Borked elf is borked

[seawanderer]

Who: Maglor [OPEN]
What: Maglor is still recovering from being trapped
Where: All over the train but ending in the Standard Coach
When: Day 29

When a musician gets stressed, they tend to start playing. And have a hard time stopping. Ever since the door unlocked, Maglor hasn't been back to his cabin. Hasn't slept. Hasn't rest. Just took his harp and left. Who would go looking for him, anyway? He's just one broken elf! No one of consequence.

Random little chords can be heard, plucked along. But for the most part, he's fled when he's seen anyone come close. But it's a small train, and it's only a matter of time before he's caught.

And eventually, he gets tired enough to end up sitting quietly, staring out into the Void as his fingers pluck away at his harp.

Comments

[myblueskies]

Things were still a little frightening. He could still hear the creepy music and sometimes he thought he saw people watching him from outside the windows.

But that was still. There weren't any people outside. Just the void.

Carving pumpkins had helped though, as had making yummy food and he had taken his pumpkin to the shop screen and got some free sweets so that had helped chear him up too!

He had heard some different music. Not the eery music but someone playing an instrument. He followed the sound until he found Maglor.

He approached cautiously, clamebering into a seat nearby, not interrupting the music even if it wasn't as sad as the last time he had heard Maglor play.

[seawanderer]

The music is too loud, too disordered, for his comfort. He's been trying to combat it, and not doing that great a job at it. Mind too chaotic to focus, which is only new in terms of the last few centuries for him. It's been better on the train, but now...

The music coming from his harp now is indeed not quite so eerie as the underlying discord, nor as sad as the Noldolante, but still not quite the level of cheer he's been trying for so hard since becoming a passenger.

Eventually he seems to regain some sense of self, slowly blinking and shakes his head before turning enough to see a boy he'd met before. He tries for a smile, though it ends up weak.

"How do you fare?"

[myblueskies]

Romeo smiled as he was noticed and inched a bit closer. "I'm okay sir, I was just listening to your music. It's nicer than the scary music I keep hearing."

He held out the paper bag in his hand. "Would you like a sweet?"

Sweets were very good for keeping your spirits up.

[seawanderer]

...Romeo... Yes. That's the boy's name. Maglor aims for a brighter tune, trying just a little harder to shove the shadows of memory away, if only for Romeo's sake. No child should have to deal with his past.

It's a little easier to smile, too. And the kindness helps. "I'm glad my music is helping you." Light music is easier to lean on than chaos, though chaos is always easier to make.

He blinks at the paper bag, latching onto the reality of this little light of interaction Romeo offers. "Only if you do not mind sharing."

[stealsyourheart]

"Heya."

Kaito is, as Kaito does, exploring - if you can call it that, when he's 'explored' all there is to explore already. But after being stuck like that, he needs to move. Maglor he remembers as being pretty cool, for an adult.

"Mind company?"

[seawanderer]

Kaito is Kaito is Kaito.

The abrupt greeting is enough to help snap the elf out of his own personal trap of the mind and he blinks over at the boy before remembering to attempt a smile.

"You are always welcome."

[stealsyourheart]

He grins back and flops down beside him, all gangly arms and legs in a careless sprawl.

"You look pretty down. You ok?"

[seawanderer]

Just like Elros used to. Such a helpful mental reminder of one he's lost. He shakes himself, struggling to focus on here. Now.

"...There is no need for you to worry over me."

[runs_on_batteries]

Maglor's emotional state had gone unnoticed longer than Tony would've liked to admit. He'd also been having some lingering issues from the inspector's visit, but to a much lesser degree. Once he realized the elf who usually let him into 1:D had been absent enough nights in a row, he came looking for him. It was nice and convenient that the elf kept playing his harp, cluing Tony in to where he was.

Stepping into the standard car, he whistled to get Maglor's attention. He nodded back toward the way he came. "Come on." He had an idea on what might help and for once it wasn't alcohol.

