Parkour!

[foxsays]

WHO: Araceli Bonaventura; open
WHAT: Climbing lesson 1: falling without breaking your neck
WHEN: After the wake; lessons can be picked up whenever
WHERE: Stables and that crumbling chunk of the battlements next to them
NOTES: lessons offered

prepwork;
A distinct advantage to her home is that when she taught herself, she had plenty of deep water to land in.  Skyhold has snow but until she has to, she's not going to go prowling the mountains in a hurry.  Skyhold does have plenty of straw from the stables and after a few tests, it's entirely sufficient to her needs and so armed with a rake, she gathers it into piles because whatever, her needs are greater and the horses can get it back later.  Anyone showing up early will have their attire inspected and be told to do a few stretches.  If demonstrations are truly needed, this is the time to ask.

falling!  (with style);
The roof of the stables themselves are low enough that it would take an exceptionally bad fall to cause an injury so that's where she bases the lesson, a ladder handily placed to help less confident climbers up and she talks them through it, the importance of breathing, of relaxing stressed several times.  The instructions are usually to stand on the edge of the roof, take a deep breath and allow her to give them a quick shove as they spread their arms and go as limp as possible to land in the straw but for those a little more confident and with at least some skill in climbing, there's the stables and hayloft to climb then up to the battlements, ropes helpfully attached because she has absolutely no desire to see someone injured in her first few days here.  Her instructions are clear, emphasis on not rushing, on looking for where your hand has to go next, to use the legs.

Everyday is leg day if it's parkour day.

warm down;
The lesson might be over but she won't let people leave without some cursory stretching at least.  They're cautioned about some stiffness the next day or so before she starts tidying up the straw into the proper place, happy enough to chat away or answer questions; if someone is willing to help clear up then she'll be in their debt because who enjoys dealing with straw, no one that's who.

Comments

Prepwork

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin isn't sure she wants to participate -her large frame means there's more to move, after all- but she needs a distraction from the wake and its aftermath. So, she'll head overhand to see how Araceli's managing. Her own clothing is form-fitting, but then she doesn't own anything loose or impractical, so this isn't abnormal for her.

Pausing to observe the raking, she crosses her arms. "Think you'll need someone who can cast barriers around people, just in case? Or would that just encourage recklessness?"

[foxsays]

Despite loving her flash things, clothes need washing and so she's in a slightly more plain ensemble, the shirt sleeves rolled up past her elbows to show off the tattoos on either forearm, as she squints critically at two piles to check they're even and match the first one she tested out. She mops the sweat from her brow - even in the cold, hard work is hard work - then smiles at Korrin's words.

"You've never leapt from roof to roof have you?" Glancing up from her work, she decides that yes she's earned a short rest, stretching the ache from her back as she perches on the fence. "It wouldn't be fun if it wasn't reckless, life is utterly dull if we don't live with some danger and excitement. Besides: first lesson, falling. I never had barriers and I used to climb up masts and have less than a second to judge making a jump."

[gatheringstorm]

"Oh, we have plenty of danger and excitement to go around. That's not a problem--though I suppose this is less urgent than what we'd normally face. And no, I didn't...which isn't to say that I never did anything wild or foolish."

Korrin smirks, plainly amused at Araceli's tale.

"And you never broke or sprained anything? Ever? Speaking of falling, do me a favor and pay special attention to Gavin, if he shows up. The silly elf met me when he fell from the rookery onto...well, me. If anyone needs falling lessons, it's him."

[foxsays]

"You know I used to be a thief, my excitement was very immediate if I was discovered. And some people react terribly if they catch you in the wrong bed even though they don't really have a say in that, of course there are ships too, but there are more ropes there but it still poses a challenge." Usually she takes the rooftops as much as possible because she enjoys it far more than the lower routes, meeting up with Lux later because he's got an uncanny way of knowing where she is and where she's headed.

"You learn very quickly to avoid such things when your mother can have as sharp a tongue as mine," she mutters, rubbing at her left wrist as if it's an old habit. "Broke each arm once, and an ankle. Dislocated a shoulder when I clipped someone's stupid ornaments on the way down but I was shot at the time - younger and stupid, they're good lessons." Hopefully no such fiascos will plague people here but much depends on how quickly they can learn to judge things for themselves because failures are only lessons to her, warnings for the future. "Wait, the rookery? The one above where the library is? How in the world..."

Progressing from prep on | OTA | watch each other fall

[el_tybs]

Falling correctly.

He hadn't been sure what to make of the note until he saw that particular line. Climbing was an important skill, but with how often he found himself falling or being thrown around, that seemed like something he should learn. For his own safety.

Course seeing the small doodle on the parchment had made him curious. He was pretty sure he knew who had put it there, but to be sure... he suspected he'd see the Elf at some point.

So this is how Sam finds himself at the stables, looking around curiously at the different piles of hay. He's curious and interested in the lessons, though he isn't quite sure about his attire. He didn't exactly have shirts that were form fitting. "Hello?"

