Never Laugh at Live Dragons

[faithfulwisdom]

Who: Finrod
Broadcast: open broadcast
Action: let's go with N/A for now
When: August 28, earlier in the evening.

[Finrod appears on the communicator, offering the viewers his best smile.]

Good evening. [Or what passes for evening in space. It’s hard to tell. Look, just roll with it.]

I have been doing a great deal of thinking as of late and it occurs to me that I have been most fortunate in the friends that I have made here. Most likely it need not be said, but I come from a world with technology far less advanced than that which is used here. Had certain individuals not taken pity upon me, I would have been at a great loss for far longer than I was.

I think I should like to do something similar for others, if I can.

I still cannot claim expertise in the technology here, of course, but I have been here long enough to develop a working knowledge of it. And I believe it may be easier for me to explain such things to another with a background similar to my own. I may promise, at least, a patient ear and a lack of overly complex terminology.

[And later, in a more serious tone, Finrod makes another call.]

[Private to Beverly Crusher, video]

[Something is slightly off with Finrod. It’s subtle, but it’s there. His voice lacks the usual jovial tone and he is utterly bare of ornament- no jewelry, a simple tunic.]
I have a favor to ask of you, my friend. It will amount to an unnecessary precaution, I am sure. [He doesn’t look sure.] But I think it best if a healer is aware of what I plan to do.

[Action for Tek, on the Pathstone]

[If you guessed from the lack of ornamentation that Finrod was going for a look of humility, you were right. Notably, he has also left his sword behind- a very deliberate (and uncomfortable) gesture. And now he goes to do something no sane elf has ever done, unless under extreme duress.

He goes to seek out a dragon.

Not exactly the best reason to revisit the Pathstone, but Finrod is well aware that he owes Tek an apology- more than an apology, in truth. And that is something he has ignored for far too long. So his first stops are Tek’s usual haunts, as best he remembers them. And if that doesn’t work- well, he’ll think about that when and if it happens.]

Comments

[faithfulwisdom]

I was part of a group which worked to slay a dragon whilst we were there. I was well intended and I had reasoning behind my actions, but I will not explain them to you; it would only sound like a defense of what I now understand to have been beyond foolish. And regardless of my intentions, the damage was the same.

[He doesn't quite meet her eyes for this last sentence.] I have since learned that Tek was the dragon in question.

[dancingmd]

[For a moment, Beverly looks simply stunned as she takes a step back, but that shock quickly turns into anger: her jawline hardens and her voice develops a sharp edge few people in the fleet have yet encountered.

Ironically, Tek is one of them. But arguing about religion and finding out someone you consider a friend helped kill someone you care about (because Tek is Tek and friendship is not quite the word to describe their connection to one another) are radically different things. Not that in her mind it really matters who the dragon was, morally speaking, but this just hits her a little bit harder on a personal level.]

You? You were a part of that... that hunting party? Because that's what it was, wasn't it? A hunt. You hunted down a fellow sentient being, another member of the fleet, but oh well, glad to know you were well-intentioned.

[She crosses her arms and glares.]

At least you do have the decency to realize your intentions mean next to nothing in this situation.

[faithfulwisdom]

[His jaw sets, his posture straightens, and his tone goes cool. She's not wrong, not entirely, and he knows it. But damned if he's going to let all that go by without comment.]

Tell me, Dr. Crusher, had you much experience with dragons before your arrival here?

[He closes his eyes for a moment and takes a deep breath, almost without seeming to realize he's doing it.] Dagor Bragollach was when they made they first appearance on Middle Earth- "the Battle of Sudden of Flame." The Dark Lord sent forth his latest creation against us, Glaurung, the father of dragons. Our forces were...devastated. I cannot tell you how many fell that day; it was beyond counting. Two of my brothers numbered among the dead. I very nearly did myself.

[It takes him longer than he'd care to admit to shake himself out of the memories, for his mind to find its way back to the present.]

Yes, I hunted down 'a fellow sentient being,' as you put it, and, had my assumptions been correct, I do not believe I would have been wrong to do so. Save perhaps that no sane elf seeks out contact with a dragon.

My mistake was in assuming that the dragons of other worlds would be similar in nature to my own. I should have known better and my recklessness has cost another dearly. I assure you, you needn't lecture me. I will carry this with me into the Halls of Mandos, whenever I may see them.

[It very much matters who the dragon was, to him. If only because he might never have had the realization that dragons of Middle Earth =/= dragons elsewhere otherwise. Had the dragon been one of, or like those in, his own world, he would have no problem at all with his actions.]

