Kale Brennan

We will stop his insane taxes and give them back to the poor, where they belong! We will rob him! And if you dead men had had spines in your backs, that's what you would've been doing for the last two years.

[forgottenaleksander]

OOC | Aleksander & Kale

ok so frankly im not coming up w a ton for these two except that frankly in another life i feel like alek woulda been a huge fan of kale!!!!! not necessarily on the surface ig but i feel like they actually have a lot in common re their way of approaching life, if not sm on their attitudes/ideals/goals laksdjflkjdsf but he'd have mad respect for kale's style frankly!!

i ~do think that, if kale were to try to pretend to be alek's servant or smth, like he's done w some of my others, alek would def clock a fake way faster than my other characters who're all buying it just bc like...dude knows what to look for: he's def pulled that gag plenty of times, himself, etc lasdkjfljkdsfj that being said, he'd probs go along w it and try not to let on that he'd figured it out, at least at first, unless he thought it'd come back on him in some way bc ngl alek always looking out for #1 always, but he'd def be v amused by the whole thing and probs legit enjoy kale's company lakjsdflakjsdf don't think he has a toN of ppl he genuinely enjoys at court frankly so -- probs a generally refreshing experience for him tbqh laksdjflkjsdf

but yeah all that being said idk that kale would even attempt that w him so??? yeah...lakjsdflkjdsf

maybe they coulda run into eo during the heist or smth??? idk...

[forgottenkale]

So I don't think that Kale would have any reason to be a fake servant for Alek, necessarily, but perhaps up at the palace or something sometime when he's snuck up there to get a message to Ciara and/or Percy? and so maybe it isn't as obvious to Alek, since Kale isn't pretending to be his servant, but maybe he does suspect that Kale isn't who he says he is/notices the little things that are off about him that others might not?? Which could be interesting, especially if Kale doesn't catch that Alek is catching onto him lmao (I feel like the more he pulls this stunt, the more overconfident he gets that he can just do it -- plus Cillian is pretending to be a legit lord so how hard can it be to be a servant for a day?!?) and yeah Alek, as the opportunist that he is, may pocket this information and use it later to his advantage, if he can // may be interested to find out more about Kale / what his deal is??

[forgottenaoife]

A Friend in the Window || Kale & Aoife

A housemaid had been hired.

It was a bit of a shock that Cassimir continued to prove good to his word, but a few weeks after kitchen staff had been brought in to relieve Eithne of her duties in the kitchen, a housemaid was suddenly announced so that Aoife might no longer be spending her days scrubbing floors.

It wasn't exactly surprising that Aoife was the first sister after Cassimir's own fiancee to no longer be acting as a servant within their own house. Aoife was, clearly, the least objectionable of the younger three in their step brother's eyes.

This did not mean, however, that Aoife was relieved of her duties involving her step mother. Valentina was still resistant to the idea of moving to the dower house, often prone to wailing when anyone mentioned moving any of the household furniture to the house in preparation for her own move (which a date had yet been set).

Cillian and Aoife had taken making interior design decisions of their own, moving some of Valentina's more gaudy decor or furniture that was clearly not of Malconaire down to the Dower home themselves. No longer needing to focus on the cleaning of the main house, Aoife had turned to cleaning her step mother's future home instead.

Cillian had, rather unceremoniously, dropped a box of dishes at the house which Aoife had set about unpacking. She did like the quiet, but the time to think also weighed on her mind. She had spent many nights up with Brigit and Roisin trying to figure out any way their elder sister might be spared the fate of marrying Cassimir, but nothing beyond kidnapping her and whisking her off to hide in the woods seemed plausible.

Aoife was so focused on her thoughts and wiping down the dishes (which, luckily, hadn't broken in transit despite Cillian's best efforts!) that it almost didn't register when she glanced up towards the window that there was a face staring in the window at her.

Aoife's eyes shot back up and she found herself staring into a familiar face. It was a smiling face. It was Kale's face.

Aoife quickly hurried to unlock the window, pulling it open.

"Someone is going to see you!" Aoife exclaimed, gesturing wildly towards the kitchen door at the far end of the house. "Go, go! I'll unlock the door."

Pulling the window shut, Aoife hurried through the half empty home and, unlatching the old wooden door, opening to find Kale on the other side.

"My step mother has not forgotten what you did! If she found you here, she'd have you arrested in a second!" Aoife scolded as he made his way inside the house. When they were safely inside, Aoife immediately felt more at ease.

"Eithne told us you'd been by to scold her. It will do no good if you're back to try again," Aoife informed him with a sigh. "She is steadfast in her decision."

[forgottenkale]

“I’m not here to scold anyone,” he said, holding up his hands. “I’ve learned my lesson. Your sister could stare down an army if she wanted with that sort of determination. No, I'm ... merely passing through."

This wasn't entirely true.

Kale hadn't given up on convincing Eithne to rethink her decision (there would be another way to save Malconaire that did not include sacrificing herself. Kale just hadn't happened to have thought it through, just yet), nor was this particular meeting with Aoife simply by chance. It seemed that Eithne was not the only Malconaire lady who had taken up with suspicious company.

And Kale meant to get to the bottom of whatever had transpired between Aoife and Sebastian Varmont. He had been spotted more than once in her company and Kale did not like the looks of what he had seen.

That, however, could wait. It had been too long since they had seen each other.

“Valentina tried that one already,” Kale said cheerfully and with an easy confidence that made it sound as though she couldn't ever try to have him arrested again. “Didn’t take, apparently. They say I’ve got a gift for slipping away from things that don’t suit me.” He winked, leaning against the table as he lowered his voice. “Besides, I doubt very much that Valentina would be caught dead in a kitchen. It is, I suspect, a rather convenient way for me to hide in plain sight. I ought to have just stayed in the kitchens at Malconaire, just to see how long I could have gotten away with it."

It pleased him to think of Valentina living here (even as he was fighting the very decision that had led to this outcome). While he was certain that she would still live in relative ease and comfort, this move could not have been easy for her. "Is the mistress happy about her new home?" Kale asked, knowing full well what the answer must be (he rather liked the idea of discussing his former mistresses displeasure too much not to ask the question).

Cassimir rarely did anything Kale agreed with, but on this particular score he found that he was (reluctantly) a bit pleasantly surprised. "I didn't think the craven had it in him to disobey his mother's wishes." A beat. "Or, perhaps, she does not yet know that her son means to have her displaced?"

[forgottenaoife]

Aoife frowned at Kale's reasonings for being at the Dower House that day.

"Passing through?" she questioned. "There are much safer paths to take that don't lead you by the lord's house! After the... the stunt of entering the tournament-- don't try to deny it, I know it was you!-- its almost as if you wish to be caught!"

Part of Aoife wished the entire tournament had never happened. She had been a nervous wreck knowing that Kale, Ronan, and Cillian walked among the dangerous Varmont court and the aftermath, the rumors Saoirse had told her were being spread.... it was enough to make her wish to never leave the borders of Malconaire again.

