RP 💬 Conversations Over Tea Discussion

[WatcherWraith]

Here is where we may talk over Tiny Ghost's and Maitimo's conversations :]
Enjoy!

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

Me, bleary-eyed from sleep deprivation, listening to gentle and gorgeous piano music by Chopin, and then reading your adorable post:

I loved how the guard was super confused but eventually just rolled with it! And I imagine Maitimo will be very apologetic for not being there himself to receive Tiny Ghost and clear up the confusion. 🙃 And how determined and clear-headed Tiny Ghost was in reciting the letter! The cuteness is off the charts! I can't wait to respond later!

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

at the palace in Hithlum three days hence

on this day the fifth of March, forty-fifth year of the Sun of the First Age of Arda.

I find the place and time chosen fascinating. This is 45 years after Fingolfin's arrival in Middle-earth, and it seems everyone is still living in Hithlum.
Given this, I am very interested to see how this conversation will play out between Maedhros and Tiny Ghost...

I absolutely loved the interaction between Tiny Ghost and the bewildered servant. 😂 Our ghostling is so cheerful and polite, yet extremely determined (his perfect recollection of the invitation he received...!). And the servant is like: nothing in my training prepared me for how to deal with this ._.

 

[WatcherWraith]

I find the place and time chosen fascinating. This is 45 years after Fingolfin's arrival in Middle-earth, and it seems everyone is still living in Hithlum.

I confess: I chose the date more or less arbitrarily. I knew it had to occur after Maedhros' rescue, but I actually know very little about what time things took place in The Silmarillion. I knew Maedhros lived in Hithlum, but not when or for how long. I know several hundred years take place before everything goes to crap for the Fëanoreans, and I don't remember when the battles take place.

I chose a hopefully safe date, and hoped it didn't matter a great deal. After all, the focus here is on our conversation, not precisely when it took place ':]
True, I could have checked the books for what dates to use! However, I had and have a headache, and though I would be more scrupulous for a chapter in my stories, Tiny Ghost belongs to an AU version of what's going on, so maybe mistakes may be excused.

Part of why I explain this so fully is because I feel a bit guilty for not being more careful with the date. I probably should have gone ahead and checked which ones were safe, just to be sure. But I didn't, because I was trying to post while the idea was still in my mind, and I was in a hurry because I had a lot to do today. I still feel a bit guilty ':]

 

[WatcherWraith]

I absolutely loved the interaction between Tiny Ghost and the bewildered servant. 😂 Our ghostling is so cheerful and polite, yet extremely determined (his perfect recollection of the invitation he received...!). And the servant is like: nothing in my training prepared me for how to deal with this ._.

Concerning this part: I loved writing that XD
Child hath come in answer to a most exciting invite, and He Will Be Proper About It.

Meanwhile the servant: wut u???

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

I confess: I chose the date more or less arbitrarily. I knew it had to occur after Maedhros' rescue, but I actually know very little about what time things took place in The Silmarillion. I knew Maedhros lived in Hithlum, but not when or for how long. I know several hundred years take place before everything goes to crap for the Fëanoreans, and I don't remember when the battles take place.

I chose a hopefully safe date, and hoped it didn't matter a great deal. After all, the focus here is on our conversation, not precisely when it took place ':]
True, I could have checked the books for what dates to use! However, I had and have a headache, and though I would be more scrupulous for a chapter in my stories, Tiny Ghost belongs to an AU version of what's going on, so maybe mistakes may be excused.

Part of why I explain this so fully is because I feel a bit guilty for not being more careful with the date. I probably should have gone ahead and checked which ones were safe, just to be sure. But I didn't, because I was trying to post while the idea was still in my mind, and I was in a hurry because I had a lot to do today. I still feel a bit guilty ':]

Eh, that's ok, I'm not aware of the exact dates things occurred in the timeline either. I just know generally what events happened together.
And since we have a Tiny Ghost who did not feature in the original story, I'd say it's definitely ok to be a bit 'alternate universe' with the dates!

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

My rule of thumb is to avoid specific numbers in my writing whenever possible. I once saw writing advice that pointed out how if you include numbers, it encourages readers to do the math and find inconsistencies. Which, with the way my brain has trouble keeping track of details like that, is something I aim to avoid. 🫠 And like, in IC&SF, I have a notebook where I write down what year the arcs take place, and how old the characters are, so I can keep it consistent in my head. But then I don't give the exact numbers to readers; only things like "Tyelko was in his early adolescence," etc.

