[OPEN] Kindness is a light in Kirkwall

[killedwithlove]

WHO: Cole; anyone who needs him
WHAT: Cole's been convinced to come to Kirkwall to help people so he is going to help the hell out of them.
WHEN: Covering the month of Bloomingtide
WHERE: Anywhere BUT the Gallows
NOTES: Will probably end up dealing with lots of the awful from the Gallows. PM this journal or jemisard for an individual starter

Cole never wanted to come here. He wanted to leave, to go elsewhere, but he was convinced that here he is most needed and thus, here he is.

Kirkwall scares him. Deeply scares him, so much that he barely goes into the city at first, but he slowly starts picking out the individuals among the screaming horror of the city, the people who he can help, who still be touched and brought back.

Comments

[aceso]

"That is what makes some spirits of Faith powerful, but not this one." At least, that's what Christine believes. "This one is powerful because of the knowledge I have helped her gain, explaining what she has observed. And I can also feel her power flow through me when I heal."

But even though Christine thinks she knows Faith pretty well by now, this doesn't give her any additional insight into what Cole is saying. Is this what would happen to all spirits on this side if they had a body of their own like he does? Or is it because he hasn't had a guide, like Christine has been for Faith?

"The Circle mage who fought with Warden Cousland during the Blight?" What was her name again?

[killedwithlove]

"So, she's powerful because of you?"

It's a question, just like the others, but it's a question that has nothing to do with his virtue or emotion. He shows interest in other things, in understanding things vastly outside what he is.

"Maybe? Yes. Her. She's dead now. She lost her Faith."

[aceso]

"Mm, I do not look at it that way. The strength comes from her ability to learn and understand things without it changing her nature. I may have taught her things, but her capacity for understanding is all her."

Christine doesn't mean to shiver at his words, but she does anyway. Losing Faith? Would feel terrible. Losing faith in her religion has felt nothing but freeing, and that's why Faith is with Christine. The spirit is drawn to those who doubt, because who needs Faith if they already have their own?

"That is a shame."

[killedwithlove]

Faith isn't something Cole really understands. Things are or are not, there's no need to have faith in the unquantifiable.

"Is it? She gave up Faith to let Ser Evangeline live. Evangeline had lots of Faith, I think. In herself. In the Maker. Not the Chantry. In Justinia, yes. Does Faith understand time? Time is really difficult when you first come here. Things happen once and then they're over."

[aceso]

Cole has a way of starting in the middle of the story that just confuses Christine. That and the topic shift leaves her wondering which to address, but she goes for answering his question, as Faith gently nudges against Christine's mind, making her lips twitch with a smile.

"She does now. It helps that I often keep to a routine, but she's better at understanding hours and days than weeks. For instance, right now she's reminding me that it is that time of day when I need to make dinner for someone. I am afraid I must go."

[killedwithlove]

Cole nods.

Showing all the tact of a spirit...

He simply fades from view as he turns and leaves.