Most evenings ended with the chronicle. Writing down an accurate account of what was seen, what was done, what was learned would help them going forward. Most of the approach of the Inquisition was to hack and slash their way through this world, Solas took it upon himself to ensure they remembered everything that was gained; everything that was lost.
It also provided a necessary distraction from his thoughts, inflamed past the point of comfort after their shared tent in the Emprise. As of late they had been...
"Red. Swirling warm blood fills your ears and palms when you look at her. Cannot look too long, it is like staring at the sun. Leaves spots before your eyes in her shape. The feeling like a sore, deep inside you. Festers, pains, ground down deep try to hide it. Cannot. It eats at you. The truth is an infection."
Solas dropped his pencil. "I did not hear you come in, Cole," he said evenly. "I believe we had a conversation about knocking?"
Cole sat at the edge of the table and stared at him, wide-eyed. "Yes. I remember."
The two regarded one another for a moment before the elf sighed and closed the journal. "Was there something you needed?"
"I felt it, from up where I rest. Pain like a punch. Why do you not let the words out? The words hurt you to keep secret."
"I suppose that is true." Solas leaned back in his chair, fingers folded before his face. "Sometimes, Cole, we keep things inside and allow them to damage us, because the damage caused by letting them out could be much, much worse."
Heels drumming against the desk as Cole rocked, "But you love her. And you cannot keep it a secret forever. It makes you clumsy in your words, in your actions. You know it cannot stay in."
"Perhaps you are right. But that is my decision to make. And while I appreciate the insight, I would also appreciate you not mentioning it again. Now if you will excuse me, I have much to do. We travel to the Winter Palace tomorrow, you know."
"Yes." Cole slipped off the table, hazarding a glance back at Solas. "Would you like to know how she feels?"
His eyes snapped shut as if he'd been struck. "No," he said weakly. "No. I think I would prefer to hear that from her."
"Then you should ask her. She won't mind." And with that, Cole vanished from the room.