With a long, silent sigh, May's mind continued to clutter and distract her by the mere thought of where Cole could have run off to. It was bad enough that she couldn't focus on the task at hand for no more than ten seconds; but she's already cut her finger two times due to her wandering mind. The cuts weren't bad, but it was enough to get her uncle's attention and warn her that if she cut herself again, he'd kick her out of the kitchen for the rest of the day. Of course though, she knew he only did what was best for her, even if it meant that she couldn't do what she loved because of her wandering thoughts.
As her mind drifted back off to the thought of where Cole could be, she felt something lukewarm drip off her finger; snapping her attention back to reality, she looked down and saw there was blood on the knife.
Her blood… and her uncle, Loch, noticed.
With an angry grunt, his cold glare was ice-y and unforgiving this time, "What the fuck May? Why the hell do you keep nearly slicing your own finger off?! This isn't like you." He folded his arms and kept his focus on her guilty filled face.
"I just… I can't focus today, I'm sorry." She averted her chocolate eyes for a moment before looking back up and meeting his glare.
"Go get some air then, you're done for the day. I won't have you slicing your damn fingers off for food just because you can't fucking focus." He pointed to the exit, "Now go."
May nearly protested, since it was only noon, but knew she could never argue with him, nor did she want to. Without any hesitation, except for the fact that she was ashamed of herself for letting a guy she only met the other day distract her so terribly, and admittedly a little furious with herself for cutting her finger three times in the same day within only a few hours. She hadn't cut her fingers in several years, nothing made sense to her at the moment; but now she could help ease her mind by searching for the boy who distracted her in the first place.
With the door slammed shut behind her, along with the cold wind blowing at her simple green dress and brown braids, she could only imagine how long it would take her uncle to cool off… but, that wasn't too important now, to her anyways, finding where Cole was and at least talking to him would be nice.
She walked around Haven for a bit, leaving several snowy footprints in her place as she checked behind and inside random buildings; eventually getting to the gates, Iron Bull spotted her and tilted his head to the side, wonder why the hell she was running all over Haven, so he waved her over. She did as he gestured and went over to the giant, yet regular sized Qunari.
"Hey kiddo," He greeted as he took a quick glance at her and saw that her hand, more so some of her fingers, were bandaged up, "how are you?"
"Hey Bull," She happily greeted back with a smile as she massaged her sore, injured fingers, "I'm alright, sorta cut up some of my fingers by mistake." She laughed lightly and awkwardly admitting to that.
"Well, I hope it was a mistake; it's not every day you see a little girl with bandaged fingers after walking out of the kitchen, now is it?" They shared a small laugh as she looked away, clearly thinking about something else, but tried not to show it too much.
"So, what have you been up Bull? I heard that the Herald took you and a few others out for a mission not too long ago, how was that?"
"It was alright, Sera nearly shot me a few times and kept taking my kills…" He muttered something she couldn't quite hear, but he quickly got back into the conversation, "Solas was boring, as always, never doing anything too extreme that I'd expect other mages to do. He did though catch on fire by his own spell for a moment in the middle of combat." He laughed and smiled softly at the memory of it, "That was funny, should have been there."
May giggled, "Maybe next time I could go." They both laughed.
"Maybe when your older kid." Bull joked, "So, you're clearly thinking about something, mind sharing? Are you perhaps looking for someone? Or something?"
"Oh, well, I'm looking for Cole. Have you seen him by any chance?" She asked with a hopeful gleam in her eyes.
"Sorry kid," He shook his head, "Haven't seen him all day."
The girl pouted and sighed, "Ok… It was nice talking to you though, I'm gonna keep looking for him."
Bull wanted to ask 'why the hell are you looking for that demon anyway' but, by the time he was about to respond, she left and kept looking around rather curiously. He let out a small sigh and a laugh at the sight of her. Kids like her are hard to come by after all, especially in these times.
As May kept looking around, a thought struck through her mind. Solas. He might know where Cole is right? He loves spirits and such, he's sure to know where Cole was. With a smile and a little pep in her step, she quickly found Solas and waved at him as she walked up to him.
