Open | Hanging out with a King

[conqueredhearts]

WHO: Iskandar and anyone who runs across him
WHAT: Iskandar is just spending some time doing various things and enjoying old and new friends along the way
WHEN: Last half of Firstfall
WHERE: Around Skyhold
NOTES: Probably nothing but will add as needed

Stables

One place that people could be sure to find Iskandar was at the stables. He was here a great deal since this was where his horse was and where he'd really been sleeping. When people weren't interested in sharing their beds with him anyway. That was something that certainly happened plenty since he was very large and warm. But for today he was currently seated near a wall, singing softly in a language many natives wouldn't recognize. Perhaps many Rifters wouldn't either. After all, it was his native tongue and there weren't going to be many familiar with Ancient Macedonian.

In his hands was a saddle which he had over one knee while he rubbed the leather down with an oil to keep it looking beautiful. Perhaps most Kings would find someone else to do this but this was something Iskandar had always preferred to do himself. There was just something so relaxing about it. Of course, this didn't stop him from noticing company when it arrived and he smiled at the new arrival, still singing as he did.

Library

It likely wasn't common to see a giant man enjoying so many books but there he was on the floor of the library with a nice pile of them around him. The subjects varied but it was clear he really was reading through them. In his hands right now was what looked like something about the histories of some land and he was scratching his chin as he read through it. Now and then he made a small hum in thought before he finally closed the book and went to stretch, pausing only a moment to smile.

"Ah did you want to read this one?"

Tavern

One of Iskandar's favorite places to be was the tavern. It was here he learned many of the songs of these lands and where he watched people just live. It was fascinating to say the least but it did have him developing a burning desire of sorts. One that was like an itch he couldn't quite reach. He was really going to have to take care of that soon. Which was why he went to sit near the first person that he saw that had a seat available.

At least the first thing he gave was a smile.

"Would you happen to know where one could obtain a harp or lyre?" Yes, he really was going to need one soon.

[ooc: This is an example of what Iskandar's voice would sound like. For obvious reasons this is not what he's singing. This is just to give you an idea of what the tone and such would be!]

Comments

Anders

[conqueredhearts]

During one of his trips to the library, he'd come across a book of poetry that he spent an entire day reading. One might not expect someone to just be sitting on the floor reading poems through the day but there he was. But something drew his attention from the book at one point and he looked up to see Anders nearby. The sad mage struggling with the fact that he could be happy. He smiled as he waved for him to come join him once he got his attention.

"Good day, my friend. Have you come here to study things as well? That had been my intention but this one distracted me quite thoroughly!" He laughed softly and held up the book he was referring to.

[justice_is_blond]

He blinked as Iskandar waved at him, trying to figure out if he had the energy to be cheerful. He didn't... but it didn't seem like the Rifter needed that so after a few moments Anders gathered up his trio of books and the stack of papers he was working with to sit down next to the man.

"I have. There's..." Anders exhaled and settled in. "There's always more to learn. So much more to learn. I'm behind and there's an entire people group I'm trying to fight for the rights of." A beat. "And since my position is... complicated... much of what I'm doing I'm doing on my own." Not without support. He has Nate's support, which makes all of this so much different from Kirkwall. But still somewhat alone.

[conqueredhearts]

He blinked a few times at the dark topic that Anders was looking into. Really he had to wonder if the man ever took the time to relax without someone dragging him to his own birthday party or not. Iskandar studied him a little bit more before finally reaching over to take the stuff from his hands. Carefully he set it next to him then plopped the book of poetry into his hands and pointed to the poem he'd been reading.

"Look here. This is one about some sort of creature known as a nug. It is rather amusing isn't it." He chuckled a bit then wrapped an arm around him as he spoke again. "Take a moment to appreciate the little things, Anders. In a few minutes those problems will still be there and they will be tomorrow as well. However, you cannot help anyone if you do not stop to care for yourself first. So relax a moment with me."

[justice_is_blond]

He reached out to follow the stuff as it was taken, relenting with a sigh a moment later but still keeping an eye on it. There were letters in there he couldn't risk falling into the wrong hands, and he'd need to burn after they were answered, and there were notes in there that could be valuable. Or could be useless. Red lyrium was a nightmare.

"I've eaten nugs," he muttered before taking a breath and trying to push back his mood. Somedays were just like this, when everything settled in on him and weighed him down, when he thought he might never get anywhere or make a healthy difference. The party had been nice... but it had been hugely indulgent.

"I do appreciate many little things. But there's so many big things that aren't going to solve themselves, or get better on their own. There are so many wars going on, and not just the one against Corypheus or the one waged by mages and Templars across the lands. Relaxing, taking too much time... It feels selfish. Like it's not my right."

