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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!
Let's sleep and rise by the sound of birdsong Until the world slows down and the sunbeams fade away
After a quick visit to the Greatwood with Deimos, Soleil had gone searching for fun. Given that the Greatwood is largely infected, she'd asked for Deimos to drop her off in the Climb instead, glad that she'd brought her swimsuit for the Stonesong anyway. The waters had been too frigid for her tastes - even as a Halovian, given that polar plunges are a 'fun pastime' - but the promising waters of Frey's Breath are the exact opposite.
Now that the blood bath is nearby there's far more people, but that is the opposite of a problem to Soleil. In fact, it's a bit of a boon considering she's having trouble tying the top of her bikini because she forgot to bring a hair tie and her curls keep falling in the way or getting tied in the bow. Blowing out her cheeks in frustration, she walks over to the first woman she can see and holds out the two strings, unbothered by the way it nearly reveals her breasts in one fell swoop (especially since she'd changed without a care in the world just a few moments ago). "Can you do me a favor? I don't have enough hands," she bemoans, though her feigned exasperation clears into a sunny smile soon thereafter.
Her first trip to the Climb was in search of something. She wasn't sure what. Maybe it was Dygra's presence drawing her back in order to fill whatever void had blossomed in her dark soul. Or maybe it was just the heat to combat the Deepfrost chill settling in her bones. Whatever it was, she hadn't found it yet. Instead, she'd stumbled upon this steamy human broth. I think people referred to it as a 'hot spring,' but she just saw boiling blood bags.
About to turn away from the temptation of a warm meal, a woman walks up to her and flashes her exposed breasts with a smile. Slightly stunned, Thal narrows her eyes to process the strings hanging between them. She's never worn the bathing suit contraptions, confident enough to simply strip away her clothes and dive in. It just seems pointless to waste the time with flimsy straps and skimpy fabric that covers less than a tenth of the body.
Grabbing the strings from the woman's hands, Thal drops them so that her chest becomes fully exposed. "Then don't bother with it." She doesn't smile, feeling more annoyed than friendly.
Let's sleep and rise by the sound of birdsong Until the world slows down and the sunbeams fade away
Soleil had kept the important bits covered - out of deference to others instead of any kind of insecurity - so it's admittedly stunning when the stranger takes the strings as if to help only to drop them and make the effort entirely moot. She isn't smiling, but Soleil makes up for it with a startled, intrigued laugh. Deciding to roll with it, she reaches behind her back with one hand to pull on the only string keeping the article on her body now and lets it drop away.
"I mean I can't really argue with that," she laughs. The stiff exterior does nothing to ward her off, and golden eyes squint slightly into a mischievous expression. "Not swimming yourself?" Just enough of a needle, inquisition, implication that it might tease something out of the woman that Soleil can use to gauge her better. Clearly standing topless in front of her won't work the way it does for other people.
As the woman removes her top entirely, Thal ignores her, preferring to glance around at the other people. There don't seem to be a large abundance, however, the chilly weather had obviously caused people to seek out the steaming waters. The humid environment is comfortable in comparison to Halo's barren snow fields and she lets her shoulders relax slightly. Her stumbling upon this strange pocket of pampering may have been by accident, but it was also possible that she was meant to find it.
That doesn't change the fact that she is reluctant to let her guard down amongst a bunch of strangers. Even if the blood pool looks especially tempting.
Glancing back to the smiling woman before her, she narrows her eyes again, a frown still evident on her steely expression. "I'm not particularly interested in lounging and spilling my guts with a bunch of strangers. I'll leave that to you." Feeling quite done with this location and this conversation, she begins searching for her exit over the woman's shoulder.
Let's sleep and rise by the sound of birdsong Until the world slows down and the sunbeams fade away
Soleil isn't offended that she can't seem to hold the woman's attention. She doesn't need it to thrive. Unfortunately for the stranger however, her predisposition and disgruntlement is fascinating to Soleil, which ensures she won't be discarded so easily.
"So don't," she says firmly, smile omnipresent but otherwise ignoring the clear rebuff. "Do it to relax - you seem to need it, honestly." One eyebrow rises, subtly challenging but not crossing the line into deriding territory. "Talk or don't, I won't mind. If you sit with me then nobody will make a move on you." Solitary individuals don't have the inherent protections that paired or grouped people do, and she'd certainly find no relaxation going in by herself. Especially with how beautiful she is and her seemingly permanent scowl - practically catnip to douchebags hoping to score who think an opening line of 'smile for me' is an immediate win.
