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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

"That's... a long time. How is that possible, that you've lived for so long?" Rifters sure are fascinating, aren't they? Kain is learning a lot about their other worlds, most of it still seems so unusual to him. But the Doctor seems to have one of the strangest backgrounds of all. "Who knows, perhaps one day we'll find a means for everyone to leave this place..." He knows that it's... sort of possible, there are stories about rifters who've vanished, but he's wary to trust that they've really gone home.

He nods in agreement about the 'amazing' part. "They really are. Do they differ much in these other worlds, where their names are different?" After all, he's heard about dragons varying considerably, he can only assume the same is true of griffons too.

"It's a long story... well, no, it's actually a story that lasted about a week, just repeated for a hell of a long time."

If Kain knew the story (or if the Doctor were currently willing to tell it) that statement would make perfect sense.

"If I had my ship here, I could pop everyone home to their proper times and places before tea."

He misses the TARDIS. Desperately. And not just because she could get him home...

"Oh, well, yes. There's one planet where it's more the cross of a finch and a house-cat. Though, the finch was a bit bigger than most people are used to and the cat a big smaller, but they were the griffons of that planet."

"It sounds like something worth telling... if not now, perhaps someday over drinks." It sounds like the kind of thing which would go over well when told in a tavern, anyway. The Doctor truly is a mysterious voyager, isn't he? Kain raises an eyebrow. "What kind of ship can travel to other worlds? How is that even possible? Does it... float to other seas somehow?"

Because of course, there's only one thing Kain thinks of when he thinks "ship."

"That sounds like a fascinating creature, I wouldn't mind coming across one of those... or seeing anything of the griffons and dragons of other worlds."

"A lot of drinks. And from what I've had here so far, nothing here is strong enough to get me to tell it. At least not yet."

It's the story of torture. And no one here wants to hear that anyway. Because they think they have it the worst ever.

"If I can find a way to get her here, then maybe I could take you on a trip. Since it sounds like you are less afraid of my stories and more interested in them."

Afraid might be a little strong, but the Doctor really hadn't made friends here. And it's as much because of people's lack of trust as it is his personality. He smiles as Kain makes his observation. The Doctor too often forgets to explain things using the words of others. But Kain, well, he's good at directing it.

"You might say it floats on other seas. In the way that animals who fly find the right winds so they don't have to work as hard, my ship has the ability to find similar currents that exist between the stars."

That almost hurt. Because that's not really how the TARDIS or Vortex worked, but it was a close enough comparison for this conversation.

Edited 2017-03-15 13:57 (UTC)

"I understand. No need to tell something like that unless you truly want to." At least Kain gathers what he means when he says that, knowing well what it's like to have a dark story that's not exactly pleasant to tell about. He isn't one to push when he knows it's like that, anyway.

Kain nods fondly. "I would be interested, yes. I personally find it's not worth it to live in fear." He prides himself on being courageous and willing to face anything, no matter how strange or dark. It's what he does, as a Grey Warden, his utmost duty. Though compared to some, he probably is a little more willing to venture into something like this.

"It flies... between the stars...?" That sure is hard to wrap his head around, but he's definitely impressed. "The view from there must be stunning... to venture so far into the sky..."

The Doctor only nods his thanks. And he smiles fondly as Kain continues to talk about himself and how he thinks of what travelling in space must be like.

"It's the most amazing thing I've ever experienced. It's why, even when I end up in places like this, I continue to do it."

There's a calmness to the Doctor that probably hasn't really been seen before. He really does belong with his TARDIS among the stars and even though he doesn't have that now - and misses it terribly - thinking about it, about getting back to it, clearly affects him.

"I can see why you would. So how could that even be possible? Building a ship that rides into the stars, it sounds... remarkable, though I can hardly fathom it." Yes, unfortunately Thedas doesn't have man-made air travel of any sort, so he has a hard time wrapping his head around it. But it really interests him. The sky has long held his fascination.

But then he considers something about the way the Doctor had spoken and adds, "Forgive me, this seems to be something that perhaps you'd rather not dwell on."

He offers a reflective smile at the questions. "It's just something my people do. It's hard to answer more detailed than that given the lack of technology here. The memories are good ones. It's fine."

Because he's always fine. Even when he's not. Clearly Lucy was right to tell him to 'keep it real.'

"I suppose you're right. It seems like it would be hard to understand, as well. Technology is still so strange to me... and I still find it hard to fathom that it's not powered somehow by magic." Yet, there are worlds without magic and with technology. So strange.

"Well... all right, if you say so. I'm not one to pry when it's better not to, of course."

"And I find it hard to find a place where magic exists. I still think it's all science."

Which is all he'll say about it. He doesn't really want another argument about science.

"I...appreciate it."

For all the saving the Doctor does, his own story is rather depressing.

"I sometimes wonder if it's easier in those worlds without magic... or harder in some ways, who knows?" But he won't argue, anyway. He's no mage, so he's not too set in debating anything. But it's something he finds strange to consider. Mages have it hard here in many ways, even if magic gives them great power.

"And it's no problem. We all have things from our pasts that we'd rather leave unsaid." He sure has a lot of that, stuff he won't bother to mention anytime soon.

"There's a saying on Earth - a planet where I'm from. 'Life means suffering'. So I'm not sure that 'easier' or 'harder' matters."

Okay, so he really should probably explain the positive aspects of Buddhism, but that doesn't seem to matter right now, because this statement actually answers both of Kain's points and he goes for the easy route.

"Hm. That seems... apt. That may as well be Thedas' saying as well." Or, really, he would adapt it himself. He's not one to shy away from hardships or to look at reality too optimistically. "Maybe that's true everywhere, then... Unless you've stumbled across any worlds that are free of suffering. But I somehow doubt that's possible."

There would be something else, he's sure, some other struggle to take the place of the one the mages face now.

"Quite probably. I haven't found any place free of struggle and suffering, but everywhere seems to deal with it in different ways."

For as much as people here will probably witness the Doctor fighting, he hates himself for it every time he has to do it.

"And everywhere must have its share of differing problems to face, too. In a way, I'd rather deal with the conflicts I know of here, rather than end up with something unknown."

He can't imagine having to get used to Thedas from an outside perspective.

"You get used to it. Though.... entirely different universe this time..."

So not so used to it. It's similar enough to be similar, but the differences are quite radical.

"What do you think of it, so far, compared to others?"

He does have a bit of an attachment to this place in some ways, it's the only world he's ever known. But he's curious if they're that much more unusual than other worlds or what.

"It's different enough to be a challenge for me."

Which is saying something. Because, well, he's used to being challenged.

"On the whole, I think the people are good and doing what they think is right."

He pauses in thought.

"I think of it like I thought of so many other places before: Worth saving."

And oddly, he doesn't sound cliche or flippant about it. He does want to save this place, if he can.

"Somehow, that seems especially meaningful, coming from an outsider. I'm glad to hear we're worth it, though. And I'm glad the Inquisition has been the one who met you and the other rifters first so far..."

After all, it would be a very different story if the rifters had ended up in the hands of Venatori, or any number of other unpleasant groups. There's a lot of bad in this world too... but... it's good to be reminded that the Inquisition has managed to be a strong force for good.

The Doctor would probably find this place worth saving no matter who he encountered. Because that's how he rolls.

"Why do you say that? I'm not saying I'd want to be killed by demons or anything, but what else is out there? Everyone seems solidly against Corypheus."

"The darkspawn, for one thing. Every so often our world falls under a Blight where their kind arise and wreak havoc. Though I say that mainly because I'm the most focused on them as a Grey Warden. There would be plenty of other problems here without Corypheus, wars between nations and groups seeking to disrupt life... We've rarely had a peaceful existence."

Though Kain would be the first to agree that Corypheus is their Big Threat to deal with.

"Then Corypheus is a blessing in disguise, uniting all of you against a common foe. The trick will be to keep the peace once the foe is defeated."

Hey, optimism. He didn't say 'if'.

"Don't let most people hear you say that, they'd hardly be able to contain themselves. The ones who've lost loved ones fighting against him would beg to differ. But... I think I understand." He's never seen people come together in this way, from so many vastly different groups and nations. "I don't know how possible it will be for them to keep that peace. It's similar when a Blight falls. At that time, the Darkspawn are everyone's enemy, and we Wardens are heroes. But when the peace is restored and memories fade... people return to seeing enemies in each other again. We Wardens become a nuisance at best, our purpose forgotten."

The Doctor nods, a bit sadly.

"That's why I never usually stick around for the fallout. It's too distressing to watch that peace dissipate."

He hums for a moment in thought.

"Thank you for at least trying to understand."

Contrary to his normal experience, people here aren't even giving him a chance. One thing not phrased the way they like it and he's to be despised. He's not used to that and doesn't even know how to over come it, save to simply not care and no longer make any attempt to make things better. But then, that's not really his way.

"I don't blame you. In many ways... that part is the hardest of all." He sometimes finds himself wishing he were actually old enough to fight in the last Blight. A battle like that would be much more straightforward to deal with than what they've got now, and the Wardens would be hailed as heroes again.

"And... you're welcome. I can't say I fully understand a lot about you rifters and your worlds... but you're here now, so... we all have to make the most of it." Maybe because he's used to being looked at suspiciously as a Warden, he's... sort of sympathetic to outsiders.