[open] you're like a mirror, reflecting me

[qunari]

WHO: Iron Bull and all comers. That means you. Yes, you.
WHAT: Keeping the fort down at Skyhold.
WHEN: End of Kingsway (August)
WHERE: Sparring Ring, Tavern, and other varied locations around Skyhold.
NOTES: n/a, will add as needed.

He was going to need to find something to fight, soon.

Not that a break wasn't nice and all, but after being laid up months ago with that shit that had happened in the Fade, and sitting out all the bullshit going on in Halamshiral, Bull was getting restless. An itch was building that was hard pressed to find a good outlet for scratching. Next big fight that came rolling around? You weren't going to be able to keep him from going.

Some of the newer recruits could use some breaking in, so Bull would occasionally take a break from the training of his own Chargers to take on anyone who thought they might be able to handle themselves in the ring against him. And of course, any sore feelings would find a balm in quickly being offered a jovial pat on the arm and a drink in the Herald's Rest, where Bull occupied his usual corner.

But that restlessness saw him wandering a little more than he was generally prone to. Taking in the battlements, straying towards the garden in the keep's courtyard, poking his head into the library or the rookery, or stealing into the kitchen for a few midday snacks. And hey, if they needed anything heavy moved around the larder, fair was fair.

Comments

[gatheringstorm]

It's free space, and Korrin's not about to deny anyone else a drink. Even those on her shit-list aren't going to get the better of her, not today. If any arrive, she'll just put some distance between herself and them. But Bull isn't on that list; he just occupies this nebulous space that Korrin can't define. She doesn't want to, either, figuring it's probably best that way.

She manages a quirk of her lips that could pass as a smile, though it doesn't meet her eyes. "If I said yes, would you even believe me? You could take one look at that Orlesian envoy in the corner -the one who's sitting like he has a stick up his ass- and probably pull out their sordid backstory without any effort. I can't decide whether I want to drink myself stupid or go out and fight something, so you tell me what that means." No, really. Go ahead, she's not at all sure of herself right now.

[qunari]

"Means you've lost someone. That's all."

There are worse ways to go about it. He knows a few of them first hand.

He waits until his usual drink comes across the counter to him, with little more than a nod to the barkeep. He's here enough that it's not a question of if he wants to drink, or what.

Besides, his focus is elsewhere at the moment.

[gatheringstorm]

Nodding dully, Korrin stares down at her drink and finally takes a swig. It burns her throat a little, but anything's better than that dull ache inside. "When you're a mercenary, you think you'll go out in a blaze of glory. You know, fighting an ogre or high dragon or something else awesome. Not...not that slow wasting away, rotting from inside. That's not how an Avvar is supposed to go."

[qunari]

Bull nods, rumbles his agreement as he takes a swig. On this point, they agree. It's always better somehow if there's a badass legacy to leave behind. But it's not like the guy hadn't made an impact here. The waves felt at his loss were testament enough to that.

No one could ever say for certain who'd miss them when they were gone. No one ever real knew except the ones left behind. Bull turns his head, arches a brow at Korrin.

"Had his friends beside him, though." That's something, at least.

[gatheringstorm]

Her lips twitch, curving every so slightly into what could almost be termed a smile. "Yeah, in the end we were there with him. Like a lot of us, his merc band was his family. At least he had that...and the hold. We were able to give him a proper sky burial, like he would've wanted."

[qunari]

"How's that work, exactly? Don't think I'm familiar."

He knew of the Avaar, sure, but he hadn't really hung out, fought alongside them, or gotten to know one on a personal basis. More was the pity, then, for the lost opportunity.

But Korrin? She'd lost a lot more than that.

[gatheringstorm]

Taking a lengthy sip, Korrin slowly relaxes as she relates what she's seen. "Well, instead of doing the whole Andrastian pyre thing, Avvar dismember their dead and offer them to the Lady of the Skies. She's not only the goddess of the sky, wind and birds but the dead. So, the body is laid out and when the birds -her messengers- come, they carry the soul to the Lady of the Skies.

And then everyone leaves to go get shit-faced and tell awesome stories about the dead. That part, at least, seems universal."

[qunari]

There's a thoughtful hum of agreement as Bull takes a swig from his own cup.

"Stories are always gonna outlive us. Makes you wonder what they'll say about us once we're gone," he admits, reaching to scratch at the scruff of his chin.

[gatheringstorm]

That has her wondering as well, Korrin's brow furrows. "I'd almost settle for 'the world was going to shit but at least they didn't make it worse'." It may not seem like a high standard, but considering the amount of assholes deliberately -or inadvertently- contributing to the chaos, not adding to it might be an actual achievement at this point. "Hopefully with something in there about we fought the biggest damn demon ever in the Fade and kicked its ass. Not many can lay claim to that."

[qunari]

Bull chuckled, moving his tankard towards her in a mock-toast. "Now that was a fight."

Put him down for a while, but it'd been worth it, knowing something that ugly and malicious was no longer terrorizing that part of the Fade. Probably a million more like it. Still. Taking down a demon in its home turf? That was pretty badass.