From: atarince	Date: 08/14/2007 14:53:03

*barely stirs when you enter the room*

*after some time, opens his eyes and blinks in the light*

*moves his parched lips soundlessly*

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/14/2007 14:57:36

*takes a seat and pours a glass of water from the pitcher on your bedside table*

*raises the cup to your lips* Try to take a little water, sweetheart.

	From: atarince	Date: 08/14/2007 15:03:42

*manages to sip some water*

*lets his eyes slip close again*

Thanks. Mum.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/14/2007 15:07:37

*takes your hand and pats it reassuringly*

How do you feel? Silly question, I know. Humor me?

	From: atarince	Date: 08/14/2007 15:11:55

*winces slightly as he tries to move*

Like I've been shot. Ugh. How bad is it?

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/14/2007 15:15:41

Apparently you lost a kidney. It was a near thing but you're going to be just fine now. *smiles at you* At least until I strangle you, that is.

	From: atarince	Date: 08/14/2007 15:25:08

*opens his eyes wide* Strangle me? But but but I've been shot, Mum. Don't you think I've suffered enough?

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/14/2007 15:29:52

*raises an eyebrow and laughs* Don't pull the innocent routine with me, pumpkin. I know you and your wiles far too well, remember?

	From: atarince	Date: 08/14/2007 15:37:32

*mumbles* It wasn't my fault. Well. Not all of it.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/14/2007 16:36:01

*sighs* I know you think you have your reasons. You who weigh every circumstance carefully when you think no one will notice. *gently scolding* But really, dear, I know you aren't even half so cavalier as Carnistir. You needn't pretend.

	From: atarince	Date: 08/14/2007 16:39:05

*almost sullenly* Well, Moryo's a law unto himself. He doesn't care what happens.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/14/2007 16:44:34

Hmm. I can see that it would seem so, at times.

*lightly* What do you care about, Atarincë?

	From: atarince	Date: 08/14/2007 16:45:46

The others, of course. Father. You.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/14/2007 16:54:51

*frowns suddenly* Oh. That reminds me. Finduilas was meant to meet us here. I do hope she's not in any trouble. I thought you might be wondering?

	From: atarince	Date: 08/14/2007 17:16:26

*colours very slightly* Finduilas? What does--? How do--? What?

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/14/2007 17:19:27

*breezily* Well, she and I have become somewhat acquainted in these past few weeks, naturally, with her being so helpful in the situation with Macalaurë. *pointedly* She's a lovely girl. A bit mixed-up, but still.

	From: atarince	Date: 08/14/2007 17:40:34

She mentioned something -- I -- didn't -- She has her moments. Yes.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/14/2007 17:48:43

*simply* She was very worried about you when I spoke to her last. *shrugs* A wife will worry. Eru knows I did. Are you so very surprised, sweetheart?

*watches you very closely* And what about Telperinquar? I have heard that he also has his moments.

	From: atarince	Date: 08/14/2007 17:59:26

*closes his eyes, mostly so he doesn't have to look at you reading every emotion on his face* Yes. No. I don't know. She -- she's an impossible woman sometimes.

*bites his lip* Telerinquar has made his loyalties very clear indeed.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/14/2007 18:08:54

*drops her gaze from your face to pour herself a glass of water* And you too are so impossible that you may be an ill match. But a persistent one, it would seem. *a bit sadly* Sometimes I believe persistence would be better.

Telerinquar has made his loyalties very clear indeed.

I suppose that's true enough. *conversationally* Then again, you were trying to overthrow a kingdom at the time.

	From: atarince	Date: 08/14/2007 18:19:56

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/14/2007 18:33:43

I see. *thinks she just might* You always did love a challenge.

Ineffectual or no, surely you cannot blame Telperinquar and everyone else in Nargothrond for seeing through your schemes in the end? They certainly were not honest designs, whatever else is up for debate.

	From: atarince	Date: 08/14/2007 18:58:21

Can't get by in this family if you don't.

*tries not to yawn (not out of boredom, more out of exhaustion)* Seemed like a good idea at the time.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/14/2007 19:05:53

Can't get by in this family if you don't.

Ain't that the truth.

*tucks a strand of hair behind your ear* *knowing it's probably useless to say more* Try to see the other side of it sometimes, at least? Think of it, darling. If you'd waited another day before rushing headlong into this mess, you wouldn't be lying here now. You terrified your father and me.

*stands and leans down to drop a kiss on the top of your head*

	From: atarince	Date: 08/15/2007 02:14:29

*focuses on precisely one thing*

...Father? Is Father here?

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/15/2007 06:45:38

Yes, dear, he is. He just arrived. *hesitantly* I'll send word that you're awake and would like to see him?