"Good afternoon, Solas." She greeted with cheerful smile.
Solas nodded, "Good evening, May. Come to talk about the Fade again?"
She shook her head, "No, I was wondering if you knew where Cole was."
"You seem quite intrigued with him, why is that? I don't see you as the type to make friends with wandering spirits such as Cole." He seemed to have avoided her question with another question.
"Well…" She looked down and pondered about it for a short moment, "He seems interesting, and we're friends. Is it wrong to be concerned for a friend?"
"No, I suppose not." The elf replied, "Searching for him is a fruitless task though, he could be anywhere, so you're merely wasting your time, child."
May hesitated to counter, but she had to ask, "Is he really a spirit though? It's just… really hard to believe."
Solas gave her a snarky look, "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to look for him; if you find something interesting, come back to me."
May nodded, "I will, thank you." She went away and looked for Cole once more as Solas found amusement in the child's cute intentions.
After thinking for a moment, May decided to stroll into the tavern where Sera usually hangs out in her continuous search for the blond, hat loving boy. With a quick scan of the building's interior though, Cole was nowhere to be seen. Sera was sitting on a table and for some odd reason, was carving something into the wooden table, but as curious as May could be, she walked up to the blonde elf.
"Hey, Sera." May greeted with a small smile.
The seemingly unstable elf looked up and their eyes met for a moment, May could instantly tell how unstable, or downright crazy, Sera could be by the unpredictability in her hazel eyes, "Hey there, you gonna keep cookin'? Or is that grouchy uncky of yours gonna keep at it?" Sera caught a sight of May's injured hand, "Scratch that, that's probably from cuttin' your little fingers, yah?"
"Huh?" May looked down at her fingers and smiled shyly, "Yah… I couldn't focus today."
"Ah, can only imagine how you would fair when you're in a fight, hah!" Sera snorted while she laughed before finishing her carving.
"What does that say?" May asked as she curiously looked, only to be blocked by Sera scooting over to sit on it.
"Somethin' you shouldn't know till you're older." She snorted while laughing again.
May arched a brow in confusion, but just shrugged it off, "Have you seen Cole?"
Sera's playful smile went sour at the mere mention of his name, "No, why would've I seen it? Be better if it just left already." Sera nearly raised her voice as she threw her arms in the air.
May didn't know what to say at this point, "'It'? Cole's a 'he' though."
"Pfft," Sera just shook her head, "No, it's a demon, nothing more! Like I said, be better if it weren't here, it might conjure demons and other stuff and stuff like the stuff that's fallin' out the bloody sky!"
May was a patient, kind being… But Sera was being rude, and felt rather hurtful about it is as she hid her saddened face with a happy poker face whenever she was sad. So before she lost her patience, she waited for Sera to finish before excusing herself with a hurt-filled tone and wishing Sera a good day before leaving. It was one thing to complain about people, but insulting them? May couldn't understand that...
She just sighed as a cool breeze blew back her braids and showed her sorrow-filled face, almost admitting defeat in not being able to find Cole… but, she was going to ask one more person before she gave up her search and headed back to her uncle. It was close to the time that the Herald was going to set off with her team and seal the breach, so May had to hurry and find her before she left.
Within a short moment of looking around, May spotted the elven Herald, it wasn't that hard since not many elves wear decent quality armor like the dark leather, light rouge ranger armor she wore. May slowed down and gained her breath back before going up to the Herald, "Excuse me," May spoke, "Ms. Herald, if you don't mind, may I ask a question?"
The Herald turned around and smiled, "Why hello there... May, is it?" Her short red hair had a few touches of snow in it, making it look like glitter was in her hair, "Please, call me Sanya, and yes, of course you can."
May nodded with a smile, "Thank you mi' lady, and yes, that's my name. I was wondering where Cole might be."
