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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!
"Welll..." The courier cleared his throat self-consciously as he looked to the ceiling of the little shrine, seeking Safrin's help. "Not... so many people, really. Which is good," he hurried to add. "An' it works on plants an' animals an' stuff!" And he wasn't going to doubt Safrin's word on the matter! But he did have the grace to look sheepish as he tugged his Goggles back around his neck.
The conversation turned to nightmares and visions and his sheepish expression shifted to one that was a lot less happy. His scowl came a lot more naturally to his face as he contemplated Starfall and the scary stuff that was apparently inside it if the dream was a true one. "Egg, chrysalis, does it really matter? Somethin's growin' inside an' if it hatches we're proper fucked," he predicted morosely. A shiver ran up his spine that had nothing to do with Deepfrost and he rubbed his arms reflexively. He wasn't expecting her to suddenly turn on him and make a belated introduction, but since his was even more belated he couldn't exactly protest.
Tagging along with a bemused sense of getting carried along by a brisk Flowerbirth wind, he trailed behind her until they were outside on the street and he could lengthen his stride to catch up. Therapy didn't seem to faze him but his nose wrinkled in consternation at the mention of shock therapy. Still, his own partner had taught him not to scoff at something just because he didn't understand it. He swallowed any sass and managed a hesitant bob of his head instead. "Oh, uh... I see..." She turned it back on him and he blinked in surprise, then gave a small shrug. "Me? I'm a courier! I run Seawright's Delivery Service," he boasted proudly, his chest lifting a little as he found himself on firmer ground. "Got a courier station in every region an' I make regular runs around all o' Caido on my skyboat!"
Tal didn't seem bothered by the cold, clad as he was in a light jacket, but days were short this far north in Deepfrost and he wasn't inclined to linger, either. When they reached her door he only paused a moment to check the address before ducking in after her. "Hey, I used t'deliver 'round this neighborhood," he said with some surprise. "So, I'm guessin' you're new here?"
His embarrassment was indication enough of the goggles' effectiveness, but Elizabeth didn't mention it. She wondered how spotting Void-infected flora/fauna was helpful when they were very obviously purple most of the time. Yet she kept her mouth shut again, just nodding her head.
Tal's observation almost made her want to laugh again at the possibly-world-ending topic. Luckily, she held in the poor tasting humor, just giving him a tilt of her head. "Fair enough." She wasn't as certain about the negative outcomes of its hatching, but she also couldn't argue the uncomfortable sensation that pricked her body at the thought of releasing what lay inside. They needed more information.
His pride in his work had her smiling and she commented admirably. "Wow! You must be very successful!" A fuzzy memory of someone talking about the courier had her remembering the delivery service. Elizabeth would definitely keep it in mind in case she ever needed the help. She picked up the case to warm her shivering body, pulling the cloak tighter around her.
Laughing lightly at the question, she nodded her head in confirmation. "I just settled down here, although I've visited before." Despite that, she hadn't developed the same cold resistance as the natives, so the sight of her front door had her speeding up with evident relief. The sign 'Cozy Counseling' was proudly hanging above her door, courtesy of Deimos. Elizabeth gave Tal a welcome smile and quickly opened the door to lead him inside. The front room had a flame burning in the fireplace, illuminating the rows of packed bookshelves that surround a comfortably plush loveseat and matching chairs. Gesturing for the Accepted to take a seat, she walked towards the kitchen. "Tea? Coffee? Scone?"
Tal thrived on admiration and he puffed up a bit more under her regard. "I am," he agreed smugly, without even a pretense of humility. "Keeps me busier'n a bee in Meadowreach, but I've spent years buildin' th'business up t'where it is now." From a simple dogsled confined to Halo, delivering supplies and trade goods to the people living out on the Tundra to a world-spanning (albeit single-vessel) courier service, he'd worked hard to get where he was!
