[Open] Time for some enjoyment

[conqueredhearts]

WHO: Iskandar and OPEN
WHAT: Iskandar is here to have a good time. Join him?
WHEN: Throughout Drakonis
WHERE: Skyhold and other fun places
NOTES: Probably lots of cute times. Maybe some sad times depending on the threads. But mostly a lot of cute and loud affection. Because Iskandar.

A. It's a new dog!

He'd been wanting one since first seeing the mabari. Now he had one of his own. A fine pup who tended to spend much of his time tripping over his own feet but was ever eager to be with and please the large man. Really he'd been told that an older dog would be recommended but they'd laid eyes on each other and that had been that. After all, once that bond was formed there simply was no going back.

And so one could find him with a puppy in one of the more open areas. They were training and it seemed that the puppy was at least rather intelligent at picking up on things! So long as Iskandar used his native tongue for the commands, something he'd decided to do just to solidify their bond further.

"Heh. What a clever boy you are, my Achilles Alexander!" The pup gave a bark and then happily ate up the piece of meat that he was given. And yes, Iskandar sure had named this dog after himself.

B. Training is important

The best way to perfect how one used their adjusted powers was to, well, use them. So he was around the training grounds to work with the couple of them that he felt could safely be done here. Name the teleportation and invisibility ones. So it was easy enough to spot him standing in one location only to reappear in another. At times he frowned and rubbed his beard as he considered what he'd been doing before trying again.

One could feel free to interrupt him though. He wasn't needing the concentration to do this really.

C. Memories rise to the surface

There were times when even Iskandar needed a moment to reflect, to think on the sadder days. Though he never regretted any of them that hardly meant they didn't weight on his heart. Many had been lost under his command or had given up much to follow him. Then there were times when he remembered Hephaestion and how perhaps he would never see him again. Or that his son would be someone he'd never lay eyes on.

So he was in the gardens with a kitten and a mabari pup curled up together on his lap. Both were sound asleep as if they'd been playing hard until that moment. He smiled down at them fondly, stroked their soft ears as he admired their pure innocence.

"It has been long since I had your purity, little ones."

Wildcard

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[ooc: This is an open post but there will definitely some top levels for some people! If you would like one and don't happen to see one feel free to hit me up.]

Comments

Sam - Date Triiiiip

[conqueredhearts]

Sam had asked for help with this little venture of his so of course Iskandar had said yes. Well it was more accurate to say that Sam had mentioned wanting to do this and Iskandar had essentially invited himself along then planned it out and now they were looking for birds. It had meant a trip for just the two of them but it had seemed like it was something his mage lover could use. If nothing else it would possibly give him a chance to clear his head a bit.

So as they set up camp, Iskandar happily sang a song from his homeland, a mabari puppy panting away nearby as he watched them work. He wasn't quite big enough to be helpful yet, after all. But at least he could look cute!

At some point, he saw the pup start to sway a bit before catching himself from falling over. Laughing, he looked over to Sam. "I do believe our canine companion is more tired than he would like us to believe!"

[el_tybs]

"I still cannot believe you bought a mabari." Actually, knowing Iskandar as he did it was not a surprise at all, but still... he had gotten one rather quickly. "And you named it after yourself." Again, something he wasn't surprised about, but still in a bit of disbelief.

"I'm not surprised that he's tired. He's still just a pup, and this hasn't been a short trip." They still had a bit to go. Sure there were birds up by Skyhold, but none of them were something he identified with, or not big enough for his tastes.

[conqueredhearts]

He laughed at that then went to settle into getting a fire started. The pup took that as a hint that it was okay to stumble over and lean against the large man. Iskandar gave his head a pat before returning to his ask. "I have wanted one since I first saw them. They are wonderful companions, wouldn't you agree?"

Of course he'd love the dogs though. What with their undying loyalty and fun personalities. They were really a lot like him.

"Though, people keep seeming surprised when I offer my name as suggestions for things. Or when I name my pets after myself."

Hermione - Hanging out with dad

[conqueredhearts]

He wasn't quite sure when it had happened but at some point he'd come to think of Hermione something like family. So he'd gone to have some little cakes made for them then had looked around Skyhold until he'd found her. With a warm smile, he walked up to her, holding up the little basket that he had. Well, it was a normal sized one but since he was huge it certainly looked much smaller.

