asgardcoda | MINGLE LOG: WEEK ONE

Entry tags:

!mingle,
!week one

MINGLE LOG: WEEK ONE

Who: Everyone!
What: The MINGLE LOG for Week One of the Asgard Eventide Reunion!
When: March 1-7
Where: Anywhere in town!
Rating: PG-13 tops! Anything higher than that should be taken to a private log, please.

[ OOC NOTES: Whether you're making a return to the city or this is your first time setting foot into Asgard, the gods and Natives alike sure are happy to see you. This is a catch-all mingle log for Week One! Please check HERE for a run-down on what's cookin' this week. You can feel free to make your own headers, create your own events, or post your own logs elsewhere as you please. Please put [OPEN/CLOSED] along with the time/location of your character in the title of your comment.

As a note: we were super fortunate to have a few of our old NPC handlers volunteer to pick up their old Gods for the reunion! We currently have Hel, Heimdall, Baldr, Thor, Freyr, Mimir, Honir, Asgard!Loki, and also Frigg available for threading. If you'd like to request an appearance from one of these kids, please say so in the title of your comment. Some of us may make our own top-level as well, so be on the lookout for that! A million thanks to our NPC team for being so fantastic, we love and appreciate you so much.

Don't forget to check out the IC Inbox Mingle and the Network Post Mingle in the network comm! Let us know if you have any questions! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

His entire form hunches and it is only thanks to his keen vision that he doesn't lash out. Maglor is one of the few who can touch him. The rest are dead or living lives independent from him.

Even so, he has to force himself to breathe. Relax. Calm. The muscles in his back begin to release their tight hold and he reaches for his brother, fingers outstretched to touch Maglor's chest.

"I've never been here before." which is bad enough except...

"You seem different too."

Maglor stands very still and lets Maedhros set the pace, lets his brother touch carefully rather than cling to him tightly.

"No, I imagine you have not." Maglor agrees gently, keeping the low soothing tones he knows settles his brother, and wishing for the ability to wind comfort in them the way he could before.

"And I suppose I might - I have been here for a while." Long enough to fill a full, very mortal life the first time, and a few days already this time.

This dark Elf - his last brother - is his final tether to the world. Maedhros often wonders if Maglor would be better off if he did not have him weighing him down. His brother has such skill - such beauty - left within him while he feels like a dried out husk.

"How can that be? I remember... I know where you go." his mind has not failed him that much. Long, pale fingers curl into the fabric covering Maglor's chest and there is a little tug.

Perhaps an embrace would not be so bad.

Maglor comes willingly when Maedhros tugs, arms gently coming up to rest on his brother's arms, and sliding around into a hug if allowed.

"Mm, and I went there." Maglor hums gently. "But time is fluid, brother-mine, as a good friend taught me. The river stopped for me in a different place than for you."

The embrace, in all likelihood, isn't comfortable. Maedhros is covered in armor and the metal is unforgiving and cold. But his hand rests against the back of Maglor's head nonetheless.

"If it weren't for the fact that I do not sleep..." and not wholly because Elves do not need it, "...I would say I am dreaming."

Even if this is a dream, his brother has a story to tell; a story he wishes to hear.

"Tell me?"

Maedhros could be covered in spikes, and as far as Maglor is concerned it would still be comfortable, simply because it is his brother's arms. He leans against the armor and traces the once fine designs.

"You are not, but if it eases you to think so, I will not protest."

He teases gently and nods, pulling back slightly to tug and coax him.

"Will you come and sit with me? I know where we can find a place to eat and drink and talk in comfort."

Kindness is one of the few traits that gets through to him like no other. Maglor knows how to soothe and guide him to the truth. This isn't a dream; this is reality. But what has caused reality to shift so drastically?

He shakes his head and takes his brother's hand, silently agreeing to follow. As long as Maglor is safe and there is no Silmaril present, he is content.

"Yes." Maedhros needs to sit and let the new world surround him. He feels far too detached from it.

"Is it possible for other worlds to exist?"

"It is - many, many worlds, Nelyo."

