Open!

[dragoon_pride]

WHO: Kain and OPEN
WHAT: Getting used to things at Skyhold, preparing for the upcoming mission
WHEN: Between returning from the Mire and leaving on the war table mission
WHERE: Training grounds, and generally around Skyhold
NOTES: Content warning: Kain's sense of fashion.

Training Grounds

Of course, one of the first places that Kain checks out in Skyhold is the training grounds. Anything else can wait, it's more important for him to be at his best... especially with what they're facing here. He's still getting used to everything, coming to terms with the gods' war being over for him, and with the fact that it hadn't been the end he'd expected.

So Kain can be seen practicing with his spear, slicing up targets with the well-practiced ease of a skilled warrior. Every so often he throws in something probably a lot less... expected... like a mighty Jump or a blast of Cyclone. He's intent on what he's doing, but definitely open to sparring should anyone be around.

Around Skyhold

To go along on this mission, he's got to blend in. Which means that, unfortunately, it really isn't such a great idea to wear his typical dragoon gear out there. Way too noticeable for someone posing as a hunter.

He's somehow thrown together an especially garish combination of colors and patterns for his current attempt at "blending in". There's plaidweave of course, so much plaidweave, along with ring velvet, silk, ram leather... The whole thing isn't exactly... the greatest combination of patterns and colors (but since when has Kain known how to dress aside from armor?).

He doesn't seem to notice anything amiss as he explores the area some more. There are two main places he's most likely to be run into: He's especially fond of walking high along the castle battlements and towers, where he spends a lot of time. But he will also take a break for a drink later on in the tavern as well.

Comments

Training Grounds

[equanimiti]

It should go without saying that most Templars dislike the Rifters.

The Templars view the Rifters typically as nothing other than unwanted guests here within Skyhold and that mentality remains universal even now. Considering that demons and monsters typically pour out of the Rift, it shouldn't come as a surprise that they have such low views of them. So imagine their surprise to find a warrior like Kain amongst all the needy refugees who hail from the Rift. Hints of awe and intrigue linger within Alayre's gaze as he watches the warrior spar. The Knight-Commander often takes to the training grounds in hopes of clearing his head. Life here in Skyhold is stressful. Between the mages always clamoring for his head upon a silver platter and own men constantly complaining about the mages, Alayre finds that sparring is his best way to vent. However, it seems that someone else has opted to take up his sanctuary. Not that he personally minds. Alayre cannot help but feel somewhat oddly impressed with this lancer.

"This one has real fire behind him." The Knight-Commander mumbles beneath the steel of his helmet. "How intriguing. He's almost capable of scaling these walls in a single bound." Alayre is definitely impressed. This lancer might be the only other Rifters besides Lenneth to earn his intrigue.

[dragoon_pride]

Kain doesn't realize he's being watched, at first. He's seen people coming and going, others training or just passing through, perhaps lingering for a few moments. But when it comes to battle, his focus is always pretty singular. He's good at blocking things out. So he does a few more jumps, finally flipping into a specialized variety that he calls the Sky Rave, lance pointed downward as he slams it into the target with an especially hard thrust.

After that satisfying moment, he finally pauses, glancing over to see the other man watching him. Kain has yet to meet any Templars, or even recognize the armor just yet... but he does get the idea that he's a fellow warrior of some sort, and wearing armor that's native to this world. He nods in greeting. "Here to train as well?"

Around Skyhold

[gatheringstorm]

...what. What is that. Korrin, on the way to tend to her affairs before they head out, comes to a dead stop, eyes widening in horror. She's not normally one to give a damn about fashion, but what she sees before her is enough to override that apathy. How Kain thinks that's any less noticeable is beyond her. That's not hunter or merchant garb; it's an abomination.

"Plaidweave? Seriously? And...oh, Maker...." The Vashoth mage stares in shock, knowing she needs to force him to wear something else, but her mind won't cooperate yet. She's looked less disturbed by demons and the Breach, but of which she's found pretty unsettling.

