Click here for a list of weather descriptions, seasonal festivals, and a real time:site time conversion.
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!
Rain was not exactly what she had been hoping for in her change of scenery. In Maea's mind the tropical nation was firmly associated with clear blue skies, heat and humidity. While it was certainly damp, the heavens had closed the curtains on her and wept continuously, as it had for days. The patter of droplets against the waxed cloth of her umbrella played a morose counterpoint to the sigh of windswept waves slapping against the docks and the calls and shouts of sailors as they worked. Standing off to the side so as not to get in the way, she watched them idly while waiting for her luggage to be passed down from The Marauder. It had been a change of pace, traveling by seabound ship rather than by skyship; she thought she could get used to the creak of timber and the roll of waves.
A single traveling chest was all she brought with her. Emptying the house of belongings had been quick work, a clear indication that she had not made herself comfortable in the Grounds despite her best attempts. Not even the office in the Atheneum had taken long to clear out. Most of what she had brought in was left for someone else to use, and what books and reports she'd chosen to keep fit with ease into the chest alongside her spare clothes, letters and toiletries. On one hand it meant she didn't have any trouble moving across the continent. But on the other hand, there was a lot to obtain if she wanted to truly settle down – not least of which was a roof over her head.
Losing herself in lists and the vague outline of plans for the near future, her gaze drifted out over the sea, paying little attention to any other travelers. Maea didn't expect to be recognized; anyone who might wish to welcome her would be busy at this hour, hard at work making the region run without hiccups. She would see them later, and hopefully figure out what role she might wish to take in this not-quite new, half-familiar land.
you wouldn't be the first renegade to need somebody
Flora pulls her jacket tighter around her as she steps out into the rain. Jack, ever the bearer of inconvenient truths, had just told her what he’d heard through his telepathy—a whispered chain of information from the Marauder’s quartermaster. Maea was planning to move to Torchline.
A sneer curls at Flora's lips as she strides toward the port, the wind whipping her hair as she tugs her jacket closer. When she finally spots Maea leaning against a battered crate under a flickering torch, Flora’s tone drips with sarcastic amusement. "Well, well. Look who it is," she calls out coolly, her voice barely rising above the sound of the rain. "I think maybe you got off a stop too soon." Eyeing the trunk with disdain, the queen lifts her chin. "Funny that you gave my Dads pretty presents for saving your life, but all I get is you apparently deciding to move onto my shores." Had it not been for Flora opting to bring Maea back with her, the ancient would have died in the desert; a decision the queen had long since decided had been the wrong one.
Flora’s words hang in the damp air as she crosses the distance between them. "I don't like you, and I don't want you here."
03-01-2025, 11:11 AM (This post was last modified: 03-01-2025, 11:11 AM by Maea.)
Maea
The worst of all blessings
Returning to the present with a jolt as someone nearby began to speak, Maea groaned inwardly as she saw Flora approach. Part of her wanted to shrivel up and cower in the face of that cold string of words. She suppressed it, inhaling as slowly as she could. Dressed in the armor that Dygra had blessed - picked out by one of said fathers actually - she somehow managed to keep her back straight, shoulders down, chin up. Actually up, because Flora was a fair few inches taller than herself.
There was a moment of silence following upon the last declaration. "I am sorry you feel that way," Maea said, voice soft and her tone neutral. "As I don't know you well, I did not know what to give you. I am very greatful for the help you gave me, though. Thank you. I'm sorry it took me this long to express myself."
Looking at the queen, attempting to assess the situation only to give up - she'd never been able to read a room anyway - Maea offered her a polite bow, hand over heart. It slammed away against her ribcage, throbbing through every vein; a call to arms she had to ignore, or she may as well turn on her heel and board the ship again.
"Is there a way to make you reconsider? I would like a chance to make amends for my mistakes and to start over in a new place."
you wouldn't be the first renegade to need somebody
Flora crosses her arms and narrows her eyes, her voice low and edged with scorn. "Bullshit," she snaps. "It's been seasons since I dragged back from the desert. A thank you now is a bit late—especially when you're only saying it because I called you out." She pauses, her gaze hard as she steps closer, the smile on her face turning cruel as a flicker of anguish tightened her lips. "If you hadn't been so stupid as to kill yourself out there, Ronin could've brought Seren back instead." A flash of grief darkens the queen's gaze as she straightens. "So even if you could make ammends for being basically the shittiest person ever to Asta, I can't really think of anything off the top of my head that makes up for the fact that you're here and my sister isn't." The accusation wasn't entirely fair, and even though Flora knew it, no part of her cared.
"Why don't you go start over somewhere else?" She wonders, her words sharp as broken glass. "Why here?" Maybe no where else would take in the pale ancient, not that that was Flora's problem; if Maea had burned all of her bridges save for apparently this one, there was always the desert.
