(no subject)

[in_death_sacrifice]

WHO: Kain and YOU
WHAT: Open post for the month! Dracolisk bonding, dumb parrot bonding, shard… curiosity, cute Warden creatures
WHEN: Earlier part of Firstfall
WHERE: All around Skyhold… stables, training grounds, tavern, wherever the griffons are
NOTES: N/A

[Stables]

[Kain has been hanging around the stables lately, watching people come and go with their mounts. He’d lost his own not too long ago, sadly, so he’s been on the lookout for a new one. There are of course the nuggalopes now, and he doesn’t count that option out. It might be really nice to have a large war-beast of sorts.]

[But first, he makes his way toward a lovely looking hunter shade dracolisk. One who he’s been visiting a lot lately. At the moment, she has no official owner. She’s in excellent shape, her previous owner supposedly did great caring for her, and she’s been looked after very well since too.]

[He holds an apple out toward her.]

Hello, girl… how are you today?


[Training Grounds]

[Kain is going all out with his training as always, giving it his all. He pauses eventually for a short break, stretching and catching his breath. He even takes his Grey Warden helmet off for a moment, shaking out his long golden hair. As he’s doing this, something swoops down from above to land right in the middle of that hair... It's a bird, a bright blue parrot with yellow spots near its eyes and mouth. It screeches a greeting.]

”Andraste’s perky tits!!!”

[All Kain does is simply shift his gaze upward. Maybe this needs an explanation? Maybe it doesn’t. He simply sighs heavily.]

Oh. It’s you.


[Tavern: pick an option!]

[Kain is mostly keeping to himself, drinking and brooding. There's a lot on his mind, even though he's supposedly in here to relax a little. He isn’t the best at ‘relaxation’, but he’s giving it his best attempt. When someone approaches, he’ll react slightly differently based on whether he notices a shard or not (he won’t ask if he can’t see it, after all, he hides his own under gloves).]

[Tavern A. Shardbearer]

[Watching curiously, Kain doesn’t say anything at first. But that distinct green glow is hard to miss.]

Was it hard to get used to? That shard...

[Tavern B. No Shard]

[Kain gives a nod in greeting as the other person approaches. He's perhaps had a few drinks by now, as is evident by the random question.]

If we close the rifts, do you think those shards will disappear from people's hands?

[Wherever they keep the Griffons!]

[Yet again, he can’t sleep.]

[That’s a regular occurrence after the recurring nightmares, which have been worse over the past year or so. This time, Kain gets up and heads off toward where the griffons are kept. He’s quiet as he enters the area, so as not to disturb them. He really enjoys seeing them, finding it especially comforting to see such an important symbol of the Wardens alive and thriving here...]

Comments

GRIFFONS!

[circleprodigy]

[Sleep, what's that? Between Grey Warden dreams, nightmares of Kinloch Hold and being a light sleeper in general, it doesn't take much for Inessa to be up and about when she shouldn't be. For once, Garahel isn't with her. He stirred when she got up, but Inessa convinced him to go back to sleep. Heading over to where the griffon hatchlings are kept, she smiles upon seeing Kain enter just before her.]

Great minds think alike, hm?

[in_death_sacrifice]

Apparently so.

[While he'd been more or less planning on some alone time... well, alone among the hatchling griffons... Kain actually doesn't mind that it happens to be Inessa who joins him. As it is, he knows he ought to expect that other Grey Wardens are bound to be awake at strange hours, bit of an occupational hazard really. So he can guess she has similar reasons for being up, but doesn't yet mention that, focusing on the tiny griffons.]

I've not spent much time visiting them yet... and I've been meaning to. Now seemed as good a time as ever.

[circleprodigy]

[Most of the griffons are resting, but there are a couple that seem to be watching them. Inessa, a frequent visitor, prompts one to perk up, though she gestures quickly so that its noise won't awaken the others.]

Shhh, it's alright, we're happy to see you.

[She glances over to Kain with a small smile.]

They're likely expecting treats, but the caretaker is rather strict about that, so they'll just have to make do with our presence. Visit them a little each day, that they'll become accustomed to your presence easily enough. Getting to the point of petting them is another matter. They certainly aren't mabari in that respect.