Thal considers the woman more closely, unable to find any fault in her logic yet not wanted to admit so. With narrowed eyes and pursed lips, she shrugs her shoulders. "I don't need to relax... but if anyone talks to me, they may become my afternoon snack." Her fangs flash at the threat, a cold heartless smirk that quickly vanishes again. Not waiting to see if the woman gloats or not, the Ancient steps around to one of the pools of heated blood. A small strip of stone separates it from the regular water so her 'companion' can choose which to occupy.
A larger stone sat nearby, making the perfect place to set her clothing. Without hesitation, she removes each layer of her black leathers. Her nearly black tail glints in the sunlight yet it attracts far less attention than her supple, toned body with generous curves to draw the eye. Although her chest isn't large, Thal is still proud of the perky breasts, stretching her arms up to tie her hair back. She notices a few lingering gazes but pointedly ignores them, instead choosing to lower her naked body into the red pool of blood.
The warm liquid immediately seeps into her body, forcing the tension from her muscles even as she tries to stubbornly cling to it. Sitting with her back to the stone, she closes her blue eyes to the sunlight.
Let's sleep and rise by the sound of birdsong Until the world slows down and the sunbeams fade away
She wasn't planning on gloating, but since Thalassa gives her the perfect opportunity by turning away, Soleil sneaks in a quick fist pump. Trailing after her, Soleil pauses and visibly considers the options. Blood doesn't freak her out, but is it...hygienic? She's immediately distracted as Thalassa starts undressing, ogling her for a moment for appreciation's sake before returning to her contemplations since she did just use warding off perverts as a bargaining chip.
Deciding to just go for it (as she often does in life) Soleil follows the still-unnamed woman into the blood bath, marveling at how strangely pretty it looks on her skin as it clings and runs in rivulets back to the source. Submerging herself to her chest, Sol props her elbows on the edge of the spring behind her and hums a soft, natural sound of satisfaction as she also turns her face to the sun.
To her credit, Sol is able to last a few good minutes before her chatty nature catches up to her, and she peeks one eye open to inspect her tentative companion(?). "Have you met Dygra? I've prayed to her before, but I've never been answered." Likely because Soleil doesn't want to become Ancient, which she can understand. She's content simply leaving offerings instead to show her appreciation. It doesn't mean she isn't deathly curious though.
At first, she thinks maybe her wishes have been respected as the woman silently slips into the pool next to her. The liquid shifts with the new occupant, lapping gently against her chest, but there is silence and it lets Thal bask in the heat of the pool - for a few minutes. Then the humming starts. She blocks out the noise, choosing to let the interruption slide since it happens to be music, which she enjoys. But then the talking starts.
Thal furrows her brows in annoyance, refusing to open her eyes. With a sharp slice of her tone, she answers but discourages future questions. "Of course I have. I'm an Ancient." Old Ancients had met Dygra at least once in their life, while new Ancients - like herself - had to meet the goddess in order to receive her blessing. Although that's common knowledge to all Ancients, apparently this woman doesn't know. That doesn't mean that Thal wants to sit and explain it though, so she keeps her eyes closed, pointedly ignoring the woman once more.
Let's sleep and rise by the sound of birdsong Until the world slows down and the sunbeams fade away
Well, Soleil's patience isn't infinite, so she purses her lips and blows a faint raspberry of dissatisfaction. "That could have been hundreds of years ago before the wars, I don't know how good your memory is," she mutters, sour and bored out of her mind already. She's not exactly good at...relaxing. Ironic considering she'd sort of twisted the other woman's arm into doing exactly that. Soleil might be mostly sunshine and rainbows as her name implies, but god this woman is giving her nothing.
She turns over her shoulder, eyeing the exit with a defeated expression. She'd accomplished getting the woman into the blood bath, should she just call it here? Tilting her head back to lay against the warm stone she nibbles her lip contemplatively. "...can I at least get your name then?" It may never become useful, but at least she'll have it right?
Thal scoffs aloud before she can stop it. How old does this woman think she is? It isn't like she's some decrepit old lady. She's only been an Ancient for about two years anyways.
With her eyes closed, she thinks maybe her companion has taken the hint. But alas, no.
Her eye peeks open ever so slightly, allowing a sliver of blue to appear in annoyed chastisement. "Usually, you're supposed to offer your name first." She isn't really inclined to give her own, but if it will shut the woman up, she's willing to. What harm can it do anyways? So with a huff of her breath, she closes her eyes again. "Captain Thalassa."
Trying to keep the talking to a minimum, she rubs the dark red blood over her shoulders, letting it soak into her skin pleasantly. The blood lust that always lingers in the back of her mind surprisingly subsides with the action. Although it wasn't very high to begin with, it nearly vanishes. She realizes that she doesn't remember the last time she felt so free of the constant need. Some days are better than others, but it's never gone. Others might take solace in their pre-Ancient memories, yet Thal doesn't have such luxuries, so she takes a moment to appreciate the comforting vacancy.
