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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!
karma's a relaxing thought, aren't you envious that for you it's not?
Team Pool (Flora, Sohalia, Mateo)
Flora twirls a curl around her finger, eyeing the yawning emptiness of the pool. "Sunjata-as-sprinkler would be good, but boujie is better," she decides, wiggling her fingers with a grin. "Let me handle the water, you two handle the vibes." She shoos Soh and Mateo toward the little bar tucked beside the patio, where bottles wait to be arranged and bright glassware gleams in the sunlight. "Mixers, umbrellas, inflatable flamingo army—make it happen. I want this place to look like a Torchline paradise by the time I’m done channeling."
Turning back to the pool, she exhales slowly and reaches for Frey’s tether, a little thrill sparking at the decadence of it. Asking a herald to fill a pool from the healing fountain? Over the top. Deliciously so. She lifts her arms in a theatrical arc, bracelets catching the light as she channels, asking the nature Frey to draw those waters here.
Team Perimeter (Niki, Remi, Sunjata, Ronin)
At first, things look easy: crates lifted, checked, and ferried across the threshold. Then they hit that one. It’s enormous—half again as wide as the doorframe, bulky and unwieldy no matter which way it’s tilted. It’s going to take all three demigods together to wrangle it inside without either smashing the crate, the door, or both.
Team Supplies (Danta, Asta)
The crate they drag into the hallway is heavier than it should be for just knobs, and the moment the lid creaks open, the problem makes itself known. Inside isn’t a neat assortment of thrifted antiques—it’s a jumble of mismatched doorknobs, all tarnished metal and cracked porcelain, clattering against each other like teeth.
And they’re loud.
The knobs mutter the second the crate is opened, voices low and mean, a chorus of insults that rise and fall in unison. “Clumsy hands.” “Pathetic grip.” “Ugly face.” “You’ll never get us straight.” The whispers needle into the air, every knob seeming to take its turn at a different insult.
So now the choice is theirs—try to install these cursed knobs and decide which rooms deserve to mutter every time someone opens the door, or stash them somewhere else entirely? If the knobs aren't used, new ones will have to be sourced!
Mateo and Sohalia will have just about made it behind the poolside bar when, between them, suddenly a deity appears. Clad in palm fronds and leaving sand dusted along the top of the bar where they lean, Frey tilts his head at the empty pool and regards it with eyes the colour of the sunset reflecting on the ocean. "Have you considered hammocks?" they ask Flora, propping their chin on a palm. "For napping."
Even as they speak, things are happening beneath the ground throughout Haulani, pathways opening in the earth, allowing water from the healing fountain to work its way towards the Doubletake's new pool. Eventually, with a soft pop, she'll notice an opening appearing within the pool, clear and crystalline water beginning to fill it steadily.
"Plant some citrus trees, too. For garnishes," they recommend, grabbing an orange from a basket and disappearing even as they start to peel it.
All seems to be going fairly well - the kitchen is taken care of and Niki is able to confirm to Sunjata that the boxes he's moving do, indeed, belong to the ground floor bathroom. Checking things off on the plans, he marks each room with an X once things have been fully situated. Much better progress than yesterday, he thinks; and then they get to the problem crate. Frowning as he approaches it, Niki spends a moment or two measuring it against the doorframe before letting out a sigh.
"It should fit," he tells the demigods. "But we will need to be careful. Sunjata, what if you focus on one side of it and go first - you are taller so it will be easier that way. And then Remi and Ronin can take the other side." And also it will keep the Taliesins together, which feels like a wise idea.
Jumping - understandably so, he thinks - as Nature Frey appears between he and Sohalia, Mateo can only watch in awe as the deity fills his sister's pool, makes their suggestions, and snags a fruit and leaves. "Flora what the fuck," he blurts, laughing. Stepping back, he folds his arms and glances at the inflatables.
"Well, I am not to be outdone here," he announces - and promptly channels a spirit of the air to fill the inflatables all at once. Flora wants an army, and an army she will get.
Niki gives suggestions to the demigods to get the problematic crate in through the door without breaking it or the doorframe.
Mateo channels a spirit to inflate all of the flamingos!
my body's on the line now, I can't fight this time now I can feel the light shine on my face
// he's nice, polite, he'll catch you by surprise //
The heaviness of the crate is surprising to him, but he doesn’t delve into it too much - unsure of just how many doorknobs might be in it or whether it harbored fancier plates to go beneath the knobs. So when they crack it up, his head tilts as he inspects what he expects to find carefully crafted doorknobs and instead finds something cursed.