[conqueredhearts]

He stared at him in silence for a bit. Like he was trying to determine if Anders was actually serious about what he'd just said. The trouble was that he already knew he was. That was the terrible part to all of this. Frowning, he lifted a hand and then poked his forehead.

"In what universe is it not your right to rest for a time? By not taking breaks now and then you hurt yourself which damages your comrades and those you love. If they have to worry about your state of being then they are not thinking about other things that could save themselves or others. Besides, taking a break refreshes the mind to allow you to see things in new lights. Which is what you might need in the fights you have put yourself in."

He lifted the book of poems to show it off again.

"So tell me, my friend, is it your right to hurt those you love because you refuse to rest?" Perhaps it was harsh but Iskandar was not one to hold back on things like this.

Kif

[conqueredhearts]

He'd been on his way towards the stables after eating a meal when he'd seen the little elf from a distance. For a change he didn't seem to either be in a hurry or particularly busy. Could it be he actually had some time to kill? Iskandar couldn't be sure of that but he really saw no arm in finding out either. It could be fun to see what he was up to and spend some time with him if nothing else.

So he strolled right up to him with a smile on his face and greeted him with a hand on his shoulder. Just like they were old friends rather than two people that had really only met once.

"My friend! Are you free right now?"

[eternalsquire]

Kif jumped as the hand on his shoulder clapped down, feeling a little relief when he saw who it was. Iskandar was far preferable to Zapp, really.

"Um," he said, looking around. He couldn't spot the Chevalier, and he'd done most of his work for the day, so after a few moments of thought Kif nodded. "For now. Did you need something?"

While not sure what Iskandar might want from him, it didn't hurt to ask.

[conqueredhearts]

"I do! You actually!"

Iskandar laughed then kept that hand on his shoulder as he guided him towards the stables. He'd been looking for a companion to go on a ride with and Kif was the perfect person. Especially since he would be so tiny when sitting in front of him.

"We will go for a ride together. I could use the fresh air and I think it could be fun for you to see the world without having to worry about the work involved in it."

[eternalsquire]

Him? Kif is completely confused, enough that Iskandar has absolutely no trouble pushing him toward the stable. Not like he would anyway.

"I can get Dainty ready. I don't know if she'll keep up with your ox, but she'll try. Can he go slow for her?"

[conqueredhearts]

"Hm? I was not going to push her like that. No, you are going to ride with me."

Iskandar patted his back as he went in to get his saddle for his horse, Bucephalus already looking thrilled that he would be getting to go out. Of course when he saw Kif, he lowered his head to nose at him. "Ah I have some treats for him in that bag there if you'd like to feed him while I do this."

Sam

[conqueredhearts]

Rides with Bucephalus were a necessity now that his horse was a horse rather than just a spirit. The exercise was good for him and he enjoyed the rides very much himself. Which was why he made sure they went on them almost daily. Sometimes just a short distance and sometimes down through the woods. It was the latter today so he could enjoy the trees and just the very smell of the wood around him.

Smiling some, he paused when he thought he heard something nearby. His horse was at attention too, pausing to look off to the side. Curious, he turned the horse that way, slowly approaching to see what was going on.

"Hmmm...what do we have here?"

[el_tybs]

With everything going on it had been harder to find time to practice his forms, or rather one in particular. It was easy enough to turn into a bear by now, but he needed to learn how to utilize it better.

Course turning into a bear was not like turning into a dog, and Sam didn't feel like finding out how the residents in Skyhold would react. Probably with spears and swords. So out here in the woods where it was far enough away from the public Sam was working on turning into a large brown bear in a flash of black smoke.

[conqueredhearts]

He'd barely seen the black smoke when he finally came over. So what he was left with was a bear. A rather large bear in fact. Iskandar blinked a few times then laughed as he patted his horse on the neck. "It'll be alright, my friend. It looks as if we've just found a bear friend here."

Bucephalus seemed relaxed enough though, not sensing danger here. That was good enough for the great King who decided to sit there and watch the creature for a bit. "He's beautiful isn't he, my friend."

[el_tybs]

It's perhaps the scent that catches Sam's attention first, having been down wind, but the laughter is what has the bear turning around. He's obviously surprised to see the Rifter there, and his horse - which looks less large with him now about the same size.

What's curious to him is that unlike other people upon seeing a bear, Iskandar is laughing and... sitting. Good thing he wasn't a regular bear. Sam keeps his distance though, watching with interest what the man plans on doing.

[conqueredhearts]

Fishing through the bag he's attached to his saddle, he pulled out a piece of dried meat. He'd taken to making sure that he had snacks on him at all times, making it easier for him to have something to eat when he was out and about. Especially with how often he practiced the changes in his powers out here.

Sliding off the saddle, he took two steps forward then tossed the meat towards the bear. "Here. Enjoy, my friend. We mean you no harm. This is your home rather than mine."