Let's sleep and rise by the sound of birdsong Until the world slows down and the sunbeams fade away
See, the chastisement might have landed better if it wasn’t a clear indicator of pending success - success that comes on the tail end of prolonged, irritated silence. Fuck yeah, a win. “And risk you ignoring me instead of giving yours back? No thanks,” she quips with a grin that, while missing fangs of any Caido-race-variety, still communicates a similar presence. But it’s clear she’s far from daunted by Thalassa’s behavior, rebounding with a swift brightness the moment an opening is given. “I’m Soleil.” No fancy title or job. Though she’s certainly interested in Thalassa’s.
She doesn’t jump on it immediately, both to give the woman a break from her presence (hah) but also because - subtle as it is - it’s clear the woman is really enjoying a moment to relax. When she does speak it’s a soft murmur that is far more composed than her previous chipperness. “I’ve never been on a real boat. Only skyboats. It looks…amazing,” she breathes, eyes unfocused as she looks out over the blood in the springs and instead seas Torchline’s ocean and merchant ships. “Is it hard to be Captain as an Ancient when the water is so cold? Is it more dangerous?” She bites her lip as it slips out; she is trying to slow down to match Thalassa’s slow conversation pace, but she can’t help the natural concern for others, or the even stronger inherent curiosity.
Instead of granting the quip with a response, Thal keeps her eyes closed, determined to ignore the overly eager woman whose name doesn't go unnoticed. Soleil. At least now she can curse the name of the woman attempting to interrupt what was trying to be a relaxing moment. The blood pool is still working on easing the tension from her body, but she is tempted to cut the moment short to escape the ramblings of 'Soleil'. Especially as she fixates on Thal's Captain status.
Refusing to deign the questions with the dignity of her open eyes, Thal scoffs. "No." Her answer is short and curt, discouraging further questions about her profession, even as she thinks about the lull of the waves and the salty taste on her tongue. She can't imagine being unable to enjoy the caress of the ocean or feel the kiss of its breeze. Despite being an Ancient, the cold of the water isn't enough to keep her from its presence. It makes her wonder how someone could not traverse the world in the best way imaginable. Keeping her vision on the inside of her eyelids, she offers before she can think better of it, "If you come across The Marauder, I may be inclined to let you sail with us."
Let's sleep and rise by the sound of birdsong Until the world slows down and the sunbeams fade away
Curtness is expected now, so it slides off her back like water on a duck because she’s still getting an answer. A line of tension in her shoulders snaps at the denial - Thalassa may be a grump, but she doesn’t deserve that kind of daily trepidation while chasing her dreams - and Soleil’s head ragdolls back to pillow her cheek on her own shoulder.
All the better to watch Thalassa, who thankfully can’t see her staring given the captain has closed her eyes. Soleil’s beaming grin would likely only irritate her more so it’s for the best.
“That’s an amazing name, Halo only has fishing boats with old family names.” It also hints at Thalassa being a very particular kind of captain, but Soleil - for all her sunshine and rainbows - doesn’t really give two shits about that kind of stuff. “I can’t promise I’ll be any good at earning my keep, but I’ll do all the worst tasks so you can get your revenge for me ruining your spa day.” Soleil believes in pulling her weight given her rather nomadic lifestyle anyway. Imposing herself upon a tight-knit crew for however many hours or days a chartered course might last? Yeah, Soleil won’t complain about mopping floors or dumping waste buckets. At least not out loud.
It's a good thing she can't see the grin, or she might have gotten up and walked away following a very vulgar gesture. Luckily, her eyes are closed, and she can hear every word perfection. So despite Soleil's insistences, Thal has little hope that the woman will be much help on a ship, especially if she's never been on one. "I'll keep that in mind." That doesn't mean she'll turn down the extra hands, but she'll definitely be reluctant to seek her out.
At this point, her body has reached optimal release. Her muscles are no longer tense, her bloodlust a shadow in her mind, her thoughts less sharp, and her heart content. Thal takes that as a sign that it's her time to leave. She opens her eyes finally, taking in Soleil for another moment before drawling out, "As pleasant as this has been, I should get going. Many captain duties to attend to." She doesn't wait for a response, rising from the blood, trickles falling down her bare skin. Without a towel, she settles for air drying. As she makes her way out of the hot springs, a few eyes follow her, but Thal is too relaxed to acknowledge them. Overall, it could be considered a successful trip.
