faderift | [Closed] Did you see the flares fill with hope?

WHO: Hermione and Iskandar
WHAT: Iskandar is a charming charmer, which helps when Hermione needs a distraction.
WHEN: 17 Harvestmere
WHERE: The stables
NOTES: If they start talking about depressing stuff again, we'll warn for it in the subject line. Otherwise, this will probably be the fluffiest log Hermione's ever done.

While the status quo in Thedas was still thoroughly depressing, Hermione found that the best way to keep herself out of the grips of depression was to keep herself distracted. Going out on actual missions was still out of the question, though, and she made it a point to keep herself scarce if she saw anyone of actual rank approaching her (aside from the Commander, since he usually just let her sit in his office and play with his mabari). Since the library had come to be known as her usual haunt, she'd forced herself to leave in favor of the outdoors a bit more often.

Which was what had brought her to the stables on more than one occasion. She could usually find something to do there to occupy her time, and on this particular day, that included trying to catch one one of the kittens that loitered around the area. She didn't know if it belonged to someone or was a stray that had somehow wandered its way here, but it was looking a bit thin, and so she tried luring it out from one of the stalls with a small bit of apple she happened to have on hand.

When a few minutes of coaxing didn't do the trick, she righted herself, only to look up and realize that she wasn't the only one there. A familiar, very large man was standing not too far away, and he seemed to have taken notice of her at some point. "Hello, Iskandar," she said, managing a small but at least genuine smile. "What brings you here?"

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Hermione had made her fair share of dry comments, and she was sure she'd done as much around Iskandar at least a few times, so his reaction surprised her. She didn't know how to take it, though, leaving her to chuckle a bit awkwardly as he let out his own laughter.

That chuckle died away, though, when he was suddenly looking at her a bit oddly. Before she could ask after it, he was complimenting her, and Hermione couldn't recall anyone ever saying anything like that to her before. People often commented on her cleverness or magical skills or quick learning, but beauty? It made her sure that he was pulling her leg.

"You're very kind," she said at last, not knowing how else to reply to that. Though her thanks were genuine, there was still a fair bit of skepticism in the way she replied, since she was half-waiting for the punchline to be delivered. "I doubt very much that most people look at me that way, or look at anything the way that you do."

"I would hope I am unique in how I look upon you. Just as I would hope others are unique in how they look upon you. We are all different people in this world. Still, what I say stands. You are beautiful in body, heart, and mind. Yet I rarely see your smile come out so it is a gift to me when I can behold it."

He reached over to rest a large hand on her shoulder. She might not believe him but that didn't mean he was going to stop telling her how he saw things or felt. In complete honesty.

"You will find others see your beauty as well. The full extent of it. They are the ones to be treasured for they see all of you or at least wish to."

Hermione didn't respond right away. It was puzzling, how often Iskandar said such simple things that meant so much. If he were anyone else, she would think that he had an ulterior motive or was purposely trying to charm her, but he was so frank that she was sure that any motives he might have besides pure honesty wouldn't be hidden for overly long.

"I-... thank you, Iskandar," she finally replied, her smile still a touch awkward but no less genuine. "I can't speak for anything else you said, but if nothing else, you certainly are unique. I appreciate that. I'm sure the people at Skyhold and beyond would agree."

She hesitated for a moment, wondering if it would be too forward, but she was fairly certain he wouldn't consider anything she'd do to be too forward. So she reached over and gingerly hugged him about his broad shoulders, quietly adding, "I'll never be necessarily glad that anyone's fallen through a rift, but all the same, I'm grateful that you're here."

Adjusting the bowl with the kitten so it would not be in the way, he wrapped an arm around her so that way he could return the embrace. He could tell that she wasn't so used to doing this sudden embrace thing but he didn't mind it at all. Such open affections were always welcome in his eyes as he held her close for a moment before relaxing his hold so she could pull back when she felt comfortable.

"Well I am honored you feel so about me. I know I am always pleased that I have been able to meet you and get to spend time with you like this."

He rested a hand on her head then gave her a grin. "And I shall strive to continue to be unique as well. That way you will always have Iskandar to turn to should you need a change of something."

Contrary to what people might believe, Hermione didn't mind hugs. With the right person, she quite liked them. But while she got along with most people, it wasn't often that she met someone with whom she felt comfortable enough to put down her barriers and show open affection. She especially tried to avoid such a thing in Thedas, given that she liked to believe she'd be gone from this place sooner rather than later.

Of course, the universe seemed to have other ideas....

"Well... not always, perhaps," she remarked with a slight shrug of her shoulders, letting her arms slip away from him. "That would imply that Thedas is our permanent home now. I don't exactly feel comfortable thinking of it like that, especially given its shaky sociopolitical climate at the moment." Especially since, outside of Skyhold, it seemed as though the majority of this world feared and distrusted her, if not for her magic then for the shard in her hand.

"Still, while we're both here, I'm glad to call you my friend. And I'm glad to help you meet new friends." At that, she looked down at the kitten for a moment before reaching over, delicately offering him a light pet with the back of her finger.

"I feel any place that I am in is my home. That includes Thedas." He was far too much a traveler to fully settle down after all. Iskandar knew not everyone could say the same but his life had always been rather unique. To say the least. He smiled at her and watched her stroke the kitten.

"I am honored we are friends as well though. Whatever this journey is, it has led to the two of us being together as we are and what a blessing that has been."

And the more time they spent together the more he felt that they had something of a kinship together. Like they were family of sorts.

"You're more of a wanderer than I'll ever be," she noted, not at all judgmental about it. Some people were just more comfortable with a nomadic lifestyle, either because they felt trapped otherwise or because that was simply what they'd become accustomed to. Hermione was nothing if not stable, and not having a sense of stability to see her through difficult times could be a little bit maddening.

In the end, though, it was easier to have someone like Iskandar around, who knew that whatever time they spent together would be fleeting but who didn't dwell on it too much. It made knowing that she'd inevitably have to say goodbye to him that much easier, if no less bittersweet.

Looking up at him with a small smile, she remarked, "I'm glad you think of it that way. I'd say we need more people like you around, but that runs the risk of making you seem less unique, and I wouldn't want that."

He chuckled a bit at that, not the least bit offended since honestly it was quite true. For years he'd had such a wanderlust that could not be contained. It was why he feared the end of all conquest and was constantly looking forward to what the next one would be rather than settling for what he had already. Honestly he'd be looking to conquering this place too were he not a spirit. There simply was no satisfaction in conquering now.

Still, he did not fault others for being stable compared to him. The world required such a variety to make it the wonder that it was. If all were exactly like him then things would be very boring indeed! Not to mention nothing would ever get done. If nothing else he was very aware of what his faults were.

"Ah well at least we can be assured that I am unique in how I am. There are reasons why my name has stood the test of time compared to far too many who have faded with history."

As much as Hermione thought that more people could use her sort of personality and that more would get accomplished that way, she knew that it was for the best that she was the only one just like her, just as Iskandar was the only one just like him. Everyone had flaws, and if the whole world were deficient in the same thing, it wouldn't be much of a world. It was the only way to look at things such as the status quo in Thedas and not be infuriated.

"Well... largely because those specific texts have coincidentally been among the only ones that survived and thus could be passed down," she replied dryly, "but I'll concede that there's probably another reason or two along with that."

[Closed] Did you see the flares fill with hope?

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