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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!
The heat of LongHeat clings to the bones of the Hanged Man, but inside, the air hangs still—salted wood and stale citrus, the ghost of too many nights clinging to the bar like smoke. Vesper leans against it with one hip, a sprig of peppermint bark tucked lazily between his teeth, his fingers drumming a slow rhythm against the scratched surface. The place still smells like old rum, floor wax, and regret. Homey, in its own way.
His pale eyes sweep the room—chairs askew from some earlier brawl, a few cracks in the mirror behind the bar, the back corner still bearing the faint, lingering blush of the party that broke it all in.
"Alright," he says, voice smooth as melted ice, "we’re officially the new proprietors of this fine, upstandin’ establishment." He doesn’t sound even remotely sincere.
One hand reaches beneath the bar, rifling through what’s left of the stock while the other gestures toward the dim hallway leading to the supply closets. "Personally? I’d like to turn one of those supply closets into more of a private space." The pause is just long enough for innuendo to set in before he clarifies, half-grinning. "Somewhere folks can sneak off during parties without candalizin’ the upholstery."
He tosses a corked bottle onto the bar with a soft thunk and glances over his shoulder toward his sisters. "And someone," he drawls, "should have a word with the queen or her little ‘Lost and Found’ guild. See if they can crack open that locked back room." His eyes glitter faintly, shadows curling lazy around his boots. "Hell, maybe we join. We're good at findin' things, after all."
He straightens, stretching his arms wide as if to encompass the whole ramshackle pub. "So. What d’you two wanna change?"
PQ to Marinify the Hanged Man!
Round 1: What does everyone want to change/add/remove/update?
I'm pedal to the metal make no mistake, this is my pity party, pity party
& I'm living out of time, eternal heatstroke
Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!
☆ has a pale star tattoo beneath his left eye, and freckle-sized constellations move across his skin
☽ hair changes from bleached blonde to brown
☆ telepathic: Sunlit Shadows | The user can read the surface thoughts and emotions of those within a 60ft radius. Control is excellent. Note: "Thoughts and emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
suddenly i'm spinning like a ceiling fan, around and 'round we go
Stretching out in front of one of the windows, Caly’s hopped up on one of the chairs, tying back the curtain to let more light leak into the still tavern. Cracking the window open a bit to get some fresh air in, she leans back and wipes her hands together, watching dust fall from her fingertips in the rays of the sun that blooms through the window. Turning back to look at her brother, Caly snorts a little. “Folks or jus’ you, V?” She teases with a knowing grin, still standing on the chair because at least she was taller than Vesper that way.
It doesn’t last though, not as she peers around the Hanged Man and takes in everything while her brother continues. “I can talk to ‘er about joinin’?” She already had a reputation with Flora, at least. Perhaps it’d be easier to talk to the Queen while she was currently in charge of her bar.
As for the rest of it, though, Caly’s grin turns sunny with delight as she hops down from the chair and stalks over to the bar. “I wanna get a big stained glass window for the side’ve the bar. Thinkin’ we replace the window already there and it’ll be outta reach of anyone tryin’ to throw a fit.” Hopping up onto her toes, her smile is brighter as she imagines it - a ray of sun, casting a rainbow effect, with the moon on the other half and the starry skies of their mother.
Caly wants to replace the window next to the bar with a stained glass mural!
I keep stars in my pockets wear daisies in my hair
Claiming her new favorite spot on the counter, Nova swings her legs and hums a cheery tune as she takes in the bar without the distraction of people and loud noise. It sems musty and outdated, but like Vespy says, it's theirs - which means all the responsibilities and opportunities fall to them (along with all the work. UGH.).
She's running a finger through the leftover glitter when the first suggestion is made. Nova doesn't immediately get the innuendo, but Caly's grin gives her a good idea and she nearly gags. Her nose wrinkles like she's just tasted a lemon, or, more accurately, thought of her brother having sex. Kicking her feet out, she shivers dramatically. "EW. Just don't let me see anything." Nova thinks she recalls a phrase about socks but would settle for a light or sign that screams 'WARNING. ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK.' Some sort of indicator that she might have to bleach her eyes after (or perhaps add some glitter to some unconventional places).
