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

[serves]

Cole. What are you doing here?

[Hopefully not looking for him. Uldred marked you, but didn't make you. You stayed you. The center never changed, kept safe like a coin in your pocket. It's hard not to think of the words when he sees the boy, spirit, whatever he is, and he has to swallow hard.

He hates feeling so vulnerable like this.]

[killedwithlove]

Visiting.

I've gone to all the ships! But not The Tourist. Or The Three Twins.

[He draws back slightly.]

I'm not here to hurt you, Cullen. I promise.

[serves]

[Cullen forces himself to relax, or at least look it, though his jaw remains set.]

I didn't think you were. You're no enemy.

[killedwithlove]

[Which just makes Cole step back again. You're not fooling him, Cullen.]

Not that sort of hurt. My words hurt you. I'm sorry.

[serves]

[He feels bad, watching him step away like that. Cullen doesn't want to be the unapproachable Templar. That's not him, not anymore.]

It's--it's all right, Cole. I suppose you can't help what you read, can you?

[killedwithlove]

[Cole shakes his head slowly. He can try and keep it inside, but his inside gets too full sometimes.]

I just want to help. Even if all I can do is remind you that you're not as guilty as you think you are. Your guilt is what proves that. The evil never feel guilt for their actions or inactions.

[serves]

[The Inquisitor had once said as much about Cole--he's here to help, nothing more. A spirit of compassion.]

... I'm sure that one day, the reminder will stick. [It's said with an almost-laugh at the edge of a sigh, an admission that yes, he does often not think especially highly of himself.

He's trying to work on it. He has to, when the Inquisitor insists otherwise.]

[killedwithlove]

I don't mind reminding you.

I see what people are. The templars of White Spire, they were unkind. They made themselves feel better by hurting mages and not-people. They followed Lambert, and Lambert wanted to hurt mages, hurt them all, it made him feel good.

You're not like that. You're what a Templar should be.

[serves]

[He doesn't like hearing that, the reminder that the Order isn't always as it should be. But then again, it's that knowledge which makes him strive to be better than that.]

You won't be hurt by Templars as long as I can prevent it.

[killedwithlove]

I know. I don't need your protection, but you offer it anyway. That's part of what makes you good.

[serves]

I try. [Every single day.]

[killedwithlove]

I know.

[He comes in closer again, fighting his instinct to fade away.]

I know. You succeed, Cullen. You fear losing your way so much, because you've found it again. We won't let you fall.

[serves]

[Strange to hear these things aloud, but such is life with Cole--and the Inquisition.]

I know. [He has no idea why he's admitting these things, knowing that Cole already knows.] The Inquisitor, you, Cassandra--you've all had... a lot of faith in me. It's not something I take for granted.

[killedwithlove]

No faith. I don't know faith. Maybe one day I will?

So no. I've not had faith. I know you're a good person. I know you'll do your best for everyone else.

[serves]

[No pressure or anything. Cullen clears his throat, a little awkwardly, but the words are genuine.]

... thank you, Cole.

[killedwithlove]

You're welcome?

I'll go now. You'd be more comfortable.