"My step mother despises the thought of living here... Quite frankly, I think the idea of it might have driven her to temporary madness, Kale. When we first came here..." Aoife paused, remembering how Valentina had raved at her that day. "She demanded I bring Mama's portrait here to hang in the house-- not Papa's portrait, just Mama's..."

"Eithne had it packed away and taken to Lorcan when I told her of it," Aoife continued, let out a small sigh. "And, what with that awful party she hosted at the end of the Emperor's tournament, she seems to have either forgotten or found something more important to focus on. But she will not come here, no, not without a fight."

A pause.

"Did Cillian tell you he carried her down here himself after she refused to set foot here after Cassimir told her she must leave the manor?" a small grin crept onto Aoife's face. Kale and Cillian had been partners in crime when they'd both been employed at Malconaire so Aoife could only assume that if Kale was lurking about the county, he would have undoubtedly crossed paths with Cillian as well.

"I cannot imagine he would not have told you of it first thing. He was exceedingly proud of himself."

Another pause.

"I know you're not simply passing through, Kale," Aoife said quietly. "... tell me, why have you really come here?"

[forgottenkale]

Kale’s mouth tipped into a crooked grin at her first question, a glint of mischief lighting his eyes. “The safer paths are rarely the most rewarding ones,” he said lightly, lifting one shoulder in a half-shrug. “And I’ve never been much for choosing the dull road when a better one presents itself.”

At her accusation, he did not deny it and could not, even if he wished to. Instead, there was a flicker of pride that passed through him, quick and unguarded. “Aye, it was me,” he admitted, almost too easily. “I’d hoped the disguise might hold against all who knew me, but…” His gaze flicked over her face, “I suppose I should be glad it didn’t, if it means you knew me anyway.” He exhaled softly. “I was careful. Careful as I could be, at least. Though I’ll not pretend I’m satisfied with how I did.” A brief smirk returned. “Still ... being placed on the Varmont side during the team melee had its advantages.”

Reaching to his belt, Kale loosened a small but heavy purse and pressed it into Aoife’s hands before she could protest. The weight of it spoke for itself. “For Malconaire,” he said simply. “Near ten thousand crowns, give or take.” His tone sharpened just slightly as he added, “And you’ll see that not a single coin of it finds its way into Valentina’s hands, or her darling son’s. I didn’t win it for them.” He hoped that Aoife wouldn't wonder what he had done with the rest of it. Most of his winnings would be set aside for the resistance and he took great pleasure in the irony that the Varmonts had handed out such large sums of money that day that Kale can only assume that they were certain that their family alone would win it ... instead, they had directly funded those who wished to remove them from the throne.

He leaned back a fraction, expression turning thoughtful as she spoke of Valentina. “Madness suits her,” he muttered, though there was no real humor in it. “She’s earned at least that much.” But when Aoife mentioned the portrait, something colder entered his gaze. “Eithne did right,” he said firmly. “There’s no telling what might’ve happened if that portrait had stayed within her reach. Fires have a way of starting when it’s most convenient for certain people.” His jaw tightened. “Your mother’s likeness belongs to you: to all of you. Not to her. Not ever.”

The tension broke as quickly as it came, laughter spilling from him at the image of Cillian hauling Valentina down to the Dower House. “Oh, he told me,” Kale said between laughs, running a hand through his hair. “And I’d hear it a hundred times more if it meant picturing it again.” He leaned in slightly, eyes bright with amusement. “What was her face like, Aoife? Tell me truly: I’ve had precious little to laugh about of late, and I mean to savor it.” He shook his head, still grinning. “I’m proud of him for that. Truly. And if she so much as tries to claw her way back into the main house…” His voice dipped, "You send for me. I’ll see to it she remembers her place.”

But the laughter faded as her final question settled between them. Kale stilled, the easy charm slipping from him as something heavier took its place. For a moment, he said nothing and just looked at her, as though weighing whether to answer at all. And then, quietly, he did.

“I’m not passing through,” he admitted.

His gaze dropped briefly before returning to hers, steady now. “I came to see your sister.” A pause. Then, more firmly, “I need her to reconsider.” His voice lowered, not in secrecy, but in earnestness. “She doesn’t have to marry him, Aoife. She shouldn’t.”

[forgottenkale]

Mountain Climbing | Kale & Fiona

It was not the first time that Kale had used Cormac Calleary's unobservant nature to his advantage. Cormac recognized Kale enough to know that he was a servant and when he saw him about Lorcan, he believed him to be his servant: misinformation which Kale had never been hasty to rectify.

He always did his best to avoid Eabha, Aine, and especially the Lorcan ladies whenever he snuck into the castle on official resistance business -- even if he doubted any of them should give him away, if they discovered him. However, the arrival of Rian Stafford had made things much more complicated and although he did not know Kale, he did not strike him as someone who would be as easily taken in as the current Lord Calleary and Kale did his best to avoid him completely, whenever possible.

It was an unexpected near encounter with the steward that prompted Kale into his current predicament: which happened to be attempting to scale the side of the great Lorcan mountain. He'd stolen out of a castle window, thinking that the climb wouldn't be half as difficult as it proved to be. It was in this moment where Kale found himself half climbing, half dangling that he considered that perhaps running into Rian Stafford would have been the safer option.

It was more than likely that Rian would have simply accepted that he had been a servant there and, if not, he could hardly have been worse off than he was now. Suddenly he wondered if his impulsive decision would be his last.

But as luck would have it, he soon found that he was edging close to where Lady Fiona's rooms were and, with a newfound strength, he managed to pull himself up unto her window sill and climbed into her room.

He grinned, a little proud of himself that he had managed it and suddenly possessed an arrogance that suggested he always knew that he could -- all lingering thoughts of his impending doom having vanished with his success.

Fiona Calleary was alone -- but it was only in this moment that he considered that he might have easily caught her otherwise. Luck certainly was on his side today. Perhaps he might actually say a prayer to the guardians tonight: for it did seem that someone was looking out for him.

"Don't mind if I pop in, do you?" He asked, plopping down into her arm chair that sat by the fireplace, propping his feet up. "Thought I'd take the back way in, as your unfortunate jailer is home. I do not envy you his company. He seems even more ill-humored than Ronan can be," He teased.

"Speaking of -- I've got a message for you."

[forgottenfiona]

Fiona let out a yelp and grabbed the closest item-- which happened to be the butter knife she'd been threatening her eldest brother with only a day earlier-- and turned to face the owner of the voice that had entered from her balcony. Kale was not who she expected to find.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice hushed as he gestured at him with the knife. Looking down and feeling utterly ridiculous, she tossed it onto the desk with a thud as she scrambled to bolt the door, less anyone come upon the pair. Kale may not be a wanted man in Lorcan, as he was in Malconaire, but there were enough Imperial guards in and out of this castle that she was worried he would be recognized.

"How did you get up here?" she turned to the balcony, take a few steps towards it before stopping. She'd contemplated crawling down the side of Lorcan at times and knew just how high it was.

