[open] Grace is just weakness or so I've been told

[letoldthingsdie]

WHO: Kylo Ren and YOU
WHAT: Day to day stuff, reading in the library, trying to figure out how to raise his new Mabari, etc.
WHEN: Throughout Bloomingtide
WHERE: Gallows Library, training courtyard, around Kirkwall...?
NOTES: Nothing of note but I will update if that changes, including a prompt once we start doing Tourney things

Who doesn't want a Mabari?

[The cool air and the rain that had come about with it wasn't entirely unpleasant, but still Kylo was growing tired of constantly training when he risked getting soaked through at any minute by rain. Today he finds himself wandering by the kennel master's stables. The sound of excited, barking, puppies filled his ears as he stops to approach. He recognized them as being the same as Padawan, though smaller with stubby legs and scrunched eyes.

One of them in particular had already grown attached to him and the snacks he had in one fist, barking shrilly for more any time he tried to deny it. When he tried moving on, the pup had decided to follow him before he could get away, it's little legs bounding after him and black fur sticking up as he tripped and fell on his face more than a few times.]

Go back.

[The pup didn't move, head tilting in confusion at the command. Instead he moved closer, sniffing Kylo's boots and running his feet up his leg while crying to be picked up. Take me with you, it seemed the creature wanted to say, as if he could talk. The pup wasn't taking no for an answer even as he stopped every so often to shoo him back to the kennel master. He looks around, as if asking someone else to take the little dog away.]

Burning the midnight oil

[Later in the day, as the rain continued to beat against the windows, Kylo can be found in the library, A book on the table before him and a squirming Mabari in his lap, a little snout peeking up from beneath the table every so often to look for treats. Kylo absently scratched the top of his head while turning patches every so often.]

'Of all the dog breeds that the Fereldans have produced, none are so highly regarded or so widely famed as the Mabari. Justly renowned, the Mabari are intelligent war hounds fully capable of understanding speech and interpreting complex commands.' Hmm.

[He looks down at the dog in his lap, staring up at him out of curiosity.]

Closed to Rey

[The two of them were spending a moment together in meditation, eyes closed and legs crossed, as he tries to focus on the Force moving in and out of the residents of the Gallows. Caedus - as his new Mabari companion was now called - was having trouble getting the memo, shoving his nose under Kylo's arm in an attempt to get attention and moving on to Rey to whine at her when that didn't work.]

Knew I should have asked the kennel master to take him back.

[He mumbles, answered by a disgruntled bark from the pup who shoved himself against Rey more firmly. Sadly, Kylo was stuck with him. As much as he knew that and as impatient as the dog's need for attention made him, he still found him strangely comforting.]

Wildcard
[ooc: hit me up if you want your own prompt]

Comments

kennels

[tactical_alert]

[Malcolm has a habit of tending to the dogs--call it the Fereldan in him, but he's got a soft spot for the creatures. Plenty out in the city don't get the right treatment, and any dog could become a loyal ally if properly conditioned.

For a short time, he pauses in his work to watch this man interact with the mabari puppies and helplessly try to shoo one away. Eventually, he looks down at the peachy-furred, curly, lean poodle sitting at attention by his feet. She looks up, eager.]

Que pensez-vous, devons-nous l'aider?

[The dog gives a soft wuff and trots on over, sniffing at Kylo and the pup, tail a-wagging. Malcolm follows.]

It seems you've gained a friend. You should count yourself lucky.

[letoldthingsdie]

[For a moment he registers a mild panic as another dog comes to join him - How was this happening? He can't help but think. He relaxes slightly when the owner joins them.]

He seems more eager for food than a friend.

[And somehow he saw something in the pup, even though he didn't want to. It wanted affection - his affection, to be specific - or perhaps it had sensed something in him that attracted it to him.]

Lucky how? I can't- I can't keep him.

[He didn't have pets back home and that wasn't likely to change now. And he was small, still growing, and not quite as sturdy as any of the other Mabari he's seen. Perhaps he might grow into it, but it would take time and patience.]

[tactical_alert]

[Maybe you're just a dog person, Kylo. Milady paces around the tall stranger again and noses the pup before Malcolm catches her attention with a click, makes a motion with his hand, and she promptly sits nicely. Even if she looks like she wants to be doing otherwise.]

Mabari are very particular. Not everyone catches the attention of one. Quite rare, I would normally say, but perhaps the Inquisition is also full of outliers. Preternaturally intelligent, endlessly loyal, righteously strong in strength and will--you might want to start reading up on care if you've never cared for a dog before.

[letoldthingsdie]

[He's normally not even a people person so this is a new development for him. Still. The dog does seem to like him. Or he likes dog biscuits. Whatever the case may be, he's happily trying to chew on Kylo's boots, which are still attached to his feet. Good thing his boots are so thick, he supposes.]

It could be we're somehow different because some of us are Rifters?

[He's sure it's painfully obvious he is one, given he knows absolutely nothing about Mabari.]

The library in the Gallows. Would it have anything helpful?

[Is he actually considering this? The idea of having a strong and loyal beast like Rey's mabari, Padawan, was tempting.]

[tactical_alert]

I can't say I've noticed them showing any particular preference towards Rifters or natives. [Though he gives a short hum; might be worth looking into just for shiggles if nothing else.] And while it could be this one is just particularly feisty and hungry, I think if it was a matter of food, you'd have quite a few furry fellows in tow.

[The pup might not be his, or even might not be Kylo's depending on...how this guy takes to doggos, but Malcolm's comfortable enough scooping the wriggling puppy up in his arms either way. Physical affection! It's much easier with an animal than with...people.

Milady gives an audible huff, but remains where she is.]

It'd be a good place to start, at least. Though if what you find is lacking, you are, of course, free to ask the kennelmaster or those that own Mabari. Warden Inessa Serra in particular comes to mind; Garahel is very hard to miss and very good company.

[also rey but he doesn't know they know each other SO]

[letoldthingsdie]

I suppose it doesn't matter. At the end of the day they're just highly intelligent dogs.

[And this one had been unfortunate enough in its life choices to choose him.]

I know someone who I could ask too, but I'd be happy to take your suggestions.

[Rey might be surprised if he shows up at her door with a dog - a puppy - in his arms.]

How often do these dogs choose people? Is it just - something that happens?

[He still wants to know if there's a connection, or if this dog is just plain stupid.]

[tactical_alert]

It used to be a rarer occurrence, but since people have been making a habit of gifting the Inquisition with a litter now and again, not to mention any breeding that might take place, I would say we've a higher chance of it happening here. Some might never choose a person, some need a little work--there's something almost divine about it, as if they've got a predetermined person for them to meet someday. I can't say if there's any veracity to the idea.

[The pup is a wriggling thing, but Malcolm keeps hold, giving it many scritches.] But I would say that they're more than just intelligent dogs. [He nods to the patiently impatient poodle.] Milady is intelligent. I've taught her complex commands and signals over the years, and she rarely lets me down. There's an emotional intelligence there not to be denied as well.

Mabari are...a little more than that, though. I can teach Milady to associate a word with a meaning, a command, but a dog like Garahel can understand casual conversation. They can make their own decisions out in the field. Perhaps not make complex tactical choices, but they can think, for lack of a better word.