faderift | (open) our memory will be my lullaby

All things considered, Ciri does not truly like going down into the dungeons in the belly below Skyhold. There is a damp smell that sticks to her senses and she dislikes the darkness creeping in the corners just beyond the corner of her vision. Most of all, Ciri does not like having to pass by the prisoners of this war that the Inquisition has taken.

Mostly she does not like having to see Clarel de Chanson, the former Warden-Commander of Orlais. The last time she had seen the woman was months prior in a drunken stupor when she had stumbled down her and yelled until the guards dragged her away.

But! The adorable griffons are here and she will do terrible things for these bird children. Which is why she is hauling a bag of terrible scraps down here in a large bag with her best friend in the whole world.

"Do you think they would eat bear meat? I've been thinking of going out and finding one," She says suddenly, eyes sparkling. "A pelt would make for a nice blanket since it has been so cold."

Half truth because mostly she just wants to fight one.

Edited 2017-01-24 06:10 (UTC)

The dungeons is not Inessa's favorite place in the world either, to be sure. Not normally as confrontational as Ciri, she avoids looking anywhere near the former Warden-Commander, preferring to ignore her presence entirely. There are much more pleasant things to focus on, such as their feathery, rapidly growing, brood.

For once Garahel is not at her side, as she's trying to get them accustomed to her presence first without a big, loud, presence which might just rile them up. She holds her own (smaller) bag as best she can, not able to carry nearly as much but wanting to contribute. Ciri's mood is infectious and met with a grin. "There's only one way to be certain, is there? Though if you're intent on doing so, at least don't leave Garahel and I behind. We'll make shorter work of it together."

Hopefully that means it'll go down before attracting more of its kind, as they always seem to do.

"Fine, you can come along but I get to punch it first!"

As if Inessa is going to go and punch a bear but it is the thought that counts. Perhaps, maybe... not really. Either way, it is not a terrible idea. The nights are getting colder and it never truly gets hot in the valley so a decent pelt blanket would go a long way for the both of them.

Pulling the door leading in the back of the dungeon, she is hit with a sudden chill of wind blowing in and the sound of water rushing. The babies are, as always, looking happy and Ciri does not wait even for a moment before approaching them with a huge grin on her face.

"Good morning everyone! Are you hungry?" There is about half a second of waiting before the griffons descend eagerly because when are they not hungry?

"I wouldn't dream of denying you, Ciri." And Inessa would certainly brag on behalf of her friend to anyone who would listen, of course. That they would have a nice warm pelt is also a bonus.

Upon spotting the young griffons, Inessa smiles warmly, automatically quickening her pace as she follows along. Their insistent cries prompt soft laughter from her as she upends her scrap bag, watching them quickly converge on her offerings. "So frenzied! One would think we never feed them, Ciri. I know they can't be compared to mabari in almost all other things, but this reminds me of the kennels." The only difference is that she didn't have to worry about beaks and talons then.

"And that's why we're basically married already."

A dreamy little sigh but Ciri laughs, now thoroughly distracted by the baby (huge babies, but still babies) griffons currently ruffling themselves around her feet like a herd of huge cats. She doesn't waste time either by offering up what she has brought in offering for their endless hunger.

"Tell me about it but they are constantly growing. Just imagine how they'll be when they're older."

Inessa chuckles, likewise quickly overwhelmed with baby griffons swarming around them. She reaches into her pocket, withdrawing some bacon. "Buttons! Catch!" The one-winged griffon perks up and leaps for his prize, thoroughly spoiled to make up for his lack of flight.

"We'll have to start feeding them whole bears, at this rate. Which one do you think you'll ride?" For Inessa, there was never a question about doing so, as long as the griffons agreed to it. She can't think of anything more Grey Warden than to soar in the air with a griffon companion.

"No clue, I'm still worried about how to deal with Kelpie's jealousy."