[in_death_sacrifice]

[Even Kain's cold heart melts at the sight of that little one perking up. He watches the griffon intently, not about to reach out and bother it at the moment. He looks over at Inessa, keeping his voice low so as not to disturb them. This is just what he needs after the night he's having.]

I'm glad you told me, or I would have started sneaking them in. [It's one of the few times his hidden soft side really comes out.] Still, I'm glad I get to even stand here, so close to them... to think that they've returned, after all this time, just as dragons have... [He turns to the griffon.] Hello, little one. I'm Kain.

[circleprodigy]

[The baby griffon squeaks in response, pacing as though expecting treats but as none are provided, it eventually settles down. It watches them curiously, perhaps not used to this many visitors at a time.]

The ridiculous names remain, unfortunately, but I remain hopeful they'll be renamed when it's time for them to have riders. Warden Hercules ought to have a namesake, at the very least, though I don't feel it my place to bestow it. And no, I would not choose Crookytail.

[Warden Garahel may have thought that a fine name for a griffon, but Inessa's not inclined to agree with him on that particular part.]

[in_death_sacrifice]

[Kain is so tempted to reach out and pet the creature, but he holds back, opting for simply holding out a hand to let the griffon sniff it instead. Animals always do respond well when they get to know scents, after all...]

The most important symbol of the Grey Wardens returns... and people truly gave them foolish names? No. They deserve the most dignified names imaginable, and ones that show their power and might.

[He's not sure it's his place to name them either, though, as opposed to those who've been here longer.]

[circleprodigy]

[Inessa crosses her arms and smirks a little.]

You already have a name in mind, don't you? Just in case. I can't blame you, I've been mulling it over as well, in my downtime. You tell me yours and I'll tell you mine, fair enough?

Tavern B

[gatheringstorm]

[Korrin, looking up and raising a glass in greeting to Kain, frowns in thought at the question.]

Maybe...but I really fucking doubt it. I'm a mage, but that's like no magic I've ever seen before, and anything that powerful isn't likely to be rid off easily. And I say this with someone who's involved with a shardbearer. I'd like it to be true, trust me.

[in_death_sacrifice]

I'll take your word for it then. As a mage, you know far more about this sort of thing than I do. Still, they're linked in some way to the rifts, right? They glow the same color. [He sips his drink.] A very garish shade of green if you asked me.

[gatheringstorm]

Oh yeah, definitely. What Corypheus did with the damned Breach spawned all of this, no doubt.

...and I wouldn't say it's that bad. It does make for a nice night-light, especially when there are no other light sources around. [She wiggles her eyebrows, smirking at that.]

[in_death_sacrifice]

It sounds like you've discovered that for yourself. [That's an amusing thing, and it somewhat lightens the mood for just a moment. Kain is more skeptical about all of this though. He prefers darkness anyway, so it's one more reason to keep it covered.]

I only hope it doesn't come to these shards turning into a threat, somehow. To their lives or ours. I've heard they sometimes... grant people power, aside from closing the rifts. What if such power goes out of control somehow?

[gatheringstorm]

[Korrin pauses, staring at her drink as she gathers her thoughts.]

It did, once. Sina, the Dalish elf with a shard in her chest, somehow opened a rift in the middle of Skyhold. She didn't intend for it to happen, but it did. Thank the Maker that's the only time, but I won't lie and say it will never happen again.

But for the most part, all I've seen of this power has been people using it to close rifts, create some kind of defensive shield, and use it to strike back against demons and whatever. Just because there's risk doesn't mean that the shards don't have their uses.

[in_death_sacrifice]

The shard opened a rift? I thought they were supposed to be only for closing them, yes?

[Which sounds like far too great a responsibility to bear. He can't help but worry that perhaps he's wasting time by doing anything but closing rifts, devoting all his time to that cause. But he also still wants to be in some amount of denial about the thing.]

Those are interesting powers... fascinating. Not that I'd necessarily say they're worth it, being so unnatural, but... perhaps others feel differently.

