(no subject)

[in_death_sacrifice]

WHO: Kain and OPEN
WHAT: Catch-All for February! Letter-writing, Wintersend... and of course, the start of griffon bonding!
WHEN: The month of February/Guardian.
WHERE: Various locations in Skyhold
NOTES: Prose or brackets fine, I’ll match! No warnings, unless someone gets squashed by a griffon. Please don't get squashed by a griffon.

Warden Camp

Settled somewhere outside his tent for the moment, Kain is in the midst of writing something.

Dear Inessa, Kain starts, sure that he’ll figure out whatever else he wants to say. It seems a bit foolish. He’s still not even sure what he’s doing or what he really feels at all. He’d just thought that if he wrote it all down, he’d feel better about things.

While he’s in the midst of writing, he keeps furtively glancing up as anyone approaches. Just act casual, just… act casual. “...Nice day, isn’t it?”

Battlements

Maybe somewhere high up will be better to get his thoughts down on paper. So he’s up on the battlements, staring at the sky, and then down at the letter, which is only partially started.... Until a gust of wind comes along and starts blowing the paper away. He cries out in alarm, scrambling to grab it, running along the battlements as he chases after it…

Wintersend: Around Skyhold

Though Kain isn’t much for cheerful celebrations, he does realize what day it is when a large box arrives from his friends back home. Which means he has to go off and visit the merchants to buy a couple small gifts for people.

So, he’s got his arms full of stuff when he very nearly walks into whoever’s approaching, catching himself at just the last minute.

“Pardon me.”

Griffons

“You’ve all grown so much. Imagine... soon some among us might be riding you, if you'll allow it.” Kain walks from griffon to griffon, pausing to admire or pet them on occasion, if they’ll let him. Some do, and some don’t. Some really don’t. He values his fingers far too much to dare attempting much with Buttons, for example. He's also careful to watch his fingers with Buggie, he's brought an extra treat for Chawcey, and he's sure to… have an extra cloth on hand when he pets Slobbaface.

Potato of all of them seems especially excited to see him lately, and today is no exception. He can't resist giving her an extra treat. Make that two.

“What is it, girl? You- well, all right… if you insist…”

The griffon is very suddenly making happy noises as she attempts to rest her entire self against Kain… though she’s most definitely a bit big for that now.

Other?

If you want another prompt let me know... or just throw something on here, it's all good with me!

Comments

Wintersend

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin's heading down the stairs of the main hall, not paying as much attention as perhaps she should, so it's a good thing Kain speaks up when he does. Stopping short, she automatically reaches out to steady him, not wanting the Grey Warden to spill all his goods on her. She raises an eyebrow at the sheer amount, but doesn't ogle too long.

"Hey, need some help?"

[in_death_sacrifice]

"I -" He straightens, trying to steady his balance. Yes, that was most definitely a close call. Phew. He glances at Korrin around his pile of things. "I suppose I wouldn't mind, if you'd be willing to lighten the load. I wasn't expecting to end up with quite this much."

Someone else is very much in mind to lighten the load too. With a sudden whoosh from overhead, a blue feathered terror swoops down to grab one of the smaller wrapped items he's got on top of his pile. "Bastard..." Sigh, well, he is 'helping' by lightening the load, right?

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin takes whatever Kain will let her snag, not minding the diversion at all. The sudden noise from above startles her, but she doesn't drop anything. Instead, a wide grin forms as she takes note of the blue feathered terror from earlier days.

"Hey, Bastard! Great to see you, you pain in the ass!" What, is she supposed to be chastising him? Nah, he's not her problem.

[in_death_sacrifice]

Kain is definitely grateful for the help, since it means a lighter load, not to mention and easier one to manage. He rolls his eyes, though he knows the bird, and knows it won't take the package too far away. He's too lazy for that, for one.

"I take it you got to be good friends with him? And yet he'd rather park his ass outside a Warden tent at all hours, just because he can..." He shakes his head. "I wouldn't have expected him to change. Thank you for your help, by the way."

