Cause I'm just a teenage dirtbag baby

[issala]

WHO: Kas & OPEN
WHAT: Catch-all
WHEN: From his return from Orlais and to the end of the month.
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Come get your tiny qunari CR!

ARCHERY RANGE

It had been a year since Kas had arrived at Skyhold and started his training. Wielding a bow had been weird as hell at first, but now it just felt... right. Just like the knives he carried instead of the pathetic shiv he had arrived with, the bow now felt like it was just an extension of him. He also hit his targets pretty well these days, thanks to pushing himself immensely.

(Desperate to matter.)

You can find him at the range almost every day, practicing shots and getting acquainted with the standard Inquisition bow again after he had broken Metaari's. He takes a break now and then, for a bit of water or a sandwich - and maybe a chat.

STABLES

Sometimes, Kas can also be found inside or outside the stables, trying to wrangle a long-legged and somewhat awkward-looking dracolisk with eye-searing hide colors. (Because of course the teen has to try to learn his riding skills with a sharp-teethed predator rather than a fluffy pony.)

It seems young, perhaps a yearling or so, so they're at least equal in their complete confusion about everything mount-related. They're pretty equally stubborn, too, so there might be some shouting and impressive falls from the stable area now and then. (He might need a healer for those scrapes.)

Most of the time, however, Kas is just desperately trying to stay in the saddle as the dracolisk lumbers around with a confused look. Who was this idiot on her back?

RAMPARTS

If you want to be sure to find the young qunari, the ramparts at night is the best bet. He can be found sitting on broken areas of the wall, watching the stars or the sun disappearing behind the mountains. He seems to use this time to just think and go over the day, but isn't opposed to a bit of company now and then.

Especially not if you bring something hot to drink.

PICK YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

[Make up your own thing or message me for a starter!]

Comments

Stables

[gatheringstorm]

The shouting and thumps from the stables catch Korrin's attention, and eyebrow raised, she follows the noises. "What's going on over there?" Though really, she might as well not have asked since the Vashoth woman is striding over anyway. This sort of racket isn't typical of the stables, at least when she stops by, so of course she has to see what's going on.

[issala]

Korrin, meet Ataashi. (Because of course that's what he named her.) The dracolisk is currently playing a game of keep-away with Kas, dancing around as he tries to put her saddle on. The teen is a sweaty mess, obviously having been doing this for a while, and there are Kas-shaped holes in the nearby hay.

"Come on, you know this stuff! We did it yesterday!"

[gatheringstorm]

Leaning against the entrance to the stable, Korrin watches all this with a fond grin. She doesn't step in to help, much as she wants to; no doubt Kas wants to prove himself in this, too. "New friend of yours?"

[issala]

After another dance around the stable, Kas drops the saddle and throws his arms up in the air with a groan. "Why do you always have to - " The teen freezes up a bit when he sees Korrin and tries to compose himself quickly.

"Uh. I... yeah. This is Ataashi." He nods to the dracolisk, who is walking over to Korrin in search of treats.

[gatheringstorm]

"Ataashi, huh? I like that." Korrin reaches up to pat the dracolisk, then slips some dried jerky from her pocket. "Is this what you want, hm?" She darts at look to Kas as the dracolisk's attention is snared; now's a great time to try placing that saddle.

[issala]

The dracolisk happily takes the jerky, pushing her head against Korrin to sniff her.

Kas is quick to take the hint, thankfully, and hurries to get the saddle. Sneaking over, he gingerly places the saddle on the dracolisk and leans down to grab the girdle and strap it tight. When the mount doesn't even bat an eye at it all, Kas throws his arms up again.

"Really? I gave you a whole squirrel but you don't behave for me?!"