"Rían is always here," she grumbled, returning to where Kale sat and dropped herself down into a chair as well. "And if he's not here, he's taking my sister and brothers to the Citadel for what I can only imagine are terribly boring dinners. Cormac has convinced everyone there is no reason I should go and Aine stays with the little fish, which I suppose isn't the worse thing. I'm able to go down into the caverns without being noticed."

"You have a message for me?" Fiona asked, leaning forward as if there was anyone in the room who might overhear them. "From who? Ronan? Is there something else I might to do help?" she asked quickly. She was eager for a task, eager to do something.

[forgottenkale]

"What? You've never climbed up the side of a mountain before? We'll have to fix that, one day. It isn't as hard as you'd think." He was teasing, but even he knew that Fiona was likely only a dare away from attempting it, herself.

He wasn't about to tell her that he had feared for his life, only moments ago. Now that he was safely in her quarters, he felt his confidence rising and, in that instant, felt as though it had really been the easiest thing in the world to accomplish. (He was not yet considering how on earth he was planning on getting down).

"Gods, I don't envy them his company. I don't think he knows how to laugh ... or even smile for that matter. Not that someone in his position has any right to experience joy of any kind. So I suppose, it's fitting ... " How anyone from Astaira would throw their lot in with Roderick, was something that Kale could not fathom. Especially someone who had once tried to be king.

It had been far better for them all that Eilianora had won out. Perhaps there would not have been a war (Kale supposed someone like Rian would have invited Roderick to come and stake his claim!), but he knew that every Astairan who died with the hope that perhaps they may win out, would not have had it any other way.

"Ronan is hoping to have a meeting three nights from now. Can you and your brother get away from the guards long enough to come?"

[forgottenfiona]

"No I have not climbed up the side of this mountain! I am a child of the sea, Kale, not a rock climber! There isn't even water at the bottom to soften the blow if you fall!"

Fiona glanced back towards the balcony where Kale had appeared. Was he planning to climb back down? She wouldn't allow that-- she'd keep him hidden in her rooms until he could sneak out. Or, perhaps, she'd dress him up as her brother and send him out once it was dark.

Fiona rolled her eyes as Kale spoke of Rían. "That's exactly what he's like! I wonder if he'd frighten himself if he ever actually managed to laugh. And he has been paying Aine too much attention for any of our liking. She's been through quite enough to now be badly courted by the dullest, most unlikeable man in all of Astaira!"

"I don't think there's any world where I could betray Astaira like that, do you? I don't know how he sleeps at night, frankly. And if I had my way... but Éabha has forbidden me from putting swans in his chambers."

"Three nights? Absolutely," Fiona replied emphatically, not bothering to first consult her brother. Finn, if anything, would just be going down to the tavern or something of the sort and Fiona has become quite skilled at slipping out under the cover of darkness these past weeks.

"Same time as always? Tell me, is there anything I might steal from the kitchen that would cheer Ronan up at all? He and Rían are competing for who can make the most dour face, honestly..."

[forgottenkale]

Kale let out a low laugh, leaning one shoulder against the stone as though the climb had been nothing more than a mild inconvenience. “That’s half the fun of it,” he said easily. “If there were no danger, there’d be no point in climbing at all.” He tilted his head, glancing down toward the dark drop below with a casual sort of disregard. “Though I’ll grant you this: I’d rather trust rock than open water any day. At least the mountain doesn’t move beneath your feet.”

His expression softened slightly, thoughtful now. “I was at sea once with your lot, years back,” he added. “Gods, I’ve never seen people so at ease with death. Waves crashing high enough to swallow a man whole, and there you all were: laughing, shouting over the storm like it was some grand game.” He shook his head, amused despite himself. “I can swim well enough in a river, but toss me into that, and I’d not last long.”

He snorted at her description of Rían. “Now that is a challenge, isn’t it? To make that man laugh.” Kale’s grin sharpened. “There must be something that would do it. Though I suspect the effort might kill him before the laughter ever does.” His curiosity piqued, he leaned in slightly. “But truly, how does a man like that even begin to court someone? I do not envy your sister, but I should love to see him try." He laughed, "And does your sister even realize what he's trying to do? I can't imagine he's terribly romantic? Tell me, Fiona, how does a man like Rían Stafford flirt?”

The humor faded, though, as the reality of it settled back in. Kale’s jaw tightened just a fraction. His gaze drifted somewhere past her, toward the dark beyond the balcony. “Of all the things we’ve seen since Roderick came here. I think that may be the worst of it. Not conquest. Not even the bloodshed.” His voice lowered. “But betrayal from one of our own .... one who had once might have been our king,” He exhaled slowly. “I hope it keeps him awake. Every night.”

But the moment passed, and with it the weight of it. Kale’s eyes flickered back to Fiona, mischief returning like a spark catching flame. “You must, of course, obey your sister,” he said solemnly, though the smile tugging at his mouth betrayed him. “No swans.” A beat. “But swans are hardly the only creatures in the world capable of causing trouble. And if we are clever…” He gave her a conspiratorial wink, “Well. I imagine we could devise something just as memorable. And far less traceable.”

At her question, he considered for a moment, tapping his fingers lightly against the stone. “If you could manage to bring some of Eithne’s lemon cakes, you might earn a flicker of something from him,” Kale admitted. “Though I wouldn’t place much hope in it. Ronan’s not easily distracted these days.” His tone remained light, but there was a thread of concern beneath it he did not quite hide. “Still -- if he won’t eat them, that leaves more for the rest of us, doesn’t it?”

[damngoodbabysiitter]

make me choose meme - Anonymous asked: Robin or Guy

“War is here, it’s right here in the forest. He was an ordinary Englishman, he tilled the fields, he loved his wife, he cared for his children. […] Then he was forced to go to the Holy Land to fight. Look at him, a pitiful shadow of a man. Every day good men like Harold are destroyed out there. Only peace can put a stop to this.”

[forgottenalistair]

OOC | Alistair & Kale

ok so ngl...im not coming up w a ~ton for these two off the top of my head, except wasn't kale arrested asp? maybe alistair was somehow involved in that or some such thing?

another possibility is that @forgottenguinevere was gonna get held at knife point by a rebel, bc she was in the wrong place at the wrong time during the heist, and i suggested @forgottencillian bc, well, i control him (i lied -- he controls me lbr ;DDDD) but!! it could be kale, instead? in which case ngl alistair will deffff be gunning for him in future if he ever figures out who that guy in the mask or whatever was etc but yeah!! that's another possibility perhaps?

[forgottenkale]

~replies 10 years later~

I'm totally cool with that being Kale, instead, if that's cool with you and @forgottenguinevere because that is something stupid and reckless that Kale would also do, ha! (plus then you have the opportunity to rp out Alistair hating on Kale in the future!) But I'm okay to try to figure out something else with them, too, if that ship has already sailed!

