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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!
The way her mind works, 'notes' aren't usually something that helps her plan or process things. A network of strings and rainbows and glittering shelves file away the important information, laminating what's vital and letting the rest slowly soak in the shimmering liquid of thoughts. Somehow, it works for her, bits and pieces popping into existence when she needs them, even if they might vanish just as quickly. It's why she rattles things off as they walk, a fluid stream of consciousness that flows between them.
"Okay okay. So, do you want to go with the center of town? Or the edge of town? What about size? Big? Small? Color? Windows? Oh! Should it have seating outside too?!" Nova's hands move emphatically, gesturing with fingers or magic as she talks, flashing Caly excited smiles with each new idea.
why icarus thought he'd find his place a little higher
Caly is a direct opposite to what Nova’s thought process is regarding the little café. Having her notes and journals and a little inspiration binder that’s full of gold and prismatic rainbows designs, renditions of the logo of their little café for the name and things like it. Humming and hawing her thoughts down the stretch of New Haven in search for the perfect option – even if the walk was full of mud and a certain stickiness that would take some work to clear out.
“Outside seatin’ sounds perfect.” She agrees, having decided that she’d see what options were available when it came to the size. “Lot’s of gold an’ pastel rainbows ‘n stuff. Yellows ‘n brown for the sunflower vibes.” She murmurs, guiding her sister further down the path until she spots the courtyard that extends out. One of the inner corners harbors an empty space that seems like it could be absolutely perfect for what they’re looking for – and Caly brightens up almost immediately at the sight of it.
Large windows on the front, tucked in with a stretch by the courtyard garden that could very much be perfect for outdoor seating – and not one, but two doors for such a thing. Above it seems empty, too, and with any luck at all it could be the place they could officially call a home away from home (the Ark, obviously).
“Whatcha think about this one?” She asks, beaming a sunny smile at her sister as she takes her arm and hops over a muddy puddle, boots squishing with the movement until they reach the front of the empty shop space.
Giggling, Nova nods her head, golden curls rustling to catch in the morning sun. "YES! I was thinking the exact same thing! I like the idea of a rainbow pouring from a sunny sky onto a field of sunflowers! Do you think that would be better as a mural or a stained glass window?" She purses her lips, having difficulty deciding without a space to imagine it in, but then Caly is pointing out a beautiful building in front of them, one with giant windows and a quaint courtyard framing the front. The stone and wood perimeter would be perfect for large planter boxes full of colorful flowers, and the space is large enough for a handful of tables that could be shaded by yellow umbrellas or awnings.
Already buzzing with ideas, Nova returns Caly's beaming smile. "I love it!" She rushes forward through the patch of mud, arm linked with her sister's as she peeks through one of the windows into the empty shop. The glass is dull, in need of a good cleaning, but she can see a good foundation, open space, and a stairway tucked away in the back.
"Let's take a look inside!" Bouncing her excitement, she twirls them around to make their way towards the door, fully prepared to get in one way or another.
why icarus thought he'd find his place a little higher
“Oh my gods?” Caly chimes as her sister lists out all kinds of perfect options, snickering as they finally find the building that could – hopefully – be the place they’d make into their own. Her sister seems to electrify with the thought of it as they approach, and Caly’s equally as fast as her sister over the muddy cobblestones to reach the front of the building, grinning as she takes it all in. “Could do both for this space?” She asks, head tilting slightly, imagining the window made up of multiple stained glass panels and inside against the dusty wall, a mural to signify the rest of the space.
Glancing around briefly to see if anyone was out they could ask about it, she finds that she’s coming up empty – so she unlinks her arm from her sister’s to reach for the door handle, pulling it open to find that it’s completely unlocked and absolutely for their view. Inside is just as empty as the rest of the building and as she spins around inside it, stepping past the little wet footprints that they’d let inside, she beams a smile to her sister that’s all bright and excitement. “I think it’ll be perfect? The counter can go here.” Gesturing to the side wall, the rest of the space could be perfect for a boutique floor and tables, imagining it as if it were already there.
Looking to the window and the space within, Nova lets out a bubbly giggle, her hair flaring as she nods her head. "Good idea! Why choose?!" Maybe she'd have it span the entirety of the inside, creating a vivid image of sunlight through the windows that cascade into field of sunflowers against the walls. If she throws in a little magic, she could even make them glow like real sunrays.