"Oh?" Sanya smiled, "Don't worry dear, he's around, I assure you." She patted May's head, "Now if you'll excuse me, I must prepare, I hope to see you after we seal the breach." Sanya waved before turning around and leaving May to wander in her own thoughts. With a sigh though, and a light kick to the snow, she turned around and decided to head back to the kitchen, figuring her uncle would let her help now.
ooOoO0OoOoo
The corner's a nice place to stay, out of the way of people and let them work while I watch. Cole looked through his shaggy blond hair and lifted his head just enough to see beyond the rim of his hat.
"What the fuck May? Why the hell do you keep nearly slicing your own finger off?! This isn't like you." Concerned, not angry at her; angry at himself for not watching over her, protecting her like he wants. Needs time to think, not wanting that stare she gives him when she's sorry. Those big brown eyes that remind him why he loves her like a daughter in the first place.
Cole reached out a helping hand towards May, but pulled it back, knowing no one could see him right now; he followed May out the door and kept a good distance. Guilty, no May, not guilty; I'm the one who's guilty for making you think. Wait, she was purposely thinking of me… why? Curious like me? Or curious of me… He curled his lip and tilted his head as he listened to her conversation with The Iron Bull. Bull knew something was up, yet brought it up casually; yet Cole knows what he thinks of him, despite the fact that the brute's taken a few hits for him already even though they barely know each other. With a small smile, Cole strolled along, easily keeping up with May as she went to Solas.
"He seems interesting, and we're friends. Is it wrong to be concerned for a friend?"
No, it's not. How am I interesting though? What do I do that makes others fear or take interest in me? I just help people, heal their pain, lift their burdens. How am I a friend though? I helped her, I've helped others, and they don't consider me a friend because I make them forget. Should I have made her forget? I still could…
"No, I suppose not." The elf replied, "Searching for him is a fruitless task though, he could be anywhere, so you're merely wasting your time, child."
May hesitated to counter, but she had to ask, "Is he really a spirit though? It's just… really hard to believe."
The spirit frowned and tilted his head. I told the truth… why would she think I lied? No, she doesn't consider me a liar, just something not believable in a world where spirits are scarce and demons are common… I am no demon. He shook the thoughts out of his head.
Solas gave her a snarky look, "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to look for him; if you find something interesting, come back to me."
May nodded, "I will, thank you." She went away and looked for Cole once more as Solas found amusement in the child's cute intentions. Solas looked over to Cole's direction with his lip curled along with an arched brow.
Solas is close to spirits, so he can see me; no, he can feel my presence. Cole went back to striding behind May from a good distance before she walked into the tavern. Why would she go into a bar…? Sera doesn't like me around her, so why would she think I went in there? He thought for a moment. No, she doesn't know about Sera disliking me. After a moment of hearing Sera talk bad about him from outside, he could barely make out what May said in the end before watching her walk out of the building while quietly shutting the door behind her.
He could sense the sadness within her without even having to look at her saddened face. Why is she sad…? Should I comfort her? Sera only talked about me though, not her, I don't mind being insulted. Like water over stone, it flows by me, not disturbing me in any way… why did it disturb her? He frowned and tilted his head as he watched her walk off while he strolled behind her.
May seemed to lighten up as she talked to Sanya, the Herald. The elf knew Cole was still here, she reassured May of that. Why is May trying so hard to find me though…? The spirit couldn't wrap his head around it at the mere thought of May trying to find him. I want to say hi… but how would she react to me? I need to, no, want to stay hidden until I know more… Why did she kick the snow though? Disappointment, not in me, herself for not finding me. It's not your fault May… Cole lowered his hat while shaking his head. She doesn't understand... He took a hesitant step forward, after May, but froze in place as thoughts kept streaming through his mind.