Where the Griffons are

[blessedmaiden]

"... wait for me! The fox was one step away from its freedom but the desperate cries of a child stopped her only few meters from the main gate. A young hare was still there, trapped by fire-"

Guess who else can barely sleep at night! Rydia used to spend her nights in the stables, keeping company to Kain's dracolisc, but now she's alternating the various locations. The simple idea of having a... personal mount, instead of a companion, is still alien to her (even if she spent almost two decades on the surface) and since she keeps having nightmares- why not spending her time with creatures who could probably enjoy some company? Now she's sitting on a pile of hay with a book on her legs and her precious bag at her side... and she's reading them Ruby Hide's tale, something childish about a fox who kept stealing from rich farm animals to feed starving forest beasts whose habitat has been ruined by humans. Silly? Probably. Does she care? Nah.

[in_death_sacrifice]

As he walks in, Kain hears the sound of someone else reading, and is surprised when he sees the green-haired rifter. Rydia, that's her name. He'd found her... actually rather friendly to talk to, even if her off-world mannerisms still baffled him sometimes. Not to mention being told he's so much like her dead friend.

"I trust I'm not interrupting? I wasn't expecting to see anyone else here..." Aside from other Wardens, of course, who are bound to suffer the same insomnia as himself. He heads over toward where she is, vaguely smiling when he sees the griffons. "Does your world have griffons? Like the dragons, they've only just reappeared here..."

[blessedmaiden]

Oh, yes, her dead friend... he's the main reason it takes every fiber of her being to actually turn her head in the man's direction and offer him a friendly smile. To think the other Kain -who perhaps wasn't her world's one- is right there as well, inside his urn.

"Greetings, Kain." That name is still hard to say to another person "You're interrupting nothing but an old tale, nothing I can't continue later, am I wrong boys?" The summoner gentl scratches one of the creatures under its chin "You're welcome to join us if you can't sleep. If you were planning to steal one of them, thought, that's an unlucky night for you." she's merely jesting, yet she wouldn't be too surprised to see this Kain lookalike run away "And- not like this. We do have vaguely similar creatures" Rydia comments gently patting the hay next to her, inviting the man to make himself comfortable "but they're usually... dangerous. And have more heads." She's talking about chimeras, but they're the closest kind of creatures the summoner can remember. "And... they just returned, you say?"

[in_death_sacrifice]

"I would never dream of stealing them... they belong to the Grey Wardens as a whole." Kain shakes his head, as he approaches. He's still unsure how to act around her, because of what she'd mentioned of his similarity to her dead companion. Still, he'll do his best not to let this be too weird. It takes him a moment, but then he finally goes to sit down near her, so he can be much closer to the griffons. She'd been the one to suggest it, anyway, so he doesn't feel so bad.

He looks at the little creatures with awe and adoration. "Yes, these are the first ones that have been found in some time. There was once a time when we Wardens flew upon them, long ago..." But just like with the dragons, they'd gone, times had changed. "Their return is highly encouraging, and at a time when the Wardens really need it." He looks at her curiously. "Your world sounds as dangerous as Thedas in some ways, with such monsters."

[blessedmaiden]

And there I thought I replied, good thing I'm checking all the FR threads I'm currently on!

"Then, as I said, you're more than welcome to join us." Yes, this meeting is less awkward... or she is at least trying to sound perfectly comfortable around him. Poor boy certainly doesn't need to hear a summoner's depressing thoughts, right? "They are wonderful clreatures, aren't they?" Rydia is still petting one, she had always been better with animals than people and the griffons don't seem to dislike her company too much. At least, not the one enjoying the scratches under its neck.

"Mhm." The woman nods "Maybe it is, maybe not. It's not really their fault, the moon influences their actions, those who live on the planet's surface are more... wild and brutal, if you meet them in the depts of the planet they are actually quite lovable. But- enough about me." She closes her book, placing it at the side "Do you want to share with me more stories about your people and their relationship with those splendid animals?" If the summoner learnt anything from the books is that the Wardens have plenty of secrets and she knows better than giving the impression to be someone interested in stealing their secret powers or whatever.

[in_death_sacrifice]

not a problem at all! :D I'm always up for getting back to things, anytime!

It certainly isn't escaping his notice how well she's getting along with the griffons, and that they're responding positively toward her as well. "Very wonderful... they're among the most incredible creatures I've ever met. They seem to like you." He reaches out, carefully and gently, to pet one of them. He takes his time, knowing that they don't like any sudden movements. "Maybe we need to recruit you to the Grey Wardens if they end up liking you best." He actually - surprisingly!- means that as a joke, even if it's said in his typical dry tone.