Quite literally, as it turns out, because it begins to complain almost immediately. A chorus of insults that stream and spew from the crate immediately have Danta cursing back at them, and Asta so surprised by it all he can’t help but to laugh. Until one of the doorknobs calls him ugly, in which case it sparks an immediate complaint. “These are dreadful.” He murmurs, nose wrinkling as he tries to find anything halfway decent. When he comes up empty, he glances up at Danta with a contemplative look.
If this were anyone else’s home he’d have placed a few within. But this is Flora’s, and the last thing he wants is for it to mutter angrily all while looking as tarnished and unsalvageable as can be. She deserves the best, so, with Danta’s help, the doorknobs are brought back down and outside, and the two Ancient’s slip out to go and find a number of beautifully crafted and unique doorknobs for Flora’s home.
But don’t think the butcher won’t hang onto a few of the doorknobs just in case. It was always good to have options, of course.
As for Sunjata, the crate he’d picked up initially is easily placed throughout the room he’d been working on. And when he gets back downstairs and out to the rest of it, he stares at the enormous one that Ronin and Remi are standing by trying to figure out how to bring it in. Niki, as usual, harbors a good eye. And with his instruction, he nods and steps over to the side of the crate the necromancer has instructed. “Alright, we’ve got this.” He murmurs, taking the side indicated and lifting it when he’s sure the other demigods have the other side. And once they have a good grip, he begins to try and guide it through the opening.
Asta and Danta go to source new doorknobs! (But they are keeping a few for the lols later).
Sunjata follows Niki’s advice and takes one side of it and will guide it in slowly with the help of Remi and Ronin.
I don't even know myself at all I thought I would be happy by now
Flora would call upon a herald to fill her pool. As Nature Frey appeared between Sohalia and Mateo, the Luminary blinked, smothering a laugh at her friend's audacity. Fortunately, the god seemed to be fine with being summoned, and with a soft pop! the pool began to fill. Soh offered a shy smile to the herald before they departed, and then she got to work alongside her friends to make the pool area absolutely perfect for Flora.
With Mateo on the inflatables, that left Soh to prepare the outdoor bar that sat alongside the pool. She began to arrange items artfully, placing glasses and mixers and bottles of various wines and liquors just so as she worked. Once she was reasonably pleased with her progress, she turned her attention to the seating arrangements. There were chairs, and chaises, and barstools, and Soh moved it all about until it looked like a proper area to host a party, complete with throw pillows and a rug and some little trinkets and knickknacks to make it feel more homey.
---
Soh works on the outdoor bar and patio!
The more I try to push it, I realize Gotta let go of control
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Sohalia.
karma's a relaxing thought, aren't you envious that for you it's not?
Flora nearly squeals with delight when Frey appears and watches the pool fill with crystalline water. "See? Boujie pays off," she declares, throwing a wink over her shoulder at Sohalia and Mateo. Her laughter bubbles over when Mateo summons his air spirit, the little thing flitting around to puff the flamingo flotilla into life until the patio looks like a parade ground for inflatable royalty. Soh’s bar setup gleams like something from a travel brochure, all polished bottles and clever little touches that make Flora sigh happily.
From the doorway she watches Sunjata, Ronin, and Remi wrangle the oversized crate under Niki’s watchful instruction, each demigod bending their strength against stubborn angles until, somehow, it just squeezes through without splintering the frame. "Teamwork!" Flora crows, throwing her hands up like a coach at the finish line.
And down the hall, Danta and Asta reappear without the insult-slinging crate, which makes her grin all the brighter. "Good call," she calls after them, though she suspects those cursed knobs haven’t seen the last of her, or she, them.
With the last of the day’s chaos fading into order, Flora claps her hands together, bracelets jingling, and summons everyone back to the poolside. "Alright, babes,”" she announces, curls bouncing as she surveys her crew. "Phase three: shopping. The house may be built, but it’s still empty, and that is a tragedy. Luckily, all the best stores in Torchline have my name on account." Her smile is wicked and delighted in equal measure. "So—Sohalia, Mateo, Niki, Danta, Asta—you’re going shopping. I want you each to pick out things to make your rooms unique. Furniture, art, fabrics, chandeliers that look like sea monsters—I don’t care. Go wild. I want you to feel at home here, so pick out only the best."
