Your Mouth Might Get You Killed, One of These Days

[utulien_aure]

Who: Finwean family and any interested friends
What: Discussing the consequences of Pissing Off Beings Stronger That You Again, Morons
Where: The Elfhouse
When: Evening of October 28, after the Null's post
Warnings: Probably nothing, but will update if needed.



"Alright," Fingon began when everyone had gathered over dinner, "I think all of us already know what happened today. And I have to say, being targeted for death again almost feels as though things are getting back to normal."

He gave one wry grin at that, then continued more seriously. "The question as I see it is how seriously we should take the threat at hand, and what if any precautions we should take. Everyone here is more than capable of handling themselves in combat, of course, but if someone does take the Null's offer it's unlikely they plan on a simple sword fight. And then there's the matter of the others on the list, and what help we may be able to offer them."

"Thoughts?"

Comments

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin is so jumpy that he's having a hard time sitting still. He keeps springing up ostensibly to fetch more wine or food, but in fact to calm himself down with a little frenetic physical activity. After the fifth time he does this, he finally picks up his glass, tosses off the contents, and replies to Fingon's query.

"We should take this absolutely seriously. There are plenty of people who are pissed at the gods, and a few of them enough so to make an alliance with them, and these may not be deterred by this little stunt -- they may take it as an opportunity. And some of them may be good at assassination, that is, a knife in the dark or a shot from the top of a building. We are going to have to keep our sharp Elvish eyes peeled and our sharp Elvish ears open."

"Fingon, Maedhros, Celebrimbor, and I are all in the Guard. I'm assuming that we're going to mobilize. But we need not wait for that. I'd like to assess that list and see who will need the most help -- who has the fewest self-defense skills, that is."

[handofsilver]

Celebrimbor believes, absolutely, in being proactive. However before he begins, he embraces each of his family members, hoping to instill in them, silently, that violence is not always the best defense. Their connection as a family can be a great boon.

"I do not think we can assume all will stick to the list, either."

So, basically, he is convinced no one is safe. Not that they were before either. This is just...a more audacious approach on behalf of their cavernous city.

"We cannot overextend ourselves. As much as we might like to protect everyone, we are limited too."

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin returns the embrace with extra affection. He gets the message. He's been in the mood to make a few threats himself, and still might, but his son asserts quietly and lovingly that there are better defenses, and his input is very welcome to his father.

"I agree with you on that, Cel. Once people begin to target those on the list, it may not stop there. Killing has a way of becoming contagious. And we in this family are a small group. Still, there is the Guard, and there are others in Hadriel who would be willing to be protectors."

[utulien_aure]

"We'll know how much help we can extend to others when we've taken stock of our own defenses," Fingon nods. He know Celebrimbor's not wrong, though he's still hopeful they can do something.

He pushes a hand through his hair, and takes another look at the list Murdock has posted. "I don't know everyone else who's been targeted, but some of them should be able to look after themselves. The addition of children to the list is a concern, but thankfully people have been volunteering to protect them."

As he considers Curufin's concerns, a look of distate spreads across his face. "Also, I hate to sound overmuch like our dear hosts, but do we have any idea of who might take the Null's offer?"

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin makes a face and doesn't answer. At the moment, he doesn't want to speak of Yukari. [ But he's going to shitpost to the Null pretty soon, and then the unhappy situation will all come out, one way or another. ]

[utulien_aure]

"We can go back through the old posts, perhaps, and see who seemed interested," Fingon muses, "that is unless we've been cut off from those as well."

[This would have been the moment, Curufin, that's all he's saying.]

"Either way, until this is over we should all stay in closer contact than usual."

[so_dark_a_road]

"We could do that, I guess -- find out if the old ones are still available to us. It wouldn't take long to check."

[ Sometimes when a person you love has gotten himself into really hot water -- and you along with himself! -- you don't want to talk about it. You feel responsible. There is the tendency to want to fix the problem before you say anything. Unrealistic as that may be. ]

"I agree. Say, you have Chris's app on your phone. [ Because the Guard and the Brigade both do. ] Did you notice it can be set for any group of people you choose? Set your family on speed-dial, one touch of a button sends a message to all of us. We should all do that. And add Sansa and Anakin, too?"

[utulien_aure]

"I didn't," at that Fingon takes out the phone to check. "Alright, I see how this works. If everyone does that, at least we'll be in contact when we need to be.

"And someone should inform Anakin, just in case he decides to do something on his own."

[Which Fingon will take care of later.]

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin nods. Phone contact will work just fine.

[ "Someone" most likely being Fingon. Curufin gets that. ]

"I wonder what Anakin's take on this whole thing is? I haven't talked to him or seen him in a while."

[utulien_aure]

[Oh no, Curufin's welcome to take a hand at it. It's just that it turned out that way on Anakin's post...]

"Nor have I. I'm a bit surprised he's not on the list, but there's still plenty of time for that."