I do feel like Kale will definitely do something stupid, at some point, that IS gonna get him jailed and arrested and it could be something as stupid as trying to steal from Alistair if he ever came across him on the road and Kale thinks he can take him and then fails miserably (hehe possibly post Cassandra's capture w/ the resistance where he heard her describe Alistair Grey as "a decrepit old man literally moments from the grave") and completely underestimated how much effort he would need to put into beating him ;DD

[forgottenaoife]

A Friend in the Window || Kale & Aoife

A housemaid had been hired.

It was a bit of a shock that Cassimir continued to prove good to his word, but a few weeks after kitchen staff had been brought in to relieve Eithne of her duties in the kitchen, a housemaid was suddenly announced so that Aoife might no longer be spending her days scrubbing floors.

It wasn't exactly surprising that Aoife was the first sister after Cassimir's own fiancee to no longer be acting as a servant within their own house. Aoife was, clearly, the least objectionable of the younger three in their step brother's eyes.

This did not mean, however, that Aoife was relieved of her duties involving her step mother. Valentina was still resistant to the idea of moving to the dower house, often prone to wailing when anyone mentioned moving any of the household furniture to the house in preparation for her own move (which a date had yet been set).

Cillian and Aoife had taken making interior design decisions of their own, moving some of Valentina's more gaudy decor or furniture that was clearly not of Malconaire down to the Dower home themselves. No longer needing to focus on the cleaning of the main house, Aoife had turned to cleaning her step mother's future home instead.

Cillian had, rather unceremoniously, dropped a box of dishes at the house which Aoife had set about unpacking. She did like the quiet, but the time to think also weighed on her mind. She had spent many nights up with Brigit and Roisin trying to figure out any way their elder sister might be spared the fate of marrying Cassimir, but nothing beyond kidnapping her and whisking her off to hide in the woods seemed plausible.

Aoife was so focused on her thoughts and wiping down the dishes (which, luckily, hadn't broken in transit despite Cillian's best efforts!) that it almost didn't register when she glanced up towards the window that there was a face staring in the window at her.

Aoife's eyes shot back up and she found herself staring into a familiar face. It was a smiling face. It was Kale's face.

Aoife quickly hurried to unlock the window, pulling it open.

"Someone is going to see you!" Aoife exclaimed, gesturing wildly towards the kitchen door at the far end of the house. "Go, go! I'll unlock the door."

Pulling the window shut, Aoife hurried through the half empty home and, unlatching the old wooden door, opening to find Kale on the other side.

"My step mother has not forgotten what you did! If she found you here, she'd have you arrested in a second!" Aoife scolded as he made his way inside the house. When they were safely inside, Aoife immediately felt more at ease.

"Eithne told us you'd been by to scold her. It will do no good if you're back to try again," Aoife informed him with a sigh. "She is steadfast in her decision."

[forgottenkale]

“I’m not here to scold anyone,” he said, holding up his hands. “I’ve learned my lesson. Your sister could stare down an army if she wanted with that sort of determination. No, I'm ... merely passing through."

This wasn't entirely true.

Kale hadn't given up on convincing Eithne to rethink her decision (there would be another way to save Malconaire that did not include sacrificing herself. Kale just hadn't happened to have thought it through, just yet), nor was this particular meeting with Aoife simply by chance. It seemed that Eithne was not the only Malconaire lady who had taken up with suspicious company.

And Kale meant to get to the bottom of whatever had transpired between Aoife and Sebastian Varmont. He had been spotted more than once in her company and Kale did not like the looks of what he had seen.

That, however, could wait. It had been too long since they had seen each other.

“Valentina tried that one already,” Kale said cheerfully and with an easy confidence that made it sound as though she couldn't ever try to have him arrested again. “Didn’t take, apparently. They say I’ve got a gift for slipping away from things that don’t suit me.” He winked, leaning against the table as he lowered his voice. “Besides, I doubt very much that Valentina would be caught dead in a kitchen. It is, I suspect, a rather convenient way for me to hide in plain sight. I ought to have just stayed in the kitchens at Malconaire, just to see how long I could have gotten away with it."

It pleased him to think of Valentina living here (even as he was fighting the very decision that had led to this outcome). While he was certain that she would still live in relative ease and comfort, this move could not have been easy for her. "Is the mistress happy about her new home?" Kale asked, knowing full well what the answer must be (he rather liked the idea of discussing his former mistresses displeasure too much not to ask the question).

Cassimir rarely did anything Kale agreed with, but on this particular score he found that he was (reluctantly) a bit pleasantly surprised. "I didn't think the craven had it in him to disobey his mother's wishes." A beat. "Or, perhaps, she does not yet know that her son means to have her displaced?"

[forgottenkale]

A Servant and his Master | Kale & Cormac

"Shall I put another log upon the fire, my lord?"

It was not the first time Cormac Calleary had mistaken Kale for his servant (it certainly did not help that Kale encouraged this misconception), but Kale was determined to keep this charade going -- even if it did mean he needed to perform tasks of manual labor for one of the most ridiculous men he had ever met. Quite often, simply toying with Cormac was its own reward.

“I trust everything else has been arranged to your liking?” Kale asked mildly, gesturing about the room before clasping his hands behind his back in what he imagined a proper servant might do.

"You will forgive me, however, for failing to remove the dust from your desk? I dare not touch it, as I feared disturbing the creative genius that surely lives upon its surface.” Kale said it with the solemnity of a man performing sacred rites -- something he managed only because no one else was in the room. If they had been, and he had met their eye, he never would have been able to say any of it with a straight face.

Kale had also done absolutely nothing to the room, at all (besides, perhaps, track in a bit of mud from his shoes), but he meant to test how forgiving Cormac would be after such an over-the-top compliment, and if he would fail to notice anything else wrong with the room after being thus praised.

Even if Kale was being so ridiculous as to having just suggested that Cormac's clutter upon his desk might be the beginnings of some great work of art.

[forgottenkale]

ooc | Kale & Saoirse

I feel like Kale is an only child and ngl, he's definitely adopted the resistance to be like his family!! I think he considers Saoirse to be like a little sister and ngl Saoirse is probably like "this might as well happen" when she has another unhinged manchild to look after!

[forgottensaoirse]

sfkljsdklajfkjsdf *this might as well happen* BAHAHAHAHA but ~honestly lasjdfkjdsf saoirse, looking at her collection of unhinged manchildren: 'this is my family and im gonna look after them if it kills me!' spoiler alert: it probably will ;D lakjsdfkjdsf no but they'll have a lot of fun (and a lot of stress) until that time <33333

no but real talk i think she considers the resistance her extended family as well! so cue her highfiving him on that one! while she def misses lorcan, she's honestly so glad to be back here w everyone again!!!!

so kale is six years older, so saoirse probs thought him v glamorous back in the day when she was six and he was twelve or whatever and she was like 'damn he's so clever and capable and cool and worldly!' and now she has to laugh a lil bc i def think a lot of that glamor has worn off now and she's like 'he's just as dumb as cillian' (affectionate) <3

i can also see where, esp since he was an only child, kale may have hung around at the frost cottage a bit growing up? i feel like their mom, caoimhe loved kids and unofficially was the village mom hahaha (i mean i do imagine the steward's cottage is a lil outside village and closer to the great house -- in addition to probs having a room in the castle/house for use as well -- given the duties there etc but you know what i mean) and loved having her house full and thought that a little boy all alone was a v sad thing so she probs wanted to invite him over to play with the frosts and the reaves v often! so i can see where they probs grew up together, mayhaps?

