Forward dated to June 2; video

[inafadingcrown]

[The woman who appears on the screen is sitting on the floor of a forest in what is obviously a makeshift camp. The chirping of birds and the faint sounds of horses can be heard in the background. Her first message is short and simple, open to everyone (though, admittedly, there are a few who she is particularly hoping to hear from).]


I am curious;  how many of you hail from Arda? When did you see it last?

For those who do not, tell me something of your world, if you will. I have time enough for a tale or two.

[Locked to Seelie]

Gi suilon. I am known to some of you already; for those to whom I am not, I will offer a short introduction. [She gives a little nod of her head- not a bow, but still with a slightly formal air.] I am Galadriel, formerly of Lothlórien.

I regret very much that I am not able to offer my greetings in person to those of you who have newly arrived, but, alas, circumstances necessitate my presence elsewhere.

Regardless of my absence, I would offer you- and those who have been longer in this world- use of the lembas and miruvor I received as a boon. Lembas, for those who are unaware, are Elven waybread. My supply of these is dwindling and even a little will provide nourishment for days, so I ask that you take only at need and sparingly. Miruvor is healing cordial, though it may also be used simply to renew strength. Of this I have more, but, again, do not use it needlessly. Both the lembas and the miruvor I keep in my quarters; my maid is likely to be about and able to show you to it. If not, you may contact me and I will find a way to make arrangements.

Upon my return, I will no doubt meet many of you for myself and I will be glad to offer what assistance I may, for I know well that this place may be frightening and strange, however welcoming our hosts may mean to be. Until then, keep well.

[Locked to Maglor]

[Ordinarily, she would deem this unnecessary, but she does know that he was traveling recently. And it's best he know as soon as possible.]

I do not know if you have heard, cousin, but yet another kinsman has found his way to this world.

Comments

video;

[boutant]

My world is... sort of boring. There's no magic or anything, at least.

[ Ariadne frowns in thought, tucking some hair behind an ear. The most interesting thing she knows about is shared dreaming, but that's- secret. ]

People don't use horses to get around much anymore, either -- not in most places. Machines are used instead, and are used for most things -- to make them faster, more efficient, that sort of thing. There are no great hunts.

[ Wait, wait-- interesting, not depressing. ]

We've been beneath the ocean, though! I mean, I haven't personally, but...

video;

[silvergift]

[Sudden interest! Excuse her while she grabs her locket from nearby to nose in.]

No horses? And your people have been beneath the ocean?

video;

[boutant]

[ A startled laugh, and Ariadne lifts a hand to wave. ]

A few horses, but they aren't common like they are here. And yes! There are underwater vehicles -- like, um, a wagon that's fully enclosed and made of metal, but not pulled by horses. We call them 'submarines'.

video;

[silvergift]

[She wants to ask questions and then... she doesn't, because of her mother and she doesn't know if she still feels Sea-Longing even here. And she doesn't want to upset her.]

That does not seem as though it would be comfortable.

[inafadingcrown]

[Celebrían, really. Yes, she still does feel it, but she's not going to go to pieces from talking about the ocean. Galadriel closes her own locket and sits down next to her daughter, so that they are both visible on the same video feed.]

It would be worth enduring the discomfort to see such wonders, I think.

[boutant]

There's enough room in most of them for a whole crew of people, though it is very enclosed. And we can't go too deep, yet -- the metal will buckle.

[ She smiles at the both of them, tucking some hair behind an ear. ]

Though there are submarines that can go down without anyone in them, deeper than we can do, that can record what they come across. There are fish that glow, for example.

[silvergift]

[She knows that but she's still trying to be considerate. She doesn't like ever seeing her mother sad. Celebrian quietly leans against her though, unawares.]

It would be. Especially to see glowing fish~

[She wants paints now to try painting that. Maybe when they get to the Station she can buy some.] How could you use them without someone inside?

[inafadingcrown]

[That was going to be Galadriel's next question too, so she nods.] Some queer form of mortal magic, perhaps?

[boutant]

Some of them are very pretty. Others look almost like monsters -- but I'm sure they think they're pretty!

[ Ariadne can't help the slight laugh, even as she shakes her head. ]

We don't have magic where I'm from. There are devices put inside that can 'talk' to other ones in front of a person; there's no sound, but they send a signal to each other -- the best thing I can think to compare it to is how animals can smell each other from far away. Anyway, the person tells what's in front of them what to tell the submarine, and then it does that thing.

[ She really hopes she's explaining this in a way that makes sense. It's not perhaps the most accurate way, but... well. Elves. ]

[silvergift]

[Still sounds kind of like magic.]

All creatures, I think, have a concept of beauty. [She says 'all' but means 'most.' Probably. Maybe.]

Like a separate language?

[inafadingcrown]

I admit that my thoughts were along another line.

[And then switching her mode of communication, so that she speaks into both of their minds, rather than aloud:]

Something more akin to my gift, perhaps?

[boutant]

[ Ariadne jumps about three feet in the air -- considering she's only 5'1", that's quite a feat in and of itself. ]

A little like the two combined.

[silvergift]

[This is not Celebrian giggling at Ariadne. Noooooo, not at all.]

A warning might have helped, mother. [Still totally not giggling.]

[inafadingcrown]

[What? Oh.]

Forgive me, I forget, on occasion, that not all are accustomed to such things.

[boutant]

[ A little weakly: ] That's okay.

Is that- can all elves do that?

[silvergift]

[For now she'll let mom answer. She's still not giggling. She's doesn't rightly know if ALL elves can, honestly. And mom knows everything.]

[inafadingcrown]

To a degree, perhaps, though I have something of a talent for it. [Understatement of the year.]

[boutant]

[ Still a bit weakly: ] Oh.

Is it just- the talking, or can you do other things, too?

[silvergift]

[Celebrian calms.] Are you going to be alright?

[inafadingcrown]

I have a number of other gifts- but before I tell you of them, I feel I must apologize; I did not intend to shake you so.

[boutant]

I'll be fine, sorry, I just- [ Ariadne laughs, awkward, and shakes her head. ] I wasn't expecting it.

[ The possibility of having her mind laid bare had only been a reality when it came to dream sharing: this is something else entirely. ]

[silvergift]

Clearly. [A faint smile, still a little amused.]

I hope there will not be too many more surprises like that for you.

[inafadingcrown]

There will be none from me, at least. I will take more care in how I introduce my gifts to others henceforth.

[boutant]

At least it wasn't really a bad surprise. Just unexpected.

That might be a good idea.

[silvergift]

[Innocently:] Imagine she had done it when you were doing something you should not have.