The locked room is more than enticing, but she's already tried getting in, and unless she knocks down the door (which she's considered), it doesn't seem likely to budge. Content to let Caly meet with the Queen to get them access (for now), Nova perks again at the talk of a stained glass window, her eyes shining as she thinks of how the light will filter in through the image. "Oooh! I love that!"
And just like that, the floodgates of her mind open, a thousand other colorful ideas racing past in a rainbow blur. Her arms gesture excitedly as she speaks, energy sparking to life around her. "I want to change the upholstery on the seats! They're so old, drab, and dingey. We need something bright and fun!" It'll probably be a few different prints and vibrant shades, all complimenting each other inexplicably like chaos and order. "Oh! And a pretty chandelier! Somethings sparkly! With stars!" Not quite a disco ball, but close enough to cast the room in subtle rainbows that draw the eyes.
Nova wants to change the cushions and add a chandelier!
Nova
but I tuck you tenderly in the folds of my heart and take you everywhere
Vesper’s grin hooks sideways at Caly’s jab, all crooked teeth and teasing pride. "Well, not all of us have time to be taken out on dates," he drawls, eyes glinting as he flicks a glance her way. "Some of us have to squeeze our fun in between shots and brawls." His fingers tap twice against the bar in a faint rhythm before his gaze slips to Nova, still perched like a queen of chaos on the counter.
"If you see somethin’ you don’t like, you’re free to swivel that glitterin’ head of yours in whatever direction you please," he offers with a smirk, voice lazy with amusement.
But as the ideas roll in, real ones now—colour and glass and sparkle—he pushes off the bar and nods, serious enough beneath the smile. "Stained glass we can order in town," he says, stepping past them with a flick of his hand toward the dust-drenched window Caly had opened. "Upholstery too. I’ll measure the benches and booths today. We’ll get colours that don’t show blood or spilled rum too badly."' Nova’s style may lean toward chaos, but he’s not having floral print on everything. Probably; unless his sister is dead set on it.
He leans in briefly to bump Caly’s shoulder with his own. "You talk to Flora, yeah? ‘Bout the guild. If anyone can charm the Queen into handin’ us a few keys, it’s you."
Then, stretching his arms overhead, his shadows flickering faintly at his heels, he gestures toward the dim hallway. "I’ll clear out the second supply room. Get the bones of that private space set up before the next party hits. Maybe even find a sign to hang on the door so poor Nova doesn’t walk in on somethin’ traumatic." He shoots her a wink over his shoulder.
Round 2: Caly and Nova go into town and place orders for their stained glass, upholstery, and lighting! Vesper will work on clearing out one of the rooms.
I'm pedal to the metal make no mistake, this is my pity party, pity party
& I'm living out of time, eternal heatstroke
Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!
☆ has a pale star tattoo beneath his left eye, and freckle-sized constellations move across his skin
☽ hair changes from bleached blonde to brown
☆ telepathic: Sunlit Shadows | The user can read the surface thoughts and emotions of those within a 60ft radius. Control is excellent. Note: "Thoughts and emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
suddenly i'm spinning like a ceiling fan, around and 'round we go
Knowing her sister wouldn’t get the joke immediately, it makes it all that much more fun when it does hit their chaotic sibling, and it takes everything within Calypso to not snicker too loud to miss hearing the retort her brother loads onto his tongue like a bullet in a shotgun. “Sounds like a you problem.” She sticks her tongue out at her brother, before settling as she makes her choices, beaming at Nova as she agrees to the stained glass look.
“Ooh, yes, absolutely.” She says to the idea of brightening up the place and the beautiful, starry chandelier. Stuck in a moment of daydreaming, she returns just in time to glance over at Vesper as he mentions that they can order it in town. “I’ll help.” She confirms, flashing Nova a bright smile. Perhaps they can get her chaotic patterns out in the fabric behind the bar, where it would be less likely to be ruined by patrons.