[forgottenkale]

honestly caoimhe <3333

But yes!! I agree!! While I don't think he was as close to everyone as the whole Frost/Malconaire/Reaves connections, I do think that Kale was around a LOT and he definitely would have taken them up on that invitation pretty frequently and loved just hanging out with the other kiddos <33

OKAY but Saoirse looking up to Kale and lowkey hero-worshiping him as a kid??? That would literally be everything to him ngl and it definitely went to his head if it was at ALL obvious. (would he show off intentionally to impress her?? probably. kale thrives on attention when he can get it, even if its from little kids #facepalm). ngl it was def disappointing whenever that began to wear off and she's like "oh ... you are kinda a moron, too, aren't you?" ;DDDD

I do think that Kale would also make trips to Lorcan, frequently, to visit Eabha Saoirse before he became an outlaw, especially when her bros were busy with their steward-in-training duties and couldn't get away as often!!

[forgottensaoirse]

i feel like lil!saoirse was just as sarcastic as adult!saoirse so like...yes and no re: the obv-ness of her being impressed bc like???? basically if ronan or cillian were there, it was a great opportunity, not to be passed up, of annoying them by praising kale but otherwise she was probs tryna ~play it cool~ but lbr, she was little, some respect almost def leaked out despite her best intentions hahah (did these antics probs lead to a competition that got cillian some broken bones? probs HAHAHAHAH)

omg these days saoirse probs does sooo much covering for him like rian: 'who was that man?' saoirse, who fortunately grew up w a lot of antics she was lying abt to valentina dn cassimir and thus has a perfect poker face: 'my brother cillian' rian: 'he...sounds different?' saoirse: 'yes, he has a cold.' rian: 'again?' saoirse, rolling her eyes: 'almost always. he's never careful. my mother used to complain of it continuously, poor woman. worry half drove her to her grave i swear!' rian, beginning to feel this is getting a lil too personal for cmfort: 'ah, i think...someone is calling--good health to your brother!' saoirse: 'thank you' ;D alksdjfkldsjf

but yeah, i feel like they do see e/o v regularly bc of the resistance, too? and like idk how often they meet, but i def feel likethere must be regular communication/contact?

[forgottenkale]

lskajdflajsflj saoirse gaslighting rian into thinking kale and Cillian are the same person???? amazing!!!!! (it's almost as wonderful as Finn and Fiona gaslighting Cormac ;DDD or maybe it is better if Rian actually believes it because he's not as easily fooled haha!)

I was thinking a little more about their dynamic and I feel like Kale also says (loudly enough for her bros to hear) quite often that Saoirse is the only frost with any sense ;DDD (lbr this probably started when he first got a hint that she thought he was totally cool when she was a kid and he hasn't quite noticed that she now looks at him like he's an idiot -- affectionately -- instead of amazing ;DD). Also, I feel like he used to call her "Little Frost" when she was a kid and he still uses it now, too, but probably a little less and now I feel like his nickname for her is "sunshine" <33

Also, I feel like Kale is not exempt now from the same lectures Saoirse might give one of her brother's when they are about to do something reckless and she's over here dishing out sage advice meanwhile Kale is just like "that's adorable" (but in the back of his head he probably realizes that she's right!)

anyway, yeah I feel like they do see each other fairly often b/c of the resistance as well!! And I think Kale is incredibly grateful that she's part of the resistance, too, because he misses all the other connections he's had to give up for the past few years for ~safety~ reasons and I do think that he is determined not to let anything happen to Saoirse, he also probably is more willingly to let her take risks than her brothers might be? Not because he doesn't care, but because he trusts her and sees her as being capable, etc, but also because he is just kind of a reckless person in general #whoops and he would only let Saoirse do about half of what he would do himself, but that isn't an especially high bar to a normal, sensible person!

(also I feel like Saoirse may be someone who might have picked up on Kale's feelings for Eabha ...both because of how long they've known each other, but also because she always knows when he comes to Lorcan and probably noticed pretty quickly that even though he sAID he was there for her .... he seemed pretty distracted by someone else every.single.time. ;DDD)

[forgottentristan]

OOC | Tristan & Kale

ngl!! i doubt these two have had much interaction, unless tristan apprehended kale asp? bc wasn't kale arrested at one time, or am i misremembering? either way tho tristan would probs think kale is a loT hahaha but yeah i dont have a ton in mind for them unfortunately alas

[forgottenkale]

Yes! So Kale ~was arrested for theft and honestly, I feel like he probs only steals from Varmonts/Varmont loyalists/Varmont soldiers, so he could have even tried to steal ~from Tristan or Godfrey or some of their men, tbh???! Either way, I can totally see Tristan having been the one to arrest him, ha!

Honestly, Tristan and Sebastian are both probably the most likeable Varmonts but Sebastian has ruined his chances for Kale to like him because he's "after" Aoife and while Kale doesn't know about Tristan's feels for Eithne, he DID arrest him ..... so ..... Kale's not a huge fan!

Honestly, he probably just knows him as Amira's bro and he'd be a bit more neutral towards him, except for the fact that he is the captain of the king's guard and like, can you not??!? I'm sure he has heard good things about him from Ciara, but he also thinks that Ciara's good opinions of the ppl connected to her family are probs a bit skewed, so that doesn't really help his case as far as Kale is concerned!

[forgottentristan]

BAHAHAHA sebastian and tristan out here flying HATE ME flags when they're not even trying alsjdkfksldjf tristan at least actively did smth, poor sebastian hasn't done anything wrong (ever, in his life! ~arthur) BUT ANYWAY!!! i love it!!!

ngl cillian backing up kale like 'ciara, honey, ~good in ~that house is such a relative term as to be meaningless. are you really telling me that just bc he doesn't torture puppies or roast babies in his spare time that i should like him???!?!!' jk jk (kinda)

no, but kale stealing from the calainons and tristan arresting him!!! what chaos laskdjflkjsdfjdsf omg but now im picturing like??? that ride back home w kale arrested and tristan conducting him to jail and just...that feels like pure chaos!!!!!! i feel like they're total opposites??? tristan's all 'just keep that crammed inside just smash it down NOTHING is getting out' except politeness and maybe the odd dash of humor and doing the right thing™ ofc!! and kale is, well, kale and i just feel like the personality clash that probs presented itself during that ride must've been priceless hahahaha

amira's bro and roderick's protector!!!!!!!!!! god that ~is a grim look!!!! lkajdsflkjkjsfsdf honestly, kale, ur perfectly justified there, bud!!!! alkjsfkljdsfjkd

so im guessing??? they probs haven't really (at least knowingly on tristan's end!) seen e/o, since? bc kale's wanted iirc? bc ngl tristan would def arrest him on sight if so alskdjflskdjfkjsdf

[forgottenkale]

So IDK if anything has changed in the LITERAL YEAR that it has taken me to reply to this but!!! Yeah, I imagine that they haven't really seen each other since Tristan arrested Kale and yeah, Kale is still a wanted man so if he did spot him again, you know our boy would be arresting Kale on sight!!

