[Video; UN: gentlebreeze]

[gentledawn]

Is a...ah...second animal...possible? [He was once enchanted with bunny ears and a fluffy tail. Now he is...different. White feathers are intermixed with his hair and there is a black discoloration - like a blindfold - around his eyes.

He bows his head and directs the camera towards his arms, which are decorated with more white feathers.]

I am...a heron? A swan? I think the latter. [Such a romantic animal! Turning his head bashfully, he smooths the feathers down under the sleeves of his robe.] Perhaps I should go for a swim?

Comments

[bythewaves]

Ah... [ Maglor grimaces, acknowledging that yes, he's very definitely going to hate it here ]

You are unharmed? No pain?

[gentledawn]

[Maglor.] Unless you... [This is difficult.] ...are intimate...you are not in danger.

[Yay?]

The pain comes if I try to become...the true animal.

[bythewaves]

[ TWITCH ]

Ah... then, I hope that it remains as superficial, only.

[gentledawn]

My mind and soul remains my own, yes.

[bythewaves]

[ He relaxes a bit at that ]

That is well. I am glad that you are... mostly unharmed, Xingchen.Do you need any assistance?

[gentledawn]

[He brightens at the offer.]

What do you know of swans? I was a rabbit before and this is...a change.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor makes a face ]

That they are dangerous?

[gentledawn]

[Dangerous? Really?]

...their beaks?

[bythewaves]

[ SHUDDER - also yes, he is absolutely playing this up, but the memories are TRAUMATIC okay, even if Aunt Earwen thought it was hilarious ]

Oh yes, their beaks, and their wings. They can break bones, if they hit you. And they chase.

[gentledawn]

[All of this new information leaves poor Xingchen blinking in shock. How awful!]

I would never be so vicious! Did they break your bones, my friend?

[bythewaves]

Not mine. [ He shakes his head ] Although I had bruises for weeks! I had to miss my performance as I could not hide the black eye... Ai, but poor Findekano had a finger broken.

[ To be fair, they probably deserved it for creeping through the gardens during hatching season, but also the Palace Swans are vicious, nasty animals, and Maglor stands by that ]

[gentledawn]

[Now he feels terrible! Tucking his feathers up the sleeves of his robes, he tries to think of the right thing to say. Should he apologize?]

I don't know swans well enough. I assumed they were like herons. They look so graceful and...they mate for life, don't they?

[bythewaves]

They are very graceful. When they are not angry with you. [ He says wryly ]

Yes, they do. My Aunt Earwen kept some in the Palace gardens - a bride-gift from her family in Alqualonde, so that she might keep some of her childhood home with her in Tirion.

[gentledawn]

I'm not angry with you. [If...his friend needs reassurance?]

She must have enjoyed watching them. What was Tirion like? [A place with sparkling water, he thinks.] And a palace! You paint a pretty picture.

[bythewaves]

I am glad!

[ Maglor hums wistfully, eyes distant ]

Tirion... mm, it was a great city, the houses usually made of pale stone and the streets with diamond dust. Every craft had it's own place, with seven levels, spreading down the green hill of Tuna onto the plains below, with grandfather's palace at the top. We were at peace, so the walls were decorative, then, built with white marble and decorated with many precious stones. At the heart of the palace, Grandfather built a tall tower, and the light at it's topmost point could be seen from miles around. The gardens were vast and left wild in parts as well as carefully curated in others, with great manicured hedges and many fountains that all sang together.

[gentledawn]

[Xingchen closes his eyes and tries his very best to imagine such opulence, but he fails. Men have never seen such wonders! Every road he has taken has been dusty, rocky or covered in grass. And he honestly can't recall ever seeing diamonds or other precious gems! Why would he? He is a simple, humble man.]

You come from paradise.

Except for the swans. [He concedes with a small smile.]

Xingchen should ask Mags to Sing for him =p

[bythewaves]

Yes. [ He says, very wistfully ]

We didn't realise it, when we were young. And Middle-earth was beautiful too, of course, in it's own wild way. But Aman was truly Blessed.

[ He laughs ]

Even the swans, I suppose!

And he would melt into the floor.

[gentledawn]

[To come from paradise...and to lose it. That is what Xingchen imagines happened and it makes his heart sore.]

Some of that blessing surely remains with you. I have never known someone so tall nor...

Your voice. It's special.

but pretty music~ /tempts (as long as Xingchen doesn't ask for the Noldolante LOL)

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor laughs softly and shakes his head, wry ]

Not I, my friend. I am Exile and there is no blessing left for me. And thank you for the compliment! I trained long and long to get as good as I am, and it soothes my pride to know that others still think it fair.

He wouldn't know about it, so they're safe. ;u;

[gentledawn]

That's right, you are a bard. [Xingchen clearly wrestles with himself over his next request.] Would you sing for me? I have never heard a fully trained Elven bard.

[He also doesn't agree with Maglor having no blessings. But he won't argue.]

fortunately~

[bythewaves]

I can, yes. [ He tips his head and smiles encouragingly ]

I can even try and Sing for you - Men can usually hear me, and you've said you're particularly sensitive. Is there anything you want to See?

[gentledawn]

[He doesn't know the difference, but based on what Maglor says...]

You speak of visions? Can you show me Tirion?

[bythewaves]

Mm, more-or-less.

[ He nods ]

Easily, yes! Do you want to meet in person? I don't know how these devices might affect things.

[gentledawn]

I would be honored to see you again. [And he won't come empty-handed.] Where are you staying?

[bythewaves]

I am staying with [ my fosterling, my son, my ... ] Lord Elrond - but why don't we meet somewhere in between?