[dancingmd]

[No, Beverly has not had experience with dragons, but she does have plenty of experience with loss of loved ones and the loss of one's home. Perhaps more importantly, she's well acquainted with the fear of an enemy of overwhelming, seemingly impossible power. If it weren't for Hugh... she doesn't like to think about what she had originally been willing to do to the Borg, to stop them. So:]

I'm not going to. It's clear you are feeling enough remorse as it is.

[Just as it's clear that she's still angry and upset with him, and probably will be for a while.]

[faithfulwisdom]

[Fair enough. He certainly can't argue that reaction isn't warranted. Still, there was a reason he contacted her and told her this in the first place and he doesn't intend to forget about that. Otherwise, he'd leave it at that. Instead, there's an awkward pause before he continues.]

If the encounter should go... less well than I hope and I should require medical attention, it is quite likely I would be unable to articulate my location to anyone I might call for aid. All I ask is that you bear this in mind, should you receive a message from me in the coming hour or so. Or pass this along to another, if you would be unwilling to treat me, should the worst occur.

[He just really doesn't want to bleed out on the floor again. It was not fun the first time and he'd prefer not to repeat the experience.]

[dancingmd]

[She bristles somewhat at that. No one is going to bleed out on the floor, not on her watch.]

I would never refuse medical aid to someone who needed it, no matter how angry I might be. It would go against everything I stand for, everything I swore to be as a doctor. Besides...

[Deep sigh.]

I care about you, just as I care about Tek, and I don't want to see either of you hurt.

[faithfulwisdom]

I thought you might say something of that nature. [But he wanted to give her an out anyway. It had seemed best.]

I truly think this will prove an unnecessary precaution. If Tek wished vengeance, he would have executed it by now. He has certainly had amble opportunity. [A sigh of his own. He is well aware this is all probably a little paranoid. But dealing with dragons had so seldom ended well for any elf. Paranoia seems natural.] If all goes as it should, then neither of us will be hurt.

[dancingmd]

I wish I could share in your confidence, but Tek... I can't say how he will react.

[faithfulwisdom]

I know. Perhaps it is not so much confidence as an attempt to convince myself. [A shaky little smile.]

But regardless, an apology is the least I owe him- and it is only right to deliver it in person.

[dancingmd]

[She crosses her arm and her mouth forms a grim line.]

I completely agree.

[The fact that he's doing this, and came to the conclusion that he should on his own, at least earns a little forgiveness from her, though Tek has every right not to accept the apology. And what of the others in the hunting party? Are they letting Finrod take all the blame?]

But you shouldn't have to go alone. You are not the only one responsible for this.

[faithfulwisdom]

I alone am responsible for my own actions and that is all I intend to answer for. Whether the others wish to do the same is on their consciences, not mine. And it may well be that some have. [Given the way he found out about Tek's identity, he assumes Jove has had some sort of conversation with him.]

[dancingmd]

I hope they have, for Tek's sake.

When are you meeting him?

[faithfulwisdom]

I intend to stop by the Pathstone after our conversation, in fact. [Give Tek a heads up? Now why should he do that?]

[dancingmd]

Right now? Have you told him you're coming?

[faithfulwisdom]

[There is a long pause and you can practically see the gears shifting in Finrod's head as he sees the situation as Beverly is seeing it. Seeing himself as a source of trauma.

If their situations were reversed, he would really want to prepare.]

I should, shouldn't I? [He groans in frustration and rubs his forehead.] I am such a damned fool. I should have considered the discomfort my presence will bring. But no, it is the same as always- make a decision and go forward in haste. You would think I would have learned.

[dancingmd]

[At this point she's not really inclined to disagree with the "damned fool" assessment (though she's been known to rush headlong into things herself).]

You still have time to rectify it. I would suggest sending him a letter, at the very least, warning him of your arrival.

[faithfulwisdom]

I will.

[He looks at up at Beverly again, giving her a little nod.] You have my thanks, Dr. Crusher. Perhaps this will sound strange to you, but I am grateful for your honesty and all you have said. It means a great deal to know that you will speak truth to me always. [Even when it's something he doesn't want to hear.]

[dancingmd]

[Damn it, it would really help if he stopped sounding so decent.]

No thanks are necessary. I only said what needed to be said.

[faithfulwisdom]

[Sorry, Bev. He's a confusing person.]

Nevertheless- [He gives another little dip of his head.] Be well, Dr. Crusher. Na lû hen- until later.

[dancingmd]

[She nods in kind.]

Until later.

[She'll certainly need the time to process all of this.]