faderift | [ OPEN ] Tonight I'm gonna have myself a real good time

WHO: Zevran and YOU
WHAT: Zevran's Birthday and Ardent Blossom Contest
WHEN: Forward dated to Guardian 5
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Shenanigans connected to this announcement

Someone had been a sneaky little shit, preying on Zevran's lack of familiarity with traditions and dates and the weight people tend to put on something so mundane as a 'birthday'. Someone (Alistair) had spread word and made a thing of it, despite Zevran not seeing the point nor truly wishing to cause a fuss. He had, however, decided to take a day for himself to do nothing. No fuss, no stress, no real work. A day to indulge in a few of his many hobbies. He did not know what one did on their birthday normally but here he was, sitting in the Courtyard with one of his found spoils on his head, awaiting those that paid mind to his earlier announcement. When he wasn't idly sketching whoever he saw in the courtyard he was in the Herald's rest, enjoying a quiet drink and making notes on the better stories or songs he has heard throughout the day.

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"Good afternoon, Zevran. And ... many happy returns."

Katniss called out, as she came across the courtyard, holding something behind her back. She gave him a quiet smile as she approached, properly cleaned and with her dark hair loose from around her shoulders. She put the basket in front of him, silk wrapped around something that smelled of leather, before she stood up straight.

"For the matter of the wreath -- well, I know it's not original of me, but I have a song for you."

Zevran looked up from where he was idly shading in a sketch of Kieran, all dark eyes and bright smiles with the unfortunate shared nose that the boy is slowly growing into. Upon spotting Katniss he smiled, flipping his journal closed. Today he was dressed differently- in his finer things. Silk and leather from Antiva to make him feel a touch more at home while so very far away. One of his indulgences for the day. "Katniss- what a lovely surprise."

He was still pleasantly caught off guard by the gifts. The songs less so. "What manner of song?"

She grinned, and it is a bright grin at that. It was good to see Zevran like this - warm, and bright, sipping something that smelled like good wine from a cup. You couldn't help but think that Zevran deserved to be surrounded by fine things, at ease with himself and the universe.

"It's a happy day, so it's a happy song. Yes, I know, shocking. And I hate to tell you, but it is a song from Fereldan so there's going to be a shocking lack of sexual innuendo." She paused, before clearing her throat, "Even if more than a few Redcliffe boys liked the way I ... intoned."

In more ways than one.

Now if only there was a brothel, a corrupt politician, and someone that knew how to prepare fish chowder he would truly feel at home. But this- the wine, the silk, the warmth of the sun? Was enough to satisfy his ache for home.

"Ah, well. I shall not hold it's Fereldan modesty against you." Curiosity got the better of him as he pulled the basket close, unwrapping the silk as she readied herself. "At your leisure, Bella."

Katniss bowed again, and hummed for a moment, pitching her voice, before she began to tap her foot against the ground, to beat out a rhythm she had heard a thousand times before. It was different singing without musicians, so her voice echoed off the stone walls. Yet it was all she promised - a light and cheery refrain:

"When cold wind is a' calling, and the sky is clear and bright
Misty mountains sing and beckon, lead me out into the light

I will ride, I will fly, chase the wind and touch the sky
I will fly, chase the wind and touch the sky..."

The silk was a pale gold, and turned out to be a fine scarf, embroidered with small green leaves. It was wrapped around a pair of leather gloves, stitched with the same embroidery, and of all things, a leather cap with a soft fur lining. The gloves themselves had the same.

Her voice, as always, was clear and pleasant; the song was unfamiliar to him but it spoke of something that was familiar enough. An appreciation for freedom, a desire to roam. Something he knew and felt well, something that tugged at him under his ribs often while living and working in Skyhold. He had been here too long- even during the Blight they had been ever roaming. The Inquisition with all it's armies moved slow, taking action where they could, when they could.

At least the most recent visit to Nevarra had scratched that itch somewhat.

Between the song and the gifts he was touched, the embroidery was not Dalish and the leather was not Antivan, but it was warm. And he would need them in Emprise Du Lion as it was bitterly cold. He ran his hands along the stitching, the fur within, and smiled. "Many thanks, Katniss."

It was a song of the Hinterlands, and she had sung it at every festival and every country dance. The need to fly away was in the heart of every country boy and girl -- and it had been no different for Katniss and Primrose. Once Prim had finished her training - she had wanted to go traveling, moving far away from the Hinterlands so she could learn different healing arts and Katniss could breath a sigh of relief from not being in the same place, all their lives.

Now she sang it in memory, all happy ones, and a promise fulfilled to move on with her life. To honor a friend who was now both teacher, mentor, and just someone she felt comfortable around.

"You are welcome, Zev. And ... last one." She leaned in, and pressed a warm kiss to his cheek, before speaking in halting Antivan, " Mol-ti... feli-ci ...ri-torn-i ...il mio amic-o."

"Gircio." It's a soft correction, not done unkindly. He reached up to squeeze her shoulder in thanks but- Amico wasnot something handed out so easily in his shade of Antiva. She has no way of knowing the context and with most that learn the language? That was the one they reached for first as it was the word that fit their broad and baffling definition of friend. "Grazie, mio Gircio."

"Gir-ci-o." Katniss sounded it out, then said it again with a more firm grasp, "Gircio. I'm not much with languages, but I wanted you to hear Antivan on your birthday." She gave him another smile, and gently covered his hand with her own, before going to rise. "And I hope? You get many more good surprises today."

"Perhaps if you like I could teach you more, yes?" Later, today was for lazing about. "As do I, Katniss. As do I. Remind me when your birthday is so I might help you celebrate it properly, yes?"

Katniss grinned, before she nodded her head excitedly. "I'd love it. But not today - today I like to think of you lazing around in all your fancy things." She waggled her eyebrows, before she made a brief face, "Oh, in about three hundred and fifty days. But if I make it to twenty-two, I'll throw a party and you'll be a guest of honor."

She dipped into a bow again, with a slight hand flourish. "Until later, my dear Zevran."

[ OPEN ] Tonight I'm gonna have myself a real good time

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