Your regularly scheduled creepy visitor

[killedwithlove]

Who: Cole and anyone who needs him... or wants to chat to him
Broadcast: No
Action: On any ship except Marsiva, Tourist or Red Fish because he avoids visiting two and can't visit the third.
When: While the fleet is moving and probably a bit after

[There is this thing Cole does.

He visits other ships. Sometimes he put the Pathstone alongside to visit and sometimes he takes a shuttle, but he's constantly wandering all over the fleet, being with people, circulating.

He hasn't done it in a while. He got a nasty fright and went into hiding for a while.

But the creepy psychic being is back! Sticking his large nose into all the business.]

Comments

[nerdeology]

[He can at least try. He knows he can be kind of (really) stubborn, so...]

Is there anything you need in the meantime, or are you just visiting?

[killedwithlove]

Just visiting. I like visiting. I like meeting people and seeing them regularly. Knowing they're okay and don't need me.

[nerdeology]

I guess in your case, it would be better if your presence was wanted, more than needed... though the same could be said of many people, really.

[Compassion is important and all, but so is companionship.]

[killedwithlove]

Varric once told me I should be visible to people even when they don't need me, because they might want to talk to me.

I've tried to be visible since then. And talk to people just because I can, not just because they need me.

[nerdeology]

Have you noticed a difference, since you started that? Not just with others, but with yourself, as well.

[killedwithlove]

Yes. I'm learning a lot more about mortals now. I can help them better, because I understand not just how to stop the hurt, but actually make them happy.

[nerdeology]

Being around each other, being able to communicate- it's the best way to strengthen the bonds between people who are different. I grew up learning that with Sorey.

[killedwithlove]

I know people when I meet them. Sometimes before. And no one's like me. But Varric said I have to let them know me like I know them.

[nerdeology]

People often find it disconcerting that you know as much as you do, though, isn't that so? It might benefit you both to let them tell you, instead.

[killedwithlove]

[He nods.]

But, they don't talk about those things. They nurse them.

[nerdeology]

Sometimes, yes. Often for a very long time. But when trust is built up companions, they're more likely to share their sorrows. That's what I mean.

[killedwithlove]

But I can help faster than that.

I don't tell people spoilers, though. When I remember.

[nerdeology]

"Spoilers"?

[killedwithlove]

Yes.

Telling people things they will find out before they get there.

[nerdeology]

[whaaaaaaat]

You... know the future!?

[killedwithlove]

No.

Not like you're thinking.

I can see outcomes, though. Where people's feelings will take them.

[nerdeology]

I'm... not sure I understand.

Sorry, I dropped the ball

[killedwithlove]

... I don't know if a rock will fall on someone's head, but I can pretty well know what they're going to say to their sweetheart and how their sweetheart will react.

More sense?

no worries!

[nerdeology]

Ah- okay, I get it now, I think. That really is like knowing someone before you really know them. Amazing.

[And, you know, weird, but that's basically just another Cole-ism.]

[killedwithlove]

[He nods.]

I know people. Before I meet them often. It makes some people uncomfortable.

[nerdeology]

Of course it does. Most people don't have that ability, and what's new or unusual is also scary.

[killedwithlove]

I don't mean to scare people. But I do. I try not to.

[nerdeology]

I've scared people by being what I am, if they happen to notice me. You learn ways to avoid it. Or other ways to live with it. You do alright, as far as I can tell.

[Cole's said some weird things, and he's felt that discomfort before, but it's never crossed a line. Boundaries are important, but he can understand that it's probably not easy for Cole, either.]

[killedwithlove]

I've learned. Be something not Cole, not Compassion, not spirit or mage, just... me.

Spirits don't have boundaries. Mortals even have boundaries in themselves.

[nerdeology]

Some spirits have boundaries.

[Plenty of seraphim do, anyway.]