faderift | (no subject)

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Potato take her turn leaning on each of them, then pushes off to ascend to her perch, watching them from above. Inessa sighs and shakes her head. "I don't think it will make any difference to her, sadly. Whatever we choose is for us, admit it. Gale is a good one, too, nice and simple.

Potato, we're not done--eh, I suppose she could use a break." The griffon hatchling is always calmer when she's had the chance to be high up anyway, a good sign for their flying experiences in the future.

Kain glances up to watch her go to her perch, there's always something pleasing about watching her fly, a graceful coordination which is very promising for a griffon. She's going to be a wonderful addition to the griffon team.

"I suppose she could. And you're right," he sighs, "she seems to have taken to the name she was already given, they all have. I only wish we could have remedied this sooner, but... as long as she's happy, I don't mind. I'm just... I'm honored that she's chosen us." He's more sure of it than ever as he looks up and she catches his eye for a moment. There's such intelligence there.

Inessa peers upward as well, admiring Potato's grace and poise. She seems relaxed, yet alert to all, ready to act at a moment's notice. That's a good sign of things to come, she believes.

"As am I. Do you think she'd allow some decoration without picking it off? Though...even if she doesn't, the others might. Nevermind that. But if she'll allow it, I'll keep one of her smaller feathers for myself. Perhaps it will be attached to my staff."

"I think she might. She seems like she'd be up for trying anything out for us, within reason..." He watches the griffon closely, enjoying the sight of her even more now that he's aware of the bond that's starting between the three of them. This whole thing may even bring him closer to Inessa as well, he realizes. Something about that makes him happy, too. He nods. "And I like the idea of keeping a feather. I'll have to have one as well, when the chance arises."

Glancing back at him, she nods in approval as she looks him over. "Perhaps not on your sword hilt, that could come off all too easily. But around your neck? It could be attached to the amulet we all carry."

"Attaching it to the amulet is a good idea. It wouldn't get lost, that way... and I'd always have something of her with me." He glances up fondly at her, the griffon gazing back with that intelligent stare of hers. He has to wonder what she's thinking. "I certainly hope this works out, I'm already feeling quite attached myself."

Potato, noting them observing her, lets out a happy squawk that makes Inessa glad they aren't too close right now. They'll have to do something about discouraging that volume or their own hearing will be endangered. "Likewise, and I think she knows it. We'll have to be careful not to spoil her overmuch. She's a worthy successor to her ancestors, and we have to ensure she remains that way."

There's volume to consider, there's all the lap sits... they have their work cut out for them with their griffon-child. But Kain wouldn't have it any other way. She's the Wardens' griffon, in truth. But he'll certainly be honored if she chooses them to care for her, and ride her someday.

"We do. No matter what she's called, she truly is worthy of that honor, no one could ever think otherwise. I can't wait to see how she'll perform in the air... and to feel what it'll be like to... to be there with her..."

"Even though she's not a dragon?" Inessa looks over to him with a teasing grin, knowing fascination with said creatures. Dracolisks aside, though, no one's ever ridden the flying sort and lived to tell about it. She's fine with that, wanting to stick with the traditional mount of the Grey Wardens.

"Even then. Griffons are just as remarkable, after all. I was just telling someone the other day that this really could have been the Griffon Age, as much as it is the dragon..." Though he's always dreamed of being the first one to ride upon a dragon, someday. It's likely impossible, never to happen... but he can fantasize as much as he likes. At least he'll get into the air...

"Hm, maybe if they had been rediscovered just before the turn of the ages, it would have been possible. Perhaps the next age will be named for them, if we can created a large enough resurgence. They -and the Wardens- could use that boost." As the dragons already have their named age, it seems only fitting for the griffons to come next.

"I like that. Next age, in that case. I don't want to despoil the dragons their age, anyway, they certainly deserve it too." He stares up at Potato fondly. She's right, too, about the Wardens. "It really is about time we had something good happen to our order. These griffons are the best thing we could have asked for." Aside from another Blight to make everyone see them as heroes again, but no one actually wants that.