"Hermione, come spend some time with me. We can have a picnic of sorts and enjoy the nature around us. I can even carry you there!"

Why carry her? Who knew. He'd just come up with it and it was out there now.

oh no she's late for dad hangouts!

[bookish_lioness]

Ever since returning from what was supposed to have been a simple mission that instead showed her a dark and horrific future, Hermione had been understandably withdrawn. She'd only talked about what she'd seen when it was absolutely necessary, because really, what good would come from telling people about a future that she was, in effect, changing just by having returned to the present?

So when she heard Iskandar calling after her as she watched the sparring going on in the training ground from a reasonably safe distance, Hermione was torn between cringing and being thankful. On the one hand, Iskandar had always made her feel comfortable; on the other, she always found herself telling him more than she would expect to tell most people, bar her closest friends. She supposed it made sense, in its own way, since Iskandar's constant check-ins ensured that their friendship gradually became a close one, but that didn't make the prospect of talking about all she'd seen that much easier.

Turning to look at him, she tried to force a pleasant expression on her face, though she was surprised that he actually seemed to have a picnic basket, as though having planned this ahead of time. She couldn't rightfully refuse him if he'd purposely sought her out for a picnic lunch. "Carry me?" she asked, a bit confused. "Even if I were resistant, why on Earth would you carry me?"

it's okay Hermione. you can make it up to him by riding around on his back.

[conqueredhearts]

"For the great joy of the fun it can provide!" He laughed then went to set the food down. Mainly because he was then reaching over for her to actually lift her up off the ground until she actually ended up sitting on his shoulders. A little shrug and she dropped right down onto his back, his hands easily catching her so that she wouldn't fall off. Looking over his shoulder with a grin, he adjusted her then picked up their food so he could carry her away with him.

She was indeed going to be getting a ride. He'd simply decided that for her. "Now, let us go to the gardens. They are beautiful and will be a good place for us to have our food outside."

If nothing else she looked as if she could use the distraction. The least he could do was provide that for her.

c

[universal_charm]

Kirk could not say what drew him to the gardens that day. He enjoyed the space, found it peaceful, but his own nature was not one to naturally seek peace and quiet. Maybe some instinct was driving him to seek meditation. It had been awhile since he had, and falling out of the practice was bad for him, that much he knew. Running achieved that usually, but sometimes he did need to sit and center his body.

He had thought to come to this place for that, and instead found Iskandar. It took but an instant to realize that something was... well, not wrong, but that Iskandar was not quite himself. Or perhaps he was himself, but just a self KIrk was not used to seeing. He was not diminished so much as he felt still, a thing he had never thought Iskandar capable of with his seemingly boundless energy and bottomless joy.

"Fatherhood suits you," Kirk said softly, coming up behind Iskandar and leaning down to wrap his arms around his shoulders, gazing down at the sleeping babes .

[conqueredhearts]

He heard the footsteps before Jim got up to him so he just gave him a smile as he looked back at him then back down at the sleeping ones on his lap. A soft laugh escaped him then. Fatherhood suited him, hm? "I always wondered if it would. Perhaps I would have been able to hold my boy like this in the gardens of the palace had he been born while I lived."

Iskandar gave a stroke to their ears again. "Unfortunately he was not a boy to ever know the face of his father."

[universal_charm]

That... was unexpected, to say the least. The histories said Iskandar had fathered children, though they had all been young when he died. He didn't remember if it had been one or many now, but Iskandar was at least confirming he did, indeed, have one child. One child whom he had never gotten to raise.

For a moment Kirk fumbled, unsure of what to say. He could hardly understand the position Iskandar was in, though he could understand the position of the child. Gently he leaned down against the broad back, pressing his lips into the thick red mane.

"You would have been a great father, Alexander," he assured him. "You spend so much time taking care of other people, after all. And he will have known you. He'll know you through stories his mother tells and the people around him who tell him even more. He'll know how much you loved him."

C!

[meds4sale]

The impression that the Medicine Seller had first gotten from Iskander was loud.

Loud and blazing. Even if the man were seated quietly in the corner of the room, just standing nearby would be like being in the middle of a rowdy party around a bonfire.

What he couldn't sort out was whether or not that was a bad thing. He made a habit of being generally distrustful to anyone so overtly friendly, but he couldn't pinpoint if that was how he naturally was or if he was hiding something under all that cheer.