[dragoon_pride]

This is what you get when you ask Kain to "blend in", to wear anything other than the armor that's his normal daily wardrobe the majority of the time. When Korrin approaches, he definitely doesn't expect that reaction. So he simply... raises an eyebrow and looks at her for a moment. Seriously, what is the problem, he doesn't see it... Of course, Kain simply assumes that this sort of thing is acceptable... He happens to be fond of the plaidweave, in particular, so that reaction is especially surprising.

"Hm?" He realizes now just how shocked she looks, and it feels like she'd be less shocked if he were walking around naked. "Is something amiss?"

[gatheringstorm]

"You lost a bet, didn't you? That's the only reason why you're wearing this...." Please tell her it's that or something else that makes sense. Anything but that he chose this of his own free will. Korrin crosses her arms and shakes her head, her sense of horror not diminishing at all as she stares. Maybe he's color-blind, that could explain a lot.

[dragoon_pride]

“A bet?” Kain looks at her curiously. “Nothing of the sort. I was informed of the nature of the upcoming mission, though… and it seems I’ll have to blend in. I don’t like being without my armor for long, but for the time being…” Well, he’ll wear whatever to pass as a native, at least for the duration of the mission. Standing out in any way would be a huge problem.

...Too bad he has no idea how wrong his outfit is, and how much it doesn’t accomplish what he wants.

[gatheringstorm]

"That...not what a hunter or merchant would wear. At all. If anything, you'd draw more attention to us than wearing your armor." Korrin sighs and shakes her head, not wanting to deal with issues of fashion at all. Thanks, Kain. "We can get you something that doesn't make you look colorblind, even if you are."

[dragoon_pride]

...Oh.

Oh. Well, that does change things. This isn't too strange by his standards, though, and he's seen some odd clothing (though has yet to experience the fullblown effect of Orlesian noble wear... yet). He shakes his head, it probably would make more sense to the world in general if he were colorblind. But alas, no.

"If you truly believe it's necessary... I am attempting to blend in, for the sake of this mission."

[madame_de_fer]

From her balcony overlooking the courtyard, Vivienne has one of the best views available in Skyhold. It permits her to keep watch on the comings and goings and serves her well to ensure she stays informed on the activities of the place. When she espies someone on the training grounds in armor very reminiscent of a dragon, she greatly approves. The skill involved is impressive enough, but it's the striking figure that grabs her attention. Beyond distant approval, she doesn't bother with any further response.

What does pull her from her perch is the sighting of a rifter on the battlements in what cou- no. It's not even clothing. It's a ripe disaster that is painful on the eyes. That this could be the same person does not even cross her mind. This, this is what she was trying to convey to the Inquisition's leadership. They cannot be associated with such an image. Funding the group is an onerous task already. Convincing an Orlesian to part with their wealth to support an organization which looks so ridiculous is nigh on to impossible.

It's to avert a financial crisis, and potential work for the local healers, that brings Vivienne out to the battlements with a firm frown etched on her face. She's not even going to be nice about this. It's not possible for someone to be so inept with fabric.

"My dear, are you ill?" Because one must be mentally touched or feverish to go out in public like that.

[dragoon_pride]

The woman has this very definite air of being Someone, he can tell that even as she approaches, with her very haughty sort of demeanor. Not to mention the headpiece she wears. Kain can appreciate a good oddly-shaped headpiece. But she happens to be looking at him with such a look of disdain, that he can’t help but scowl a little, unsure what she even means by such a question.

“Of course not… what makes you think that?”

He is fully oblivious to the fashion disaster that he’s become out of his armor. For all he knows, this is simply blending in… it certainly would have worked back home. Maybe that’s why he chose this monstrosity of an outfit, plaidweave and all. It reminds him of something he might have worn back in Baron. It’s been such a long, long time since he’s been home.

[madame_de_fer]

Vivienne is not at all bothering to mask her disgust with this riot of color and fabric. She supposes this could be typical of a rifter's place of origin but doubts it highly. In case it might be the case, she's going to blame a local and give him an out.