[foxsays]

"Hello!" Shaking straw out of her wild curls, Araceli waves, weaving her way past the piles to greet the newcomer, taking a chance to move some of her tools out of tripping range. "Araceli Bonaventura at your service, just to spare any possible confusion," she elaborates, bowing with a flourish that flashes her hand for a moment. "You've come for the lessons?"

Honestly she's hoping she won't draw an audience just to gawk at the stranger throwing herself off the top of the stables although the horses are at least grudgingly used to her at this point and she used to how bad they smell.

[el_tybs]

"Ah... hello..." he says a bit dumbly, watching as the woman makes her way over to him. Honestly he didn't know who or what to expect when he came for this, but this was a pleasant surprise. "Bonave-" he's very sure he's not going to be able to pronounce that, "-Araceli. Ah... yes? I believe I am. The falling right?"

Araceli is rather chipper, and Sam has to smile at the energy of it. "Oh, um. I'm Samouel. Sam is fine though." For a moment he stands there not sure what to do, and then gives a short bow. No flourishes.

[foxsays]

At least she’s not in the habit of rattling off the full name that sometimes ends up sounding like one long thing given she tends to speak at speed. Today has to be a day of high spirits; doing what she loves, meeting new people, working until she's so tired she falls asleep without dreaming - all part of the plan to make herself settle in here as best she can.

"Always glad to meet someone new and yes, you're absolutely in the right place for the falling." She'd demonstrate but maybe it's rude to casually scrambling up a stable ignoring the horses snorting at you while you're mid-conversation with someone new. "Do you climb? It's easy enough to learn but best to find out where everyone is so it's easier to know how much I'll need to explain and demonstrate."

Falling!

[ombranera]

"Do you think it possible to make a large enough haybale to demonstrate falling from a height?" In Antiva City there were the canals and the ocean itself, but he had not quite tested falling into a snowdrift on purpose just as of yet- nor into hay. Much as he'd like to test said fall he wasn't about to do so until he was sure it wouldn't kill him.

[foxsays]

"If I could get everyone up, I know the snow is deep enough on the other side for it." She's been experimenting whenever she hasn't been busy watching people or poking around the library for some books to understand the general history of this world. "I suppose once everyone's had enough I can gather it all up to make a really big pile to land in, I'd need to check the ice on the snow at the other side, it takes your breath away a bit." Depending on the height, falling into water if you can't turn into a dive is like being slapped with a very flat hand, setting your whole body aflame and sometimes that snow is soft and powdery but there were very definite crunching beneath her boots that she didn't like.

[ombranera]

"I could rappel down to make certain that there isn't too much ice. Snowfall? A pillowy cushion. Ice? Is asking for broken bones." Of course that means getting up their first but- he has rope and a hook and time enough for these old stones.

[foxsays]

“Ah, the wall isn’t so bad, I can climb up and down it but the problem is the cold itself. If you’re in water you’re swimming so you warm up but that much cold and hitting it if you’ve been sweating? It’ll turn them to lead and possibly hurt them. If today has to be just about getting them used to falling, I’ll still be happy with it.” Last time she’d done this had been with the rest of the guard, the deep waters by the palace as she got them ready and tapped or pushed them depending on who looked too tense. The way Nerissa had sworn at her from below as she’d laugh from her spot on the rooftop, Leandra laughing politely from a window. “I’m keeping the ropes just to get them used to climbing up old walls but it’s got plenty of toe and fingerholds either side if you know where to look. The only rope I rely on is when I’m on a ship because I don’t have another option then.”

Plus it’s obscenely difficult to find anything suitable for a grappling hook back home so as a child she got used to her fingers and toes doing all of the work, learning every tiny crevice that would help her scramble up and to the rooftops.

Gorse Hissera-Iss | OTA 3 lines no waiting

[savethecat]

Prepwork
The thing is Gorse actually has quite a bit of climbing experience. Only boy his age in the whole commune, it was quite the hobby out in the wilderness with nothing else to do. That being said he's always looking forward to chances for practice, for improvement, or for just spending time with people who have similar interests! No one is so good at anything that they can't afford to learn how to do better, after all.

Already stretched and dressed appropriately - he sets down his scarf, leather vest and gloves with his pack at the edge of the barn - Gorse comes over to where the hay is being shoveled.

"Anything I can help with 'fore we start?"


Falling! (with style)
Falling was the fun part, when you knew you had a safe place for landing, alright.

He takes to the ropes easily but still takes his time like he's told. Practice, practice, practice and this would be how he has such nice legs thanks. He does wince a bit when he comes out from the straw he landed in, a faintly pained laugh in his voice.

"Banged my knee a little bit," he said quickly before anyone worried. "Nothin' busted, just bruised. Had much worse."

warm down
By the time the day is through the soreness from his knee is already forgotten about, like he promised it would be. Stretching is nice, he doesn't bother with a shirt for that. Vashoth portable space heater and all, even used to being in the deep cold south of Ferelden, he gets overheated easily.

He will also absolutely stay to help clean up, because who enjoys dealing with straw? This loser who finds fun in every task, he's like goddamn Mary Poppins.

warm down (so warm, so broad, so hot)

[ombranera]

Practically perfect in every way indeed. Zevran had intended to assist with the straw moving but- much like the last time he met Gorse? He finds himself mystified by his shirtless efforts. All that muscle. All that lithe, massive (by comparison) muscle.