[gatheringstorm]

"The Qunlat phrases come from me, so yeah. That and any of Andraste's body parts. It makes for fun times at the chapel." Korrin grins, not at all repentant. "Just tell me where to and I'll follow. So, how've you been? Who's all this for?"

GRIFFONS

[circleprodigy]

Buttons, tragically missing a wing, always gets Inessa's attention when she first enters. He's generously gifted with bacon, which she was only able to get by having someone else distract Garahel for a while. Her mabari would have it all for himself, if he could, but he's not the one stuck on the ground while his kin get to fly. So, bacon for Buttons.

Butterball receives head-rubs, and she tries to give a little attention to each griffon who seems to want it. Potato is her clear favorite, though, and she'll save the best for last. Ready to spoil her, Inessa nonetheless pauses with a grin as she observes the griffon with Kain.

"Watch out, she'll definitely take advantage of that if you let her. She nearly crushed me, trying to claim my lap as she did when a hatchling." Gesturing for Potato to let up, she tests various names to see what might stick. "Griselda...Liadan?...Valfreya?...." Sigh. "...Potato."

[in_death_sacrifice]

Kain gives an 'oof' sound as Potato just won't leave him alone, finally knocking him over and leaning down to nuzzle him as she tries to fit on his lap. But she's being really gentle about it, he can tell. At her size she could do some serious damage if she were trying. Still, ugh, this is a lot of griffon leaning on him.

Fortunately, she responds to that last name, fluttering her wings a little as she moves off of Kain, giving him much needed breathing room. "Someday, somehow, one of those names must stick. We only have to find the right one..." He looks at the griffon thoughtfully. "Not that I'd presume to name her, but, well... I've taken a liking to her." As she seems to be to him too. And Inessa, come to think of it.

[circleprodigy]

"As have I. Name aside, she's intelligent, coordinated...affectionate. She would make an excellent part of a riding team." And yes, her affection towards Inessa is evident as well, since she makes a beeline for the elf after getting off Kain, happily soaking up petting and scraps of food...and then trying to sit on her lap, as well.

"Oof--I'm not as sturdy as Kain! You're far too big to get away with this, you silly griffon!" Kain, help.

[in_death_sacrifice]

"Yes, exactly... she's a wonderful companion, and I could see her being very dependable... both in loyalty and in skill." There's a wistful tone in his voice, he doesn't dare to hope for much, but, well... some part of him does wonder. He watches Potato with Inessa for a moment, before approaching.

"Now, now... what did we just get done talking about... Potato, here... I may have some more meat saved after all..." One more treat to try and distract her. The griffon gives Inessa some more nudging before going for the food. "Do you think... I know it seems... a bit presumptuous to say it, but what if... what if she had chosen us? Would we know with any certainty?"

griffons!

[chainlightning]

There's one griffon who doesn't shove his head forward when Kain approaches, and that's Ghostface. It's nothing personal though, Kain; it's just that Merrill is already there, gently grooming him. His head is lifted up as she works on the spot just under his chin that he can't quite reach, fingers stroking through fur and feathers as she croons to him in a mix of Trade and Elvhen.

The sound of Kain nearly falling over because Potato is leaning on him, however, makes her pause. There's a turn of her head, Ghostface making an unhappy noise at the stillness of his fingers before he realizes someone else is there and his sibling is sitting on them. Then it's a tilt of his head as he studies the situation, beak resting almost dangerously close to Merrill's ear.

"If you've got sausages with you, it'll be more than one griffon on your lap," Merrill giggles, turning back to Ghostface so that he doesn't decide her ear is a sausage.

[in_death_sacrifice]

By this point, Potato finally manages to knock him down, though it's done rather gently, as if to demand lap-sitting time. Which is what she tries to do next, settling her head in his lap. Like some sort of oversized cat, he thinks, wondering if he ought to stop encouraging this. The thing is, he... rather enjoys the affection from her.

