[Open]

[eternalsquire]

WHO: Kif Kroker/Kiflas Croquet and you!
WHAT: Kif is back in Skyhold and getting back to doing all of Zapp's chores.
WHEN: Second half of Harvestmere, after he returns from Crestwood
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: None as of yet.

1. On the way to the laundry

See an elf. See a shorter-than-average elf. See a basically tiny elf, struggling under a pile of laundry that looks like it weighs more than he does soaking wet. Under it, he can be heard muttering about all sorts of various things, most of them centered around 'self-obsessed overlarge pompous poppinjays' and the like. Will he make it down under his own power? This is a good question.

2. In the stables

Kif sighs heavily, looking into one stall in particular. It's not even that he minds having this mount; she's efficient and she's easy enough to climb up and ride. The problem is that she's a tiny pony and he looks ridiculous with her.

All the same, he's not upset with her. She does her job. And she's more than he could have afforded on his own, so after he's done sighing he's going inside and gently starting to brush her and get her ready for a ride. He'll deal with Zapp's monstrosity later.

3. In the tavern

It's hard to be social. It's hard to deal with people he doesn't know. Back in Halamshiral he knew generally how people would react. Here, there are so many unknowns, and so many faces that seem friendly without reason.

His best attempt at being around people involves this, sipping water in a mug and sitting in the corner of the tavern trying very hard to look like he's happy to be here.

4. Wildcard me

[ooc: Want something you don't see here? Hit me up on Plurk at Nadat or Discord at Nadat#4647. Kif isn't a social butterfly but I can give him reasons to be places/do things.]

Comments

[eternalsquire]

Oh, that's nice. He's holding her arm, and it's almost like he's a noble or something. Kif straightens himself up as much as he can (which isn't much) and gives her a small smile.

"It's good to see you too." Annnnnd now he doesn't know what to say. Kif swallows, scrambling to think of small talk. "Are the plants behaving?"

Yes. Yes, that's clever, except it isn't, it's threadbare and he knows it. Another swallow, and he tries to hastily follow up with, "are we going to eat among them? There could be bugs there, but I'm sure they never, uh, bug... you..."

It could have been worse, he tells himself. Somehow.

[anacardiaceae]

"The plants are doing well! A few are crowding their fellows and a few others don't like the colder climate, but it will all be sorted eventually. They don't squabble, or get out of their pots and behave awfully, so at least there's that."

Bumping into Kif's shoulder with a smile. She understands; small talk is terrible, honestly. "There's a courtyard that is less populated by things that crawl and fly, I was thinking of eating there if you don't mind? It's got open space, but we could go inside if that were easier?"

[eternalsquire]

The smile returns and strengthens a little at her bump. He's not practiced with conversation, and he's been out of society where he's seen as someone worthy of talk for some time.

"I suppose it's good to have things under your charge that don't get out of their pots and behave awfully. Or get into their cups and behave awfully." The latter is something he's familiar with.

"But I'd like the courtyard. I eat inside all the time." Deliberately. He doesn't appreciate the outdoors much. What he does appreciate is company, and he likes hers. "And we won't be interrupted by yelling if he wakes up because he won't look out there."

Kif takes the turn that will lead further toward the outside rather than deeper inside.

[anacardiaceae]

"You never know. One day they may; if that happens, be sure to track me down, hmm?"

Should, you know, plants go rampaging in the tavern, drinking and acting foolishly. Much like men, less like plants.

"That sounds like a good plan." Outside, then, towards the edges of the courtyard where it runs into the fortress proper. A small table, and a box containing food and utensils. "I'm afraid I've given up on meat," she explains quietly, "but there is fish. I hope you don't mind."

[eternalsquire]

He chuckles, looking down. She's giving him a reason to seek her out, even if it's an entirely made up one. Her niceness rises all the higher in his estimation as he walks with her.

"I don't mind fish. Did you have a bad meal?" After an awkward beat, Kif moves to pull a chair out for her. That's what one does, he thinks. At least, it's what one would do for a noblewoman, and he likes her more than he's liked any nobility in his life. "I saw you were gone for a time. I mean, not like I'm following you around but I look in the gardens some and I walk around Skyhold a lot and I didn't see you like I do sometimes and like I see a lot of people."

That doesn't sound stalker-like at all.

"I hope you weren't in the healer's tents?"

[anacardiaceae]

Pamelia smiles wide at the gesture once Kif pulls out her chair; that, combined with knowing that someone actually noticed she was gone makes her chest go tight.

She sits, taking a breath at his question, but ultimately waiting until he's sat down as well to decide which to answer.

"I was in the healer tents, but working, once I returned. I went on a mission...I'm afraid the food there means I won't be eating meat ever again."

Don't ask why, her expression seems to plead. "I wasn't injured, so don't worry. It was just...taxing."

A terrifying glimpse into what lines people will cross.

"I'm...thank you. For noticing I was gone."

[eternalsquire]

He sees her expression, and he's not about to ask. While he doesn't have any real guesses about what she means, he's had plenty of experiences with humans that have turned him off of things.

Her thanks get a shrug and an expression that's shyly happy.

"You're, you'd notice if I was gone. There aren't a lot of people who would do that. So I notice if they are. I mean you're welcome, but you also... deserve to be noticed." That sounds entirely too something, but he doesn't know what to say to make it less of whatever it is so Kif looks down and opens up the box, starting to pull out plates and utensils and set them out for them both.