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin's mun was too tired to keep up with the newer posts, so Curufin missed that one. (Until yesterday.) Anakin would probably rather hear from Fingon anyway! ]

"I'm surprised, too. What could the Sith Order be thinking?? -- missing out on such an opportunity! [ Chuckle. ] He's spent so much of his life being a contrarian, you'd think he'd want to be an Enemy of the Null along with the rest of us."

[utulien_aure]

[Fingon isn't always so sure of that- somethings he wonders whether he sounds like his father might be lecturing Anakin a bit. Some reinforcement of the message might not go amiss.]

"Perhaps when half the city began defying the Null, it seemed less important to get around to it right away!" Fingon jokes.

It's not what he believes, of course. Anakin's issues may be many, but he doesn't think they would lead him in that particular direction.

"Still, if he doesn't pop up in a day or two, we should probably track him down. No one should be out of contact at the moment, even if they're not directly a target."

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Oh well, what's a little lecturing between friends? XD ]

Curufin laughs. "Maybe. Who wants to be the hundred-and-twentieth Null enemy, instead of the first or second? No showmanship in that." He grins. Anakin is a born showman.

"I agree. And he shouldn't be all that hard to find. You probably already know he goes to the orchard when he's feeling a little unsociable. And yes, if he doesn't answer his phone, somebody should go an bop him on the head with it, and tell him he needs to stay in contact."

[bythewaves]

In contrast to Curufin, Maglor is still, only his eyes betray him, feverishly bright. He laughs softly at Fingon's tease - it might be Beleriand all over again. He's made himself a bright, shiny target - the Commander of the Gap once again.

"We need to protect the house. Tis no Himring, and I would feel better with strong walls or at least suitable defences. I can lay traps, but I am no Melian, to lay down a girdle of confusion."

[utulien_aure]

All present have likely noticed the look in Maglor's eyes- Fingon certainly has, and has wondered whether to be concerned. Maglor's the best survivor of all of them by far, and Fingon trusts some of his instincts. But that one of their own might have painted an even bigger target on his back does not make Fingon feel any better about the situation.

"Agreed. If the fire taught us anything, it's how vulnerable these houses can be in the wrong circumstances. What do you recommend?"

[bythewaves]

Hey if it means everyone is looking at him and not the others....

He frowns thoughtfully. "Architecture is Curvo's area more than mine but... could we reinforce doors and windows to begin with? Even a simple metal portculis might work. Is a moat too much? We'd have to dig it ourselves. I can sing wards to the entrances too but Elrond might be better than me at that."

[utulien_aure]

That only holds if everyone else doesn't try to distract them from you, Maglor, and what are the odds of that?

"A Song might work, if the two of you can manage it. As for the windows, I don't see a reason we couldn't-" a quick turn toward the actual experts, "Curvo, Telpe? What do you think? How much of the house can we reinforce on the fly?"

Back to Maglor: "Digging a moat would take time...but maybe we could attach a larger shovel to one of Curvo's electric toys."

[bythewaves]

"If Elrond will help, I don't see why we can't get something of the sort done."

Maglor nods.

"Probably nothing so extensive as in Rivendell but..."

[utulien_aure]

"If the two of you need someone else I can try to help."

Not that he could manage as much as either Elrond or Maglor with Song, but he could at least do something.

"Pity the Door hasn't yet found us an Arafinwean to be of use."

[bythewaves]

"Having Galadriel or Finrod here would be immensely helpful." Maglor agrees with a sigh.

"Oh well. I suppose we can but try."

[utulien_aure]

Fingon nods.

"Anything we can do at this point will be an improvement, even if it's not all that it could be."

[bythewaves]

"Needs must." Maglor shrugs.

"We will do what we may and hope."

As they always have done.

[loveathousandyearsgone]

"If I will help?" Elrond has been silent for this so far, listening and thinking before pitching in. He raises a brow at Maglor. "I would think you know better than that, Maglor." Of course he'll help. Vilya will help too!

[bythewaves]

"Well I didn't want to assume..." Maglor smiles at him shyly. "But you were always better at this sort of thing than me."

Terrifyingly fast learner, had been his words at the time.

[loveathousandyearsgone]

Gentle warmth threads through his answering smile. "Then I shall be blunt. You will have my aid in this." Elrond's smile might have an edge of wry amusement though. "I have had long practice of using water as a defense against the Enemy."

...If he were Elros, there would be a smug twinkle in his eyes. But he's not his brother.

[bythewaves]

"So much the better for us!"

Maglor ducks, remembering a matching grin with fondness.

"Water is much safer than fire or boiling oil."

Or... sharp pointy things. Or explosions. Which tend to be Feanorian staples.

[loveathousandyearsgone]

He's not above a light smack to the head, Maglor. Light, not the punch of his twin.

"But somewhat easier to get past, depending on the opponent's power and skill. We will need to still be vigilant. A few walls wouldn't go amiss."

[bythewaves]

Ow?