He's very intrigued by this talk of a strange, far off world, especially hearing about their monsters. But, of course, with the griffons right here, it wouldn't be fair not to tell her a little about them. At least most of what he knows isn't anything deeply secretive, like the reality of the Joining. So he doesn't mind talking about it.

"Griffons originally come from the Hunterhorn Mountains, far to the west in Orlais. They're one of my favorite mountain ranges to visit, actually... they have been since I was young." Yes, it's another Kain who loves mountains. "Though the griffons are long gone from there, and have been for quite some time. These are the first to return in ages. Wardens and griffons used to have very strong bonds, though. They would ride them into battle. It's also said that the griffon chooses the Warden, such a bond cannot ever be forced..." Would that ever happen for him? Who knows... It's something he still catches himself daydreaming about sometimes, before snapping back to reality. Nothing is guaranteed, after all.

griffons; because she should meet this kain too

[arcaneadvisor]

Kieran hadn't begged to see them. Had wheedled, had huffed, had come very dangerously close to a pout she first saw on the face of the man who gave him his nose ten years ago and in the end, Morrigan relents. She takes him carefully by the hand to the griffons; after their long absence, after the darkness that almost seemed to swallow her in Kirkwall she's willing (more than willing) to indulge him.

Kain will hear the child's voice first, hushed but excited as he tries not to disturb the beasts too much, half a question carrying. "--all coming back?"

"Perhaps." Morrigan's voice is warm and indulgent in a way it only ever is with Kieran. "You recall Merrill? She is very fond of these griffons, perhaps we might find her if you wish to recount tales of these griffons later."

yes most definitely!!

[in_death_sacrifice]

The griffons are truly adorable, all nestled together, and Kain is hoping that enough time here will ease his mind. He glances over when he hears a young voice. Voices, he realizes, before he sees them come into view. A mother and son, he's almost certain of it, the boy reminding him of himself at that age. So he genuinely doesn't mind having others around. It may even help take his mind off things all the more.

"The tales of griffons are among some of my favorites," Kain says as they approach. Next to dragons, of course. But the griffons hold such importance to the Wardens in particular. "But of course... nothing can compare to the real thing."

[arcaneadvisor]

If Kieran puffs out his chest, it's because Alistair's been teaching him about swords and stances, and it's nothing at all to do with the griffin emblem in dark metal that happens to be carefully sewn to the front of them. Morrigan inclines her head in greeting, a hand on his shoulder with the same amount of trepidation she would feel around any Warden when Kieran is present that she hasn't known personally in her life.

"I trust we are not disturbing you, Warden? Kieran wished to see the griffons for himself. Are you well acquainted with them?"

[in_death_sacrifice]

Kain can see from the boy's stance, he has the makings of being a fine warrior one day. Starting young with that sort of thing is essential, in Kain's mind... even just showing proper decorum goes a long way. Looking over toward the tiny griffons for a moment, Kain shakes his head. The more people come to visit the griffons, the better, he thinks. The Wardens need associations with good things, right now.

"You're not disturbing me at all. I've only been with the Inquisition a little over a month, so I'm still getting to know them. I never thought I'd see griffons with my own eyes..."

[arcaneadvisor]

At least this time none of them are trying to eat any part of her boots as they had when she had last come to visit, and none are the size of a dracolisk, thus leaving them unable to start nibbling at Kieran's hair. Far easier for a griffon to take off part or even a whole ear if they tried, even at a young age.

"Truly? There is...something familiar about you, though perhaps that comes from seeing so many Wardens now." After all, outside of their strongholds, when did so many Wardens ever gather together they way they do in their camp in Skyhold? "I would wager many never thought they would see an ancient magister rise again yet here we stand. Of old forgotten things returning, this at least brings more joy."

[in_death_sacrifice]

Kain is definitely cautious around the griffons... small as they are, they're not defenseless. He respects their strength, admiring them and thinking about what they'll be like when they're grown one day.

"I get that a lot, for some reason." More so here at Skyhold, than anywhere else he's ever been. It can get pretty weird at times, though he's gotten more or less used to it. "My name is Kain, by the way... Warden Kain Ventfort." He looks at the griffons thoughtfully. "We do seem to be living in strange times... the return of the dragons could also be added to that list." He could do without the evil magister part, but the rest of it is fine by him.