video/action

[faithfulwisdom]

Video

[As we all know, Atroma adores catching the “real life” moments of its contestants. That’s really the only explanation for why there’s video footage of a sleeping man on the network.

More specifically, a sleeping version of your resident elven prince, looking not-so-princely. It turns out that all those flowing golden locks make for some magnificent bed hair when you’ve been suspended in cryosleep for a few weeks.

But, lo! Sleeping Beauty stirs! Finrod groans and sits up, blinking his way to wakefulness and running his hand through that mane of golden hair. Then he turns, picks up his communicator, and looks at the date.

There’s a loud exclamation of surprise given in Quenya, followed by:] Weeks!

[Yeah, you…might want to let him know he’s being recorded.]

Later in the Week/Action for a Casino waystation

[Having cleaned up considerably and had time to explore the waystations (and the planet, but that’s another story) a bit, Finrod looks much more himself. He’s even indulged in a bit of gambling and had some luck at it.

He inserts his voucher into the prize the machine, not really expecting anything substantial. His eyebrows raise immediately when the glimmer of gold comes from machine- and his jaw practically drops when he reaches down and discovers just what he has been given.

A necklace. But not just any necklace- a gift he was given by the dwarves, crafted of gold and jewels. A beautiful, ostentatious, weighty thing- and he is glad to have it back in his hands. With a smile, he clasps it around his neck. It’s a fair bet that he’s not going to be taking it off any time soon.]

Comments

Re: video;

[peacockherald]

Admittedly, I do so myself on the ships. It is hard to tell day and night when there is no sun to set or rise. But I think it is still morning, yes.

[faithfulwisdom]

Then, by all means, wish me good morning. [A second look at the screen.] Forgive me, but we have not met before, have we?

[peacockherald]

I do not believe so.

I am Vanyel Ashkevron, of Valdemar, and more recently of Paradisa, and now of the Tourist.

_{[ There's a pause, waiting to see if any of those ring a bell for Finrod. ]}

[faithfulwisdom]

Well met, Master Ashkevron. I am Finrod Felagund, lord of Nargothrond.

You are not the first I have seen mention this 'Paradisa.' Residents seem to be popular with Atroma.

[peacockherald]

Hah, yes, I have come to see that as well. A number of my companions are scattered throughout the ships. I cannot say why my former home is so popular, but I cannot complain of the results. It has made the adjustment much easier.

And my experience also makes your long sleep not so odd. I once slept for a month in a glass coffin in Paradisa.

[faithfulwisdom]

Well, I am glad that you have not had too much difficulty becoming accustomed to this place. Arriving here is quite a shock; I imagine having a familiar face or two might ease things.

But... a glass coffin? That is a touch morbid, is it not?

[peacockherald]

Indeed. I have never.... the idea of moving through stars, it is nothing I would have ever dreamed of.

A touch, though I was told later it might have been taken from an Earth fairy tale about a princess. Paradisa seemed to have a particular like for that world.

[faithfulwisdom]

Nor I. I would have thought it beyond all save the Valar and Maiar.

Strange how these places seem to have preferences. One wonders if there is a meaning to it.

[peacockherald]

I've asked that question more than you know. Perhaps it is simply because it seems to be a commonality between many of the people's here - which is also curios.

Do you hail from an Earth?

[faithfulwisdom]

[He shakes his head.] My world is called Arda- or 'Middle Earth' by some.

[peacockherald]

"Middle Earth"? That sounds familiar... I believe a little fellow named Bilbo hailed from there, and a lady called Galadriel.

[faithfulwisdom]

Truly? Galadriel? Absurdly tall with long golden hair?

[peacockherald]

I wouldn't say absurdly tall, though she did have lovely golden hair yes. I didn't speak overmuch with her, but she was pleasant the few times I did.

[faithfulwisdom]

She is my younger sister! I know you said you did not speak often, but how did she seem? Was she well, considering the circumstances?

[peacockherald]

Oh yes, quite well. No one was ever in poor condition at Paradisa - at least, when we were not being subjected to some world change or another. I hope she made it home, unlike myself and some others.

Though the chances of meeting her brother here - fate is amusing itself still.

[faithfulwisdom]

If any could, she would- through sheer force of will alone.

[A fond smile plays about his face.] But I am relieved to hear that she was well when last you knew. Thank you for telling me.

[peacockherald]

Of course. I am glad for it to be good news, as it happens. It is always much more uncomfortable to deliver the bad.

I don't recall her mentioning a brother, but well met all the same. If I might ask - how long have you been aboard your ship?

[faithfulwisdom]

[There is a reason she would not mention him, he thinks. But there's no reason to drag the conversation down to such depressing depths.]

Oh, it has been long enough to have some notion of how this place works- nigh half a year now. I have been aboard this particular ship only a few months; they had need of a communications officer and I obliged.

[peacockherald]

Half a year... so our stays here are not as short as I had hoped. Or at least some people's aren't. But if you are her sibling, that would make you an elf then, correct? Do you have magic as she did?

[faithfulwisdom]

I am an elf, yes- and I do have some gifts of my own. But they are, by and large, of a different nature than those my sister possesses, though there are some similarities.

[peacockherald]

If it is not to invasive a question, I would be interested in learning of the differences.

[faithfulwisdom]

It is not invasive at all. My sister's greatest skills have always been in foresight and what my people call sanwe-latya- 'thought-opening.' Communication from one mind to another and all that that may entail. Many of our people have this gift to a small degree- I do myself- but she is extraordinarily gifted. As I have said, she is my younger sister- the youngest of my siblings- and she is powerful already. One day, I have no doubt, she will be a force to be reckoned with. ...But do not tell her I have said so, if you should encounter her again. Her ego needs no encouragement.

I, on the other hand, am admittedly less dedicated to my gifts. I practice primarily illusion; I may make myself appear other than I- a useful tactic to avoid enemies. I also have some skill in sanwe-latya, as I said, and have made use of songs of power- music which harnesses the 'magic' which exists in the world around us and puts it to use.

[peacockherald]

_{[ He chuckled at the first warning, suspecting he might have met an older version of her, as collected and beautiful as the lady had been. ]}

Ah, I have similar gifts, though my people call in Mind Speaking. I am not very good at Projecting though - Illusion, as you put it. It is one of my weaker Gifts by far. Songs of Power sounds something like my Bardic Gift.

_{[ He chuckled. ]}

Interesting how magic seems to run the same courses through worlds.

[faithfulwisdom]

Interesting, but perhaps not altogether surprising, given the other commonalities that we have seen between worlds here.

[peacockherald]

True, but then there are some magics by far and away so foreign as to boggle the mind. Have you met my friend, Felix? I believe he was attempting to bring together those of us with magic so we might discuss such things.