"True. I do not know what we have to contend with here, considering what other worlds may have in terms of power and skill! But I will follow your lead, in this - you outgrew me in skill here long ago."

[loveathousandyearsgone]

muwaha

"Nor do I. Which is why it is best to prepare for the most and hope for the least." Elrond named his last fosterling Estel for a very good reason, after all!

[bythewaves]

"In that you show your wisdom!" Maglor smiles at him fondly.

"But there, lead, and I will follow."

[so_dark_a_road]

"Of course we can reinforce the doors and windows. I'll get on it right away. Shouldn't take long to hammer out some wrought-iron bars and put frames around them to make portcullises for the front and back doors and something similar for the windows. A moat I very much doubt we could dig here. Not with the houses lined up along a spiraling walkway that goes down into the earth." Wry chuckle. "We'd have to drown the folks at the bottom."

"But I like your idea of the wards. You and Elrond can do that. I'll make some really large, solid padlocks, though."

[bythewaves]

"No orcs or wights here, at least, so we don't have to ward the metal against them!"

Maglor agrees.

"Should ee set defences too? This is no castle but ...something to spring on those trying entry when we want to bar it?"

[so_dark_a_road]

"I'd suggest putting the wards on anyway. There are quite a few magic-users in Hadriel, and we have no way of knowing at the moment if any of them will be tempted by the Null's offer. If so, they could use magic to get in, so we might want to use it preventatively to keep them out. And also, to give blows from our steel weapons a little extra punch."

He nods. "I agree we should set defenses of some kind. What do you have in mind?"

[bythewaves]

Maglor frowns, at that.

"Their magics are not as we know them, though. I don't know what I can do. But Elrond and I will discuss this, and see, I suppose. I might leave most of that to you and Tyelpe, though. You would know better than I!"

He shrugs. "Well, we can't exactly pour boiling oil on people." He says wryly. "But... nets, and traplines, maybe?"

[so_dark_a_road]

"We didn't know anything about Morgoth's magic, either, when we first faced Orcs and Balrogs. We learned from experience. So, maybe we can do the same here. I'd really like to have Elrond's take on the matter. But as for the weapons, yes, Tyelpe and I will see to that."

He chuckles. "Too bad. I'd love to stir-fry anybody who tried to get in to harm my family. But yes, nets would be good, and traplines. . . triplines? Whatever, we'll rig some up."

[bythewaves]

Maglor snorts, amused.

"We've none of us the energy to spare to keep the oil hot enough all the time." He points out. "Best to use things that don't require us to contiously maintain them. A deadfall will be too much in a house, but nets and such ... is it worth trying to injure, or just to trap?"

[so_dark_a_road]

"True. Hot oil is out." Small laugh.

"What do you think? Are we angry enough to kill anybody who tries to break in?"

[bythewaves]

"...that depends on a great deal, no? Especially if anyone is hurt."

Yes, yes they probably are. HOWEVER.

"But maybe if we confine ourselves to non-fatal injuries for now."

[so_dark_a_road]

"All right. That suits me just fine. Heaven knows we don't need to be killing anybody we don't need to." We've done quite enough of that in our time.

[bythewaves]

"Best not to do anything to upset folk too much yet."

Maglor hums.

"We need to look at alliances and allies I suppose."

[so_dark_a_road]

"Yes and yes."

"I suppose we'd better start with the ones we know best. And certainly we should consider those who are living in Delight's Housing. If we're going to fortify the castle, so to speak, it would be best to coordinate with them."

[bythewaves]

"You know them well, I think?" Maglor suggests.

"Better than I! Will the Guard move to act as well?"

[so_dark_a_road]

"I know some of them, though not all. I'll ask them what they think, but I don't suppose anybody's really going to say no."

"Yes, the Guard will act. Nick will have everybody organized within days. Or hours." Chuckle. Nick Valentine, the second-in-command, is often the one who gets the Guards' act together. He's a kindly person but a ruthless organizer. (Which Curuifn can identify with, since he's the same when it's him in charge of anything.)

[bythewaves]

"I suppose I should at some point shift to join as well." Maglor muses.

"But right now I worry more for you than for others I do not know well."

[so_dark_a_road]

"I will certainly not object to that! It would be good to have you in the Guard. There are never quite enough of us to go around."

"But yes, I can understand why your worry is first and foremost for family. So it has always been, my brother."

And he smiles at him.

[bythewaves]

I have been worrying over you for all of your life and a good portion of mine! I suppose it is a habit I cannot now break!

[so_dark_a_road]

No, I suppose not. [ There is great tenderness in Curufin's smile. ]

{{ OOC: Btw, here is where you go to become a Guardsman. Just join the community and then sign up using the form under the roster, and you're in! }}

good place to end this one I think!

[bythewaves]

((ooc: awesome =p Maglor will be the worst guardsman of all time, routinely forgetting that he's rostered on lol))

I agree!

[so_dark_a_road]

{{ Perfect!!! <3 }}