OPEN - Follow me home, if you dare to

[helpinghidinghaunting]

WHO: Cole and YOU!
WHAT: Catch-all for Cole's first month!
WHEN: September
WHERE: Various - the Gallows, Kirkwall, possibly TBD
NOTES: Astarion thread: CW - Mentions of abuse, torture, murder, and starving

If you want something special, let me know and I will write us a starter! And a reminder, you can fill out Cole's permissions HERE if you would like him to read your character's pain/past!

Starters in comments.

Comments

[notathreat]

It leaves Ellie self-conscious and unsure. The gratitude doesn't rest easily on her shoulders. It's not something she's used to. It's a few coins, something that won't hurt her to give up, since she's got a roof and food and warmth and safety.

It's not like it was any big sacrifice; just something to ensure that Cole won't inadvertently get into any trouble while trying to help. Inadequate in the face of what she owes.

"They were going to anyway, if you kept up with that," Ellie says uncomfortably, shrugging her shoulders.

"Anyway, um. If you're going to join Riftwatch, I'll probably see you again."

... she realizes, a beat too late, that being able to see Cole will be all the more significant for it.

[helpinghidinghaunting]

The Spirit has always thought it...funny, in a way. The way that some people get uncomfortable with the idea of helping. It comes from guilt, he knows, a feeling of failing, of not deserving the credit for a good deed.

But in his eyes, a good deed is still a good deed. He can feel that she is recoiling, though, and she doesn't need to be needled...so he lets it go, tucking the coins in his pocket.

"Yes," he finally answers, his expression difficult to read.

"I am...glad to meet you."

bow on this?

[notathreat]

Ellie's grateful that he doesn't press, is gentle enough to realize when she can't stand kindness. It's the one thing that can really break her down, even if some deeply buried part of her desperately needs it.

But then, people reject their vulnerabilities, when they're afraid of being hurt, or putting their faith in things.

She relaxes when he lets it go, her body language slowly opening up again. Her expression softening.

"... you too, Cole."