Video - Grasshopper 20

[adregem]

[ The ICP comes on, broadcasting a message to all from the Library. Two figures stand side by side, one decked in elegant custom garb; the other in utilitarian Purple, with the standard coat that comes with their gear. Ladies and gentlemen, presenting Glorfindel to the left, his smile open and inviting; next to him is Roland, arms crossed against his chest, expression a bit more serious. ]



Greetings, all! For those who are new to the train, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Glorfindel, and this is a brief announcement for those on the Purple Team. And perhaps, for those who may just be interested in what we have to say, colors aside. [ There's a playful lilt at the end of his statement, but he continues with the broadcast. ] You are all cordially invited to the very first Purple Team Mixer, to be held at around Grasshopper 27 in a location to be announced, on the Train.

[ Roland nods and continues where Glorfindel left off. ]

That's right. My name is Roland for our newcomers onboard, and the purpose of this mixer is so we can get to know one another a little bit better. We've got a lot of new additions to the Team, and Glorfindel and I - [ He glances to his side. ] will be acting as two of Purple's Team Leads starting now, as well. We hope to work hard for your continued trust. [ He makes a fist with his right hand and emphasizes his point with a small pump in the air. Glorfindel dovetails after. ]

The mixer is quite simple really! Aside from mingling and gathering as one, we'd also like to discuss various topics of interest such as supplies, mission protocols, training opportunities, and how the two of us can help any one of you, in any way we can.

So it's a mixer and a Purple town hall, if you'd like to look at it from that perspective. If you have ideas on how to improve things, this is the time to come and share your thoughts. We welcome it, and we'll do our best to facilitate everything neatly and concisely so the right steps can be put into place for the betterment of all.

[ Both of them sound like they've done this before...The tone shifts slightly more pleasant now, a little more casually as Glorfindel lights up (not literally, not yet!) ]

Plus, there will be bar snacks. [ 'Bar' meaning yknow. He's trying to be subtle! There are children onboard!! ] Oh, and of course, non-alcoholic beverages too, for those who are underage or can't have alcohol! It's going to be fun, even if we'll be planning alongside the chatting!

[ Roland smiles with a side glance to his new work husband partner, and turns back to close off the broadcast. ]

Glorfindel and I are ready to be of service to the team. Purple is made up of a lot of talented folks, and with our combined efforts, I'm certain we can make our dynamic even better than it already is. We're looking forward to seeing everyone then. [ The two share a look before nodding to the ICP. ]

Thank you for your time. Over and out.

(OOC: either glorfindel and/or roland will be threadhopping to reply to tags on this post! for Purple-mates, the actual mixer log with top-levels will be on August 23 IRL, so after the beach episode. so we can all have fun first!! or potentially get memshare trauma, which is the best time to discuss work, right?? please use this as your IC channel to discuss things and we can assume that these 2 will be taking notes as they go! )

Comments

[adregem]

Friends and partners. Yeah, that sounded about right. His smile grows, confidence a bit more palpable as he nods to Glorfindel in agreement. "Right." He takes a seat next to him, removing his journal from his person and setting it down on the table. Roland is rarely seen without it.

"Then let's keep going. We can only do better from here." And he knows that's going to run true for the rest of the team. The rest of the train, even. Though he does wonder about something, which he verbalizes easily as he leans back on the chair.

"You know, you gotta tell me more about elves one of these days." He grins. "Is it impolite to ask an Elf their age?"

[laurefindil]

Glorfindel grinned. "Not at all. I am 4860 years into my reborn life. What else do you want to know? I can give you my resume," he said with a warm smile and a wink. Though, he was serious, he wanted Roland to be as confindent in him.

"And I agree, we are off to a great start!"

[adregem]

"4-4-4860 years old...!"

Roland's shocked face must be a pretty sight, when it's usually so calm and relaxed no matter the circumstance. "And that's...an Elf young adult, or...?" He's just like a storybook character from home! Magical creatures that can live for a long time, maybe even forever?

He finds it funny that all this time, despite his youthful face and young body, he considered himself old. "That must be one heck of a long resume, then. But I'm sure it's going to read easy. I was definitely right - you've got way more experience than anyone else I've ever met." There's a slight pause, before he turns back to Glorfindel. "What do you mean, reborn life?"

[laurefindil]

Glorfindel shook his head. "Once we are past the age of majority, it's just a number, really. Although we are all aware of the oldest of us, those who Awoke on the shores of the Lake, like Cirdan. I'm only Two Ages old in this life, so I'm about middle aged, I guess you might say?"

Roland wasn't wrong. Glorfindel had loads of experience. But was it useful in such a modern setting?

"Ah, well, I was originally born during the Age of the Two Trees, before they were destroyed and Varda created the Sun and the Moon from their fruit. About halfway through the First Age, while living in Gondolin, it was attacked, and I fell in battle, as the survivors fled. After a short period in the Halls of Waiting, I was given the opportunity to be reborn." He actually numbered his years from when he arrived back in Middle Earth, sometime later, but that was of little importance, right?

[adregem]

Roland is easily swept up in Glorfindel's tale because of the very nature of it - fantastical, like a movie being narrated to him in person. He is mostly silent, humming and nodding along, trying to keep up with his own feeling of enthrallment. Was this even real? Was the Voidtrecker so strong that it could pull creatures like Glorfindel into its orbit?

"A-Are you telling me you were there after the Sun and Moon were just made by Varda? The sun and moon? Wow. I - " he looks flabbergasted, in a good way. Like he isn't sure how to take the information. "Wait. You fell in battle?" His tone takes a turn for the serious, and if he's leaning in, it's only because he's invested in the story. "Who in their right mind would go up against Mister Nightlight himself?" There's a joke somewhere in there, laced with the seriousness of his question. Really, Roland's seen Glorfindel in action. He'd never even think of pitting himself against him.

[laurefindil]

Glorfindel nodded. "Absolutely. It was quite dark, though the stars were still there. But by then everything had adapted to the waxing and waning of the Trees of Light, so when those were extinguished...well, it was a very tense time."

"But the first kindling of the sun and the moon..." He shook his head, walking through the memory of it in his head again, and his smile was bright, yet wistful. "Elves as a whole fell in love with Varda all over again."

At the mention of his falling in battle, he looked a little sheepish. "I wasn't always like this, you know. In fact, I became like this because I fell in battle."

He gave a brief rundown of the events that led to his death. The invasion of Gondolin, the fighting in the streets, falling back to the Tower, being ordered to cover the escape of Idris, Tuor, and their son, as they led the surviving citizens to safety, covering the retreat, being ambushed by a large party of orcs lead by a Balrog, then fighting the Balrog to the death, before being dragged to his own by the dying Balrog.

"Namo, the Doomsman of the Valar, told me that it was my self-sacrifice that made my spiritual power stronger. When I was reborn, the Maiar considered me at their level, which...still amazes me," Glorfindel said. Then he grinned. "Now, yes, I could take down a Balrog with a lot less worry for myself, thanks to the gifts Manwe gave me when I became...when I took on a job for the Valar." Champion of the Valar was more of a career than a job, but it was one of those things he didn't speak of often because people looked at him differently. "That was a few years ago, of course."