...THE BEGINNING

[strangerpeople]

...THE BEGINNING

[Fifteen strangers were brought into the Depths to end the world, and they survived, with extra strangers along for the ride. Though the old world ended, creation itself has been preserved, and a new world has been born, shaped by the survivors. Portals to new worlds have been opened, and memories are slowly, but surely, returning.

And what better way is there to celebrate the beginning of a world, but with a spaghetti dinner?

Well, there was plenty of spaghetti, but some people thought that maybe there should be more than spaghetti. The Dragonborn did their best to make non-spaghetti food based on their memories of Tamrielic cuisine - being a cook themselves and cooking their own meals, even as an Emperor.

Spiced coffee with moon sugar and sweetmeat pasties in the shape of the moons, from Elweyr.

Imperial-style spiced sausage, braised in wine, and a tomato-flavored rye bread.

From Iliac Bay, a paprika-spiced rice dish with chicken and roasted peppers and a spiced banana mash in the style of Hammerfell.

From the Alik'r Deserts of Hammerfell, scorpion braised with venom sauce - which Alexis seems to like. It doesn't seem to be poisoned.

From Daggerfall, beet hummus, and stuffed dormice wrapped in bread like sandwiches.

From High Rock, Potage le Magnifique, with Alexis' special, not-lethal secret ingredient, and rock trout, along with fruit dumplings.

Lamb's bone broth with potato dumplings and vegetables, just like in the strongholds of the Orcs - with a dash of rice - and a dessert of carmelized beetroot.

Saltrice flatbreads and Telvanni-style mushroom medley with frost salts, from Morrowind.

Black Marsh King Yellow slug, served raw with some seasoning and wrapped in nut leaf. They are delicious, really.

Of course there is Skyrim's honey mead and blue cheese with honeyed oatcakes, along with horker and ash yam stew from Solstheim.

For now, it's time to relax, and celebrate the end - and beginning. Work can be done tomorrow. Questions can be answered later, if any are left. For now, eat, and enjoy. Bring your friends from home. Be happy, and remember.

There were 15 strangers.

But they are not strangers anymore.]

((OOC: Congratulations on ending Round 1 with the Golden End! For this feast, characters may bring people from their own canons to mingle with other players! Assume that portals have been opened for everyone by this time to go back and forth from their home worlds.

While you're here, please feel free to hit up the HMD, and we'll see you all when Round 2 happens!))

Comments

[bythewaves]

Two can carry what one cannot and Maglor offers his strength freely.

"He...wasn't himself though. At the end. And...this is the second time now."

[castintoflames]

Once again, Maglor seems stronger than him and Maedhros cannot help but admire him.

"If he cannot see that the most precious gift has been saved, I am not certain I wish to talk to him."

[bythewaves]

"I hope he'll forgive me." Maglor leans against him, drawing comfort from his presence as much as Maedhros must be drawing from him.

"I... I hope he's doing better, in the Halls. I hope they all are."

[castintoflames]

"In his right state of mind he would realize there is nothing to forgive." Maedhros embraces him, tucking his cheek against Maglor's neck.

"It's a place of healing. They are likely better off than us."

[bythewaves]

"You should be there too." Maglor worries at him.

"I should not have drawn you here! You should be healing. I'm sorry, Nelyo."

[castintoflames]

"No. I belong here." Maedhros tightens his hold on him, "Why can we not heal together for a time? You have been left behind."

Like he needs to remind his dear brother of that fact.

[bythewaves]

"But you are wounded still. I do not need to hear to see it."

[castintoflames]

He falters at that and a slight tremor goes through his body.

"I am alive."

[bythewaves]

Maglor curls close.

"But do you want to be?"

[castintoflames]

"I made a mistake. I am relieved to be returned." he presses a kiss to Maglor's temple.

[bythewaves]

"Truly?" He blinks up at Maedhros. "I do not want to hold you unwilling. I ... could probably figure out how to send you back."

[castintoflames]

"Kano, if you try to send me back to those Halls without you, I will be angry indeed!" his lips thin into a hard line, "I did not choose to come, but I am glad I did all the same. I get to see you and that makes it all worthwhile."

[bythewaves]

Maglor searches his face, since he cannot touch his song, and nods, accepting.

"I... am selfishly glad."

[castintoflames]

"Be selfish; I do not mind." Maedhros smiles gently, understanding, "Song or not, my brother, I do not lie to you."

[bythewaves]

Maglor sighs and finally relaxes.

"I am glad. I missed you, Nelyo. So much."

[castintoflames]

"I won't leave you by choice again. Never again." he finds a place to sit, pulling Maglor down with him.

[bythewaves]

Maglor curls happily into his hold, a low happy hum in the back of his throat.

"I am glad. Do you want to see? I tried to make Rivendell - Elrond's home."

[castintoflames]

They have a habit of curling up like happy pups; a comparison one of their brothers would have loved. Maedhros doesn't want to let go after plummeting into the fire. He is still in some shock, though his relief outweighs it.

"I would love to see it. What is it like?"

[bythewaves]

There were centuries between the eldest and the youngest of the sons of Feanor, but not so long between individual brothers, and they were all of them fond of tumbling together, even grumpy Moryo, who actually did better with touch than talk. The puppy pile is smaller these days, but Maglor is just grateful to be able to have it at all.

"Beautiful. I don't know how accurate I made it - I never ventured beyond the outskirts. But you would have liked it, I think. I hope I have made a good replica!"

[castintoflames]

Maedhros has a problem with touch that will haunt him for the rest of his days and beyond most likely. However when it comes to Maglor (and those he considers family), he is able to ignore it for a time and enjoy the peaceful simplicity of being close without fear. In fact, it is thanks to Maglor (and Fingon) that he can handle contact so well now.

"Your sight did not fail you; I am certain it is perfect." and even if it isn't, he will enjoy seeing it, "Show me?"

[bythewaves]

Maglor beams at him, eager now, and offers his brother a hand up.

"Come and see then, we will take the path down into the Valley together."

[castintoflames]

Maedhros takes the hand, his strong grip gentled because of Maglor's scars - and his own.

"He would have welcomed you if you had gone beyond the borders. But I understand..."

Now this is a joy they can share, at least.

[bythewaves]

"I couldn't risk it." Maglor murmurs, and leads the way down, and the air grows sweet and warm.

"Oh! Those are... I think I may have brought amil's rosebushes..."

[castintoflames]

"I know." Maedhros responds immediately, gasping at the sight of the roses, "Wait a moment..."

He releases Maglor's hand to pluck one of the flowers, amazed.

[bythewaves]

"I hope these are replicas and not her actual roses... " Maglor worries, but he breathes deep of a scent from his childhood and relaxes.