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

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.

[bythewaves]

[ ... Mikleo could will himself to be tall? ]

Mm, it sounds to me as if you are half way between Incarnates like Men and Elves and the Ainur. [ Maglor nods ] Not quite physical, but not quite spirit, either.

[nerdeology]

[That breeds malevolence, bro, can't do that.]

It's probably pointless to waste too much time on comparisons. A seraph is a seraph, and your Ainur are what they are, as well. All worlds are different in one way or another.

[bythewaves]

[ ...Welp, then hopefully one day Mikleo will feel his true self is a tall self ]

True - but I find it interesting how many things are the same, also.

[nerdeology]

[Or he secretly likes being the short one, who knows.]

Well, there are benefits to finding common ground. I won't deny that. And it's been a delight to learn about beings like my own kind from other worlds.

[bythewaves]

[ Well if he does then Maglor will not judge ]

As it has been for me, to learn about yours.

[ He chuckles softly ] And here I thought I had seen much of what the world had to offer already, only to come here and learn how much wider it is then I ever dreamed.

[nerdeology]

I can imagine, if you've lived that long. There's still so much of my own world that I haven't experienced, so knowing there's this much more out there is a little overwhelming.

[bythewaves]

Well, as you say - you have seen only eighteen years! Plenty of time to see and experience more.

[nerdeology]

Indeed. All it takes is opportunity and a sense of adventure. I only left home this past year, and I've already seen and learned more in a short span than I have in all the years before.

[bythewaves]

The world is wide, the winds are cold, the forges fire is burning low; but wandering in this wide world I find, wonders myriad still untold.

[ Maglor sings softly and nods ]

May you never lose that sense of wonder.

[nerdeology]

[Mikleo listens quietly, somewhat surprised; Maglor had discussed music before, of course, but it hadn't really clicked that he was a singer. Music had never been a big part of his world- the most he'd heard was when Lailah turned to silly songs of children when her oath prevented her from speaking freely.

He's intrigued, as well, and the sound of it is quite pleasant. Almost a shame that it ends so quickly.]

I... hope so, as well. Is that why you wanted a music room? Not just for lessons, but... because you sing?

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor tips his head gently in acknowledgement ]

I am a bard, aye - music for me is as intrinsic as breathing. I can hardly stop playing, but... I know I can be annoying.

[nerdeology]

Not at all. It's quite beautiful.

[And he can understand something being a part of you to the very core. That's how he is with his element, after all.]

[bythewaves]

Thank you. If you ever wish to hear more, you need but ask. At the least, I hope having a room will keep me from disturbing the rest of the crew.

[nerdeology]

If you get any complaints, I'd be surprised. This place is already too quiet- not just the ships, but space itself feels so lifeless. It would do us all some good to have something to break the silence.