From: mahtaniel	Date: 09/04/2007 19:36:18

*wanders down to the end of the hall, carrying her sketchbook*

*settles down on a bench with her back to the large picture window there, apparently satisfied*

*noticing you through your open door* Anything wrong, dear? Where do I begin?

	From: kanofinwe	Date: 09/07/2007 10:42:54

*fold the tie loosely*

*obviously thinking about something*

Nothing ahahahah. ...Did the accessory elves make a visit? ;) /masking the situation with humour

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 09/07/2007 10:50:37

*mildly* Atarincë was making the rounds earlier, actually. *gestures to the shawl she's wearing* It's all very lovely and we probably shouldn't ask where they came from.

	From: kanofinwe	Date: 09/07/2007 11:05:12

*pauses*

That was... uncharacteristically thoughtful of him?

*dips back inside to put it away*

*wonders if you'll buy he can get away with "need to clear my head" as an excuse to get away again* *thinks this will be hard since you're sitting just outside his door*

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 09/07/2007 11:11:18

*does the serene-but-slightly-noticeably-disappointed thing so very well* It was, wasn't it?

*simply sits and sketches awhile* *figures you'll talk when you feel like not repressing talking*

	From: kanofinwe	Date: 09/07/2007 11:19:18

:\ :/

*decides avoidance is just fine, thank you* *at least until he knows how much you actually know*

*closes his door*

*simply* I'm starved. I think I'll see what the kitchens have available.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 09/07/2007 11:23:53

*doesn't even look up from the page* *smoothly* Be a dear and sneak me out some fresh inner turmoil to go with the evasion, will you?

	From: kanofinwe	Date: 09/07/2007 11:31:38

*looks back at you, hiding irritation*

*would really not like to be irritated with you* *isn't used to the hiding, either*

What's that meant to mean, then?

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 09/07/2007 11:35:59

*sets down her pencil and eyes you squarely* It means that you're quite welcome to continue angsting by the seashore stewing, if you choose, but that I very much doubt it will alter the situation much.

	From: kanofinwe	Date: 09/07/2007 11:45:41

*stands in front of his door* *lifts his shoulders, opens his palms* Well I'm sorry if I'm not eager to discuss this with you of all people, Naneth. Curufin's a big boy. So am I.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 09/07/2007 11:54:41

*considers* Forgive me, dearest. I wasn't aware that duplicity is a mark of your character emotional maturity.

*lifts her pencil again* Well, carry on then. There are some excellent cheeses downstairs. I think Elenwë's just had them imported.

	From: kanofinwe	Date: 09/07/2007 12:05:31

Fine. Bring you some, shall I? :\

*starts to turn but can't let one thing go*

So you think because you know me better than any of us happened to walk in on something you know what's going on? Did you happen to forget she's divorcing him as well?

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 09/07/2007 12:14:51

*shrugs* That would be nice. If you happen to think of it.

*makes a much harder mark in the shading of Aredhel's hair than she intended and has to rub it out* What I know is that my daughter-in-law has been in the earliest stages of divorce for several months now. *ticking off the points on her fingers* Then I walked in on something. And today my son is rooming with Carnistir and talking to lawyers and looking heartbroken when he thinks no one will notice.

For a little while I'd wondered if one of you had been locked up again. *raises an eyebrow* Then I remembered that none of you actually use lawyers for things like that.

	From: kanofinwe	Date: 09/07/2007 12:27:51

*actually pauses* ...He's staying with Moryo?

Of course she's been in it for months, Curvo won't even consider the petition's serious. He treats her like she's disposable, when he's not forgetting about their son of course. :\

*tilts his head* Don't punish me for their decisions, Naneth, I had as little control over that as you did. :\

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 09/07/2007 12:36:48

Don't punish me for their decisions

*nods slightly* I'm sorry, dear. I was venting and it was unfair of me to say. I know you'd never have chosen to do things that way.

*sighs* I don't claim to be an expert on their relationship. I don't even claim that they're good for each other. I think it's rather a terrible match, actually. But Macalaurë, he is your brother. If he took a bullet to rescue you—in the course of enacting a woefully misguided plan, granted—then I think the least you can do is be honest with him. Finduilas is another problem.

	From: kanofinwe	Date: 09/07/2007 14:58:39

he took a bullet to rescue you

*isn't grateful for that reminder* :s

*thinks about something for a long, long, moment*

Yes. Fine. I've hurt him, I accept the consequences, I won't hide that if when I see him. And the three of us will all get on with our messed-up lives.

	From: mahtaniel	Date: 09/07/2007 15:09:03

I accept the consequences

*a bit more gently* That's all I expect of you, sweetheart, you know that. Your romantic relationships are none of my business but my darling boys—and girls—are. I don't enjoy seeing you at odds with one another. *ruefully* You're We're your own best allies, after all.

	From: kanofinwe	Date: 09/07/2007 15:32:38

*doesn't find he's able to lapse into gentility*

Yes, Naneth. *rubs fingertips across his forehead* I'll do my best not to lapse.

*turns to go and find the kitchens after all and brood over some dinner*