I guess they could have had some interaction at the tournament? But even Kale would have tried to avoid the Varmont allied people who knew who he was!! (Although looking back they did face in the on foot melee!!! And Kale lost -- actually poor Kale didn't win anything, except for the team melee and that was only because it was ~*~rigged~*~ so I kinda imagine that Kale would have been in a bit of a mood that entire time because he was certainly very confident and I think ultimately overly so haha)

ANYWAY, he would have been in disguise!! But I'm guessing that Tristan didn't recognize him since he didn't get arrested! But Kale would have been especially competitive because he certainly recognized him as the guy who arrested him and ultimately I think that that did not play well for him. (although I think in hand to hand combat that Tristan may actually be better at it than Kale but shhh don't tell Kale that!)

[forgottenkale]

Mountain Climbing | Kale & Fiona

It was not the first time that Kale had used Cormac Calleary's unobservant nature to his advantage. Cormac recognized Kale enough to know that he was a servant and when he saw him about Lorcan, he believed him to be his servant: misinformation which Kale had never been hasty to rectify.

He always did his best to avoid Eabha, Aine, and especially the Lorcan ladies whenever he snuck into the castle on official resistance business -- even if he doubted any of them should give him away, if they discovered him. However, the arrival of Rian Stafford had made things much more complicated and although he did not know Kale, he did not strike him as someone who would be as easily taken in as the current Lord Calleary and Kale did his best to avoid him completely, whenever possible.

It was an unexpected near encounter with the steward that prompted Kale into his current predicament: which happened to be attempting to scale the side of the great Lorcan mountain. He'd stolen out of a castle window, thinking that the climb wouldn't be half as difficult as it proved to be. It was in this moment where Kale found himself half climbing, half dangling that he considered that perhaps running into Rian Stafford would have been the safer option.

It was more than likely that Rian would have simply accepted that he had been a servant there and, if not, he could hardly have been worse off than he was now. Suddenly he wondered if his impulsive decision would be his last.

But as luck would have it, he soon found that he was edging close to where Lady Fiona's rooms were and, with a newfound strength, he managed to pull himself up unto her window sill and climbed into her room.

He grinned, a little proud of himself that he had managed it and suddenly possessed an arrogance that suggested he always knew that he could -- all lingering thoughts of his impending doom having vanished with his success.

Fiona Calleary was alone -- but it was only in this moment that he considered that he might have easily caught her otherwise. Luck certainly was on his side today. Perhaps he might actually say a prayer to the guardians tonight: for it did seem that someone was looking out for him.

"Don't mind if I pop in, do you?" He asked, plopping down into her arm chair that sat by the fireplace, propping his feet up. "Thought I'd take the back way in, as your unfortunate jailer is home. I do not envy you his company. He seems even more ill-humored than Ronan can be," He teased.

"Speaking of -- I've got a message for you."

[forgottenfiona]

Fiona let out a yelp and grabbed the closest item-- which happened to be the butter knife she'd been threatening her eldest brother with only a day earlier-- and turned to face the owner of the voice that had entered from her balcony. Kale was not who she expected to find.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice hushed as he gestured at him with the knife. Looking down and feeling utterly ridiculous, she tossed it onto the desk with a thud as she scrambled to bolt the door, less anyone come upon the pair. Kale may not be a wanted man in Lorcan, as he was in Malconaire, but there were enough Imperial guards in and out of this castle that she was worried he would be recognized.

"How did you get up here?" she turned to the balcony, take a few steps towards it before stopping. She'd contemplated crawling down the side of Lorcan at times and knew just how high it was.

"Rían is always here," she grumbled, returning to where Kale sat and dropped herself down into a chair as well. "And if he's not here, he's taking my sister and brothers to the Citadel for what I can only imagine are terribly boring dinners. Cormac has convinced everyone there is no reason I should go and Aine stays with the little fish, which I suppose isn't the worse thing. I'm able to go down into the caverns without being noticed."

"You have a message for me?" Fiona asked, leaning forward as if there was anyone in the room who might overhear them. "From who? Ronan? Is there something else I might to do help?" she asked quickly. She was eager for a task, eager to do something.

[forgottenkale]

"What? You've never climbed up the side of a mountain before? We'll have to fix that, one day. It isn't as hard as you'd think." He was teasing, but even he knew that Fiona was likely only a dare away from attempting it, herself.

He wasn't about to tell her that he had feared for his life, only moments ago. Now that he was safely in her quarters, he felt his confidence rising and, in that instant, felt as though it had really been the easiest thing in the world to accomplish. (He was not yet considering how on earth he was planning on getting down).

"Gods, I don't envy them his company. I don't think he knows how to laugh ... or even smile for that matter. Not that someone in his position has any right to experience joy of any kind. So I suppose, it's fitting ... " How anyone from Astaira would throw their lot in with Roderick, was something that Kale could not fathom. Especially someone who had once tried to be king.

It had been far better for them all that Eilianora had won out. Perhaps there would not have been a war (Kale supposed someone like Rian would have invited Roderick to come and stake his claim!), but he knew that every Astairan who died with the hope that perhaps they may win out, would not have had it any other way.

"Ronan is hoping to have a meeting three nights from now. Can you and your brother get away from the guards long enough to come?"

[riepu10]

Knight on a white horse

[forgottenkale]

Stolen Supplies | Ronan & Kale

Winter had melted away.

Kale was happy for it, and likely so was Ronan, as Kale had complained about the weather at nearly ever opportunity (a fact that he would deny now, if asked). While it was some weeks yet before summer officially arrived, today had been a particularly warm day and it seemed some of Varmont's men had found it too unbearable after the particularly harsh winter.

Kale had been tracking the group of them as they made their way through the woods - knowing that he could not manage to take them all by himself, but still curious to know what they were up to. He laughed when he realized their destination: they'd gone off from their post in search of a place to cool off and were foolish enough to leave their clothes and supplies on the riverbank as they swam out towards the waterfalls.

When they'd gone far enough away, Kale hasility gathered up as much of their things as he could carry and darted off with them into the woods. They noticed him on his second trip, but he ran much faster than they could swim back to shore and he was already deep into the forest by the time they came out of the water.

Kale found Ronan back at their camp, where he plopped two large bags full of his spoils at Ronan's feet. "Roderick's men will think twice about trying to cool off in the Malconaire river again! Especially the poor fellow who has lost his trousers," He added, holding them up as he shifted through to what else he had managed to gather.