A moment's consideration and Maglor tugs him in the direction of the tavern where he used to work, tucking them both into a little window booth so Maedhros can look out.

"Welcome to Asgard - one of the worlds that straddles many."

The seat is put to good use almost immediately. He shifts until he is comfortable, his brow furrowing. Many, many worlds?

"The Valar...?" he keeps his voice low just in case they could be overheard, "Who rules Asgard?"

They have not endeared themselves to the Valar. Must they run and hide in this place too?

"I do not know." Maglor says practically. "But the powers here - they call themselves the Gods of Asgard, and they are sometimes kind and sometimes cruel, but mostly they mean well, although there was a war here, not that long ago. They are very like the Valar, I deem, in both power and nature. But you are safe here, Nelyo. I will not let anyone hurt you."

Gods... Valar... They have the same ring to them and Maedhros stiffens, his hand clenching until his knuckles are white on the table.

"Why was the war fought?" his eyes take in Maglor, searching for old or new injuries, "Did you participate?"

Lips twisting, he glances down at himself. Between the two of them, he is the one who looks most prepared for battle - though his missing right hand makes matters complicated.

"I should be telling you that."

Edited 2016-03-02 07:24 (UTC)

Maglor reaches across and runs his fingers soothingly over that fist, coaxing his brother to relax. He himself looks well - much better than the last time Maedhros saw him - neat and tidy, if a little (almost) mortal in his mannerisms and dress, content and at peace.

"I did." He says simply, and leaves off that he died once and came near it a second time - would have, if not for Elrond. "For the oldest reason of all - survival. Asgard functions on a cycle of death and rebirth, and one here sought to usurp that - to destroy the world tree at the heart of the world and break the cycle, causing only destruction. They called us here to fight - and I could not refuse them." He begs Maedhros to understand with his eyes.

"How could I stand by and watch? I hate war, Nelyo - you know that. But I am good at it."

"We won." He coaxes Maedhros' hand to open so he can clasp his brother's hand, thankful that he used his less scarred left. "And now we are favoured visitors here."

His voice is quietly fierce as he promises. "It does not matter - you are my brother. I have always been your shield, and I would do anything for you." Had done, as they both knew.

Maglor's calloused fingers cannot be copied. Maedhros knows them as well as his own - maybe better. His brother's hands are gentle and comforting, gifted in easing pain and bringing forth beautiful music. He is not strong enough to resist what they give so freely.

One by one, his fingers extend and his hand turns, holding but not confining Maglor's hand.

"Like Morgoth." he can see the similarities without aid. His hand twitches and he swallows against his rising anxiety. One Morgoth is bad, but two or more?

"We are both good at it." and that isn't a source of pride. Maedhros thinks war is about the only thing he can do anymore.

"The one responsible was...vanquished?" the hope in his voice quakes and his blue eyes are over-bright, "I want you to be Maglor; not my shield."

"Yes." Maglor agrees quietly. "The pattern repeats - some stories, it seems, are the same in every world."

"Too good, at times." Maglor nods quietly. "But yes - she is vanquished. Reborn by now, I should imagine, the way Asgard cycles - but reborn normal and not twisted, I should hope."

He lifts his brother's hand to press a kiss on his knuckles.

"I am whatever you need me to be, Nelyo. Always."

"Evil is not creative." it never has been and perhaps there is comfort in that, "We have had too much practice."

Maedhros looks unconvinced and he purses his lips.

"What is her name? She needs to be watched." and, of course, he is ready to take that duty on his shoulders.

Especially if it gives Maglor freedom. His features soften and leans forward, voice gentle:

"Are you happier?"

"No, and that was always what saved us, eh?" Maglor nods.

"Thiazi, Queen of the Ice Giants. Of course, she may not be, yet - I do not know how fast the cycle turns, here."

Maglor nods.

"I am, I promise - Asgard has given me much, brother."

"It was either that or the most foolish of luck..." Maedhros glances around, wary of anyone in relative proximity, "I pray it turns very slowly. She could use a long rest."

To contemplate the fact that she put his brother in danger.

"What has it given you?" his gaze returns to Maglor, "Something untouchable... Peace? But what else?"