As they slipped inside Elizabeth's home/business Tal spared a glance for the sign and then followed his hostess into the warmth. Once inside he stamped the snow from his feet in the entry and carefully hung his coat near the door before looking around. There was the requisite fire, of course, but his eyes widened at all the books. He shuffled uncertainly towards one of the chairs, settling gingerly onto the edge of it as he continued to steal looks around the room, trying not to be too obvious about it. "Uh... coffee sounds great, thanks. An' a scone, yeah."
He'd come to talk about the void stuff, but suddenly found himself swimming in the deep, murky waters of conversational small talk and the courier grasped after the first thing that came to mind. "So, uh, where're y'from?"
The man's enthusiasm was infectious and Elizabeth found herself smiling at his obvious pride. "That's very impressive!" Although Tal didn't need the ego boost, she wasn't one to diminish someone's accomplishments. He'd worked hard for his achievements and deserved to take pride in them.
Nodding her head in acknowledgement of his request, she stepped into the kitchen. Gathering a tray, she piled it high with two mugs of steaming coffee (from the Hollowed Grounds), sugar, creamer, and a plate of blueberry scones accompanied by a spread of blueberry jam. The mugs were a plain white ceramic, but the plate had delicate pink flowers along its border. Satisfied with the array, Elizabeth stepped back into the sitting room to place the tray on the side table next to Tal before taking a seat in the adjacent chair. She basked in the warmth of the fire for a moment before sitting back and answering his question with a laugh. "All over, really. We never stayed in one place for long, preferring to travel all over Caido." Her parents had only decided to settle in Torchline recently due to their old age. Now, they hoped to live vicariously through her.
"What about you?" Elizabeth motioned for Tal to help himself to the tray as they chatted.
Tal really didn't need the ego boost, but he'd gladly take it!
Especially when, soon after, he found himself perched awkwardly on a very comfortable chair in a stranger's sitting room, wracking his brain for a topic that didn't sound inane or stupid. At least she didn't leave him unattended for very long - and at least Boreal wasn't along to poke her big, broad muzzle into someone else's treasures and private corners of their house! He perked up noticeably from his half-hunch at the sight of the scones and jam, and he took a mug and a scone eagerly, nibbling on the treat as she answered his question and joined him by the fire.
He tilted his head in curiosity at hearing of her traveling experience, nose wrinkling in confusion but he nodded slowly. "Oh, uh... sure," he said slowly, remembering how hard it had been to travel around Caido back before the fall of the Hollowed Grounds' Barrier and the reawakening of the Voice's portals. There had been a few brave and enterprising merchants who had managed a bit of trade between Torchline and Halo, though such messengers of a world beyond the Fangs had been rare and their journeys long and arduous in the days before skyships and portals alike.
"Me?" He hurriedly swallowed the bite of scone he'd just taken and nearly choked on a chunk that hadn't quite been chewed up small enough. After a gulp of tea and a discreet thumping of his chest he cleared his throat and gave a sickly grin. "Oh, my family's Halovian through an' through. There've been Seawrights here since before th'Cataclysm," he said, that pride rearing up again briefly. It was only for a moment, though, before he deflated with a small shrug. "But, uh, I'm in King's End now. Me an' my partner," he added, starting to reach up to rub the back of his neck before remembering the scone still in his hand. "Um. Do we... keep talkin' regular-like? Or did y'want t'talk about that... vision-nightmare thing some more?" he asked cautiously, unsure of the etiquette in the current situation.
It was surprising to hear that Tal was originally from Halo, but she grinned at the coincidence. Perhaps on another day, he could tell her all about growing up in the frigid and unforgiving climate. Elizabeth also wanted to ask about his relationship, but his overall discomfort with small talk had her backing off on the personal questions. Instead, she focused on their purpose for coming back here.
She appreciated his directness, nodding her head. "Of course. Let's begin." The journal with her notes sat close by and she retrieved it along with a pen. There wasn't much written (Starfall. Cavern. Void Crystal(?). People. God(s)(?). Doom(?).), but perhaps he could answer some of her questions. Taking a quick sip of her own coffee, she gave him a reassuring smile. "Let's start with any facts you know. Did you recognize the place or any of the faces?" Her pen hovered over the paper, prepared to jot down anything important.