[forgottenronan]

"Fancied a change of clothes, did you?" retorted Ronan. Once this might have been accompanied with laughter, a smile, but now the only sign that he was, in fact, joshing his old friend was a grim upturn at the edge of his lips; a quick, blink-and-you-miss-it glitter of the eye, before he turned back to the serious business of devouring his lunch. But this was progress. There was a time when he had forgotten such things altogether.

Ronan had become a man of cycles: obsessive by turn, he forgot himself often, consumed in the bitter business of harsh scheme over harsher. He pushed himself too hard. He'd become gaunt and hollow-eyed and the only pleasaure he seemed capable of now was reveling in the hardship of his foes. He had forgotten the kiss of hope, real hope. He had forgotten joy.

Now, though, chewing he reached with one hand to inspect the innards of the satchels Kale had brought him, proud as a squirrel with a nut, and once again the pale quirk of something that wasn't quite malice at his cheek.

"Good," he replied, sparing a glance for Kale as he continued to inspect the supplies. "They ought never to feel safe or comfortable here."

Still, he thought, the hand which clutched his lunch growing slack as thoughts of revenge washed over hm again. This was but a half measure. Better than nothing...but no real teeth. He plopped the half-eaten meal back on his plate and stood, gathering one of the bags and hoisting it up on the table.

"Kale, this is a good start," he said, sorting through till -- and now a smile did bloom -- he came upon the weapons they'd carried. "But we need more. What think you of a true raid? By night? I've been thinking and--"

He crossed to the wall where hung and map and clasping it, pulled it down and onto the table between them, drawing his finger up a line of wilds as he spoke.

"We take tis route, mind: only Astairans know the wilderness as we, hm? We turn it to our advantage. We move by moonlight amongst the thickets. We're nothing to them but ghosts and wild animals -- till we strike. Percy and Ciara can keep us apprised of supply chains running, the twins can supply ships to ferry them wherever we like once caught. We do this right -- we can be armged and dangerous before they so much as feel the dent."

[forgottenkale]

Once Kale might have been offended by the lack of response he had garnered from Ronan just now, he had come to take what he could get from him, these days, and he had caught the fleeting glimpse of a smile that quickly darted upon his features. To have the reaction he truly hoped, he knew he must recount the story in detail to Cillian.

Still, while Ronan quickly moved on, Kale was less keen to do so and, laughing, said, "Well, he certainly is in need of one. I imagine he will have to try to buy something in Malconaire or risk returning back to the palace in nothing but his underclothes. Either way, I fancy he's mortified and, therefore, either outcome pleases me."

He began shuffling around in the loot he collected. There was mostly just some clothes (which could be repurposed), but there was also some food (which Kale was especially pleased with since it had been a long time since he had had anything that hadn't been prepared by either of them), and he'd also managed to carry away some of their weapons, but the real prize was the small coin purse, which Kale opened and poured out over the table.

"There's likely a couple thousand crowns here," Kale stated. The coins were mostly gold which were worth 100 each. It was not enough money that cause a rift in any of Roderick's operations, but it would mean a great deal to the resistance and it would mean even more still to the Malconaire families in need.

"You know I will never say no, captain," He replied, after hearing Ronan's latest plan. He yearned for any opportunity that would cause disruption in any of Roderick's plans. He knew that their numbers were yet smaller than they would have liked and it was silly to believe that they had the means yet to release the emperor's grip upon their home, but he hoped that they might, at least, being to loosen it a little.

"How many of us do you think we shall need?" Kale asked. "I assume we will need your brother's help, for certain." That would make four with Isolda -- hardly a large crew, but they would, as Ronan said, play their knowledge of the land and use the element of surprise to their advantages.

"We may need to increase our numbers soon," Kale began, "I wonder if Percy knows anyone else inside the castle who might be sympathetic to our cause?"

[forgottenkale]

Why Him? | Kale & Eithne

The news reached Kale and Ronan that Eithne was to be married. Kale couldn't help feeling a pang of jealousy when he heard it. While he had not quite thought of Eithne in that way for some time, there was still a part of him that was going to regret this day. But whatever lingering feelings of envy he felt were quickly dashed when he heard who the groom was to be.

Kale wasn't sure that there was a man on earth who quite deserved any of the Malconaire girls, but he had always figured that they would marry someone who was decent and kind and who loved them beyond anything else in the world.

Cassimir Malconaire was not that man. And he could never hope to be.

For everyone's safety, Kale had not returned to Malconaire since his arrest, but he was impulsive and reckless and in that moment he decided that he would go to Malconaire the first chance he had and discover the truth for himself.

He snuck off from the camp when he wouldn't be missed, although he suspected that Ronan had a similar idea and would likely see Eithne for himself, too, judging how they had both received the news.

Kale snuck into the kitchens and tucked himself up in the rafters, waiting until cook had left for the evening and it was only Eithne left to finish with the last of the dishes. As silently as he could, he jumped down into the room before, noticeably startling Eithne as he did so.

He held one hand out to her and brought the other to his lips, hoping she would not let out a cry as he made his abrupt entrance.

When it seemed she had recovered from the shock, he stood tall and gave her a smirk, "Miss me?"

[forgotteneithne]

When Eithne returned from her walk that afternoon to start preparing dinner with Cook, she immedaitely felt like something was odd in her ktichen. She couldn't place it, but something was different in the room that day.

"Did you rearrange something while I was walking this afternoon?" Eithne inquired as Cook pulled off her apron once dinner was finished. The old woman gave her a quizzical look.

"Why would I rearrange anything? I set up this kitchen and its perfect the way it is!" she replied before shuffling off to her little bedroom down the half darkened hallway. Eithne let out a bit of a laugh, shaking her head. She felt quite silly.

Turning back to her sink of unwashed dishes, she found herself staring up at a male form that had not been there a moment ago. She was half way through letting out a yell but suddenly pressed her hand across her mouth to stifle the sound as she realized exactly who was standing behind her.

Eithne didn't answer him with words immediately, instead throwing her arms around him, squeezing him tightly for a few moments before taking a step back to look up at him.

Deep down, even if Cillian hadn't said it outright, she knew he was alright-- just like she knew Ronan was alright out there, somewhere. But still, seeing him for herself-- fool that he was for setting foot back in Malconaire-- made it real, made it true.

"I'm so glad you're alright," she finally said, realizing that there were tears welling up in her eyes. She reached up a hand to brush them away. "But what are you thinking coming here? How did you even get in here? Valentina will have your head if she knows you're still in Malconaire!"

[forgottenkale]

"Oy, of course I'm alright, lass -- do you think I couldn't hold on my own in the Astairan woods? I'm built of sterner stuff than that," He said, teasingly. "And the Varmont soldiers they have after me? Hardly a brain amongst them. I feel a bitt sorry for 'em, most days. Can't even figure out how to catch a common thief. I really don't know how they managed to get this far. But it does please me to think how frustrated our sorry excuse for a ruler must be over them."

