And We Danced (Masquerade Overflow!)

[thespaceopera]

The Captcha is upon us, but the party isn't over! Feel free to continue your threads here, start new ones, and continue the dance party!

- Original Mingle
- OOC Post

[[OOC: Wait for Sections! Sections are up! Feel free to use the section prompts or make your own! We'd also advise against just linking back to your original mingle post for the sake of players with slower computers.]]

Comments

Maglor, OTA + continuations

[bythewaves]

Maglor was delighted to find this haven of green - he may be Noldor, not Sindar or Silvan, but the sheer amount of pollution, the way he can hear the world's Song mourning beneath it's burden, had all but broken his heart. In here, he walks barefoot as his foreparents once did, voice raised in lilting song.

He is dressed in ocean colours - sea-green armor over Finwean blue robes, and in concession to the occasion his hair is begemmed in a very particular braiding pattern, even if only he and Finrod can read it. His mask dangles idly by its straps and his fingers dance across the strings of his harp, as he sings of green growing things, of deep strong roots and nourishing rain, of sunshine after winter and spring blossoms.

His voice is probably clearly heard throughout the room - his father did essentially name him 'the loud one' for a reason - but it blends in to the room so seamlessly that you might not realize it is singing, at first.

Misty

[bythewaves]

continuing from here

Maglor shakes his head with a wry smile. "Oh no, you think far too much of me! I can only reach as far as I can be heard, and I cannot change what already is, only pass on a little encouragement. To change a whole world, now - that is something that would require one of the Powers of the World. Or maybe it's whole people, working together as one."

[mistyday]

"Powers of the world?" She tilts her head curiously. "What're those?"

[bythewaves]

"In my world we call them the Valar and their servants the Maiar - collectively, they are the Ainur, the Holy Ones - those who built the world in the beginning, and for love bound themselves to it, so that it sustains themas they sustain it."

[mistyday]

"So like... angels or something?"

[bythewaves]

"I fear I do not know what angels are, but if you think them similar, I would assume so."

Totally like angels.

[mistyday]

"They're like... God's helpers. They watch over us."

[bythewaves]

Maglor considers that and then nods.

"Very like, I think. Did you meet them in your world too?"

[mistyday]

"Oh no, I've never seen one, much less met them. I just know they're there."

[bythewaves]

"Oh?" He tips his head curiously. "How do you know? Can you sense them?"

[mistyday]

"Sorta. It's more like I get this nice feeling wash over me when I'm scared or sad or lonely than that I can feel a person, exactly." She wrinkles her nose. "It's hard to explain, but I know it to be true in my heart."

[bythewaves]

"Oh I see!" He hums. "It sounds as if you are....mm, sensitive to their presence, I 6is the best explanation. It must be a very helpful thing, in trying times."

Katara

[bythewaves]

continuing from here

He pauses when he hears a note that was mot there before, and turns to look at her, tipping his head in a polite bow.

"Good meeting, lady. Forgive me - I did not mean to disturb you." His eyes are still silver bright, not yet entirely in the physical world, and he gleams faintly amidst the green. But his smile is open and welcoming.

[kyasdaughter]

"Don't apologize," Katara says hastily, shaking her head as she tucks a piece of hair behind her ears. In all honesty, she feels a little guilty for disturbing the song more than anything else. "You can keep going. I was just listening."

[bythewaves]

He smiles, obviously pleases by that and looks around briefly before finding a place to sit and gesturing invitingly at her, eyes back to their more normal grey.

"Will you sit with me a while then, and listen, lady? I would not be so rude as to make you stand!"

Dhaneel

[bythewaves]

continuing from here

"Ah, forgive me, I forget sometimes not all hear it. Mmm, I refer to your... ah... Song of Being, I suppose is the correct term. To my ears... you do not sound like anything I know, but at the same time, tis almost human."

[thezerothlaw]

Daneel considers this. The only thing anywhere close that he can think of is the feel of a nearby mind -- and a robot does feel, sound, senses differently than an organic one.

"Is this a form of telepathy?"

[bythewaves]

Maglor shakes his head slowly, also clearly looking for the right words.

"Not as I understand it. My cousins might be able to explain better, for they were tutored in such arts. But I ... I suppose the best description is that I hear the Song that underlays the world, and can discern the notes that make up its people. I cannot discern the thoughts of another unless they wish me to, only... get a general sense for them, I suppose."

[thezerothlaw]

"Interesting."

So not... quite telepathy. Not quite what he can do. Unless the details of language are what shape this concept. Daneel hesitates, not entirely sure he ought to explain further.

"I have some ability to sense the minds of those near me," he admits, slowly. He's deliberately underplaying it. "I cannot discern thoughts either, but I am generally aware of emotional states. It seems... similar, in some aspects."

[bythewaves]

Maglor considers the explanation and nods. "Similar, I think so, yes. Probably, closer to what my cousin Galadriel can do, I think. You might speak to Finrod - she was his sister, and that family have always had very keen senses of perception."

"A very useful skill, however! It is similar for all robots, or a skill unique to you?"

[thezerothlaw]

"It is unique," Daneel says. "And in fact, it would be considered highly suspect. Friend Giskard was the first robot to possess the ability, and he passed it to me before ceasing to function."

Finrod. Beverly has mentioned him. He needs to meet him at some point.

[bythewaves]

"Suspect?" Maglor blinks at him curiously. "Whyever for? I am sorry about your friend, however."

[thezerothlaw]

"Humans often respond to something they don't understand with fear," Daneel says. "A roboticist of my own time would order me to submit to deactivation and disassembly. It would be seen as a potentially dangerous aberration, one that must be studied in order to prevent it from occurring again."

[bythewaves]

"That much I knew." He says sadly. "But to hear that they would treat you in such a way, who their own hands crafted, is a terrible grief. I am sorry that it is so."

[thezerothlaw]

The sympathy is... surprising, but not unwelcome. Daneel shakes his head, slightly.

"Friend Giskard was always very careful to hide his secret," he says, "and I have also attempted caution, though here in the Fleet it is not always as necessary."