Kirk

[conqueredhearts]

Iskandar was in the process of learning another one of the tavern songs when he saw Jim nearby. Smiling, he got up and went over to wrap an arm around him. Ever the affectionate man this one. Of course he almost went for a kiss too but had to move the two of them out of the way so someone could pass by them. Really that was the only reason why Jim didn't get that kind of attention right away.

"Jim! It is good to see you! Have you some free time? We could spend it together! Perhaps you will be able to help me come up with ideas of where to get the thing I'm looking for."

[universal_charm]

Overall, the tavern songs are not that hard to lean. Simple and catchy tunes, easily sung when drunk or sober, but that would be the point, no? Oh, and to bring good cheer. There was the occasional sad one, but thankfully those came up quite a bit less often, which was just as well considering the mood of everything outside of Skyhold, and to some extent within it. The war was pressing in. If one looked closely they could see it on the faces of those around them, the slight slump in shoulders and the quick little glances now and then when a noise seemed out of place. In the tarven that disappeared, if only for a little, and Kirk liked the fleeting company.

Or perhaps less fleeting in the case of Iskandar. He grunted as he took the now familiar weight of Iskandar's arm on his shoulders, tilting his head automatically for the kiss when it came.

"You mean that thing wasn't me?" he teased, which answered all of those questions at once.

[conqueredhearts]

"While I could play you quite nicely, you will not create the sort of music I was going for, my friend."

He laughed a bit though, clearly enjoying the banter. And why shouldn't he really? This was basically what had caused the two of them to bond in the first place. This mutual teasing and utter friendliness. With plenty of flirtation mixed in, of course.

"No I am hoping to obtain harp or lyre actually. I would like to be able to play again."

[universal_charm]

You charmer, you, Iskandar. That earned a laugh and a gentle ribbing - a spot he easily reached given the height difference, even tucked beneath Iskandar's arm.

"I think I sound just as lovely as either of those instruments," he said in a mock huff, his smile giving away his teasing. "I'm not sure that you could find one just lying about in the tavern, though. I think those tend to get guarded jealously by the bards, but maybe one of the shops could have one for sale in the morning?"

[conqueredhearts]

"So the shops might have one? I will have to look there to see how much one would cost. I may not have the money for one yet but an idea would help."

He nodded his approval of that. It would be good to have an instrument to play again. Perhaps he might not be as fine as the bards but he could still entertain even if it was just himself. Besides, he'd love to write some of his own music again.

"Now, I think you should tell me how you are as lovely as those instruments. I'd love to hear this one."

After initial arrival shenanigans

[kartereo]

With the shock of well, everything, wearing off, Waver found himself finding his usual voice again. The voice that wanted to levy criticism, the voice that wanted to complain about something not making sense. Those voices were kept internal though, as Waver knew that there was too much to learn and that it was far more important to learn right now rather than be critical. He also knew that here, he was vulnerable. There was no Gray to protect him, no Reines, just Rider. And while just Rider was a great comfort, Waver harbored a little fear that the moment on the bridge might repeat itself again.

He could be critical about one thing though without fear. In asking Rider where the man was sleeping, he had been shown the answer. An answer that Waver certainly didn't expect, and was met with a flat stare of disbelief.

"You have got to be kidding me."

[conqueredhearts]

He was in the middle of brushing down his horse when he got the response. Blinking, he looked over his shoulder, obviously not seeing the problem with all this. There was room in this stall for himself and Bucephalus so obviously it wasn't that bad. Pausing in what he was doing, he turned to him and tilted his head a bit. Like some big dog trying to understand the odd noise that he was hearing.

"Hm? What is wrong?"

It was just hay.

[kartereo]

"You're seriously sleeping in a horse stall?"

There was zero hiding Waver's critical voice, and zero hiding his disapproval as well. For all that disdain he might as well be Archer pontificating on high. Waver let out a huff, before pinching the bridge of his nose.

"And you're waking up every morning with hay all over you, smelling like horse?"

[conqueredhearts]

"I'm sensing that you do not approve of this."

Sensing probably wasn't the right word for it though. More like the disapproval was so blantantly obvious that it was hanging heavy in the air as Waver judged him for his decisions in life. Basically they were picking up right about where they left off. A few months ago for Iskandar and years ago for Waver.

"Should we sleep elsewhere?"

[kartereo]

"We don't have to sleep elsewhere," Waver said, realizing that the 'we' could either be the royal 'we' or an invitation to share a bed. It didn't matter. "All I know is that I'm finding a normal bed, because among other things, I'm not getting up and picking straw out of my hair every morning."

With a sigh, he offered Rider a sidelong glance. "In all seriousness, why here? I'm not going to invoke Archer with talk of kingship, but this is a weird call, even for you."

True, Rider had slept on the floor of the McKenzie's, but that was the McKenzies. On ancient campaigns, he would have had a cot at least.