[Open]

[in_death_sacrifice]

WHO: Kain and ANYONE
WHAT: Just one prompt this time. The next stage in the griffon-riding training: actual flyiiiing!!
WHEN: Now, anytime in the month of Drakonis
WHERE: Skyhold, in the air, wherever they land (leaving that part open and up to the responders!)
NOTES: No warnings!

This is it. Kain has been taking all of Maja's advice to heart, when it comes to preparing for griffon-riding. He's been coming by daily to feed and groom Potato and just spend time bonding with her in general. Between him and Inessa, this is becoming one spoiled griffon. He's gotten a lot of trust from Potato over the past few weeks, and learned to trust her in return. Now it's time to start training in the air.

Kain mounts Potato with ease, getting comfortably settled on her. He feels much like a Warden of old when upon her like this, and he straightens with a touch of pride in his posture.

"All right, Potato... let's go!"

Up and away they fly! This is strictly for training purposes, of course, the same as he would do with any mount. But whenever he ascends skyward, Kain breaks out into a rare grin. Yes, this... this is where he belongs. Where he's always wanted to be all along, soaring through the air, wind in his face, with the ground so far below. Anyone observing from the ground will notice them circling through the air, practicing various maneuvers. After a while, they come back down to take a break somewhere in the area surrounding Skyhold... (or maybe even occasionally to perch on one of the taller towers).

Where will she land? Anywhere a griffon can go! Sometimes, it's a bit of a surprise landing, coming down right next to someone very suddenly. Sometimes, Potato catches a small animal on the run, swooping in to snatch it with her talons. Maybe she even comes in to slash at an enemy of some kind, helping someone in a fight. Anything is possible!

Comments

[not_the_question]

He chuckled softly. "Oh, the technology too. Many things would be easier for me if I could get my tech working. But I mean personalities. I'm used to everyone listening to me. Everyone following my ideas. But it seems a lot of people here are used to the same thing happening to them. So we all... clash a bit."

But he's not going to offer details, or he might reveal something of the future.

[in_death_sacrifice]

"Clashing is definitely something to get used to around here. The Inquisition itself has representation from so many factions... factions who don't agree on much else, aside from that Corypheus is evil." He sometimes wonders what will become of it all once that threat is dealt with. Though he knows the Grey Wardens will always have something to deal with, and he'll follow them wherever.

"Are you a leader of some sort where you're from? Since everyone usually follows you?" He can only speculate.

[not_the_question]

"Ah, nothing like a common foe to bring about temporary unity."

Clearly the Doctor has been through that a time or two before, since he specifically didn't say 'peace'. At the last question, he paused. It was a good question, because he had to think about how best to answer it. He slid his hands in his pockets and bit his lip in thought.

"Well, not by choice. I don't like being president of the world. My enemies give me names like 'The Oncoming Storm' or 'The Great Destruction of the Universe.' Most people just call me 'The Doctor'. When I'm forced to define myself, I am..." He paused, more for dramatic effect than anything. "...An idiot. Usually I have a box and my screwdriver works. But mostly, I'm just passing through, helping out, learning. And if it happens that I can save a life or two along the way, well, all the better."

[in_death_sacrifice]

"It'll be interesting to see what happens after our common foe is vanquished..." And by 'interesting' he means 'undoubtedly chaotic', because he knows all too well what happens among certain of those factions. The Grey Wardens aren't everyone's favorite group of Thedas, so he knows they'll have to go off back to their keeps. Probably wait until the next Blight.

"Those are quite the titles. You must have done something extraordinary to earn them." At least, he can only assume. No one gets such badass sounding names without reason. "If you've survived this many worlds, you can't be as much of an idiot as you might think."

[not_the_question]

"Indeed. Especially if I'm still here. I don't normally stay around for the... 'cleaning up' as it were. Another title. 'The man who comes for the battle and runs away from the fallout'"

He doesn't sound as amused by that as he thought he should. But bygones.

"I do my best to save planets and civilisations. Sometimes I succeed. Rarely does anyone ever acknowledge my failures."

And there are many. And in his mind they are great.

[in_death_sacrifice]

"Some title." Kain sighs, wondering about that, though. He's not much of an 'aftermath' person himself, come to think of it. "That's the hard part, after the battles are waged. The rebuilding and so forth. It's much harder and more tedious. I'd much rather have an enemy to fight."

