WEEK 4

[strangerpeople]

WEEK 4


[It is late in the afternoon when the Titled finally wake up from their long, vivid sleep. What day is it? Maybe it doesn't matter.

They weren't awake when it happened, but the final set of doors have opened. The Intercessor hasn't emerged from their room. There is no sign of the grumpy old man. And, the Titled may notice that nothing has been cleaned up - including the remains of those who prompted the Investigation - since they went into the Debate Hall. No new food has been supplied in the Kitchen, either.

The only replenishing food supply is in the Conservatex - who knows when those'll get ripped out from the ground out of spite, though. Their captors certainly showed themselves to not be above petty revenge, unfortunately.

So many questions now swirl. Is the old man hiding? Is the Intercessor ok? What the hell happened with the dragon? What about that other group which the Titled have come to realize exist? What did their captors have planned? And...really, what the hell else is going to happen now?

Whatever it is, it's not going to be good.

So get ready, Titled.

There are nine (but perhaps only eight?...) strangers in this place.]

Comments

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor meets his eyes calmly ]

Those are not the words of anyone worth listening to. [ He states flatly ]

You are so much more than a weapon, Killua.

[lightnen]

[ A flicker of something almost hopeful flashes within those blue eyes, seeming almost truly like his age for once. He'd run away from home to escape his family and their expectations, so that had to count, right? ]

Y-Yeah? I... wish I could get that across to my family. I think sometimes that's all they see me as, and how useful i'll be to them as the heir to the family name.

[ He sighs, the sound soft and almost defeated. The memory still left a chill going through him even now. ]

All that matters to them is doing what they expect of me... my brother even threatened to kill the friend I did make...

[bythewaves]

They are not worthy of you.

[ Maglor very carefully does not snarl, but the flame in his eyes burns hot ]

No one who treats you or those you care for as expendable is worthy of you.

[lightnen]

[ Killua's eyes widened at hearing those words, a gentle warmth welling up in his chest from hearing someone actually say that about him. It was the complete opposite of that emptiness he'd felt after waking up from that memory. ]

I... Thanks. I don't think anyone's ever said that kinda thing to me before, so... I appreciate it.

[ A pause and he seems to consider something for a few moments. ]

You've actually kinda been more of a dad to me than my own has, and i've only known you for these past couple of weeks.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor looks startled, and then he smiles ]

Thank you for saying so, Killua. I am sorry your own family has not been kind - and very honored. I fear I do not know much of being a father, though! I have never had children of my own.

[lightnen]

You're definitely welcome.

[ Nodding his head in assurance of this statement, though soon looking almost confused for a brief moment. ]

Really? You seem like the perfect dad type to me... I woulda thought you'd had kids of your own or something. [ Then, a pause as something came to mind and he looked down to his hand quietly. ] My dad's... not as bad as I thought though. The one memory I got of him? He told me to... to live my own life and had me promise not to betray any of my friends.

[bythewaves]

[ Grief crosses his face briefly ]

I... I had a wife, I think. That memory is taken, but there is... a hole in my soul, where a light should sit. But if we had children... I don't think we had any, before I... left. And I do not think... she came with me.

[ He shakes away the grief to focus on Killua ]

Good. I am glad he was able to tell you that.

[lightnen]

[ A hole in the soul where light should sit? The phrase stuck with him, resonating to a similarity in how he saw things on his side as well. It felt like there was a light missing from himself too, but he wasn't sure who he was really forgetting that could fill that spot. ]

Sorry. I... didn't mean to bring up something painful.

[ A soft chuckle escaped him and he nodded shortly, a light smile on his face. ]

Me too. It was really nice to know my dad supports me and what I want to do.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor smiles at him and shakes his head ]

It is well - my life has many griefs in it, and that not the least. I grieve more that I cannot remember her, than anything else.

Fathers should. [ He ruffles Killua's hair ] Even when they don't understand.