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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!
Content to turn their card table into just another place to drink and socialise, Ronin settles to get more comfortable in his seat and absently gathers up whatever deck of cards has been left behind by the other players as if to give his hands something to do. If he's aware of Elizabeth's curiosity it doesn't show, or at least it doesn't put him off responding, and of course he's blissfully unaware of her profession. (It might be for the best in this case).
"I suppose I'd try to set more boundaries - as many as you can with a goddess who brings you back to life, anyway." He sighs. "Safrin can be generous and loving towards her followers, but she can also be fickle. And she definitely holds a grudge. She once stripped me of all my power for displeasing her." And oh boy if that isn't just the start of it, but Ronin doesn't necessarily want to turn people away from the lady of the stars. Just to make sure they go in with their eyes open.
Having heard of Evie's own experience with losing her powers, Elizabeth is finding it more difficult to deny that it may one day be something she experiences for herself. And it's terrifying. Just the thought has her fighting off a shiver as she pushes away possible futures and what-ifs that may never even come to pass.
She focuses instead on the humor and relationship analysis surrounding the herald. "That sounds dangerous." Glancing around as if Safrin might be in the room with them, Elizabeth leans forward to whisper, "And, if I'm being honest, a little toxic." She smiles playfully despite the heavy topic of jealous territorial goddesses, shrugging her shoulders as she takes another sip from her glass. When she sets it back down, her face is still warm with a new hint of seriousness. "It makes sense that boundaries would be necessary, but I understand how that may be hard with a literal deity." The following laugh is a sympathetic huff of 'what can you do?' because there really is no 'right' answer for handling the gods' quirks. Even she, with her extremely limited interactions with them, recognizes that much; but maybe that's just because of her obsession with varying relationships and personalities. It still makes her wonder, "Are things better with Vi?"
Elizabeth went to take another sip of her drink while waiting for him to answer before realizing that a slightly unpleasant haze was starting to settle over her thoughts. Her alcohol tolerance isn't something she's experimented with much, and perhaps she'd do that another day, when she wasn't sitting before a demigod. For now, she slides her glass a little out of reach, giving Ronin a sheepish smile. "I don't usually drink this much."
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
Barking out a laugh as he absently shuffles the cards with deft fingers, Ronin doesn't even bother to lower his voice as he nods his agreement. "Dangerous and toxic are both rather apt descriptors," he agrees, setting the deck down in lieu of picking his glass back up. "Mm, given that I died and she was literally responsible for putting me back on Caido as her demigod, to say that the power dynamic was a little skewed is putting it lightly." Even for a situation where it would always tip in the goddess's favour.
What can you do, though? Other than what Ronin had done, which is accept the switch in alliance when it had presented itself, and he lets out a long sigh and a lot of tension he hasn't realised he'd been holding as she mentions Vi. "Very much," he says. "There's no guesswork, no layers of meaning. I know what he wants from me and I know how to do it." And gods, having things be that straightfoward has been a balm on his mental heath all on its own.
Chuckling to see Elizabeth slide her glass out of reach, he follows suit if only so she doesn't feel obligated to keep up with him. "Torchline brings it out in people, I think." He grins.
As much as she tries to avoid flipping the switch on 'therapist mode,' how do you turn off what you are? So as much as Elizabeth fights it, she finds herself validating Ronin's emotions around the negative experience, analyzing the toxicity and trauma. "I'm sure that was difficult. It would be hard to say 'no' to someone you owe a life debt to." Not that she would know that personally, but she can't imagine anyone could avoid the guilt-trip of 'You would be dead without me.' But how do you value a life? A few favors in return? A 'thank you'? Loyalty? Indentured servitude? When did it stop? That's where a relationship takes a real strain.
The smile she gives isn't pitying, only warmly supportive and open as she says, "As much as I'm sure you were relieved to be alive, there must have been a lot of other emotions there. I'm happy to hear you escaped." 'Escaped unscathed' didn't seem likely, but leaving a toxic relationship is the first step to rebuilding, and the man before her looks anything but broken. And she feels fairly certain that it has a lot to do with Vi. "After such chaos and manipulation, I'm glad that Vi has given you the structure and trust that you need."
If only to remind herself that she shouldn't be acting as therapist, she lunges at the topic of Torchline culture and her own buzz. Pressing a hand to her fuzzy head, Elizabeth shakes her head. "As long as it doesn't bring any other things out, I don't think I mind." She laughs, grateful that she doesn't feel any nausea or desires to throw herself at attractive people.
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
"Mm, it was difficult," Ronin says with ready agreement and a sad nod of his head. "Especially since, at least at first, everything she asked I was more than ready to give. Our purposes were aligned. It was only later that... well, I don't know if I changed or if she did, but I suspect it was me." And that, regrettably, is where their paths had begun to split. Smiling, the expression a little bittersweet, he nonetheless agrees with Elizabeth and her choice of words - escaped is certainly how it had felt in the end.
"Thank you," he says, and he means it. "You know, I don't think I realised how much I needed to have this conversation with someone." Laughing, he'd have raised his glass in a toast if it wasn't for the two of them just this second deciding to stop drinking. And as for Torchline bringing anything else out, Ronin grins and nods towards the bar. "I hear the lemon water is very good, if you want to pace yourself," he quips. "As for me, though, I think I've been out long enough that my husband won't turn me away if I slip home. Don't ask." He winks.
Listening to every word, Elizabeth gives him the space to process the thoughts and emotions. Like most people, his own growth and 'change' seem to have been the catalyst for recognizing the toxicity of the relationship. She beams with projected pride for the man and his achievements. Although there's probably much more to heal, he's obviously in a good place as he smiles.
"Anytime." And she means it, her own smile warm and open. Even if it's not in the 'official' capacity of therapist, she finds joy in helping others process whatever emotions or traumas they have. It's like watching that 'aha' moment click, releasing the chains and unlocking a world of possibilities and opportunities.
Sensing that more time has passed than she thought due to the perpetual dusk, Elizabeth pulls her jacket closed as she laughs lightly. "Perhaps that's a good idea. I should be getting home anyways. It's a long trip back to Halo." The busy skyport would probably be deserted at this hour, but the night ship should be preparing to depart. Wishing the best for Ronin and his husband, she winked playfully. "Good luck." She gives him a final smile then makes her way to the bar, downing a lemon water before heading out.
[FIN]
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
