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WHO: Inessa and Kain
WHAT: Finally back in Kirkwall, finally having some downtime... so now it's time to have an official proper date
WHEN: Now-ish
WHERE: Kirkwall and surrounding mountainy areas
NOTES: No warnings likely

When you're in the Inquisition, you make the most of the time you have off, because you never do know when you'll be sent away to a city of the undead and forced to fight them.

That's what Kain has recently found out, anyway. Unfortunately, the plans he'd made had been interrupted with news they were to head out to Nevarra. But before that, there'd been Perendale, and before that, that whole boat trip... it just never seemed to end. While they'd had some fun together over Satinalia, he still hadn't gotten a chance to put his plan into action, and take Inessa on a proper date. So now... what better time than the present?

Kain has gotten everything set up for them, a large basket filled with food and drinks to enjoy. He's now waiting expectantly with Potato all set to carry them off. He's even dressed up for the occasion, having mentioned that non-armor was essential in his note to her: it's a strictly non-combat, non-work situation. He doesn't even look too insanely Orlesian this time around, in rather fancy but subdued attire, all shades of black and blue, of course. He just has to wait for Inessa to see the note he'd left her, asking her to come along to this spot...

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That compliment provokes a slight blush of her own, easily noticeable on her pale skin. She nods at his reassurances, the smile lingering. "I believe you, Kain. I know my trust won't be misplaced." If there is an unanticipated problem, it likely won't be anything he could have foreseen, but between the three of them--no. For once, she's not going to over-analyze everything and just live in the moment. That's what Kain needs, and she needs as well.

"Indeed. Fear not, Potato. We won't keep you waiting." She wastes no time in settling in, knowing the griffon will get impatient before long. And if she's a little impatient herself, truth be told.

"I'm glad to hear that... you know it means a great deal that you're willing to trust me..." He's had so many problems in the past that it's really taken him this long to get it in his head that he's worth trusting at all. Inessa has changed so much for him, especially lately.

He pats Potato fondly. "Then let's be off." He can't suppress the smile crossing his face, yet again. "Hold on tight... The griffon ride is all part of the fun, after all." No date would be complete without it, in Kain's opinion. He gives Potato the signal, and the griffon screeches, very eager to get going. She flaps her mighty wings and then in a rush, she's off from the ground. She takes an exciting course this time, using some of the latest maneuvers that she'd been practicing lately. It's her big chance to show off, right now.

"Believe me, I have no plans about letting go!" Inessa may be slight in form, but her will is strong, and she knows well how to hold on by now. Potato's eagerness is met with a smile of her own, as she ignores the usual drop in her stomach when they push off from the ground. Both Potato and Kain have earned her trust many times over by now, and she knows herself to be in good hands. As Potato gains momentum, that's enough for her to even enjoy the griffon's stunts, though not having eaten beforehand definitely helps with that.

“Good, because she wants to show off!” He’d been working on some new maneuvers with her, on the occasional times when he’d come to take her out solo. They’d even made a pact that she would show Inessa what she was doing when the time was right… and well… that time is right now. He leans in and tells Potato to go for it, the griffon making the happiest griffon screech ever, before she zooms into the new moves.

She loops around, she spins and twirls, gliding about effortlessly in the air. They’re also headed somewhere, of course, but it’s also the perfect chance to see how the new moves could work out.

Wait, what are they--

Inessa doesn't have time to wonder what they have planned, when Potato's pace increases and she instantly knows to hold on tighter. It's a good thing, too, given the loops and spinning. She laughs breathlessly, her voice probably lost to the wind as it is, enjoying her mount's skill. Potato never disappoints when it comes to grace in the air.

"Well done, Potato! You both have been planning this for some time, haven't you?"

“We have! I figured it would be an exciting surprise to show you it, quite literally.” That and when they’d started out, it would have been pretty terrifying to behold. Kain keeps his cool while in the air, though, so he works well for initial training of dangerous moves. Now it’s all natural to her, so it’s not such a problem.

Potato makes some happy griffon noises, clearly pleased she could show off. She does it all for the attention, really, knowing they’ll shower her with it when they’re back home.