[seawanderer]

Life slips by, even more so when other things take up one's attention. Maglor is hardly one to blame another for being distracted.

The whistle drags his attention to the man who has become a friend, music abruptly ending as he blinks in surprise. He trusts Tony, and so he slowly pushes himself to his feet, harp tucked at his side. It's clear he's not been taking care of himself...at all. Only the glove on his right hand is keeping the damage there from being obvious.

"Where am I needed?" Already moving toward Tony to follow as he tries to focus back on the here and now.

[runs_on_batteries]

Tony frowns when he noticed the state the other man was in. Wow, he really must be related to them somehow. This might not be his best idea given how poorly Maglor has been taking care of himself, but he was going to offer something he knew made him feel better.

"With me, obviously." Once they stepped into the gym, he goes to one of the closets and pulls out two goblin blades. "You, my friend, look like crap. Now talk to me while we practice." He pulls the hoodie he'd been wearing off, the black tank top that he often wore to bed underneath- something Maglor had seen him in quite often recently. He starts to toss it aside, but looks back at Maglor's harp. "Here, you can use this if you want something soft to lay that on."

[seawanderer]

Sliding back into bad habits is a Thing for him. Breaking them take effort.

Maglor frowns, worry nudging his mind at the answer before the meaning behind it has him duck his head in embarrassment. And the gym makes Tony's intent even more clear. Definitely a good friend, and one not afraid to tell it as it is.

He sighs quietly but obediently accepts the hoodie to lay his harp on before tugging his own off and setting it beside the other. "One's mind is not always a good place." Which he knows Tony already is well aware of. But there's more to it, though he's reluctant to voice it.

[tinkerheart]

Fëanor attempted to fight the creeping horror before the Inspectors arrived. He did succeed, even if only partially. He was exhausted but at least the spider kids were not completely terror-stricken when the door opened. He has nothing to distract him now.

He wanted to speak with all his sons. He did with Maedhross. Curufin has gone with the Inspectors ... and came back but Fëanor is still shaken, even if he tries to hide it, about what could have been.

Maglor has eluded him, moving around before his father is able to reach him but the sounds of the harp are a trail he can follow. Finally, he finds him in the Standard Coach staring into the Void. Not a safe thing to do.

Don't look into the Void.

"You heard it too, didn't you?" he says as he approaches. Carefully. He doesn't want to startle his visibly distressed son.

The singing.

[seawanderer]

Part of him felt guilty for avoiding even his family, as difficult as it had been. But not impossible. They were equally distracted, and so he'd managed it.

The rest of him is just too tired to care. Spinning around in too many circles, torn this way and that until he's left staring out where he really shouldn't.

His father's voice and presence tug him back, but not quite enough to break his stare out to Madness. His shoulders slump along with the rest of him, leaning against the train's shell as his fingers continue to pluck away.

"Impossible to block or mask." And he'd tried! Oh so hard. Failure is difficult to handle.

[tinkerheart]

Fëanor just shakes his head. This not going to work. Unless...
He pulls him into a hug and gently takes his hand off the strings.

“Kano, look at me”

Don’t look into the Void. There’s nothing to see there.

and what if somewhere there...

“Remember that time when you were little when you had trouble sleeping because you thought there were giant owls out there and they are going to eat you? We stayed with you the whole night.”

He smiles ignoring the nagging little voice in his head.

what if the enemy is there.... waiting...for the moment to be right

“It’s exactly like then. There are no giant owls there and they’re not going to eat you but I’m going to stay with you as long as you need.”

but he might be... and you don’t know where....

SHUT UP!!!!

He won’t let anyone hurt his beloved sons again. It was him the last time but that won’t happen again. He won’t let anyone... not even himself....
This out there is not real. It’s like the train’s voice from nowhere has said. Void particles. Just Void particle. There’s nothing there...