She needs time alone… Maybe she can feel my presence too, but doesn't know it, and that's why she keeps thinking of me. A small smile unknowingly crept on his pale face. This feeling of being wanted… not needed, is warming... He frowned again. Soon The Herald of Andraste won't need me though… I'll be needed elsewhere when the wound in the sky is healed…His heart started to lightly ache at the thought. Maybe The Herald of Andraste will let me stay just a little longer… there are still people who hurt here… Maybe it'll be better if May doesn't see me again.
ooOoO0OoOoo
May's laughter filled the air around her while her smile radiated as she was dancing with one of the soldiers around a fire, along with a few other people as Cole sat at a distance on a roof top. I knew she'd be happy without me…He showed a small smile as he knew that he was invisible to everyone around them. The sky is scarred, but healed, I suppose I won't be needed here anymore… He wanted to get up, but he just couldn't move, the sight of May being happy made him happy. Soon she will forget me, like everyone else, she doesn't need me to intervene... no, but she wants me to.
Wishing, wanting to see Cole again, dance with him around the warm fire. I wish I could see him… Cole held his aching chest. Make sure he's ok… He shook his head. I am ok though, she doesn't know that, doesn't need to, but wants to. She cares for me… why? "Why does she care for me…?" He accidentally let out.
"Cole? Is that you? Mind coming down?"
Cole curiously looked over the rim of the roof and saw Solas looking up in his direction; he obeyed and lightly leapt down perfectly without making a sound, "Yes, Solas? Do you need me?"
Solas paused before looking out to the fire where the people were dancing, they stood next to the bar and stayed in the dimly lit darkness, he turned his attention back to the spirit, "Tell me Cole, why do you think she cares for you?"
"I… I don't know…" Cole frowned as he shook his head.
"You can read her thoughts, why don't you delve into her mind and find out for yourself?"
"I'm scared." The spirit quietly replied.
"Scared?" Solas arched a brow, "Scared of what?"
"The answer." Cole shrugged as he twiddled with his fingers, avoiding eye contact with the elf, "What if I don't understand, like she does with me? She doesn't understand me, and I don't understand her…"
"No," Solas corrected, "she merely doesn't understand the meanings of a spirit here. In a world where demons are common and spirits are scarce, it's normal to hesitate to understand the truth behind spirits. You merely don't understand why she's so caring."
"Do you know?" Cole looked up just enough to see the bottom half of Solas's face through the brim of his hat.
Solas pondered for a moment before looking back to the fire, more specifically, May. He studied her for a moment, "She is a servant of the Inquisition, therefore, she is polite to anyone who comes by so then she won't put more stress on the people around here. Naturally though, she has a warm and accepting heart who loves people, to nurture them, if you will. So her concern for you is merely natural for her, wanting to know if you're all right and not hurt."
The elf merely shrugged, "Although, that is what I've gathered from her being here for the past couple of months, there may be a whole other reason to her caring for you, I don't know, well… not completely know." He pondered for another moment, "She… does seem sad sometimes now that I think about it more…"
"Sad?" Cole tilted his head, "Why would she be sad? She has people who care for her, and she cares for them, she seems to have no pain…"
"She obviously hides her sadness quite well if even you can't sense it," Solas pointed out before looking back over to Cole, "she tends to be nice around others, but when alone, there's always this hint of despair around her… I can't quite peg it as to why…" He glanced back over to May, seeing that she's happily dancing with one of the soldiers, "Do you understand?"
Cole thought for a moment, "She's… like me then…?" He looked up just enough to lock eyes with Solas, "She likes to heal the hurt, to make it easier for them…?"
Solas nodded, "Precisely, she's just not a spirit who can make people forget. She makes friends and continues to help them if they need it."
"I…" He stumbled on his own words, "I don't understand why she's sad though…"
"You don't have to understand it to comprehend that fact that it's there." He shrugged, "Maybe she'll open up to you in due time, or you'll come to an understanding of her."
"I see…" Cole stayed silent for a moment, "So… we're friends…?" His eyes shot wide as he shook his head and started to pace, "So much hatred, kill them all, It demands it…"
Bells started to ring, filling the ears of anyone within a mile radius as people started to frantically run.
"It's the Venatori!" Cullen shouted as he started to close the gate.
A/N:
The story and art belongs to cartoonartist on Deviantart, I just write it out.
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