faderift | [Open]

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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Mmmm...I find I dislike this master of yours. To treat you and his own horse in such fashions leaves a great distaste in my mouth." Both of them deserved far better in his opinion. Were this elf serving him he would treat him very differently. Certainly it would be seen as odd in this land but he found he didn't care about that in the slightest.

Iskandar shook his head, aware he could not just take a man's servant away. It was wrong and not his place. It was one thing for the other man to release Kif and for him to pick him up and another to steal him away. Things of this nature had to be done correctly. A conqueror he was but he knew that.

Fetching a treat, he offered a piece of apple to Kif to feed to his horse who was currently nosing at the elf.

"I'm an elf, and he's a Chevalier," Kif said as if that explained everything. To him, it did. To most Thedosians it probably did.

"All he has to do is show up and swing a sword for the right lord. Anything else is a bonus. Some Chevalier aren't awful, but most of them would prefer to kill an elf than talk to them, or see them around."

As he talked, he took the apple and held it up, smiling faintly as the horse sighed and then ate it.

"Working for him means my family back in the alienage is better off than they would be. Whenever a group of drunken nobles runs through there and sets fires or beats someone, it won't be my kin. I can... deal... with him for that."

Iskandar listened to Kif, watching his expression and noting the pain in that smile. This was a sad life to live, one that he shouldn't have had to go through. He waited until the apple was consumed before reaching out to pull the small elf in for an embrace. Not because of attraction or anything of the sort. This was only to let him know that he was allowed some comfort in his life and he was willing to be the one to offer him that.

"As it stands I can offer little due to where I currently stand as a rifter and so on. However, I will offer you this embrace. Please know that you are welcome to moments of comfort and escape whenever you are with me, my friend."

At first, having no idea what was going on, Kif froze and went stiff as the man, well, manhandled him. Then his brain helpfully kicked into gear, aided by what Iskandar was saying, and Kif breathed out and relaxed a little. In his adult life he'd been hugged once before, but he hadn't really thought anything of it. It was life. This, though. This is nice. Warm. ...Definitely made him feel tiny.

"I don't have a lot of time for that," he said, muffled against the giant's chest, "but I'll... I'll try to remember that." It was a strange offer, even though he understood why someone would make it. Kif felt like he was all right. He wasn't happy, but life wasn't happy. He was okay and that was better than some.

"I'm not bad off."

Pulling back, he offered him a warm smile then gave Kif's hair a ruffle. For no other reason than he really wanted to do so honestly. "The offer is still there no matter what."

With that, he turned to his horse and stroked his nose. "You'd best keep an eye on him when he's in here, Bucephalus. You have a new friend now."

The horse let out a snort then stepped forward to lean over and bump at Kif as if to say he was agreeing and now the elf better accept this. "Hah! It looks like he agrees!"

It was nice to have the offer. A part of him thought that he didn't need it, shouldn't need it, but still. There was that chance. And sometimes Zapp got to be a lot to take, and the way some of the other humans acted did too, and finding somewhere away from that... It was something to think about.

The bump from the horse got a small smile from the elf.

"I'm not sure what a horse could do for an elf, but I won't complain if I see him watching me, at least." Bucephalus gets a quick nose rub. "What does his name mean?"

"Ox head. He is named such for he is larger than many horses yet is far from being a draft horse. There is also a brand on his haunch of an ox head which inspired his name." He patted the horse's back then opened the door to let him walk out. The large animal waited until master and elf were out of the way before stepping out.

...And it sure did look like he actually posed to show off how pretty he was.

"He knows that he is beautiful so he is showing off for you."

Edited 2016-11-12 05:29 (UTC)

The name drew a snort from Kif, and the prancing walk had the smile growing. He was used to showoffs. He lived around Chevalier and all sorts of other Orlesians. But a horse showing off was a little amusing, and definitely different.

"He could be Orlesian." Kif walked around Ox Head, looking him over. The horse was definitely well-bred and made, sturdy and strong, impressive.

"Where did you get him? Was the seller in Skyhold?" Zapp might like to speak with them if they had more in stock; it was hard to find nicer things in this drafty fortress.

"He is from my world. He and I rode into this world together. When I was a boy those in the palace could not train him. So I said that if I could not do it myself then I would find a way to deal with him. Since I succeeded he became mine and he has been my companion for a long time."

He stroked the mane of that horse as he spoke, obviously so fond of him. It was clear that his pair adored each other, that it was beyond mere master and animal. Iskandar loved this horse and the horse loved him in return.

"He comes from a very fine line of horses which is why he's so beautiful."

There was a partnership there. Kif saw it every now and then elsewhere, pairs that worked together well, trusted each other, cared about each other. It wasn't that common, though. It helped him put together more of an impression of this Rifter that tied in with the stunning amount of affection he'd already shown.

...And it meant that the rumors about Rifters being dangerous demons were far less likely to be true. Kif had a lot to think on.

"My Chevalier will probably be wondering where I am. But..." Kif glances away. "Thank you." For showing him the horse, for being friendly. "I'll think about what you said."

"I look forward to seeing you again, my friend! Next time we should have drinks!"

He went over to give him another embrace simply because he could. Nothing more than that though so the elf wouldn't be scared off. Then he gave his head another rub before reaching into a bag and tossing him a full apple.

"For you and your horse. Enjoy and fare well."

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