She pivots, aqua eyes landing squarely on her trio of fathers, grin turning sly. "As for you three? Sorry, but no. I love you, I do, but the last thing I need is any of you making yourselves too comfortable here." She beams affectionately up at them. "Instead, I’ve got something better. There’s a massive stained glass skylight waiting to be installed."
Her laughter rises over the shimmer of the new pool, already picturing the sunlight that will one day filter through warm stained glass into the heart of her home.
Team Dads has to stay and install a skylight, while everyone else gets to go shopping to decorate their new rooms!
Jumping at the sound of Flora's praise - Niki has been watching with intensity as the three demigods wrangle the crate into the house as if staring at their progress will ensure nothing goes wrong - by the luck of the gods it seems that they've managed it. Flashing her a relieved smile, he supervises and ensures the crate is placed in the correct room, and the rest, blessedly, seems to go by without an issue.
He doesn't expect to be told to go shopping, something which is evident from the blank look on his face. "Are you sure...?" He has barely begun to object before Mateo is trilling a stream of compliments to his sister, kissing both of her cheeks and then departing with a flourish. And as the others presumably do the same, Niki is carried along in their wake more than anything else.
Shopping in Torchline is a much different affair than in the Greatwood, as it happens, but he does return with a few items he thinks would suit for being a guest in Flora's barbie dream house. While Mateo breezes by with potted plants and a gorgeously patterned hammock and the promise that a stained glass hanging lamp will be on the way as well, Niki's procurements are a little more austere.
A set of good quality metalworking tools; a knitted throw in shades of blue and green; a plush footstool. Oh, and a windchime made of driftwood.
Within the new house, of course, Ronin's contributions towards the skylight are both a help and a hindrance, given how it puts he, Sunjata and Remi in close proximity with one another. The skylight is up and beautiful, don't get him wrong, but now he's sulking in a doorway and waiting to go home.
Mateo and Niki get items for their rooms! (Plants, a hammock and a stained glass lamp for Mateo; tools, a throw, a windchime and a footstool for Niki).
Ronin sulks but puts up the skylight.
my body's on the line now, I can't fight this time now I can feel the light shine on my face
// he's nice, polite, he'll catch you by surprise //
Flashing a shark toothed smile back at Flora with her call, he ensures a few of those doorknobs will be coming home with them. But each and every one of them within Flora’s mansion were blissfully silent and opulent. Flora’s is the best out of the mix, if Asta had anything to say about it, glittering when the handle is turned and when the sun flits in through the windows. And the rest fill out the rest of the home by the time they’re done, his arm sweeping around behind Danta’s back, keeping him tucked in when she rounds them all back up.
Shopping is absolutely something he can get behind - evident by the sharp smile aimed Danta’s way and the wink, before they delve out into the city behind the rest of them lest Danta get too close to anyone else. And luckily for them, they’re left mostly alone as they collect a variety of items. A large shark jaw mouth to be hung on the wall for Danta, alongside sheer and colorful curtains that are draped over Asta’s arm and with the promise of an arrival of a specific stone to soak up the heat from the fireplace to keep their room hot for longer.
Asta himself picks some black out fabric for a canopy around the bed - a specific built addition to the bed in the form of ornate canopy rails. And plenty of shelves that would harbor the trinkets he intends to keep here in the half makeshift bed, so that Danta can thrive with his colorful curtains and the butcher can thrive in the darkness.
For Sunjata, there’s wariness but understanding as he nods to Flora and gets to work - trying his best to stay away from Remi but it’s proven difficult by the close proximity in which it takes for them to place the skylight into place. Luckily for them, they all have wings and the ability to fly up there to help hold it while it’s put in place, ensuring that it wouldn’t fall with the varying winds of Torchline’s coast.
And when he’s done, a smile is shot toward Sulky Ronin’s way in an attempt to keep the peace.
Asta and Danta pick up supplies for their room! (Danta has picked colorful and sheer curtains and a shark bite mouth to hang on the wall; Asta has commissioned a fancy canopy addition to the bed with some black out curtains for a portion of it to keep it from letting too much light in ((den vibes y’know)), and a bunch of wooden shelves to put more trinkets on. They’ve also commissioned a big slab of rock that’ll heat up from the fireplace and stay warm for them!)
Sunjata has tried to stay as far from Remi as possible given the small space but puts the skylight in!
