faderift | Open | Hanging out with a King

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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!]

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Ride with him. Kif slows as he reaches into the bag and feeds Bucephalus, mind unfortunately empty of any thought when he could really use them right now.

"Um. Do you have a... a saddle for two people, then? Is that how?" He thinks they might exist. They must, right? People do this sometimes. Maybe. Oh, Maker, he doesn't even know, which is just about the story of his life whenever he's around Iskandar.

"Not really. But you are small so we will manage just fine." Iskandar slid the saddle on then fastened it securely. His horse didn't mind at all, busy eating and gently bumping his head against Kif to see if he would be able to get more food. Obviously he wanted more because it was just delicious. Then again, who wouldn't love treats?

"I have had someone small sit before me on the saddle before so you will fit there."

"Oh." That would work. It would be warm, at least, even if his mind seems to be fuzzy when he's right up against Iskandar. He took a breath, giving the horse another apple as he looked up at the saddle. At least he and Dainty wouldn't be struggling to keep up. It might even be fun; he'd never gone particularly fast on his pony.

"All right." Kif dried his hand off on the bag before frowning at the stirrups that were... rather far off the ground. "Do you have a stool to use to get on to him?"

He was just finishing up with his horse when Kif asked about a stool. Laughing, he just reached out to pick him up and put him on the saddle like he didn't weigh anything at all, following to sit behind him. Tugging him nice and close he made sure the elf was pressed firmly to his body before he started on their ride.

"There is no need for a stool when you have me, my friend. I will make sure you are well cared for, I promise." Iskandar grinned at him then turned them towards where they could ride in the forest.

There were a few random babbling attempts to say words as he was lifted, but they all stopped the moment he was snugged back against the giant man. All of this was too new. Sure, he'd been shoved around plenty, kicked, pushed, you name it, but that had been with malice or ill-intent. Iskandar seemed genuinely friendly when he manhandles, humanhandles, Kif, and the elf didn't know what to make of it.

Or he mostly didn't know what to make of it.

"Could you..." He swallowed. This question went against all of the self-preservation instincts he'd worked hard on building up, but he thought it might not backfire. His voice was quieter when he continued. "Next time could you ask before picking me up?"

Humans did as they would to elves. He was used to it. But he wasn't used to being called friend, and he thought that maybe there was a chance he could risk this.

"Hm? Certainly!" He laughed and gave his hair a rub. "Will that make you more comfortable?"

Iskandar smiled warmly as he wrapped an arm around him to keep him close, able to control his horse just fine with his legs and his other hand. This way he could help Kif to feel more comfortable on him for the time being.

"It is a beautiful day, isn't it?"

Surprised, Kif relaxed against Iskandar as the man rubbed his hair, stiffening back up a little when he was now held with both arms. It felt... He didn't have a reference for it, but he could feel his heart beating against Iskandar's arms and wasn't sure if that was good or bad.

"It will." He took a breath and relaxed again. Time would tell if the human would remember what he'd asked, most didn't, but Iskandar actually might. He seemed different. After a swallow, Kif looked around and allowed himself to really appreciate their surroundings. Most of the time he didn't have time for this.

"It is," he said quietly. "I hadn't seen much of it. I was inside." And if he hadn't been swept off for a ride, he probably still wouldn't have noticed. "There's a lot of work to do, always," Kif added a little defensively.

"Yes. You do seem rather busy. It can be difficult to spot you much of the time. I'm very pleased I managed to catch you this time. I suppose I'm just going to have to find more chances like this in the future so we can keep spending time together, my friend!"

He laughed but he wasn't teasing him for working so hard. Kif had already explained why he was doing what he was doing so he wasn't going to try to scold him for it. His life was his and it wasn't like Iskandar really had another option for him anyway.

"Next time I'll have to see if I have some food with me so we can have a meal together."

There were so many who were all talk and no meaning. Most were, in Kif's experience and opinion, especially the humans. This one... didn't seem to be, and it had him feeling strange. Kif chalked that up to the lack of expectations. What humans didn't expect him to do something for them, whether it was chores or serving as their dumping ground for how rough their lives were, despite how his was? What human cared about him as a person? Iskandar was the first he'd ever met that seemed to.

"A ride is... nice," Kif managed to say. "Or you could tell me to get food together next time." The thought of someone bringing food along for him so they could relax together was a little daunting. He was him. Kif. An elf. Not some... anyone.

"What if we both brought food? Then we would have enough for a grand feast for the two of us!" That seemed a splendid idea to him. As well as a decent compromise. He was finding he would have to slowly work Kif out of that servant attitude when he was with him. Perhaps others would treat him so lowly but he would never view him that way. He simply did not see him in such a fashion.

"What foods do you enjoy the most?"

Both. Kif swallowed. A ride and being brought food. At least he figured he wasn't being set up to be mocked; that didn't strike him as something this man would do.

"Soups," he finally said nervously. "I like hearty soups." That might not be enough of a description, so he mustered up the courage to be more specific with talking about something he wanted. "I like a lot of vegetables, and I really like it when the meat is recognizable."

"You have meals where you do not know the meat?" He frowned as he wondered what sort of food this master of Kif was feeding him. Then he gave a firm nod as he memorized the information that he'd been given. "I will make sure that it is a hearty soup with lots of vegetables. And I shall make sure that I am very aware of what the meat is so I can let you know."

Then he grinned. "Or I shall see about meat that is cooked to the side and add it to the soup! That way I can truly be sure of what we eat!"

He shrugged, a bit self-conscious.

"When you can't afford much you don't ask questions. And then when it comes to Orlesian 'cuisine' you don't want to ask questions." The regular day-to-day fare was fine and he even liked it. But at the fancy parties, everything was iffy. Especially if it was decorated in any way.

"But you don't have to cook for me. I don't, I don't expect that." That's what nobles did for other nobles when they were courting, not... Kif stiffens, turning bright red as he recalls Iskandar's previous words about finding him attractive. Was that, was this... Was he being flirted with? No, it couldn't be. No one would flirt with him. All the same, it's terrifying and comforting in a combination he's never felt before.

"Ah you don't have to worry. I do not know how to cook beyond what it might take for me to survive were I out in the wild alone. Cooking is something I will leave to others who can provide us with pleasant flavors that we can enjoy." He did note that he stiffened though and went to spread his hand against Kif's stomach so he could offer him more support. Perhaps the elf was still nervous about being up so high on so big a horse. The least he could do was offer him some support.

"My gifts to others have always been along the lines of songs and poetry. I could write you something along those lines. You are truly lovely enough for me to create something of great wonder."

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Open | Hanging out with a King

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