Hmm... but if what he's saying is true... "Thedas needs all the help it can get, these days. Maybe you've come to the right place at the right time. Even if you're somewhat stuck here for now."

[not_the_question]

The Doctor hums in thought.

"That's probable. I just... I usually have my technology to help me. Even at least my sonic. None of that works here. And I was kidnapped here, it's not like I chose to come or was sent here..."

[in_death_sacrifice]

"No one chose much about this situation we're in, but here we are. Who knows, maybe you can find some way to rebuild your technology? Though that's probably not so easily done. Still, I'm sure you'll find some way to put your talents to use while you're here." Until they find some way to send everyone home, somehow. Who knows when that might be?

[not_the_question]

He purses his lips, more sad than frustrated.

"I used to be able to do things with a kettle and some string. But these days? Well, I've become overly reliant on it."

But that makes him think of his time with the Vikings.

"Don't suppose you have any electric eels about?"

[in_death_sacrifice]

It can't be easy being so displaced and out of sorts like that, Kain can see that all too well.

He shakes his head. "I can't say that we do. Perhaps somewhere along the coast..."

[not_the_question]

He nods in reply.

"But you've heard of them, at least? Know what I'm talking about? They exist in this universe?"

Because, if he can get an electric eel, he might be able to get his sonic working again.

[in_death_sacrifice]

"I... think so? It would probably be better asked of someone with more experience with more watery environments, but I'm sure that we must have something like that." He's no fish expert, to be fair, but he's sure the Doctor may find what he's looking for. Or something even stranger, perhaps.

[not_the_question]

The Doctor grins. No. Smiles. Possibly the first real smile he's had since the return from the future. Possibly since he arrived. He gently holds potato's head and kisses her cheek.

To Kain he grins. "I'd kiss you, but then people might talk and would certainly get the wrong idea."

But this is really the first sense of hope he had for technology since he got here. And that just literally changes everything.

[in_death_sacrifice]

"I'll thank you for sparing me that." He says it dryly, in that way that's actually his idea of being joking. He looks fondly at Potato for a moment, like he's a proud parent with his child, then back to the Doctor.

"I certainly hope you find what you're looking for. If that venture doesn't work out... The mages may be of help as well. Storm magic is our word for it... the magic of lightning and so on." He'd heard the word 'electricity' spoken of before from some rifter or other in reference to something like that, so it probably means what he's after is possible.

[not_the_question]

"Well, it's mutually beneficial, believe me."

He takes the joke in stride and offers one in return.

"Storm Magic. I'll considered it."

And while he doesn't believe in magic per se, he has encountered other creatures who could affect the weather.

[in_death_sacrifice]

Kain nods agreement. He doesn't really understand the technology he speaks of either, and the ways of rifters still seem so foreign to him in ways... but there are commonalities. Things which are near universal. "It seems it may be worth exploring anyway... the lightning cast by such spells is very powerful."

[not_the_question]

He nods.

"I will look into it. The trick, as with everything is doing it. And can I harness the lightening to use it how I need it to be used."

[in_death_sacrifice]

"I can't even imagine how exactly you'd make use of it, but such magic is indeed very powerful." Harnessing it, huh. He's not even sure how that would be possible, but he seems to know what he's talking about. "Who knows, it may be worth having someone use such power in a new way..."

[not_the_question]

The Doctor nods. "I imagine most of my ways would direct people to learn things in new ways."

It's just sort of how he is.

"But that's new and exciting. It's why I never stop learning."

[in_death_sacrifice]

"An interesting perspective. That's true of you and your story, and all rifters for that matter. Who knows, it may turn out for the better for us to have all of you here..." Wouldn't that be a turn of events? Quite different from the demons everyone feared rifters to be initially.

[not_the_question]

"That is my hope."

He looks around them.

"I should probably start back. I've taken up far too much of your time as it is."

He gives potato a gentle stroke.

"But I thank you for the rescue, I'd rather take up someone's time, than end up someone's meal."

[in_death_sacrifice]

"You're welcome, and it was no trouble at all. I'm glad we were in the right place at the right time." Kain looks fondly at Potato, petting her as well. She'll probably be up for a little more flying before they head back. "Good luck on your return."

He then climbs aboard, leaping up effortlessly... he always did have a good talent for that sort of thing.