OPEN | Sitting near the fireplace

[pinprick]

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.

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

Comments

III

[conqueredhearts]

One large man picked up on the voice that clearly wasn't the minstrel and he laughed as he went to join the man. It was rather hard to resist really but at least he was cheerful about it when he sat near him with a grin on his face. "My friend, I think you version might be rather more unique at this rate. Though I applaud when you do reach that hilltop for notes."

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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A hoarse chuckle. Nathaniel is no singer and he has never been under the illusion that he is. A poet, however...no, that isn't going to come up here.

"I expect our minstrel has a bit of a crush," he answers. "If a particular disagreeable girl inspires her best work."

[conqueredhearts]

"Ah. Does this mean that Sera is here?" He chuckled but it seemed he rather liked the idea of a minstrel admiring someone here already. Or having met once then met again. The idea was rather enchanting for certain.

"I should like to meet her if she is."

[pinprick]

"I've no idea whatever. I'd think it would be a bit awkward to sing a song about a girl when she's nearby, though. It would embarrass me, at any rate." A nod. "Nathaniel Howe, Senior Grey Warden."

[conqueredhearts]

He laughed at the confession. "I would be thrilled personally. I would likely be singing it in the hopes of her noticing I was there." Then again, he really had no shame at all so that wasn't exactly saying much. "A pleasure, Nathaniel Howe. I am Iskandar, King of Conquerors."

Sure maybe it wasn't always the best idea to add his title but no way was he going to hide who he was. Around anyone really. And at least he looked like he had zero intentions of conquering this place.

[pinprick]

A peculiar title that could mean anything, but Nathaniel doesn't imagine his own means much to a rifter either. he likes this man, though. He's louder and more boisterous than Herc was, but he feels there can be a similar sort of companionship if he allows it. Which he might. He has been wary of rifters since he first heard of them, but Iskandar is very charming and friendly. If he is a spirit from the Fade, he is a friendly spirit.

"A pleasure to meet you, Your Grace." It could be serious, it could be teasing just in case Iskandar was teasing himself. The two of them occasionally sound alike with Nathaniel.

[conqueredhearts]

He laughed at that then waved his hand. "Bah! You can call me Iskandar. For we are but friends and allies here. There is no need for such formality."

It was true that he'd had plenty of it when he was alive but it was largely unnecessary now. Though he was still a King he considered the people here differently. They were not part of his kingdom which really made them more allies in this case. And of course all people were his friends until they proved otherwise.

[pinprick]

Nathaniel lifts his mug to that. "Iskandar. How long ago did you come out of the rift?"

[conqueredhearts]

He quickly lifted his own in return then had a nice long drink from it. He hadn't tried it yet but he did wonder if he could get drunk now that his body required food and drink again. "I arrived at the beginning of last month. It seems I leaped from one battle straight into another!"