"Ssh." Maglor tugs his hand again, drawing Maedhros' attention back to himself.

"Rest easy, Nelyo. Asgard is at peace now - there is no danger here."

Save that which you bring yourself whispers memory.

"You do not have to worry - we are both safe, I promise."

... Oh. Shit. He never thought he'd have to explain... Maglor pales and then blushes.

"I... um. I ... sortaadoptedamortalgirlasasister? Also I have two fosterlings here."

He blinks and returns to reality. It is so easy to become mired in the past; to expect the worst of everyone.

"No world is without danger." not with him - them? - present, at least, "Kano...?"

Even for him, it is a strain to catch that string of words. Once he discovers the meaning, his eyes widen:

"How does one adopt a sister?" a daughter, yes, but a sister? "Who are they? What are they like?"

Should he stay away from them?

"Well we..." Maglor wrings his hands a little in embarrassment "sort of... adopted each other? You'll like Riley." Probably. He hopes. "She's... a bit like Aredhel, you remember? Very bold and independent and bright. And my two little ones are Alice and Kevin."

Yes all mortals. "Alice is an adult, in truth, and Kevin has recently come of age. But they ... they needed someone. So... please don't be upset..."

"Riley." he tries her name, biting the inside of his cheek, "I remember." he has never forgotten anyone. If Maglor knew how tightly Maedhros clings to his memories, he might be afraid...or ashamed.

"Why them?" it isn't a choice they make lightly - if at all, "Will you feel forced to give them up?"

Like before?

His brother's pain is what upsets him - not the identity of the fosters.

"I... if you want me to..." Please don't want him to.

"But they... both of them had been so hurt, Nelyo. Kevin by the woman who his father married to replace his mother, used and abused as if her were no more than a useful toy. And Alice lost everything in a fire that she later learnt was set by the man who styled himself her healer. And ... I do not know what they saw in me, but we... found comfort in each other. I love them, Nelyo."

They are mortal, and he will have to give them up to death in the end. But of course, Maglor meant to follow them - he does not know if Maedhros realises that they are in mortal bodies, here.

"And Riley... " a fond smile. "Riley takes orders from no one. She says what she wants and does as she pleases. She lives life as if each day is her last, for in her own world she knows she is doomed to death. She does not care for rank or reputation, only how you treat her and those she loves. I do not know what she saw in me, but... she would tease me and challenge me and... it seemed natural, to call her sister, after a while."

"Kano." his voice is harder than he means it to be, but how can Maglor think him so cruel? So thoughtless?

"We do not give up family." even if they are sent away, they are not abandoned, "I worry for you. Mortals suffer - maybe more than Elves - and then they die. You will not follow them." but there is something he feels he isn't being told.

As far as recklessness goes, he is more prone to it than Maglor. Why, then, had he allowed himself to bond and love?

"I want to meet them; to know them. I only wish to protect your heart, toron." his eyes are the shade of the summer sky and he squeezes his brother's hand, "Shield me where you can and I will shield you where I can."

Maglor flinches and drops his eyes, but he relaxes too, knowing that Maedhros will not ask it of him.

"I know. But they are so young, Nelyo. And it... will not be the first time I lose someone I love to death." And Maglor has lost so very many. He carefully says nothing about the order not to follow.

"Alright." He agrees easily. "I used to have a house here - it must be abandoned, by now - but Alice and Kevin both will retreat there if they feel overwhelmed. That is the easiest way to find them, or I can call for them - the bracelets we wear serve as communication devices also. Riley will come if I cook - she has an instinct for knowing when I make honeycakes."

"Most do not seek relationships knowing that end." even if it is inevitable for their kind. Maedhros brings Maglor's hand to his cheek, closing his eyes.

"I love you, Kano. I am not the best for you - or for anyone - but I do love..." and that makes everything chaotic in his mind and heart. Love should never be a burden, yet can it be anything else coming from him?

"They sound like children." he smiles faintly, shakily, recalling Elrond and Elros - as well as all the siblings who came before, "We should make honey-cakes immediately."

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