(Open)

[castintoflames]

Who: Maedhros & Open
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: Yes! On S.S. Huntress.
When: Early on the 2nd.

(Video)

(Maedhros is breathing shakily, unevenly as he peers at his reflection in a mirror. He pushes away from the glass suddenly, knocking over various odds and ends (a hair brush and hair ties) in the process.)

What...happened...to me?

(He cannot bear to be in a closed room for any longer. In a panic, he hurries to the door, opening it to find...more of the same. This isn't right. This isn't right!)

(Action)

(The tall Elf will be found in the corridors of the Huntress, stumbling as he takes in the strange environment. The blood has completely left his face, leaving him as pale as a ghost.)

Can anyone...help? (Fear makes his voice sound young. At least, that seems to be the case. Why else would he sound like an Elfling?)

Atto? Ammë? Kano?!

Comments

[action]

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor is minding his own business until his brother calls, and then he's out the door and running, responding as he has always done, instinctively, to the very first voice that he knows, running straight into his brother's arms ]

Nelyo, Nelyo, be calm, I am here, what is wrong?

[ Except it's Maglor himself, isn't it, with scars on his hands, and madness in the depths of his eyes, fine silver at his temples and lines around his eyes ]

[action]

[castintoflames]

(Instinctively, he grabs onto Maglor, pulling him close; keeping him safe. This is his Kano. If he is here -

But then he sees the changes. There are signs of age and events far worse written on his brother's face. Frightened tears spring into his eyes and he staggers back.)

Why are we so different?! This is not Aman!

[action]

[bythewaves]

[ Maedhros' flinch calls an answering one from Maglor, pulling in and looking away, ashamed. ]

N-no... I... sorry I ... frightened you... I...

[action]

[castintoflames]

(His heart is pounding in his ears and he touches his face, fingers following a scar across his nose.)

Kano, what happened to us? My face...my hand! Y-Your hands...

[action]

[bythewaves]

[ Pull yourself together, Makalaure Curufin snaps at him and Maglor takes a deep breath, shoves his grief and panic into a little ball and makes an attempt to smile.

(He cannot help tucking his hands away, hiding them from sight) ]

Ssh, ssh. Don't panic, Nelyo. What's the last thing you remember?

[action]

[castintoflames]

We... We were on horseback with Atar. Y-You had to ride with me. (Because his little brother was so small! Now he is...much bigger! And changed...like himself.) I'm frightened.

[action]

[bythewaves]

[ So long ago, and Maglor has to gulp back the sudden surge of grief and anger because how dare Maedhros forget ]

Ssh, it's alright, it's alright, I promise. We... we're just older. That's all. You... you remember how we used to play at adventures? Well... we've... had them, that's all. You've just... forgotten for a bit.

[action]

[castintoflames]

(He seeks his brother's comfort, reaching out his hand - his only hand! - to pull Maglor closer.)

Older? Why don't I remember? (Tears well in his eyes, spilling over.) Where are we? I s-saw the stars...so close!

Re: [action]

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor curls his hand around Maedhros' in return, reaching to draw him close ]

I do not know. But this place... feel behind your ear - that bump? there is a machine of some sort there. It... can do strange things, at times. Including changing memories, it would appear.

[ He reaches up and strokes his brother's hair, trying to be comforting ]

I know. We sail in a ship amongst the stars, Nelyo.

[action]

[castintoflames]

(He does not resist, but instead tucks himself around Maglor, trying to even his breathing.)

It took my memories...? (The idea is frightening and though he is taller than ever - though somehow less vibrant - Maedhros feels vulnerable.) Has it hurt you?

(With a shuddering sigh, he leans into the hand in his hair.)

How could the Valar allow such? We are meant to keep our feet on the ground!

[action]

[bythewaves]

For a time, I suppose - I do not know how, or why. [ Maglor clings close, letting his brother feel that he is here ]

No. [ This, at least, he can reassure him of - nothing here has harmed him ]

And they are beautiful, are they not, this close? It will be alright, Nelyo.

[action]

[castintoflames]

(His fingers find the bump behind Maglor's ear, curious if it matches his own. It does indeed and there is some comfort in that; some stability.)