Seren? Maea blinked, non-plussed about the connection until she remembered that Flora was Remi's daughter. Understanding bloomed, with a sickening rush of guilt to follow. Seren would be Flora's sister, whether by blood or not, and while maybe she could be forgiven for not keeping up with the tangled relations of the Taliesin clan, she really should pay more attention to the immediate family of her friends.
Maea looked down, examining the planks of the dock. "You are right... I could argue that I didn't thank your fathers earlier either, but that is neither here or there. I was too wrapped up in my own problems to consider anyone else. You are not the only person I have wronged these past months." Looking up, Maea's expression was full of remorse, her gut burning from the accusation - like she had died on purpose. Like Melita hadn't shot her twice. Like she wouldn't trade places with that starchild with the bright eyes and loving community in a heartbeat, ifasked to. It was unfair that she got to live when someone else deserved it so much better. It was unfair... but Maea wanted to live, too.
"I am so sorry for your loss, Flora. I really am. I won't try to shirk my responsibility for what happened in the desert, but if you must cast blame on someone, perhaps you should also ask Melita why she decided to shoot me again when I was already down. Ask Ronin why he brought me back. Ask Vi why I was allowed, but not your sister. All those things are beyond my control – I can only try to make amends. I am willing to try - I have told Asta this as well."
As for why she would choose Torchline? Running her fingers through the frizzy curls of her damp hair, Maea sighed. "It's warm here," she replied matter-of-fact. "I have some friends who live here, and I miss them. And... as far as I know, the government here does not use cannibalism as a means to punish criminals. Though correct me if I am wrong." A pale brow rose, looking to Flora for a contradiction. If she was wrong, Maea might just change her mind after all.
you wouldn't be the first renegade to need somebody
Flora folds her arms and lets out a derisive snort, the steady rain drumming on the weathered planks of the docks behind her. "I don't need to ask Melita shit," she says, her tone clipped. Either the Honeybee had a good reason for shooting Maea or she didn't, and it just as the ancient had said: it was beyond her control. "Ronin brought you back because he's a good person—something you clearly have no understanding of—and showing up here unannounced? Great way to make amends." Already the queen was growing tired of hearing Maea feign taking responsibility, as if just saying the words was in any way good enough. "You put us all in hot water with the Family at your stupid ball, you've been horrible to Danta and Asta, Melita clearly doesn't like you, you've been rude to me, and as far as I can tell, you're of absolutely no benefit to Torchline." Hadama was presumably the friend that the ancient was talking about, but given that he could teleport, the queen couldn't see why Maea couldn't just settle somewhere else.
With a sharp sigh, Flora shakes her head, covering the murmur of distant voices and the persistent patter of rain for a moment. As for talk of cannibalism? The queen keeps her expression coldly neutral; if she's surprised at all she's quick to hide it. The government Maea was talking about had to be either the Grounds or King's End given she couldn't venture to Halo, and between Danta and Sunjata, it wasn't hard to guess who'd allow for such a thing. Even so, Flora just shakes her head. "What the actual fuck is that supposed to mean?"
The queen's sentiment washed over her like so much acid rain. It stung and burned, and Maea felt her temper trying to rise in turn. But the more she looked at Flora, the easier it got to curb her tongue. Strangely, it didn't feel bad to be faced with the consequences of her actions. For so long she had been looking for someone to hold her accountable, and here it was. Some of what Flora was saying wasn't true of course, but enough of it was that it actually calmed her down.
"I was unaware that moving to this region required permission from the government," Maea replied gently. "I did inform Hadama of my intentions during the festival; he must not have had time to consult you about it." Ronin's reason and Melita's opinions of her were not something she could adress, nor did it seem to be a point in reminding the Doubletake that Maes had sent letters of apology over the ball incident. Clearly that was not enough - and perhaps justifyably so.
But when it came to Danta and Asta? "It means exactly what I said. My main reason for leaving the Hollowed Grounds is because I feel deeply uncomfortable with cannibalism being practiced where I live, even covertly. That lies at the root of my conflict with Danta and Asta; one I definitely did not handle well, I'm well aware of that. I have nothing against either man, save for what they choose to indulge in." She had no proof that the Maverick shared the tendency, but he had been so blasé about the scene she'd found Astaroth in that it didn't matter.
"That you think me rude is unfortunate, though I understand why you wouldn't like me considering our first encounters. It's not necessary though... Whether I can be of use to this region or not, I suppose depends on whether you are willing to make use of me or not. I've helped with projects here before, and I did hope to do more however I can." Gazing through the rain at the young woman, her head cocked lightly to the side. "Perhaps you might like me to be a scapegoat? Anything that goes wrong could just be blamed on me. It wouldn't even be entirely untrue."
you wouldn't be the first renegade to need somebody
Flora folds her arms and fixes Maea with a steely, unyielding gaze as the rain drums relentlessly against the weathered planks. "Do you ever stop to listen to yourself?" she spits, her tone cutting through the downpour like shattered glass. Her eyes narrow, and she shakes her head slowly, as if the steady patter of the rain itself echoes her disapproval. "You could not sound like more of an asshole if you tried." Tugging at her jacket, the queen gives her head a shake.
