that's in the sky where the rain's from [OPEN]

[existency]

Who: Cole (existency) and YOU
When: Before Natalia's ball, but over a few days
Where: Various
What: Cole is getting used to his new home.
Rating/Warning: None unless someone rude tags in (probable)!!

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option a — the basic arrival prompt

[ He doesn't belong here.

It's quiet, startlingly so, because there aren't the songs and shimmers of the Fade here like there were at home (wherever "home" was). It whispers, enough for him to be able to reach out and grasp it, use it like he does, but it's not the same. It's disorienting and startling, which is why he wanders. He's looking for the places where it's the loudest, since where it's louder, he's more comforted.

Of course, this process might seem quite strange to anyone nearby. Cole himself would seem to stick out enough, since a gaunt young man with a very large hat and wearing old, dusty leathers would be a contrast against the technology around. But it might catch you by surprise that you seem like you've seen him earlier today, but you can't place where. Unless you're a bit closer to spirits or magic yourself, in which case, it'll be a bit easier to remember seeing him earlier in the day, doing the same thing.

He's just wandering, as if he's lost something or looking for something, but he never makes eye contact with anyone, and most of the people walking by don't seem to see him at all. In fact, it's only you that sees him. ]

option b — memes never die

[ How's the weather today? Did you guess cold and rainy? It's definitely cold and rainy. At least for the purposes of this prompt.

If you're braving this terrible weather to head towards the park, you might notice a strange pattern along the main path. Every so often, there's a small cardboard box underneath a tree, and if you're curious enough to go inspect it, the contents might be a bit confusing.

They're all cakes.

They're not quite left out in the rain, since the trees manage to cover most of the rain, but they're still getting soggy enough that no one in their right mind would really want to eat them. And it's clearly not an accident, since there are quite a few!

Continuing along the path, there's a young man braving the rain, though he doesn't seem to mind it. He's out without even an umbrella, though he doesn't really need one, considering the large brim of his hat... But he's also clearly the culprit of the cake-related mystery, since he has a few boxes in hand, and he's setting one down underneath a tree, opening it, then looking up into the branches like he's checking for something.

But all of the sudden, he seems to become aware that someone is watching, since he looks towards who's approaching, but he's quick to bow his head shyly. ]

...Sorry. Am I in the way?

[ More importantly, why is he leaving cakes out in the rain?? ]

option c — not quite as exciting as killing dragons

[ His Cerevice had told him he was a florist, and so a few days after arriving, Cole starts to work. It's definitely not the same as the Inquisition, but he quickly finds that he enjoys the work. It's quiet and solitary, since Cole's odd appearance and mannerisms tend to keep him from getting put at the front and scaring away customers, but he can tend to the flowers dutifully while still getting to be around other people and listen like he likes to.

It's not quite the tavern in Skyhold, where he can just stand for hours and watch the lives of the people there unseen, but it's close enough that he's content.

If you have reason to visit a florist today, other employees will probably greet you first, since Cole tends to stay towards the back. But it's not long before he starts to busy himself with something, then approaches to hold out a bouquet that's stunningly beautiful, and whatever you've come to a florist for, this seems to fit the bill perfectly. ]

...Are these what you were looking for?

[ His voice is soft and gentle, but not quite shy. It seems like he knows, for whatever reason. ]

(( ooc note ; if you choose this prompt, just make sure to include something in your brackets about why your character is getting flowers please! ))

option d — choose your own

[ Wildcard! If you have an idea of a prompt of your own that's different, go for it! You can run it by me or just run with it and we'll figure it out. ]

IMPORTANT NOTE—If you haven't filled it out already, please comment to Cole's permission post before replying!

Comments

b!

[perfectstrike]

[What's going on here... the first box she sees, Peko kind of pauses and looks inside because what the heck... maybe there's a kitten in there? Or some other kind of small animal, that would be nice. She's, of course, sorely disappointed and more than a little perplexed to see cake in the box. She still has her sword bag on her back, covered by the black umbrella she has to protect herself from the rain as she follows the trail of cakes; maybe this is a prank? Or maybe it's meant as bait to try to lure someone who does like sweet things into a terrible situation. Either way, it's worth investigating.]

What are you doing?

[Once she finds him, she's not answering his question as to whether or not he's in the way, instead just kind of staring at him with visible confusion and more than a little suspicion.]

[existency]

[ Cole meets her eyes, but it's only briefly, since he bows his head to look at the rest of the boxes in his hands. It gives the impression that he would fidget if his hands were free, but it seems like he's not going to abandon his cake quest for that. ]

I'm leaving cakes.

[ ...It does answer the question, though not exactly how Peko wanted. If nothing else, his answer is at least completely earnest rather than sarcastic. It seems like he feels he adequately answered the question. ]

[perfectstrike]

Yes, I see that.

[It seems to be extremely important to him for some reason? If anything, Peko only frowns harder. Is he up to something weird...]

Why?

[existency]

[ There's a longer pause that's just as awkward, since Peko is getting to live the thrilling role of being in the Inquisitor's shoes when talking to Cole. Luckily, she doesn't have to run around Skyhold to overhear people explaining why there are plums on windowsills, but it's still roughly as frustrating, because even when Cole answers, it's still very brief and not explanatory. ]

For the birds.

[ It at least explains why they're by trees (maybe???) but it's still pretty weird... ]

[perfectstrike]

...

[It's another weird guy... For some reason, Peko feels like he'd get along well with one Gundam Tanaka.]

Do birds eat cake...?

[Wouldn't birdseed be more appropriate? She's pretty sure birds don't eat cake, but at least her question is an honest one. Maybe birds here do eat cake! (If there are even birds to be found...)]

[existency]

[ He shifts uncomfortably, giving the impression that he would rather be anywhere but here, but he still answers with the same, gentle and earnest tone. He's shy and skittish himself, but it seems like he's not ashamed of what he's doing so much as just uncomfortable talking to someone. ]

...It's because it's cold.

[ Cole doesn't really like explaining things like this, since it makes it puts too much attention on him, when the real, important thing is that it's not for him at all. ]

It's harder for them to get food, and so they have to wait until the rain stops before they'll start singing again. But the singing makes people feel better. It softens the ice that sets in during winter, chilling and churning in the heart because the sun means so much. Especially to the rabbit who comes through to listen to the songs he heard when he knew what he was. It makes him sad, but it's the sort of softer sad.

[ He looks up a little, since these sorts of things just spill out because it's the only way Cole has learned to process all the feelings and memories that filter into his head, but at least spending time with the Inquisition, he's learned how odd and unsettling it's considered. ]

—He's not the only one, though. If the birds don't sing, it makes people sad without even knowing why.