ACTION! Meeting people!

[killedwithlove]

Who: Cole and anyone who stands still long enough to be talked to
Broadcast: No.
Action: One ALL fleet ships except The Tourist and The Three Twins
When: During the week.

Cole doesn't like the communicators. He finds it too disorientating to talk to people and have that vast distance between them.

Instead, he's setting out to visit each of the ships and meet the people on board. He likes people and he likes meeting and talking with people and he'd far rather do that face to face.

Don't worry. He doesn't take up much space and he takes up no supplies. He just wants to meet people.

But... he gives The Tourist and The Three Twins a wide berth. Fenris had been very clear that he was not to see Cole again and Cole will respect that by avoiding the places he seems to be.

Anyone from those ships will have to be visitors somewhere else to run into Cole.

Comments

[birdsbirdsbirds]

It is for me. I wasn't expecting you, Cole.

[this is Cole, since the hat and the spooky, sunken face are both very hard to forget.]

Do you remember me?

[killedwithlove]

Um... yes. You look different over the communications.

[Cole doesn't see things like other people, but instead recognises something in Robin that is familiar.]

You remind me of Rhys. He was a spirit medium and healer.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[he nods a little and tilts his head... Cole feels very strange to him, and he's trying to figure out what he can compare him with the best. not a ghost, quite, not a human, not like the condensed spiritual power of dragons... he's interesting.]

Did you like Rhys?

[killedwithlove]

Yes.

[He shifts on the spot, uncomfortable.]

You hurt. Like all the hurts are drawing in to you, making you more.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

Ah...

[that makes him uncomfortable, in turn. it's a kind of discomfort that's buried deep; what he's feeling doesn't quite make it into his expression, though his smile wanes. he has to think for a moment.]

...Can you see the strings too?

[killedwithlove]

[Cole looks up briefly, then down and nods.]

Yes. See, sing, scream, screeching across me. The distance is too much to chase it back. I can't see you for all of them.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[he makes a small sound of acknowledgement. he'd wondered how much Cole would know.

quietly, he reaches into the space between them and... brushes his finger over an invisible line, a string that's already growing between the both of them. he could easily manipulate it (tug on it, pull it, maybe sever it), but he doesn't. it probably feels strange to Cole, someone brushing against a delicate, tiny part of him.]

I'm sorry. Would you rather I stay away?

[killedwithlove]

[Cole makes a sound of distress and fear, vanishing into a puff of black green smoke and appearing int he next heartbeat in the darkest shadow in the room.]

Don't! You can't make me do anything, you can't, I'm not just a spirit now!

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[well, that's not what he wanted. his look of surprise quickly turns to concern, and he slowly moves his hand back in a show of amity. no more strings. no more contact.]

I won't. I promise.

[killedwithlove]

[Cole's breathing is ragged, like a frightened human would.]

You... promise. Okay. I believe you.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[he does promise. he means it. he's never had anyone actually... upset that he'd try to do something like that, but maybe that's because most people can barely comprehend that he can do it at all.

he didn't mean to tug at his being. he won't do it again. he lowers his hands, giving Cole what he hopes is a moment to calm down a little.]

...You remind me of someone too. One of my brothers.

[killedwithlove]

[Cole is used to being with someone he can't read. The anchor masked Cadash and it masks Jove. He can't see Robin properly, for a different reason.]

Do you have a lot of brothers?

[birdsbirdsbirds]

I had eight brothers and sisters, all the same manner of creature.

[he sighs, rubbing at his neck. how did he get into a situation where he's telling a wandering spirit his life story?]

They... Died, unfortunately. I've been the only one like me for a very long time.

[killedwithlove]

They all hurt like that?!

[The idea is horrifying.]

Am I like all of them, or just one?

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[he laughs--kind of suddenly, though it's light and definitely not mean.]

No, no. They were like me, but they were filled with other things. I take in pain, they took in courage, inspiration, knowledge, time... You remind me of the one who was woven in with comfort.

[he smiles.]

He was much taller than you, though.

[killedwithlove]

I am Compassion. And Cole.

[Cole stands up straight, rather than hunching in. He's not a small man, in fact once he stands straight, he proves to be taller than most of the humans from Thedas and all the elves.]

How tall? The Iron Bull is very tall. But he's a Qunari, they're all taller than humans.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

I know, Cole.

[which he may... say many, many more times before it ever sticks. the standing is a bit impressive, and Robin gestures for him to come closer. maybe they can go back to talking at a conversational distance.]

He would have been taller. I don't know about Qunari, but he would have been, maybe, eight and a half feet tall. Way up here... [he stretches his arm up as high as it'll go, just for emphasis. this tall.]

[killedwithlove]

[Cole looks up and nods.]

I don't think The Iron Bull is that tall. He was tall, maybe seven foot? Big enough that I could've sat on his horns.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

Impressive. [smiling; he's now imagining someone much more monstrous, but the idea of Cole there is still a funny one.] He was human, but he had a, ah... He grew far too fast.

[killedwithlove]

His horns are more like a dragon's than a bull's.

Humans don't get that tall...

[birdsbirdsbirds]

...Then why was he named Iron Bull?

[he tilts his head. the second part can wait.]

[killedwithlove]

He picked it himself.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[...a soft laugh, ducking his head. it's silly...] All right.

Cole, are you on this ship for a reason?

[killedwithlove]

I'm meeting people.

I can't see people over the communications.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

Mm... I'll let you go meet some other people, then. It's a big fleet.

[he steps... slightly to the side. he's getting the idea that Cole doesn't use doorways, but he thinks the gesture of not blocking said doorway is important anyway.]

Can I ask something of you, though?