Nodding to Vesper about talking to Flora, the young attuned seems to brighten. “We’ll get started on the orders.” She confirms, snagging her sister’s hand before bounding out of the Hanged Man to the respective stalls. Tugging Nova along with her to make her request at the glass merchant, ensuring it was the precise vision she was thinking of and letting Nova make her request for the beautiful starry chandelier, she then takes her sister to the upholstery merchant and peruses through the fabric while Nova explains, offering interjections if she thinks it'll get too messy too quickly.
I keep stars in my pockets wear daisies in my hair
Nova sticks her tongue out at Vespy, letting him see just what she might do if she has to walk in on something so unsavory - glitter in all his underwear for the next month and the most obnoxiously cheery song in her head on repeat. Maybe she'll even find a way to dye his hair a bright color. She'll let him decide if it's worth the risk.
Despite people's opinions, Nova can be reasonable, but she's also very determined to have her vision realized, and she won't settle for anything plain or simple. "I think we can find some leather fabrics that'll wipe off easy, or there'll be plenty of dark blues or reds that'll work. Just no black. That's boring." She shoots her brother a playful glare, knowing that'd be his choice if given the chance, but lucky for them, she gets to pick.
Hopping from the counter, she skips to the door and takes Caly's hand in preparation for the city. Her hand waves in a flash of sparkles towards Vespy, flicking at her hair dismissively. "Leave the designing to us!" And so she flits from glass merchant to fabric seller, ordering an extravagant crystal chandelier that hangs like a waterfall of gems, some shaped as stars to make it look like the night sky's falling down in a shower of light. As for the upholstery, she keeps Vesper's input in mind when she selects an assortment of dark blue, purple, and red designs. Some are floral, others an iridescent sheen, and a few with complex patterns of twists and geometrics. All will hide a variety of spills or bodily fluids while giving the space a chaotic yet coordinated look.
Nova places her orders with Caly!
Nova
but I tuck you tenderly in the folds of my heart and take you everywhere
Vesper raises his hands in mock surrender, the peppermint bark shifting between his teeth as he offers Nova a grin sharp enough to cut fabric with. "Alright, alright—no black. But if I find glitter in my underwear again, I will retaliate. And don’t think I won’t find a way to dye your eyebrows." He points between them with lazy precision, eyes narrowing in faux-threat before softening again as they whirl toward the door.
He lifts a hand as they go, shadows curling contentedly along the floor behind him. "Don’t let her talk you into sequins on the benches!" he calls after them, knowing full well it’s already too late.
The fabric shop is a kaleidoscope of light and colour, sunlight streaming through a canopy of tangled bolts and casting rainbow patches across the floor. Shelves sag under the weight of woven options—leathers, velvets, waterproof blends, and glitter-infused brocades. The smell of dye and dust hangs thick in the air, mingled with the sharper tang of citrus oil someone’s been using to keep moths away.
Behind the counter stands a sharp-eyed woman of indeterminate age, with gold hoops in both ears and a cigarette tucked behind one of them. She’s barefoot, her toes inked with fading floral tattoos, and she doesn’t look like she suffers indecision—or fools—for long.
At first, the shop seems promising. One roll in particular, tucked high on a back shelf, catches the light just right—a deep navy velvet with faint silver thread stitched into a starburst pattern. It’s clearly aged, one of those rare finds that feels both luxurious and lived-in. Something that might’ve been tucked away from the days of old sea estates or long-forgotten inns. But just as it’s spotted, a tall man in a sleeveless vest strides in behind them, the heavy jangle of tools on his belt announcing him before his voice does.
He heads straight for the counter, pulling a slip of paper from his pocket.
"Here for that galaxy-print you promised to hold," he says to the merchant, nodding toward the same bolt on the shelf. "Told someone up in the Silk Houses I’d have it by tomorrow."
