faderift | (no subject)

WHO: Kain Highwind and OPEN
WHAT: Catch-all! Dracolisk bonding and brooding about the Fade-stuff
WHEN: Early half of June/Justinian (before Anders ritual 5)
WHERE: Around Skyhold, various places
NOTES: N/A, though there’s swearing if the parrot shows up

Stables

Kain heads into the stables toward the one where his dracolisk is currently waiting. Finding her off in the Western Approach had been no easy task, nor had winning her approval. But he’s managed to bring the creature back. She’s still a bit wild and stubborn, but he figures that actually means they’ll make a good pair. They've already started to bond... he doubts the dracolisk would have accompanied him back to Skyhold otherwise.

Today as he approaches to stroke her scaly neck, he catches the dracolisk’s eye. “Zephyr… that’s a good name for you. It’s about time you had one. Here. I brought you a treat...”

Outside Skyhold

Getting used to a new mount means he's got to spend plenty of time riding her. Kain takes off at a fast pace, getting a feel for how the dracolisk likes to move. He’s improved with his riding of four-legged creatures, looking confident as he rides around the surrounding area. Of course, there are some times when the dracolisk veers completely off paths… she’s got quite the mind of her own.

“Not this way!” Kain shouts in frustration, trying to bring them back to the nearest trail. Looks like he might be in for a bit of an exploration. He keeps his eyes out for signs of trouble, always wary of bears or other threats.

Tavern

Drowning his sorrows seems as good an idea as any. Many of his worst issues were shoved in his face in the Fade, and it’s all hitting him hard. He’d tried to ignore most of it as much as he could. Unfortunately, it’s getting to him.

So Kain takes a spot at the bar and orders a drink… well, two drinks. One for him, and a small one for his feathered friend. His parrot is with him, swearing cheerfully to anyone who approaches. Kain is so wrapped up in his thoughts that he doesn’t even try to silence the bird. He has a book on dragons with him, though even reading about his favorite creatures isn't doing much for him at the moment, so it's sitting there unopened.

Tower/Battlements

Up on one of his favorite high locations, Kain paces back and forth a little, before settling down. Then he takes out a map, which he starts looking over carefully. It’s a decent one, detailing both Ferelden and Orlais. He’s not sure if he really wants to leave, but he’s seriously thinking about it after the Fade. He’s too much of a danger. If he gets controlled again…

Well. It’s at least worth planning where he might go to if a need arises for him to spend some time away. He studies the map intently, occasionally pausing to just stare off into the distance.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

That gets her to laugh. "You already sound like a proud parent. And converted...eh. I'll take them over horses, but I've yet to encounter a mount I'd want as a constant companion. It's a lot of work, work I'm not sure I want to undertake. But I'm glad you two found each other, at least."

"It's no more work than raising a dragon." Ok, so maybe Kain was made for this, for caring for such a creature. He did well with his father's dragon back home, and he's really missed having such a companion at hand. Swearing parrots don't quite count in the same way. He's needed a mount he can completely count on. "And I prefer it. I prefer having a mount who I know, and who knows me just as well... it makes travel far easier."

"I'll...take your own on the dragon-raising. By now I'm sure you've realized that's not a common thing here." And that's likely a good thing, too. Qunari with dragon-riding forces is a pretty horrifying image. "Fair point, it helps not to ride a complete unknown. Just remember she's used to the desert; if we take her to other climates, she might need some time to adjust."

"Not even back home, not anymore... but I hope that someday we dragoons can reclaim our former glory." Someday. That requires getting there, first, of course. But at least now Kain is starting to see a path ahead, perhaps. Restoring the dragoons is a worthy cause, after all. "I'll remember that, of course. I'll have to practice riding with her on various terrain too, so she gets used to the idea of variety. I'm told they're hardy mounts so... I'm looking forward to our partnership."

"Take her out on a hunt, somewhere nearby? If nothing else, she'll have to get used to mountains and snow since we'll always have to come back here. I might come with, if I'm not busy at the time." Of course, Korrin will need her own mount, but it wouldn't be any trouble to borrow a horse, much as she dreams of nuggalopes.

"That's a good idea. She'll get used to both the terrain and the type of enemies out here. And I'd welcome the company any time. Just be sure to choose a mount that can keep up with us." Kain smirks a little, more or less putting the challenge out there. He's already starting to see what Zephyr is capable of, after all, and is looking forward to how great she'll be once she's used to the area around Skyhold.

"I can only promise that I'll try to find something that isn't skittish, but those with better riding skills often get to pick the better horses. Mounted combat isn't really my thing, though, so I'd really only need it to get there and back." When there's an actual fight, she'll rely on Fade Step to keep her moving across the battlefield. "Now you have me hoping you'll join in on the jousting at the Grand Tourney, though, if you ever head that way."

“That’s fine, then… even simply taking a mount to ride out there means we’ll cover more ground quicker… we’ll be able to get to different locations than before.” As for Kain, he’s typically not mounted in combat unless it’s a dragon, given they work best with his combat style… but there’s something to be said for trying it out on occasion too. He raises an eyebrow. He’s not usually one for fun and games, but on the other hand he likes showing off his combat skills. “I suppose it could be worth trying it someday.”

Korrin nods, encouraging. "Hell yeah. Who knows, you could end up being crowned champion of the games. It'd be a sight to see, that's for damn sure. I don't think anyone's done it with a dracolisk mount either, that'd be a first." Some people might hate it, but only because they didn't get away with it first. Oh, well.

Kain smirks a little. “I wouldn’t mind that… proving that not only are dracolisks the superior mount, but showing off what we rifters are capable of…” All in all, he likes any chance he can get to prove himself anyway, to show off his skills. It’ll be all the better getting people to recognize what rifters are truly capable of.