[seawanderer]

Familiar arms tug him away, removing fingers from strings and an order shakes him. A precious good memory is offered and Maglor draws in a shuddering breath before turning away from the window. He curls into his father's arms, wrestling with himself before...

Oh.

A promise from Feanor is not lightly given.

It's enough to drag his gaze up to peer shyly up at his father. "What if we're separated again?"

[castintoflames]

Broken souls seek other broken souls. Maedhros senses his brother's unease and he moves through the corridors and rooms until he finds him. Maglor will have no say when at last he finds him; he will be lifted into gentle, strong arms and...held. Simply held.

[seawanderer]

Captured! But he knows those arms. So after the brief flail of surprise, Maglor shudders and collapses against his brother, curling into him and hides his face against his brother's neck.

[castintoflames]

He is careful with the harp, gently setting it aside with...a new hand. The metal shines, newly polished, and the fingers flex smoothly. Once the instrument is safe, Maedhros embraces his brother in what can only be termed a bear hug.

"You are not too big for me to carry."

[seawanderer]

He's not noticed the new hand just yet, too focused is he on holding tight to something real and someone who makes him feel safe.

"Maybe I need you to carry me a bit," he grumbles at his brother, voice muffled.

[faithfulsupport]

Noting the elf gone from the room, Ignis of course worried. Meals had been skipped (yes he kept an eye on his roommates and their eating habits) and this was the one person who helped him and Tony every night. So naturally his absence would be noted.

Going through the train on his way to one of the quiet cabins, Ignis ears pick up notes of the harp. Stopping himself enroute, the advisor turned around and moved back in the direction of the music.

Seeing Maglor looking outwards, he waited until the music had paused but he didn't try and approach. Asking if Maglor was okay was stupid because that answer was obvious. So he went with what he thought would work.

"I'm going to the kitchen. Would you like me to bring something back for you?"

[seawanderer]

He doesn't mind helping friends see each other. He thinks Ignis and Tony are rather cute together. And he knows, theoretically, when he's thinking right, that there are people here who care enough about him to notice if he's been missing. And to go looking so that they might try to help.

Ignis doesn't go unnoticed, though it takes Maglor a while longer than usual to let the harp's sweet sad song pause. A slow blink at the question drags the elf's mind to the fact that no, he hasn't eaten in a few days. And he'd been doing so well!

He closes his eyes with a sigh and rests his forehead against the window before slowly straightening and half turning to glance over a shoulder at the adviser. "...I will go with you." And he forces himself to his feet, harp absently settling at his side under an arm.

[faithfulsupport]

This was troubling to see the other seem so..lost. That was really the only way he could describe it. But being locked up like some wild animal or maybe one of the ones he'd bet on once had taught him the value of freedom of course.

Maglor didn't seem himself but again Ignis wasn't going to let him wander off by himself and not be checked on. Had he been dismissed, the advisor would've left at once. However, it looked like the elf was coming with him so that had to be a good sign.

Waiting patiently, whenever the other was ready to depart, Ignis walked in a companionable silence, not wanting to disturb the other's thoughts or pry.

[freakyfishdad]

The sound of music is strangely nostalgic to Mako, though it's somewhat odd to not hear any accompaniment. He finds himself humming along slightly, but quickly shuts that down. This train isn't like Equestria, and people might not appreciate random others joining in with their musical acts. Still, he moves a bit closer so that he can listen better, kneeling on the floor of the car and leaning his head forwards.

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin climbs out of that wretched suitcase in the luggage compartment and finishes wrapping up the loose ends from his little foray off the train with Reigen and the inspectors. Then, he goes looking for his relatives in case they noticed he was gone, but it takes a bit of time. He hears a harp being played in the Standard Coach, and there's only one person it could be. Nobody else in all the worlds makes such magic on a musical instrument.

He enters the coach and sees his brother looking solemn and lost, even as his fingers wend their skillful way across the shining strings. Curufin's heart is instantly stricken with remorse that he didn't come to Maglor immediately.

"Maglor, are you all right?"