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.]]

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[mistyday]

"You mean you knew that lady? The one carryin' the stars in her hand?"

[bythewaves]

"I did, yes. That was Elbereth herself, the Lady Varda, the Queen of the Stars. I performed for her once, when I was younger."

[mistyday]

"Wow. She's beautiful! Can I see her again?"

[bythewaves]

He chuckles softly and obligingly begins another one verse.

"A Elbereth Gilthoniel
silivren penna míriel
o menel aglar elenath!
Na-chaered palan-díriel
o galadhremmin ennorath,
Fanuilos, le linnathon
nef aear, sí nef aearon!

A Elbereth Gilthoniel
o menel palan-diriel,
le nallon sí di'nguruthos!
A tiro nin, Fanuilos!"

Before he translates it for her. "And in the common tongue that might be rendered, 'O! Elbereth who lit the stars, from glittering crystal slanting falls with light like jewels from heaven on high the glory of the starry host. To lands remote I have looked afar, and now to thee, Fanuilos, bright spirit clothed in ever-white, I here will sing beyond the Sea, beyond the wide and sundering Sea. O! Queen who kindled star on star, white-robed from heaven gazing far, here overwhelmed in dread of Death I cry: O guard me, Elbereth!'"

[mistyday]

This verse reverberates with her even more than the first did. Every fiber of her being works against Death, resists its inevitable pull, yet she finds comfort in words like these, in the knowledge that even when Death comes for her, once and for all, there'll be somebody watching, ready to guide her.

Still, there's that prickle of doubt there, now that she's seen Hell. Stubbornly, she pushes it down, tears in her eyes. "She's one of the ang-- one of the Valar, ain't she?"

[bythewaves]

"She is - their Queen, in fact, the Highest of the Seven Valier. That hymn was rendered in Sindarin - Grey Elven, the language of Middle-earth, and in it you can hear many of the names we give her, the Star Queen, whose power and joy is in Light."

[mistyday]

God, she sounds like what the Supreme should be, like what Misty always imagined a leader of her people would be like. "Did she teach you your magic? Your song magic?"

[bythewaves]

"No." Maglor shakes his head. "At least, not quite the way I think you mean. I am a little unusual, in that I have been able to hear the Song of the world for as long as I can remember - what I do with music is...almost as instinctive as breathing. But it was the Valar who taught us as a people to cultivate that skill of not just talking to the world but also to listen to it. For when youxan hear it, you can shape it. My cousin Finrod learnt much of the powers, and though I am the better singer, he can do far more than I."

[mistyday]

"What sorta things can he do?"

[bythewaves]

"Well, he once used Song to disguise himself and his companions, so that they seemed to be orcs. His sister Galadriel once threw down a tower."

[mistyday]

Misty looks suitably impressed. "Wow! I wish I could hide myself like that - would of come in useful."

[bythewaves]

He chuckles softly. "Hm, I can imagine so. But there - I suppose you could say, their control is much finer, mine more instinctive. I cannot change what you see, but I can convince you that what you see is unimportant and forgettable."

[mistyday]

"Oh yeah. I used to could do something like that but Atroma took that power away from me." She pauses. "I was mad at first but now I think maybe it's better this way."

[bythewaves]

"I am sorry." He murmurs softly in concern. "I did not realise... they could alter you in such a way."

[mistyday]

"Aww, it's okay. I got my healin' and that's the most important thing anyway."

[bythewaves]

"You are a healer? That is a precious gift indeed!"

[mistyday]

She ducks her head and smiles. "Well, I still got a lot to learn. I'm not as good as Miss Cordelia - she was my teacher, back home."

[bythewaves]

"Even so!" He hums. "To heal is a great and noble task, and a taxing one, on both body and mind."

[mistyday]

"Oh, it's not so drainin'. I like helping people. It's what I'm meant to do."

[bythewaves]

"I am glad you have found the work that brings you joy. It makes a heart glad and it's burden light to have such things."

[mistyday]

She smiles. "Ain't that the truth? Is music your callin' then, or do you do somethin' else?"

[bythewaves]

"Music has always been my first love." Maglor agrees. "Although for a time I had little time for it. These days, I have returned to where my heart lies."

[mistyday]

"That's important, to follow your heart. I'm glad you could."

[bythewaves]

"Would that we could always be so fortunate." He murmurs softly. "But circumstances are not always favourable. But you are content here?"

[mistyday]

"Oh yeah, this is way better than home. For me at least, though I know it ain't so for everyone."