for hallarider

[pavus_redemit]

Many people assumed Dorian chose his little alcove in the library because it would keep him away from everyone but the truth was the opposite. From his chair Dorian could see every crow that came and went from the Spymaster. He could lean over the railing and see what Solas was up to. He could look out the window on to the courtyard to see soldiers training, Cullen walking the ramparts, and those in the tavern. He had a view of everything if he wanted it.

It allowed him the perfect view of the Horsemaster bringing in a new hart, one that pranced and tossed its head to the point of being almost unmanageable. That was until his dear Inquisitor came trotting over to help.

A few moments of Bramen obviously talking to the beast it calmed and the Horsemaster handed over the lead rope to him. Together, elf and hart set off for the stables which were beyond Dorian's view.

Now, Dorian had tried often to figure out what sort of tricks Bramen used to manage the temperamental beasts. He had read a few texts that touched on taming harts but none of them mate it any clearer how his lover managed to work miracles with the animals. Once again, driven by curiosity Dorian got up from his chair and headed outside.

Observation was a good way to learn. Perhaps he'd catch Bramen running around in the pens with the hart, shirtless. A mage could dream, couldn't he?

Comments

[hallarider]

To Bramen, there was no trick to it. He just did what he always did, the things he'd always done with his clan. To the elf, taming a hart came as naturally as blinking or breathing - or at least, that was certainly how others must have seen it. It took a great deal of concentration and a lot of patience but Bramen had those in spades, precisely why Dennet was more than comfortable leaving the Inquisitor to care for the newest arrival. It would be a little while before it was finally calm enough to join the others in the paddock but there was little interest in putting the stag in there just yet, Bramen still had work to do.

By the time Dorian did make his way down to the stable, at least part of his dream was coming true. Bramen had shed his outer coat and scarf, wearing just a sleeveless shirt beneath it. His boots had also been discarded, the rogue down to more of less just that top and his pants, rolled up to his knees. This wasn't something he'd wear his formal attire for. The ground near the stables was wet, water splashing as the rogue moved and followed the hart, letting the animal explore. The hart, its coat a rich blue-grey with black striping on the legs, trotted about and inspected the grounds, making a few interested trills and sounds. The rope that was around its muzzle dragged on the ground, Bramen keeping close enough to grab it if need be, staying in the animal's line of sight.

Bramen failed to notice Dorian's arrival, moving closer to the hart to pat its side as the stag stopped to enjoy a small crabapple that had fallen from a nearby tree. It crunched it down, tail giving a flick as a flat sound came from the deer's throat. it sounded content enough. Bramen began to speak to the animal, smiling contentedly, caring not for who might hear them.

"Aneth ara, ma falon. Ar lasa mala revas," he scratched the animal's back, above its tail - the stag giving a bit of a kick with one foot and grunting, leaning its head back and exposing its neck. Bramen was quick to take the opportunity to rub the animal's throat and chin, removing the harness around its face and letting it fall to the wet ground. The hart let out another light sound, moving to look about the ground for another apple.

[pavus_redemit]

Dorian approached the fence, watching Bramen and the hart to make sure he didn't spook either. The hart looked like he was quite dangerous if startled.

"Please tell me you've hung your coat somewhere and not just left it on the ground," he said to make his presence known. The ground was wet and somewhat muddy. If Bramen left his nice leather coat somewhere to get dirty Dorian was going to give him another lecture about how to properly treat clothing.

He didn't see it hanging on a fence post near by. He hoped it was in the barn, perhaps even the tack room somewhere safe. He lived in hope for most of Bramen's wardrobe.

[hallarider]

Dorian would have to weep later. That coat was most certainly on the ground - though perhaps thankfully, on the floor of the stables. It was at least a little dryer in there. Somewhat. He'd need that lecture.

But for the time being, the elf can only turn his head and smile at the sight of his lover, picking up the harness off the ground as the hart looked over, ears curving forward at the sight of the mage. The stag stamped a foot against the marshy ground, giving a huff through its nose before Bramen hushed the animal, stepping closer to stroke the hart's face, trying to soothe it.

"It should be around here somewhere," Bramen shrugged, petting the hart's nose. The animal was quickly calmed, giving a soft grunt now and leaning in to Bramen's touch. Considering how the creature had been thrashing about earlier, it had warmed considerably in but the few minutes Bramen had been near.

"I think it's in the stable..."

[pavus_redemit]

"Maker's breath, I can't take you anywhere." He sighed heavily and mourned the loss of another fine coat to Bramen's lack of concern for fashion. He was getting that lecture later tonight. "I'm going to get a page to follow you around and collect your clothing when you toss it around."

Josephine would never allow him to take a page away from important work for such a thing but Dorian could dream, couldn't he?

He leaned his arms on the fence, clearly intent on staying for awhile. Perhaps if he stayed long enough that shirt would come off. "I see there's another one to not like me. What are you going to call this one?"

[hallarider]

He laughed at the idea of a page following him about. The coat would still be fine, even if it got dirty - a little dirt hardly harmed anyone. Dirt, mud, whatever else the mounts tracked in. Bramen returned to stroking along the hart's neck, looking at Dorian as the stag started to sniff at his hair, keeping a wary eye on the mage. Definitely another one that was going to be keeping an eye on Dorian.

"He'll come to like you, I'm sure," he said, trying to be reassuring. "But I think he looks like an Assan," he said, rubbing beneath the hart's chin, trying to keep it distracted. "Unless you had any suggestions?

[pavus_redemit]

"The harts are yours to name. We discussed this, didn't we?" The hart clearly didn't share the same appreciation as for Dorian as Bramen did. He would have to keep his distance from this one until it fell under his lover's spell and became somewhat tamed.

"I get to name the dracolisks. You name the harts. Everyone else can name the horses." Dorian had his favorite mount who he should really stop in and see before heading back to his tower. "What does Assan mean?"

[hallarider]

The harts were his to name, it was true - but that didn't mean he wasn't open to suggestions. Dorian had picked up a few words and names here and there, Bramen had hoped he'd be willing to throw something out. With a final pet of the hart, the elf moved closer to the fence, leaning against it as the hart chose to watch from a distance, still not ready to join its new handler close to that mage. Hopefully the creature's tone would change soon enough.

Bramen was optimistic about it all.

He brought his attention to Dorian once more, a fond look in his eye. "But Assan means 'arrow'. Not the most creative of names - but it might suit him, if he lets me shape his antlers." He shrugged a bit, leaning against the fence and meeting Dorian's gaze. It was odd to see him out by the stable - unless he was tending to the Dracolisk he seemed to favour. That hadn't escaped the Inquisitor's notice.

"But if there was something in Tevene you'd like to call him... Maybe he'd warm up to you a little faster."

[pavus_redemit]

"Arrow," Dorian repeated to cement the word in his mind. He wouldn't need to ask the next time it came up. The elvish language being mostly spoken meant he had only one way to study and that was repeat what he heard.

He rubbed his mustache with his fingers as he studied the hart that clearly had no interest in staying with Bramen when Dorian was around. There were some humans who were like that.

"Ardesiacus," he said after a moment. "The hart is the color of slate stone. There are cliffs of it in Tevinter, that sort of blue-gray. Ardesiacus means slate-colored."

[hallarider]

"Ardesiacus," Bramen repeated the word, trying to make certain he could even pronounce it. It made him smile though, a new word he wouldn't have otherwise had a reason to hear - blue-grey stones in the Tevinter cliffs. It sounded almost romantic. "I don't think I'd be able to get used to saying that one," he said, reaching out to pat his lover's hand. The hart let out a snort at the display, starting to pace back and forth, taking a step closer to the pair before backing away again.

"We don't have a word for that colour - maybe durgen, but it doesn't roll off the tongue as well. He might have to settle for being Assan," Bramen sighed, looking back to the hart. The hart was inching a little closer again, up until Bramen looked over to it. That caused it to back up another two paces and let out a snort, stamping its hooves against the muddy ground.

"I'd feel bad butchering your language if I called him Ardesiacus. I'd mispronounce it sooner or later."

[pavus_redemit]

He did his best not to wince at Bramen's pronunciation of the word. His lover couldn't get the harsher sounds of Teven correct. His letters were too soft, too round when they needed to be sharp.

"Assan it is then," he said with a shrug. He still had his dracolisks that carried very fancy Tevinter names that Sera made fun of constantly. Dorian didn't care at all. They were beasts that deserved the strong names Tevene could give them.

"He hasn't fallen under your charms as easily as the others." He jerked his chin in the direction of the hart that was dancing about coming closer.

[hallarider]

Dorian's grasp on the Elvhen language and the way it rolled off the tongue was far more masterful than Bramen's efforts at Tevene. He tried - his heart was in the right place, even if his tongue wasn't. "It'll take some time," he said, with confidence. He was always confident when it came to the harts, even the more skittish ones like Assan. "We only just met. I'll charm him soon enough," and the look he flashed Dorian only served to remind the man of that, reminding Dorian just how far his patience often went. Patient and charming, two of Bramen's talents.

The elf moved away from the fence though and once he was just over an arm's length from Dorian, the hart seemed to relax again, stepping closer to its new handler again. A huff and a flat sound came from the hart's throat, leaning back its head and waiting for another scritch under the chin. Bramen was all too pleased to offer one, scratching its chin and rubbing the stag's cheeks.

"See?" he said with a small laugh, both hands now rubbing down the hart's throat. "He just needed a few minutes to feel comfortable," that was it. It didn't possibly have anything to do with the odd-smelling Tevinter. Not at all.

[pavus_redemit]

There was no denying it. The harts hated him, all of them, no matter what Bramen said.

"That's very sweet of you, darling, but it's clear I am the problem here." Luckily, it was an animal and Dorian felt no sting of pain or blow to his ego because of it. He was used to the harts turning away from him. He had his dracolisk to sooth his wounded ego when need be. No one seemed to like them but him.

"I won't change my cologne for you," he said directly to the hart. "That lovely elf scratching you likes the way I smell and he's the only one here I care about impressing."

[hallarider]

"Maybe I should start wearing it," Bramen said with a laugh, hand coming up to grasp the base of the hart's antler. The hart made a sound and shook its head lightly, trying to shake Bramen off - though the elf held strong. It grunted and huffed, head stilling as Bramen moved around to the stag's side. "Might get them used to it - I think it's the citrus that throws them off," though Bramen himself was awfully fond of that. It would take the harts a while longer to grow accustomed to the strange scent, though it seemed many of them were loathe to do so. At least one of them seemed to like it, but Da'mi had proven to be a bit of an odd hart.

Hopefully Assan would warm up to him.

At the hart's side, Bramen took his hand off the animal's antler and braced both against his back. He pressed against the stag's spine, the animal jumping a bit and pulling away. It let out a confused sounding grunt, stamping into a puddle before walking a few paces away. He was tame enough to stay close at least - the Inquisitor was pleased about that much. Still be a long while before he was comfortable with much else.

"Though I may have to hold off on doing that," Bramen cast a glance back to Dorian again before attention was back to the hart, clicking his tongue and rubbing his fingers together, trying to draw the animal back again. The hart was content to ignore Bramen for now, crunching on another small apple. The hart was growing defiant now, not too keen on letting Bramen have his way. The elf sighed and shook his head, stepping forward and moving closer to the stag once more. "At least until he lets me on his back..." he held out his hands, offering them to the stag but not daring to touch him again, not without the hart initiating, "Or even hold his antlers. They need to be filed down."

[pavus_redemit]

"The best way for you to smell like me is rolling around in bed together," he said with amusement as he watched the dance between the hart and his Bramen. "I insist on it, in fact, if you want to wear my cologne that's how you have to get it on you."

It looked like the hart was finding his temper now. Bramen's charm had worn off. Dorian propped his elbow on the fence and rested his chin in his hand to watch where this would go. There was reading he had to do, research for Josephine and the mages but this was more entertaining at the moment.

"They are too sharp, I take it?" He knew next to nothing about the care of harts. He knew horses had to have their hooves trimmed and dracolisks needed to be oiled to prevent their skin from chaffing. Harts? He didn't have a single idea.

[hallarider]

Rolling around in bed with Dorian was never something Bramen would turn down, and the smile on his face and the way his shoulders shook with a short laugh. That alone told Dorian all he needed to know on that. Perhaps later that evening, once the daily tasks had been finished.

The hart just grunted again, walking away from Bramen and giving another flick of his tail. Bramen sighed, following the beast but staying just far enough back, giving him some space as he spoke. "In the wild, harts will use trees to wear down their antlers - or butt heads with each other until they break. It helps them grow stronger that way," and if the antler that Dorian once gave his love was any indication, those antlers were thick, strong pieces of bone. "If we don't file down this one's for him, he'll find ways to do it himself - and I doubt Dennet would care to be doing those kinds of repairs to the stable on a daily basis."

The hart let out another sound, wandering further away. Bramen remained where he was, folding his arms across his chest. He'd let the animal have its tantrum for now.

"It would be nice to shape them too," he said, "Prevent them getting too ingrown - and it's fun to carve unique shapes into them. The Dalish do that with the halla, mark them as part of our clan - every clan has a different way of doing it. We all have a unique mark, force the horns to grow in a different style - the same goes for our harts, though we don't often keep more than one or two of those in the herd."

Judging by how Assan was behaving, it was easy enough to see why. Temperamental beasts.

[pavus_redemit]

"I don't think he's going to let you carve them just yet," he drawled, clearly amused by the temperamental animal. Dorian wasn't one for fanciful stories of animals behaving like people but there was something in this one that made him feel a bit like that.

"You know, I think he wants a bit more respect. Here you all trying to climb all over him and mess with his horns. Perhaps you should apologize for being so rough with him," he teased to cover up the little bit of seriousness in the words.

If anyone understood vanity it was Dorian Pavus. He thought it was clear that the beast was offended. It was also fun to play with Bramen a little, pretend to be part of his game and methods with the hart.

[hallarider]

Dorian did understand vanity - but that didn't mean Bramen couldn't have a little fun with that. The elf could only grin, looking back to his lover. "You never complain when I get rough and handsy," he argued, smiling all the while. Dorian certainly didn't complain about Bramen being rough, especially when they tumbled about in bed.

Harts were a very different matter though. They were prideful creatures, it was true - much like Dorian himself. Prideful, sometimes scathing beasts. Halla were so much gentler.

"He just needs some time to adjust. According to the reports, he was found on a farm outside Val Royeaux, some farmer thought he could hitch him like a common horse, get him to pull carts," he clicked his tongue again, rubbing his fingers together. The hart's ear twitched towards the sound, letting out another grunt before slowly turning its head to watch Bramen closely. Another grunt and the hart approached again, welcoming a pat against its nose.

"They can be moody at times - but they forgive easier than a halla."

[pavus_redemit]

Dorian stammered for a moment because he had not been expecting Bramen's response to be about their private sex life and out in the open like that and everything. It always flustered him. "I am... well, a different beast."

It's a good thing none of their companions were around to hear Dorian stammer and blush over his words. He had a reputation to maintain. Alone, he would have a snappy comeback but he was always worried to hear such things in public. He was too used to keeping things secret.

"He doesn't look like he'd be good at carts," he said, moving past his embarrassment. "They're not really built for it, are they?"

[hallarider]

There was thankfully not too many people around, not enough within earshot at least. The stablehands tended to keep to themselves, though were were a few lingering around. Hopefully none would choose to make mention of this later at the tavern - though keeping up appearances was hardly a concern of Bramen's. One of the reasons he never did well when they visted Val Royeaux, that was for certain.

The elf simply shrugged off his lover's embarrassment, focusing on the hart as it came closer again, making a few louder sounds now, getting a bit more bold as it shoved its nose right against Bramen's shoulder. Beneath its chin, Bramen's hands returned to scratching, the hart letting out another content sound. He would happy accept a scratch.

"They can be but they don't care for it. We've tried to use harts to pull aravels before - they tend to move too quickly. They make for a good mount if you have the patience and a steady enough hand, don't mind a bumpy ride-" if Dorian recalled when they took a hart out for a ride through the mountains, it was a very bumpy ride, considering the animal seemed to go wherever it pleased - and that included up the cliffsides.