Griffons have always been this thing of the past, long ago and far away with no chance at reality. It was why she was so grateful for her talent on horseback. Now they were this reality and it almost made sense for her, a Grey Warden, to be a part of this if one happened to decide it liked her.

"I like to think our little white monster likes me though," she muses as said monster as she nips at something shiny hanging from her belt. "Then there's Butterball. We're food friends and he's likely the only one in Thedas to like my puns."

Edited 2017-02-12 00:55 (UTC)

"Garahel's only jealousy is bacon and belly-rub related. I don't think he has anything to worry about on the latter front." Inessa can ride whoever she wants, but she better not give them more bacon than the mabari himself receives. That's just cruel.

Inessa smiles as Butterball pauses to appreciate her head-rubs. "You can never have too many pun-appreciators, and giving him regular exercise can only be a good thing. Sorry, Butterball, I know your chubbiness is part of your charm."

"Kelpie has been my mount for so long that it would be strange to have another especially one that flies," she chuckles. "Though it would be absolutely brilliant to dive down atop one of them."

Somewhere in the middle of this conversation, L.W.M manages to snag the shiny chain from her belt and quickly flutters away toward her nest of stolen goods. Ciri only sighs, hands on hips and shakes her head before eyeing Butterball.

"And I sure don't have too many considering. BB gets me though."

"What a good griffon." Yes, that tone is markedly similar to when she's gushing at Garahel but Inessa, eyeing those beaks and talons, won't get too carried away with it. She'd rather not lose a finger, or worse.

Her lips twitch at L.W.M.'s actions, knowing she probably shouldn't encourage this but it's entertaining all the same. "Perhaps we should bring along cheap baubles, for her collection. Then perhaps she would be less inclined to take from others." Maybe, but don't hold your breath on that.

"...please tell me that if we bond with different griffons, that we can race them. It would count as team-building, wouldn't it?"

Reaching a hand out, Ciri ruffles the feathers atop BB's head with a grin before watching him grab a mouthful of food and swallow it down. She'd chuckled if a part of her wasn't partly scared of what they'll possibly be able to do in just a few more months time.

Glancing over, Ciri nods. "There's shiny stuff all over Skyhold that we can bring her but it could just make it worse."

Maybe, probably. Most likely anyway.

"Of course! We have to bond with different ones for both racing and just general flying together."

Flashing a smile, Inessa nods. "Good, it's settled then. I expect nothing less than a race around the valley, in due time. As for battle...well, it will be a new adventure trying to cast from griffon-back. But they're young, I hope that means they will be adaptable to such."

Potato, having finished with her scraps and done fighting others for theirs, heads over to Inessa. "Hello, Potato. We need to work on another name for you, something--" And then Potato tries to be a lap griffon on a small elf, causing the latter to stumble backward. "No, you'll crush--help, please?"

"They're smart too. I'm sure if anyone can learn how to properly work with you and your spell casting it's one of these guys."

It's as she says this that Ciri notices Potato climbing his way into Nessa's laugh which results in the young Warden bursting into laughter at the sight. A part of her wishes they could captured this moment in a painting but she doesn't linger for long before stepping forward, trying to make sure that no one was crushed under baby griffon fat.

"Maybe that's his way of telling you that he doesn't want a new name?" She offers still trying to keep her laughter down.

Potato is a beautiful creature, but also a heavy one by comparison. Too heavy for Inessa's lap, and the small elf is struggling until Ciri assists. That prompts an unhappy squawk from the baby griffon, unhappy about being denied lap-time, but as Inessa stands and tries to regain her breath, she strokes Potato soothingly.

"Maybe, but Potato attempts that often regardless. She doesn't understand that she's getting too big for that nonsense now. I'm afraid it might be a well-ingrained habit even into adulthood. On the other hand, she is very well-coordinated and loves high places. That should bode well for riding, I think."

(open) our memory will be my lullaby

GRIFFONS | INESSA

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