[gatheringstorm]

That gets Korrin to laugh, allowing the dracolisk to sniff her and petting her soothingly in response. "Maybe she wanted something different? That or she likes the extra attention. Some dracolisks can be more social than others. That, or she's just being a snot while she susses you out."

archery

[sheriffing]

Rest assured that Emma Swan knows when she's making a fool out of herself. She's looked around the range before to get a sense of things, but it's not exactly her weapon of choice - or one she's ever tried before, to be honest. Maybe it's the fairytale thing that has her curious - her mother knows how to use a bow, and so does Ruby. Is it so wrong that she takes after her father and echoes his interest in swords?

Probably not, but it doesn't help her here. At the range she looks painfully out of place, uncertain of exactly what she's supposed to do with this thing to get the desired result. The basics, she understands. It's how that she's struggling with.

She recognizes Kas from seeing him on a different day, and when he stops for a break, she's not so embarrassed that she won't mention it. "You're good at that." Which really highlights the fact that she's not, but Emma won't be offended if he's noticed.

[issala]

There's nothing wrong with being more comfortable with a sword, honestly. Look at all the soldiers and talented mercenaries around here, after all! Still, it's always good to try new things, and keeping a bit of distance between yourself and an enemy can sometimes be a really good idea.

She looks rather awkward, though, but at least Kas doesn't laugh. He's been there himself when the started, and it was rather mortifying. He doesn't wish that on anyone else.

When Emma talks to him during a break, the teen looks confused at first - but then smiles at the praise. "Um, thank you..." He starts, still a little surprised that she was talking to him. "I've been training for a long time. I could... give you some pointers?"

[sheriffing]

Being comfortable with a weapon is the argument Emma's been clinging to - but she's seen that hand to hand and sword combat isn't always an option here (specifically, when the other guy has a bow and arrow), so it's an effort to do more. There are skills she needs to pick up if getting out isn't an immediate option, and she isn't afraid to learn them.

She is easily frustrated and alarmingly impatient, but staying calm is a little easier in the presence of someone she has at least a decade on. "How long is a long time?" It's not the kind of thing you pick up overnight, she does know that, but Emma is at least a little curious. Getting the arrow to go where you want it to shouldn't be this hard.

"Honestly, I feel like I need all the help I can get."

[issala]

"It's not something that can be rushed, believe me. I trained until my fingers were bleeding even before we had our first official training session because I didn't want to suck." A bad human is a bad human. A bad qunari means all qunari are bad. "I still only hit the target twice."

The teen shrugs a little. "Don't worry, though. It gets easier when you know all the basics." He holds out his hand to look at her bow, first of all. Good equipment helped along the way.

[sheriffing]

"That's some serious dedication." Emma isn't afraid of having to work at it. She's used to getting her ass kicked before she can learn how to punch back, it's basically the story of her life. It's probably more to ask of someone Kas' age than it is to expect it of someone like her. Seems like he doesn't do things halfway.

"That's probably where I need to start, the basics." At least she's not expecting too much. She pauses for a moment, then looks over her bow before handing it to Kas. It's from this world, and it seems good enough to her - but honestly, what would she know about it? "My mom's a badass with a bow back home. I was hoping it would rub off." No such luck.

[issala]

"I wanted to be a scout, so I worked hard," he smiles a little bit, still so proud of that fact - then he's looking over her bow before handing it back to her. "It looks good, the bow string's taut enough." The bow was only part of it, but still.

"Your mom's good with a bow? That's awesome." Old people being badass? Yes please." Aiming is hard, but pulling back the bow string can be a challenge, too... and it can slap your hand and hurt you sometimes. I got scars on mine from bad shots." He seems way too happy about that.

"Steady the bow, pull back the bow string, breathe in and exhale as you let go of the arrow." He instructs. "Don't close one eye and try aiming like that."

Archery

[metaari]

Metaari finds himself at the range again, his usual escape when he just needs a bit of time for him. It's easy to not think, when his only focus is his bow and a target. The familiar sound of an arrow releasing and thudding into a target greets him as he rounds the corner, and he pauses for a moment with a faint grin on his face.

