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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"Yes! What better way than to do that? There are horses already there for us to look upon!"

It only made sense really. Besides, he wanted to gauge Jim's reactions to each of them in turn. The best way to do that was to actually be around them.

"You were not doing anything correct?"

Because he was already moving out the door like he'd already decided for both of them.

The answer was no, but he thought that even if he had been, he would have simply put it off and let himself be swept up in Iskandar's enthusiasm for the subject at hand. He pushed away from the bar and followed on the other man's heels.

"I already have something of an idea of the frame I suppose you could say?" he mentioned as they walked through the night towards the stables. "I seem to like the horses that are broader - they're easier for me to sit than the narrower animals."

"So you enjoy spreading your legs wide?" He laughed at his own joke then gave him a wink to let him know he was only teasing him. Really he was already formulating an idea of the sort of horse that would work for him. War horses were perfect for things like this but he knew that this place was quite short on that stock.

"You will want one with good endurance and speed should you take one out for attending to matters outside of Skyhold as well."

"What can I say? It helps me keep a better hold when my mount gets frisky," he smirked at Iskandar, giving as good as he got, honestly enough these types of verbal exchanges.

For his part, Kirk hardly had ideas of what sort of horse, other than he preferred the larger animals, the ones that were almost draft like as he had told Iskandar. He knew there was far more to picking a horse, and frankly he knew he needed one that was more laid back and quiet. He wasn't an expert, and something with more spirit could prove more trouble than he was prepared to handle.

"Oh, yes, that's a good point," he nodded. "I'm not sure how you'd tell that in a horse, though, just by looking at them."

Which was the point of asking Iskandar, now wasn't it?

"By looking? You cannot. Just as you cannot tell which of us has more endurance just by looking at the two of us. One can see our sizes and determine I am likely stronger but things that involve movement have to be tested. To be witnessed. That is how you will truly know if the animal is right."

Iskandar gave pause to that when he realized he had a correction to that statement.

"Or you will simply look at the horse that will be yours and just know it is the one. That is how I knew Bucephalus would be mine."

He nodded, because it made sense. The problem for him was that he didn't know how to test those things even if he did saw them. There was the obvious method of riding until the horse was tired, but no seller would let him do so. He would get at best ten minutes, he thought.

"Hah, I have an eye for that with ships, but I can't say that would translate into horsemanship. I'm better at that sort of thing with people, you see."

A wink was thrown Iskandar's way.

"I'm really not sure how one would see such things with a ship but I can teach you how to look for things like that with a horse."

He almost missed the blink because he was busy trying to figure out how one would test a ship to know if it was ready for someone or not. Luckily, he didn't though and he grinned at him.

"I'd say your talent rests in reading more than just that, my friend. However, I do appreciate that aspect of it too."

"I'm sure it's like seeing those things in a horse, just... different."

Yes, that made perfect sense, but how was he to explain how one noticed the imperfections, the size of the engines, the way she had been cared for? All the little minute you began to notice after you've ridden inside of one for years? Given any other time, he might have, but he didn't want to distract Iskandar from the task at hand. If that were even possible. The man did seem to like his horses...

"Ah, also, as part of this favor - " Kirk began, the notion of having an eye for people pinging something in the back of his brain. "Do you think you could help me haggle for the horse as well? I'm not sure what a good price might be, and I'm not confident to make a judgement on the fly."

Iskandar blinked at the question then burst out laughing before clapping a large hand to his shoulder. Could he help him haggle for the horse? What sort of question was that? Of course he could help him to haggle for a horse. That would be no trouble at all and he knew that his natural charm and gift for talking with others could do that. This was an area he was very talented in indeed.

"Of course I can! It would be a lot of fun! I've started getting the handle on how money and trade works here and that is how I have obtained clothes and finery and such already!"

Kirk stumbled a bit beneath the slap - Iskandar was strong, after all, and he hadn't been braced for the slap. But he smiled, pleased that Iskandar was so willing to help him through this process. He paused them in their walk, not to far from where they could begin their search for his horse. He reached up, cupping the back of Iskandar's neck and drawing the taller man down to him so he could kiss him.

"A pre-payment for your services," Kirk smiled, giving him a last nip before releasing so they could continue on.

He wasn't sure why they were stopping but was pleased that it was a kiss. Of course he caught the 'pre' part of that and understood right away that he was very likely to be getting more later that day. Well, he could certainly live with that.

