hey guys! I finally managed to write another one, sorry for the delay! Warning: this chapter contains spoilers on Josephine's personal quest. And in case you were wondering, Cole isn't human yet here. I didn't really check for spelling so if you see anything wrong let me know. Also, for the Guest: yes, I suppose you're right, it was a bit OC for Cole to ask him that, but I just really needed the fluffyness of him asking it! Sorry!
It had been a very busy day for Josephine; after the Winter Palace, pretty much every noble in Orlais and their mother wanted to see Skyhold and the Inquisition, and of course they were not denied a visit. They watched everything with wonder- well, not really; most of them had many critics to make on the state of things there. The most complained subject was the Herald's Rest, for they complained that visitors should have a cleaner and high class place to eat. Truth be told, the ambassador had thought about it a few times, but the Inquisitor always brushed her aside, saying that those nobles could 'stick their restaurant up there'. Knowing there was no arguing with Trevelyan about it, she had long since dropped the subject.
It was past noon when all the nobles left and she had time to breathe. Vivienne had helped where she could, but the Enchantress was a busy woman too. Josephine went back to her office and dropped on her comfy chair, only to realize that because of the visitors, she hadn't had time to look over all the documents that were handed to her that day, and now they piled on her desk, demanding her attention. She dropped her face on the desk, scowling, and stayed like that for a couple of minutes before she felt eyes on her. She raised her head only enough to see Cole standing before her; had it been anyone else, she would've felt embarrassed for being found in such a position, but the young man was not one to care for keeping up appearances- obviously, by the awful state of his clothes. He frowned.
"What's wrong with my clothes?" Josephine sighed in frustration.
"Nothing, Cole. Is there something you need?" He shook his head, staring at the pile with curiosity.
"You're tired, you need to sleep." She raised an eyebrow at this.
"Yes? Your point is?" He lowered his head, but she managed to view the frown in his face.
"But you can't sleep. You can't stop thinking of your family. You want to help them, but it's hard." She closed her eyes for a moment, thinking on his words. It was true; the past few days she had had trouble sleeping, thinking of everything that was going on with the House of Repose.
"That is also true, Cole. But I don't see where you're going with this." Cole raised his head and stared at her intently, with those eyes that always made whomever he was looking feel like they were staring into a bright blue sky.
"You are lonely. You want company. I can stay." He took a moment to answer her, and she knew exactly why; she had told him after a few conversations that speaking in that odd manner of his made people uncomfortable, and he'd tried his best to speak more normally. She sighed and let her shoulders slouch just the tiniest bit.
"Alright, then." She answered, almost a whisper, and she had to hold herself not to pat his head when he beamed at her. She coughed. "Well, I don't know about you, but I need some hot chocolate. Before she could ring and call one of the servants, Cole cocked his head to the side.
"I don't need any. I don't eat," He stated, making her let out a chuckle. She called the servant and told him to bring two cups of hot chocolate, to which he frowned at her but left anyway. She turned back to Cole, crossing her fingers over her lap.
"You should try, Cole. Especially this drink. I think you'll like it." He seemed hesitant, but nodded.
She sat by the fire and motioned for him to join her, to which he did. They both stared into the fire in silence until the servant came back, two cups with steamy brown liquid in his hands. Just the smell was enough to make Josephine smile pleasantly. She took both of them in her hands and then shooed the servant away, proceeding to give one of them to the young man. Cole looked hesitant even as he took it in his hands, imitating her as she blew on it. She watched him stare intently at the contents of the cup while she drank from hers.
"Come now, Cole, it will get cold." She told him, and he seemed to be almost scared of it as he took it to his lips. He had a quick short sip, just like she had, and lowered it back into his lap before staring at her smirk with a frown. "So? What do you think?" He seemed to savor the taste in his mouth before answering.
"It's… it's… odd. Tastes like…" He took a deep breath, closing his eyes in concentration, and then he sighed. "Like home. Every time the cook made it for you Yvette would come, eyes like a dog's; 'I want some too, sœur'. you always got mad at her, 'stealing my favorite drink', but she was always pleased to drink the same think you did and it made you proud." He breathes again, and Josephine sighs. He lowers his head in shame. "I'm sorry." She taps gently at his arm.
"That's quite alright, Cole. I suppose it must be hard to explain the taste of food when you've never had any. Still, it's a shame you can't enjoy it." She told him, taking a large sip. Cole followed suit before giving her another deep stare.
"No, I enjoyed it. Not the taste, but the memory. Thank you for sharing it with me." She froze at his words; well, I didn't exactly share it, she thought to herself, but quickly waved it away and smiled at him.
"I'm glad."
They spent the rest of the night drinking hot chocolate and talking about her old home, about her family, and Cole would even tell her something about them that made her smile- he left her hurts alone, knowing she didn't like him go there, and was pleased with the knowledge that, even though he didn't fix them, he still helped.
Leliana found Josephine the next morning, still by the fire, a warm blanket around her and a peaceful look on her face.