NIKI
Raising an eyebrow incredulously at Flora at that remark - her having found one thing he's bad at, he means - Niki glances down and gestures to his cane and his leg brace. "...Walking?" he suggests, before (and perhaps it's for the best) Theea is with them and there are others to steal the attention. "I met Theea in the Greatwood," he confirms, inclining his head at her compliment.
Turning to where Flora has pointed, Niki can't help but raise his eyebrows at the sight of Astaroth, quietly clearing his throat. "I believe I met him in the woods also," he says, "though he was wearing more clothes back the-- oh, alright." He waves off the Doubletake, before smiling and returning his full attention to Theea.
"It is good to see you too," he agrees, taking another sip of cider, this one more casual. "I have been well, yes. It is nice to see the Greatwood hosting an event again. And how have you been - did you make it to Torchline?"
Then, of course, a walking tidal wave parts the crowd to settle beside them, and Niki's quick inhale is thankfully hidden beneath the layers of his cloak. "It has been a while," he agrees with Sunjata, smiling and ducking his head in a nod. Reaching back to set the cup of cider on the table, suddenly one of the shots Flora was drinking seems a better bet.
"I do not consider it an intrusion. This is Theea, a friend of mine," he says, gesturing to her and turning to smoothly shoot back the shot, only for the unexpected burn in his chest and throat to seize him for a few moments. Coughing when, at last, he can take a breath, he holds up a hand in apology.
"How are things in King's End?" he asks for the sake of small talk. And honestly, he has no idea how long passes before Flora's return, but the world has developed a comfortable warmth to its edges when she does, and conversation seems much easier than before.
"The mirror?" he echoes, already moving to unclip the bag attached to his belt for Flora to use. "...Ah! Yes, right."
Turning to where Flora has pointed, Niki can't help but raise his eyebrows at the sight of Astaroth, quietly clearing his throat. "I believe I met him in the woods also," he says, "though he was wearing more clothes back the-- oh, alright." He waves off the Doubletake, before smiling and returning his full attention to Theea.
"It is good to see you too," he agrees, taking another sip of cider, this one more casual. "I have been well, yes. It is nice to see the Greatwood hosting an event again. And how have you been - did you make it to Torchline?"
Then, of course, a walking tidal wave parts the crowd to settle beside them, and Niki's quick inhale is thankfully hidden beneath the layers of his cloak. "It has been a while," he agrees with Sunjata, smiling and ducking his head in a nod. Reaching back to set the cup of cider on the table, suddenly one of the shots Flora was drinking seems a better bet.
"I do not consider it an intrusion. This is Theea, a friend of mine," he says, gesturing to her and turning to smoothly shoot back the shot, only for the unexpected burn in his chest and throat to seize him for a few moments. Coughing when, at last, he can take a breath, he holds up a hand in apology.
"How are things in King's End?" he asks for the sake of small talk. And honestly, he has no idea how long passes before Flora's return, but the world has developed a comfortable warmth to its edges when she does, and conversation seems much easier than before.
"The mirror?" he echoes, already moving to unclip the bag attached to his belt for Flora to use. "...Ah! Yes, right."
stay your pretty eyes on course
keep the memories of who i was before
keep the memories of who i was before
