driftfleet | ACTION! Meeting people!

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ACTION! Meeting people!

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.

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[Cole looks at her, her wheelchair and then her, slightly confused and then ducking his head, face vanishing into the shadow of his hat.]

Yes. Everyone. Loud noise, red everywhere, her weight heavy on me. I don't like the communicators, I can't see people properly through them.

[ah... without meaning to she dips her head a bit, to mirror his own actions, in an attempt to meet his eyeline. But she realizes what she's doing and stops herself, sitting up straight again. She's not sure if she understands all that he's saying, but she tries to actively listen all the same]

You can see people very well in person?

[He nods, looking up finally. His eyes are vaguely visible in the shadows, pale, pale blue, maybe.]

He loved you so much. Yes. I see better in person. I don't like the spaces between me and people when we talk.

[her blood freezes at his first statement. Speaking of love... there's only one he that springs to mind. But she quickly tries to deny that's what he's talking about, and tries to play it cool. But mentioning her brother is a quick way to break past any emotional barriers that she puts up]

Ah... Who-- I'm sorry to be rude, but who are you talking about?

Him. Your brother. He loved you so much. And he trusted you to be the best future. It still echoes around you, his faith and love.

[He ducks his head and shuffles on his feet.] He was proud of you.

I--

[she's so completely dumbfounded by his words that she's at an utter loss of what to say. Her mouth moves but nothing come out and when she finally replies it might sound like there's something stuck in her throat]

H-How do you know that?

Edited 2015-04-06 07:23 (UTC)

Because it pains you. His loss hurts, but you know he did the best he could, for the world and for you.

He only ever wanted the best for you. He was so proud of who you've become.

[He doesn't quite speak with her brother's voice, but there's hints of his accent in Cole's words.]

[and because she knew him so singularly through his voice, she hears it on some level even if she doesn't realize that he's doing it. His words ring so true, and pull so ardently at deep feelings of regret and fear and longing and sadness and love.

Slight tears pool in the corners of her eyes, but as she feels her eyes sting she quickly wipes them away with her sleeve]

I-I don't... [That is what she always believed, and wanted desperately to believe. And to hear another person say it... Was he proud? When she finally is able to speak her voice is soft]

Is this... what you meant? When you said you want to see people properly?

[Cole comes closer, crouching down in front of her wheelchair and looking up at her.]

He loved you, and he was so proud of you that it made everything else possible for him. He trusted you to look after the world after he was gone. You don't need to wonder anymore. He was so proud.

[He looks down and nods.]

I help people.

[she dabs at her eyes again but really does feel like she's going to cry. But cry in a cathartic way, in a way that would feel impossible to do so in front of a stranger. But Cole hardly feels like a stranger, not when he's talking about the greatest hopes that are buried deep in her heart.]

Thank you. I don't even know what to say--

[she reaches out a hand, and if he allows it she would hold one of his hands and squeeze it gently]

Thank you. That is all the kindest thing that you could ever say.

[He takes her hand happily. His hands are callused from years of knife fighting and hard living, slightly cool but with a firm grip. He looks up at her, smiling slightly and while the expression is small, it warms his entire face.]

I'm glad I helped, Nunnally.

[His kindness almost breaks her heart, but she returns a watery smile]

Can I ask your name? [she doesn't squeeze his hand for too long, enough to feel the terrain of his hands but not so much that it becomes uncomfortable. She lets go and tries her half tears again before returning her hands to her lap]

[Cole lets her let go, but stays in front of her on his knees, comfortable with just sitting there..]

You can.

I'm Cole.

[she does try to watch the strain of his back, or his neck, to see if it's a comfortable position. He seems well enough, so she doesn't press the issue and instead dips her head as if she's curtsying]

It's... really wonderful to meet you Cole. Do you always-- help people like this?

[he obviously has some sort of supernatural powers, and this is such a kind use of them...]

I try to help them. I'm not always successful. But I try to help everyone.

Your hurt... I could see it clearly, I could feel it and read it and I could hear your brother's echoes through you.

[Not all hurt is so easily soothed. He's positively bubbling with the fact that Nunnally feels better.]

I guess everyone carries scars... That's-- amazing that you can see them.

But it seems like it would be hard to help so many people. [she doesn't say that in a tone as if she doesn't believe in him, more that while he seems supernatural he still seems very human... an no human can act only as a support with no support themselves. Trying to help everyone is a noble goal, but one that can bury a person if they're not careful]

I don't help so many people. I help one person. Then I help another person. And I just keep going like that.

[He doesn't look at a grand picture. He doesn't see a world full of pain that is overwhelming. He sees individual people with pains he can soothe, and that's what he does.]

I see.

[she can appreciate the logic, so she doesn't press it] Well-- I'm sure you're told this often, but if you ever need help in return... You can call on me.

[she's not sure if this is a silly thing to offer, but she wants to all the same]

Thank you. But I don't usually need help. So long as I can help people, I'm okay.

[He reaches to her hand again, touching it softly.] You're very kind.

[she blushes a bit] Thank you, I... try.

[and being acutely aware of your own actions always highlights the moment of weakness, or selfishness. So it's nice... to hear. Cole stop it you're too sweet ;A;]

Since you've done so much, I feel that I should do something in return... We have a nice kitchen here. Did you want to stay for a drink? [and by drink she means... hot coco]

[Cole curls his hands together, absently pushing the backs of his fingers against one another.]

I don't drink. Or eat. I'm not that much like people. I'm enough people that I can, but I haven't in a long time.

[ah, answers. She's glad to get them, although she wasn't expecting them. She tilts her head, and considers her return question carefully]

Hm... do you enjoy it? [it sounds like he can eat if he chooses but doesn't need to. However, it's unclear if he likes it or not]

I don't know. It's been a very long time since I did it.

[Not since the Western Approach, riding back in to Val Royeaux with Rhys and the others.]

The rabbits never heard Evangeline, no pain, clean, quick, the skins are soft and the fur is warm while the meat cooks, it warms from the inside, but the rain still chills...

I don't remember if I liked it or not. I did it because I thought I had to.

[hmm, she nods slowly, looking thoughtful]

Did you want to try again? If you don't want to, you don't have to, but we have some good food on this ship.