I don't even know myself at all I thought I would be happy by now
With the bar set up, the pool filled, and the inflatables blown up, the outdoor area of Flora's home looked like something out of a magazine. It was beautiful and pristine, and Soh's chest swelled with pride as she looked it over.
But their tasks weren't done yet. Now, it seemed, it was time to go shopping. It felt wrong, somehow, to accept Flora's generosity, but Soh also knew her friend well enough to know that arguing would get her nowhere. Instead, she meekly filed out with the rest of Flora's friends, headed for Haulani and her favorite shops. And if she happened to put things on her account rather than Flora's, then, well... oops?
Her first stop was a home decor shop that she'd frequented prior to moving back to Stormbreak, where she picked out a few throw pillows for the window seat that Flora had promised her, along with some blankets to burrow under when she wanted a little extra coziness. Next, it was off to her favorite book store to gather a few of her most-read books - and then a few new ones for good measure. Then she went into an art supply store to get some cartography tools - a drafting table, some rolls of paper, and some charcoal to start - until she returned back to Flora's new home with a pile of goodies for her room.
---
Soh goes shopping for throw pillows and blankets, books, and cartography supplies!
The more I try to push it, I realize Gotta let go of control
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Sohalia.
karma's a relaxing thought, aren't you envious that for you it's not?
The skylight gleams overhead by the time Flora gathers everyone back together, its stained glass a wash of colour that dapples across the bare floors like jewels spilled from the sky. She knows the air up there must have been thick with tension, but her three dads pulled it off all the same, and she lets herself grin up at their handiwork before turning back to the others streaming in with their shopping spoils.
She claps her hands, bracelets jingling. "Ooooh, I can't wait to see what you all bought!" Her aqua eyes dance, bright with mischief, as she produces a little bundle from the pocket of her sarong. "But before you go and put everything away, these are for you."
One by one, she steps forward to press a key to her front door into each hand.
Mateo’s is wrought iron, delicate and curling like ivy. One of the leaves slides aside with a sly click to reveal a hidden compartment. "For…recreational storage," Flora says sweetly, her lashes batting.
Sohalia’s glitters with a stained glass heart at the top, map lines etched into the length of the key. "For your books and your maps and your heart that just keeps getting bigger."
Danta and Asta’s come as a pair, carved from pale bone and flecked with inlaid rubies. When held together, the two interlock neatly, clicking as if they’d always been meant to fit. "Because you’re trouble on your own, and utterly perfect together."
Niki’s is polished steel, simple and precise, with a discreet lever on the side. Flick it, and a small screwdriver slips out like a hidden blade. "Practical,”" Flora tells him, her smile softening. "And sharp. Like you."
She keeps the bundle close as she turns to the skylight crew, wrinkling her nose at them with unabashed affection. "Sorry, Dads. No keys for you. If you want in, you’ve gotta knock."
Her laughter spills over as she waves them all off toward the hallways. "Go—make your rooms yours. I want this house to sing with you in it!"
Almost done, go put your things in your rooms!
I don't even know myself at all I thought I would be happy by now
Flora shone in the sunlight as she handed out keys to her loved ones. Soh accepted hers with a word of thanks, studying it as her best friend moved on to the two Ancients. The key glimmered in the light, a stained glass heart topping it, and map lied inlaid into its length. It was perfect, and Soh tucked it carefully into a pocket, her heart full to bursting.
Then she was off, dragging her pile of goodies through the house until she found her room. Just as Flora had promised, it was perfect for her - save for a few finishing touches. The Luminary made the bed just so, tossing a few decorative pillows into place before turning to the bookshelves that framed a large desk on one wall. She arranged her books, then laid out her cartography supplies on the desk. The window seat she saved for last, draping a throw blanket over the seat alongside a few comfortable pillows that would make the perfect nest for rainy day reading.
Once everything she'd bought was in place, she made her way back to find Flora. "All done!" she told her friend. "What else do you need?"
---
Soh puts her things in her room, then asks Flora if she needs anything else!
The more I try to push it, I realize Gotta let go of control
Minor powerplay allowed without permission.
Feel free to use force/magic on Sohalia.
Not to worry, Flora - Ronin has no intention of entering the new dream house without knocking. In fact, they'll be lucky if he remains in said house for longer than it takes for her to finish handing out the keys. With the skylight complete, dazzling colour and warmth down onto the bare floors, it appears their work on the house is also done. And so, with a stiff nod to Sunjata (because as unreasonable as he is, he knows he is at the same time), he kisses Flora's cheek and musses Mateo's curls and snags Remi to sneak off home, provided they aren't required for anything else.
