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

[aceso]

Since her return from Emprise du Lion, Christine has slowly been growing accustomed to being touched, and she finds she enjoys it. For far too long she's been touch starved, desiring something that as a mage, she knew would be rare outside a Circle. But on First Day she danced merrily around the bonfire with plenty of people who had no problems with her at all. It's given her hope for the future, if when this is all over the new Divine doesn't shove all mages back into their Towers. She smiles brightly at Krem's kiss, and quickly takes the offered seat, hands folded in her lap until she's handed the package.

"Oh, merci!" she exclaims once the wrapping is opened to reveal the lovely dress. "I do love blue so." Her eyes are a blue-gray, and as she holds the fabric up under her chin, her eyes seem to shine a little brighter. "I must find an occasion to wear it! It cannot sit hidden away. It must be seen. Now I wish Skyhold had reason for a ball. Perhaps Ambassador Montilyet can think of something to impress the nobles who give the Inquisition funds."

[kremdelacreme]

"That would be an excellent idea. Probably better for someone like you to suggest it than myself, though." Krem's smile widened at just how happy the gift had made her. He'd actually considered what colors would work best with her complexion and her eyes when he was looking over the fabrics originally, hoping like hell he was remembering the colors right. Heartening to know that he'd gotten it right. His head tilted some as he thought a moment. "Probably not until we've got a little more of the main hall fixed though. No sense risking some Orlesian noble tripping over a stray bit of rubble, after all."

[aceso]

"Oh?" she asks, gently folding the fabric and covering it back up to protect it. Andraste knows some drunk fool would trip and dump their drink all over it if she isn't careful. "I hardly know ways to impress the nobility. Such has never been the life for me. Some at Montsimmard played the Grand Game, but I wanted no part of it. Being straightforward and honest is what I prefer."

[kremdelacreme]

"Likewise. Secrets and lies and trying to politely one-up everyone around me...isn't fun. If I want a power contest, I'll pull the men aside and see who can deadlift the most. But really, if I were to go and suggest this myself, the Chargers would be immediately placed on security detail. Granted, that will probably be the case anyway, but it was your idea to begin with."

[aceso]

"It was only my idea because you provided the dress! One could claim this was your fault in the first place!" But here she's laughing as she says it.

"There is probably little need for me to say anything. On First Day, nobles were invited to dine. I am sure the Ambassador has already considered a ball once the inside is spotless."

[kremdelacreme]

"True enough, but I think some reinforcement of the notion might push it into greater favor. If I end up hearing that it's to go ahead, then I'll know I can offer the Chargers as crowd control."

He shrugs. Either way, this was a decent plan. And all because he made a dress while he was bored.

[aceso]

Honestly, she doesn't expect Josephine to be swayed by anything Christine has to say. What would a mage who spent her life in a tower know about how to impress nobles? There is more to throwing a ball than simply saying you should have one.

"I shall consider it," she answers finally, promising no more than that.

[kremdelacreme]

Christine may very well be underestimating whether her suggestions would be listened to. She might have been a small piece in a grand puzzle, but she was still valuable. If she said it right, she would absolutely be listened to.

But for the time being, they could focus on smaller things. "Why not try it on? That way I know if I need to make adjustments," Krem suggested, reaching and touching her arms lightly, then gesturing off vaguely. He doesn't know where she's staying, for sure.

[aceso]

"I could do that. I will return shortly." Christine isn't staying in an actual room, but in a tent down by the healers' tent. Not the most luxurious of accommodations, but there is enough room inside to stand and dress. So down to the lower courtyard she goes to change into it. The fabric feels amazing against her skin, and she twists her hips to swish the skirt part a little. Wearing a soft smile, she heads back to the tavern, turning a few heads as she does so. Yet when she opens the door to enter, she realizes how dangerous a thing it is to sit in a tavern in a pretty dress, so she waves Krem towards the door. They can go for a nice walk instead.

