faderift | (no subject)

WHO: Kain and OPEN (+ one closed prompt for Inessa)
WHAT: Talking about that Thing that happened... Getting new armor, hauling stuff to a new place, dealing with an annoying parrot, other random stuff for the month.
WHEN: Catch-all throughout the month (Inessa's prompt backdated!)
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: Nah, but will update if something comes up. Prose or brackets fine as always!

1. For Inessa: Awkwardness!

They can't avoid each other forever. Though Kain did a pretty good job of it after they'd returned from the dragon battle. Will she think it some heat of the moment act? Does she understand what it had really meant? He's not so sure he even understands, himself...

Kain has kept himself busy, mostly with training and just avoiding places where Inessa normally goes. He just doesn't know what to do or say, how to proceed from here. Everything will change after what he'd done, won't it? But eventually, inevitably, they cross paths one day in the Gallows, as Kain is hauling some stuff out of the room he'd been assigned... He's also (appropriately enough) wearing his newly redone dragonscale Warden armor.

2. Dragon Armor, Armory

This is the day. Kain is like a child on Wintersend as he gets up and scrambles to get to the armory. He's had his Warden armor redone with dragonscale, taken from the very dragon that the group had slain together. Once there and once he's paid for it and has it in hand, he just spends a long moment looking it over, and stroking the scales on the chest piece admiringly.

"A worthy opponent..."

3. Moving?, Gallows

It looks suspiciously like Kain is leaving, as he's continually hauling boxes and bags full of his stuff out of the Gallows. He's still planning to keep some sort of back-up dwelling space or at least office in town, for whenever that's needed. But he wants to make his new place as comfortable and home-like as possible.

He's hauling along a trunk at the moment. Until he loses his grip... The trunk falls solidly to the ground on its side and the top opens, revealing a diverse collection of dragon-shaped Orlesian masks inside. One falls out, but fortunately it doesn't break.

"I knew I should have gotten that trunk repaired." He grumbles as he picks up the mask to look it over.

4. Chaos in Kirkwall, near the Chantry memorial

A bunch of raised voices catch Kain's attention. He approaches the area cautiously, wondering if he's about to get swept up in a fight. It's... a pretty bad scene, with people shouting and pointing fingers at each other.

"He called me an awful name, he did!" one woman shouts dramatically.

"Well, she blasphemed the name of Andraste!" a man adds.

A woman fires right back at him. "I heard you shouting dreadful things during a service the other day."

It's not his problem, this is an area where uptight religious folk tend to gather anyway. But as the squabble continues, Kain hears a burst of familiar laughter nearby. He glances around, then finally up on a building where none other than Bastard is perched. It all suddenly clicks. Kain sighs heavily, putting a hand to his face. Why did that bird follow him here, again?

5. Wildcard

Kain can often be found training, as always trying to strengthen himself, and trying out his new dragonscale armor. He also frequently takes care of Potato the griffon, making sure to ride her often, usually landing somewhere outside of the city for a break after they've flown a bit. Most anywhere in Kirkwall works for any other random ideas!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Kain seriously hopes that his own bad luck is gone as well. He'd spent years pining for someone he could never have. Then, later, he'd decided he would never have someone for himself... that he would never deserve it, for one thing. For another, as a Warden he'd figured he didn't want to burden someone with a relationship doomed to end early. But with a fellow Warden, one who has no other love in her life to stand in the way... finally, it seems he's found someone right for him.

Just like her, Kain finally stops holding back for that moment, for once letting his true feelings to the surface. He deepens the kiss, letting it linger for as long as he possibly can. He lets himself enjoy the sensation, her warmth and taste, everything about her. When the moment finally comes that he needs some air, he's reluctant to part from her too far, letting his forehead rest against hers.

At some point, yes, air is definitely needed. Inessa fights it at first, reluctant to let go and end that particular moment when the sensation of his lips against her is as thrilling as last time. And yet, the fact that there can be more such moments, as many as they prefer, finally spurs her to ease back as he does. She closes her eyes briefly, savoring that closeness even as she can't quite breathe enough to speak yet, those normally pale cheeks quite flushed.

Kain lets the silence linger for a bit, not really having words to fully express how he's feeling. His heart is soaring, though, and it's better than even being upon a griffon's back. So it wasn't just a one time thing. That much is also clear. Whatever spark had been there as a result of that dragon battle... it's back again for sure, and even without that battle's help.

