From: artafinde	Date: 04/10/2007 10:44:24

*is out and about, figuring that anything that could distract her would be good right about now*

*really isn't the sit at home and cry sort*

*spots you and wanders over*

Lúthien? Hi. I'm Finrod. Your cousin? Do you remember me?

	From: luthiekins	Date: 04/10/2007 10:46:16

*stares up at you for a second before realizing how very familiar you are even with the girly bits*

*breaks into a big smile* Do I remember you? Of course I remember you! *jumps up and gives you a hug* Mom told me you were in town again but I thought you'd come by the house and then it slipped my mind. That's been happening a lot lately.

	From: artafinde	Date: 04/10/2007 10:47:29

*grins and takes a seat opposite you* Well, I did stop by once, but all of you were gone on vacation? And then you were sick. Honestly, your father still scares me a bit.

But I'll be there a lot now! I'm a diplomat these days.

	From: luthiekins	Date: 04/10/2007 10:49:29

*frowns momentarily at the mention of her vacation before going back to a smile* Yeah, we had some tough times a few weeks ago. It's good to see you again.

*honestly doesn't understand how anyone could be afraid of her Dad nevermind that she's terrified to tell him about her boyfriend*

Diplomat? You probably like that, huh? You were always good with people. Better than me, even.

	From: artafinde	Date: 04/10/2007 10:50:54

*blushes a bit* I guess I am good with people. I just like to help out, you know? Of course you know. *smiles* My father tells me you're a big help at the soup kitchen. Or at least that you used to be.d

	From: luthiekins	Date: 04/10/2007 10:52:19

soup kitchen

Ah, yeah. I like it there. Liked, I guess. *frowns* I haven't been there much lately. I've been... busy? That's probably a pretty weak excuse. There's just been some distractions. *can't help but smile a bit when she thinks about Beren*

	From: artafinde	Date: 04/10/2007 10:55:39

*sees that smile and pounces on it* *hey, someone has to have a better romantic life than her, right?*

*coyly* Distractions, hmm? Must be pretty important distractions. Busy. *grins* What's his name?

	From: luthiekins	Date: 04/10/2007 10:57:26

*blushes bright, bright crimson* *mumbles* Idon'thaveanyideawhatyou'retalkingabout.

	From: artafinde	Date: 04/10/2007 10:58:10

Sure you don't... *gives you a look* *one that might well be knowing*

	From: luthiekins	Date: 04/10/2007 10:59:11

*crumbles under your decidedly unfearsome gaze*

*desperately* You can't tell Daddy he can't know not ever!

*realizes she really needs someone to talk to*

	From: artafinde	Date: 04/10/2007 11:00:01

*realizes you're really quite serious* *remembers your father* *completely understands why*

My lips are sealed. I promise.

	From: luthiekins	Date: 04/10/2007 11:02:01

*looks around to make sure no one's sitting nearby*

*leans in a bit, just in case*

*whispers* His name is Beren? We were married before, on Arda, only I don't remember. I just know that I really like him. *pauses* I really love him. Daddy hates him, though, more than anything. He can't know that we're seeing each other. *a bit shyly* We're planning on getting married.

	From: artafinde	Date: 04/10/2007 11:03:02

*breaks into a big smile at your words* Beren, huh? I didn't realize he was around here. I wouldn't mind seeing him. Where's he staying?

	From: luthiekins	Date: 04/10/2007 11:04:03

*looks at you a little suspiciously* *worries that maybe she's just told her biggest secret to one of her father's spies!* You know Beren? How? I can't tell you where he's staying, it's a secret, he's in hiding.

	From: artafinde	Date: 04/10/2007 11:05:33

*is a little shocked by your reaction* You mean you don't know? But? I thought he would have mentioned... *trails off* Ah, right, you don't remember. *casually* Beren and I had a bit of an adventure together back on Arda. I guess you could say we were close? I died for him.

	From: luthiekins	Date: 04/10/2007 11:06:48

*relaxes a little bit* You were friends? That's good. I don't think he has any friends and I worry about him being alone all the time when I'm not there.



How do I know you're telling the truth?

	From: artafinde	Date: 04/10/2007 11:07:59

*manages not to laugh at your question* Lúthien, really. Are you questioning my honor? I don't lie. Besides, only a crazy person would be on your father's side.

	From: luthiekins	Date: 04/10/2007 11:08:58

*laughs a little bit* I guess you're right. Sorry, I'm really sorry about that. I've just been on edge lately. Lots of things, you know?

	From: artafinde	Date: 04/10/2007 11:09:56

*looks at you closely* Something you need to talk about? *is nothing if not a good listener* *got that from her daddy!!*

	From: luthiekins	Date: 04/10/2007 11:12:28

*sighs* Not really. I mean. Maybe? I don't know. I don't want to put you out*

*stares at her hands for a moment and then looks back up at you* It's just that Beren wants to get married now and I'm afraid because I don't want to hurt my dad but I know there's no way to get around hurting him and making him angry and I'm afraid for Beren too because sometimes... well, it's better not to make Daddy angry. I want to marry him, I do, really a lot, I just... I mean... I'm scared and I wish I could talk to my Dad about it but I can't even be in the same room with him anymore because I feel so guilty.

