Asit tal-eb

[quietblade]

WHO: Taashath & You!
WHAT: Catch-all for the month
WHEN: All through Justinian
WHERE: Skyhold (mostly)
NOTES: Feel free to hit me up on draiol for any specific starters!

I. Training Circle

Heaving the maul up on his shoulder, Taas grins a little bit as he steps out of the ring. That had been a pretty good fight, and he's pretty certain the soldier would remember to keep his balance with a large weapon this time.

Rolling his neck a bit, the big warrior limbers up a bit before reaching to grab the mug of ale by the side, taking a drink from that before he turns back. "Anyone else?"

II. Sign Language 101

The warrior isn't sure how the little lessons in sign language he had given Cyril and Sam now seemed both common knowledge but gaining interest from other people. It makes him a little bit awkward as he tries to explain the difference between spoken words and the way sign language worked for what felt like the umpteenth time.

He was happy, really. It made his life a lot easier, and if he expanded it, it could even give the troops a way to communicate silently with something more detailed than hand signals. At other times, he's pretty certain they only want an excuse to flirt with him.

"So... why do you want to learn this?" He asks, brown eyes studying the new arrival.

III. Tavern

Taas doesn't spend as much time in the tavern as he used to, but when he does come in to drink and have a good time, he allows himself to completely relax and set everything else aside. With booze, music and friends, he could bury the events of the last missions far back in his head and instead just enjoy the moment.

Catch up with friends, meet new people, pick up someone for the night.

Afterwards, he either went home with that somebody or walked out alone in the courtyard, buzzed and smiling as he looked up into the sky. Skyhold really had a beautiful night sky even with the torches and braziers going, and the sound from the tavern - song and laughter - settled his body and mind into something worthy of his name.

Calm.

IV. Wildcard!

Comments

II.

[gatheringstorm]

Of course Korrin has to attend. She's been meaning to ask Taas more about his sign language anyway, beyond learning a couple of basic signs from a while ago. This is the perfect opportunity to gain a better working knowledge of that, and though no flirting is involved, spending more time with him is never a bad thing.

She can't help but grin at the question, ready with an answer. "So we can pull all sorts of crap in front of people without them being any wiser for it. And I suppose it could be useful when we're on missions, too." That last part could be vital, since she certainly intends to include him when and where possible.

[quietblade]

He laughs at that, shaking his head a little bit. "Between all the dirty talk I do with Cyril via sign language and shit-talking stuff with you, Skyhold is never going to be safe again." Taas sounds almost fond when he says that, though.

"Alright, kadan. What do you remember from the little signs I've showed you before?"

[gatheringstorm]

Mention of Cyril has her grinning, but she'll try to remain focused. This is something she actually does want to learn, after all. "Let me see...I remember the signs for 'danger ahead' and 'darkspawn'. 'Dragon', too, though you know by the time we actually see one, there isn't much need to sign about it." Still, it's a sign meaning dragon, so of course she had to ask.

II - private lesson instead of public?

[samahl]

Cyril comes to as many open classes as he can, but the ones he enjoys most are the ones that are just between him and Taas. They're able to build on the knowledge that Taas has already given him and carry on fragmented sentences. He's getting better every day.

"How do you think I'm doing?" he asks, after one of their lessons finishes. Things between them haven't changed, even after Taas had told him that he was loved. Honestly, neither of them had wanted much to change. Still, sometimes when they were alone those words lingered in Cyril's mind.

Right now, it fueled his desire to learn to speak to Taas in all ways possible.

[quietblade]

Taas gently pulls the elf into his arms, smiling a little. He really enjoyed these private lessons with Cyril, and to be honest he put most of his effort into teaching the elf above all else.

Sharing was part of love, after all.

You're very talented. He signs, chuckling a little bit. "I'm proud."

[samahl]

Cyril's smile was genuine as a response to the praise. He always seemed to shine when he was complimented, even more when it had to do with his abilities.

"I'm glad," he responds. He shifts a bit so that he can press up against Taas but he can still see his face. "I'm also glad that these lessons are catching on." He felt like he was probably one of the first people to bring up the idea of learning to sign, and now many people were trying to learn. It seemed important for Taas to know that people were invested in him and learning to better communicate with him.

"You're doing well as a teacher."

II - maybe with a bit of I

[el_tybs]

With his current schedule, Sam tries to make it as many of Taas' classes as he can. He still wanted to learn sign, or at least not forget what he has already learned. It's good to see that so many people want to learn and that Taas seems to enjoy teaching - at least he wasn't so alone now with others wanting to learn to communicate like this.

Sam does miss those private lessons though, thinking back fondly to learning alongside Cyril, the three of them sitting in Taas' room with snacks and drinks, sometimes lessons just turning into jokes and messing around. Really it had just been Cyril's lessons that he had included Sam into, but it had been nice.

Today he has a bit more time to stick around, so when Taas is finished with his lesson he walks up. Making sure that he's seen as he approaches, he smiles some, stopping just short of where the taller man stood. "Hey Taas. How is everything going?" He's signing the greeting and question, but now that he's getting into more full sentences and conversations it helps speaking the words as he signs, in case he's messing something up or doesn't quite know a word.

