hadriel_logs | Event Log: Flu Season

Who: All characters
What: The event log for the Flu Season event
Where: All over the city
When: March 20th-March 30th
Warnings: Gross sneezing, sick people, and paranoia

It starts with a cough, a sneeze, a sore throat - something small and simple, easily ignored. But then your symptoms get worse. It's probably been awhile since you've been sick, that sort of thing doesn't usually happen here. You might be able to raid the shops for some tissues and tea before it gets too bad, and hopefully you've got a friend to help out until you get better. Surely it'll be over soon, right?

Until the fever sets in, and you start to understand why your friend is really there. They don't want to take care of you. They want to make sure this is the last anyone will ever see of you. They want to learn all your secrets. They want to steal your most precious possession. You know they're plotting against you, you know they're keeping something from you. What will you do to find out what it is?

Then, as the sickness fades, you realize it was all in your mind. Let's hope you didn't do or say anything too awful. But that friend of yours... they seem to have picked up your cough. Maybe you should help them out?

► This log covers March 20th-March 30th.
► Feel free to make your own logs, as well
► Please tag headers of threads with content warnings where they apply
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!
► If your paranoia ends in murder, please let us know here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

...agh burzum-ishi krimpatul! (He spits the Black Speech, shaking from head to toe.) I know what you intend! You want to bind everyone! You will do to them what you did to me!

(The wounds are fresh in his mind, yet Sauron will not cut quite deep enough to ensure a quick death.)

[ Maglor flinches at the sound of black speech, but Maedhros had also spoken far more of it than the family like to admit, and he shakes his head, song now weaving below his words in plea ]

He did, but he's not me. I promise, Telpe, I promise. Please, look? It's only me. You're dreaming, that's all.

(When you're surrounded by nothing but the foul language, you learn it quickly. Sauron had counted on it or else his boasts would have fallen flat.)

You - (cannot sing as he does. He wants to laugh at the attempt! No one can match his Uncle's voice! It would be silly for a Maia of fire to even try! But the song seeps in, like a balm, awakening memories of music and gentle hands. Blindly, he stumbles forward and shakily reaches out to touch Maglor's face.)

I don't trust my eyes.

[ Maglor continues to hum, sweet and low ]

I'm here, Telpe, I'm here. [ Remembering times with Maedhros, Maglor stays still, no matter how badly he wants to sweep him into his arms ]

Touch me, then, I'm here. I promise, Telpe, I'm real. Sauron's gone, little silverfist, the Hobbits beat him. He can't hurt you any longer.

(Magic can act as a mask, but it cannot change a person entirely. Sauron can look like anyone, but he cannot be them. The song is so achingly familiar and he knows Sauron wouldn't be able to replicate it. They had been alone when it was first sung.

His first music lesson.

Celebrimbor's hands touch Maglor's face and his hair, discovering the truth with his fingers. His eyes are firmly shut, yet tears escape nonetheless, running tracks down his cheeks.)

The Hobbits? They're so little, Uncle. Did he hurt them?

[ Maglor lets him touch without moving, only humming to him softly ]

I'm afraid he did, Telpe. But they were very brave. You'll be able to meet them, if you're Reborn - Frodo is Sailing, and his uncle Bilbo with him.

(His emotions come out in a broken sob. He wraps his arms around Maglor's neck, embracing him.)

I won't let them...hurt...anymore. (That's important. Crucial. Anyone who is hurt by Sauron is kin to him.)

[ When he does, Maglor reaches up in turn to run gentle fingers through his hair, careful not to constrict him and spook him further ]

I know you won't, my brave little one. But he's gone, Telpe. He can't hurt you any more.

(The caution is so unlike Sauron. He doesn't know the meaning of the word! This must be his uncle... Celebrimbor prays silently, yet half of him waits to feel a dagger in his belly.)

He's done enough...for all time. (His brow furrows before his features relax.) I'm glad I wasn't armed.

(Otherwise he might have hurt his uncle. Then Sauron would have really rejoiced.)

Yes. [ He croons softly]

He's gone where he can't hurt anyone ever again.

I wouldn't have been upset if you were.

You might have changed your mind if I attacked you. (The thought makes him sick to his stomach.) I love you too much for that.

I would not. [ he soothes]

Maedhros did, you know. In the beginning.

(He pulls back to blink blearily.)

He couldn't have known it was you.

He did not. [ Maglor agrees ]

As you would have not.

Does that make it acceptable? You are kind, Uncle, and selfless, but madness is no excuse.

It does to me. [ he soothes ]

I cast no blame where there is none.

This is why I need to protect you. (He shivers and turns away, sneezing.)

Ssh. [ Maglor kisses his forehead gently]

Let me protect you this time.

From sneezing? (He mumbles, finding the idea faintly amusing.) Don't cut my nose off.

[ Maglor chuckles ] From anything and everything. Come on, little one. Back to bed.

I'm grown. (But he doesn't resist or protest.) Will you...stay a little while?

So you have. [ He teases gently ] But you'll always be our little Telpe.

As long as you want me to. [ He smooths through Celebrimbor's hair gently ] No harm will come to you, while I am here.

I did feel I belonged to all of you. (It was a wonderful feeling. He could run to any of his uncles and he was safe.)

I don't want him to...come back. (Even if Sauron isn't real. His is a face he hates seeing - understandably.) He won't threaten you.

Because you did. [ Maglor says affectionately ] Even as we belonged to you, from the moment you opened your eyes.

He won't. [ He promises ] And if he tries, he'll learn to remember again that there is strength yet in the house of Feanaro.

I loved those days. (Celebrimbor had attached to Curufin early on, mirroring his father from the moment he could walk. He had been one happy boy to be amongst all of his uncles. They had felt invincible until he had been old enough to see their pain and the horrible truth.

He couldn't save them. The best he could do is look after their people.) You still belong with me. Our strength is our bond. Monsters can't understand a love like that.

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