The merchant frowns faintly, eyes flicking from the man to the shelf, then to the two girls already browsing nearby, both of whom she'd seen eyeing the fabric. She just shrugs, tilts her chin toward the high shelf, and says, "S’pose whoever makes the better offer walks away with it."
Round 3
Someone wants the fabric that Caly and Nova have been eyeing! what to do!
I'm pedal to the metal make no mistake, this is my pity party, pity party
& I'm living out of time, eternal heatstroke
Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!
☆ has a pale star tattoo beneath his left eye, and freckle-sized constellations move across his skin
☽ hair changes from bleached blonde to brown
☆ telepathic: Sunlit Shadows | The user can read the surface thoughts and emotions of those within a 60ft radius. Control is excellent. Note: "Thoughts and emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
suddenly i'm spinning like a ceiling fan, around and 'round we go
“We’ll see!” Is Caly’s last quip before the door slinks shut behind them and they’re off on their adventure into Haulani. The glass merchant goes smoothly, which seems to be precisely where their luck ends. The fabric shop is one that Caly adores being in regardless, though, running her fingers along the smooth and scratchy fabric, inhaling the scent of linen and cotton blends with the undercurrent of the leather and other patterns that Nova’s picked.
It’s about when she spots that beautiful galaxy print, velvet and everything that Caly thinks her and her siblings would love. Gushing over it quietly, her sharp gaze takes in the man as he approaches, right about the time that Caly’s made it to the edge of the counter. Her smile is sunny and feline, sharp and cunning as the merchant takes note of the way her and her sister had been eyeing it.
Her amber gaze flits to the man before drifting back to the woman. “The Silk Houses are gonna have to wait. It’s perfect for the Hanged Man.” She hums, glancing back to the man with an innocent gleam to her gaze. “Maybe y’can find somethin’ like it in your neck of the woods?” Aka, not here in Torchline, because this one’s hers.
“We’ve got coin ’n since we’re the new owners of the Hanged Man, it’ll definitely catch eyes. Nothin’ better than bein’ able to tell all our customers where we got our interior, huh?” A scratching of backs in the business. Besides, what good would the Silk Houses be for those here in Torchline? Caly can at least assure that there’ll be a few people stunned by it that she can flit by and tell them exactly who sold it to them and probably increase her own business in the process.
Caly suggests a mix of coin and business buddies (she gives them the fabric and they'll promote her business when people ask about the interior!)
I keep stars in my pockets wear daisies in my hair
The galaxy velvet pattern is certainly the best out of the one's they've picked so far, and Nova knows it will go perfectly with the others. It's why her eyes immediately narrow at the suggestion that they might not get it, because no one tells the Marins no. Her lips even come out in a pout, her nose scrunching with annoyance, and her arms tightening around the prints piled high in her arms, ready for a fight.
She looks the man up and down, trying to decide if it'd be worth splattering blood on the fabrics just to prove a point. But then Caly is smooth talking the shopkeeper, and she has enough of a cunning mind to play the other angle.
Nova's face brightens as she rocks forward on her toes to address the man, all innocence and unrestrained confidence. "This one's ours, but maybe you can pick something else!" As if he has an option, she tilts her head with an endearing smile meant to disarm, glitter hiding the feline edge beneath. "After all, wouldn't it be better to use silk for the Silk Houses?" She giggles as she looks around, her hair bouncing around her starlit freckles.
"See! That one looks even more like a galaxy!" Her head tilts towards a nearby spool of dark purplish silk at the same moment her magic blankets over it. Now it shimmers just a little more, a hint of dark blues and pinks making it look like a nebula captured in threads.
Nova suggests the man pick something silk (duh) and uses some illusion magic to make a silk roll look more enticing.
Nova
but I tuck you tenderly in the folds of my heart and take you everywhere
The merchant squints at the pair of them, her fingers tapping an absent rhythm against the wood of the counter. She looks between Caly’s syrupy drawl and Nova’s starlit mischief, and for a moment, something flickers in her expression—not quite a smile, not quite a smirk. Just the faint upward tick of someone enjoying the show a little more than she’s letting on.
