he's probably fine.

[nerdeology]

Who: Mikleo
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: On the Huntress!
When: Now, basically

[You know what's great about being a seraph? Never getting sick. You know what's not great about being a seraph? Having zero frame of reference for what being sick is like when you experience it for the first time. And after a month of quietly enduring and/or ignoring it, despite being a water elemental trapped on a planet full of poisonous water, it's finally caught up to him.

It doesn't help that this realization comes hand in hand with the fact that he's been upgraded to captain, apparently, which is as nonsensical a decision as he's ever heard from the Atroma. The one perk - besides the sudden lack of malevolence on the Huntress due to Greed's departure - means that he now has a big bed to curl up and be miserable in.]

I have a few questions.

is there some sort of guide for captain's duties? for those who lack experience.

also:

how do you tell whether you are dying or just sick

[...Those questions should probably have had a completely different priority, but whatever. He's too sick to be bothered.

He makes an attempt at sending this out as an anonymous communication, but he's a bit too light-headed and bleary-eyed to pull it off, so it probably doesn't work too well. He still doesn't show up on camera, so there is that.]

Comments

[nerdeology]

[Whaaaat the heck.]

Maybe it's your kind who are most like the seraphim. That's older than many I know.

[Including himself, though that doesn't actually take much.]

[bythewaves]

Is it? I am probably one of the oldest remaining in Middle-earth, but Lord Cirdan, we suspect, is one of our First Parents, those who woke full grown, and were not made, and he must be... over 11, 400 sun years by now. And the Ainur are older still, if you can call those who are timeless 'old'. You must be very young, surely!

[nerdeology]

Someone that old... probably on par with the elder seraphim like Gramps, or the Five Lords, perhaps.

I'm probably not the best example of what a seraph should be. There are those who don't even remember how old they are, but I'm only 18 years old, myself.

[bythewaves]

Eighteen! By my people's count, you are not even of age yet!

[ Watch Maglor try to dad his captain ]

Or do your folk age swifter?

[nerdeology]

Yes and no. A seraph's age is decided by one's self image and perception. If we want to age or stay young, we just have to feel it.

I grew up alongside a human, though, so I aged with him.

[bythewaves]

I see - that is interesting, but I suppose if your form and face are shaped by those around you, it would make sense. Fascinating - forgive me if all these questions seem overly curious - but your world must be an intersting one indeed.

[nerdeology]

I could easily say the same to you. And I've already asked you plenty of questions, myself- it's only fair to return the favour.

[Look at them, learning all the things.]

[bythewaves]

[ Bonding through shared love of learning! ]

Ah, that is true! As long as you do not mind, then. We could continue this in person, if you prefer?

[nerdeology]

[Oof, about that.]

We could try, but that'll depend on your resonance.

[bythewaves]

What do you mean?

[nerdeology]

Most people can't see or hear seraphim. The ability to perceive us is referred to as resonance. If you don't have any, the communicator is as good as it gets.

[bythewaves]

That... yes, I can see how that would be a problem. What would define a resonance? I do not know exactly how things would translate across, but as I said, I had occasion to be quite used to dealing with the Ainur in my world. Would that be enough?

[nerdeology]

You have a better chance than most of the humans, so it's possible. Sometimes it comes down to a natural affinity, though, and whether or not you're born with it. Resonance is a complicated thing that even I don't fully understand.

Come to the captain's room- it's easier just to try it and see.

text -> action?

[bythewaves]

I see - it is easier to understand why your folk and humans find it difficult to remember each other, knowing that! But I will be by shortly, and we can test how it would be for my folk.

[ And shortly: Tap tap tap, at the door ]

action!

[nerdeology]

[Mikleo's still in bed, but at least he's sitting up properly now. A bit of fresh water does wonders for a water seraph.

At the knock, he lifts his communicator- prepared to send out another text if this doesn't work.]

Come on in.

action!

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor follows the map, but once Mikleo speaks and he steps through the door, he knows he probably did not need to use it.

He sounds like water.

Like the laughing clear mountains streams of Maedhros' mountain fortress, and the deep mirrored lakes that Caranthir patrolled. Not the siren call of the waves, but akin to them, and Maglor trembles, briefly, the sea in his eyes waking before he quashes the longing, buries it deep again. ]

I hear you. [ He breathes softly, and briefly, in that moment before he can squash the sea-longing, his voice echoes the waves that enchain his heart ] But I cannot see you - not clearly, anyway. A heat shimmer, an echo of music, the faintest of shadow-forms

[nerdeology]

[Mikleo shifts slightly in the bed - the sheets shift with him, so Maglor can get a better idea of his location. So that's what he sees? Interesting... he'd always thought that even resonance can't necessarily paint a clear picture of how the seraphim appear, but he's never actually heard it described like that. His closest human companions hadn't really told him, and he'd never thought to ask.

He's not even sure what to say to that, but he'll try.]

You're in a better situation than most of the people I meet, then. I'm impressed. You should close the door, though, or our crewmates might think you're crazy for talking to yourself.

[Half of them probably already assume that of Sorey. No sense in spreading it around.]

[bythewaves]

[ As Mikleo talks and moves, Maglor's eyes focus more in his direction. To him, Mikleo is still little more than a shadow, but as he gets used to what he's looking for he can make out the suggestion of features ]

I am glad then - it must be lonely, if not many can see or hear you. And I do not mind - it would not be the first time.

[ He does obediently shut the door, however ]

You look so young.

[nerdeology]

It isn't so lonely. I have enough people around who can speak with me that I'm not bothered.

[It's nice that someone this interesting can be counted among them now, though.]

How can you tell I'm young? Is it an especially youthful shadow?

[bythewaves]

You sound it!

[ Maglor smiles a little ] But what I can see... you seem slight - slender and perhaps not at your full height. Coupled with a young voice, I would deem you so.

[nerdeology]

...W-well, I'm sitting down, so of course I look smaller.

[It's not because he's short or anything, no sir...!]

Anyway, I did say I was only 18. You'd be surprised if you met some of my companions, though. I know an earth seraph who's probably several thousands of years old, and she looks just like a little girl.

[bythewaves]

[ Mikleo sweetie, Maglor is 6'5+/-, a lot of people are short to him ]

So appearance for you is truly a matter of preference then? Again, not dissimilar to the Ainur, for whom physical form was as clothes for us.

[nerdeology]

[Why does the world have so many tall people, it's just not fair.]

We're not entirely free about our choice. I couldn't force myself to become something, or someone, I'm not. If I tried, that kind of self-deception can corrupt and destroy a seraph.

But if I felt sincerely that this is who I want to be - this appearance, at this point in time - then I can stay like this forever.

[bythewaves]

[ Drink more milk? ]

Mm, interesting! Also useful, I would imagine. Again - like and not-like. The Valar do have preferred forms, although they can look like almost anything they choose. But... unless they are deliberately hiding themselves, you can always tell who they are.

[nerdeology]

[That only helps if you actually rely on food for sustenance, probably.]

I'd have to ask an older seraph if there are any who can change like that... Dezel might know, but I don't think he's that much older than I am. I do know that there are seraphim with unusual features, but they might just have been born that way.