"Someone clearly has been playing an unkind joke on you." She lightly fingers the plaidweave, shuddering as she makes the demonstration. "You have such lovely hair, they should not have given you this shade of yellow to clash with it. Come along, darling. We'll see what's available in the Undercroft for you."

[dragoon_pride]

Kain notices the look of disgust and siiiiighs heavily. He knows he has no eye for fashion, that much is clear. Yet he'd thought for sure if he tried to somewhat imitate something vaguely that resembles something Baronian, he'd be fine. Apparently not. Some part of him almost wants to argue, but then this woman seems to know what she's talking about. Maybe.

Besides, was that... a compliment in among the rest of that there? Kain doesn't pay much mind to such things usually, nor does he expect them, so it sort of takes him off guard.

"But..." But he picked this out himself... oh, never mind, she probably doesn't need to hear that, she might think him more mad than she already does. "Right. All right, if you have some ideas, I suppose I'd be open to it. I'm supposed to be acting as a hunter on an upcoming mission..." Perhaps that will help give a sense of what he needs.

[madame_de_fer]

"That is helpful." Knowing what he'll be doing gives Vivienne a better idea of what the man needs. Beyond a wardrobe overhaul. While she leaves the way through the Great Hall to the Undercroft, she decides it might be best to get an idea of his own tastes. "Do you have colors you prefer, my dear? I would venture to say black or blue would suit you well. If you've a taste for yellow, I'd strongly suggest keeping it to gold accents, though that's hardly practical when hunting."

Because above all else, Vivienne is nothing if not completely practical about most everything.

[amygdalae]

Bruce doesn't really interact much with the Rifters - not because he's distrustful of them or anything. It's simply that Bruce doesn't quite know how to talk to them, considering how strange and different everyone of them are. Its a bit hard to really get used to it, even after all this time. And now, apparently, there were more of them. Although this one is a little--well.

The armor was certainly interesting, if anything.

Despite everything Bruce can't help but stare a little when he sees the Rifter walking up to the battlements in his strange attire of armor and--other things. He almost nearly adds too much embrium from all the staring, but Bruce manages to catch himself on time before that happens. Maybe he should start to reconsider his idea of making his brews up here if things like this keep happening.

[dragoon_pride]

For his part, Kain hasn't gone too out of his way to meet a lot of people, either, needing to either train or prepare for the mission, or some other "practical" task. But it probably is a good idea to get to know his allies, not to mention learn more about this place... so he'll try and give a greeting to those who he approaches.

Which is what he does as he notices Bruce, at work with some sort of concoction. And staring, which really should be a big hint that something is amiss with these clothes. "Making a potion of some sort?"

[amygdalae]

Bruce blinked at first when the strange Rifter addressed him, looking fairly surprised, but quickly caught himself before the silence dragged on for too long.

"Ah--yes." He glanced back down at his concoction as he replied, studying it for a moment before he gave the items in his cauldron a brief stir. "It's for the patients I'm attending to tomorrow."

[dragoon_pride]

Kain watches curiously as he stirs in items. Potion making isn't anything he knows much about, though he used to occasionally ask Rosa about it when looking for an excuse to spend time with her.

"Then... I take it you're a white mage... I mean, a healer?" He's still used to using the typical word for it that he knows, though it's different here, he's finding out. Even more different than the otherworlders he'd met during the gods' war. The way that people act about magic in general is so unlike what he knows.

[amygdalae]

"Yes--well, surgeon, to be precise, since I'm not a mage." He quirked a wry smile towards the Rifter while responding. "But its a technicality, so don't worry about it."

Every Rifter he had met to thus far was all interesting in their own way. Their worlds, the way their culture showed in what they did and said... it was intriguing, even if incredibly terrifying at the same time. If the Rift could do this, bring all these people from worlds that they didn't even know--what other power could it bring? Just wondering about it was terrifying in and of itself.