	From: atarince	Date: 08/16/2007 03:07:49

*smiles a little* Thanks, Mother.

	From: moryo	Date: 08/16/2007 03:08:53

*made his way down to the kitchen to hunt up some decent food*

*is currently embroiled in a card game with Fingon's Head Chef*

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 07:39:36

*comes in to leave an order for Fingon's favorite dish to be made for his dinner* *(the poor boy needs some comfort food)*

*smiles when she sees you* Carnistir, love, where have you been hiding? *to the chef* Do you mind if I cut in? He'll hustle you shamelessly, anyway.

	From: moryo	Date: 08/16/2007 13:55:15

*raises his eyebrows* Oh, don't take his hand, Mom. It's a shit hand.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 14:06:50

Then deal us a new one, dear. *not at all sharply, but still* And one for Findekáno would be nice, but I doubt he'll get one.

*shoos the chef out of the room and sits down*

	From: moryo	Date: 08/16/2007 14:10:35

*gathers all the cards and starts to shuffle them again, expertly*

Yeah, poor 'káno. He didn't look too pleased with Nelyo.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 14:13:30

Yes, well, I am not too pleased with any of you. As you may have gathered. *rests her chin on her hand and looks at you with a mixture of fondness and exasperation* You're supposed to be the brains, remember?

	From: moryo	Date: 08/16/2007 14:19:53

*shrugs* *indicates with a small twitch of his forefinger for a passing kitchen aide to top up his wine glass and to pour a glass for you*

*stretches out his legs* *laconically* Well, I was never going to talk Nelyo out of it and Curvo and Turco are always spoiling for a fight. Eru knows what kind of shit they'd be in if I hadn't been there.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 14:27:05

*sternly* Just be glad the papers say nobody's going to die, darling, or the excuses would perhaps not fly so easily.

*sighs slightly* I know you have the a temper but you're also the only real pragmatist I've got in this family. *sips her wine* Which reminds me. How are your businesses doing? *wryly* The ones I know are legal because, really, you're far too clever not to be successful in perfectly legal ventures.

	From: moryo	Date: 08/16/2007 14:40:11

Yes, everyone will live so I really don't see what Thingol's problem is. *avowedly refrains from mentioning Haleth because he really isn't worried about her, honest*

My businesses are doing very well. I have some shares in a few of the more upmarket establishments in Delving and Hísilómë and I own a very reputable distillery in Eryd Luin, not to mention a water sports equipment factory near home. Plenty to account for my success in a perfectly legal way.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 14:43:49

I really don't see what Thingol's problem is.

*is more than a little chilled by your attitude* *softly* You don't, Carnistir? Honestly?

Plenty to account for my success in a perfectly legal way.

*looks skyward for a moment* Yes, I can see that well enough. And are you still enjoying Thargelion? You're not lonely or bored all the way out there by yourself, sweetheart?

	From: moryo	Date: 08/16/2007 14:50:46

*idly* Consider how much worse it might have been if any harm had come to Cáno. Better that we got him out.

Bored? Me? Oh, no. I can while away the time quite well, thank you. In any case, I am so rarely alone. My siblings keep me busy. Or perhaps I keep them busy? *looks at you* Am I the difficult middle child, Mother? Or does Curvo come close?

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 14:56:39

Better that we got him out.

*just shakes her head* *hopelessly* I was in the process of getting him out. Why will none of you put your trust in me, even a little?

*looks back at you sadly* You are all difficult in your own ways, as you well know, child. Atarincë is nearly as calculating as you but he is not half so honest about it. You are...you frighten me sometimes, love. You really do. Is there no one in this world who stirs a sense of morality in your heart?

	From: moryo	Date: 08/16/2007 15:08:55

*bluntly* Because you but your trust in people who are not us, Mom.

*looks back at you steadily* Atarincë is too distractable to be as calculating as all that, you know. And I do not mean to frighten you. *quirks a smile* Although I mean to frighten most people I meet.

Is there no one in this world who stirs a sense of morality in your heart?

Morality does not sit so well with me, although I have friends who are moral enough, I daresay.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 15:14:51

*tilts her head* Not all the rest of the world is out to get you, Carnistir. In fact, I can think of two or three people at least who are currently in very hot water because of their desire to help this family. You would do well to remember them.

Atarincë is too distractable to be as calculating as all that, you know.

I know he can sometimes lose the thread of things, dear. He has the raw skill but not the inspiration. *pointedly* This is one of his more redeeming qualities.

I have friends who are moral enough

Perhaps you ought to trying spending more time with them and less time with your brothers. In the name of scientific experiment. *lays her cards down on the table* Gin.

	From: moryo	Date: 08/16/2007 15:27:36

You would do well to remember them.