He glances over toward Merrill and Ghostface, giving an amused sort-of-laugh. "I'll bear that in mind... though I've exhausted my whole supply of sausage already, this visit. I'll have to bring more." He looks over toward the two, as he idly pets Potato's head. "They're really starting to show off their personalities now, aren't they? They're no longer children..."

[chainlightning]

"Ghostface loves sausages," Merrill says, as if confiding in Kain and trusting him with a secret. It's no secret -- everyone has likely seen the smallest of the griffons trying to get sausages from his siblings and nipping at fingers when he thinks they're sausages or sausage substitutes. "Better bring a lot."

There's another giggle as she goes back to grooming the griffon; he's settled now, content that Potato, at least, is content. Old feathers are pulled away, some discarded into a pile on the floor and some carefully set to the side.

"They already had quite vibrant personalities when they were hatchlings. When I met them they did, at least." And wasn't that an interesting time, getting all the hatchlings and Maja out of Weisshaupt.

[in_death_sacrifice]

"He tried to steal some from me once, when I'd come to feed everyone. I learned fast to bring extra." With all the attention and treats these griffons get, it's almost surprising they aren't chubbier, though Maja probably keeps enough of an eye out on who's bringing them what and when. He's sure of that.

Kain continues patting Potato, stroking along her neck, finding a spot that she likes, making her tilt her head back with a happy griffon sound. "You're right, of course. I hadn't yet come here when they were found, I would have liked to have seen them newly hatched... what a wonderful sight that would have been. It's almost hard to believe they're already so big. Big enough that they'll be flying, and taking on riders soon enough..." He gets all wistful as he thinks of that.

Griffons

[not_the_question]

The Doctor was still trying to understand the lay of the land. He wasn't sure he ever would. One thing he was grateful for was that the separation from the TARDIS didn't seem to be having too much of a negative impact upon him. Thank heavens for small mercies.

That wasn't to say he didn't miss her, but it wasn't having the crippling mental issues he usually had.

He was thinking about these things when he took a wrong turn and ended up... well not at all where he was planning. Which might have been for the best because.

"Griffons. Real, live, actual Griffons. Well, this place can't be too bad, then."

The Doctor approaches one carefully. Considering he can speak Dinosaur and Baby, Griffon should be easy enough. And if not, well, touch-telepath. The one he is near is a little skittish.

"Okay, gently. I might have something here for you."

He digs around in his pocket and pulls out what looks like a little box. He opens it and inside, are some chunks of meat. He doesn't remember what kind, or even what planet it was from, but should do well enough. He holds it up for the creature to take.

He grins when it does.

"Oh, very good."

Which was when he heard Kain.

"Oh, hello. I don't think we were properly introduced when we fought the Pride Demon. I'm the Doctor."

He offered his hand to the other man.

[in_death_sacrifice]

"It's all right, Stormclaw... Tempest... I mean, Potato... Let me... just... move for a moment..." Kain knows he's fighting a losing battle when it comes to renaming the griffon, but he's been trying out new ones on her anyway. It probably isn't his place. It's not as if he owns her or anything... but... he's started to feel a bond with her anyway.

He finally gets around the griffon enough that he can reach out to shake the other's hand. "Just that? The Doctor? No surname?" How odd. But, well, rifters. They do surprising things constantly. "I'm Kain Ventfort of the Grey Wardens. Good to meet you under better circumstances." One of the best places in Skyhold, in his opinion.

[not_the_question]

"My species doesn't even do surnames before our naming ceremony. Good to meet you, Mister Ventfort."

After all, he hadn't given the Doctor permission to use his common name. The reply is easy, given that he's quite taken with the Griffons. The Doctor smirks for a moment, after all, it's not his place, but he's fairly sure now that he can speak a bit of Griffon. Or at least a little bit. Still, he'll keep that to himself for now.

"How long have you had them? Are they native or did they fall through the rifts as well?"

[in_death_sacrifice]

Species? Naming ceremony? There are some definitely peculiar things in that, but Kain won't pry too much just yet. Still, it reminds him just how strange these other worlds could really be.

