second quest § voice

[therangerking]

[ Aragorn doesn't post often (actually, he tends to not post at all), but now he's talking on the network. It's only voice, and it's a soft, quiet one. Contemplative, if not for the steel hiding underneath it. ]

Near-thousand years ago, it was the time of the Kings. They ruled well, and in times of war, they gave their citizens many gifts. Their spirits must be kept, the Kings will say, and the soldiers must find reasons to return home. While the taxes rise to pay for armour and swords, the minstrels are well-paid to sing of the glories of war, and the victorious dead decorated well with honours.

[ A beat. ]

Now Tranquility takes the life of one of us, but some others have received bounty plenty. In items; in friends brought from home. [ Another pause. ]

What have you received?

encryped to nathan petrelli; 10%

Your lessons must begin soon, sire.

Comments

[text]

[insufferableprick]

a broken sword
a box of chalk
and a dead horse
its like fucking christmas up in here

voice.

[therangerking]

Do they mean much to you?

voice

[stacked]

So, what. They're trying to buy us, or something?

voice

[therangerking]

Nay, 'tis not as simple. [ A beat. ] A distraction.

text; 1/2

[handelaar]

[He gets this, hears it in the tone. The words aren't as important as the message.

But he prefers that these conversations happen face-to-face, with something in hand. Drink or task, either way it's something to do, some way to work out thoughts before they come to light. So his response is in text, uncharacteristically cryptic.]

A reminder

You're free, right

2/2

[handelaar]

[Wait, wait, this is middle ages guy.]

Requesting a personal council

[voice]

[yardbird]

...Birds.

[Not just that, of course. One other item happened to have come with him, it being the most important thing in Murphy's possession: His journal. But that's -- mostly personal.]

[voice]

[therangerking]

[ Mildly, only curious. ]

Only those?

action; i'm in yo bed

[ringbearer]

[ frodo watches aragorn speak, reacquaints himself with the mannerisms that 'strider' had once done before he even realized he was on a quest. the way he spoke low and serious, the stern face and the strange gleam that somehow was in his eyes.

he had slept, but not without some delay. for there was the ring still around his neck, carving lines around where the chain had been buried in the skin. there the ring whispered to him in nightmares, and at times frodo simply stirred in the bed restlessly, muttering, 'sam' and 'smeagol' along with refusals from a lidless eye.

frodo speaks quietly. ]

The way you started, I almost thought you would tell the whole ship a tale, just as you used to when we traveled together. And those songs you would sing.

[ his eyes lid a little ]

That seems ages ago.

action; iyan frodo

[therangerking]

[ Aragorn sets the communicator aside after sending his missive. It is strange to him still, that a box of such a small size is capable of sending messages to so many so quickly, much faster than the heralds will ever be able to. He wonders if it is a machine he is capable of bringing back to Gondor, for he is but a Man and yet a Man whose voice should be heard by all within his Kingdom.

It is a foolish thought. He dismisses it quickly, standing up from the chair where he sits vigil beside Frodo's bed to take a cup and the kettle. The water is hot still, and he places a few leaves of athelas within the cup before pouring the water in. The rest of the plant has been set in soil, such that he will never run out of supplies now.

He sits at the side of the bed, bringing the brew to the hobbit's lips to help him drink. ]

'Tis but months, Frodo. [ He keeps his voice low, murmured. ] Or no time at all, for if you wish it, 'tis an easy task to fulfill.

video; 25% encryptions, look he's getting better at this

[cargojet]

I'm seeing that. I'm gonna be busy Sunday, but I'm good for Monday sure as it doesn't clash with me being on roster.

voice forever and piggybacking on nathan's encryption

[therangerking]

'Tis now Sterday. [ ... Using the Shire-reckoning because Tolkien never specified Sindarin days. ]

In two days, thus?

AKSHUN we're all just camping in your room aragorn sorry.

[tofindthesun]

[while this... ship, tranquility, has provided him with his arms and familiar clothing, it has not provided him with the materials to upkeep them. not that his bow or knife need any more touching up, but it gives him something to do.

so instead, he's perched on aragorn's dresser, idly smoothing out the fletching on his arrows-- mirkwood arrows, he notes fondly. he's missed these. the gifts from the lady galadriel were lovely indeed, but there is nothing quite like something from home.

he looks up when aragorn's broadcast is finished and raises an eyebrow, plucking out some invisible thing and flicking it aside.]

