From: atarince	Date: 08/23/2007 10:10:36

*is mostly very stunned*

*after a good half-hour of intensive concentration, manages to force himself up into a sitting position*

*hangs his legs over the side of the bed*

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/23/2007 10:14:23

*happens to be walking by your door when she sees this* *stops abruptly*

*with concern* Lay down, darling, you'll hurt yourself.

	From: atarince	Date: 08/23/2007 10:17:12

*shakes his head* Oh, no. Can't.

*looks around for his t-shirt* *isn't going to let his lack of clothes deter him in any way*

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/23/2007 10:23:12

*sighs*

*comes over to you and sets her hands on your shoulders* And what do you think you're doing now, Atarincë? At least let me help you if you have to try walking exactly three steps before you get back into that bed.

	From: atarince	Date: 08/23/2007 12:36:40

*frowns and looks at you as if it's perfectly obvious* I need to find Turco, don't I?

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/23/2007 12:43:58

*sternly* You are in no condition to go traipsing about after your brother.

*sadly* In any case, he's left the country and he's not returning my calls. I'm not sure he's too keen on having company right now.

	From: atarince	Date: 08/23/2007 12:47:19

*really thinks you must be having a particularly low I.Q. day*

Mother. He may not want company but -- it's Turco. And it's me. It's not the same as company.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/23/2007 12:51:21

It's not the same as company.

*very quietly* I know, sweetheart.

*really looks as though she has no desire to stop you* *isn't budging, however* That doesn't change your condition, dear. *tries to look optimistic and not so much with the CONSUMING GUILT* I'm sure Tyelcormo will manage without you a little while longer. I hope.

	From: atarince	Date: 08/23/2007 12:56:12

*looks a little downcast* Will he? I don't think so. I -- I don't understand why he went without -- without telling me.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/23/2007 13:03:55

*hesitantly* Well, he was a bit shocked, dear. And if he thinks you're not really his brother—even though you are, of course you are, we all know that—that's probably a bit devastating hard for him, don't you think?

*looks at your face and smoothes your hair gently* You just concentrate on healing for now, all right? *plays the Card* Your brother will just worry more if you don't.

*looks vaguely okay really more than a bit angry*

	From: atarince	Date: 08/23/2007 13:09:34

*damn the Card!* *damnit all to Mandos!* Of course I'm his brother, though. *mumbles something that may incorporate the phrase "best friend" too* He's not answering his phone, Mother. Why is he not answering his phone?

*sees your expression* What's wrong?

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/23/2007 13:18:19

*feels her heart break a little* I don't know, honey. I wish I'd just lied he would.

*shakes her head* *tightly* It's just...this is all such a pretty mess. I'll be happy to go to Ondolindë if only for a change of scenery, I think.

	From: atarince	Date: 08/23/2007 13:32:44

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/23/2007 13:37:35

*brick wall? meet nerdanel's head. oh, you're old friends? fantastic!*

*still gently* I'm certain you're right, pumpkin. *isn't even saying that to placate you* When. You're. Better. You should be so happy right now that I can't see that strikeout.

	From: atarince	Date: 08/23/2007 13:39:31

*hopefully* But I am better. I'm sitting up and everything, see that it's almost killing me? Maybe if one of the others came with me? Or maybe Finduilas would come?

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/23/2007 13:49:06

*lifts an eyebrow* *skeptically* Oh yes, I see, all right. *picks up your legs and hauls them back up onto the bed*

Or maybe Finduilas would come?

Do you honestly think that. girl. she'd be willing to do that? *thinks this is probably not much of a gamble seeing as most people tend to dislike Turco, well, rather a lot*

	From: atarince	Date: 08/23/2007 14:01:44

Mother! Mother, what are you--? *sighs* Fine.

Do you honestly think that. girl. she'd be willing to do that?

*grins* Oh, she can't stand Turco but the entertainment value would be undeniable.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/23/2007 14:05:42

*calmly* There's a good lad. You get comfy and I'll bring you something you can eat.

the entertainment value would be undeniable

*can't help laughing a little at that (if partly in exasperation)* You awful boy. What am I going to do with you?

	From: atarince	Date: 08/23/2007 14:12:26

*sort of smiles at you* Nothing to be done, Mother. Think I'm the finished article, right here. Less a kidney and a brother THANK YOU VERY MUCH I COULD BE HALF-WAY TO OSSIRIAND BY NOW.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/23/2007 14:16:56

Don't I know it. YOU PUT THAT THOUGHT OUT OF YOUR HEAD THIS INSTANT.

*heads off to the kitchens*

*vaguely wonders if she should track down your father and make him talk sense into you*

*...*

*AHAHAHAHA okay then*

	From:	Date: 08/23/2007 16:42:37

*What?*

*Can be very persuasive!*

*You married him, didn't you?*

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/23/2007 16:46:23

*it's not so much your power of persuasion up for debate*

*it's more the talking sense part*

You married him, didn't you?

*yes. yes, she did. sortoflovesyou so?*

	From:	Date: 08/23/2007 17:38:28

*Surely his favourite boy's well-being is something he can reach an agreement with you on.*

so?