"The Doctor it is, then... and just Kain is fine," he glances toward the griffon nearest him, a great deal of admiration in his gaze as he gently pets her. "It's only been a matter of months that we've had them, they grow quite fast. Before these were found and hatched... griffons had been extinct for a long time. They were once the pride of the Grey Wardens, so many among us are pleased to have them back."

camp

[ichaer]

Leaving the nearby space that she shares with Nessa, Ciri is humming a low tune under her breath as she focuses on peeling the apple in her hand. For once the weather isn't so awful and it might actually make for good riding weather depending on how Kelpie was feeling about all the snow still on the ground.

It's Kain that catches her off guard when he suddenly glances up at her, brows furrowing and glancing upwards slightly with the question. "It's not bad, I guess."

[in_death_sacrifice]

"In the middle of winter, at Skyhold of all places, we should be thankful for all the good days we get." He does his best to hide what he's actually writing, not wanting to let Ciri see it. He's still not even certain what he's doing, and having to explain it... well... that would be really tough for him. He pauses a moment, then tries to be a little less weird and awkward. "How are you faring lately, Ciri?"

[ichaer]

"Uh-huh," she answers with a hitch of NO BELIEF in her voice. "I suppose it was nice that I didn't have to sleep with four blankets last night."

Her shoulders shrug in response to his question on how she fares and seemingly glances down to continue peeling her apple with careful movements of her paring knife. After a quiet moment, she realizes an answer is probably in order and peeks out from under her fringe.

"I'm going stir crazy stuck up in these mountains so I was thinking of taking Kelpie out on a ride down into Ferelden. Might see if Nessa wants to go and fill up on our homeland's fatty tavern fare."

[in_death_sacrifice]

"Why oh why couldn't the Inquisition have chosen a cozy place in the Hinterlands?" No, they needed the most snowy and bitter cold place of all. At least it's easily defended, but even so... There are some areas elsewhere he might have gone for, if he'd had any say in it.

He sighs, understanding that feeling all too well. It's easy to feel somewhat confined, up here in the mountains like this. In the... cold, frosty mountains. God, he misses the ones out in the desert sometimes. "That sounds like a good idea. Inquisition business may take us elsewhere often, but that's... not quite the same thing. And your homeland's taverns are the best, I've learned that."

Battlements

[nadasharillen]

Coming up to stare at the mountains for a while, Nahariel is surprised to find herself rounding the corner to stare into a faceful of paper instead. Her hand flies up to grab it by pure reflex before the wind gets it back, giving it a bit of a crumple, but saving it from taking true flight over the battlements. The Dalish crafter shakes her head, peering myopically at the brief lines of language before looking towards the sound of feet hitting the stone. Raising the paper, she quirks a grin.

"Yours?"

[in_death_sacrifice]

The wind whips back his hair, as Kain approaches. He'd been certain that paper would be lost for good, blown off the battlements off to the ground far below. But having someone else grab it is... well... it's a good thing it's been salvaged, right? Even if he's not so sure he wants anyone to see what he's been writing.

"I- Yes. I'm that obvious about it, aren't I?" He approaches, sighing. "That's what I get for trying to write up here under such conditions."

[nadasharillen]

She'll chuckle, and hold the now-rumpled piece of paper out to him. "You're the only other person up here and you're running, so I thought there was a decent chance," the elf replied, crossing her arms once it's taken to hug herself against the chill wind. "Gusty today, isn't it?" she agrees when he mentions the conditions. She looks oddly pleased about it, for all her arms are wrapped around herself.

[in_death_sacrifice]

Kain takes the paper quickly, praying she didn't really look it over too closely. Not that there's a whole lot legible on there, with all the crossing things out he's done. He hadn't gotten far in what he really needed to say, either. He sighs, glancing up as the wind once again whips his long hair into his face.

"You could say that." He brushes the hair away. "I probably should take this whole thing elsewhere... though I tend to like it up here. I like the view, for one thing."