open.

[ex_frolics736]

Who: Merrill.
Broadcast: Fleet-wide.
Action: SS First Breath, whenever.
When: APR 12 - 18.

Oh. Oh dear.

[ Is it a Welsh pixie? It certainly sounds like one. Pointed ears, short black hair, intricate tattoos across the angular plains of her face. But no, despite the accent, Merrill is neither Welsh, nor pixie.

Currently she's balancing on one bare foot, trying to shake something brown and sloppy off the other. It would be easy to jump to the wrong conclusion at first, but everyone gets a dessert when they arrive, so closer examination will make it clear that she's only stepped in chocolate cream.

Though really, how she's managed that is anyone's guess. ]

I am... so sorry. It wasn't something important, was it? Eugh, it's all slimy.

[ Given she took a while to get used to Kirkwall, a couple of days prowling about the Marsiva and her brand new augment really aren't adequate preparation for the sleek metal and digital displays of a spaceship.

Though later, she might be found in Engineering, trying to work out how she knows anything at all about this strange contraption, but also delighting in the fact that she has all this new knowledge, and more right there to learn about. Merrill isn't very good with people, but she loves magic, and to her view all of this technology isn't too different.

Or you can always call her once she's washed off her feet. ]

Comments

[ex_frolics736]

Looking in, on other people having sex? That's private!

[killedwithlove]

They weren't in private. They were in the hall. And outside. In the stable. They weren't in private places.

[ex_frolics736]

Oh, my. That's very. Bold. Of them!

I... It's still private, I think. Like needing the toilet. Only not exactly the same, obviously, because you're — is it hot in here?

[killedwithlove]

The Templars checked their rooms, but not the halls of the lower levels.

When I was first on my own, I watched people bathe to learn how to do it.

And I don't know. I'm not there with you. It might be.

[ex_frolics736]

[ Suddenly a little softer. ]

You didn't have anyone to show you how to bathe?

[killedwithlove]

[As if realising he's said too much, Cole goes quiet and ducks his head, hiding behind the brim of his hat.]

Um... no? Yes?

No. Is that wrong?

[ex_frolics736]

No, it's not wrong! A bit unusual, maybe, and a little lonely. Did you... did you not have parents?

[killedwithlove]

[Again, Cole shrinks in a bit, playing with his fingers and plucking at the wraps on his hand.]

No. Cole did, but I didn't.

[ex_frolics736]

I'm sorry, I don't understand. Did I miss something important?

[killedwithlove]

[He starts to not look distressed, as such, but his body language says he's uncomfortable, when his face shows very little.]

There was Cole. And he was suffering. I came to help him. And he died. And now I'm Cole. But a different Cole. Please don't be angry at me. I'm not living in anyone's body!

[ex_frolics736]

[ Oh! ]

I won't be angry, I promise. I didn't realize you meant... but I like spirits. That's what you are, isn't it? Like Justice?

[killedwithlove]

[He looks up and there's tiny hints, his eyes are that little too unnatural blue and his skin pallid beyond possible for a human.]

Yes. Before I was Cole, I was Compassion. But I don't live in anyone. This is my natural shape. I'm not an abomination. And I don't want to hurt people.

... are you a spirit medium? Or a spirit healer?

[ex_frolics736]

No...oo...

[ Merrill laughs a little quietly. ]

I'm just Merrill.

[killedwithlove]

You're a mage, aren't you? Mages know more about spirits. They can see us.

Everyone sees me now. It's still strange.

Merrill. Merrill, bloody fingers and white daisies stained red.

[ex_frolics736]

That's right, I'm a mage. Varric calls me Daisy, sometimes. Most of the time. Actually, I wonder if he knows any of our real names.

[killedwithlove]

Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer true...

[He shakes his head and rubs his hands over his eyes.]

Yes. Daisy, don't think about the blood, don't think about the screaming. Don't think about the bodies...

Varric wrote to you. From Skyhold, to Kirkwall.

[ex_frolics736]

[ Merrill looks a little uncomfortable at that, downcast, some of her friendliness hidden behind storm clouds of worry. ]

I don't think so. Varric's never left Kirkwall.

[killedwithlove]

Oh. You're from-

He will. I met him at Haven. After the Templars came, and the Archdemon. But it's not a real archdemon. Apparently. It's just a dead dragon that isn't dead.

[ex_frolics736]

I fought a live dragon once. I don't think a dead one would be any better.

It's all right. Hawke's from the future too. I'm sure a lot could happen in three years. It did in Kirkwall.

[killedwithlove]

I don't like fighting dragons.

Yes. That. Varric comes to Haven, then Skyhold. He has people living in his head, not like spirits, but people, and they talk to him and I'm not allowed to say what I hear them say.

[ex_frolics736]

I've never heard it quite put like that before. If you wrote it down youd probably make a lot of his fans very happy.

[killedwithlove]

I don't write.

[Don't, can't, won't, it's hard to say. He certainly reads the emotions in papers rather than the words.]

And it would make Varric hurt. Stealing his people.