Nova can hardly contain her excitement when they move inside. Her footsteps track in a strange twisting of patterns that look almost like dancing as she spins to take it all in. "Yes! And there can be shelves along this wall! And racks along the side!" Throwing her hands out, magic floods the space, hazy images of counters and tables and shelves and clothes and happy customers overlaying the empty room. Even the smell of coffee wafts faintly, her heartrate already spiking at the thought.
Pausing to face her sister amidst the bustling cafe, Nova clasps her hands behind her, beaming. "We should have a cute sign for the drinks! What were you thinking? Do you have any fun names or specials you want people to order?"
why icarus thought he'd find his place a little higher
The hazy images that her sister conjures are absolutely perfect – and her smile flashes as she takes in the brilliant glittering sight before her. “Yes, that’s perfect.” She chimes with a pleased grin, drifting further into the space and ignoring the brief echo that floods the space. It’ll be less intense when they fill it with things, but for now it’s perfect for their ideas, and if she looks a little closer to the back wall they’d see a door that leads to a smaller space – a storage room, more than likely.
But her sister distracts her with her beaming, fluorescent grin, and Caly’s golden in the way she nearly skips a bit closer to her sister. “Hmm.. We’ll need a list’ve things for the coffees an’ prolly stuff for juices and not espresso mixed drinks.” She tilts her head, thinking for a few long moments. “So... First, we’ll prolly need lots’ve sunshine kinda flavorings and syrups an’ stuff. Lavendar, strawberry, blueberry…” She muses, a hand lifting to play with her necklace that Nova had gifted her. “Coffee’s could have some’ve those too, though I’m thinkin’ we should do a smores drink?” Her amber gaze lands back on her sister with a glint of curiosity in it, wanting to know her thoughts.
They're already talking like they own the place, although in Nova's mind, there's no way anyone could say no to them. It's just a matter of finding out who to bat her eyelashes at (and maybe threaten with a claw or two). Plus, her sister is the master at convincing people to do what she wants, her sunshine smiles are impossible to deny.
The illusions continue to twist around them as Nova hops her excitement, her head bobbing to confirm the list of supplies they'll need to gather. It's already starting to formulate in her mind like a glittering grocery list of flowers and disembodied flavors wafting between mountains of colors and bright thoughts. Grinning, she lets out a playful groan of delight. "Oooh. S'mores are so good! Maybe a hazelnut or honey too? And then pumpkin and spices when Leafchange comes!" She can already see people flocking to the shop, eager for the next season's menu of flavors to brighten their days and add some shimmer to their eyes.
Looking to her sister, the ever-shifting tide of her thoughts tilts, realization shooting across her face. "Oh! Don't move!" Bouncing forward like there are trampolines built into her shoes, her eyes are fixed on Caly, tongue already darting out as concentration prepares to take hold.
why icarus thought he'd find his place a little higher
She realizes she’ll do everything she can to try and get the empty space they’re in right now to become theirs — even if most of the signs point to it being dead and empty for the likes of anything. It still gives her the freedom to be creative in their plans, to imagine it with Nova’s help so the walls are lit up and glittering with all kinds of adjustments.
Brightening up with her sister’s additions, she tugs on the necklace a little bit more as she beams her grin over toward her sister.”Yes! Definitely rotatin’ menus.” It would keep people showing up in the long run too, and that’s something Caly absolutely wants to see happen to this shell of a place.
Suddenly stilling with surprise as her sister tells her to not move, it’s with wide amber eyes that she looks up at her sister necklace dropping from her fingers as she waits to see what she has planned.
The illusions stay spinning around them, but they begin to dim as Nova shifts her focus, conserving the magic for her next actions. Skidding to a stop in front of Caly, she looks intently at the necklace, eyes glowing with excitement. She's never done this before, but instincts have always come easily to her (six-winged flying excluded).
Her finger reaches out, golden threads of magic swirling and spreading up her forearm. When skin meets metal, the shimmering energy twists, converging into the cursive in a bright glow of light that sparkles softly in a single pulse before settling again. It doesn't look any different, but Nova can feel the power it's taken - can tell that it worked when she rocks back on her heels, beaming a glittering smile at her sister. "There! It should be stronger now!"
