You know I said it in a prayer like a war cry

[kremdelacreme]

WHO: KREM and basically THE ENTIRETY OF SKYHOLD
WHAT: Krem is coming back from his private mission in Antiva and fulfilling some promises.
WHEN: 18 Wintermarch and onward
WHERE: Various places about Skyhold
NOTES: Attractive shirtless men?

He was stiff, sore, not exactly moving well, but when he finally mounted the stone bridge leading into Skyhold, damned if the smile on Krem's face wasn't as brilliant as the glare of sunlight on the snow. It was damned good to be home. He'd held up a hand when one of the front gate guards offered to run inside and inform the Iron Bull of his return, letting them know that he would be seeing Bull himself, as well as most anyone else that needed to know he was home.

As soon as all was said and done and the appropriate parties warned (Except for Cullen, Cullen could be just as surprised as everyone else) the toys would be collected, loaded en mass into the catapult, and seconds later, there would be stuffed toy nugs in a large variety of different fabrics hitting the ground with squeaks bordering on deafening in volume from the sheer amount of them. There would be enough for every child in the hold, plus a good portion of the adults that might come along and pick them up.

-Training Ring-

It was time for drills now. He had the ring to himself, most people were off and occupied elsewhere, and someone had set up a practice dummy at the edge of the ring that would make the perfect partner for a bout of shadow boxing.

Anyone that had ever witnessed Krem's drills before knew that sound: the maul swinging through the air fast enough for it to be faintly whistling, occasionally thudding down into the dirt. But if they approached, they'd immediately notice a difference. Where was Krem's armor?

Bracers on, boots grinding into the dirt, gauntlets on, but other than a pair of comfortable breeches, Krem wasn't actually wearing his armor. In the late afternoon light, the muscles of his arms, back, shoulders, and chest were gleaming faintly with sweat. He'd been at this for a little bit now, and it had warmed up just enough that he actually could break into a sweat as he trained. He was still trying to get used to his center of gravity changing, and as such was moving more carefully than usual. It lent a sort of grace to his movements that wasn't usually present.

If anyone wanted to come and spar with him now, they would have to get his attention first. He's entirely focused on the mild ache of his muscles, and moving to compensate.

Comments

Pel

[kremdelacreme]

Though his first stop was the tavern (after all, he had to stop in and shoo Bull along to the battlements for the evening's entertainment), it didn't take long for Krem to make his way up the stairs to his shared quarters. He was immediately aware that it wasn't empty, as the door was ajar, and when he opened the door he spotted Salem first. The boy was being uncharacteristically quiet, but he was just counting himself lucky on that front. He peeked further in and smiled faintly when he found Pel there as well.

"You've gotten along well without me," he commented as he unslung his knapsack and peeled off layers of furs that he'd wrapped himself in the further south he'd come. He was down to a long-sleeved, comfortable shirt over the top of a thin tunic by the time he opened an arm to invite her in for a hug and, if she didn't mind too terribly, a kiss on the cheek that was little more than a bumping together of their jaws.

[mythalenaste]

Pel winds her arms tightly around him, grinning. But when she does, she notices...something. A lack of something. When the hug ends, she looks up at him in surprise, waiting for an explanation. If he. Wants to explain.

[kremdelacreme]

The look on her face prompts a crooked little smile and a small shrug. He'd let her see later, if she liked. After all, he might want her to take a look at the scarring to try and minimize it. Provided that Adelaide hadn't already seen to it.

"I've got something for you," he offers as he draws away, kneeling to shuffle through the contents of his knapsack. Salem had come up from where he'd been sitting and reading to peek over Pel's shoulder at what the mercenary was doing. He stood back upright when Krem did, a pair of ornately-decorated, heavy tomes in his hands. "I had some time to browse the markets. I can't really read these much, but they were some new translations of a couple of the books that you'd been trying to find before." Maybe she already had them. Maybe she didn't. Either way, he wanted her to have them, at least because they'd look elegant among her collection.

[mythalenaste]

A suitable gasp comes from her as she smooths her hands over the covers. She quickly lifts the books out of his hands and sits on his bed, placing one in her lap and leafing through it.

"Oh, Krem!" She almost sounds guilty about his thoughtfulness, as if she is entirely unworthy of it. "Oh, Krem!" she repeats, because she can't think of any other words.

Korrin (BOOZAHOL FOR DAYS)

[kremdelacreme]

So they had plans for the day. That was all well and good. First thing's first though: a small barrel filled with liquor strong enough to knock a grown man on his ass, resting on his shoulder to be presented the moment he saw Korrin. He was moving through the slightly denser Skyhold crowd casually as anything, dressed in a warm, comfortable tunic and his breeches and boots, one arm up to support the barrel with the other one down, hand resting on the pommel of his shortsword that he'd taken along in place of his maul.

