Day 29, audio, open

[runs_on_batteries]

[He knows he promised to leave her alone. He'd been trying his hardest to do that too. However, he hadn't seen her in two days. He had a bad feeling in his stomach, so.. he was breaking his promise, which sucked. The worry was obvious in his tone along with the guilt of knowing he was crossing lines.

But, he was a dad. He might not be her dad, but it was a dad thing. He had to.]

Buttercup, if you're hiding from me, fine. Just.. let someone know to tell me you're okay?

Has anyone seen her? I don't need to know anything other than that. Just, as long as she's safe and someone has seen her.

Comments

[seawanderer]

[Much the same way he is with his father, though things are...better. Maglor's voice is clearly sympathetic.]

I will see you when I am done. Even if all you want to do is have a cup of coffee, that is well with me. [He won't push.]

[runs_on_batteries]

Actually, a cup sounds good. I'll meet you in the kitchen instead.

[seawanderer]

[It takes a fair bit of time before Maglor reluctantly accepts defeat and slinks to the kitchen. Maybe Tony will know more than he now.]

She is not onboard.

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony was pacing in the kitchen while the coffee maker brewed. He stops when Maglor enters the room and he can already see it on the elf's face this isn't good news.]

Damn. This is just like what happened to Gwen. She just randomly went missing. We couldn't find her and she showed up again in the luggage car with no memories of what happened.

[seawanderer]

[It's clear Maglor hates having failed. And to lose a child...]

If it has happened before, then perhaps we will be fortunate for it to happen again.

[runs_on_batteries]

[He ran a hand through his hair in frustration.]

Yes, but even so.. what is happening to these girls? And why just two young girls? That can't be a good thing.

[seawanderer]

When you spoke with Gwen, was anything different from when she'd left?

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony pauses and thinks that over.]

No, I don't believe so. She was pissed that she had been locked in a suitcase and that she had no memories, but it literally was like she had skipped time.

[He looked up at Maglor abruptly with wide eyes. He began to speak very rapidly and returned to pacing.]

What if it is a flux in time? What if it's some kind of static or interruption in our connection here that maybe we have a link back to our own universes? But then that would bring into question if we're fully here or there and what, if anything, is the anchor.

Maglor, do you feel any difference here than you did in your old world? Like anything that feels off or disconnected.

[seawanderer]

[Ah yes, the familiar look in Tony's eye almost as him smile. But it's far too important so he refrains, only watching and thinking.]

I figure most of the difference is because of the separation from Arda more than anything. My sense of self is much as it was before, but my father should not have been reborn yet.

The sound of this train is different to much of what I have experience with.

Not much help, I fear...

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony tils his head a bit to one side.]

Arda? What do you mean your father shouldn't be reborn yet? Do elves get reborn every so often?

[He shakes his head.]

No, this is helpful. I think this is still a valid theory given our situation. Disproving a theory is just as helpful as reinforcing it.

[seawanderer]

All elves on my world are eventually reborn. We're tied to the world's life.

[His scarred hand clenches and he glances briefly down at it before grimacing and looking back at Tony.]

But my father, and my brothers and I, did a great deal of harm. I don't expect any of them to be reborn until the very last battle, unless an exception is made and they aren't allowed out even then.

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony's eyes were drawn to Maglor's hand too and he frowns, knowing it was a sore subject as well as a sore physical thing.]

Yeah, well.. I can't imagine if I was an elf I'd be reborn again either.

[seawanderer]

[He figures he'd done it to himself and he deserves the consequences.]

Did you kill innocents just to try and get a jewel back?

[He shakes his head sharply.]

If the child returns, we will find her. I will keep an eye out for her return.

[runs_on_batteries]

No, but getting innocents killed because of hubris isn't that much farther down the 'damnable sins' list, if you know what I mean.

[He finally pours out two fresh cups of coffee.]

Thank you. I'll be curious to see if she ends up the same place Gwen was found.

[seawanderer]

[Tony earns a weak smile. Not everyone would just take his words in stride and try to make him feel better.

Maglor accepts the coffee with a small nod of thanks.]

Your comments earlier gave the impression maybe I should ask her instead of bringing her to you? I do not require an answer if you do not wish to discuss it, I only wish to help.

[runs_on_batteries]

Ah.. yes.

[Not everyone had caused as much harm as Tony had. For what it was worth, he felt like Maglor and his father seemed like decent people. It was curious what this jewel might have been, but he was trying not to ask.

Except Maglor asks. Is was only fair now, wasn't it?]

I don't quite know why but she is upset with me for something I did. I'm not entirely sure what it even was. I know she's been keeping her distance so I've been giving her time to cool off.

[He sighs, wishing she'd just get over this and forgive him.]

What sort of jewel was it?