He did not feel the need to further explain his situation -- and that stealing Valentina's jewelry had been the very least of his recent offenses, for the less Eithne knew about that, the better.

"And if you think I'm about to run off because Valentina might catch sight of me, you are wrong. I'd rather like to see the look on her face when she sees me again -- and witness the look in her eyes when she sees that I'm both alive and very well. The only reason I'm not marching up to see her right now is that I'd rather not make any trouble for you, if I can help it."

That was the very opposite of the reason that he was here.

"I'm not about to divulge all my secrets," He replied in response to her questions about how he managed to sneak in. "But I might be compelled to give you some hint, if cook has any leftovers of her famed chicken stew lying about?" He rather doubted it, given the recent heat, but he hadn't stopped thinking about it since he had only his own and Ronan's cooking to rely on anymore.

"It's you I'm worried about," He began. "Eithne -- "

Kale had come here with a purpose, but he found himself not wanting to ask about it, immediately. He knew it was true, but part of him was willing to believe that it wasn't, so long as she did not confirm it herself.

"Valentina -- how has she been treating you? And your sisters? Are they well?"

[thelongforgottenrealm]

KALE BRENNAN / JONAS ARMSTRONG

♛ Age: 30 ♛ Relationships: Ronan Frost, Cillian Frost, Saoirse Frost, Kale Brennan, Percy Reaves, Finn Calleary, Fiona Calleary, Isolda Vane, Ciara Varmont (fellow resistance members/friends), Eithne Malconaire (friend/flirtation/childhood crush), Eabha Calleary (friend/flirtation/interest), Brigit Malconaire, Aoife Malconaire, Roisin Malconaire (friends), Valentina Malconaire (former mistress)

kale was once a servant at malconaire but lost his position there soon after lord malconaire died

he refused to live off of charity from his friends, but there was not much work to be had (at least by those who could pay him) and he refused to leave the malconaire village

so, instead, he supported himself by stealing from unsuspecting varmont soldiers and one day was too cocky about it and got arrested

he was the first person ronan went to when he decided to form a resistance (once ronan broke him out of jail)

honestly very proud of his status as "the first resistance member" as he was the first person ronan recruited

kale likes to think that this makes him ronan's "second in command" and ignores ronan when ronan tells everyone that that is a position which belongs to padraic lorcan (even kale is not brave enough to bring up to ronan that padraic has been missing for two years ... )

kale has a great sense of humor and tbh he is always laughing and joking!!!

in fact, isolda has banned him from sitting next to cillian whenever the resistance meets because they simply egg each other on

he's been friends with ronan since they were boys and he's one of the few people who is unaffected when ronan brings the mood down with one of his angry rants -- kale's always here to lighten things up again!

arrogant, conceited, proud, selfless, energetic, kind, considerate, reckless, loyal, idealistic, romantic

kale has always been a flirt, but he views himself as a helpless romantic who is eventually destined to find the love of his life (and when he does, he will not need to look at another woman again!)

in the meantime, he's enjoying some friendly flirtations with both eabha -- which he once thought was harmless, but now he's realizing that it might be something more???

she's certainly much higher in rank than he is (not to mention, he's an outlaw!) and she will likely soon marry someone else

not to mention, he doubts she cares for him in this way

kale is dealing with this problem in the only way he knows how: ignoring it!

TAKEN BY LIZZY.

[teeliem]

Robin Hood (2006-2009, BBC, United Kingdom)

[forgottenkale]

The Thief of Malconaire | Kale & Valentina

It had been carelessness and arrogance that brought Kale Brennan into the house of Malconaire that night. He'd spoken with Eithne after daring to sneak into the kitchens and, having already seen Rosie, he couldn't help being so near and not making an attempt to see Aoife and Brigit.

Night had fallen and the house was silent. Kale moved noiselessly through the great hall, the library, and up the grand staircase that led to the family rooms. It had not occurred to him that the girls would no longer have their old rooms: he did not know that they had been banished to the attics.

When he entered what had once been their private sitting room, he noticed that it felt different somehow -- less cozy and warm than he remembered. As he took in the decorations, he realized that it was because Valentina must have redecorated it to her own standards. There were no fresh flowers, no paintings of Malconaire or the family upon the walls (in fact, they had been replaced by a rather large one of Cassimir) and the comfortable sofas and chairs had been replaced by richly upholstered furnishings.

His back was turned when the door to the room was slowly opened and by the time he heard it, it was too late to escape.

Valentina Malconaire had seen him.

He should have turned back and gone home long ago. He could hear Ronan's voice inside his head -- how angry and disappointed he would be that he had allowed this to happen. Not only did he put himself at risk, he would be risking the lives and safety of the Malconaires, too, if anyone discovered them together.

Thankfully, Kale had the presence of mind to play the part of a thief -- better she not suspect that he was there to see her step-daughters. Kale drew his dagger. "Your earrings, Your Ladyship, and your necklace," He commanded. "Quickly."

[forgottenkale]

Mountain Climbing | Kale & Fiona

It was not the first time that Kale had used Cormac Calleary's unobservant nature to his advantage. Cormac recognized Kale enough to know that he was a servant and when he saw him about Lorcan, he believed him to be his servant: misinformation which Kale had never been hasty to rectify.

He always did his best to avoid Eabha, Aine, and especially the Lorcan ladies whenever he snuck into the castle on official resistance business -- even if he doubted any of them should give him away, if they discovered him. However, the arrival of Rian Stafford had made things much more complicated and although he did not know Kale, he did not strike him as someone who would be as easily taken in as the current Lord Calleary and Kale did his best to avoid him completely, whenever possible.

It was an unexpected near encounter with the steward that prompted Kale into his current predicament: which happened to be attempting to scale the side of the great Lorcan mountain. He'd stolen out of a castle window, thinking that the climb wouldn't be half as difficult as it proved to be. It was in this moment where Kale found himself half climbing, half dangling that he considered that perhaps running into Rian Stafford would have been the safer option.

It was more than likely that Rian would have simply accepted that he had been a servant there and, if not, he could hardly have been worse off than he was now. Suddenly he wondered if his impulsive decision would be his last.

But as luck would have it, he soon found that he was edging close to where Lady Fiona's rooms were and, with a newfound strength, he managed to pull himself up unto her window sill and climbed into her room.

He grinned, a little proud of himself that he had managed it and suddenly possessed an arrogance that suggested he always knew that he could -- all lingering thoughts of his impending doom having vanished with his success.

Fiona Calleary was alone -- but it was only in this moment that he considered that he might have easily caught her otherwise. Luck certainly was on his side today. Perhaps he might actually say a prayer to the guardians tonight: for it did seem that someone was looking out for him.

"Don't mind if I pop in, do you?" He asked, plopping down into her arm chair that sat by the fireplace, propping his feet up. "Thought I'd take the back way in, as your unfortunate jailer is home. I do not envy you his company. He seems even more ill-humored than Ronan can be," He teased.

"Speaking of -- I've got a message for you."