I do not think I like being your bounty, ranger. [if he sounds offended, he does not mean it.]

AKSHUN

[therangerking]

[ Aragorn's clothes from home lay in the dresser, well-cared for but untouched other than that, for he wears the jumpsuits here. He is a Man, not an Elf- and he adapts quickly, like an Ranger worth his salt. There is no need for him to wear such, here.

He turns towards Legolas at those words, his lips quirking upwards. The sight of the Elf is still a welcome one; still more welcome is his strange humour. He tips his head slightly to the side, his Elven-bred nature revealed in the bird-like motion. ]

I should beware my words. [ He murmurs. ] And speak instead of my presence being your bounty, Legolas.

voice;

[20mentholkools]

Saying that like it was a trade off.

voice;

[therangerking]

Nay. Such a thing will be far less dangerous.

voice;

[fronds]

Just my clothes and my royal jewellery! But maybe it's because I'm new.

voice;

[therangerking]

Royal jewellery?

[ First a King of Westeros, and now? ]

voice;

[sweetmotherofgod]

[for Heather, what she's lost and what she's gained are one and the same. so:]

Something to fight for.

voice;

[therangerking]

Heather. [ A quiet greeting. ]

'Tis a person?

voice;

[longevities]

Ah. Try and keep the public distracted.

[ a beat.]

Is that what you think this ship is trying to do? Distract everyone?

voice;

[therangerking]

Perhaps. [ Hedging a little, because he's being overt enough with the references to Kings. ]

It seems to have reason enough to do so.

[voice]

[wolfdreamer]

[Near-thousand years ago sounds like the beginning of some story, but if it is, it is one with a message far more serious than to merely entertain.]

But even if we did receive gifts, the price would be uneven.

[voice]

[therangerking]

Aye. [ Softly. Then, questioning: ]

Though I believe 'tis a different way than you think.

[re_imagining]

What I received is lost. It is inconsequential and useless to dwell.

What have you received?

[therangerking]

Much. [ Softly. He doesn't elaborate. ]

Was it taken by the ship once more?

[video]

[jurisimpudent]

The ship did not take a man's life. Either carelessness or malice did.

voice.

[therangerking]

[ Mildly: ]

Do you storm around looking for assumed mistakes to correct, for others to scold? 'Tis what brings you pleasure?

Text

[realslimstrider]

sword
dead crow
shades
not much just reminders
lets turn this around just what exactly happened to this guy who got killed

voice.

[therangerking]

Others can answer that question better. [ Murmured. ] For I know little of the machines here.

What do those objects remind you of?

[allucinator]

You know, we call that a bribe where I come from. And it's pretty damn easy to do.

But I didn't get a damn thin', so I guess they don't give that much o' a damn about bribin' us.

[therangerking]

If 'tis mere a bribe, then we are lucky indeed.

voice;

[tumbleweeds]

[ There's a pause, almost like Jaye's thinking about not speaking at all. After a moment, though, her voice comes -- quietly, but it still comes. ]

My brother's switchblade.

voice;

[therangerking]

[ ... Beat. Then, quietly: ]

It means much to you?

[adapted]

All I got was a weird spacesuit and bad depth perception.

[She's new, obviously, and wondering what you want with her biological padre - especially when he's meant to be dead.]

People were really given things because someone died? Seriously?

[therangerking]

'Tis but a possibility.

[ Short form? Boromir feels. ]

voice.

[swagneto]

I lost one friend. The ship seemed fit to repay me with another.

[ He likes you Aragorn, hence the fact that he's open enough about this. ]

voice.

[therangerking]

Is one friend more well-loved than the other?

voice.

[shoyu]

[ gosh, it takes him a moment to get to the gist of what aragorn's saying. such fancy language. and then, curiously, ]

-- has the ship granted you any people you know from home?

voice.

[therangerking]

Aye. [ Softly. ] Two friends, both companions to my heart.

video; private

[wont]

[ Wait, she's got this, Aragorn. Try this one on for size. ]

Life.

voice; private

[therangerking]

Lady Alayne. [ A greeting, to occupy his mouth while he thinks swiftly- ]

Days before my arrival- you died, did you not?

[northerner]

The dead hear nothing of songs. They are a poor honor to bestow.

[therangerking]

[ A long pause before he answers: ]

Do you not wish to be remembered?