Maybe later there'd be time for getting to know each other as proper neighbors(ish?) rather than as two dream-sharing prophets... or two crazy people, depending on how it all went down. For the moment, Tal was just glad he didn't have to stumble through the awkward 'hi, my name is Tal and my favorite color is burgundy' phase of meeting a new person, even if that person was as kind and easy to talk to as Elizabeth was.
He looked at her journal and realized that maybe he should have been taking things more seriously, too, but he hadn't realized there was anything more to the nightmare until they'd started talking. He resolved to write down as much as he could remember when he got back to his sisters' house, but for now he buckled down and took another big swallow of his coffee to steel himself and his memory for the questions ahead.
"Yeah... least, I recognized most o' th'faces but yours," he said slowly, brow furrowing and face falling naturally into a scowl of thought. "Th' island at th'start? That was Starfall. I've seen it from th'air when I've made delivery runs t'Torchline." From a distance, at least. He hadn't been brave enough to fly directly over it since Remi had reported the dragons. "But I haven't heard about anyone gettin' inside it yet." Not since Remi and Ronin got thrashed and tossed off it. He took a distracted bite of scone, chewing fiercely and swallowing before continuing.
"Couldn't get a good look at th' people... things... in th' crystal, though. They were all... fuzzy? Like half-baked dough. But at th'end, th' human kind o' faces, there were some leaders. Flora an' Sunjata. An' Halo's Warden," he added reluctantly. "But also just some regular folks. I recognized Fox. He's an Ancient from th'Grounds," he explained. "Monster hunter-type. An' Luka, he's my f-- r-- um. He's Sah Levi's son. Halovian. An' then you."
Tal reached up to rub his nose thoughtfully, leaving behind a dusting of powdered sugar. "Don't supopse y'got a good look at any o' th'Family-things gettin' cooked up inside that crystal?"
As Tal spoke, Elizabeth bobbed her head, both encouraging him to continue and urging her brain to regurgitate his observations onto her papers. It appeared they had a similar understanding that it was Starfall, although she was very curious to know if there was a way to get inside the cavern they'd observed. Was there an entrance or was it protected by Starfall itself?
His mentioning of the people had her noting again the Captain's discomfort with Deimos, but she jotted down the names, documenting who held positions of power. If other people were taking this vision just as seriously, perhaps she wouldn't have to take it upon herself to spread the news. Or, at least a few people in trusted positions would be able to corroborate the story.
Elizabeth paused to take another sip of her coffee, shaking her head at his question. The figure hadn't been solid, just an incorporeal shadow within a purple reflection. "Sadly, not. I only got the feeling that it was powerful. Did you get the same impression?" If the vision had given them emotions in addition to images, it might be another deeper message or meaning.
Glancing back down at her notes, she bit the end of her pen in thought. "Hmmm... okay. That's a good start. Just one more question." Growing very serious, Elizabeth stilled her body and looked back to Tal. "What do you think it means?"
Finishing his first scone, Tal took another sip of coffee to keep his hands occupied. The urge to tap out a tuneless rhythm on anything in reach was strong but he managed to hold himself back to just chewing on his lower lip as they worked through their memories of the dream. Or at least, as he did. He frowned, lips tugging towards a scowl with the ease of an expression he wore more often than not as she didn't give much back.
"I mean... wait. Are we even talkin' about th'same thing?" he asked, pale eyes narrowing and nose wrinkling up in confusion. "I mean, yeah, I guess they were kinda..." He paused mid-sentence and then gave a determined shake of his head. "Actually, tell me what you saw first. An' what you think it means." He didn't like this feeling that she was pulling strings, asking all the questions like some sort of interrogation and pulling all the answers out of him when he'd thought it was going to be an even exchange. He glanced towards the door, mentally measuring the distance in case he needed to make a hasty retreat, but then looked back at her with his brows furrowed together in uncertainty.
