[ Open ] Always Something New In Town

[universal_charm]

WHO: Jim Kirk & You
WHAT: Kirk's hanging out around Kirkwall. Join him?
WHEN: Through the month
WHERE: Various spots around Kirkwall
NOTES: Flirtatiousness, sauciness, possible cursing, shenanigans -
the usual Kirk stuff

Library
<sub>[ Teaching was a more laborious task than he had thought it might be, even to a minor wealthy home. He had been good enough at it at the Academy, for sure, but there had been structured there and quite a few more eyes on him - the gap of numbers. At least he had that when he taught the poorer children, which he rather liked more than his solitary gig.

No matter the case, it meant he was spending quite a bit of time in the library, pulling down children's books to copy their pages to help with reading, or even just looking up ways for him to explain scientific concepts he was trying to pass on.

The copying took up most of his time though, so it was most likely to find him hunched over a stack of children's books, laboriously copying down their contents to new sheets, fingers already stained with ink, with a stack of much thicker books set to the side. Quite an odd sight, no? ]</sub>

Training Grounds
<sub>[ To say he had some built up tension and frustrations lately would have been an understatement. Emotionally, he was in turmoil, and he had always worked that sort of thing out one way - physical activity. It had been his safe haven since the incident nearly four years ago. Or was it five? God he was losing track of time.

He grunted sharply as he fought against the dummy, striking blows with arms and legs in his self-defense style. His staff lay to the side, ready for a different workout when this was done. Already he was stripped to the waist and sweating, his skin tingling as he felt the bruises forming on shins and elbows. He whirled, a sharp crack sounding as shin met wood. He dropped back, wincing and rubbing his legs, leaning over and panting hard. ]</sub>

Damn it, don't tell me I'm losing my edge...

Tavern
<sub>[ Quite often Kirk could be found at one of the lower end taverns, sitting in the back with a mug of something at least left a warmth in his belly if not a good taste in his mouth. He watched the crowd, sometimes listening to the bards that came in. Now and then he might be drawn into a game of tales, his own usually winning because of their sheer outlandishness (even though they were entirely true, but who is actually going to believe that someone can truly sail among the stars?).

His main point of fun seems to be teaching the people in the bar the fine art of poker. He held court at a singular table, grinning at the men and women around him with cards in hand and a pile of coin on the table. ]</sub>

All right boys, time to show your hands.

Sleepless Nights
<sub>[ Meditation. He needed meditation and to clear his mind. Spock would have told him so - hell, Spock wouldn't have let him get this bad, able to read his moods and it seemed even his thoughts better than Kirk himself. Which had always been infuriating, given Spock's nature, but he supposed someone so logical could more easily assess the illogical too.

His way to meditate, though, had never involved sitting down and crossing one's legs to achieve peace. He had always found it in physical activity - in this case, running. It soothed him, let his mind float. So in the wee hours he slipped out of his home and began to run along the outskirts of town.

Which was totally not suspicious at all, right? ]</sub>

Wildcard
Make your own adventure!

Comments

For Sam

[universal_charm]

"Well, this is a first for me."

Kirk glanced over to Samouel as they entered the market place, an empty pack slung over his shoulder. He smiled a little at his lover, his fingers reaching out to brush the mage's fingers for a brief moment.

"Well, not exactly a first. But I haven't gone shopping for house wares in... years." He rolled his eyes upward as he did the mental math. Living on a ship, he'd never had much need for extraneous decoration, and his apartment on Earth didn't really change - there was no reason to when he was gone for months at a time at first, and now a number of years.

"What's your vision?" he teased.

[el_tybs]

"You mean beyond a bed, right?" After feeling the touch against his fingers, Sam turns his head slightly to grin at Jim, brow raised high with amusement. After all they've had to buy about three up to this point; one back in Skyhold, one when they moved to Kirkwall and then a second when they bought the house.

"Vision?" His head tilts slightly at that, honestly considering it. "I didn't really have one in mind. I either never had money and/or the space to have anything past a simple dresser and a bed." For him it had always been function.

[universal_charm]

That earned a short bark of laughter. It was a bit worrisome wasn't it? The amount of beds they had bought just in the past year. But they had all been worthwhile investments if you asked him. It wasn't fun to make love on a droopy or hard as rocks bed. Now if only they could find one big enough to fit Iskandar on there with them...

