(Text; UN: aloof)

[mourningjade]

Shameless.

(This Lan has passed judgment on you, Jikan. Now await your punishment.)

My arm would seize before I could give enough lashes.

(Actually it would fall off. Even with his endurance!)

Comments

[bythewaves]

[ That depends on if Fingon runs into Feanor... ]

That is well. Sometimes, it is easier to ignore things that disturb oneself.

[ He tips his head curiously ]

You... have the look of one that I have met. Do you know a Lan Xichen?

[mourningjade]

(Elves! Don't make Wangji pull out Bichen.)

Ignoring them fully is tantamount to giving assent. I have had my say.

(So he doesn't assent.)

He is my elder brother. I am Lan Wangji.

[bythewaves]

[ somehow, Maglor doesn't think either cousin or uncle would even notice ... ]

Perhaps. [ He hums ] But they are adults, no? Their choices are their own.

Ah!

[ His eyes light up when he smiles ]

He mentioned he had kin here. That is well - I am glad that brothers may be together.

[ Hopefully, one of them does not decide to go volcano diving ]

[mourningjade]

(Likely not, but Wangji would be upset again. Have pity on the poor man!)

Adults too can make poor decisions. (And they shouldn't be accepted without punishment, surely - ?

Wangji bows his head - since a full proper bow isn't possible on this device.)

He is dear to me. If you count him as a friend, you have my loyalty too.

[bythewaves]

[ Sssh don't look at the First Age Elves having Family Issues ]

Even so, but those choices, and the consequences thereof, are theirs to accept.

[ He hums ]

I met him but the once, but he seemed very kind. He invited me to visit, some time.

[mourningjade]

(But it's so...energetic. And potentially violent!)

There is no order.

(That is said...with an audible...pout.)

You should. My brother makes excellent tea.

[bythewaves]

[ Such is life in the house of Finwe~ ]

Perhaps, or perhaps the order present is not one that you are familiar with? [ aw, this human is young! ]

I will have to accept such a gracious invitation then, especially if it comes with familiar company - will you be there as well?

[mourningjade]

(Are food fights common?)

... (He clearly considers that possibility before shaking his head slowly.) I don't recognize any order.

Have you determined one exists?

(Wangji is young.)

Would you like my company?

[bythewaves]

[ When they were younger, yes... they're all supposed to be adults now ...

absolutely yes, when Celegorm is involved ]

I have not, but that does not mean there is not one. [ He smiles wryly ]

What do I know of the habits of Men? And besides that, I have not been here long - neither as my kin would count it, nor yours! There may yet be nuances I have not understood.

[ the smile firms ]

I would, yes, if you would mind not giving it.

[mourningjade]

(Adulthood doesn't mean maturity. Celegorm, food is for eating. Not catapulting.)

Share should you discover one. (Ease his mind? Teach him something new? Both! Wangji suspects chaos reigns.)

I do not mind. (A large rabbit hops onto his lap and noses the screen.) This one says hello.

[bythewaves]

[ Oh this, Maglor is very sadly aware.

Celegorm says he can do what he wants!!! ]

I will, young one. But I think that you might have better luck there. Men have changed much, since my days. I doubt that I will ever truly understand you.

[ He smiles, eyes softening ]

Is it yours?

[mourningjade]

(Celegorm needs to spend time with the Lans.)

How have...we...changed? (He almost said 'they' but he is part of 'they' isn't he.

Wangji strokes through the rabbit's soft fur, cradling the creature like he would a child.)

Yes. I have two.

[bythewaves]

[ Poor Qiren would have a stroke

he lifts a hand to gesture vaguely at their surrounds ]

All of this...how you have grown - such strange machinery... Well. Arda was always meant for Men, perhaps. You have always changed faster than us.

[ he smiles ]

Do they have names?

[mourningjade]

(He's already close to one with Wangji.)

This place is...advanced...to me. (Much of the machinery goes untouched by him.) Our lives are short in comparison. We must change or risk missing our destinies.

(He lifts the second rabbit - a black boy - and snuggles the pair.)

The black is Yue and the white is Yang.

[bythewaves]

[ to be fair, all Finweans are chaotic. Some are just more chaotic than others ]

One of the names we call you are Strangers, for you go out from the world, and we know not whence. [ Maglor nods, and smiles ]

Do those names mean anything?

[mourningjade]

(Ten million lashes!)

Yue means 'born under the moon' and Yang means 'sun'. (The two bunnies look content, snuggled together, little noses twitching.)

The fate of Men does not await you?

[bythewaves]

I see!

[ He laughs softly ]

I am no Man! Eldar I am, or Quendi, one of the Firstborn. Like all my people I am tied to Arda, until it ends.

[mourningjade]

I do not know what that means. (Only that he isn't a Man.) Will you suffer away from Arda?

[bythewaves]

Oh! [ He shakes his head apologetically ]

Ai, I forget, that folk here come from all over...Well. How best to explain it... Arda is what my people call the world we come from, and we call ourselves Quendi, the Speakers, and Eldar, the People of the Stars, for we are indeed the Firstborn of our world, the first of the speaking peoples, and the Stars were the first light we ever saw, and so also that which we love best.

We are made for Arda, and of her, and although we can be slain, and have been, our fear, our spirits, or souls, are tied to her, so that we exist so long as our world does. I do not suffer, at the least, I have not, so far! But I thank you for your concern.

[mourningjade]

(To be tied so intimately with something, Wangji almost understands the depth of such a bond. Almost. But he admits that he is mortal and what Maglor has experienced and will experience is beyond him.)

The stars are beautiful.

[bythewaves]

Clear indeed their song and true. [ Maglor agrees ]

And we honor highest the Lady Varda, Elentari, the Star-Queen, who kindles the stars and sets them in their places.