The sudden shift in tone had Elizabeth shocking out of her tunnel vision of note taking. She immediately observed Tal's flight response, cursing herself for letting her rigid scholarly curiosity overwhelm the human interaction. Setting her journal on the tray between them, she offered it to him as a peace offering. "I apologize. I can get a little carried away sometimes." Elizabeth sat back with her coffee in hand as a sign of her mental and physical presence in the conversation. "I didn't mean to make it seem like an interrogation. I just happen to agree with a lot of your observations and I don't have a lot to add on them."
Pulling her legs under her body, she leaned against the arm rest. Her head tilted as she recalled the vision, letting the images return fresh to her mind. "I haven't been to Starfall, but I recognized it from descriptions and distant characteristics. The crystal within looked like it contained multiple beings. Some reminded me of what the Family sounds like. They looked like indistinct figures, slightly humanoid but not clear enough to be certain. However, one particular 'being' within felt... different." She paused, trying to find a way to articulate the emotions it evoked. "It felt like a higher life force, on the same level as a deity."
Feeling that she had adequately matched the information Tal had given, Elizabeth ran her hand along her leg as if she was pushing the heat of the fireplace into her skin. After another sip of her coffee, she offered an answer to her last question. "I think it means that change is coming. Although change can be scary, I haven't seen anything to indicate that this will be dangerous for Caido other than the impact the Void has had. And if this presence is really as powerful as it feels, I don't think we'll be able to do much to stop it, even if we can gain access to the cavern." Her opinions were blunt and realistic, not leaving any room for speculation on her own emotions. She just hoped it was enough for Tal to trust her with his own opinions.
07-05-2024, 08:15 PM (This post was last modified: 07-07-2024, 10:08 AM by Talyson.)
Tal looked at the journal, confusion evident on his terrible poker face, but didn't move to take it. He wasn't quite sure what she expected him to do with it, but her apology seemed sincere enough that he nodded cautious acceptance of it. He was still tensed on the edge of his chair, mentally halfway out the door, but he waited to see what her next words would be before he fled.
But she did began to talk about her experience in the dream. Tal nodded jerkily when she described the Family-ish things, half-formed but not yet complete. He stilled again, however, when she described the singular entity that was in a league all its own. His pale eyes rested on her, alert beneath his furrowed brow, even as his fingers tightened on his coffee cup.
Her final words kept the frown on his face, however, and he finally exhaled and set his cup aside. "Th'fucker in th'center... yeah. It felt like some kind o' god," he acknowledged reluctantly. "Thing is, I've met some o' Caido's gods. It was... it was stronger'n th'heralds." He hesitated and then gave a fierce shake of his head. "But not stronger'n Mort." His voice warmed briefly with the awe he still felt in remembering his meeting with the young-old god of death, but it was quickly replaced by his scowl. " But if y'think we're all doomed an' we should just roll over an' let th'Void rip out our bellies, I'm outta here. " He stood, brushing crumbs from his trousers. "I'm not okay with that Vox thing riflin' through my private thoughts, an' Void critters killin' off all our native animals." His scowl lightened somewhat as he snorted with a fierce sort of satisfaction. "An' maybe I'm not strong enough t'do much on my own, but it hasn't been that long since th'last god we killed. Figure even if I can't fight it myself, I can support th'guys who can." If she couldn't see the danger, maybe it was because she already had one foot in the Family's door? And if that was the case, he wasn't sure how safe he was in her house.
At first, she felt like she'd gotten through to him, but Tal's outburst quickly proved otherwise.
Elizabeth waved her slowly hand in dismissal. "You misunderstand me." She didn't necessarily say the words 'Relax' but her calm tone and insistent gaze told him that his reaction was out of proportion. Pointing to the word 'Doom' in her notebook, she says, "I don't deny that this could be dangerous. The vision obviously showed something powerful and the voice spewing propaganda in our brains doesn't invoke confidence. I also stated that the Void has been detrimental to Caido .However, I simply meant to imply that nothing in the vision indicated that the being within is inherently evil." She took a moment to let her words sink in. Obviously, it was a controversial opinion, but she also wasn't siding with the Family. Her opinions were rooted in realism, casting away any presumed bias.
