(no subject)

[birdsbirdsbirds]

Who: The intrepid crew of the SS Bloodsport!
Broadcast: Maybe?
Action: Probably!
When: Right now!

[SO HEY GUYS WHAT'VE YOU BEEN UP TO.

what's cooking on the Bloodsport? what fresh drama is unfolding?

has anyone thanked Robin for how the cargo hold doesn't smell like death and slowly-reversing decay anymore because that stuff was gross.]

Comments

HE'S BACK AGAIN

[killedwithlove]

[He's back again.

Like an antibiotic resistant infection, Cole vanishes, only to turn up again a short while later. He likes this ship, it has some people he really likes on it.

So he's wandering the ship again, watching, waiting.

Poking through the lab and picking up random items and cradling them close to him.]

HELLO STRANGER

[wordmiser]

[This person was new. Jinx wasn't sure where he'd come from, or what his point was. Which would be the reason she's spying on him.

Following him through the ship by way of the adjacent rooms and poking her head through walls. Eyeing his habit of holding things. That one was a bit weird. The fact that she refuses to talk doesn't register as nearly as strange.]

[killedwithlove]

[Cole is obviously aware of her. He tilts his head sometimes, listening to her, but doesn't try to engage her at first.

When he's sitting in the kitchen, holding a plate, he suddenly looks over to her directly.]

Hello. I won't take anything.

[wordmiser]

[She steps all the way out, and shrugs at him. She doesn't care what he takes, does she? It's not like any of this random crap is hers.

She gives an inquiring head tilt, rather hoping she wouldn't need words to imply she wants to know who he is.]

[killedwithlove]

[Were he actually telepathic, he would realise what she wanted.

But he's not and there's no pain attached to her silences, so he tilts his head in a similar manner, face calm and passive and gaze curious.

He moves a bit closer, reaching out to her and then recoils, flickering away in a wisp of smoke, suddenly looking uncertain.]

You like it when they hurt.

[wordmiser]

[She takes a couple steps, following his retreat, with confusion apparent on her face. Then it clears as she slowly processes what he said.

Not.. exactly. A headshake. But... the beauty of it... the Art she could make. Hmm... she lets a slow smile grow on her lips. Yes. She supposes. In a way.

Not always. So a shrug is what she finally decides is the best answer.

She reaches a hand out for him, wanting to see if he would disappear again - not even remotely questioning his abilities, just wondering at their extent.]

[killedwithlove]

[He shifts away from her, uncomfortable with her presence. he doesn't flicker into smoke, just twists and weaves like bones just might be optional for him.]

Why? Why do you want to hurt people?

[wordmiser]

[That is cool. Her shifting ability doesn't allow for bone removal in quite that manner. She wiggles her own body, trying to see how close to it she can get, by phasing small parts. It doesn't work the same way on herself - no reaching through her own body to get objects behind her.

She kind of already knew that, but it didn't hurt to try. Well. Only a little bit.

She hurts them because they ask. Sometimes. Sometimes it was so she could see their angel, of their animal. Or their scene.

She shrugs at him. WHy did he breathe?]

[killedwithlove]

[He doesn't remove bones. He's just very fluid and flexible, uncannily so.

He can't read much off her, not as much as he wants. There seems to be no deep hurt that caused it. She just doesn't care.

It physically hurts. Such an absence of compassion actually aches.]

You hurt. Like someone trying to unravel me.

[He sounds slightly breathless and quiet.]

[puro]

[Manolo is always happy to see Cole about the ship. He brings good vibes with him, and knowing he's around makes this whole experience a little more bearable. As soon as he notices Cole on his travels, he smiles and gives a wave. ]

Hola, Cole. How're you doing?

[killedwithlove]

Hello!

[He beelines over, doing that odd thing where he gains colour and realness close to Manolo.]

I've been helping people. And making friends. I think I've been making friends. You feel well.

[puro]

[That is so weird, but Manolo tries to be cool about it. It's just one of those things that makes Cole, well, Cole. ]

That's good! I'm glad you're making friends.

I'm fine, I promise.

[killedwithlove]

You're still a little sad, but you want to help more than you're sad.

I feel like that sometimes. Helping makes it ache less. Does it make you ache less?

[puro]

[It always takes him a moment, to remember that Cole can see right through him where most others can't. His smile softens, a little. ]

Yeah, it does. It makes things feel a little better.

[killedwithlove]

[Not through. Into.]

That's good. And your music makes people happy, that's good too. You like sharing music.

[puro]

[That's even creepier. ]

Of course I do. Music is life. It makes everyone feel better about themselves.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[...there is nothing interesting about the way that he shows up. he just sticks his head in the doorway of the lab, looking rather blank-faced about the whole thing.]

Oh, you're back. You're making a habit of this, aren't you?

[killedwithlove]

I like to visit. And a few of the people I like being near are here.

[And so is Robin. Sorry, Robin, you're not one of those people he loves being near.]

arrives late with cold starbucks

[pompous_today]

[Given Cole's abrupt departure the last time they had spoken, Simon kept his distance from the man when he next arrived on the ship, wondering if he had done- or thought- something to upset him, hoping that it was not the case. Instead, he carefully watched Cole exploring the ship, letting it be known that he was open to be approached if he so desired.]

It went up *last night*, hardly late.

[killedwithlove]

[Cole does come looking, or rather, he turns up in the lab sitting on a table and rocking back and forth slightly.]

I'm sorry. You didn't do anything wrong. I was too full, I felt too much and it was going to make me burst.

<3

[pompous_today]

[Simon nods understandingly, moving closer to Cole but still giving him plenty of physical space.]

River has had moments like that- where it feels too crowded everywhere and she has to be alone... as alone as she can be. Don't worry about it. I just... was not aware you could vanish like that.

[killedwithlove]

[Cole plays with his fingers, pulling and curling them, moving them in odd ways which he seems to be very focused on.]

It was overwhelming. Cadash told me I shouldn't just disappear without saying goodbye, but words were too hard. I'm sorry. You didn't do anything wrong.

[pompous_today]

[Simon recognizes the hand motions- sometimes they could be calming, soothing, familiar. He smiles.]

Words are often difficult. Do not apologize for being overwhelmed. I am just glad you came to visit us again. Have you found anything of interest?

[killedwithlove]

[Studying the ways his fingers work help him to focus on not being in everyone else as well as himself.]

Lots of things. I met people, and I helped some of them, one wouldn't let me help him, even though I asked and asked, he ran away, so I'll visit him later and ask him again to let me help.

Solas drew me a picture to keep, all for myself. It's the second thing I've ever been given, just because.

[He happily chats to Simon, because Simon understands River, which means he understand a bit about being Cole and he likes listening. He realises that keeping everything inside of them is uncomfortable.]

[pompous_today]

[Simon chuckled.]

Perhaps it will depend on what you were offering to help with- sometimes, people just want to do things themselves, even if asking for help would get it done quicker.

[He then smiled at that, nodding.]

Someday I would like to find something to give you- because I know you've been so kind to my sister and I appreciate it. Is Solas someone you knew back home?

[The chatting certainly did not bother him- being with River had helped his ability to follow along, to discern meaning, to find things to reply to.]