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

[lumelume]

"No!" Mado gasps, the trance broken as he hurries to press a reassuring hand to Cole's shoulder.

"It is a beautiful thing, and we are all the luckier that you shared it with us!" The passersby might disagree, but he's not concerned with their opinions; at any rate, they continue on their way, the spectacle ended.

"The world can be so unkind," Mado persists, in a lower voice, "and perhaps all a person has at times, is his voice. Don't let anything stop you singing, amico."

[helpinghidinghaunting]

There is just a moment, a flash where Cole flinches as Mado moves to place the hand - but when it only rests, when it doesn't hit, he relaxes a little, letting out a shuddering breath and releasing the brim of his hat so his eyes can be seen again, shimmering as they are.

He's still red, but the words do a lot to reassure him - and he does his best to focus on his new friend, instead of on the acidic whispers of the passersby carrying on with their day.

At first, all he can manage in response is a nod, the ghost of a smile.

But eventually,

"...So you...you liked it, Mado?"

[lumelume]

"I loved it," Mado insists, his smile gentle, "bellissimo. I would gladly hear it again any time you like."

[helpinghidinghaunting]

"Oh."

In this world, Cole...or, Compassion, really, has had a very hard time navigating other people. Anything to do with the Fade, with Spirits is shunned, scorned, side-eyed and seethed at.

So for Mado to love something of who he truly is...it's new.

The ghost of a smile grows to something a little more true.

"...Thank you."