Nova has upgraded Caly's necklace!
Shield Your Eyes | A gold pendant in the shape of 'Caly' that expands into a shimmering protective layer over the wearer capable of blocking physical damage. Can only be used 1x per thread.
why icarus thought he'd find his place a little higher
She doesn’t mind once the illusions begin to vanish and fade – too focused on her sister’s attention on her and the hand that holds the necklace up for her to inspect (positive that’s what she’s looking at). Her gaze flits to the finger pointed at her now, the golden threads of magic that bloom and spiral and twirl out that feel warm against the necklace on her skin. “Really?” Caly asks with quiet awe and admiration for her sister, not exactly questioning her but surprised.
Thinking about it, Caly’s grin brightens as her sister sits back on her heels and she taps the necklace to activate it – the shimmery protective glistens with gold as it pours over her skin like a second layer – and the attuned sits back on her heels and glances down to see it working on herself before she’s looking back at Nova with a bright grin. “It feels stronger, I think?”
She watches with pride as the gold spreads across her sister's skin, nearly as bright as her own perception of her sibling. Her magic already knows the necklace is stronger, her confidence rock solid, but Nova still reaches out to flick Caly's shoulder, the force buffered back by the golden layer. Giggling, she nods, her whole body bouncing with the force of the motion. "Feels like it!"
Spinning around, she lets the illusions finally fade, ignoring the bit of hunger pricking from the heavy use of magic. After all, there's more exploring to be done!
The stairway beckons, winding and full of possibilities. She winks at Caly, hopping towards the first step. "Should we look upstairs?" She's hoping there will be plenty of room for them to live up there like they'd talked about, but if there isn't, there's always magic.
why icarus thought he'd find his place a little higher
“Thank youuu!” She chimes, leaning forward to clasp her sister’s arms with her hands – injecting warmth and excitement and gratitude for her sister that was always looking out for her. She releases her in time for the more colorful of the two of them to twist and spin, illusions fading to leave the building back to its mundane self – though she’s certain it wouldn’t be for long. Not if she had her way about it.
The stairway does still beckon to them, and she quickly scrambles back to her sister’s side as she approaches it – a chimed laugh leaving her as she shoots her sister an amused look. “Duh, obviously.” She says it like it’s the only thing left to do – everything else having been perfect so far. Once they can get their hands on it, the opportunities were soon to be boundless.
It's almost like they're siblings with how their thoughts always seem to align, Nova's eyes glittering the same mischief and excitement she can feel from her sister. They might not be running on the same color of wavelength, but they're in sync, running through ideas at the same speed, matching energy and feeding off each other's bright ambition.
Giggling, she takes Caly's hand to lead her up the stairs, wanting them to see the space at the same time; because when the top opens into a large room, Nova squeezes her hold to share in the experience, soaking in every inch of the upper level. "Wow! It's so open!" The wooden floor spreads across the level, empty save the dust that coats it. Vaulted ceilings tower above, expanding the light that flows in from the wall-to-wall glass facing the street. Her gaze widens, sparkling with ideas and possibilities. "Look at all the windows!"
why icarus thought he'd find his place a little higher
They’ve almost always been in sync – even if Nova’s tone and choice of action had been vibrant and more chaotic than Caly’s. Hers was decisive, focused, a beam of sunlight as opposed to the wash and hues of the rainbow. But they’re still hand in hand as they go, as they bounce up the stairs hand in hand, taking in the space that’s just above it.
It’s a large spot, perfect for an apartment with multiple rooms and a large communal space. “I love it.” She gasps in her awe, her grin brightening as she squeezes Nova’s hand and makes a mental note of just how empty it was too. “I think it’ll be perfect. We just gotta see who t’talk to about it.” Already figuring the owner of the building itself might be a good starting point – what better than to ask the current store off the edge of it who they were so they could get their hands on it.
“C’mon, let’s imagine how this’s gonna look and then we can go and be our charmin’ selves to get the spot?” And for the rest of the day, Caly’s more than content to imagine and plan and charm her way into getting that spot for her and her sister – and Vesper, if he wanted a spot to land that wasn’t a ship when he visited.