He watches Kas for a while, observes his form, the ease of his shots. He feels proud somehow, though he's had little to do with his advancement. But he's just come so far...

He waits until an arrow hits before he finally steps forward, letting out an impressed whistle. "Well, would you look at that. Good, solid hits. Those'll take down someone coming at you, for sure."

[issala]

Kas jolts a little bit in surprise when Metaari speaks, and he's flushed at once at the praise. That his rolemodel paid attention to him, on the archery field? How could he not be excited?

...and nervous.

"Oh... um... thanks." Glancing over at the target, he counts the shots - three hits, one miss, one bullseye. A good tally. "I haven't missed yet when it comes to real enemies..."

[metaari]

Metaari stops when he gets close enough, turning his attention down the range toward the targets. He smiles faintly and nods, his arms folded loosely over his chest. "Good! That's where it's the most important."

He turns his attention back and--he can't help it--brings a hand over to ruffle the top of Kas's head fondly, right between the horns. It's brief and he drops his hand away a moment later. "I'm glad I stopped by today. I haven't been around much to watch your progress."

[issala]

A few months ago, Kas would have recoiled at the touch. A year ago, he would have grabbed a shiv and get ready to fight. Now it just... made him feel proud. Happy.

Metaari's words makes the teen smile a little bit, puffing his chest up and trying to gain a few inches with pure willpower. "I bet I could compete with you!"

[metaari]

He lets out a bright laugh at that and nods, his grin going ear to ear. "Ah, I'm sure! Maybe we'll have to hold another tournament some time soon, like we had a few months past."

Metaari tips his head with a faint hum as his eyes finally go to the bow, and he raises his eyebrows in faint surprise. "That's one of the Inquisition bows, isn't it?"

[issala]

He loves that laugh, brightening even more. The idea of a tournament makes him quite excited, and this time me might even place! He's just about to reply when the older qunari mention the bow.

Kas freezes at that, going pale. He moves the bow to the side, glancing away from Metaari. "Um..."

Stables, sometime after he talked to Korrin

[in_death_sacrifice]

The stables are one of the places Kain has been going to a lot, mostly out of interest in getting a new mount for himself. But he has another purpose this time around. He eyes the dracolisks there thoughtfully, attention finally turning outside to where the qunari is - attempting- to ride one of those mounts. This doesn't look good.

"Be careful, she's about to throw you!"

[issala]

Kas barely has time to react as he hears the call, but he grabs on to the reins and tries to clamp on to the saddle to not fly off when the dracolisk starts bucking.

He manages two before he goes flying over her head, thankfully landing in a fairly soft spot. "Ouch! Dammit, Ataashi... what did you do that for?"

[in_death_sacrifice]

Kain watches, unable to move fast enough to get there in time, though he does rush over regardless. At least it doesn't look too serious, but even so, it had to be alarming.

"That was an impressive fall, I'll give you both that." He moves to assist Kas with a hand, all the while keeping an eye on the dracolisk. "She's especially spirited, isn't she?"

[issala]

Kas ignores the hand and gets up on his own, ego a little bruised from falling off the mount when someone was watching. The teen brushes off his pants and sighs. "She's really unpredictable. I don't tknow what I'm doing wrong."

Ataashi snorts and stomps her feet a bit, raising her head in what could only be a haughty manner.

[in_death_sacrifice]

That's something Kain can understand... and respect. He's very similar when it comes to his pride. So he simply nods agreement. He's never had such problems with dracolisks, but he's grown up around them. Though he could imagine being out of his depth with some other mount.

"It can take time to build up a dracolisk's trust. Time and... Do you have any treats on hand?"

[issala]

Kas walks over and grabs her reins, moving them both closer to Kain. The guy looked... familiar? Korrin had mentioned some guy that could help him, and frankly Kas was losing his faith in being able to handle this.

"I've been giving her meat strips and I fed her a ferret earlier," he starts with a slight frown. "Did Korrin send you?"