The man, meanwhile, doesn’t budge at first. His eyes narrow as Nova points out the new galaxy silk, and his expression darkens like storm clouds over a warm sea. "That one wasn’t there before," he says flatly, voice rough from a life of shouting over machinery. "And the guy I’m making this for specifically asked for the velvet. Said it reminded him of home."
But then the merchant chuckles low, rubbing the edge of her thumb along her jaw. "Funny, that—‘cause the folks who just took over my favourite bar say it reminds ‘em of Torchline." She steps around the counter, plucks the bolt of navy velvet from the shelf like it weighs nothing, and props it against her hip.
"Tell your Silk Houses client it was snatched up by the Marins," she tells the man, her voice warm but unyielding. "If he wants to complain, he knows where to drink."” With a wink tossed to Caly, she turns back to the counter and thumps the bolt down in front of Nova.
"To the victors go the spoils," she says, plucking a bit of lint from the fabric and brushing it off. "And the marketing opportunity." The man scowls but doesn’t argue—he just mutters something under his breath and storms out with the jingle of the door behind him. The merchant only smiles as she rings them through.
Nice work! Now off you go to get some lighting!
I'm pedal to the metal make no mistake, this is my pity party, pity party
& I'm living out of time, eternal heatstroke
Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!
☆ has a pale star tattoo beneath his left eye, and freckle-sized constellations move across his skin
☽ hair changes from bleached blonde to brown
☆ telepathic: Sunlit Shadows | The user can read the surface thoughts and emotions of those within a 60ft radius. Control is excellent. Note: "Thoughts and emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
suddenly i'm spinning like a ceiling fan, around and 'round we go
Glancing over at the bolt of fabric that Nova conceals and brags about, Caly’s pride of her sibling only blooms in the cocky smile that blossoms against her face as she listens to the rest of the argument, already sizing up the man in case it grows into a fight. His argument is one that she’s already got her words loaded on the tip of her tongue like a gun – only held off from wielding it when the merchant chuckles.
Concealing the excitement at winning this little standoff, Caly’s fingers do trace along the beautiful velveteen fabric as her gaze meets the merchants with a knowing look and a wink, looking over toward the man as he scowls with a look and a following call as he storms out the door. “We’ll be waitin’!” Content to let her sister take the velvet bolt while they finish paying for the rest of their trinkets they’d found, she helps her sister as they head to the next stop.
To the lighting merchant, Calypso’s attention snags on varying glass oil lamps before spotting a chandelier with etchings in them that make the light appear almost like starlight where it dances across the walls. Pointing it out to Nova, she nudges her sister with her elbow. “What about that one?” She asks, looking to her sister expectantly.
Caly’s found a chandelier etched with little star marks that make it look like stars when lit!
I keep stars in my pockets wear daisies in my hair
The man's rough response earns him a mocking tongue when he turns his back, and her magic shifts to place a dark, dreary rain cloud above his head that follows him discretely until he storms out of the store. She pointedly ignores him with a tilt of her head, smiling smugly as Caly earns them the pretty fabric, proud of the person she gets to call her sibling.
When the bolt lands against the table, her hand somehow reaches out from the folds of the other materials, snagging it to add to her pile like a hoarding chipmunk fitting just one more acorn in its mouth. Nova lets Caly handle the payment and whatever other sweettalking she's got planned, humming to herself as she admires their haul. It's not until they get outside that she talks again, bright and cheerful. "You're so amazing! That guy didn't stand a chance!" She giggles, adjusting the pieces in her arms so that she can squeeze her sister's hand, only letting go when the upholstery starts to shift.
Nova manages to arrive at the lighting store without incident, slowing as they approach the sparkling displays of glittering fixtures (and definitely not because they've already been there). Her mouth hangs open before curling up in a beaming smile, enchanted by how bright everything is, just wishing there was more color to make it perfect.