[quietblade]

The private lessons continued with Cyril, but Taas didn't have quite the same relationship with the mage, and teaching Cyril naughty words in sign was a little bit awkward with company... he didn't want Sam to feel uncomfortable, after all.

That didn't mean he wasn't invited to sign-and-snack when he felt like it, though. They were kind of friends, after all.

"Hey, Sam," he says, signing as he speaks. "Things are going about as well as I imagined. Some are interested, others just want to ogle, and the soldiers just want swift signs to give orders."

[el_tybs]

Learning naughty words, not really. Being a third wheel and watching Taas and Cyril make naughty words at each other while just watching? Yeah. Besides the two of them needed their time alone.

Signing while speaking was certainly an easier way for him to learn since signing wasn't translated word for word. This way even as he got hung up on words or phrases there was still communication. "That's good. Really? Ogling?" Sam pauses at 'ogling' since he's sure he isn't getting that quite right. Once it's been figured out how to sign he continues.

Well he can't blame anyone for doing so, but that did kind of defeat the purpose. Thinking back to something in the past though has Sam smiling and tilting his head. "Has anyone asked you to flex yet?" Cyril. He's betting Cyril.

IV.

[obi_wanmanshow]

Obi-Wan had noticed Taas before, had noticed and taken note of him twice in particular, and even before leaving for the Western Approach, had resolved to speak to him. There was a saying, among his peers, which was that the subject of a discussion was only as reliable as its translators. And there is no translator you can trust as well as your own mind.

"Excuse me," He caught Taas in the morning, waiting for a moment when he seemed unoccupied, waiting until he was certain he'd been noticed, "If you have the time, I was wondering if you could help me with something particular."

[quietblade]

...fuck. Beard.

Taas looks a little bit awkward, trying to patch together the little he could read on those lips. The facial haior wans't as bushy as Blackwall's, so he could make out a little bit more. Excuse. Time. Help. Blinking, he reaches for the small journal in his belt.

"I'm guessing you want me to help you with something?" He asks with a little smile. "I'm afraid I can't hear you, so would you mind writing in this?" He holds out the journal and rubs the back of his head with his other hand.

[obi_wanmanshow]

And here came the crux of the problem-- Obi-Wan looked down at the handwriting in clear consternation, squinting. It was hard enough, still, for him to parse the printed version of the language, let alone the stylized, simplified and imperfect handwritten version. After a moment, he looked up, shook his head and--

--and found Taas looking at him with a mirror image of his own consternation. He had to laugh.

"We're both in the same pit," Obi-Wan muttered, rueful, then, with carefully broad pronunciation tried again, "Can You Teach Me?"

Phantomime could only get one so far, but with a few words in common an alliance could be forged. And from there on, who knew?

i;

[hlif]

It's been too long since Asher really had a decent challenge in the ring though part of that lately has been on account of the whole abomination almost charring him to a crisp back in Gwaren after a lively visit to the family up in the hold with something nasty that settled in his lungs. But he's back, better than ever, even off a job and everything and he steps up with a grin.

"I'm game," he says making sure to face Taas, axe settled on his shoulder. "Been too long since I had a good challenge."

[quietblade]

Taas grins widely when he sees Asher, a surge of adrenaline heating his veins at once. Fuck yes, fighting an Avvar would be a challenge indeed! Besides, Asher was a skilled man, no doubt about that.

"Alright! Just put a hand over your head or drop your weapon if you need to stop or pause." he couldn't really hear a call for break, after all.

Test-swinging his maul, the warrior rolls his shoulders a little bit before he gives Asher a 'come here' wave of his hand.

[hlif]

"Might need to break for water but it'll be fine, don't worry." If he waves away concerns about the cough from the start, then it'll hopefully mean it won't be something that'll come up like a nasty surprise. Because Korrin and Mal's looks are already getting under his skin, as kindly meant as they are, and he could do without that when he just wants to get back to being him again.

Giving his axe a few swings to get the blood pumping, he cracks his neck before he drops into a combat stance where he can put some real weight into a proper swing. Best to test just exactly what he's up against right off the bat.

For Zevran

[quietblade]

It had been a long, long time since he had heard from the elf, and he was accepting the fact that Zevran might have had second thoughts about that love 'confession' and needed his space. The qunari wasn't the kind to push, and was just going to let the other man decide if he wanted to ever come back to see him again or not.

(Somewhere in there, he was a little sad, though. He missed that nice voice and the softness of the tan skin under his calloused fingers.... or just talking, sharing.)

So it was a bit of a surprise to hear that Antivan lilt outside of the door to the night-guard's resting tower where he spent some private time when he could. "Zevran?"

Re: For Zevran

[ombranera]

He was going to have to start writing Taas notes instead of simply up and vanishing for stretches of time- it was hardly fair to the man and terribly inconsiderate of him- but he'd finally managed to wrangle someone to mind Lucci for a short while and he meant to make up for the time away.

Zevran smiled from the other side, arms leaden with a heavy basket- everything he would need for an Antivan massage, brandy, and a few treats sweet and savory nestled inside. "Caro mio, I have missed you keenly. Which is, truly, my own fault but I've a very good explanation for why I have been absent, if you would hear it. And I thought you are overdue a massage."

