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

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."

Maglor's fingers curl in a fond caress in answer.

"I know. I love you too, Nelyo. And do not put yourself down so - I could have no finer brother than you."

"They often behave so." Maglor says wryly. "They have both been too long alone - ah, but the fights they had until they learnt to work together! And Riley, for all that she is old before her time, is by age also only just of age for mortals."

"You could throw a stone and find a finer brother; do not lie." Maedhros is flushed despite his arguing. He has never been particularly adept at hiding his emotions - especially from kin.

"Many children learn about the world...aggressively." his lips quirk and he tilts his head, copper strands ghosting over his cheek, "It is a parent's duty to keep such conflicts from becoming detrimental to their child's future. I take it you have become...Papa, again? Or is it Nana this time?"

Oh he has to tease.

"Untrue" Maglor denies him fiercly. "What other brother has ever given up so much for his undeserving brothers? I would have followed you into the fire, Nelyo - I love you."

And then he says that.

Maglor blushes red again.

"Nelyo!" he all but wails.

"Undeserving?" he looks genuinely confused, "How were any of you ever undeserving?"

They were - and are - his precious little brothers. Each one a joy; each one different. Any older brother who wouldn't give them everything doesn't understand the blessing he has been given.

"You -" so he knows of the fire. He has not been spared.

"I don't want you to." he loves him too much to see him pass from the world like that. And his feelings only increase at that outcry!

"Nana it is! No wonder they come running when you cook."

"I am not." Maglor protests sulkily, but he is pleased that Maedhros can find it in him to tease like that - it means he might be able to save his brother yet.

"Are we not?" He turns the question back. "I left you on Thangorodrim, I failed to hold the Gap. Celegorm and Curufin betrayed all honor by holding Doriath's princess for ransom. Caranthir argued against you when you counselled patience before the attack on Doriath. None of us deserve the loyalty you gave us Nelyo, excepting maybe the Ambarussa."

"You shouldn't be ashamed, Kano." Maedhros gives a tired smile. Joy - no matter how fleeting - seems just out of his reach. Even so, it does his heart and soul good to see Maglor so animated.

However as the topic shifts, his smile disappears and is replaced with a harder look.

"I prepared myself to die on the Thangorodrim. I did not expect rescue." he begins to frown, "The Gap might well have been impossible for any to hold. I have only asked for you to do your best, Makalaurë; not perform miracles." as for Celegorm and Curufin, "They were young and desperate for victory. The Oath did them no favors and our family was already splitting at the seams. I should have seen the signs before they were close enough to take her." but he was always, always so busy, "Caranthir too was young. I do not blame him for wanting...a conclusion."

When he looks at his brothers, he sees children who need to be protected.

"You are wrong. You all deserve it. Each mistake - each bad decision - was a call for help, Kano."

"Then if we did so also did you, for never once did you accuse us or turn us away."

So there. HAH.

"There are better ways for a family to spend their time." Maedhros tweaks Maglor's nose, "We were doomed to make the world our enemy. We needed each other."

"Nelyooooo" Maglor whines at him playfully for the tweak, but nods.

"Maybe - but we are family. Always. Don't ever think you did not deserve our love."

"I only wish I had been born with far more wisdom at my disposal." Maedhros is only partially teasing, which is why his smile doesn't reach his eyes, "I am glad to have you."

Maglor shakes his head in denial again.

"You had plenty of wisdom, Nelyo. Whatever sins we accomplished, and I know the burden is heavy indeed, this also I have seen - that things might well have been worse, if not for your will and actions. Tis not your fault we had an unwinnable battle at our feet."

Maedhros leans across the table and kisses Maglor's forehead.

"What have you seen? How much time has passed for you?" his stomach sinks and he pales, "The fire finds me, doesn't it."

So be it. He expects it. But what happens after? What of his last brother?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject