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[ 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. ]
You needed help with spirit magic.
[ ... Hi. ]
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. ]
[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.
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?
What is it you need help with, precisely? [ A once-over, and he adds, ] Were you harrowed?
Ah.
[ 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.
[ 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.
[ 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?
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.
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?
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.]
I close shop at eight.
I close shop at eight.
( Colin the shopkeep, a man who receives dramatic visitors who wear a lot of black. Herian waits until he is free, the shop quiet save for himself, and then steps from the shadows where she was (politely, not ominously) waiting. )
Good day. Are you Colin, who spoke on the crystals of Darktown?
( She doesn't mean to be dramatic, it just kind of happens. )
Good day. Are you Colin, who spoke on the crystals of Darktown?
( She doesn't mean to be dramatic, it just kind of happens. )
I am no noble, Serah. Knight-Enchanter, if you must use a title.
( A moment, as she tries to weigh where to navigate herself on the path she is endeavouring to walk. ) I wished to speak with you of a non-official project I am leading with some others of the Inquisition. It is a matter of some discretion, but I felt it was relevant to the work you were helping to organise. A matter of training and education, an... an attempt to offer agency to the peoples of Darktown and the alieange, if such is of interest to your efforts.
( A moment, as she tries to weigh where to navigate herself on the path she is endeavouring to walk. ) I wished to speak with you of a non-official project I am leading with some others of the Inquisition. It is a matter of some discretion, but I felt it was relevant to the work you were helping to organise. A matter of training and education, an... an attempt to offer agency to the peoples of Darktown and the alieange, if such is of interest to your efforts.
Apprenticeships is one of our focuses - for those interested in becoming skilled labourers or taking up a trade, things of that ilk. Things that could lead to more lucrative opportunities. At first this will be based within the Inquisition, but mayhaps in time it could branch beyond that.
I am aware there are some others tutoring and taking classes already - there may be some overlap in that, and I've no desire to suggest our methods would be superior or to undermine their efforts. I only present another avenue of approach. Literacy and numeracy will be amongst the subjects - others, as well, if there is interest.
I am aware there are some others tutoring and taking classes already - there may be some overlap in that, and I've no desire to suggest our methods would be superior or to undermine their efforts. I only present another avenue of approach. Literacy and numeracy will be amongst the subjects - others, as well, if there is interest.
[Colin's eyes widen incrementally, then he flashes a smile to cover it up.]
Might as well use every tool at our disposal. It's just that a lot of the people down there aren't unskilled or uneducated, or even unemployed. I guess that's where I'd come in?
Might as well use every tool at our disposal. It's just that a lot of the people down there aren't unskilled or uneducated, or even unemployed. I guess that's where I'd come in?
Not all, perhaps. I have no desire to condescend to those not needing or wanting such assistance. For some, however, such things might provide agency they seek, or opportunities.
( She speaks very calmly, and pauses a moment. Words are not a gift; she has to think carefully to try and proceed in a way where she does not speak too bluntly or harshly. Her tone remains even and respectful; at least she can manage that more easily than the words themselves. Genuine sentiment is risky to communicate, when words can go poorly so easily. )
Please do not imagine me either so arrogant or so foolish as to assume I can better matters for all with but one avenue. I simply know that there are a good many people in need of help, and one man, or even a small group, cannot see to all different methods and supports that might be required. Things will go wrong, people's pride might stand in the way of their need of aid, they might be suspicious of those offering it. It requires time and collaboration, just as the Inquisitions efforts to save all of Thedas demand it. If there are people in want of apprenticeships, I can help see to it.
( She speaks very calmly, and pauses a moment. Words are not a gift; she has to think carefully to try and proceed in a way where she does not speak too bluntly or harshly. Her tone remains even and respectful; at least she can manage that more easily than the words themselves. Genuine sentiment is risky to communicate, when words can go poorly so easily. )
Please do not imagine me either so arrogant or so foolish as to assume I can better matters for all with but one avenue. I simply know that there are a good many people in need of help, and one man, or even a small group, cannot see to all different methods and supports that might be required. Things will go wrong, people's pride might stand in the way of their need of aid, they might be suspicious of those offering it. It requires time and collaboration, just as the Inquisitions efforts to save all of Thedas demand it. If there are people in want of apprenticeships, I can help see to it.
[Colin listens politely, maintaining eye contact. Afterward, without a hint of frustration or sarcasm, he replies.]
I meant we'd refer people to each other. Cover as much ground as we can, if you will, Ser. I'll have any number of people to send your way who are eager to learn, and I'm sure you'll have any number of people to send my way who have things mostly in hand but just want their bones to stop bending.
I meant we'd refer people to each other. Cover as much ground as we can, if you will, Ser. I'll have any number of people to send your way who are eager to learn, and I'm sure you'll have any number of people to send my way who have things mostly in hand but just want their bones to stop bending.
[ Gentler people could deliver the news, and even Kostos could deliver it more gently, but— ]
Can you take care of his cat?
[ —is what Colin gets, out of nowhere, when Kostos finds him in the infirmary. In his defense, he hasn’t slept in a while, and he looks it, in last week’s clothes and several more days of scruff than he usually allows. He also looks like he’s lost someone, but that’s a look—set jaw, moments when his gaze drifts to the floor and goes unfocused—that’s harder to place. ]
Can you take care of his cat?
[ —is what Colin gets, out of nowhere, when Kostos finds him in the infirmary. In his defense, he hasn’t slept in a while, and he looks it, in last week’s clothes and several more days of scruff than he usually allows. He also looks like he’s lost someone, but that’s a look—set jaw, moments when his gaze drifts to the floor and goes unfocused—that’s harder to place. ]
[Colin sets down a ceramic crock with a thump.]
What? [he asks, clearly bewildered at first. It's such a random thing to say that it takes him a moment to connect the cat thing back to a his thing. It must have to do with what happened in Tevinter, yes, but who/what/where?] Whose cat?
What? [he asks, clearly bewildered at first. It's such a random thing to say that it takes him a moment to connect the cat thing back to a his thing. It must have to do with what happened in Tevinter, yes, but who/what/where?] Whose cat?
Gareth's.
[ Another time he might employ an obviously, keep up you idiot tone. At this particular time—well. It turns out he's capable of something that looks like lost puppy eyes, or a cousin of them. ]
He—we left him. [ He blinks. Realizes what his face is doing, maybe, and hardens the edges. ] In Minrathous.
[ Another time he might employ an obviously, keep up you idiot tone. At this particular time—well. It turns out he's capable of something that looks like lost puppy eyes, or a cousin of them. ]
He—we left him. [ He blinks. Realizes what his face is doing, maybe, and hardens the edges. ] In Minrathous.
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