"The past about seven years of my life have been mostly spent on a ship," he admitted. "Not much room for decorating there either. My apartment on Earth tends toward minimal and simple though." Which was his preferred decoration method - abstract form, simple colors. Which he did not think was going to be something found so easily here.

"Let's go for practical first. New dishes maybe?"

[el_tybs]

There was still the option of getting two beds and pushing them to together.

"That... would probably be a good idea. New and matching dishes. Especially when it isn't just us." Besides that Cyril was staying with them at the time, if they had guests over it was better to have enough plates and utensils.

"We should probably get a table and some chairs. Maybe something to put books on as well?"

[universal_charm]

It would make a good showing of it, especially if they wanted to have a house warming party. It would be a bit behind given they had been in the house for a couple months now, but between Sam being gone and just getting the funds for their home, decorating it hadn't been a priority.

"All right, necessities first then," he nodded. "Where... would we go to buy those things here?" he asked, looking to Sam. He would have said a furniture store back home, but did they even have those in Thedas? Or would it be considered a carpenter's shop?

For Iskandar

[universal_charm]

The past week had been a difficult one, to say the least. He had spent a lot of time running, getting himself into the meditative state, turning over what had happened that night with Iskandar. The truth of it was that Iskandar was right. He might not have meant to "trap" him using intimacy, but he had gone on the attack all the same. Regardless of the reasons, he had done it, which he had apologized for.

But a trust once broken was a hard thing to fix. That he knew well enough, and the sad fact of it was he felt even more sick realizing that he should have known better. He had done this sort of thing twice before, once with very extreme intent and the other being clouded by his own emotions, just as he had with Iskandar. Sometimes he wished he could be like Spock, that he could reign in those most volatile of things. They were both his weakness and his strength. Unfortunately, it had been the former a few nights ago, and now he had to face those consequences.

And Iskandar was right too about his own feelings over his lover's actions. He did care about the man, deeply so. He loved him even, as much as he loved Sam. But to love him would mean to accept him for a number of things, both the good and the bad, and to learn to separate the reality from what his mind was telling him, twisting even. His heart knew Iskandar meant him no ill will, but his logic spun it differently, and he needed to align the two somehow. Otherwise was it really loving him?

It was, as Iskandar said, a problem for him to solve.

One, he thought, he was not going to solve by avoiding Iskandar. He would never earn the other's trust if he stayed away from him. He needed to face him, and honestly, perhaps this was for the best. He couldn't say why, just a gut feeling, and he hoped it was right.

All of which brought him to the moment he packed a small bundle with sandwiches and fresh fruit and a flask of cool fruit juice and made his way to the docks. He did not have any tutoring sessions that day, and his research assignment was in a lull. Besides, he didn't want to put this off any longer. Asking around at the docks quickly lead him to Iskandar (the man was hard to miss, even at the best of times).

"Hey, you hungry?" he smiled a little and held up the bundle and flask.

[conqueredhearts]

Iskandar had stayed true to his word and not come to Jim during the time since their confrontation. Even in this, he was going to keep his word to the fullest extent. If Jim didn't like that well, it was something he was going to have to figure out because Iskandar could not do that for him. Instead, he went about his life as usual and it was when he heard a familiar voice behind him that he stopped what he was doing. Immediately Achilles Alexander was at his side, fur raised and growling. Lifting a hand, he stopped him.

"It is alright, my friend. He may come to me now."

The mabari relaxed immediately and sat down, deciding to be on guard instead. Very well, he would allow this because his master was clearly more comfortable now. Nodding his approval of the dog's actions, Iskandar returned his gaze to Jim and offered him a small smile.

"It seems I am always hungry. Even after months of needing to eat now you would think I would grow used to it but that is not the case. Come, we can eat over here. I have time for a break."

He waved his hand and led the way to a more secluded spot where his dog followed and settled down to rest at his feet. Reaching down, he patted the mabari fondly. "What is you have brought here, hm?"

[universal_charm]

"You didn't need to eat before?" Kirk asked, his head tilting ever so slightly - much like a curious mabari - at that. He had known Iskandar was not precisely human anymore, but he had not equated that to Iskandar not needing to perform the necessary functions of human life. Probably because he had never seen him do anything but.

He followed him, settling down close at his side, though it was just enough that crossed knees could touch.

"Only the finest cured meats and fresh vegetables nestled between pieces of freshly baked rye," he announced grandly before chuckling to himself as he undid the pack. "It's sandwiches. And some fruit and chilled juice." There were two inside the pack, one stuffed a bit more than the other, clearly meant for the bigger man as Kirk held it out to him, using the pack as a mini-blanket to lay out the fruit and the flask with juice.

