(no subject)

[killedwithlove]

Who: Cole to everyone
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: Pathstone
When: Now


[Cole is actually looking at the camera, which is a minor miracle for those familiar with his habit of leaving his communicator next to him and pointing at the ceiling.]

How do mortals know what you're feeling? Varric used to tell me what it was, or Jove, or Solas, but they're gone and now I don't know what these feelings are. I can tell how to help other people and how to navigate their hurts but I can't do it with my own.

[He gives a small sigh and looks off somewhere. A fluff slug climbs over the communicator screen.]

Comments

[killedwithlove]

... I'm not in the Pit.

I'm on Pathstone.

[His tone says 'duh', even if he doesn't.]

[precedented]

[ Leto laughs softly. ]

Metaphorical pit, then. What would you do?

[killedwithlove]

It wasn't metaphorical. It was a place. I walked out of.

[His tone suggests he thinks you might be a bit simple, Leto.]

[precedented]

I know.

So what makes you think you can't walk out?

[killedwithlove]

... you can't walk out of feeling.

[precedented]

Yes and no. There's always some choice involved.

Feelings do not control you.

[killedwithlove]

... I don't understand.

[For Cole, who is literally a concept, an emotion, made real, he can't grasp what Leto is trying to tell him.]

I walked out of the Pit. Not out of being alone. You can't just... not. Or people would do it all the time, just... not feel and be moved.

[precedented]

It's not as easy as it sounds. But it is one truth of emotion. You can choose the path to which it flows, whether it leads to loneliness or contentment. The heart is your map.

[killedwithlove]

I... don't understand.

[Well, on the plus side, he's not lonely.

On the down side, he's very confused and lost.]

[precedented]

It is how, sometimes, not all anger turns to hatred. How sorrows can blossom into joys. We are never trapped in one feeling alone.

[killedwithlove]

.... no, I don't understand.

[precedented]

[ Ah. He rubs his chin. ]

Perhaps I'm not qualified enough for this discussion then.

[killedwithlove]

I don't know if anyone is qualified for it.

[precedented]

Perhaps. But I am certainly not!

[killedwithlove]

Solas might have been.

But he's not here.

[precedented]

What of your friends here? Surely they know you well enough to help.

[killedwithlove]

... Maybe Riona?

She helped me when I thought I had to be killed.

[precedented]

Then I hope she can shed more light on the situation for you.

[killedwithlove]

That would be good.

Thank you. For wanting to help.

[precedented]

You're welcome.

[killedwithlove]

[Cole closes the connection.]