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

[circleprodigy]

"Kill Corypheus, and that will be help enough. I know many fear the false Calling being renewed somehow.

...I would be lying if I said that I was not among them." As for whether or not she forgives her own kind for what they did...not yet. It's easier to forgive on the outside, but she saw them at their worst, and they turned against her for speaking out. That's going to sting for a long time.

[killedwithlove]

Cole wasn't betrayed by them. They were wrong and their guilt is punishment. Most will never forgive themselves.

"I can't kill him. I don't know how. The Grey Wardens probably have the best knowledge of how."

[circleprodigy]

Inessa shakes her head, doubtful. "Perhaps, but we won't be able to implement it ourselves. He's proven how easy it is to manipulate us. The best we can do is pass it on to others."

[killedwithlove]

"Yes. Secrets are sometimes good, but being secretive... it's not helped. Mistrust, suspicion, too isolationist, too unwilling to reach for help."

The Wardens had closed ranks and nearly been wiped out for their folly.

[circleprodigy]

"I...can't argue with any of that." She sighs, shoulders slumping a little. "That we must often think in terms of the ends justifying the means does not help. An unchecked Blight could consume the world, and we know it. That desperation can lead to extremes, if not kept in check."

[killedwithlove]

Cole is quiet and then decides to talk about things he shouldn't know and does.

"People don't understand. And they won't understand about the Joining, about the taint you drink, not at first. But, they'll come to understand. It's a sacrifice you make, to know you will die from Blight or Calling, to keep others safe and people will come to understand that. They'll be scared. But they'll start to understand."

[circleprodigy]

Upon realizing the extent of Cole's Grey Warden knowledge, Inessa stiffens in surprise. It figures he would learn what few outside the order are ever meant to know, for good reason. "Understanding is one thing, but...if that knowledge is widespread, it could still mean the death of the order regardless. If others knew what to expect, realized the depth of that sacrifice, recruits would dwindle to practically nothing. That would be...problematic when the next blight strikes."

If no Grey Wardens still exist, then how will the new archdemon be stopped? Such questions doubtless keep the senior Wardens awake at night, even those sane enough to refuse Clarel's path of extremism. There are at least two more Blights to go, if legend is correct.

Garahel comes charging back, weaving his way around people with single-minded purpose. Fortunately, he's fast enough that no one is knocked over by his antics.

[killedwithlove]

"But it would help them understand why the Grey Wardens are so important. And... it would give you time to find another answer. What worked when the world was washed with blood, anything, anything, it works, it doesn't matter how or why, it works, we know it works-

"They found an answer and stopped looking." And Cole knows there's always lots of ways to work things out.

[circleprodigy]

"I don't deny that they settled and didn't pursue other avenues, but allowing the incoming Warden numbers to rapidly dwindle would shorten time rather than extend it while we search for more. It would be trading one problem for another."

Is even another solution? After all this time, no one's found anything to counter the darkspawn other than that ritual. Perhaps it's well-hidden or whatnot, but the fact that no other solution has surface in ages has her skeptical even as she would love for it to exist.

[killedwithlove]

"Why would their numbers go down?"

Cole... doesn't always follow group behavioural consequences. He tries, but just falls a bit short.

[circleprodigy]

"The risks of the Joining mean that not all will survive it. Many do not, in fact. Even if that happens, they will still be subjected to a short lifespan and the Calling, in due time. It's not a sacrifice everyone wishes to make, but until we find another way, it's what Thedas needs."

Inessa herself didn't know any of this when she was just a recruit, of course. But even if she had, the young mage would still have gone through with it. Grey Wardens had saved her life in Kinloch Hold, and she meant to repay that.

[killedwithlove]

"Yes."

He doesn't understand. Most Warden initiates realise they may die.

"Being a warden is good for some people. Repentance. A new chance. A belief. Another way is also good."

[circleprodigy]

"I won't deny that; I've seen it give purpose to those who need it. But not all will see it that way, and sharing the downsides before joining risks them deserting the cause. Stopping Blights is more important than any one person's life."

It has to be, or all their suffering and sacrifice will be for nothing.

Garahel whines softly, waiting for his ball or even attention, he'll take belly rubs if no one wants to toss the ball for him anymore.

[killedwithlove]

"Yes. Stopping the Blight is more than any one life. Stops the suffering from spreading, spoiling."

Cole turns back to Garahel. "I'm sorry, I was talking instead." He picks up the ball and throws it again, aiming to let it bounce down stairs, give Garahel more of a run.