"Maybe no one has ever properly told you before, but it's this—" Gesturing with an elbow so as to keep her arms wrapped tightly around herself, "—that's the reason everyone hates you. It isn't when you fuck up, it's this fucking nonsense that comes out of your mouth. Why the fuck would I want you as a scapegoat?" Lifting her brows, Flora pauses only for one theatric beat.
"The answer is that I wouldn't; I have absolutely no fucking need to. It's just some nonsense for you to say to make it seem like you're taking accountability for your actions by offering to be some sacrificial lamb that no one ever asked for." Flora's words come out clipped and harsh as heat floods her cheeks.
"Go start over somewhere else. You aren't welcome here."
And yet, Maea was doing her best to be polite. What was she doing wrong here? How was she supposed to convey her sincerity if words didn't work? Was she... supposed to grovel more? Get on her knees and beg? At this point, that would likely only be seen as insincere, and likely it would be, too. Maybe the fact that she kept her head high was a sign that she lacked humility... though Maea just didn't want to come off as pitiful, like she was seeking approval from this person she didn't know, like or trust.
Flora seemed unaware that she'd already decided to lay blame on her. Whether she wanted one or not, the fact was that Maea was barred from making a home in the region based entirely on personal preference. It rankled. It was utterly and completely unfair, and the heat rising caused red splotches to appear on her face. Bunching her free hand into the skirt to hide how it trembled, the sinking feeling in her gut was difficult to swallow past.
If she couldn't be here, where was she to go? Only the regions were safe from the Void. Halo was not an option. The Climb? It was warm, certainly, but not inherently safe. Kings End? To watch Hotaru and Sunjata live happily ever after and continue to swallow back regrets for the rest of her life? Or she could go back to roaming. Become a true vagabond, staying nowhere longer than a night or two... It was a bleak prospect.
Don't run. No more running. Nothing will ever change by turning tail not. She sucked in a breath.
"Very well. I understand. Unfortunately I have nowhere else to go, right now. Would you allow me to stay for a season, at least, so that I can focus on finding another option?" Her jaw worked, trying to ease the tension. "Please?"
you wouldn't be the first renegade to need somebody
Flora scoffs, shaking her head as if disbelieving what it is she's hearing. "One season?" she spits, her voice icy and brittle with sarcastic amusement. "Oh no babe, you can have one week, and that's it." Her gaze hardens as she steps closer, the rain-drenched docks behind her echoing the finality in her tone, wanting to make sure that she was crystal fucking clear. "That you've made yourself unwanted all over Caido isn't my problem," she adds with a stiff shake of her head.
"I don't owe you a damn thing and in the past 5 minutes you've done nothing to make me want to help you out." She folds her arms even more tightly around herself to deflect the rain; Flora was the reason Maea had gotten to Ronin in time for her life to be saved, so as far as the Doubletake was concerned, the fact that the ancient had the nerve to ask her for a damned thing more was laughable.
"You want to live on my shores? Bring me one of Vi's Roses or Rae's lilies and I'll set you up an apartment myself. Until then, you can start over somewhere else."
Closing her eyes for a moment, all she could do was try to breathe. The tremor was in her whole body now, though why it was there at all the couldn't tell. Maea felt so very calm. Crystal clear, like her mind had become suspended half an inch outside her body.
One week. It was nothing, really, nött nearly enough time to sort anything out... But then, as Flora added to her ultimatum, it suddenly didn't matter. Vi's Roses? Rae's Lilies? That was... not impossible. It was something she could do. It was a sliver of hope, the barest glint of light at the end of a tunnel. Looking up to find herself face to chest with the Doubletake, Maea craned her neck back to meet the woman's stormy gaze.
"Deal," she accepted, surprised by how serene her own voice sounded. And determined. "I leave in one week. And I'll not return until I find one of those flowers." It was better than nothing. She had been given a chance; one, singular. She would not waste it. "Thank you." Believe it or not, but she was actually grateful. A little bit. Probably at the end of the day, when she had calmed down, she would be more so.
you wouldn't be the first renegade to need somebody
Flora watches Maea for a long moment, her stormy gaze flicking over the ancient one with a mix of disbelief and resigned amusement. "Well, great," she murmurs, the words barely audible over the relentless patter of rain against the docks. "Glad we're finally on the same page."
Without another word, she offers the pale ancient a curt nod. As Flora turns away, her thoughts race; she silently hopes that Jack has been listening in, so that she won't have to repeat every bitter syllable of this conversation; even if he hadn't, though, it wouldn't be too much trouble for the queen just to let it all replay through her thoughts.