[conqueredhearts]

"I enjoyed eating but I didn't need to. My body required mana transfers."

Iskandar leaned forward so he could see what was available. He raised a brow at the chilled part. "Really? How did you chill it? There are no refrigerators in this world."

Sandwiches sounded good though and he gladly took the one obviously made for him. Taking a bite of it, he enjoyed the flavor the food. The meats with the rye bread. Reaching for a piece of fruit after that. This he popped into his mouth and chewed slowly. It was good to see that Jim had decided to start building the trust. Time would say where this would go of course.

[universal_charm]

"Mana. As in magic?" he clarified, which he supposed made sense if Waver was a magician, and given that Iskandar was a spirit... well, from what little he actually knew of any sort of magic it made sense anyways. He wasn't quite sure he wanted to get into the how though.

"You know what a refrigerator is?" he undid the flask. Chilled was very kind word for the actual temperature of the stuff. It was more like it was not disgustingly warm, but he was taking some liberties today. He took a swig, the juice itself rather tart with just a bit of sweet, refreshing in the humidity. He placed it between them for Iskandar to taste at his leisure as he bit into his own sandwich.

"Though that would be an interesting concept to introduce here," he mused to himself as he chewed.

Nights

[theexile]

It was on one of these sleepless nights that his run would lead him to see a fennec. A very unusual sight in the middle of the city for certain. It darted into view before rushing back out again then darting back out as if curious to see who he was. It sniffed the air and then lowered itself to the ground when it realized he was running right at it. Like it was getting ready to dart if he proved to be foe.

It was hard to tell if it was lost or not but if it was alone here then it sure was easy prey for any of the poorer residents of Kirkwall...

[universal_charm]

Kirk's nightvision was not the best, but he could make the out the shape of something darting back and forth, back and forth. He paused, slowing his run, chest heaving as he considered the creature - which now seemed to have settled. It was not a dog, that was for sure, and the ears were to big for a cat. In the dimmer light of the city asleep, he couldn't make out to much else, though he thought he spied a longer muzzle and a fluffy tail?

It was not something he had seen around Kirkwall before, to be sure, though in fairness he had not run around all parts of Kirkwall just yet. He paused several feet from the creature, crouching down and smiling at it. It looked rather cute from what he could make out, moonlight helping as clouds cleared above them.

"You're a sweet little thing, aren't you?" he murmured, making no move to touch the fennec, just watching.

[theexile]

The fennec relaxed when it saw that the man wasn't approaching more. Sitting there, it tilted his head then ran over in the direction of a woman's voice. "He wasn't sure what your intentions were."

The Avvar mage stepped out of the shadows where she'd been sitting and looked the man over. Running? At this time of night? That seemed like someone using exercise as a way to escape perhaps. At least that was what she was assuming. She could be wrong about that, of course.

The fennec looked around her legs, huge ears perked high to listen. Kattrin smiled down at him before looking up at the man. "He is only used to men with ill intentions out this late at night."

[universal_charm]

"I can't say I blame him," Kirk straightened and gave a sketched bow in the woman's direction. "But I promise, no ill-intentions here. Just a man who can't sleep tonight."

Which was true enough. When his mind was uneasy, dreams came, and he would rather not wake Sam with his turning or other noises, so he left in the wee hours.

Kirk tilted his head slightly at the woman. "And what of you, miss? No ill intentions this late at night either, I hope? If so, I request the grace of a five second head start."

[theexile]

"You must be unfamiliar with the look of the Avvar. I am but a healer." What she meant was that she clearly still looked Avvar and there were rumors about a female Avvar mage with a fennec who was offering healing to those who accepted it around Kirkwall. Obviously there were plenty of rumors that spoke ill of the fact. Her former people were not always looked upon so kindly.

"I was praying somewhere quiet."

Tavern

[kartereo]

[Waver rarely went out drinking. It wasn't a dislike of drink itself, it was just because he didn't feel like heading out and paying extra for wine or beer, when he could have even more for the same price in the comfort of his own space.

But well, he had wanted a bit of entertainment, and bards telling more traditional stories hit the spot. That was why he was out, and it was also why he was planning to head out for the night. The evening's entertainment was done.

The crowd was thin, which meant no wading or weaving through elbows and arms. As Waver went by the table though, he noticed Kirk and paused. He waited until the hand passed, then gave a greeting by way of holding up a hand.]

