Open | If you forget, is it like it never happened?

[killedwithlove]

WHO: Cole and anyone who needs or wants him
WHAT: Cole's back. If he ever left. Who really knows?
WHEN: Now until end of February.
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: If you want a personal starter, drop me a PM or find me at jemisard

Those sensitive to such things might notice that Cole is back. He's hard to remember at the best of times, and after such a long period, Cole himself expects virtually no one to remember who he is or that he's allowed to be here.

But it doesn't stop him doing what he does. Moving about, helping those he can.

Comments

doop doop doop

[amygdalae]

It's been a while since Bruce's seen Cole. A spirit like him was kind of hard to forget, even if it seemed like almost everyone else did. Perhaps that was something about the nature of what he was. Compassion was, after all, fleeting. It wouldn't be a surprise for Cole to reflect that.

So when he sees that familiar brimmed hat hovering around some of his usual patients, Bruce takes a moment to steel himself before going towards said patients - they were the next people he needed to visit anyway. He greets them as always, though his gaze is mostly fixed onto Cole, and a part of him wonders what the spirit is here for.

[killedwithlove]

Cole is sitting next to a resting woman, a hand under her head and carefully letting her sip tiny amounts of water mixed with elfroot. It was left for her to sip as she needed to her healing gut wound, but she struggles to lift her head, let alone sit up to drink it.

He doesn't look up when Bruce approaches, his focus is on the immediate task. "Hello, Bruce." He stifles his desire to greet the other one as well. That's not done. "She was thirsty and cramping. You're feeling better now, aren't you, Jenessa?"

The woman gives a soft sound of agreement, already fading back into a more peaceful rest.

[amygdalae]

"...hello." Though his understanding of Cole was better now Bruce still can't help but feel a little wary, a little uncertain. There was still so much of Cole that was a mystery and if there was one thing Bruce wasn't comfortable with, it was a mystery. He had enough uncertainties in his life as it is to need another to join the mix.

He watches as the woman - Jenessa - slips back into a peaceful doze, getting onto his knees after that to check her pulse and give her a proper once over to ensure that she's fine. He doesn't talk again to Cole just yet, focusing his efforts on his current task. It's easier that way.

[killedwithlove]

Bruce doesn't like a mystery and Cole becomes aware of his houseguest shifting, that taste of anger in his mouth that makes him think of the cell.

He moves to let Bruce do his work. Cole likes to help, but Bruce has the training and skills to do it. "Do you think I could help a spirit healer heal?"

[amygdalae]

Bruce is just about done when Cole speaks up again, and the question he asks makes him pause.

"...I suppose in theory, it might work." Whatever Cole was now there was no denying the aspect of him that was the spirit. "I'm not the best person to ask about that, however." He was no spirit healer after all; if Cole wanted answers for that, then his best bet would be to actually ask one.

[killedwithlove]

Spirit healers use Compassion spirits to heal more often. And Cole is a spirit still.

"You knows lots, though. And Solas isn't here for me to ask. I would usually ask him." Solas wasn't a spirit healer either, but that doesn't seem to deter Cole's confidence.

[amygdalae]

The words has Bruce making a bit of a face, though he tampers it away quickly. It's not like Cole didn't have a basis for his words, but...

"My knowledge isn't exactly... applicable." The... thing inside of him was hardly used for healing - in fact Bruce never really touched its powers unless the situation called for it. "There are a fair number of actual spirit healers around here." People like Samouel (when he returned from his mission) or Delacroix or... Anders. "Why don't you ask them instead?"

[killedwithlove]

"I suppose."

Cole likes Bruce, even if his companion sometimes makes Cole uneasy, makes him remember things he doesn't like and feel that same anger. "You were here when I thought of it. And you might have known. I'll ask Anders."

He knows Anders.

[amygdalae]

Yes. Ask Anders. That was probably the much wiser option. Even if part of Bruce didn't particularly like to admit that. But it was the truth, nonetheless, even though Anders no longer had Justice within him. Which was for the best, of course.

"Actual spirit healers would be better equipped to ask your question." Since they actually did go through the whole... thing. "Sorry I couldn't be of much use."

[killedwithlove]

"You helped. You told me what you knew and who should I talk to instead."

Bruce needs reminding of that. That just the intent to help someone matters, even if you can't. At least, it matters to Cole.

[amygdalae]

It's nice to hear that reassurance, even if it is hard to really believe it. Help doesn't feel like help when he can't see any real physical evidence of it. It's silly, he knows, but he can't help but think that.

"...you're welcome, I guess." He manages after a moment before looking back down at his patient, giving her another once over even though he really doesn't have to now. But its either that or being in this sudden awkward silence with Cole, and Bruce never did well with awkward situations.

[killedwithlove]

Cole doesn't find it awkward. Which doesn't help with the awkward. But he is aware that Bruce is uncomfortable with him still being here.

"I'll go away now."

And promptly does so, stepping back and suddenly out of sight.

[amygdalae]

Bruce glances up when he hears those words, but Cole is already gone by the time his gaze goes to where the other had been.

...he was never going to get used to that.

He stares at the spot for a few moments more before he shakes his head and looks back down, taking a breath and makes himself focus on his work at hand. Those thoughts of his could be dealt with later. For now, he had a job to do.