	From: artafinde	Date: 04/10/2007 11:17:49

*blinks as she takes this all in*

*is silent for a while*

*finally chuckles a bit* My, my, Lúthien. It sounds like you've been carrying a lot on your shoulders lately.

*thinks about what advice she could give you which is none* Well. I guess it's good that you're so considerate of how your father's going to feel. But, it's going to cause you some grief in the long run. If I remember Thingol, he's not going to be happy not getting his way, and drawing it out won't do anything to change that. It might make it worse, because the longer you wait the longer you've been lying to him and hiding things from him. You understand what I'm saying? Best to get it over with quick.

	From: luthiekins	Date: 04/10/2007 11:20:58

*nods* I know. I know all of that, really. I'm just having a hard time accepting it? I've decided that I'm not telling him until after we're married. Which is really sad and I know is going to upset him, but I'm afraid if I tell him before he'll find a way to stop us. I'm hoping maybe once it's over and he's finally come to terms he'll be more accepting. Then, maybe we can do it again? Have another ceremony? Something? I want my Daddy at my wedding!

Because I want to get married. *unsurely* Really, I do.

	From: artafinde	Date: 04/10/2007 11:21:49

Really, I do.

*looks at you* That didn't sound very convincing at all. Something you're not telling me?

	From: luthiekins	Date: 04/10/2007 11:22:52

*shakes her head* No. That's everything. Really. Except I'm scared of getting married because... well... *mumbles* I've never had sex before.

	From: artafinde	Date: 04/10/2007 11:23:42

*doesn't quite hear you over the horn of a passing car*

I'm sorry, what?

	From: luthiekins	Date: 04/10/2007 11:25:21

*is a little frustrated and completely embarrassed*

*blurts out* I've never had sex before!

*immediately turns bright red, even more so when she notices everyone else in the café has turned to look at her*

*figures that will make a really nice headline in the paper the next day* Well, at least Daddy can be happy about that.

	From: artafinde	Date: 04/10/2007 11:26:31

*claps her hand over her mouth to stop from giggling*

*does sympathize with your plight*

*waits for everyone else to go back to their own drinks and conversations*

A little nervous, huh? It's not all that bad. In fact, it's rather good.

	From: luthiekins	Date: 04/10/2007 11:28:56

*is still pretty red* *covers her face with her hands* Really nervous, actually. I mean. I've never ever had sex that I remember. *meaningfully* Ever. But... *doesn't really know how to say this* Beren thinks I have? I mean, at least, he has had sex with me. So I guess he doesn't realize it's new to me? And he's going to expect me to remember how to do things and... stuff... and I don't, but I don't want to disappoint him.

	From: artafinde	Date: 04/10/2007 11:29:57

Ah. *sees the problem immediately* Lúthien. Do you know that he thinks these things? Has he ever said anything to that effect? Has he ever pressured you to have sex? He knows you don't remember him, right?

	From: luthiekins	Date: 04/10/2007 11:31:24

Well... no. We've never talked about it. And he's never brought it up or anything. He knows that I don't remember, I just... I thought... he's a guy, you know? He's going to expect certain things?

	From: artafinde	Date: 04/10/2007 11:33:05

*chuckles* If Beren knows you don't remember anything, I'm assuming he realizes sex is part of stuff you don't remember. He's not going to expect anything from you. If Beren loves you half as much as I remember it won't matter to him at all if you know what you're doing. I think he'll be just has happy to help you along.

*honestly cannot believe she's having this conversation*

	From: luthiekins	Date: 04/10/2007 11:34:43

*honestly cannot believe she's having this conversation*

I guess you're right. I just want to make him happy. I hope you're right. *smiles a little bit* You are right.

*feels a lot better even though you really didn't do anything but confirm what she already knew* Thanks for listening, Finrod.

	From: artafinde	Date: 04/10/2007 11:35:52

*shrugs* Hey, that's what I'm here for. Feeling better, then? Ready for the next step?

	From: luthiekins	Date: 04/10/2007 11:37:25

*nods firmly* I think so! I'm going to actually arrange things now, at least. I know just who to talk to.

*shyly* Will you come to our wedding? It's just going to be the two of us, but we could use a witness, and if you're Beren's friend and all.

	From: artafinde	Date: 04/10/2007 11:38:45

*thinks Thingol would absolutely kill her if he found out she was involved in the wedding or knew anything about you and Beren at all*

*pauses for a second*

*gives a firm nod* I'd love to. I'd be honored.




Just don't mention it to your father, okay?

	From: luthiekins	Date: 04/10/2007 11:40:28

*laughs* You keep my secrets, I'll keep yours.

I'll get word to you when it's going to happen, okay? In the meantime... I guess... *leans over to whisper in your ear and gives you the location of Beren's shack cabin* *sits back* In case you wanted to visit or something.

	From: artafinde	Date: 04/10/2007 11:42:01

*smiles genuinely* I think I will pay him a visit after all.

*gets up* It was good to talk to you, Lúthien. Let me know when the... *looks around suspiciously* ....operation is taking place.

*grins and walks out* *feels amazingly better and sufficiently distracted for the time being*

	From: luthiekins	Date: 04/10/2007 11:43:02

*feels better too!* *sits, sipping on her drink and thinking about how great things are going to be once she and Beren are actually married and her dad has come to terms with everything* *which will be soon, right? right?*