[dragoon_pride]

"I didn't realize... but I suppose I'm used to something different. Where I come from, healers are always mages, specializing in white magic." He's still getting used to this world and it undoubtedly shows, in more ways than just the way he's failed at dressing up properly. Kain figures he ought to spend more time around Haven getting used to things, finding out more in a relatively safe environment, before he heads out. "This reminds me, I'll need to see to stocking up on potions before the mission..."

around skyhold!

[fayth]

There had been talk about the new group of rifters around Skyhold before Yuna had even seen any of them. But from then, she had been preparing in case any of them were injured, figuring their arrival likely had demons along with it, too.

She also did her best not to get her hopes up, thinking it might have been someone familiar... With an armful of firewood, she trudged her way along Skyhold back towards the medical tents when something caught her eye. Well, maybe it was more about the sight being impossible to miss...

Having donned a cloak over her robes shortly after arriving, she had thought her clothing drew attention, but that -- that was a different beast entirely. When she came to the man's face, recognition screwed up through her brow. "Kain!"

[dragoon_pride]

Kain has given up hope for seeing any of his comrades by now. None of them arrived with him through that rift, though he'd waited as long as he could, disappointed when that didn't seem to be the case. He's wondered where they were now, if they'd been fortunate enough to return to their homes, or if they too had been whisked away into yet other worlds.

So it's a complete surprise when he hears that familiar voice and then sees her... "Yuna...?" Can it be true? Last he'd seen of her, they'd been in much less pleasant conditions... last he'd seen had been a glimpse of her also falling as everything had gone black for him... "I didn't think... I thought I was alone here..."

It's hard for him to say the whole I've missed you thing, but he's most definitely thinking that right now. He's ached to see any of his comrades, especially those who'd been beside him in that final fight.

[fayth]

She hurried over, as though closing the distance would further help to either confirm or deny what she hoped to be true -- it was really him! Once she was close enough she drew her hands up towards her chest, trying to contain her happiness, though it brimmed over in the corner of her eyes in the form of a happy glisten.

Her smile was just as bright, and thankful, though Yuna stopped herself from reaching out, knowing Kain was the sort that needed warming up to that kind of thing as it was.

"I..." she shook her head, starting over, knowing the feeling that he spoke of -- she had thought she would be alone here also. "It's really you, isn't it? You came through the a rift?" and down her eyes glanced towards his hand. "Did you -- the mark? Is it...?" Did he have it as well?

[dragoon_pride]

After all of the strangeness of this place, it’s so comforting to see a familiar face, one who he trusts above so many others, one who he knows he can count on. He’s still getting to know this place and while he has seem some potential in those he’s met, it takes him a long time to get to know people. To trust them.

Kain remains as stoic as ever, but he really is happy, so relieved to see her. His lips may even for a moment quirk up into something close to a smile. “It’s true, I came through a rift… it seems there are several of us here who did…. though I have yet to see anyone else from the gods’ war.” He raises his left hand to show off the mark. At least it stopped hurting now, and he could grip his spear like normal. “It seems the mark is a consequence of our arrival.”

[fayth]

She nodded at his words, "It was the same for me... maybe more than a month ago, now." Yuna's head bowed slightly, reflecting on her own journey back to Skyhold from chilly Haven -- and how she'd wished she'd dressed better for the occasion. Which... brought her back into the reality of the situation.

"Um..." her lips pressed together, wondering how to gently address the situation, as her gaze trailed back up the length of his outfit. "Did -- something happen to your armour?"

[dragoon_pride]

"A month? I wonder why there's such a difference in time... Did you... Were you brought here from the end of the manikin battle as well?" Or, well. It had been the end for him and for all the rest of them, as far as that world was concerned.

Kain glances down at his strange outfit, realizing how this must seem. He shakes his head. "The armor is fine, but I'm going on a mission where it's important to blend in. So I'm... doing that. Blending in." No, he's not very good at that sort of thing, at all, nor entirely comfortable in something that's not his armor.