(Open)

[castintoflames]

Who: Maedhros & Open (except for private part).
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: Yes! On S.S. Huntress.
When: Late on the 12th.

(Private to Maglor.)

(This portion is sent as a simple text, devoid of as many emotions as he can spare his Kano.)

May I see you?

(/)

(Maedhros is sitting on his bed, his hair brushed and draped over one shoulder. He has a mechanical hand laying beside him and he is preparing to strap it to his arm. It is not often that he shows what is left of that arm - that nub, truly - and the scars are numerous even though the cut that severed it was clean.)

Atar or Curufin would have delighted in this, I think. I feel hardly worthy of it.

(A small, tired smile curls his lips as he, at last, raises his arm, new hand attached. The fingers bend, flexing and he touches them in wonder.)

My thanks to the engineers on our fleet. Your craftsmanship and your patience have left me with a much easier existence.

(OOC: If you would like your particular engineer to have been one of the ones who aided Maedhros, assume it is so!)

Comments

action

[twicewed]

[He wanted his grandchildren to work things out for themselves, they were adults, but he would always still worry. He had checked on Fingon and Maglor already but he knocked on the door of Maedhros's quarters before peeking in.]

Do you have time for your grandfather?

action

[castintoflames]

(He grins helplessly at the great Finwë peeking in at him.)

I have all the time in the universe for you, Grandfather.

action

[twicewed]

[He may have been the High King but he's always a grandfather first. He grinned as he slipped inside, revealing the plate he carried with two fruit tarts.]

Maglor and I picked these out for you to try. They are delicious.

action

[castintoflames]

(He is quick to offer Finwë a seat on his bed, peering at the fruit tarts curiously.)

What are they? (But his trust in his Grandfather is such that he is tasting one before he gets his answer.)

action

[twicewed]

Fruit tarts! They have blueberries, strawberries, and peaches in them.

[Finwe sat down beside his grandson, smiling as Maedhros started eating the tart.] How do you like it?

action

[castintoflames]

(His expression brightens at the flavor and he clearly enjoys the treat, eating it with care.)

It's good. (Ears pinking, he smiles at Finwë.) Thank you, Grandfather. I think I might be developing Finno's sweet tooth.

action

[twicewed]

I am glad, especially since we all should enjoy all the sweets Finno makes for us. [He leaned over to kiss the side of his grandson's head affectionately as he ate. No grandson was ever too old for affection and love.]

He has made more cake than I could ever eat!

action

[castintoflames]

He makes such delicious smelling treats. (Even when he forgets to eat or has no interest, those treats awaken his hunger.

The kiss might have embarrassed him if he were younger. But he cherishes it now.)

True. Still, I might try!

{Action}

[valiantfire]

{Fingon smiles at the message and goes to his cousin's door, knocking softly.}

Maitimo?

{Action}

[castintoflames]

(The door is opened and Maedhros smiles somewhat shyly as he welcomes his cousin.)

Do you need something, Finno?

{Action}

[valiantfire]

{Fingon's answering smile is warm and fond.}

I only wished to see you. How is the new hand?

{Action}

[castintoflames]

(He flushes and raises the device, waving at Fingon with the metal fingers.)

Do you like it? They say it can be padded and transformed to look like my other hand.

{Action}

[valiantfire]

{A laugh and Fingon reaches to touch the metal fingers.}

I hope you decide to let them do that for you! {No hint of the lingering guilt that he'd made this necessary.}

Can you feel anything with it?

{Action}

[castintoflames]

(Maedhros is gentle as he lets the metal fingers entwine with Fingon's fingers of flesh.)

I think I would like it. (He holds no blame towards him and that is crystal clear in his affectionate expression.) No. I read that nerves would need to be fused with the technology... It sounded like agony.

{Action}

[valiantfire]

{Maedhros is always so gentle with Fingon. He takes the metal hand in both of his, curious and interest as he examines it. Then a shudder and with a frown of concern looks up.}

Then no. I think this will work well enough. You adjusted to one hand, you can adjust to having feeling in only one.

{His voice softens.} You have suffered too much already.

private text

[bythewaves]

[ It takes a long time before the answer comes ]

Whatever you want.

private text -> (Action)

[castintoflames]

(They know how to bite and sting at one another. Maedhros steels himself to those words, but his hand shakes.)

I will be there soon.

(He prepares himself before his mirror and then slips out, knocking on his brother's door in record time.)

(Action)

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor does not answer, but when Maedhros knocks, he swings the door open silently and backs away, allowing his brother entrance ]

(Action)

[castintoflames]

(Maedhros steps in, having to duck his head to do so. He frowns, hard, at Maglor before touching his brother's cheek.)

Ánin apsenë, melda toron. ("Forgive me, beloved brother.") You are colder than the sea when you are angry.

(Action)

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor looks at his brother through flat grey eyes, face as still as stone - twice, now, his brother has taken him unwilling from a place where he might have been happy.

He is not sure if he forgives him, yet.

But.

This is still Nelyafinwe, who cradled him as a babe.

So slowly he nods, although his voice stays cool ]

You are forgiven.

(Action)

[castintoflames]

(Stone will not stop him. His flames will rally against it, warming it if nothing else.)

I will not pretend to understand the injuries I have dealt you. I cannot empathize - and not because I do not wish to. I would take the pain from you in an instant if the Valar decreed it possible.

(Or if Maglor knew how to rid himself of his agony by injuring Maedhros in return. Fëanorian logic.)

Yet one aspect of our kinship has not been altered...

You are my Kano and you are the brother closest to my heart.

(Action)

[bythewaves]

I could have been happy there.

[ He says flatly ]

I could have forgotten that you will all leave me again.

[voice]

[scanninggaydis]

I think everyone is worthy of that.

[An easier existence, Felix means. Not being being made to struggle needlessly. (And okay, maybe not everyone but most people. Most people deserve that. But he's making broader statements right now.) He also specifically means the prosthesis, he believes most people deserve one that works, and works well. They're hell when they don't.

It's...really brave that Maedhros can sit willingly on camera and show that. Felix has come leaps and bounds forwards but he still could never.]

Congratulations.

[It's an awkward statement, and he sounds...a little awkward saying it. Still. It deserves being said?]

[voice]

[castintoflames]

(If only Felix knows of what Maedhros has done; he may not think of him so kindly. But the tall Elf appreciates the sentiment nonetheless.)

Thank you. (His cheeks and his ears gain a flush of color and he glances down at the hand, watching it move from every angle.) Are you familiar with...prosthetics? They are not common or present at all in my world - unless they are exceptionally rudimentary.

[voice]

[scanninggaydis]

[That's a possibility but...well, he definitely has feelings about this issue, it'd have to be pretty bad.]

They're pretty common where I'm from, yes. Not everyone can afford one, but they're common.

[That...completely dodges the question of if he's personally familiar. Felix isn't ready to divulge that as quickly.]