faderift | [ OPEN ] You'd Think I'd Know Where I'm Going

WHO: Jim Kirk & You
WHAT: Late catch-all for late August
WHEN: Roughly August 15 - August 31 (feel free to backdate for timey-wimey necessitiy)
WHERE: Around Skyhold
NOTES: Flirting, charmingness, possible bad language, possible head-butting, possible fights, general shenanigans

After the emotional trek to Asher's home and back, Kirk found that he was rather glad to be back within the walls of Skyhold. It was familiar and comforting and he knew what he could do here to keep his mind off things. To keep his mind off the passing of a friend that could have been, keep his mind off injustices in Orelais, keep his mind off his own situation. Funny, how death brought those things to surface with startling clarity.

He can be found in the early mornings running around Skyhold's perimeter, followed quickly by moving to working on his horsemanship at the barn (which in variably also means that he will spend some quality time around the bog unicorn, which in his mind he has unofficially adopted). More often than not he is also accompanied by a small black and white cat who has something suspiciously like a mustache on its upper lip. Don't tell Anders.

From there things are a bit more difficult when it came to finding ways to fill his time, except on the days when he was teaching lessons in math, science, and hand-to-hand self-defense. That latter of which he can now join in on since he has fully recovered from his previous injuries. It meant that more people were hitting the dirt, but that's how it was supposed to be. You didn't learn if you didn't come out with a bruise or two.

Of course he usually finds his way around to the library, usually in search of another story to read since he's not much of one for the historical texts anymore, biased as they tend to be in his view. Maybe he's napping. What? It's comfortable there. But why just ready about places in the library when he can out and explore in the woods outside Skyhold? Granted, he never goes far, but it's something and for just a bit he can pretend he's Captain Kirk exploring a new and exciting planet again. Let the Rifter have his tiny fantasy. (Invariably, Leonard the Cat tends to join him on this too, complete with fashioned harness and leash to keep him from wandering to far.)

And if all else fails he makes his way to the tavern, where he can easily be convinced to share a drink, sing a song, or maybe turn the tables and convince you to play some chess.

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Leonard rewards her with a healthy purring, pressing into her fingers, utterly shameless as he soaks up the attention.

"Anders," Kirk said with a snort, but his lips are smiling just at the corners. "His former cat was Sir Pounce-a-lot as I understand."

She continues to lavish attention onto Leonard, well aware that withdrawing her hand now might very well be seen as the highest level of betrayal by the feline.

"Maker," Amélie starts with a small laugh. "Where does he get them from?"

Edited 2016-09-02 04:55 (UTC)

It would be. She would lose what goodwill she had built, and cats did not forgive easily or quickly.

"I have no idea," he shook his head, still amused. "Our other one is called Nikita. And I am of the belief there is no need to saddle an animal with a cringe-worthy name. I wouldn't name a child that, so I'm not naming him that." He pointed at the cat.

"I also think he would contemplate killing me in my sleep if I did."

"Oh, I think he definitely would," she answers, gaze flitting up at him as she settles herself more comfortably on the ground, trying to ignore the fact that she can still feel the cold through all her furs and layers. Turning her attention back to Leonard, she coos, "You're more dignified than that, aren't you? Aren't you?"

Leonard meowed in answer and stepped further forward, working his hear into her lap, off the snow himself and now in her furs. Clearly it was the only place he should be, as a cat. It was his rightful place.

"I'm sorry, he thinks anything warmer than the ground is his personal chair," he shook his head. "What brings you out here, anyways? I assume it was not to serve as my cat's personal cushion."

She nestles herself onto the ground and accepts Leonard's attempts to settle into her lap. It is too late to resist now, after all. Still absent-mindedly stroking the cat, she answers, "I just wanted to get away from the castle. And..." She tosses a glance over her shoulder, at the bow strapped to her back. "... maybe get in some target practice."

It was. She was lost the moment she began to pet him. Such was the power of a cat. Kirk envied him, sometimes, truly. And hated him when he fell under that same power. Ridiculous, spoiled child.

"Same. Well, the getting away part. I don't trust myself with the bow outside of the target range just yet," he chuckled.

"Me neither, really," she answers, looking up from the now-purring cat in her lap. "Hence the getting away from... people."

She continues to scratch the top of Leonard's head, her expression settling into a lopsided smile.

"Well, you got away from people, and found a cat instead," he grinned, Leonard soaking up the attention quite happily - fickle creature.

"You know what, I don't really mind the trade-off," Amélie says, beaming down at Leonard, reflecting his happiness right back at him.

"Maybe I should consider getting some sort of animal companion after all."

"Heh, yeah, there are some days I don't mind it so much either," he agreed, happy to stand there and let soak up the cat's affection for as long as it would last.

"It's been good, having Leonard," he encouraged. "I wasn't sure how it would work out at first, but I like having him around. And animals are good for people - keep your blood pressure low, good morale boosters, non judgemental... well, at least I don't think mabari are. Cats judge."

"Aw," Amélie coos, scratching Leonard behind the ears again. "Are you a judgemental one?" she asked the cat. "Whar does your person do that you don't like?"

"I think cats in general judge. We're just big, dumb things that can't hunt properly and are terribly clumsy," he sighed. "All we're good for is good and being scratching devices."

"Hey, speak for yourself!" Amélie laughed, with a quick look over her shoulder at her bow. She really wasn't that good with it yet, but she was comfortable enough to tease.

"No, no. No one is as good a hunter as a cat. They have an innate and undeserved superiority complex," he shook his head sadly.

"If they are such esteemed hunters as you say, then surely the complex isn't undeserved?"

She has been neglecting her attentions towards Leonard; the cat butting his head against her hand as though to remind her he is still there.

"I didn't say they were good hunters - at least these two. I just said it was an innate complex," he shook his head. "Sometimes I worry about these two - couldn't hunt down the broad side of a barn." That was being a touch unfair, but honestly, if they didn't feed them they would probably be in trouble.

"Maybe one day they'll live up to their expectations as cats."

"I'm sure if they go hungry enough, they'll learn," Amélie said with a grin that stretched out across her face. Maker, it felt good to be able to joke like this.

Almost made everything feel normal.

"If you ever want to go walking with them, you're welcome to. They might learn more from you than me in terms of hunting," he said amiably, rolling his eyes as Leonard moved to try and climb the woman and onto her shoulder. The creature did so like being up high to properly lord himself over all that he saw.

She winced a little as the cat's claws dug into her as he gained traction. Again, she was grateful for the thickness of all the layers she usually wore; Leonard's exploration would surely be more painful if she were more exposed. "If you'd like a break, I will gladly take them off your hands for a walk or two."

"I don't mind if you take Leonard," he nodded at the mustached cat. "Nikita isn't quite mine to make that decision with, but you don't seem the sort to participate in cat-napping, so I'm sure he'll be safe with you. We might need someone to watch them from time to time though, going on missions and all."

"Well, maybe not 'til you put the idea in my head, anyhow," she says with a laugh to indicate that she's not serious. "But I can do that for you both, if you'd like. I've never been on any missions myself."

[ OPEN ] You'd Think I'd Know Where I'm Going

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