Cole looked up from his quiet corner of the top floor of the tavern as Dawn and her dog approached. A smile came to his face, and he spoke. "It's good to speak with you." A wide smile was given to her and the dog, who ran forth to the semi-spirit. Cole ran a hand over the dog's head briefly before turning his attention to Dawn. Angus laid down against the wooden wall, watching their exchange quietly.

"Likewise, Cole." Dawn said. He hugged her, and she hugged back, though she raised an eyebrow at the action. "Well, now, what was that for? Just happy to see me? You rarely do that."

"You needed a hug." Cole said simply. "You worry so much."

She shrugged. "I suppose I am worried, yes. I'm always worried, though."

Cole frowned. "Yes, but it's a different sort of worry. You've had this worry since you were told you're with child." His eyes glinted and he looked at her sorrowfully. "It's...harder to discern, since I'm much more real. Your mark is gone, and I can read you. Heavy and dark memories. I..." He focused on her. Dawn stood still, quiet, eyes trained on him. Though she stood patiently, her eyes began to drift around the room.

A gasp from Cole, one of understanding, brought her attention back to him. He stared at her, wide-eyed. "Why won't she look at me, why won't father look at me; who is that scary man in the big armor with the cold helmet as his face? Where is he taking me? Mother, father, help me, I don't want to go!" Dawn stared at him, shell-shocked as he poured forth words. "Heart and eyes cold, the mother who's not a mother doesn't look at her screaming daughter. You're not my daughter, a mage can't be my daughter. Why did the Maker punish us with a magic child?"

The Herald bit her lip and avoided eye contact with her friend. Meekly she nodded. "Yes." she muttered. "It's not important now." She exhaled sharply and tried to make her expression stony as possible. "I've cut my ties from them. It's in the past, so it doesn't matter."

"Yes it does." Cole refuted. "They did things to you. They hurt you. They tried to almost drown you to leech the magic out of you more than once."

The Inquisitor bit her lip. "Yeah. They did. It doesn't-

"You're worried you're going to be your mother." Cole whispered. "But you're not. The mother you think was your mother wasn't your mother."

Dawn raised an eyebrow. "Beg pardon?"

Cole crossed his arms. "She gave birth to you, but she was not your mother. Lydia was."

"Senior Enchanter Lydia?" Dawn smiled, reminiscing. "She was good to me. There when I needed a mentor."

"Not just a mentor," Cole corrected, "a mother. The sort of mother you'll be. She loved you, and you helped her, and she helped you. Lydia wanted a child but couldn't ever have one. And then you came."

Dawn smiled, reminiscing. After a moment of silence, she sighed profoundly. "I hope I'll be a good mother, but I worry. I want to spend as much time with this child as I can. I refuse to leave him or her all day with a nanny."

Cole frowned, cocking his head to the side. "You always managed to give me attention when I needed it. You can balance both."

The Herald smiled, sighing deeply. "Thank you, Cole. I'd rather not speak any more of this for right now. I came to check on you. How are you?"

"Better." Cole answered quietly. "It was stressful for everyone yesterday. But you're better now, so I am better."

An exasperated groan escaped her lips. "Everyone acts like I was about to die. I just fainted is all. I will be fine."

"No, you won't." Cole said, frowning. "You've thrown up three times today, and everyone talks about how sick you've been getting. Cassandra told me that it's likely that you could be throwing up more and more for the next few months. You're not feeling good."

"Well," Dawn said with a sigh, "there's nothing to be done about that. I will survive, and that's what's important. Even if I get sick."

Cole bowed his head. "You are strong, and I hope I can help." He looked at her abdomen. "Cassandra was telling me about pregnancy. It sounds like it hurts, especially the end." he said with a shudder. "Especially the end."

Dawn laughed, slightly uncomfortably. "Yes, but I'll make it through, if I take good care of myself. Why was Cassandra telling you about my condition?"

Cole shrugged. "I would ask Varric, but he's in Kirkwall. So I asked Cassandra. She was uncomfortable, but said it was important for me to understand."

"Well," Dawn stated, "I...Angus!" The mabari had rose from his feet and began to nudge her stubbornly. She frowned. "What is it?"

Angus took on high-pitched, pathetic whines, followed by a bark and more nudging against her thigh. Cole smiled. "It's time for you to see the doctor again. He's trying to remind you."

"That time already? Ugh, it's only been a day. They're overreacting. Alright, alright, Angus," she said, throwing her hands up in defeat, "I'll go. Sorry to cut our chat short, Cole."

"It's alright. Goodbye. Drink some water soon, too." Cole nagged. Dawn rolled her eyes.

"Yes, yes, I'll do that. Everyone's nagging me to do that."

"They worry. I worry. But Cullen worries most of all. Now go," Cole pressed, "you'll make him worry more."