faderift | Open | Hanging out with a King

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Open | Hanging out with a King

WHO: Iskandar and anyone who runs across him
WHAT: Iskandar is just spending some time doing various things and enjoying old and new friends along the way
WHEN: Last half of Firstfall
WHERE: Around Skyhold
NOTES: Probably nothing but will add as needed

Stables

One place that people could be sure to find Iskandar was at the stables. He was here a great deal since this was where his horse was and where he'd really been sleeping. When people weren't interested in sharing their beds with him anyway. That was something that certainly happened plenty since he was very large and warm. But for today he was currently seated near a wall, singing softly in a language many natives wouldn't recognize. Perhaps many Rifters wouldn't either. After all, it was his native tongue and there weren't going to be many familiar with Ancient Macedonian.

In his hands was a saddle which he had over one knee while he rubbed the leather down with an oil to keep it looking beautiful. Perhaps most Kings would find someone else to do this but this was something Iskandar had always preferred to do himself. There was just something so relaxing about it. Of course, this didn't stop him from noticing company when it arrived and he smiled at the new arrival, still singing as he did.

Library

It likely wasn't common to see a giant man enjoying so many books but there he was on the floor of the library with a nice pile of them around him. The subjects varied but it was clear he really was reading through them. In his hands right now was what looked like something about the histories of some land and he was scratching his chin as he read through it. Now and then he made a small hum in thought before he finally closed the book and went to stretch, pausing only a moment to smile.

"Ah did you want to read this one?"

Tavern

One of Iskandar's favorite places to be was the tavern. It was here he learned many of the songs of these lands and where he watched people just live. It was fascinating to say the least but it did have him developing a burning desire of sorts. One that was like an itch he couldn't quite reach. He was really going to have to take care of that soon. Which was why he went to sit near the first person that he saw that had a seat available.

At least the first thing he gave was a smile.

"Would you happen to know where one could obtain a harp or lyre?" Yes, he really was going to need one soon.

[ooc: This is an example of what Iskandar's voice would sound like. For obvious reasons this is not what he's singing. This is just to give you an idea of what the tone and such would be!]

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Rides with Bucephalus were a necessity now that his horse was a horse rather than just a spirit. The exercise was good for him and he enjoyed the rides very much himself. Which was why he made sure they went on them almost daily. Sometimes just a short distance and sometimes down through the woods. It was the latter today so he could enjoy the trees and just the very smell of the wood around him.

Smiling some, he paused when he thought he heard something nearby. His horse was at attention too, pausing to look off to the side. Curious, he turned the horse that way, slowly approaching to see what was going on.

"Hmmm...what do we have here?"

With everything going on it had been harder to find time to practice his forms, or rather one in particular. It was easy enough to turn into a bear by now, but he needed to learn how to utilize it better.

Course turning into a bear was not like turning into a dog, and Sam didn't feel like finding out how the residents in Skyhold would react. Probably with spears and swords. So out here in the woods where it was far enough away from the public Sam was working on turning into a large brown bear in a flash of black smoke.

He'd barely seen the black smoke when he finally came over. So what he was left with was a bear. A rather large bear in fact. Iskandar blinked a few times then laughed as he patted his horse on the neck. "It'll be alright, my friend. It looks as if we've just found a bear friend here."

Bucephalus seemed relaxed enough though, not sensing danger here. That was good enough for the great King who decided to sit there and watch the creature for a bit. "He's beautiful isn't he, my friend."

It's perhaps the scent that catches Sam's attention first, having been down wind, but the laughter is what has the bear turning around. He's obviously surprised to see the Rifter there, and his horse - which looks less large with him now about the same size.

What's curious to him is that unlike other people upon seeing a bear, Iskandar is laughing and... sitting. Good thing he wasn't a regular bear. Sam keeps his distance though, watching with interest what the man plans on doing.

Fishing through the bag he's attached to his saddle, he pulled out a piece of dried meat. He'd taken to making sure that he had snacks on him at all times, making it easier for him to have something to eat when he was out and about. Especially with how often he practiced the changes in his powers out here.

Sliding off the saddle, he took two steps forward then tossed the meat towards the bear. "Here. Enjoy, my friend. We mean you no harm. This is your home rather than mine."

Ah, well this was even more amusing. Iskandar was actually throwing food at him? For a moment Sam just stares at the piece of meat, considering, before walking up and eating it in a couple bites. Emboldened by this, and curious to how far this could go, Sam starts to walk towards Iskandar.

He tilted his head to the side as he blinked a bit. His horse was still relaxed and the bear clearly wasn't about to attack him. Still, this was a very different reaction to things. Lifting a hand, he scratched his chin before going to fetch another bit of meat. This time, he went and held it out, waiting calmly and patiently to see what the bear would do in this case. Creatures like this were not often eager to be around people but apparently this one was used to humans? Or was it the fact that it could smell that he wasn't? He couldn't be sure really but he could at least offer some food.

