driftfleet | (Open)

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!)

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[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?

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

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

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

Maitimo?

[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.

(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.)

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

Do you need something, Finno?

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

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

(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.

{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?

(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.

{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.

(He doesn't mind Fingon examining it and it doesn't occur to him to take it off so the Elf can see it closer. His cousin has always had a calming, soothing presence and Maedhros is greedy for the effects of it at times like this.)

Such an outcome does not bother me. (His left hand lifts to squeeze Fingon's shoulder.) I know you wish the best for me and I assure you, I am content.

{Fingon doesn't need it taken off. He prefers the hand where it is, it feels both more and less natural.

Eventually he releases the hand to fling his arms around his cousin in a tight hug, leaning against Maedhros.}

You do seem so. It's good to see.

(He laughs in surprise, arms closing around Fingon as he makes himself comfortable.)

I endeavor to be a better person. I cannot lose myself in gloomy thoughts ever again. (Not with his precious family to protect and to guide.)

{Fingon grins at him, treasuring the laugh!}

We won't let you forget good thoughts again. {If that means acting ridiculous and teasing, he'll happily do it.}

Did you braid your hair yourself today?

Edited 2016-11-13 05:15 (UTC)

(He treasures Fingon's company, his expression falling slightly.)

I must have enough good thoughts for myself and Kano. He is in sore need of them.

(Color pools on his cheeks.)

I made an effort.

{Fingon nods.} He has us.

{A grin and he gives the braid a playful little tug.}

You did well! I know it has been a while since you could braid hair.

[ It takes a long time before the answer comes ]

Whatever you want.

(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.)

You, dear cousin, are more of a blessing to him than I am. (He flushes darker and looks away at the tugging.)

It is...clumsy work. I know it will begin to fray.

{Fingon flushes and ducks his head, then peeks up at Maedhros.} I do what I can. For both of you.

{A fond little laugh.} You are out of practice. If you want, you could practice on my hair so you can see what you're doing!

We need you far more than you need us. (He smiles a little at Fingon's laughter and his offer.) Would you mind?

I do need the practice, I fear.

You two are my dearest friends. {Answer enough for Fingon.

He smiles and moves to the bed to sit, immediately starting to unbraid his hair.}

I do not mind, Maitimo.

(Maedhros's smile grows at the answer.)

You are like a cool wind to our fire. We need you or we will burn one another even if we have no ill intentions.

(Such is the legacy of Fëanor.)

Thank you. (He sits at Fingon's side and grabs a brush, gently passing it through the dark strands.)

And you keep me warm.

{It's tempting to hate Fëanor, but in the end Fingon decides to continue to keep his fury for Morgoth and Sauron alone.

He throws a fond smile over his shoulder.}

I remember you teaching me how to braid ribbons into my hair.

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