*That must have taken some persuading, if not with you then with your dad.*

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/23/2007 17:43:24

*yes, you're probably right about that, at least*

*really? but your father-in-law-to-be was so fond of you. initially.*

*walks the halls, deep in thought and keeping her eyes peeled for you*

	From:	Date: 08/23/2007 18:01:59

*Perches by a window, reading the paper.*

*Seems to be lingering over the arts section, on a story about a certain gallery in Delving in particular.*

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/23/2007 18:07:44

*almost doesn't see you sitting there so stilly*

*can't help being entranced by the sight of you in repose* *wishes suddenly for a charcoal pencil and paper*

Good afternoon, husband.

	From:	Date: 08/23/2007 18:19:50

*Looks up at the sound of your voice.*

You have a gallery?

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/23/2007 18:23:37

*comfortably settles herself near you*

*looks back at you for a moment and moves an inch or two in one direction (to get the best light)*

I do. *pause* It's in Menegroth. But I suppose you've already read that.

	From:	Date: 08/23/2007 18:41:49

So I take it Cano got arrested for going to see his mother's exhibition? Unbelievable.

I'd like to see it.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/23/2007 18:47:05

No, that all happened...a bit later, actually? *looking troubled* He got into a scuffle with Telperinquar—Atarincë's boy—and the authorities saw it as a good excuse. All but the twins were very nearly taken in at my exhibition, yes, but the chief marchwarden, as it turned out, is close to Carnistir. That was rather lucky.

I'd like to see it.

I'd like you to. *smiles wryly* Perhaps when war with Elwë is slightly less imminent?

	From:	Date: 08/23/2007 19:07:17

*sighs* Why did you have to have it in Elwë's back yard?

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/23/2007 19:12:10

Because it's very good for my career. Besides, I like it there. It's a bit unearthly, spending that much time in caves, but it's bustling and colorful and curious and interesting.

*shrugs* Anyway, I had no idea any of you were alive when I settled down there.

	From:	Date: 08/23/2007 19:35:30

You don't think people would be willing to travel to see your work?

Now you do know? What now?

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/23/2007 19:40:42

*questioningly* I think there is much inspiration to be found in Delving. And as it's a very populous city, many more people will have the opportunity to see my work. Readily.

If my sons wish to see my work, I'll bring it to them. *lifts her chin* Until such time as they've managed to make peace with Elwë.

*tries not to show her frustration* What is it you expect me to say or do about this, Fëanáro?

	From:	Date: 08/23/2007 20:01:38

Expect? I don't "expect" anything, I just want to know how all this has affected your plans for the future. Believe it or not, not everything that comes out of my mouth is meant as an incitement to conflict.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/23/2007 20:10:10

*sighs* To be perfectly honest, I've hardly had time to think about my future, Curufinwë. I've been far too busy weathering these past few disasters.

What are your plans for the future, exactly? *can hardly believe she hasn't already asked you this* Where will you live? Are you coming with us to Ondolindë?

	From:	Date: 08/24/2007 19:08:29

For now, I go where you and the children go. Then I'm going to see your gallery. After that, I really haven't decided.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/24/2007 22:12:30

where the children go

*softening slightly* I should probably tell you...I'm worried about Atarincë. I really do believe he has half a mind to go haring off after Tyelcormo. Obviously he's in no state to do any such thing.

	From:	Date: 08/25/2007 17:11:57

*Groans* Do you want me to yell at talk to him?

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/25/2007 17:18:23

If you wouldn't mind? *almost resignedly* You're the one he listens to.

	From:	Date: 08/25/2007 17:30:16

*nod* Fine. Then we go after Turco? *Mulls it over for a moment.* That'll be a two man job. At least.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/25/2007 17:37:42

*says nothing for a long while*

*candidly* I have no idea what to do about Turco. When he was just a wee thing he'd talk to me and I— I'd know how to fix things. But now I don't know him at all.

	From:	Date: 08/25/2007 18:32:46

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/25/2007 18:37:34

*can't suppress a sad little smile* Geniuses and fools all wrapped into one.

	From:	Date: 08/25/2007 19:07:25

No, not fools. Just misunderstood, surely?

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/25/2007 19:12:59

*finds your hand and squeezes it briefly* Full of past and future mistakes. So human, perhaps? I as much as you or any of them.

	From:	Date: 08/25/2007 19:42:09

So human

Hm. Human. That's going to take some getting used to as well. Didn't feel like I had enough time to do everything I wanted the first time around, now we're all on a clock?

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/25/2007 19:47:32

I don't know the answer to that problem, either. After living for lonely ages and ages without you I can't quite believe this is all we've got.

	From:	Date: 08/25/2007 19:59:21

It's probably something to do with quality of life, not quantity...or some other pithy life lesson, the sort that they were so very keen on espousing in Mandos on a constant loop.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 08/25/2007 22:14:23

*can't help wondering what exactly you did learn while in Mandos* *thinks it's probably best to save the millennia of catch-up for another day*

I suppose we'll just have to live a little more quickly here. *thinks about her children and laughs softly* Not that we were the types to take anything slowly.