Speaking of Mateo, the botanist is delighted with the skylight, the key he's given, the hidden compartment, all of it. Beaming to his sister and trilling his gratitude in the travelling tongue, he'll smooch both of her cheeks before he sets off to begin ferrying his items up to his room, fully intending to fuss over everything for a long while before he samples the pool (of course).
As for Niki, it's with a puzzled expression that melts into something bashful and uncertain that he realises what he's been given, quickly figuring out what makes his key unique. "This is very generous," he says quietly. "Thank you, Flora," he says, smiling to her and quickly attaching the key to a set from within the satchel he's brought. "I hope the house is everything you wanted it to be."
It's slow going, but he will also carefully begin to take things to the room she's kindly arranged for him, meticulously placing the things he's purchased inside.
Mateo and Niki take their things to their rooms, while Ronin says a quick goodbye and tries to escape with Remi.
my body's on the line now, I can't fight this time now I can feel the light shine on my face
// he's nice, polite, he'll catch you by surprise //
Each item is slung over the butcher’s arm, with quite a grip between Danta and he for the large shark jaw with teeth gleaming in such a way that matches the very sharp points in Asta’s mouth. Not that he’s drawn the comparison, mind you, at least not verbally. He and Danta stand away from the rest of them, himself put between Danta and the rest just to keep his mind at ease as she goes to hand out the keys. A flicker of warmth and surprise blooms across the butcher’s face as he takes the key, inspecting it with appreciation, the ivory gleaming against his darker skin.
“How very thoughtful, darling. Thank you.” He hums with a sharp smile sent her way, twisting when she steps away to press his to Danta’s with a bit of delight to witness the two keys locking together. He has time after to slip his key into his pocket as Danta does the same and they drift into the hall toward their room.
Upon entering it, a low hum of approval slips through as he sets Danta to arrange the curtains in his chaotic grace while he finds a small stool to lift him tall enough to place the shark jaws above the fireplace, to give it that extra menacing vibe that he thinks they both could appreciate.
Once they’re done with their items for the moment, they slip back out to where Flora is, flashing an easy smile her way. “It is truly beautiful, Flora. Thank you for giving us a piece of it.” His tail sweeps low against his ankles. “Is there anything else that you require?” He asks on the heels of Sohalia’s own question.
——
Sunjata, to his credit, notes the stiff nod from Ronin but says nothing more, instead turning to Flora with a hum of a laugh at her apology. “I’d rather not walk in on something I’m not supposed to.” He assures her with a playful wink. “If you need help with anything else, just let me know. I’m not too far.” And she could channel him, he supposes, if she really needed someone immediately.
With all that said, he ensures she doesn’t need anything else before he, too, tries to slip away.
Asta and Danta decorate their room and return to ask Flora if she needs anything else!
Sunjata totally gets not getting a key and lingers in case she needs more help but otherwise will prep to leave.
karma's a relaxing thought, aren't you envious that for you it's not?
Flora's grin softens when Niki and Asta both ask if she needs anything else. s[ay]"You’ve already given me everything," she says, sincerity warm beneath the glimmer. "But don’t run away just yet." She claps her hands together, calling out so it carries through the halls. "Alright! Everyone meet me by the pool once you’ve finished nesting."
Outside, the pool sparkles water compliments of Frey and the bar Soh set up gleams with promise. Flora takes her place behind it like she’s always belonged there, curls catching the light as she begins to mix drinks with far more enthusiasm than precision. Umbrellas, citrus wedges, whatever she can reach—it all goes in, and soon she’s sliding glasses across the bar to each of them in turn as they appear.
"You’ve all made this house more than walls and glass," she gushes, bracelets chiming as she lifts her own drink high. "There are still surprises I'm planning on tucking into it, and once everything’s finished, you’re all invited back for the big housewarming party. Full Torchline blowout. Drinks on me, obviously."
She leans back against the bar, aqua eyes sparkling as she sweeps her gaze over them all. "Thank you—for building this with me, for being here. I can’t imagine a better beginning." Spice trills from her perch on a pool float, and Flora clinks her glass to the sound, her house already alive with light and laughter thanks to those who mean the most to her.
Say your goodbyes, ty, ty, ty!! Whoever posts last, slap a fin on and finish!