The bear doesn't slow in the least, coming right up and taking the strip of meat right out of Iskandar's hand. This time he seems to enjoy it a bit more, grunting as he set his butt down, taking a seat right in front of the man. Like this Iskandar doesn't seem that big at all.

Another blink and then he let out a laugh at the boldness of the bear. "Well then! Make yourself comfortable, my friend. I am enjoying your company as well." The man laughed again then actually went to sit down there across from the bear so he could watch the beautiful creature. He supposed this meant he could say he'd interacted with a bear now.

"The meat tastes good when it's dry, doesn't it. I know I rather like it myself."

Sam gives a grunt in agreement, chewing the meat a bit more before swallowing. Once done he reaches over with a paw and starts writing in the snow.

'Cake is better.'

Iskandar...stared. For a long time. Then he burst out laughing, holding his stomach as the realization came upon him.

"You are a mage! That must be it! It is no wonder you are so friendly!"

How smart, Iskandar actually figured that out. He supposes writing in the snow was a dead give away, but honestly a lot of people wouldn't have made that connection.

'Ah, you got it. Guess which one.'

It really helped that he already knew about this from another mage who told him she could shapeshift. Putting the dots together after that was easy. But for now he had to wonder which one this one happened to be.

"You know me then?"

The bear smoothes out the snow to give himself a fresh slate. It was fair to ask a few questions.

'I know you.'

"So that narrows it down to mages that I know. I'm friends with a fair few though." More stroking of his chin before he thought of his next question which should help him out.

"Are you male?" It wasn't like it was easy for him to tell male from female with all that fur.

Trying to check out his bear bits, Iskandar? No shame at all.

'Yes'

That narrowed it down further. Especially since many mages he knew so far were female. As far as he knew anyways. And given the fact that one such mage could barely pull himself away from his work...

"You're Sam! I had no idea you could shapeshift!" Laughing, he immediately got up and went to give that big bear body a hug.

And now Iskandar was giving him, a bear, a bear hug. If he could, Sam would be laughing in this form, though the best he gets out is a grunt to to signal his amusement. That and he wraps his paws around the large man - minding his claws of course - to return the hug.

Once the hug is over and he's given enough room, the black smoke engulfs him, disappating a moment later and leaving Sam in his normal form. "I wasn't expecting company."

"Well I wasn't either. I was just out for a ride with my good friend here when we heard something. Turns out it's a beautiful man who didn't mention he can shapeshift into a bear!"

He laughed again then reached out to pull said beautiful man close to him so he could deliver a kiss to his lips. Affection came easily to this one, that was for sure.

"Well you didn't ask." And clearly Kirk hadn't been excited enough to make that known to their large friend. It wasn't like he went around going 'Hi, I'm Sam and I can turn into a bear'.

He shouldn't be surprised by this point by Iskandar's affection, but he is, still getting used to being grabbed in such a fashion and being kissed. Maybe it was because he generally didn't get kissed after someone finding out he could transform.

The kiss isn't met with as much enthusiasm, not because he didn't enjoy it, but since he was chuckling softly a bit much to kiss back properly. "Just a greeting, or do you always kiss men who were just bears?"

"I kiss men that I have taken as lovers which you happen to be. The fact that you can become a bear is simply an exciting development."

He laughed a bit then went for another kiss, quite happy to have him in his arms for a bit more. If nothing else, he felt that Sam was a nice fit there. Tall and firm but not to excess like himself. A very fine body for holding onto like this.

"That and I can see you like the kiss."

"Maaaybe," he answers, trying not to grin so wide, but obviously he was in fact enjoying the kisses. It was just so different. The way he was just swept up and held was rather exhilarating, and Iskandar had a way of just leaving you breathless.

"It seems I'm not going to get a lot of practice in." Not that he seems to mind in the least with the smile on his face, and the way he leans into Iskandar's body, enjoying the extra warmth out in the woods.

"Well I could let you practice if you asked it of me. Though I would like to point out that you don't seem to be doing that." Hence why the man was still very much in his arms right now. Which was honestly a very good place for him anyway. He fit there very nicely and Iskandar did love to see that adorable smile on his handsome face.

"We could practice other things if you like though. I would be able to spare plenty of time for that."

He was in fact not doing that considering he rather liked where he was at the moment. An unexpected development, but an enjoyable one.

The mention of practicing other things, particularly the part with 'we', certainly grabs Sam's attention, making the mage's brows rise curiously. "What other things were you thinking about?"

"Well, this for starters." Moving his hands up, he cupped his face between them then kissed him deeply. Perhaps it wasn't something they had to practice on but he always loved to spend time doing this with his lovers so he could find out exactly what each and every single one of them enjoyed. He wanted to know right down to the last little detail, even for something as simple as kissing.

Oh he might suggest other things in a bit but they'd begin here.

Sam

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