The blue of her wide eyes finds where Caly points, taking in the waterfall of crystals that hangs from the ceiling. Tiny stars are etched into the larger pieces, casting subtle pointed shapes in the light it emits. She smiles, her gaze glued to the shining structure. "Ooh. I like that one. Do you think they can add more stars? Like dangling crystal ones?" She looks to the merchant expectantly, the innocent sheen of her eyes not unlike a child begging for a piece of candy, threatening tears if the answer isn't to her liking.
Nova agrees with Caly's choice but wants to add more stars!
Nova
but I tuck you tenderly in the folds of my heart and take you everywhere
The lighting merchant is a middle-aged man with wire-rimmed glasses perched precariously on the tip of his nose, a ring of soot smudged along one cheek from where he’s clearly been tinkering with oil fixtures all day. His work apron is scorched and splattered with melted wax, and when Caly and Nova enter, arms full and eyes wide, he glances up from beneath a display of hanging lanterns like they’ve just asked him to hang the stars themselves.
Which—technically—they have.
"More stars?" he repeats, tone somewhere between amused and exasperated as he descends from his step stool. "That’s hand-etched crystal. Took me six days just to etch the twenty on that one. You want more, I’m gonna have to charge for the labour. And a rush order, if you want it done before LongHeat ends."
He rubs the back of his neck, already mentally calculating.
"And that’s assumin’ I even have enough of those clear drops left. Got a fella from Halo orderin’ a whole set last week, near cleaned me out." His gaze flicks between the sisters and the chandelier, then narrows slightly—not suspicious, exactly, but assessing. "Unless you’ve got somethin’ to trade. Could knock the price down if you’re offerin’ goods instead of just coin. Don’t suppose either of you have a source for mageglass?"
Nova’s hopeful expression has him sighing and muttering to himself, pulling out a clipboard with pricing notes. "Pretty little things always want more stars..."
oop, time to haggle again!
I'm pedal to the metal make no mistake, this is my pity party, pity party
& I'm living out of time, eternal heatstroke
Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!
☆ has a pale star tattoo beneath his left eye, and freckle-sized constellations move across his skin
☽ hair changes from bleached blonde to brown
☆ telepathic: Sunlit Shadows | The user can read the surface thoughts and emotions of those within a 60ft radius. Control is excellent. Note: "Thoughts and emotions" include anything written in a character's narration in a post.
suddenly i'm spinning like a ceiling fan, around and 'round we go
The lighting merchant is one that looks like he takes pride in his work – and like he does a lot of it. It makes her think that he’s certainly the best one to come to, especially with how exasperated he seems with the idea of adding more star etched crystals. Her amber gaze flits over toward Nova, seeing the puppy dog eyes she flashes toward the merchant, and with the options listed out she scans the chandelier in question.
“Hmm.” She shifts her weight a little, the gears working in her head. “Don’t got a contact for mage glass, but.. Could ya adjust this one to fit more as y’make ‘em?” Extend the arms out and while they’d look bare for a few moments, as the merchant finished them, they could easily be tacked on. “Orrrr, we take this one as is and we can commission ya for two more?” So long as they had the big main one, the others could spread out through the hanged man, giving the effect of more stars but without having to wait until the end of Longheat.” Looking to Nova briefly in the sibling act of checking in with the options available, she looks back to the merchant with her own gentle, innocent and naïve smile that’s sunny as it is excited.
“We ain’t in the business of rushin’ perfection, y’know.” A brief pause as she steps up to the edge of the counter. “An’ we don’t really got lots of things we can offer, but we are the new owners of the Hanged Man. So if ya need a drink at the end of your work days, y’can come in and get the VIP treatment?” They could make sure there was always a spot open for the merchant, unless Nova has a better idea.
Caly suggests either expanding the current chandelier to be able to fit more stars as he gets the time to make them, or commissioning two other ones to accompany it to spread out the stars across the Hanged Man. She doesn’t have anything to trade currently, but she suggests saving him a good spot in the bar for whenever he wants or needs to drop by.
