(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

[bythewaves]

My brother flatters me. [ Maglor smiles at him fondly, glad that Maedhros is calmer, now ]

But there, shall we explore this place, since it is new to you?

[castintoflames]

I speak the truth only. (Maedhros nods slowly, cautiously.) How does this ship move, Kano? There is no wind, surely?

[bythewaves]

You are still terribly biased, my brother, and therefore your opinion is suspect. [ Maglor teases gently ]

There is, in fact. I am told there are "currents" of sorts even here in the emptiness of space, solar winds stirred by the heat and activity of the stars. But this ship has no sails - what she has are giant engines - think furnaces, but slaved to produce energy, rather than heat metal! - that propel us through space.

[castintoflames]

Suspect it all you like if that pleases you! That will not change it. (He wrinkles his nose stubbornly. The explanation intrigues him and makes him feel...strange.)

Who sees to these engines? What will become of us if they fail? (To be lost amongst the stars without sustenance is a terrifying notion.)

[bythewaves]

One day I will find a way for you to hear them, and then I think you will change your mind. [ Maglor laughs at him fondly ]

Well, our ... [ Captors, he almost says, only to refrain, not wanting to frighten his brother again ] ...hosts, for the most part! But we have an engineer, too, who sees to the small day to day maintenance of this ship.

[castintoflames]

(Maedhros gently covers one of Maglor's ears, tilting his head.) I like that you can hear them, Kano. I can see the joy they bring you and that is enough for me.

Do they show themselves? (He feels protective of his family despite his mental youth.) I should like to see how they work.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor carefully controls any inclination to flinch, leaning into his brother's hand affectionately ]

That is because you have a very kind heart.

Sometimes - not in person, but on the communicators. I suspect they are on a different ship. And we can go and look, if you like! Although I do not know much about them.

[castintoflames]

(Maedhros flushes and looks away, his thumb stroking over Maglor's hair and ear.)

Not as kind as yours.

(He glances back at him and nods, looking eager.) I cannot even envision such engines in my head. Seeing them would be enlightening.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor hums happily at the petting, Maedhros even now knowing how to settle him ]

I learnt it from you.

[ A soft chuckle ] Then we will start our tour there, shall we?

[castintoflames]

(His brother is too precious for words. He drops a kiss on top of that black hair.)

Please! (Reaching out a hand, he touches one of the corridor walls.) Such strange materials.

[bythewaves]

Metal, I believe, although they bond it with a covering. But I can still hear the steel singing.

[ Maglor smiles fondly at his brother, starting to lead his brother ]

[castintoflames]

The covering is...soft and pliable. (Maedhros knocks his knuckles against the wall, intrigued. But he is quick to follow Maglor, keeping close. He doesn't wish to be alone again.)

How old are you, Kano?

[bythewaves]

So that we do not harm ourselves I suppose.

[ he smiles to hide the flinch and his voice is light ]

Older than you - I suppose I can call you brat, now.

[castintoflames]

I should like to know how to make it.

(He tilts his bright head, eyes wide.)

How - ? (But his natural empathy ends that question before it begins.) I love you, Kano; do you know?

[bythewaves]

We can always ask - there might be someone around who knows?

[ Maglor smiles at him fondly ]

I know, Nelyo. I love you too.

[castintoflames]

It isn't important.

(He isn't certain about meeting strangers and that shows.)

I like how your hair has changed.

[bythewaves]

They won't harm you, Nelyo. [ Maglor's eyes gentle at his brother's worry ]

They are mostly Secondborn here. Humans, they call themselves, although there are folk here also of other races. They are good people, for the most part.

[ He shrugs shyly, reaching up to muss the silver and hide them better self-consciously ]

It's... nothing special.

[castintoflames]

They would not be able to harm me! (He sounds innocent; painfully so, his ears burning.)

If they are your friends, they are mine. (Frowning, he reaches out to undo Maglor's mussing. He twines some silver strands around his finger, admiring how they shine.)

...pure silver.

[bythewaves]

[ It hurts to hear Maedhros like this, but Maglor only smiles at him, hiding everything ]

I will not let anyone harm you. [ He promises, and ducks a little, shyly, under his brother's hand ]

White!

[castintoflames]

(He laughs and kisses the side of Maglor's head.)

My Kano is going to protect me? I would like to see that!

(His eyes sparkle.)

Forgive me!

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor turns, and clings, just briefly, and there is something full of dark promise in his voice, for he cannot help this much ]

I will not let anyone else hurt you again.

[castintoflames]

(Again? Again. Maedhros says the word in his mind, testing Maglor's inflection.)

Who hurt me? (A shiver slides down his spine and he looks a little lost.) I would fight them if they tried.

[bythewaves]

No one you need worry about. [ Maglor says softly, curling close to his brother ]

It's alright Nelyo. Don't think about it. Let it be - some things you are better not knowing.

[castintoflames]

(He touches Maglor's cheek lightly with his left hand, his frown not lessening.)

I trust you, Kano; you know that. But I feel your pain. I wish I could take it away.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor leans into the hand and smiles at his brother, old and sad and tired ]

You help, Nelyo. Truly you do. But do this for me and do not look too far ahead?