Just Keeping Swimming | March Planet Mingle

[thespaceopera]

Who: Everyone!
Broadcast: If you want!
Action: Anywhere on Mafik
When: The month of March



[Welcome to Mafik, the water world! Hope you brought your best swimming gear and don't have a paralyzing fear of water, because that's all that's here! So get out those wet suits and enjoy life under the sea!

In other words, it's a mingle! ]

> System Information

Comments

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor leans into his brother, drawing from his brother's strength, and trying not to feel guilty for using him so ]

As I trust you. I pray that they will not be so foolish.

[castintoflames]

(He is happy to provide. He takes pride in giving strength to his family; as the first son, he considers that his duty. But it's also his joy. Maedhros has never been the sort who is comfortable being guarded.)

We must be certain with our own eyes.

[bythewaves]

I suppose we should be.

[ Maglor sighs and shivers ] What... if it is? We... cannot touch them.

[castintoflames]

The weapons I know of now might serve us well. (He looks pensive, hiding his tension at the thought for Maglor's sake.)

[bythewaves]

I do not know. [ Maglor says doubtfully, pressing close for the comfort ]

It took the fires at the heart of the world, the last time, and I ... I couldn't... w-watch... I ... d-don't even know if... if... [ If it was destroyed as you burnt ]

[castintoflames]

(The proximity wakes him from his doubtful thoughts. Maedhros tucks Maglor close, stroking over his hair in calm motions.)

Shhh... (He cannot say if the fires at Arda's core destroyed it either, but he hopes he at least put it somewhere no other could journey.) Space is vast and if we must, I say we set them free within it and leave them behind in our ships.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor shudders, burying his face in his brother's shoulder, but if he weeps it is silent ]

It will call us, though. I could... still hear. It's why I ... couldn't... leave the sea.

[castintoflames]

Can you hear my Song? The Song of our grandfather? The Song of the Stars? Let them overwhelm the Silmarils. Let them drown them out.

(He hums soothingly, cradling the back of his brother's head. If he feels tears wetting his shoulder, he says nothing about it.)

[bythewaves]

Mm.

[ Maglor nods jerkily, refusing to move from his spot clinging to Maedhros ]

Thank you, Nelyo.

[castintoflames]

(He is happy to hold him and to feel the arms around him too. It amazes him how Maglor has carried on; he has outlasted all of them and that is such a cruelty and a wonder.)

I know you're not used to hearing them anymore, but we're with you.

[bythewaves]

It's... hard.

[ Maglor agrees quietly ]

I keep... thinking I am dreaming. And the songs here are so loud...

[castintoflames]

You're not dreaming. (He kisses Maglor's brow and tucks him close.) We have returned to you and our songs are growing stronger.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor nods, pressing close to Maedhros so he can listen to his heart beat ]

Don't... leave me again.

[castintoflames]

(He rocks them soothingly, his heart beating steadily.)

I will not according to my will.

[bythewaves]

[ A sniffle and Maglor nods, accepting ]

Alright.

[castintoflames]

(He rises and holds out his hand.)

Come, now. We have a temple to explore.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor blinks up at him and then smiles, bright and brilliant, accepting his brother's hand ]

Just the two of us?

[castintoflames]

Yes. Just us. (He blushes at the sight of that happy smile, tugging Maglor to his feet.) Do you think we can manage it?

[bythewaves]

I know we can. [ Maglor says staunchly ]

We can do anything, so long as we are together.

[castintoflames]

I agree. (He squeezes Maglor's hand and leads the way into the temple.) The beliefs of this world are not wholly different from our own. They are at least elemental of nature.

[bythewaves]

Mm - the songs are different here, but they are still familiar.

[ Maglor follows him easily, pausing at the entrance ]

They say it is full of traps and puzzles, brother! I hope you are ready to think hard!

[castintoflames]

Why do you think I keep you around? Yours is the intellect that will rescue us!

(No pressure or anything.)

Leave the traps to me.

[bythewaves]

You place high expectations on me, brother!

[ Maglor shoves at him fondly and then drifts inside ]

You are lucky I cheat. This way - the currents say there is danger in the other two corridors.

[castintoflames]

Yes, I do. I know you will not disappoint me.

(He ruffles the dark hair in revenge.)

Shhh do not tell the temple you cheat! It might take offense.

(Nodding, he brings out a blade; carrying guns in the water seemed like a problem.)

[bythewaves]

Then it shouldn't sing to me.

[ Maglor says cheerfully.

In the temple, there is no maze that can trap him, for he follows the songs of the currents unerringly down the right paths. But listening closely enough to lead them both leaves him vulnerable in other ways - he is all but blind to approaching danger until it is too close ]