“Hold on, just one more thing…”

She ends with a really exciting corkscrew dive, giving another loud screech which would make an eagle tremble to hear it. Then she swoops back up, easing into a more relaxed glide.

Holding on as tight as she can, Inessa braces herself as they dive to Potato's accompanying screech. For a moment afterward, all she can hear is the rush of the wind and the pounding of her own heart. She chuckles when there's a chance to draw air into her lungs again.

"That was impressive! Not that I would expect any less from either of you, with Potato's natural grace and your talent for teaching her. A perfect combination."

"She sure enjoys the chance to show off." Kain gives Potato a friendly pat, overall pleased with how she's doing. As if he ever had any doubt as to her ability to perform in the air. He's loved every moment of training with her, as reckless as some of the early attempts had been. Still, it's worked out for the best, and he trusts her, more than anything. "And we're just about at our destination now, too..."

It's not far up the mountain where Kain's cave is located, on a spot that's pretty secluded but also scenic, with a gorgeous view of everything below. Potato circles around the area they're headed to, on Kain's instruction.

Inessa falls silent, always preferring to take a moment to appreciate the view below. Kain certain knows how to pick those, and that makes the isolation worth it...temporarily, anyway. For now, it's absolutely perfect. As Potato begins to descend, she holds on tighter and waits for the griffon to settle before dismounting.

"Need me to carry something?"

Kain loves getting away from it all, and being alone with Inessa is a dream come true for him. He needs this time away from everything, and everyone else. He needs the peace and quiet, the solitude. So it's all just perfect for him. As Potato touches down, he leaps off eagerly, reaching over to pet her feathers.

"Thank you for the ride. We'll call upon your services to return, but for now, feel free to relax and take some time to yourself." He turns toward Inessa, and nods. "I had to back a couple of baskets, so... if you'd take one, I'd appreciate it. It shouldn't be too heavy."

He'll take the heavier of the two, anyway, he figures. He reaches for one basket, passing it over toward Inessa, before grabbing the other one for himself.

"Yes, thank you. Now, enjoy yourself." Potato waits for Inessa to pat her as well before heading off to terrorize the local wildlife in search of a snack. She turns to take whatever she can manage, careful not to drop anything.

"We'll see if she can manage to stay away, those 'lap griffon' tendencies haven't decreased notably." But as long as they can get settled in beforehand, Inessa won't hold it against her.

"In a way, though, I'm grateful that we ended up with such an affectionate griffon. She... grows on you with that behavior." Kain looks over toward Potato, watching her take off to enjoy her hunting. There's such admiration in his eyes, as if he were watching a child.

But, this day is about Inessa, and he'll keep it that way. He gestures for her to follow along. "This is the best view I've seen in the area... I thought it would be especially worth it. We've been in need of time like this together... away from all of our typical duties for a time." He gets to the spot, setting down the basket and beginning to pull out the various foods he's brought along for them. All of her favorites are included, and even the things needed to make tea. Any civilized Orlesian noble knows how to make tea while out camping, even one who's generally bad at being one, most of the time.

Peering inside as he opens the basket, Inessa smiles warmly as she looks over its contents. "I admire the attention to detail; I bet there is scarcely a favorite of mine that isn't within. As long as you remembered enough for your own wants, I appreciate it." She doesn't want him to focus on her at the expense of himself, as he needs pampering and downtime just as much.

Straightening, looks for the blanket to spread along. Then she'll cast her Shelter spell, ensuring that they'll have cover from the winter winds. As beautiful as the view is, she would rather linger before it in comfort. A faintly shimmering dome appears around them, making the area warm, dry and comfortable. While fresh air crosses into the dome, snow and rain will not, and the smoke from a campfire can still escape.

"Of course, of course... I was sure to put plenty of things we both like, and besides, my tastes overlap with yours quite a bit." Which did make it easier to know what to bring. There isn't anything she likes that he won't eat, as well, so it works out. He's not so Orlesian he'd turn up his nose at all things Ferelden, after all.

