open

[keenly]

WHO: Colin + YOU
WHAT: Returning from the jungle
WHEN: Current
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES:

I. The Return

All Colin really wants at the moment is to flop down into his bed. Not because he's particularly tired, at the moment, but because he wants to be reassured that it still feels as good as he remembers. He drifts among the crowd at the docks, reunions happening all around as people greet their friends, but manages to stick closely to Athessa and limit his greetings to people he's close to. Not tired, but overwhelmed. There's an aching hollowness to him, and the pressing crowd only increases his discomfort.

II. Home

It is not Colin's presence anywhere in the Gallows that might be noted now, but his absence from it. His typical silence on the crystals and the journals now applies to his own life. For several days after returning, for as long as he can get away with claiming to be ill, he is closed up in his apartment in Hightown. If you want to speak with him, make him stop hiding, or get him to cook anything for you, you'll have to meet him here.

III. Wildcard

Comments

[keenly]

"Not exactly." It's always safer to keep his baggage to himself, or else she might feel like he's too weird to stick around. She's not exactly dainty, given her chosen profession, but she is definitely the noble kind of noble. He is so far beneath her, he's not sure it would take much for her to be done with him.

"When something bad happens," he says vaguely, "and I feel the world isn't safe, I sort of...stay away from it. Stay in, don't go out. Sometimes for days, sometimes for months."

[indissection]

"I imagine that is understandable," Sidony's reply is gentle enough, settling back in her chair. She's well aware that it's not something that she could necessarily recognise before she came to join Riftwatch, but now? She has burns on her skin and some scarring that cannot simply be undone; she knows better than to imagine all scars are as visible a reminder.

There's more to healing than she could have possibly imagined.

"Is that something you want to keep doing? Or something you would like to change?"

[keenly]

There's a notable widening of his eyes at the question.

"I hate it," he admits, "but it's. Sort of like, um. I hate being at sea during a storm, yes? I hate huddling down in the dark feeling ill and frightened. But I'd rather be there than up above, in the rain and lightning and wind. I'd rather be ashore, in a house that doesn't move with every little ripple of the water, but that's not an option, so I go where it's safer and hope for the best."

[indissection]

"It's a way of coping," Sidony nods her head, understanding. It makes sense; avoiding the danger of something that causes you trauma of any kind. She might be the kind of person to run head first into it - battle, marriage, anything else - but not everyone has that kind of determination.

Reaching out, she touches his hand.

"Well. If you ever wish to huddle down in the dark at least you will know that you shall have company, darling."

[keenly]

A smile blooms across his face. Most of the tension he had leaves him.

"Thank you."

[indissection]

There's still a touch of awkwardness to her, but Sidony manages a smile and a bow of her head.

"Of course, dear."