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

[universal_charm]

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.

[conqueredhearts]

"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.

[universal_charm]

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?"

[conqueredhearts]

"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!"

[universal_charm]

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).