[kremdelacreme]

Smart of her, especially considering how rowdy this crowd could get. Krem stands and leaves his emptied bottle behind, looking her over as soon as he'd stepped back out into the sunlight.

"Look at that, you nearly look like you're glowing," he comments with a soft smile of his own, taking in the movement of the dress as she walks. "It's comfortable then?"

[aceso]

Christine smiles brightly at the complement, looking down at herself. In the sunlight that hits the front of the tavern, the colors gleam even brighter, just the way her eyes do when the light hits them at the right angle.

"It is wonderful," she says, moving to walk. "Easy to move in, soft, light." Almost like she's hardly wearing anything at all. Mage robes feel so heavy in comparison. Of course, robes keep her warm, while this does not.

"What do you think of this part?" she asks, running both hands down the front. There is just enough excess fabric that it causes a slight wrinkle that disappears when she smooths her hands down over it, but reappears when she moves again.

[kremdelacreme]

"Not exactly warm though, so you'll likely have to find something to wear underneath that doesn't get in the way."

Krem glances over the wrinkle that she smooths out, pausing and reaching to smooth it himself, then pulling his lip in between his teeth as he pulls it up just a bit, pinching the fabric at the side. "If you like, I can bring this in a bit so that it's more snug. Or else fold it so that the fold looks a little more on-purpose."

[aceso]

"This is true. Or wear a shawl over it." Christine loves fashion, but sadly doesn't own an abundance of clothes herself.

"Bringing it in would look better, I think. But there is no rush. You've only just returned! You need to settle back in first."

[kremdelacreme]

He nods at the suggestion. "Mm, yes. It'll be good to take a moment to rest, but I can take it in easily when I've got a moment." He turns a corner to start down the corridor that leads to the garden, figuring that will be a good, quiet place to walk and talk.

So when will the rest of you be heading out toward Emprise du Lion? Now that the reports are all in, I imagine tehre are a lot of people wanting to go and finish all of this as soon as possible. It's a mess out there."

[aceso]

"The end of Wintermarch, I believe. I do not like the idea of heading back into the cold, but hopefully the duration will be short. We will crush the Red Templars and rescue the people there." And Christine will be able to get some samples for study.

"What of you? Will you be staying in Skyhold or going out again someplace else?"

[kremdelacreme]

"I've been ordered to remain here, assist with repairs and integration of the refugees." He doesn't look all that happy about it either, but one doesn't argue with the Iron Bull when he's got his Dad hat on. "I'll want you to keep in touch while you're out there, if you don't mind. Just so I'll know approximately how much wine I'll need to stockpile to make all of this suck marginally less."

[aceso]

Christine lets out an amused hum. Wine always helps when things seem low. It's good of him to think of it.

"I will keep in touch," she promises. "And you must tell me all the goings-ons at Skyhold, yes?"

[kremdelacreme]

"I'll try to at least, but things happen quite a lot around here all at once sometimes." His tone is casual, somewhat joking, belied by the curl of his lip into a small smirk. He pauses briefly at the bottom of the steps leading up to the battlements, offering her his arm. "What if the hold falls off the mountain while you're away? I don't think I'd be able to bring myself to tell you."

[aceso]

Christine takes his arm as they prepare to ascend the stairs, and she clicks her tongue at him too.

"If you tell me this beautiful dress of mine was lost to the mountain in my absence, I will be very put out." Which would be a great tragedy. And, oh yes, the countless loss of life and resources. But this is clearly not about to happen.

"Thankfully Skyhold has stood for Ages untold, and I am sure it will continue long after we are all gone."

[kremdelacreme]

"Of course. And even if it does fall, there will always be the foundations. It can be rebuilt, and there are always lots of treasures in ruins, epsecially recent ones. Someone might find your dress in a hundred years and go 'the woman that wore this must have been exquisite.'"

A small, harmless flirt. He enjoys making Christine smile like that.