"I suppose I should correct my statement." Considering her words, Elizabeth said, "I don't believe it's impossible to stop it, however, I'm not aware of many forces that could find the location and destroy the crystal before the things inside finish incubating. It's not a matter of possibility or effort, but probability." She shook her head and set aside her empty mug to expose her palms. "Maybe I just haven't met anyone strong enough yet. I'm not saying we should give up and stop fighting, I just wonder if the presence will be more along the lines of a new Dygra or the start of even more Void horrors. It may have been a 'Void crystal', but I'm not certain that's a guaranteed future of destruction." Sighing, she sat back, tired of trying to prove that she didn't support the end of the world. With an exhausted voice, she closed her eyes. "We need more information to be certain." It was the understatement of the century, but she wasn't sure she could give Tal the blind support he was looking for. Elizabeth didn't make assumptions on gut feelings, only evidence.
07-07-2024, 10:42 AM (This post was last modified: 07-08-2024, 10:39 AM by Talyson.)
It was the sad truth that the last thing Tal wanted to hear - or at least feel - when he was on edge was that he was overreacting, and Elizabeth's controlled calm only made him bristle more in contrary stubbornness. He wasn't quite rude enough to walk out on her while she was talking, however, and a twinge in his arm reminded him that he owed her for her previous care so the courier stood with wavering uncertainty in front of his chair to hear her out.
Again, her words sounded good, right up until she opined that the godegg in their vision wasn't evil, and Tal's fading scowl deepend once more as he raised his chin in stubborn, if wordless, disagreement.
She continued, though, and he held his tongue with visible effort so she could finish without interruption. And in spite of himself he found his scowl fading again, reminded of Maea's pragmatism and Alys's steadiness. He still didn't like what she was saying, but his weight shifted a little back onto his heels and away from the door as she finished. "Well... y'got that right," he grumbled in heartfelt agreement to needing more information. But then he shook his head, a mulish faith in those he'd met in the last five years lifting his chin. "There's plenty o' strong people who could do somethin' about it, though. An' there's been a lot more demigods bein' made lately, too. Gotta think that there's a reason for it, that th'gods are gettin' more active. That... egg... thing. It felt evil t'me. Th'Void-touched plants an' critters? Those are definitely evil." A shudder ran down his spine at the memory of the void lotuses in Hak Etme and the corruption of the Greatwood that he'd found himself in so often of late. "If y'need proof, get out o' your office an' check it out for yourself. Just, uh... y'know. Be careful," he finished lamely, reaching up to rub at the back of his neck with a grimace. "An' don't do it alone." She was a doctor after all. Or a ... therapist? Something like that. She didn't really seem the fighty type, and Tal didn't want to be the reason she got into trouble deeper than she could get out of on her own.
As Tal rocked back onto his heels, Elizabeth determined that they were as close to agreement as they were going to get. Although they might not see eye-to-eye on the severity or certainty of the threat, at least they could agree on what they'd seen. It wasn't just a dream.
The observation of the increase in demigods had Elizabeth wondering about the cause and if Tal might have a point there. It was definitely something to look into later, but for now, she just nodded her head in acknowledgement of his statements. She wouldn't refute his own deep-seeded beliefs, emotions, or observations about the Void, even if they didn't quire change her own opinions.
His implication that she never left her office sent a slight ripple of annoyance through her body, but she quelched the feeling with affirmations that he couldn't know her experiences. They'd just met after all. However, her mind flashed to all the travelling she'd done growing up and all the plans she had to continue improving herself through exposure to harsher climates and dangerous situations. Arguing further would only discourage future meetings. So she put on a polite smile and simply said, "I appreciate the concerned advise and I will take it into consideration."
Feeling that they'd reached an impasse, Elizabeth let a moment of silence settle, waiting patiently to let him decide if he wanted to escape her presence or change the topic before standing to straighten her dress. Indicating the mugs, she asked, "More coffee?"
