faderift | Open | Hanging out with a King

Entry tags:

Open | Hanging out with a King

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!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

"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?"

"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?"

"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.

"There are not a lot of beds available and I take up a great deal of space. Until I could get a cot I thought I could sleep here."

Really it had just made perfect sense to him. He was big and there were others who could use the beds more than he could. Yes he was dealing with different powers here but that didn't mean that he had to take something from someone weaker than himself.

"Did you not wish to share a bed then? It would save space and be warmer."

What. He could do logic too.

"I've seen people here with huge horns bigger than you," Waver said, his voice only a touch kinder. That was as close to admitting that Rider had a point that Waver would get. "I think that if they've got people like that, they probably have one or two spare beds built for that size you can use."

Waver would eat his scarf if it was otherwise.

"And yeah, fine, warmer is better in a place like this. But again: are stables naturally warm?"

"You have never been in a stable, have you."

He shook his head then stroked his beard a bit. For the two of them maybe they could share a bed and have some space for themselves if they got a tent. A tent would be able to keep them protected and suit Waver's needs better. Certainly it wouldn't have the modern advantages but the young man would have to get used to that.

"I shall find us a tent and a cot or bed to go within it! Then we can share that." Why yes. He was very pleased with his idea. Thank you for asking.

"Wait, wait, wait."

Both of Waver's hands went up, open palmed, making it clear that he still found qualm with Rider's plans.

"Why a tent? There's a whole building, isn't there?!"

"Hm? What building would that be?"

Iskandar wasn't sure why they would be going to a building when many of them were so filled up already. Was Waver expecting to magically find room there? It seemed a better idea to have a tent.

"I mean there has to be something besides--"

Waver sighed heavily.

"I'd really prefer something indoor like rather than perpetual camping, that's all I'm trying to say."

"I understand. Unfortunately the state of this place means that we'd be better off giving beds to those who truly need them if we can. We can always find beds for ourselves later."

Waver might not like that answer but Iskandar knew it was for the best. Especially since they were healthy adults willing to share a space.

"I also might point out that I'd like to know how exactly you're going to find a tent that's you-sized, all things considered."

Waver had to imagine that it'd be less one of those little triangle types that were set on the ground, and more akin to some sort of war tent that would include a high ceiling and a respectable amount of space, perhaps the size of a student dorm.

"One can have such things crafted. I might have to do some trades to ensure I obtain one but I do not see how it would be that difficult."

Really he just didn't see impossibilities. Everything was just an opportunity that someone hadn't taken yet. Which obviously mean that he had to be the one to do the taking. What else could that possibly mean?

Waver sighed. "Well you can sign me up for helping pay for half. That's only fair."

The question of what might Waver do wasn't important, not really. Give him basic accounts to balance or light cleaning and he'd be fine. With that settled, Waver tugged at his hair, then paused to untangle a knot that had formed.

"We should find out how cold winters get though, that way we can have extra heat in case it's bitter and below freezing. I'd rather not contend with frostbite."

"Well I wasn't going to pay. I have no money."

Sure he'd been here a couple months but he really hadn't bothered with money. It seemed easier to trade for favors and the like rather than actually having the funds to do anything. Besides it really made him feel more useful about things.

"I imagine around here they shouldn't get too cold. This place seems to survive the area well for some reason. But it would be good to get you warmer clothes, boy. You did not grow up to have meat on your bones, after all. Do you eat at all?"

"Barter. Whatever."

Barter seemed like a safe bet, actually. Waver knew that Rider could get things by sheer charm and force of personality, and that was probably how he was managing here, Waver was aware he'd be less well off.

"And of course I eat! I just forget sometimes because my schedule is so busy." And stressful. And intense. And a million other adjectives that meant sometimes it would be Gray that had to remind him to shove something in his face. "Plus a natural body type."

"Well I can make sure to watch that you do not forget to eat then. I have to consume food regularly now myself so it should be easy enough to have you eat with me when we are together."

And with that, he'd made that decision for him. The end. Just like ten years ago when Waver had really been that boy that Iskandar still called him.

"Perhaps some furs. They would go well with your glorious coat there."

"I'm not eating you sized portions though," Waver pointed out, the acidity in his tone nothing short of a joke. "My stomach cannot possibly contain that much food, even on the days where I'm hungriest."

It might be worth seeing Gray's alarmed face to try though, Waver thought. But no, that'd put the poor thing through too much she didn't deserve, and she put up with so much already.

On the topic of coats though, Waver felt a little glow of pride. There had never been any question of why his coat and why the colors, but Iskandar commenting on them was something else. "I take it you approve of said coat?"

"Of course! It reminds me of my colors!" Going to his things, he fished out that red cloak with the fur trim. Holding it up proudly, he showed exactly why he adored that coat that Waver wore so much. Then he was setting it down so he could come back to him.

"Is it in honor of me?"

It had to be. He just knew it.

"You have to ask?" Waver asked, rolling his eyes. "Of course it is, idiot, why else would I wear something so loud?"

He went right over to pull Waver into a fierce hug that the man really hadn't asked for. "Ah what love I feel from you! Your devotion warms me in ways words cannot describe!"

Basically he was really happy.

Waver let himself be swept into the hug, his arms struggling to return the grip. Iskandar was hard to hug, thanks to his size.

"Devotion, yeah," Waver repeated into Iskandar's chest, muffled. The tone had a hint of wistfulness to it, contrasting against Iskandar's disposition. "Glad it's finally been noticed."

"Finally? Boy, what do you take me for? I am not blind to such things." He gave him a gentle bonk to the top of his head as he lifted a brow in his direction. It was such a gentle scolding really though. It wasn't like he was actually irritated with him.

"You are not exactly that hard to read after all. You wear your heart rather openly even now."

"Someone who doesn't comment on things that other people think're important," Waver muttered, swatting uselessly at the hand that tapped the op of his head. Sure, it briefly disturbed the hug, but it was an uncalled for gesture as far as Waver was concerned.

"And only for you. Clock Tower still can't figure me out."

Well, a few did. Reines in particular, but Reines was the kind of person who could look at someone and know their entire life history. Gray was starting to catch up, but they had only known each other for about six months.

"They cannot?"

Letting him go, he planted his hands on his hips and tilted his head to the side. It seemed rather odd that they would be unable to figure Waver out when he was really so very obvious to him. Painfully so. Unless he was only like that with him? It was possible but he really had no way of being able to tell just yet.

"What do they think of you then?"

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject