@jinxandjingles

Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho. Photo by Chiabella James. “Behold Dune,” Vanity Fair, April 14, 2020.

The Surprise.

There were not many times in his life that Korellan could be truly sneaky, not anymore. Not when you towered over everyone by a least a foot and had enough… noticeable traits for most to take a second look. But as he rolled over, careful not wake the sleeping bat hanging above him, Kore silently congratulated himself for a job well done. The giant gently closed his door, making his way through the Hold down to the old cells. Thankfully his bat slept like the dead during the day. Jari’s Birthday was approaching and Kore wasn’t exactly sure what to buy his little bat for it. In the years they spent in the Temple, celebrations were nonexistent. That had been for other souls not fighting on desolate wastelands. Their years in the Temple had been hard, especially on the flamboyant bat who never quite had been accepted by his peers. It’s true Jari may not have been much of a soldier but what he did give them was something far more valuable to those that were, they just… didn’t see it at the time. But the war was over, they could start building something new, have lives where they were more than tools and Kore wanted to give that to Jari. Ajarik deserved to be celebrated. Most  of the old cells had been converted into storage, but one held months of secretive work and craftsmanship. During the day while Jari slept Kore would work down at the docks in exchange for materials, namely good wood. He’d taken a few days off to start his little project, born of listening to the bat tsk and sigh in the gloaming hours.

The Centurion turned dockworker had left his work under a tarp behind some broken crates and refuse that had been shoved in there for the meantime. He let his claws reach out, feeling for the knee-busting non-magical clutter that he was blind to and worked his way back. Breathing a sigh of relief his hands found the tarp and his work still safe under it. Not much Kore could do in this life, with this body, but he found he could still work wood. Some parts where harder than others, but he found if he ran his hands over something enough he could get a good sense of it. His father’s endless repeated lessons on technique and trade apparently had sunk into his thick skull. Kore ran his hands along the larger project, the cabinet nearly as tall as he was when it was finished. Each shelf set inside tiled just a few degrees with a wooden dowel set across the face, to keep the items that would placed inside from slipping. He’d made it so tall because he knew the bat’s predilection of collecting heels. HOPEFULLY this cabinet would be big enough to house the current mass of sets that littered the bat’s room. Well one good thing his transformation was for…manual labor. Lifting the wooden case he shimmied and edged his way out of the maze before hoisting it over a shoulder with a grunt of effort. He took it up first, stopping to rest occasionally when his injuries protested. He’d been in Ajarik’s room enough times to know of the various pitfalls and hazards, like kicked off shoes usually to the left of- He still stumbled, catching himself on a patch of wall that thankfully only had a low dresser up against it. Well that was close… His hand brushed the empty space and his head tilted. Hmm, maybe that would be a good place for his second gift. The smaller had been tucked right along with the shoe rack, more intricate with carefully planned compartments and drawers, the make up holder was a true labor of love. Several prototypes ended up in the burn pile as he had experimented on what would and wouldn’t work, keeping in mind the bat-bound’s usual sight. Maybe he could hang it here….. But setting up the pieces was not the end. Time was relative to Kore but he knew damn well if he didn’t jump the portal before midday he’d never make it back to the Island to finish before Jari woke. Fancy Cakes, was perhaps the most nerve wracking and easiest part of the experience. It didn’t help he’d smacked a horn right into the door frame, making quite the first impression. But the woman who worked the counter was infinitely patient while he described what he needed. She even offered suggestion on pairing that did and did not work well, adding a few bits that she assured would go over well. A layered cake filled with fresh fruit compote. A simple icing of light buttercream topped with chocolate and artfully arranged assortment of fruits and berries. The woman even added in a few raspberry macaroons, whatever those were, and edible candied flowers. Kore had been so thankful for the care and patience he’d tipped her well enough to probably buy another. Remembering to duck on the way OUT, lest he risk a cake disaster Kore quickly made his way back to the Arcane Chamber where the Magister’s worked. Good thing about his size, most just got out of his way, and a show of his fangs with the word ‘Please’ got him a direct ticket to Tol Barad thanks to a kind, if nervous mageling. That left one more thing after he carefully set the cake box in the room. The most important, and the one he needed the most help with. Cay was supposed to get another pair of Jari’s favorite shoes, the others being unfortunately sacrificed down the gullet of a Felstalker, and the thing most distressing the bat since. Jari had loved those shoes. But seeing as Kore never ‘saw’ them…he had no way of knowing what he needed or Sun above, what color… Even if he still had his eyes he doubted he could pull it off. So he went to the one person he knew was likely to succeed. Ajarik’s Best Friend Caythaes. The priest had been a nervous ball the whole night and Kore asking to speak to him alone, away from the tavern hadn’t done those nerves any favors. But he seemed to perk once he realized what Kore was after. He’d given the pouch of gold over without a second thought, not knowing exactly something like those would cost, with a request that any left over be used to purchase some of the gregarious Illidari’s favorite make up. How Jari managed to put the stuff on while having NEVER seen himself was a Gods-damned miracle…. But one he pulled off every single day. That meant alot of make up used. Adjusting the cake on the little side table for the fourth time Kore finally pulled himself away, with the intent of hunting the bright ball of Sunshine down and see what he came up with when his claws hit something and he froze. On the low dresser which now sat under the makeup display was a box. One that wasn’t there before… Large hands felt ever detail, his head tilting this way and that as he riddled it out. It seemed to be wrapped but in two pieces. He was as careful as the claws would allow lifting the lid to feel the contents, leather…some type of hardwood, cordage and a-OH! It was the shoes! When did the little priest…? No matter. Kore put the lid back on, hands feeling around the dresser top till they clicked against a case. The make up probably. Alright. It’s all done. Nerves gnawed at his belly, more fierce and ravenous then any he had before a hunt. He… wanted to do good for Jari. Really show the smaller how much he and his friends cared. This was, after all, the first time he’d ever had a birthday celebrated. Releasing a sharp breath, and hopefully nerves, Kore left the room, closing the door firmly before making his way down the row to his to wait. Wait for the twitch and unfurling of large wings. The yawning chirp and chorus of bells. “Happy Birthday Jari.” @jinxandjingles Mentions: @kharrisdawndancer (Braedyn - Fancy Cakes) @mekandawn​

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Jason Momoa photographed by Elizabeth Weinberg for The New York Times, January 2017

10. What was the hardest lesson they had to learn as they got older?

“Eventually, one way or another, you will lose everyone and everything you ever cared for. So you better appreciate them while you have them. Stop and take in the moment, savor it, because it could be your last. I wish I had helped my mother with her baking the last day I saw her. Told her how much I loved her and thanked her for putting up with two rambunctious boys with more patience and grace then anyone else I have ever known. I wish I had told my father how much I looked up to him, wanted to be like him, and thank him for all the lessons he gave me on how be a man. I wish I had taken my brother with me to Silvermoon that day. He just wanted to tag along, spend time with me, feel included. I should have told him he was my best buddy and I’d always look out for him. I lost all of them suddenly, before I could tell them goodbye and I still feel it deep in my bones. Brother and Sister Illidari that fell before their time, the people I knew when I was a man lost to the scourge, even Ajarik. I should have told him a lot of things before we went in that Vault. We wasted a lot of time. Now I’m much more aware that at any moment it could end. I try not to waste an opportunity to remind those I care for how special they are too me.”

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@jinxandjingles So Jari.

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"I promise not to put my claws in the cheese this time."

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