As they would do well to remember what happens to those who become involved with this family. Look at poor 'káno. He'll stress himself into a heart attack if he's not careful and if he does? Híslómë is so mine.

This is one of his more redeeming qualities.

*snorts* One would think that he has inspiration enough, what with spending all of his time with our beautiful brother or his own beautiful wife.

Perhaps you ought to trying spending more time with them and less time with your brothers. In the name of scientific experiment.

*unconcernedly* I think, perhaps, I should wait until she has forgiven me for shooting her.

*blinks* We were playing Gin?

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 15:34:07

As they would do well to remember what happens to those who become involved with this family.

So you mistrust the people who keep their distance and belittle the ones who don't. Of what sort are your professional relationships, I wonder?

I think, perhaps, I should wait until she has forgiven me for shooting her.

*blandly* Then this friend is a marchwarden of Doriath? Really, dear, how do you find time for all this inconsistency and drama?

*frowns* I was playing Gin. I honestly have no idea what you're playing at. Yet I love you anyway.

	From: moryo	Date: 08/16/2007 15:49:38

*coolly* My professional relationships are just that: Professional.

Really, dear, how do you find time for all this inconsistency and drama?

*almost smiles at that* I don't find the time, yet it somehow finds me.

I honestly have no idea what you're playing at. Yet I love you anyway.

Because you're my mother. I think it's in the contract?

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 15:52:38

I think it's in the contract?

*smiles entirely unhappily* Something like that, honey.

*comes around the table to kiss your cheek* I know you understand that I will not condone any of these foolish things you do. I expect more from you. Enjoy your wine.

	From: tyelcormo	Date: 08/16/2007 15:44:58

*comes inside and hands off two empty glasses to a servant*

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 15:47:52

*caught a glimpse of you with Aredhel through the window* *thinks that didn't look too terribly comfortable*

*calls to you wearily sunnily from a little way down the hall* Tyelcormo, darling, wait up. I've hardly even seen you these past few days.

	From: tyelcormo	Date: 08/16/2007 16:32:33

*briefly closes his eyes but doesn't stop walking*

Not now, please, Mother. I'm busy.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 17:13:06

*quickens her pace and takes your arm when she reaches you*

*tries not to look troubled* Too busy for ten minutes with your mother? We have ages to catch up on, sweetheart. *smiling hopefully* I want to know what's new in your life. Your hopes and dreams. What in the world you were thinking.

	From: tyelcormo	Date: 08/16/2007 17:20:28

*looks down at you in (mock) surprise* You ought to know what I was thinking, Mother. I couldn't very well let him die.

*lifts an eyebrow* Besides. You said I was resourceful.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 17:23:48

*narrows her eyes slightly* Endangering all those innocent people in order to make your escape? Oh, yes. Very resourceful indeed. There's no doubt about that.

*softly* When did you become so cold, Tyelcormo?

	From: tyelcormo	Date: 08/16/2007 17:34:53

*shrugs* *noncommittally* One does what one must in a crisis situation.

When did you become so cold, Tyelcormo?

*(coolly)* I'm sure I don't know what you mean.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 17:43:44

*watches your face and can almost see the wall slamming down*

*disheartened* Don't do that, love, please? Where is my bright-eyed, laughing boy? I hardly recognize you. I think I much prefer the boy who brought home all manner of odd pets and tracked mud through the house without a care in the world.

	From: tyelcormo	Date: 08/16/2007 18:06:01

*blinks in actual surprise*

*his voice hollow* That was a long time ago. I hardly remember those days myself.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 18:11:26

*squeezes your arm gently*

*wonders if she might actually get somewhere by forcing you down Memory Lane* You used to tell me everything. Do you remember?

*can't help smiling* Do you know I thought the most trouble we'd have with you would come when you charmed the knickers off half the pretty young things in Tirion? But you were too frank to tease anyone for long. Not like now.

	From: tyelcormo	Date: 08/16/2007 18:17:43

*lip-bite* *eyeroll* Too frank? You mean too uninterested.

*dryly* Goodness, mother. You don't sound very happy about the fact that I was 'kind' enough not to put Tirion's daughters in the family way.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 18:23:31

*is close to draining the dregs of even her copious supply of patience* Where is your passion, Tyelcormo? If you insist on continuing to do vile things in this Middle-earth then you might as well be reckless about something you care about.

	From: tyelcormo	Date: 08/16/2007 18:26:38

*scowls and disengages his arm from your grasp*

You really must clear your admonitions with Írissë first. You'll avoid pointless repetition.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 18:32:41

*firmly* Yes, let's talk about Írissë. Does she still try ever so hard to please you, child? *answering her own question* No, much harder, I suspect.