"How is the knee, Gorse?"

aw yeah

[savethecat]

Gorse blushes a bit at Zevran's concern - or, well, a lot, since it showed on his dark skin and all.

He stretched it out a bit so Zevran could see that there was no stiffness to it anymore.

"All better now, like I said it'd be. You didn't get bruised at all, did you?"

[ombranera]

Mmm...the stretching. As entranced as he'd been by Gorse's torso he hadn't had the time or mind to oogle his legs properly- and there is so much to oogle. "It is a little different setting than I am accustomed to- but I have been climbing and leaping and falling for years in Antiva. This is familiar."

[foxsays]

From over where the ropes have been tied - more to allow absolute beginners to get used to being high and for something to grab as support in case there's a fall that can't be corrected - she beams, waving him over because there are many advantages to being her height and build but sometimes you need more.

"Yes, actually - you see those ropes? I'm happy enough with the securing for myself but," she breaks off, gesturing at herself, small, lightly muscled, built for moving quickly. "As you can see, I lack something in the way of being able to truly test these. If it isn't an imposition but I don't want to ask the people in armour who don't even know me, they'll ask where exactly I got the rope and what I'm actually planning to do with it and details, details, I have no time for their questions."

[savethecat]

Gorse looked where she gestured and nodded along as she gave her explanation. Right, that absolutely made sense.

"Well I imagine if they'll hold me they'll hold anyone." he said. As long as Taas or the Iron Bull didn't decide to try them out, anyway, as they were possibly the only two people bigger than him in all Skyhold before you started adding in armor. He wiped his hands off on his pants to make sure there was no sweat on them to keep his grip from being solid.

"Uh, stand clear, I'll do some damage if I fall on you."

[foxsays]

“Hopefully, I’ve been trying to test out the battlements in general, some parts are in such a state, hopefully they’ll get repaired or the next time it freezes and thaws whole chunks could come down.” She’s really hoping she’s chosen a decent enough spot because yes, there’s structural damage but it’s much more quiet and she didn’t have to drag materials back and forth across Skyhold and the medical tents are only a shout away. With a nod and smile, she steps away, stopping only to scoop up Lux so he can’t burst out if his bothering the horses ends up with him getting a nip.

“Thank you so much, I appreciate the help. And I’m sure anyone else who needs them will appreciate it too.”

falling with style (he is mean and I am sorry)

[dalishious]

[ While catching his breath, Merrick has taken to watching the first-timers, mostly because it's funny to watch people faceplant in straw (to him at least). Even when Gorse hurts his knee, he doesn't look concerned, just faintly amused. ]

Maybe you should take a break, big guy.

(it's okay, Gorse is extra nice)

[savethecat]

[Gorse laughs a bit at that.]

I'm thinkin you might be onto something there.

[He goes to sit nearby Merrick, wincing a bit when he bends his knee. It'll surely bruise, but nothing feels broken or dislocated.]

[dalishious]

[ Oh great, he's coming to sit by him. That sure backfired. Merrick rolls his eyes, crossing his arms and legs. ]

It's going to get tougher, you know.

climbing with style

[dalishious]

[ Merrick finds himself underwhelmed. If this is just climbing and jumping, he does that all the time-- What can she teach him that he doesn't already know? He'd said that he was here to watch Gavin, but secretly he'd been interested in what Araceli was offering. So far, it doesn't seem like much.

He runs the course anyway, because it's a convenient way to exercise, and this way he can spot Gavin in case the other fell (which he imagines will happen sooner rather than later). He springs about easily, climbs smoothly, all the while watching Gavin out of the corner of his eye. ]

[slipshot]

[Gavin on the other hand, is happily 'whelmed', because climbing and jumping is exactly what he came for. It isn't as if he doesn't do it either, he simply much more regularly takes the 'falling in spectacular and peculiar ways' route, even when trying to run a course.

So when he falls (as he inevitably does), it's almost in slow motion. He'd tried to do something fancy, and had miscalculated, started plummeting, swung on something and slammed right into a rather annoyed horse, gripping its mane for all of twenty seconds before slamming butt-first into the ground right below it.

The first hoof missed him, but the second was looking to give him a good wallop in the side of the head, and Gavin had a brief second to wonder just how ignoble death-by-being-kicked-by-a-horse-through-your-skull was.]

[foxsays]

[She was warned.

She was warned and honestly didn't think it would be that bad because she's taught people before but the instant the horse starts to make a racket, there's a fox yipping and snarling, just about covering her sudden cursing. With the ease of long practice, she swings down from her vantage point on the hayloft roof and tucks into a roll when she lands, swords rattling.]

Lux move! [The fox is shoved without ceremony as she plants her feet against the stable door to run up and in, her body between Gavin's and the angry horse, grabbing the bridle tight.] Come on, foot in my hand, we'll get you out.

[Preferably before this angry horse tries to bite her or knock her over. Maybe she should have taken Korrin up on those barriers after all but she definitely can't examine him in here.]

Can someone try to grab him?