[ Contrary to the impression he might have given by asking the entire Inquisition via crystal if any of them were possessed, Kostos does have a discreet bone in his body. Several, actually. He just only uses them when they're necessary—and in this case they are, since Colin specified discreet.
The first step: not using a crystal to try to contact someone with only one name for the first time. There may be another Colin somewhere.
The second: waiting until the young man's shop is otherwise deserted to approach it. ]
[Oh hey, it's this guy. He's seen quite a bit of this guy lately, out and about. Almost as if there are two of him.]
Um...yes. [Colin looks briefly uncomfortable, but shrugs it off and smiles.] Thank you for your discretion. I'm not quite ready for everyone to know I'm a mage.
[ Kostos nods. He isn't one to judge—there's no hiding it among people he actually has to speak to, but when it comes to crowds of strangers, he doesn't dress like a mage anymore and only carries a staff if he intends to use it. ]
What is it you need help with, precisely? [ A once-over, and he adds, ] Were you harrowed?
[ Kostos is quiet for a few seconds, idly clenching and unclenching his jaw while he considers. ]
I was an Enchanter at Ansburg before the war. I taught spirit magic. But I'm not very good with beginners. [ He pauses, then admits: ] They tend to cry.
I'm not a beginner, just out of practice. [He bobs his head, then deadpans:] And the only thing I cry at is Swords and Shields. That Varric Tethras really is the author of our time.
[ Kostos looks at him like someone who has never read Varric Tethras, because that's what he is. But he has heard of him, at least, and is able to move on—without comment, maybe sort of rudely—without asking what in the void Colin is talking about. ]
Of course. You need to work on control. What else?
[That mustache didn't move even a twitch. Colin will rate that joke a 0, never use again. At that question, he shrugs.]
That's it. Control, nothing else. I don't use it, I don't tell anyone about it, I just need to be able to hide it without destroying my shop. Get on with my life.
[ If Colin starts discarding jokes based on whether or not Kostos is entertained by them, he's gonna run out. Or give up, I guess. He's probably smart enough to just give up.
Anyway: Kostos should probably protest. Nell would probably protest. You are what you are, there's no hiding forever, your people need everyone, whatcha gonna do when they come for you, etc. But Kostos only sighs a little, then nods. Regardless of what Colin wants or what's good for him, he would rather there not be any secret mages with a chronic lack of control wandering around. It will look bad for all of them if there's an incident. ]
All right. We can try it. [ He folds his arms behind his back and looks back at the entrance to make sure they're still alone. ] There are a lot of empty rooms. We can use one. When do you want to start?
[Colin's eyes widen slightly. Pretty much everyone has argued with him about hiding he's a mage. This is a fresh change of pace, a boundary set that someone finally respects. An easy smile comes to his face without him even trying for it.]
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action.
The first step: not using a crystal to try to contact someone with only one name for the first time. There may be another Colin somewhere.
The second: waiting until the young man's shop is otherwise deserted to approach it. ]
You needed help with spirit magic.
[ ... Hi. ]
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Um...yes. [Colin looks briefly uncomfortable, but shrugs it off and smiles.] Thank you for your discretion. I'm not quite ready for everyone to know I'm a mage.
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What is it you need help with, precisely? [ A once-over, and he adds, ] Were you harrowed?
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[It's embarrassing, the loss of basic control over one's magic, but he's willing to eat crow and take his medicine.]
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[ Kostos is quiet for a few seconds, idly clenching and unclenching his jaw while he considers. ]
I was an Enchanter at Ansburg before the war. I taught spirit magic. But I'm not very good with beginners. [ He pauses, then admits: ] They tend to cry.
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Of course. You need to work on control. What else?
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That's it. Control, nothing else. I don't use it, I don't tell anyone about it, I just need to be able to hide it without destroying my shop. Get on with my life.
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Anyway: Kostos should probably protest. Nell would probably protest. You are what you are, there's no hiding forever, your people need everyone, whatcha gonna do when they come for you, etc. But Kostos only sighs a little, then nods. Regardless of what Colin wants or what's good for him, he would rather there not be any secret mages with a chronic lack of control wandering around. It will look bad for all of them if there's an incident. ]
All right. We can try it. [ He folds his arms behind his back and looks back at the entrance to make sure they're still alone. ] There are a lot of empty rooms. We can use one. When do you want to start?
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I close shop at eight.
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I can wait on the stairs.
[ Not the whole time. He’ll leave. And then he’ll come back. ]
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[ And that's all. He's leaving now. He will not be on the stairs the whole time. Byyyyye. ]