You were so lively, so open. It was so easy to love you. *tearing up* Not so easy today, I don't think. Not when you seem bent on making everyone who knows you fear and despise you.

	From: tyelcormo	Date: 08/16/2007 18:37:26

*a little angrily* She is an exquisite woman and my dearest friend. I will not apologise because I do not wish her to compromise herself.

making everyone who knows you fear and despise you

*projects amusement* I assure you, the abhorrence at least is quite mutual. Is that not very equitable of me, mother?

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 18:43:26

*shakes her head* Then I shall sculpt her likeness for you. Perhaps when you have an image as cold and untouchable as yourself you will see that the real Írissë is a living, breathing, feeling woman who loves you.

The abhorrence at least is quite mutual.

*doesn't even know what to say to this* *says the first thing that comes to mind and so immediately regrets it* You have grown as proud and arrogant as your father. I did not think I would ever see the day.

	From: tyelcormo	Date: 08/16/2007 18:45:27

*hisses* I am nothing like him. I am nothing like any of you. Eru, I do not even look like any of you.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 18:52:32

*laughs humorlessly* From whom do you think you inherited your gift of speech and your love of language, darling? Certainly I have never managed to persuade any of my children of anything. Well, maybe one.

I do not even look like any of you.

*sighs and passes a hand over her eyes* You know very well that that probably doesn't mean anything.

	From: tyelcormo	Date: 08/16/2007 18:55:30

Oh, what a comfort that is.

You know very well that that probably doesn't mean anything.

*frowns* ..."Probably"?

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 18:59:04

*zeroes in* You cannot possibly think that you are the only son to ever choose a different path from his father? Or feel as though he has suffered because of it, when in fact your father does not love you any less than any of his other sons exceptAtarincë?

"Probably"?

*dismissively* Yes, dear, I'd just as soon not go...into...all that. *slowly* Again. ?

--Ohdeareru.

	From: tyelcormo	Date: 08/16/2007 19:00:07

I'm missing something here.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 19:05:38

I was sure he'd... *pales* *wonders whether Fëanáro would say "I was sure she'd"*

*looks as though she really might be ill* You remember Pizya, don't you, darling? My maid? *distractedly* Oh, but she would have gone not too long after, yes, I'd forgotten.

	From: tyelcormo	Date: 08/16/2007 19:06:53

*bewildered* Don't tell me that is someone's real, actual name.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 19:10:55

Sorry? Oh, no, just a nickname. Vëannë. Yes, well, anyway... *in a rush and far, far too off-handedly* ...we were pregnant at the same time, see, and she actually went into labor a few hours before I did. Had her baby right down the hall from my bedroom, isn't that funny? Ah. And. So? With all the excitement and all the people milling around and all the fuss of new babies--you remember how it is--we may have...sort of...a little bit...lost track of exactly whichofyouwaswhich but really, dear, it was all just a misunderstanding!

	From: tyelcormo	Date: 08/16/2007 19:15:33

Pizya

*has noted the etymology here, ohhh yes*

but really, dear, it was all just a misunderstanding!

*in a strange voice* Then you figured it out eventually.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 19:19:10

*puts her arms around you*

Well. *hesitates* It's not like we exactly had DNA testing available at the time.

*guiltily* Oh, please say something, sweetheart.

	From: tyelcormo	Date: 08/16/2007 19:21:59

please say something

*...*

*...*

I'm having a bit of difficulty getting past the bit where my real mother is not you a maid? And a Vanya? And a condiment?

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 19:25:14

*hurriedly* Oh, but I am your real mother, Tyelcormo! That's what I've been trying to tell you! Your father wasn't quite so convinced but Mothers always know. *firmly* Always. AndanywayI'vegotafifty-fiftyshothere.

	From: tyelcormo	Date: 08/16/2007 19:27:43

Mothers always know.

*icily* Says the woman who couldn't identify her own child from a lineup of two.

*pushes you away from him and continues down the hall, numb*

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 19:30:32

*breathlessly* Where are you-- Where are you going?? Sweetheart?

	From: tyelcormo	Date: 08/16/2007 19:31:43

*not caring whether you hear him or not* Home.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 19:33:43

But...? Your brother cannot leave and it's too dangerous for you to travel with the situation being what it is and...can we please just talk about this, honey?

	From: tyelcormo	Date: 08/16/2007 19:36:35

Not taking Curufinwë.

can we please just talk about this, honey?

*glances around to shoot you a look of utter hatred*

Fuck off.

*collects the few things he's brought with him and leaves the premises*

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/16/2007 19:41:16

Curufinwë

*doesn't know why that's the part that finally makes her break down, but it is*

*really did muck that up quite spectacularly*