He didn't immediately spot her, so he put up a notice on the bulletin board with Korrin's name on it, and an arrow pointing toward the Herald's Rest. They would be taking up a table by themselves and draining the barrel. There would be more on the way, to be delivered to Skyhold in bulk, as he'd promised. This was just for them, but he did intend to share with anyone that wanted in on it.

[gatheringstorm]

Checking the bulletin board regularly pays off, as it doesn't take Korrin long to spot the message. After taking only the minimum necessary amount of time needed to change into fresh clothes after training, the Vashoth mage makes her way over to the tavern. And once inside, she scans the area in search of that much-missed friendly face. Spotting him, she perks up and heads on over to the table, grabbing him for a hug the moment he's in reach.

"Took your sweet time, didn't you? Though I suppose you're worth the wait."

[kremdelacreme]

"Maybe I should have taken a little more time," he chuckled and wrapped his arm around her shoulders in kind, lifting up to do so. He sank back down and shoved a flagon across the table to her then nodded to the tap that had been gently hammered into the wood hiding their booze. "Do the honors, then. We've got a long night ahead of us."

Katniss

[kremdelacreme]

He'd wanted to hit the training ring, but alas, it was occupied for the moment. At least the occupation was by someone that he'd been looking forward to seeing anyway. He was back in full armor by now, and as promised, his breastplate was polished, shining in the sunlight, though it seemed a little bit looser than usual when he moved.

What was she doing? Drills of some sort...oh. There she went, off the post. She was learning how to fall without hurting herself. Smart of her. So when she fell back and he was within arm's reach, she didn't hit the ground again; instead of landing to roll, she landed in one outstretched arm, looking quite silly there as he held her up.

"Having fun?"

Re: Katniss

[the_effect_she_has]

Krem should know by now in their time at Emprise - Katniss trained herself for just about anything. Yes, it looked strange but she knew it would come in handy later. Learn as much as you could, and you lived longer.

So she was exhaling, making sure not to take a breath, and tumbled back from the post, into the soft grass. Sometimes she tucked herself in, sometimes she let herself go flat to ween herself off of being stunned when she hit the ground. She had a few sacks laid now now, and was working on jumping off. So she jumped, exhaled and ... fell into someone's arms.

Krem's arms, and Katniss grinned at him, before she clasped her hands together and gave him a mock breathy gasp, "My heroic mirror."

[kremdelacreme]

His arm wrapped around her and he dipped her properly, tipping her a cheeky little wink then picking her back up and putting her on her feet.

"See you've been keeping busy since I've been away," he commented, straightening up and crossing his arms as he looked her over. "If I didn't know better I'd say it looked like you were preparing for battle here."

Christine

[kremdelacreme]

He'd settled back into the first chair that someone would expect to find him in when they went looking for him, and on the barrel at his side rested a couple of different packages, one larger and softer than the other. He was sipping from a mug of slightly watered-down ale, keeping his paec slow and steady. After all, he intended to celebrate with the local Vashoth later, and needed not to be drunk before then.

[aceso]

When it's around the time Krem said to meet, Christine wanders into the tavern and spots him easily. She's pleased that he's made sure to stay in an easy to find place, and she appreciates the thoughtfulness.

"Krem! It is good to see you. The trip was not too arduous, I hope?"

[kremdelacreme]

When she appears, Krem stands, laying a hand on her arm and leaning to give her a small kiss on the cheek, an easy greeting accompanying the warm smile that remains on his face when he sits again. There's another chair nearby, and he drags it over with one foot so that she can sit there with him.

"I was lucky. It only poured down on us once during the whole ordeal. Other than that, it wasn't bad." He picks the softer package up and holds it out. "Don't mind the wrapping, I was trying to keep it dry. Silk doesn't much care for rain."

inside the package was very faintly shimmering silk, cut and tailored into a simple, but elegant dress in white, silver and blue hues. "Like I said before. If anyone would appreciate something floaty and silk out of everyone I know here, it'd be you."

Sam

[kremdelacreme]

He'd asked around for where to find some of their mages and healers, and was sent off with the knowledge that there were a few waiting around for him. He wasn't surprised in the slightest.

When he spotted Sam's back as he rounded a corner heading toward the smithy, he couldn't help the smirk on his face. He took a lean on the wall after coming a few steps closer, his head at a tilt as he watched Sam for a few seconds, then cleared his throat.

Surprised you didn't moan this time to get his attention

[el_tybs]

He had only planned on getting something from his room, but at the sound of someone clearing their throat, the kind that was clearly made to get ones attention, Sam turns around, brows raised in curiosity.

Sam is clearly surprised when he turns around to see Krem leaning there, his eyes widening just a bit. It takes a long moment for everything to catch up to him, the fact that Krem standing there very much a shock. A pleasant one by how his face brightens and he walks up to get closer.

"Krem! You're back!" he says with some excitement, hands reaching up to touch him.

That can happen in a place more appropriate to popping sudden boners B)

[kremdelacreme]

"Are you sure I'm not just a figment of your imagination?" Krem grinned and intercepted Sam's hands, his own curling around them as he stepped closer before Sam had even stopped moving, leaning up and pecking his lips before standing back again. "Told you I'd be back soon."