But yes, I'm always down to take canon as a suggestion and bend the timeline a bit! Like you @WatcherWraith , I'm not super solid on specific dates in the Silmarillion either. I wouldn't have known anything was off if Servo hadn't pointed it out. So onward with the AU we go!

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

I wouldn't have known anything was off if Servo hadn't pointed it out.

I didn't even think anything was 'off', I just thought it would be interesting for Tiny Ghost to be visiting them in Hithlum, where the house of Fëanor and Fingolfin are possibly still living in the same place. And as such I also assumed it would be during the time when Maedhros is still getting used to his new life, following Fingon's rescue of him from Thangorodrim.

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

They then arrived at the parlor, a spacious room with tall windows and airy curtains. A tea draped in dainty bobbin lace stood at the center, holding a teapot and two teacups. An aroma of lavender, rose and peach wafted in the air. Of the two chairs near the table, one was a high chair, designed for small Elflings. Maedhros gestured towards it, inviting Tiny Ghost to take a seat (or, the appearance of sitting, anyway).

It's the place in the drawing! 🥺 It seems so comfortable and cosy.

"A tea draped in dainty bobbin lace" -> Table draped?

 

[WatcherWraith]

Nay, we're draping tea with lace, my good fellows! Tis a new fashion, doncha know??

 

[WatcherWraith]

"I apologize for not being available to receive you when you arrived," Maedhros said to Tiny Ghost as they walked (and floated) down the hallway towards the parlor. "This morning, a mortal Man stumbled upon our gates. He is very old by the reckoning of Men, and, as they call it in their language, sick. I anticipate some stormy weather soon--" he absentmindedly rubbed his sore shoulder, which very often predicted the arrival of storms-- "and so I couldn't in good conscience leave him to wander alone in these perilous lands. My healers are tending to him now, seeking to understand his ailment. But not all agreed with my decision to accept him as a guest."

I smell a possible side character coming to life!

Poor fellow. To be so sick, and in such bad weather, too. I like how Maitimo is still a bit unfamiliar with men at this stage, as shows by his implied uncertainty around the concept of sickness. Elves never get sick, after all. Animals, yes, but no other sapient beings in their experience(I'm not sure, but I think the Fëanoreans may not yet have encountered dwarves, and in any case, dwarves are still more hardy than men). So seeing a person in such bad shape without being wounded is a big deal for them, and they don't really know how to handle it.

I remember how a lot of men in the early years of the First Age came to serve the houses of noble elves. They and their families lived for generations under the same leadership, under a lord or lady who never aged, hardly changed, and always seemed to be just out of their reach in terms of comprehension. I wonder what it was like for the elves. Maitimo would probably take the time to get to know those men he had contact with, even if it was just a little. But their short lifespans would hurt his soul.

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

Poor fellow. To be so sick, and in such bad weather, too. I like how Maitimo is still a bit unfamiliar with men at this stage, as shows by his implied uncertainty around the concept of sickness. Elves never get sick, after all. Animals, yes, but no other sapient beings in their experience(I'm not sure, but I think the Fëanoreans may not yet have encountered dwarves, and in any case, dwarves are still more hardy than men). So seeing a person in such bad shape without being wounded is a big deal for them, and they don't really know how to handle it.

Yes, exactly! If, for purposes of this RP, we're early in the days of Himring, then I don't think Maitimo would have much, if any, experience with Men. And so he's never seen the mortal idea of sickness (though Tolkien does talk about the toxic fumes coming out of Thangorodrim, so I imagine 30 years of inhaling that would produce an effect like sickness). But still, you're right: Elves can experience sickness through poison or maybe through inhaling toxic Thangorodrim smoke, but to see it without a clear cause would be distressing.

I remember how a lot of men in the early years of the First Age came to serve the houses of noble elves. They and their families lived for generations under the same leadership, under a lord or lady who never aged, hardly changed, and always seemed to be just out of their reach in terms of comprehension. I wonder what it was like for the elves. Maitimo would probably take the time to get to know those men he had contact with, even if it was just a little. But their short lifespans would hurt his soul.

It is wild to think about! And yes, Maitimo being so soft-hearted, it absolutely would hurt him to watch the cycle of death in the mortals he gets to know. 🥺

I was going to say I'm excited to see how Tiny Ghost will react after hearing about the mortal man, but you're so quick, you posted before I even got a chance!

And aww, your references to Estë in your post hit me in the heart! Mainly because it will result in a lot of mixed feelings for Maitimo. You'll see! And Tiny Ghost continues to demonstrate his adorableness and wisdom.