OPEN | Sitting near the fireplace
WHO: Nathaniel Howe
WHAT: Open Post/Catch-All for October
WHEN: All month long
WHERE: Camp Shady, the Kestrel House, and Skyhold
NOTES: Will update with any warnings.
WHAT: Open Post/Catch-All for October
WHEN: All month long
WHERE: Camp Shady, the Kestrel House, and Skyhold
NOTES: Will update with any warnings.
I.
Today is damp and drizzly, a bad day for the rheumatism that has plagued him on and off since the fight with Vengeance. He looks wan, and unlike other days, he spreads a blanket out before a fire in the Warden camp, pulls his hood up, and reclines against cushions and bedrolls as he cooks.
Yes, Nathaniel Howe is cooking.
Most of it is stirring pots of things. At one point, he is on his feet kneading bread. Then he is putting it in the small cast iron oven and covering it with hot ash to leave it to bake.
Join him in preparing the food, or in eating it, or simply while he reclines and sips from a mug of anti-inflammatory tea Anders made for him.
II.
On fair days, Nathaniel is at the range, shooting from bows of varying draw weights, saving the heaviest--his ancestral bow--for last. At times, he sets aside the bow and picks up a sword, going through exercises so ingrained that they become meditative, even nostalgic.
III.
In the Herald's Rest, Nathaniel has learned most of the songs and can sing along with them, though he has no idea who this Sera is or why the minstrel thinks "Enchanter" is pronounced that way. They're catchy songs, especially the one about taking back the sky and the one about Sera. The important thing is that they're singable and lift the spirits.
With no one listening, Nathaniel's singing voice is soft, low, and scratchy, but he can carry about three-quarters of the tune without a problem, sliding between notes like he's finding his footing on a muddy uphill climb and arriving just after the note is supposed to be sung.
IV. - Wildcard
II
"Mind some company?"
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Felix returns the nod. "And any more pointers you have, of course," he replies with a small smile. He keeps his voice casual because he doesn't want people to think of him as a charity case. He just wants them to know he's open for any input.
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"You're diligent," he comments. "Determined to learn. In my opinion, one of the best qualities a person can have."
For Anders
"May I?"
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"Of course." Anders releases the towel into Nate's hold and relaxes against the archer. It's nice to be able to simply trust. To be loved, too, but trust is such a luxury.
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"What did you do today?" It's one of those things, wanting to know every little detail of your significant other's day.
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"More specifically, healed, got another letter, tried to do more digging in the library about lyrium and ways to get it out of someone's system when it's been introduced. That wasn't successful. But at least I could heal more after that." At least there's something he can do for people here. "Oh, and I found that a little honey on one of Purrelden's paws will keep her entertained for nearly an hour."
That gets an upward flash of a brilliant smile. "How was your day?"
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His smile wanes, but doesn't really leave, as he begins brushing Anders' hair at the ends, slowly and gently working his way up.
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iii
"At least that always worked for me."
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"I hate to disappoint you, but that was probably just you."
He knows that's the joke that was being made, but he's going with it.
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He laughed. "Maybe, or maybe alcohol just makes everything look and sound better. Mind if I sit?" He patted the chair, pulling it out slightly.
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"Senior Warden Nathaniel Howe." He holds his hand out to shake.
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Kirk took the hand, shaking, only then realizing he had forgotten to put on the wrap he usually kept over his shard. Well, at least it meant Nathaniel didn't immediately hate him, which was comforting.
"I think we've met before - in passing. There were other things to focus on at the time," he nodded. "James Tiberius Kirk. I helped with one of the rituals for Anders."
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III
It was light teasing really because he really only found pleasure in someone who enjoyed a song enough to want to hum it in the first place. "The song is good though is it not? I've found myself liking it a great deal. Had I a harp I would teach myself to play it."
Yes. This giant man who was so warrior class it hurt just said he would like a harp to teach himself to play this song. Such was the way of Iskandar.
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"I expect our minstrel has a bit of a crush," he answers. "If a particular disagreeable girl inspires her best work."
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"I should like to meet her if she is."
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I
She flashed him a quiet smile as she stirred one of the pots for him, nodding, but she didn't say anything. It seemed to be one of those moments where she and Nate could just be quiet together for a little while, where it was all fine with the world.
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"So. Aleron." A gleam comes to Nathaniel's eyes. "How are things going?"
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A flush touched her cheek, although her smile. "Things are going ... quite well."
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II
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"A little more weight on your forward foot," he suggests.
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The movement feels easier and a little faster, a little more natural.
"Thank you," Kif says a little awkwardly. Some humans around here were helpful for the sake of being helpful, but he's not sure if that's what's happening here. It's never safe to assume.