Adelaide

[kremdelacreme]

After stopping to see Sam, giving Christine her gift, and seeing to it that Korrin was aware that he intended to get well and truly shitfaced with her later that night, Krem needed to find one of his favorite mages and deliver to her a gift that he'd decided immediately had to be hers whenever he spotted it, after having been informed of her birthday having come and passed. So with a small, elegantly-wrapped package in hand, he asked his way to where she was, likely surrounded by young apostates. Hopefully she had the time to take a break and talk with him. He had a favor to ask of her after all, though it wouldn't be brought up until well after he'd given her her gift.

[fleurdesel]

The portraits had indeed arrived a few days before Krem; they now adorned the desk in her quarters, helping it feel a little less like a desperate bunkhouse and more like a home. A few others were propped up against books or pinned into the wall- her sisters, their families, a few rough sketches of her own. Mostly rough shapes for sculptures. Her students were draped over one another and the cushions they were stitching to make said lounging better when Roul let him in, grinning.

The few people Adelaide had come to care for became a few more- and all of them were welcome.

Adelaide herself leaned back from where she was sitting at her desk, writing- though she pushed away entirely to offer Krem a proper embrace. "Remi!"

[kremdelacreme]

Roul, he would have to give the shirt back to before long. He'd completely forgotten about Adelaide having given it to him in the Mire until he actually saw the man, and now he felt just a bit guilty for keeping it so long.

"Hullo mamman," he said quietly when she stood, holding an arm out to pull her in for a hug in kind. He winced a bit when he was fairly certain she couldn't see his face, then straightened back up and gave her an easy smile. He glanced down at her desk, and at the portraits thereon. "Glad to see they all got here undamaged. Your friend was a funny sort. Tried to send me off with tea when I left."

Bull

[kremdelacreme]

It was done. Everything was done. His surprise was sprung, his return was cemented, his alcohol drunk, and now he needed to work the stiffness back out of his body. He'd been walking, riding, sometimes running, and at one point swimming, on his way both to and from Antiva, and it was good to be back in familiar company with his weapons, armor, and capable partners at his disposal.

"Come on Chief, I said we needed to get back in practice, and I meant it."

He did mean it, too: he wanted to get back in the action. He'd taken his time to heal, he'd even visted with the healers to clean up the scar tissue a little better. His chest still felt bruised, but that would fade with time. He could rub some dirt on it, so to speak, and go right ahead with his training regimen, which today would include a good spar with his commander. He was waiting at the edge of the training ring with his hands on his hips, dressed in armor that wasn't his own, but was at least the proper size. He would leave it up to Bull for what weapons they would brush up on.

[qunari]

"Don't get in a rush. We've got all day."

With a snort, Bull pulled two shields from the rack. No weapons today. Overextending could pull things that still needed healing. Besides, Krem was still kind of terrible at fending off a proper shield bash. Made as much sense as anything to give him something solid to practice one.

One shield is given an underhanded to his second where he stands, the other fitted somewhat snugly onto his own arm. Best way to deal with change, with stress or anxiety? Go out and hit something. Cured most anything that could plague a person.

[kremdelacreme]

The look on Krem's face said very clearly how he felt about having to put up with Bull's lessons on the Shield Bash.

"This isn't exactly what I had in mind," Krem pointed out with a slight pout, but he put on the shield after turning it the right way around and squared himself to take a hit.

[arlathvhen]

She doesn't bother to get his attention for a bit. After all, he seemed busy, and she couldn't really offer any help with sparring. Not when a solid hit from him could probably break something. But she didn't mind just watching, honestly. Not that she's watching, like, something inappropriate. She's just waiting for a good moment to talk to him, honestly. She's not oogling.

Maybe a little.

She waits until it looks like a good time to come interrupt him, carrying a cup of water over. "You look like you could use a break." Her voice is soft, a small smile tugging at her lips. "It's good to see you, Krem."

[kremdelacreme]

When she shows up at his side the moment he slows to take a break, Krem can't really say he's surprised. It's been a long while since they've been able to sit and talk, and now seems as good a time as any to catch up.

"You look well," he said a bit breathlessly, turning back to her with an easy smile, taking the water gratefully. After emptying the cup and handing it back, he gestured to the edge of the ring. They could sit and talk a while, if that was what she wanted. "Any more angry squirrels throw acorns at the shems lately?"

[arlathvhen]

What Beleth wanted was complicated and difficult for her to understand, let alone try to actually ask for. However, sitting and talking would work, too. She walked on over, sitting down on the bench. There's a small, sheepish laugh at his question, though. Beleth ducks her head, rubbing the back of her neck.

"I hear the squirrels have been behaving themselves. For the time being. What about yourself, Krem? I was so worried when everyone came back, except you." She turns the conversation back to him, expression worried. He's reassured her once already, but she couldn't help it. What if he'd been in danger? What if he'd been hurt?