The Medicine Seller made visits to the herb gardens for reasons that should be obvious. Spotting Iskander sitting with two animals was not odd. What was odd was that the man seemed quite a bit more subdued than when they had first met.

He approached, peering down at the dozing pup and cat.

"A beast's life is more complex than you might think."

[conqueredhearts]

It had been a little while since had seen this Seller of Medicine but he was just as pleased to see him as he had been the first time. Looking up, he gave him a smile then a soft laugh.

"It is true. For they are living souls just as you and I are. And the soul is anything but simplistic."

He looked down at the little ones and watched Hephaestion Alexander stretch to wrap his little paws more around the puppy. Like he was claiming that this one was his.

"They played hard today. I felt it best to let them rest awhile before we left the gardens."

[meds4sale]

The Medicine Seller's expression was mask-like as ever so it was near impossible to tell what was going on inside his head. But it was probably mean, snarky and full of misanthropy. Almost definitely.

"You seemed to be reminiscing."

Why ask when you can state? Not that it wasn't obvious, really, but still.

A

[circleprodigy]

Like attracts like. As Inessa's heading over to the usual spot where she plays fetch with Garahel, the mabari veers off and darts toward the sound of puppy barking. She has no choice but to follow, smiling upon spotting the source of his detour. As her mabari happily licks and nuzzles the puppy, she lets out a rare broad smile.

"So you joined the mabari club as well? Good for you, Iskandar. Hello, little one."

Relatively little, that is. She reaches into her pocket, then raises an eyebrow at Iskandar? Is it alright if she gives him a treat?

[conqueredhearts]

He blinked at the sudden large dog distracted his new pup. Of course he couldn't be angry because the utter confusion as the little one flopped over from the enthusiasm was really very precious. Laughing, he watched Garahel get to know the new friend, fully aware that the puppy would be just fine.

"I did! I have desired one since I first met yours."

Waving his hand, he let her know she could give him treats. And the puppy seemed to pick up on the fact that he was getting something because he clumsily got back to his feet and wobbled over to her with ears perked. Well, as much as they would go. They were still a bit floppy due to his age.

"This is Achilles Alexander. He's still figuring out how to move with the size of those feet but his ability to learn is impressive!"

[circleprodigy]

Garahel straightens, looking pleased -even smug- for being somewhat responsible for this very good life choice of Iskandar's. Inessa smiles fondly at the young pup, holding out the treat just with range. C'mon, pup, jump for it.

"I can't say I'm surprised, either at his learning ability or that you would name him after yourself." She chuckles, remembering his suggestion for a griffon name. "Give him a little time, and he'll be a faithful companion on the battlefield. I can show you how to apply the kaddis, to further protect him."

B

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin's a regular at the training grounds, of course, usually practicing her Knight-Enchanter stances. Or sometimes she's just there physically thrashing a dummy when in a terrible mood and in need of some release. It's the former reason that has her here at the moment, though the Vashoth woman is just finishing up when she spots Iskandar. Watching him disappear and reappear or vanish, she grins.

"Show off!"

[conqueredhearts]

He was pulled from his thoughts by her comment and burst out laughing. "I believe if I were showing off it would be to suddenly reappear behind you for a surprise instead, my friend!"

That would be the playful sort of thing to do anyway. Something he'd really only do with friends like her since obviously they got along so well. Turning to her, he walked closer to see what she was up to. No problem taking a break here. "What is it you are working on here?"

[gatheringstorm]

"Oh, please. You create a scene just by existing, your presence is that loud. Your magic just makes it even worse." Nonetheless she grins anyway, glad to see him again and always interested in magic that isn't her own.

"I'm just going through Knight-Enchanter movements. Now that we have less of that specialization around Skyhold, I've been thinking it's time for me to offer lessons to other mages. Maybe it wouldn't have taken me as long if it wasn't a Circle-born technique, but it is so it has to be perfect. I'm not going to have anyone thinking an apostate can't do the job."

C!

[not_the_question]

[ooc: (Some hand-wavey because these two FINALLY meet. also if you want me to change anything, I'm happy to.)

The Doctor had been pensive and quiet - well practically silent since they had returned. He hasn't talked about what had happened in the future, because that's not the sort of Time Lord he is. Especially when he's still conflicted over whether saying things will make things worse or not.

And being back here, he didn't have the distraction of "major crises". Which meant he thought about her way more than was proper.

He liked the gardens. It was fairly quiet and by and large people were more likely to leave him alone here. Or there were people to distract him as needed. He heard the man mutter about purity. He had basically said the same thing to Ashildr Me. Of course, he had said he was lost - not savable.

He looked down to see the kitten and the puppy. And couldn't help but make an observation.

"And yet... the pure ones are the ones that make everything else worth it."

It was mostly muttered too. That way the other man could decide whether or not to reply.

[conqueredhearts]

[ooc: It's perfect! I love it!]

He gave a soft laugh at the words that he heard because they were just the sort of thing he believed in. Conquering king though he was he still valued how precious innocence and purity were in a world where much tried to steal them away. Looking up at the man speaking to him, he gave him a warm smile.

"They do. I suppose this is why I am so pleased to have these two as companions of mine here. To have reminders of how worthwhile such things are can make the heart grow in ways not many other things can."

Giving a nod, he offered to have the other come and join him there. It could be good to have company with others no matter the mood he happened to be in.

"Would you care to sit with me, my friend?"

[not_the_question]

The Doctor raised an eyebrow at 'friend'. He hadn't met this man before, had he? Sure he was old, but his memory was pretty good this round - mechanical interference where Clara was concerned notwithstanding.

After a moment, he nodded and took the opportunity to sit next to the man.

"I'm the Doctor."

May as well get things out of the way. He wondered if any of his reputation proceeded him.

B

[kartereo]

Waver tried to take advantage of the training grounds.

Tried.

He knew he was best off taking advantage of them when he could and when Iskandar was around. Learning to fight with knives didn't happen over night, and now Waver had something close to stamina. He could run without wheezing constantly, his legs weren't jelly after half an hour of physical activity, and while those were sad accomplishments, they were accomplishments none the less.

But none of the work came easy to him, even with the promise of time with Iskandar. Waver would always be a creature of books. So every time he came to Iskandar to practice, he looked as if he was dragging himself along.

"--Hey," he announced himself. "Got half an hour to kick my ass?"

[conqueredhearts]

Iskandar looked over at Waver and saw that he looked as if he would really rather be anywhere but there. Frowning, he planted his hands on his hips as he turned to look down at him.

"Where is your enthusiasm, boy? This training is good for you! You seem as if I am punishing you instead!"

He shook his head then gave a wave of his hand. "Very well then. Attack me. Let me see if your lack of enthusiasm will actually aid you in combat."

The point was that it wouldn't but sometimes Waver needed to be smacked around a little to have a point proven. At least that was the theory Iskandar worked off of.

i;

[inagutterson]

Depending on who happens to be asking and when they're asking, the list of things Yngvi avoids is as long or short as it needs to be. Doglords rank higher because they're the reason Kirkwall is ruined now, completely, utterly, irretrievably ruined. Dogs just get added to the list because doglords can't be more than three feet from them or they'll explode, the Maker wired that into Fereldans everywhere.

Also he has nugs.

He has many nugs on his person (at his feet, in his pockets, up a sleeve, wherever a nug can conceivably fit basically) and let's be honest, what is a nug to a mabari but a walking sausage with ears? Which is why he's watching from a safe distance with several of them in attendance where he was going to instruct them on the finer points of how to construct a thieves lantern when he has to just making a pass comment.

"The dog is going to trip over that name mate." Says the man who has named nugs such things as Nug Wellington, Stronganugg, and even Tantervale Hotpot.

[conqueredhearts]

He'd noticed that his dog was paying attention to something, practically vibrating as he made sure to stay sat where he was since that was what he'd been told to do. For that reason, Iskandar felt it safe to pull his attention away from him to look over at who was speaking to him. What he saw was a dwarf who seemed to be rather cautious about being near him. Or maybe his dog.

All the same he laughed at the comment. "It is a grand name that he will have to grow into, I think. But he has the potential of carrying these two strong names well. Already he shows that he has great intelligence!"

He went over to pick up the pup so that way all parties involved wouldn't have to worry about him forgetting to stay sat down and rushing to the dwarf instead. "We have not met, my friend. I am Iskandar. Who might you be?"