Looks like you're doing pretty well.

[universal_charm]

<sub>[ Kirk could understand wanting to drink in your own home. Now that he had one of his own, it was quite appealing. Back when he had just had the loft above the armory or in the Gallows, the tavern had been the much sweeter option most nights. Tonight was only because he didn't want to be quite so alone with his thoughts and he needed a distraction.

Blue eyes found Waver before he came up, but returning quickly to the other hands lest he miss something. He wouldn't put any of those at the table above cheating, though that was at least harder to do with a game none of them could be called experts at just yet. He smiled when he'd collected his winnings for the hand and waved a card at Waver as a hello. ]</sub>

Oh, not to shabby. Enough to maybe buy something shiny with another good hand or two.

What brings you out tonight?

[kartereo]

[Waver pauses, looking around for a place to sit. There's an empty table right behind Kirk, so he goes there, steals a chair, and settles in. Easier for him to have a conversation, and possible to keep playing even if Kirk sits out a hand or two.]

Entertainment, mostly, but that's just ended. I was going to head back, then I saw-- [Waver takes another beat, then lets out a soft little hah] An excellent example of sharing culture.

[universal_charm]

_{[ Kirk waits for Waver to take his seat, giving a look to someone who looks like they might protest. It seemed Kirk had a bit of sway, or perhaps no one was quite drunk enough yet to bother fighting. ]}

I like to think so. It keeps the gameplay fresh.

_{[ He grinned. ]}

You want to buy in, or just enjoy the show?

[kartereo]

[Waver shakes his head no and holds up a single hand in order to politely decline.]

I'll just watch for now. Card games aren't my particular domain, and Thedas has yet to invent the video game.

[He's a nerd.]

Whenever you're done though, I'm up to buying you a drink and telling you an owed explanation of Iskandar and myself.

nights;

[foxsays]

[Not given to the usual sleeping habits most people in Thedas have of 'go to bed and get all your sleep at once', Araceli hasn't ever been a stranger to being around in the small hours. Skyhold had one circuit as many times as she could stand it but Kirkwall?

Kirkwall has so many options whenever she slips out.

And since sleep has been elusive unless she's been utterly exhausted that means pushing herself harder and harder until her limbs are trembling when she's done and her mind isn't her own. Half the time Lux decides he's had enough and waits for her to come back to let him in.

She's on a break for water when she hears someone, hand on her rapier as she turns and-- well good, it's a face she knows while she's down here at a disadvantage.] Buenas noches.

[universal_charm]

<sub>[ Seems Araceli and Kirk have a lot in common when it comes to that. Exhaustion helped him sleep, though he did prefer to achieve that through more pleasurable means than running. He ran to clear his mind, to achieve that floating state and a painful sort of exhaustion later. The dreams didn't come when he was exhausted.

He pulls up when he sees someone, and then hearing the dulcet tones one of his favorite ladies in Thedas. ]</sub>

Buenas noches, Araceli. Que bueno verte.

[foxsays]

And you, I thought you might be at the tavern or tucked up safely in bed this late. [Any teasing doesn't quite make it through getting her breathing back to normal but she can still smile.] I don't usually meet anyone I know when I'm out. Or see them.

[She gestures up to the rooftop since most people don't tend to be up there. Which is usually what she wants because it gives her that time to run without thinking beyond where she has to jump, land, catch but it's still good to bump into someone from time to time.]

[universal_charm]

Usually I might be, but it's just one of those nights that neither was particularly appealing.

_{[ Well, that was half a lie. In bed with Sam was always appealing, but his mind and his body were in disagreement on that point tonight, it seemed. He followed he motion to the rooftops, nodding his understanding. He was not quite so confident up there, preferring to keep closer to the ground himself. An odd thing for a man who loved space, but roofs were different. Totally different. ]}

I hope I wasn't interrupting anything.

[foxsays]

Kirkwall makes me miss The Herald's Rest. There's the Blooming Rose but that makes me a little homesick.

[Plus it's a big strange to think about going for a casual drink in a place that reminds you of where you grew up and where you think, just for a second, that your mother might stroll around a corner. Glancing up at the rooftops, she smiles and tucks her flask back at her hip, settling the belt and rapiers again.]

Not at all, I've been doing some teaching at nights and this is Kirkwall, I need to get to know her from the streets too. Better for thinking when you're not going to get bowled over by dockhands or merchants running past you, no?