(Video - Evening)

[castintoflames]

(He doesn't like showing his face, but it feels wrong to hide himself. A voice can be charming; a voice can draw you to do horrible things. Maedhros wants to be genuine in exchange for the kindness he has received. As a result, his scarred features are visible through the transmission - one of his eyes an eerie grey while the other is a fierce blue.)

I have not introduced myself to all. My name is Maedhros Fëanorian and to those of you who have been kind to my brothers - Maglor and Curufin - and to my father - Fëanor - I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

(He is a prince and he was once a king, yet he has been humbled and so he bows to any watching.)

I ask but one request: fine tales. Tell me of your lives. Everyone is so unique and, in my opinion, that makes our fellowship something to celebrate. What say you?

Comments

[happyends]

Ah, um...

[ The slight pause and hesitation probably says a lot, but Madoka has always been a bad liar. ]

I'm alright. [ It's not a full on lie, at least, but there's a lot of worries and insecurities shoved down in order for her to give that answer. ]

Everyone has been helping me train so I'll be able to do better during the next mission, whenever that is.. You didn't get hurt during that mission, did you, sir?

[castintoflames]

Are you certain? (Nope, he isn't buying that answer.) Do not concern yourself with me, child: were you hurt during the mission? I will do all in my power to keep you somewhere safe next time. You should not be fighting.

(He will carry all of the children under his arms to safety if need be. They can complain all they like; he won't listen.)

[happyends]

[ Maedhros: the new local babysitter.

The fact he's totally flipping her question back around to her majorly throws Madoka off though. She was here to talk about him, not herself! She'd rather prefer to not be talking about herself ever! So her eyes grow wide as she stammers for a moment. ]

Ah, um, t.. that's..!

[ It takes a moment before she can even properly find words. ]

It's alright.. Everyone has been helping me train so I'll be able to protect myself and do better next time. I'm sure everyone already has enough to deal with during those missions to have to look after me as well.. I don't want to be a burden.

[castintoflames]

You are not a burden. (Children are precious and that is why they need to be protected.) I did not mean to imply that is so. Among the Elves, children are rare and fiercely guarded.

(Most of the time the world doesn't know about them until they are of age. Which is after a century.)

[happyends]

Rare..?

[ The thought of children being rare is a little odd to Madoka, but then again, it's not like she knows anything about the elves' society. So although she sounds a little surprised, she instantly believes him. ]

There are a lot of other boys and girls my age where I come from though.. [ Although some of them have been dying off rather quickly lately, thanks for nothing, Kyuubey!! ] So I guess I'm not really used to it.

[castintoflames]

Elves are not like Men or any other race. We do not have unwanted children. Both husband and wife must desire that life in order for them to be created.

(Plus, in most cases, sex equals marriage for them. So there are no random unions with bad consequences.)

You should know of your worth. (The adults have failed her.)

[happyends]

[ There's a noise coming from her out of such sudden surprise that it almost sounds like a yelp. Then she quickly speaks up, as if she can't keep the words from him for even just one more moment-- ]

N-No..! I'm not an unwanted child! [ At least.. there's no way she is. Or her little brother, for that matter. ] Mama and papa have always been really kind to me! I.. I just don't feel special..? But I don't think that's their fault..

[ Her parents are great, she'd never blame them for anything. ]

I think it really just must be a difference between humans and elves..