II

[scalethewall]

Funny enough, Blackwall hadn't heard of this little study group until after his return from the Western Approach. He's both surprised and completely unsurprised to see who is teaching it.

"Taas," He greets with a smile, offering his hand out for a firm handshake, clasping a hand on the qunari's forearm for a half a moment instead of taking his hand.

"Why? Uh, because of you... and the beard. I should probably learn a bit, since this isn't going anywhere," He outlines his mouth, a thumb and a finger going over opposite sides of his mustache, before flattening down his beard with his entire hand. "If you have the room, that is."

[quietblade]

Taas happily clasps Blackwall's arm in return, grinning at the man. It was nice to see him again, and even better to see him come here and want to learn. It would make conversation at least a little bit easier, even if he had started carrying around a small journal and a bit of coal after the awkwardness in the desert.

He still can't quite make out what the man is saying, but the way he moves his mustache makes him chuckle a little bit, and he shakes his head a little. "I'm not going to ask anyone to get rid of such a handsome thing, so here..." He holds out the small journal.

"Sign language isn't like an actual language. There's no real word-for-word translation. Instead of written word, it is more like a sculpture." He moves his hands while speaking, just to give a taste of what it looks like. "Fairly easy to understand, hard to master."

II

[universal_charm]

The announcement of a school had been exciting to Kirk. He was all for the advancement of education for anyone who wanted it, and taken up both the Mathematics and the Self Defense courses.

But just because he wanted to teach didn't mean he could not learn, and he had much to learn about in this world. One of his favorite subjects had always been languages, and sign language was just that. You never knew when you might come across someone with a hearing impairment or simply need to be quiet in an emergency. Widely useful, sign language.

Kirk looked up at Taashath with those corn flower blue eyes and smiled his most charming smile. "I like learning languages, for one. I figure it could come in handy when I start traveling outside Skyhold. You never know whom you'll meet, right?"

He knew some signs from Earth American Sign Language, but not very many, but those were probably next to useless here anyways.

"That and it'll give me something to practice at night." When he couldn't sleep but Sam was, or whomever he might be with for that matter.

[quietblade]

Taas grins back at the young man, a little amused at his eagerness and flashed amounts of charm. This was a Rifter, right? The qunari wasn't quite sure, but it might affect the lesson a little bit. Some things would be different, after all.

"Good answer. I'm Taashath, Tal-Vashoth." He signs his name and 'tal-vashoth' slowly. "I lost my hearing during duty on Seheron, and while I can read lips, sign language can help everyone here to communicate better. Especially in battle."

He continues to sign while he speaks, even if it wasn't as much for teaching the words as it was for showing how it looked. A lot of the signs seemed similar to ASL, strangely enough.

"There are two parts of sign language. The describing signs and the signed alphabet. The latter is used primarily for names, places and words that cannot be otherwise signed."

II

[justice_is_blond]

His eyes sparkle. "Because I'm already good with my hands in so many ways, I figured I'd learn another?" He lets the joke linger for a moment before he shakes his head and ends it.

"More honestly, it's to help. Not everyone who cannot hear can speak clearly as you can, and I assume that sometimes it's difficult to lip read. It will be easier to ask specific medical questions if I can sign, as well." Anders shrugs. "That, and I'll be certain that whenever I'm talking with my hands I'm not saying something entirely rude as well. Or I can say entirely rude things while sounding... somewhat diplomatic." As diplomatic as he ever manages, that is.

[quietblade]

That has him chuckling and he shakes his head as well. It was interesting to have Anders showing up here, but it would be excellent if healers learned how to communicate like this.

Even if so only for quiet orders.

"You're a smart man, and I'm glad that you showed up here. I may be the only deaf soldier so far, but there is safety in being able to communicate silently for both soldiers and healers." He nods at the man to take a seat wherever he felt comfortable. "Do you know any sign at all?"

III

[byblow]

The last time Alistair was around Taas, he wasn't particularly in the mood to make nice with anyone. And Taas was frankly a little scary, not to mention interested in killing a collection of baby Crows that Alistair is now very attached to.

But Zevran likes him. So here Alistair is--passing through the tavern for other reasons, not stalking the man, but taking the opportunity upon spotting him, pulling out a stool at the bar next to Taas without invitation and sitting on it sideways, elbow on the bartop, so he can give Taas an evaluating look, from horns to drink and back to meet his eyes.

He doesn't say anything. It should be obvious why he's here, in his opinion. (But if they wind up playing some sort of Silence Chicken, he'll definitely lose.)

[quietblade]

He's sorry about that, okay? Killing them seemed like the least dangerous idea at the time, but hey, It worked out in the end, and he didn't go murder anyone (else) in the group.

Taas is a little surprised to see the Warden sitting down next to him, though... and even more so when he's looked at like that. It wasn't a flirty invitation or anything he'd normally expect after being glanced at like that. Instead it almost makes him feel like he's about to be admonished by his Tama or something.

"Did you have some business of did you just want to stare?" Seriously, dude. You're the worst reminder of his Tama, ever.