"In my clan, we used them as a guardian for the herd. When we'd send the halla out to let them graze, a hart would always be with them, watching from higher ground. You've heard the sounds they make - when they're frightened or alerted, it's incredibly loud. They tell the herd something's amiss, they alert our rangers and even our hounds. The herd can run, the hart stays to fight. They'll take on a wolf or even a bear if they have to."

[pavus_redemit]

Dorian smiled softly as Bramen began to talk about his clan and his harts. It was easy to see how happy this made his lover, to share his culture and his love for these animals.

"I do prefer the easy lope of a good dracolisk." He remembered how sore his butt had been after that ride. The hart was not comfortable in comparison to even a horse. "That nose, though, is very recognizable."

That noise could haunt a man. If he didn't know what caused it, he would think demons from the Fade were coming for him. Bramen probably never had that problem as he grew up with them.

"Actually, it reminds me a peacock during mating season. Those birds are so noisy when they want to attract attention."

[hallarider]

The hart nosed against Bramen's shoulder, letting out a soft trumpet - that same noise the pair of men were just discussing, though far softer. A cry for attention, and Bramen met that with another rub across the hart's nose and cheeks. It was an affectionate beast it seemed, at least, when it wished to be. In fact it was a bit like Dorian in that regard.

"You've told me of the peacocks," Bramen nodded, rubbing the hart in behind either side of the stag's jaw, "How they'd crow early in the morning, pestering the female hens." He was grateful that harts and halla simply butted heads during mating season.

[pavus_redemit]

"Oh yes, pester they did with their tails fanned out to their fullest."

Dorian understood the hart's desire for Bramen's attention. He felt that way himself many times when his lover was dragged away on business or nobles vied for his focus. He couldn't trumpet like the hard but he had his ways.

"You would look good in peacock feathers. I would look better because of my skin but jewel tones are good for you."

[hallarider]

"I'm not sure I could pull them off as well as you can," he said, patting the hart's neck and urging it to move back once more. The hart gave a grunt but relented, stepping back to look down at the ground, investigating the grass and mud. It was certainly calmer now, no longer fussing quite as much.

That was a relief for Bramen. Even if he couldn't convince the hart to let him on his back yet, at least it was a start.

"A halla or wolf pelt suits me well though. I imagine a wolf's fur cape could look rather fine on your shoulders too - not quite as fanciful as peacock feathers but I'm confident you'd wear anything well."

[pavus_redemit]

"If I got you a halla pelt cloak would you take better care of it than your coat?" he teased, always amused when Bramen spoke of fashion. He was getting better, there was no denying that but he still didn't quite understand how it all worked.

Of course the hart was one again calmed after it got a little bit of attention. The creature was slowly falling under Bramen's spell. Dorian almost felt sorry for it. His lover's charm was not to be denied.

"If you want to get me something special, serpents and dragons are much more significant in Tevinter culture. I would like something made from their skins." His gaze warmed as he looks at his lover. "You would love the reward I would give you."

[hallarider]

"A leather coat will still protect me, whether its covered in mud or not," he had to argue that point, moving back over to the fence to stand with Dorian. The hart began to follow, idly stopping half-way once it noticed Dorian again, veering to the side to look around for any more apples or tasty roots that might be in the area. Vastly more important than getting closer to Dorian in that hart's mind.

"But... A halla pelt does need to be cared for in a special way to keep it white," he mused at the thought, sighing a bit and letting his shoulders sag. "So, I suppose you're right - I would take better care of it." He braced his hands against the rail of the fence, stretching out and leaning a little into it.

"You know dragon skin is hard to come by... But I'll see what we can do," he smiled, willing to try what he could for the man. Even something small might be fine, a wyvern-skin belt, dragonling hide boots. Something like that would hold meaning to the mage, wouldn't it? There were more than a few things on his list that he'd like to have made for the man, things he had no intention of forgetting - even if it took him half a century to gather it all. It would be worth it, for Dorian.

"Now... Did you come all the way down from the library just to tell me that?" he was curious as to what drew the man down here, particularly when he normally had so much research to immerse himself in. Not that Bramen minded the company in the least - but he was intrigued.