Finally, after another few moments, he smiles. "So... it was real. And better than I'd have imagined." He looks at her, still cautious even if he suddenly feels much more hopeful now. "I... Does this mean... What will this mean, for us? I'd certainly... I'd like more of that to happen. That is. If you do." Oh, god, he's so awkward about this. But he needs certainty, now, he can't go on just assuming things.

One breath at a time, Inessa manages to regain her composure...or as much of it as possible. That lingering closeness makes it difficult to return to reserved formality, though she isn't actually bothered by either circumstance or result. There's a small smile lingering on her lips, likewise relieved that there's more to them than one interrupted kiss in front of a dead dragon and others.

The remaining caution has her chuckling, not unkindly. It's rather endearing that he cares enough to ask directly, however awkward. Honestly, she's pretty sure that awkwardness is mutual, but knowing they're both fumbling in the dark about this makes it easier to manage. "I would, too. Though perhaps not after every dragonslaying. I'm much more willing without an audience."

it does make it a little easier, knowing she's just as awkward and inexperienced as he is. He's had a few encounters with women, especially that night back in Orlais when his friend Edge had seen fit to get him to a brothel. There were some popular dancing ladies back there that he and Cecil frequently went to see. But none of this is the same. None of this involved any true feelings. He's never had them returned before.

It's all new territory. He's still anxious, still a bit scared he'll ruin it all... but those feelings are lessening now. Kain smiles at her again. "I can't promise I won't get excited after another dragonslaying... but for your sake, I'll be glad to whisk us away to privacy as soon as possible. And... I'll be glad to do this sort of thing, anytime you wish it, otherwise. Anything... anything you want of me..."

To that she responds with a light, playful shove. "In that case, I ask you to consider not losing yourself in that new getaway you just claimed. I understand you need the outlet, but remember that we have a purpose here...and I don't yet have permission to be anywhere else." Even if she did...well, she's in the Research division which means libraries and whatnot. Aka, not the wilderness. "That doesn't mean I won't ask, but moderation is necessary. I should like to see you more than just in passing, Kain."

That definitely gets Kain thinking about his decision. It was the right one, for his own sanity's sake, but he doesn't want to put much distance between them, either. He nods agreement.

"That's a promise I can keep without question. I swear it. Now that we're..." He isn't sure how to say it, and falters a moment. "...well... you know, we're... If we're to be a couple... I don't want to let you get lonely without me. You're still always welcome to come join me at times when you can, as well. And I'll be glad to stay here at any time you want me... to be here."

If this hadn't happened between them, he might well have gone on to isolate himself more than ever. Now that the dragon's den has been even better converted into a dwelling space... he's less inclined to leave it. But now he has a reason to be among civilization some more, for Inessa's sake.

Inessa's smile is one of sympathy and warmth as Kain struggles to say what they are to each other. The newness of it all is awkward to navigate, but they'll deal with it and hopefully move on to better things. She relaxes a touch at that promise, not surprised but still gratified that he isn't going to launch himself into hermitdom. That's rewarded with her leaning up for a brief, feather-light kiss.

"And I'm glad to hear it. I'll make a request soon, that I promise. I can't say I'll be able to take advantage of it as often as I would like, but...I'll try." If Kain can check himself against his urge to isolate himself, she can check herself against her constant researching. Fair is fair.

It's very new and very awkward, but he'll learn, he's determined to. As long as he can make her happy... that's all that really matters much to him. He's relieved right now that he was able to do and say the right things.

"I'll look forward to it. You'll always be welcome there... In fact... It could be considered as much your place as mine. You helped me evict the former occupant, after all. And, as much as I get tired of others' company, I could never feel that way about yours." He smiles, adding, "Well, and Garahel's company, too, of course."

"I'm sure he'll be pleased when I inform him of that." Inessa chuckles, glad she didn't bring him with her after all. He doesn't need to bear witness to everything. "I can let you finish up here...unless you would like some assistance?"

Yes, it would have been pretty distracting having Garahel around, for this moment. But Kain can almost imagine the mabari giving his approval... he's never paid it much mind before, but he's always sort of been for them being together, hasn't he?

"I'm sure he will... and he'll be pleased for the both of us, I'm sure." He looks at his things, then toward Inessa and nods. "Some help would be appreciated. I'm almost done, but it'll make the work go faster."