Moving on toward the horses, he asked which were available for purchase before he started to look over the various animals, speaking to them in his ancient tongue as he studied every aspect about them. Height, muscles, the looks in their eyes, how they responded to him and Jim...

Well, he would have gotten more regardless. Kirk enjoyed Iskandar as a friend and a bed partner, so any chance to tumble that was presented he was more than willing to take.

Kirk followed, once again swept along behind Iskandar, and more than happy to take a followers role in this. He found it fascinating the way Iskandar approached this, and it was certainly something to watch. He took care to pay attention to the things Iskandar payed attention to, noting them for future interactions. At least he was not so swept along that he could not immediately speak up if he instinctively disliked an animal. His gut was rarely wrong on those sorts of things, and he didn't want to waste Iskandar's time.

Eventually he felt pulled towards a larger animal, clearly of draft stock, a pale dapple gray with warm brown eyes. The animal seemed placid enough, ears flicking in interest at the goings ons around it, but not overly excited either - more observational. Kirk meandered towards him, smiling as the horse pressed its muzzle into his palm and grunted softly.

"What do you think of this one?" he asked Iskandar.

Iskandar came over and began to inspect the animal. He appreciated that the horse was willing to put up with that, standing still while he investigated for anything that might be wrong with the horse. He had a good personality, a solid form. The King liked the looks of him for a beginning rider and liked him more when he saw that he was responsive to Jim already.

"He's a good one. Let me go see if we can take him out for a ride so we can see if you like to be on him."

He grinned at him then went to go ask about that, keeping an eye on Jim with the horse while he was gone so he could see how they interacted. A bond was essential for horse and rider, after all.

The horse remained mildly interested in Jim, snuffling at his hand and his hair the color of wheat. Kirk pulled back as the horse lipped at it - an easy task given the animal was so tall. His shoulder was well above Kirk's head, which wasn't so intimidating as it was promising. Besides, he had known any draft animal he was after would be tall.

Kirk began to scratch at his forelock and behind his ear. The dapple, for his part, took on a blissful expression and lowered his head to enjoy the attention, looking not unlike a rather large dog.

That looked like it could be a very good horse for Jim. Iskandar smiled as he got what he needed to take the horse out for a bit, bringing them back and saddling up the horse so the man could continue to bond with him. Patting his rump, he smiled at the animal before nodding to Jim.

"Come. Get on him and I'll go get Bucephalus. We'll go for a ride and see how well he does."

Leaving him to Jim, he went to go saddle up his own horse then got him so he could come join his friend.

The look Kirk shot Iskandar wasn't quite one of alarm, but there was definitely trepidation. So far the only horse had ridden were the older, quieter beasts in the barns that their owners wanted exercised, and since Kirk would do it for free - well. But, he would have Iskandar with him, so he doubted anything terrible would happen.

Taking the tack, he saddled the gray up (whom withstood the process with minimal fuss, thank goodness), and mounted up with the help of a stool - which he did not feel at all ashamed of considering how tall the beast was. Oh goodness, this was much higher than he had been before.

"The height difference shows," he said when Iskandar approached, his fingers twined in the gray's mane.

"But of course. This is a larger beast."

He laughed and leaned over to pat the neck of the animal. The gray was good for Jim, putting up with a rider not so comfortable on horseback. That was a very good sign and he smiled fondly at the pair before he went to lead the way out of the stables so they could go for their ride.

"Trust in your friend there. He knows what he's doing from the looks of things," he called back to Jim.

Not so comfortable was a polite word for it. He was fine with the quiet beasts he had learned to ride on, was used to. This new creature was something else entirely, but when it appeared he was not about to buck him off for the presumption of riding him, Kirk relaxed.

"Certainly more than me," he laughed, clicking his tongue and squeezing with his thighs to follow Iskandar, making a soft sound of surprise at the roll of the gray's gate - much longer than his usual mount's, like being in a boat rather than a motorcycle. "Promise to come fetch me if he runs off with me?"

"He will not but I would come for you all the same."

He laughed and shook his head. Really Jim's nerves were getting the best of him if he felt that was going to be a problem. "Relax! Your new friend will be able to keep you from failing in this if you give him your trust!"

Easy for Iskandar to say, but the horse didn't seem to mind all in all, which was a start.

"All right, lead the way," Kirk called to Iskandar, squeezing his horse's barrel and hoping that once they were free of the grounds the horse didn't decide to change his mind about this whole riding thing. (Spoiler alert: he doesn't, because Kirk buys him).

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Open | Hanging out with a King

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