Event Log: Flu Season

[hadrielmods]

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.

Comments

[castintofire]

Another voice in Maedhros' head? No. It was Sansa. He drew in a shuddering breath, swatting absently at another prodding finger demanding he pay attention.

"Only if you do not mind little brothers harassing you."

[stonebird]

"I -" she paled, knowing him to be in there alone - or so she had thought? " - would welcome it."

It was probably best to play along. High fevers caused all sorts of nasty side effects. She let herself into the room and glanced around, confirming her suspicions.

"I am making you a stew. It should give you some of your strength back." she eyed the mess that was his blanket and set about tucking him in properly. He didn't need to catch a chill in his condition. When she was finished, she brushed back the hair from his forehead to check his temperature.

[castintofire]

Sanity in the light of madness!

Maedhros peeked out from under the blanket when tucked back in and tried for a smile, ignoring the leer from Celegorm aimed at Sansa. His eyes were fever-bright and sweat beaded his brow, but he didn't protest her touch.

"You are too kind, Sansa," he murmured.

[stonebird]

She had a feeling many of the Fëanorians needed mothering. While she was much, much, much younger than them and hardly deserved the honor, she was happy to step in when they needed it most.

"And you are burning up." she left him briefly to gather a basin of cool water and a cloth. After soaking the cloth, she laid it over his forehead.

"Are your brothers behaving themselves?" as if brothers ever did, right? She could distract him with some funny stories if he needed them.

[castintofire]

All of them, in all honesty. Sansa did more good than she thought!

Maedhros let his eyes close with relief as the chill helped soothe the fire of his skin, lips twitching from her question.

"No less than usual."

[stonebird]

"If they are anything like my brothers, I know precisely what you mean." she sat at his side, stroking back his hair with a gentle hand, "I will lecture them if I must. Your brothers do not frighten me."

[castintofire]

'Tis a challenge!

Maedhros leveled a weary glare over Sansa's shoulder at his brother.

"Brothers will always be brothers, be they younger or older. I hope yours are less crazy than some of mine." The shadow only grinned smugly at him.

"Only amil's lecturing had a modicum of effect on them."

And yet there was a hint of fond affection in voice and eyes. His family was crazy, but he loved them fiercely all the same.

[stonebird]

"Mine were always ready for a challenge be it feigning a battle or climbing the many walls of Winterfell. I thought they were crazy." she picked up the cloth when it was warm, dipped in the bowl of cool water and then placed it on his forehead again.

"Mothers do have power over their sons." she knew he loved them, "I imagine your words have a great effect on them."

He was the eldest. Robb had held that position in her family and he could even reach Arya when she was out of hand. Sansa knew that Maedhros must be as adored as her big brother amongst his siblings.

[castintofire]

The glare softened at the truth in her words and Maedhros nodded.

"Challenge runs through us just as blood." And the crazy. And fire, theoretically speaking, for most of them.

"Tyelko was fond of biting as a child, I was glad when he stopped." Ha! Although he never truly minded being used as his brothers' chew-toy. They'd been adorable.

[stonebird]

Sansa smiled and rested a hand on his chest. Hearing him talk was good, but she didn't want him to overtax himself.

"He was the one that had an affinity for animals?" she remembered stories of a great hound, "Did Huan teach him manners? Such a smart hound would surely be up to the task!"

[castintofire]

"He learned their languages," Maedhros confirmed with pride. The hand on his chest reminded him to pause and take an internal check of himself. No noticeable change, though he still felt better for her company.

"They learned together and were a sight to see."

[stonebird]

"You're proud of all of them." she smiled and settled close to him. Etiquette would require her to be further from him - in a chair, perhaps - but since it was only the two of them, she wanted to be more of a comfort.

"Did you ever think you might have a sister too?"

[castintofire]

"They are my brothers," was the simple answer. Maedhros wouldn't chase her away, and her staying close was further comfort.

"Were I ever to have a sister, she would be equally loved."

[stonebird]

"I fear I would be terribly jealous of her." she laughed quietly at her own ridiculous - yet entirely emotional - response, "I would give up my life on Westeros to reside on Arda. I would not even need to be an Elf! Being a mortal woman would suit me fine."

[castintofire]

Maedhros reached for her hand, chuckling - though it was short-lived. "I would want you to be an Elf, were you to be Reborn in Arda. Our world would be brighter for it!"

[stonebird]

She took hold of his hand and squeezed it gently. "That would be my choice too."

Being an Elf would be a dream come true. She could spend as much time as she liked around Maedhros and his kin.

"I cannot say I would brighten the world for anyone but myself."

[castintofire]

The Elf squeezed back, fond. "I know you would bring much needed Light, Sansa. You certainly bring it here."

[stonebird]

"You do not remember, but I do. Any light I possess was uncovered by you." she held his hand between both of her own, "I love you and I will stay with you for as long as I am able."

[castintofire]

Maedhros tugged on her hands to pull her to him so he could hug her.

"Any light is your own. You only let us help you uncover it from where you hid it to protect yourself."

[stonebird]

She didn't resist. She was all too happy to settle in his arms, returning the embrace without a single hesitation.

"I had a horrible nightmare. I was sick from it and scared. I did not call for you or Lord Fingon, but you came anyway. You did not judge me or think me weak. You helped me accept that...I could take time to heal. I didn't have to pretend I was alright."

[castintofire]

Her trust helped Maedhros heal. She helped him feel better, and he was grateful.

He tightened his hold on her, cheek resting on her head. "You never have to pretend around us, Sansa. You see the good in us, and remind us that we can be how we once were." It made her even more precious than before.

[stonebird]

She would give her very being to see him healed. Because of him, Sansa understood how deeply one could love.

She settled against him, resting a hand on his chest. "You haven't lost your kindness. The circumstances were only...horrible. For all of us."

Now that they could step away from their individual nightmares, they could relearn how they used to be - how they want to be.