2. Don't Mention It
Characters: Calista, Cole
Pairings: The Iron BullxCount Arganan (mentioned)
Summary: Takes place after 'Explanations.' Calista, after seeing her uncle and Iron Bull in the nude together, happens to run into Cole, who goes and reads her mind because he can't really stop himself from doing so since he's a spirit and all. That kind of makes things awkward.
Oh goodness. Goodness.
Calista slowly walked down the hallway, the images of her uncle and The Iron Bull still stuck in her head after she walked in on them...at a...not-so-good time.
That had been so awkward. Her uncle so enraged and embarrassed after being walked in, while Iron Bull looked rather amused with himself about the turn of events. Calista was more than mortified, but she was sure that walking in on the two of them after coupling had blinded poor Zael.
"He cries out, wood creaking, groaning, them it all collapses. Pained groans fill the room."
She looked up to see none other than Cole. He always looked like a scarecrow to her-tall and lanky and that giant brown hat of his kind of helped him imitate such an image. He was currently murmuring things to himself...and she had the feeling he was probably reading her mind.
It wasn't his fault. He was a spirit. He couldn't help it. And he always had this undying curiosity in him, too. That never helped the situation-rather, it made it worse at times, though he was supposed to be a spirit of compassion and therefore help people, not accidentally embarrass them-well, unless he wanted to, but Calista doubted he felt that way most of the time.
"He stares at the ruins, splinters, remains, wails in frustration-you walk in after Zael panics, you stare, you gape-they are right there in the flesh, and you wonder-"
"Cole?" Calista cut in.
Cole looked up to see her. "Yes, Calista?"
"Don't mention any of this out loud, okay?" Calista told him quietly, blushing of embarrassment. "I don't think my uncle would want to hear of it."
Cole frowned a bit. "How do I stop it if it gets in my head?"
"Just don't mention it, talk of it, comment about it. Just don't mention it at all."
"Erm, okay." He then started rambling off again. "Heat floods your cheeks, as he stutters "I can explain.." but he is lost for wor-"
"Cole, I just told you not to mention it."
"Sorry."
"Lady Calista?" Therius happened to be passing by when he saw them. "Is everything alright? Zael told me that something very distressing happened between you and Count Arganan. Is everything alright?"
Calista's eyes widened. Zaelyoubetternothavetoldhimaboutwhattheheckhappenedjustnow.
"U-um, everything is fine now. It was just a bit of a...accident." Calista managed. Hey, at least it wasn't like she was going to scar Therius with the truth. Right?
That was when Cole started muttering again. "Iron Bull swears as Cassandra approaches, Arganan, holding only a sheet to cover some of him, is-"
Therius blinked, turning to Cole. "Wait, what?"
Calista pushed Therius away. "I-it's fine. It's nothing, just...Just go." Calista whispered urgently.
"Lady Calista? Are you sure-"
"I am more than sure. Just go, Therius."
"Erm...of course." Therius quickly walked away as Calista groaned.
"Cole...I just told you...don't..."
Cole bit his lower lip. "S-sorry."