I have never seen them so close. Could we touch them? (Is that why their hands are scarred? His brow furrows and he reaches for one of Maglor's hands, nuzzling the palm.)

[action]

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor lets him without concern, allowing his brother the chance to ground himself ]

No - they look close, but they are still very far away, and far too large. [ His breath catches, but he let's his brother see ]

{Action}

[valiantfire]

{Fingon hears the plea and goes running, searching for his cousin. It's not that hard, once he gets to the corridors. Grandfather's safe, and not going to wake up just yet so he leaves him behind for now.}

Maitimo! All is well, cousin, trust me.

{Except it isn't, but he knows he needs to calm Maedhros down.}

{Action}

[castintoflames]

(There are shining tears in his eyes, ready to overflow. Though his features and build are that of an adult, there is something about his expression and the look in his eyes that screams Elfling.)

F-Finno? (His voice catches. Even this child - this babe - is grown! He shies away, overwhelmed.)

{Action}

[valiantfire]

{The innocence and youth in all Fingon sees slows his pace, understanding dawning and he smiles warmly. He opens his arms in invitation but otherwise forcing himself to stop and let Maedhros - Nelyafinwë come to him.}

It's me. I'm all grown, aren't I!

{Action}

[castintoflames]

(His complete lack of hesitation is so very child-like too. Maedhros tucks himself as best as he can into Fingon's arms, his shock and confusion making him tremble.)

Just like Kano. A-And me. I don't remember.

{Action}

[valiantfire]

{Fingon wraps him up in a tight embrace. Just because he's short doesn't mean he doesn't do his best to shelter his beloved cousin. He presses a kiss to Maedhros' forehead then leans their heads together.}

Try not to fret about it, we are safe here. And I am sure you will remember, just be patient.

{Action}

[castintoflames]

(Shorter he may be, but the comfort has him relaxing for the first time since he woke. Maedhros rests his chin on Fingon's shoulder, eyes half-closed.)

Why am I so scarred? Where did my hand go? (He frowns and gives his head a shake.) Kano's hands are scarred too. A-Are you - ?

(Gasping, he reaches for Fingon's hands, worried.)

{Action}

[valiantfire]

{Which is all that matters to Fingon. Sorrow touches his gaze before he shakes his head gently. He lets Maedhros look where he wills, grateful all but one of his scars are hidden by his robes. And the one that can be seen is so small, barely at the hairline to mark the killing blow.}

I am well, cousin! I promise! This ship is full of good people. {A switch in topic might help, so he hopes, and as he wiggles his fingers at his cousin to show unmarked fingers and palms, he grasps the best he can think of.} Are you hungry? I get to cook and bake for the people who live here!

{Action}

[castintoflames]

(He releases a sigh of relief, gently touching those wiggling fingers. Finno was not with us his mind supplies - for why else are his hand and Kano's hands scarred in the same way?)

The scars are old. Have we been on this...ship...for so long? (Slowly, but surely, he is constructing a timeline in his head. It is best he does not go further, however. His eyes brighten at the idea of food.) What can you do? I think... I am hungry.

{Action}

[valiantfire]

{Fingon hums softly, smile warm and bright. He leans his cheek against Maedhros' hand, silently showing he won't flinch from him. Then grins and clasps that hand to give it a tug. Distraction successful!}

It can be cold so I try to keep a warm stew going, and there are some cookies I baked last night! Come with me!

{Action}

[castintoflames]

(His cheeks flush at the affection and he smiles shyly. Finno may indeed be grown, but he has not lost any of his sweetness or charm.)

Cookies...? (He follows, eyes wide and curious.) What are cookies? I do not recall them in Aman.

{Action}

[valiantfire]

{Fingon isn't willing to answer those questions, and some of them he still doesn't know.

He laughs, coaxing his cousin to run with him to the kitchen.} They're sweet! I learned how to make them here, only a few weeks after I was brought here.

{Action}

[castintoflames]

(It doesn't take much coaxing! Maedhros is quick to follow Fingon, looking around the kitchen with interest.)

So you have become a cook? What else can you make?