Kain looks at what she's doing approvingly. If there were ever an argument against Circles, it would be this. Why hide the mages away when they can do such useful, practical things? "Thank you. I'll admit, I wasn't so sure it would work, coming out here at such a time of year, but... each season ought to be appreciated, even this one. Isn't it beautiful?" He gestures off at the expansive view, as he goes about setting things up, taking out plates, cups, and plenty of food. He has wine, as well, but will start them off with tea first.

"Indeed, it is. And I know better than to expect you to remain cooped up in the Gallows forever. Sometimes, it's alright to put aside the practical in favor of what preserves our sanity." She smiles and rests her hand on his arm, letting him know she doesn't have to share his affinity for mountains to understand. Besides, it's a worthy backdrop for their picnic. Now that they don't have to worry about temperature or weather interfering, she helps Kain finish the rest of the setup, sighing contentedly as she finally has a cup of tea in her hands.

"Now it's perfect."

Kain smiles affectionately, glad she understands him and his need for such solitude. As long as they both accept the little things about each other, it all should work out even better, he believes.

“More than perfect. Thank you, Inessa, for… for everything. I don’t know where I’d be without you.” He sips at his tea, and starts munching from the variety of food that’s available. It’s all delicious, fresh food, a lot of it Ferelden, with some Orlesian mixed in as well. “For a very long time, something was missing from my life… you’ve brought that to me.” He spent so long with so much heartache. True, his inner (nonliteral) demons are still present and he might always be fighting them, but… at least one of his deepest issues is resolved.

Inessa's pale cheeks darken a shade, always a notable contrast against her usually pale complexion, gathering a bit of that wonderful spread. "You say that as though there wasn't also something missing from mine. I put aside my own wants and needs for a long time, certain they were less important than so many other things. Believe it or not, you have brought me some much-needed balance."

Kain can't help but smile in between bites of food, washing it all down before he replies. "I've known that, of course, that the Circles aren't exactly the best at encouraging you to find yourself a... a life for yourself, in that way... and the Wardens are little better... but it means a lot more to actually hear it. To know for sure what this means to you." He nibbles at some fruit. "I don't mind reminding you of that at any time, by the way. To do things for yourself once in a while..."

It may seem strange coming from someone so serious and duty-minded as Kain, but he's definitely better at giving such advice than heeding it.

A glint of amusement reaches her eyes at that, and she can't help but give in to some gentle teasing. "Your own words, serah. If I'd been a betting person, I might have lost coin to that, more than a few months ago. I hope you realize that goes both ways, because it absolutely will. There's no escaping it, not with a mabari and a griffon on my side. And probably even that parrot...." Bastard probably wouldn't say anything other than the usual offensive phrases, but still. He counts, in a way. She sips her tea, infinitely glad that he didn't follow them.

"I'll give you the griffon and the mabari, but bringing that parrot into the matter is completely unfair..." Bastard still has a bad habit of showing up when least expected or wanted, and screeching his charming phrases at the top of his lungs. If Kain didn't feel such loyalty to his former owner... Well... he probably would still keep that pest of a bird around. He's too easy sometimes.

"But... that's fair. I guess that's among the best influences we have upon one another." They may not see such things in themselves, but they're both the sort who'll see the need in others, instead. It definitely balances things out in that way.

"Is it? He's still around...at least, I believe so." Inessa hasn't seen him in a while, but then she hasn't exactly gone out of her way to search for him. The last thing she wants is to encourage him around an excitable Garahel.

"I agree to the rest, though--" She smiles and tilts her head up as she hears a griffon cry not too far away. "Potato must have found something worth chasing. Good girl."

"Oh, he is, trust me. He simply has more people to harass, with a whole city of them out there now. He tends to come to me when I most want peace and quiet, and he most wants food." No, he'll never be free of him, but in a way he's gotten a weird little affection for that foul-mouthed bird.

Kain likewise turns his head upward, smiling faintly, like a proud parent. "She's ruthless out there, I'm so proud of her. Good... I wanted this to be a pleasant outing for all of us. Next time, we'll have to go somewhere reachable by Garahel, too." He loves their little family of creatures, after all. He looks at her, leaning in closer for a moment. "And... we'll do more of this in general. Going out like this. I can promise you that."

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