Flora raises both hands in mock surrender, curls bouncing. "Okay, okay, I’ll stop trying to convince you," she says with faux innocence, only to immediately bounce her brows, undoing the promise in an instant
When Soh pulls her into another hug, Flora hums softly, the words "I love you" warm against the Luminary’s hair. "Same," she murmurs, giving her friend one last squeeze before straightening again, her expression still soft with affection.
Then comes the inevitable topic shift. "Oh, girl," Flora groans, dragging the word out as she leans back dramatically and throws an arm over the back of the bench. "Zavien." The sigh that follows is theatrical enough to earn her own standing ovation. "So apparently, he and Kai got into some kind of fight, total dumb boy stuff. It was sort of about Koa, actually, but never mind. But when I ran into him after, he decides to warn me." Her tone sharpens, still full of disbelief. "He took this tiny scuffle between friends and turned it into this big political thing, all ‘imagine if this had happened to a less understanding leader’. Like, thank you for the unsolicited lecture, Ambassador Mansplain."
Flora rolls her eyes, curls swaying as she does. "Anyway," she says with a little huff, "I put him right back in his place. I get he’s probably under a ton of stress, but he came across like a real ass."
Soh's laughter pealed through the air, bright in a way that it hadn't been in quite some time. "Maiden voyage?" she giggled. "Bold of you to assume there'll be more than one." Or that either of them would survive the first, given that if Soh dropped Flora, there would likely be hell to pay from all of her dads.
Their girls' trip was quickly becoming a promise, and Soh considered her friend circle momentarily before shrugging. "Oh, yeah! Mel would be great!" Was four enough people? Soh wasn't sure she had that many female friends to select from who would get along with the group.
But the conversation shifted, and eventually they ended up at the topic of Zavien. Soh listened with a faint frown, warring between being the outraged best friend and the ambassador who tried to smooth things over. (And also, how did Koa end up in the mix? Where the fuck had he even been, and why hadn't he tried to get in touch? Were things really over before they'd even started, or had there never been anything there to try to salvage to begin with?)
Ignoring her sudden emotional turmoil, Soh sighed, leaning back against the bench and tilting her head back wearily. "Ooooof," she said. "As your friend, I totally get why you'd be pissed. Anything between friends should stay separate from politics. Buuuut as Stormbreak's ambassador, I feel like I also have to say that I doubt Zavien meant to step on any toes." She grimaced. "Maybe I've been away too long, if there are political things like that going on. I haven't been much of an ambassador since I got the title."
Soh squeezed Flora's hand. "I mean, if you and I can stay best friends after everything we've had to navigate... surely we can figure out a way to smooth things over. I'll talk with Zavien."
if all of the days have no more light and all of our dreams are lost tonight
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Sohalia.
Flora makes a very un-queenly pffft sound, lips twitching into a grin. "Of course there will be," she insists, flicking a stray curl from her face.
She nods as Soh lists off names, tucking them away with the same mental efficiency she uses for court business—except with a lot more excitement. "Perfect," she says brightly. "I’ll send invites when I get home. "
When the talk turns back to Zavien, Flora’s easy grin softens into something wryer. She nods through the first part of Soh’s reasoning, even as one blonde brow lifts at her friend’s diplomatic tone. "Yeah, I doubt he meant to," she agrees, giving a little shrug, [ssay]"but he’s the one who made it political. He just opened the can out of nowhere and started handing out worms." Her hand flutters dismissively through the air before finding Soh’s again. "But hey, if it does come up, maybe you can gently remind him that literally every single leader in Caido has more experience and power than he does. So maybe we don’t need his suggestions." Or at least, Flora certainly didn't.
The words are teasing, but the eye-roll that follows is genuine. Flora squeezes Soh’s hand and exhales a quiet laugh, the tension diffusing like fizz in a glass. "I’m not actively mad about it or anything," she adds. "He did apologise, and I’m fine calling it water under the bridge." Then, tossing a look over her shoulder with a mischievous grin, she adds, "You just know how much I hate being mansplained to."
