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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Those blue eyes sharpen when she makes that move, mouth twitching just at the corner. He counters with a much more aggressive move, taking one of her pawns.

"Something like it. A mix between explorer and diplomat, you might say. It was my job, with my crew, to go searching for new worlds, new lands, and when we met them, if they met certain criteria, to offer them a place within the Federation if they so wished. Or, in other cases, I've acted as an intermediary between nations as a neutral third party. Those can get interesting."

Her eyes lighten up, as they often do once she realises that someone is a rifter. "And now you find yourself in a whole new world entirely. I must confess, I have never spoken with someone who speaks of visiting other worlds with such... normalcy." She leans slightly over the table, moving a knight into position as she keeps up her aggressive front.

"It is fascinsting."

There's a sense of satisfaction when he sees that glint in her eyes. He loves talking about what he does, about his life in the stars - thought he has to moderate some of what he says. He has decided he does not quite have to follow the Prime Directive here, but he shouldn't throw it out the window completely either.

"It's just... normal where I'm from," he shrugged. "When we first had definite proof we were not alone in the universe, I am sure it was strange, but that was well over two hundred years ago. I suppose it's like growing up all your life in Ferelden, but knowing that somewhere out there is Orelais. When you meet them, it's intriguing, but not alarming."

He wasn't sure if that properly expressed everything, but it was the closest analogy he could find as he moved his peace, matching aggression for aggression.

"Finding other worlds is not quite so different."

It is too late now for a change of tactics and so Josephine must continue down the path of aggression. She at least has the advantage of having made the first move, but is not quite so conceited enough to believe that having done so will be enough for her to win this game.

Still, the thrill of competition is enough to sustain her for the moment. "When you put it like that, perhaps it is not so strange. Yet, there are many people here who would be alarmed by meeting people from different countries."

It is only a matter of centuries since the Qunari arrived, after all.

Kirk continued to take a more sideways approach to the game, not quite meeting her head on, but still aggressive in his tactics. It's an interesting game, to say the least, and he was quite enjoying himself.

"I've come to understand that," he said. "What have you found most interesting about your job? Since joining in the Inquisition, that is? Or, maybe, what is it you did before?"

Josephine is enjoying the game as well, and makes a mental note to practice so that she is better prepared for next time (if there is to be a next time). "My favourite aspect of my role is helping people see eye-to-eye on issues in which they believe there to be no compromise."

If there's anything Josephine knows it's that there is always some ability to compromise.

He would like there to be a next time. He enjoyed playing with anyone, but especially those who wanted to learn or who already knew how to play and liked the challenge. It kept the mind bright.

"You know you've done your job when no one is completely happy?" he joked with a lopsided grin.

"When no-one is wholly disappointed," she corrects, her own smile widening as she teases him. "Do they have this game where you're from?" she asks, with a gesture to the chessboard.

"Yes, in a fashion. The one I usually play has three levels," he motioned with his hand above the board, miming two more planes in place above the one currently in on the table. "It's one of my favorite ways to kill time, when I can find someone to play with."

"And not a bad one at all, all possibilities considered," she replies as she considers her next move. She can't help but feel she's lost the upper hand somehow, if she even had it in the first place.

Which leads her to her next thought. "Three levels? What do you mean, three levels? I've never heard of such a thing."

"Three boards set at different heights. So the one we're playing on, plus two more," he motioned in the air again to show where the boards would be. "You use all three as the playing field."

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

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