6 ❂ Video

[elvenking]

[The video turns on to show an elf-king in the gardens.]

To those newly come, le suilon. I am Thranduil, Elvenking of the Woodland Realm.

[At this moment, the head of a dog-sized fawn pops into view. The deer chews grass quietly at the camera.]

It was declared by one Arya Stark that this fawn came to us in the spring, and thus his name is Ethuil. If that day marked the beginning of spring, then now it is near midsummer. And three days hence, there will be a midsummer festival in the gardens. My son and I will supply the mead, as usual, and any with gifts, talents, or goods are invited to perform or to show their wares. There will be music for those inclined to dancing and food for those inclined to eating [ha ha] as we celebrate the summer together.

[Ethuil finishes his mouthful of tender grass, sniffs up at Thranduil lovingly, and ducks down for more grass.]

No doubt some will question why we celebrate the summer in a place without seasons. I encourage you, most of all, to come and find joy where you can, for you will not find it everywhere.

[He inclines his head to the camera, then hesitates.]

I would speak with Eric Northman in the gardens.

[And as is his wont, he abruptly cuts off the feed. Because kings don't really need to be polite all the time.]

Comments

audio.

[wolfchild]

[ OH MY GOD THRANDUIL YOU DON'T JUST TAPE UP EVERYTHING NOT-ACTUALLY-YOUR-KID DOES ON THE FRIDGE FOR ALL TO SEE ]

I don't know for true if it was spring.

[ trying really, really hard not to publicly contradict a king here someone give the kid a prize. ]

audio.

[elvenking]

It was as good a way to decide it as any. Nevertheless, we will have a midsummer festival.

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[wolfchild]

[ there is a reason video is most decidedly off. that reason being she can actually feel her face burning. ]

I have nothing to bring.

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[doesntdohumble]

[He's on his way to the gardens already, at a leisurely pace, but he has to pipe up and say:]

'You would speak with me'? [You can practically hear the eyebrow raise in his voice. And the potential smirk.]

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[elvenking]

[Shut up shut up shut up you jackass.]

I would.

[Cutting the comm now.]

video;

[longestnose]

Seems you and Legolas are always throwing parties.

One might mistake you for hobbits.

video;

[elvenking]

Why not hobbits for elves? Did you and yours not first come upon my people in their merriment?

[video]

[doggedly]

Hang on. You've decided to make it midsummer just 'cos some girl said it was. And we're all s'pposed to go along with this?

[video]

[elvenking]

Only if you like. You may celebrate midwinter if you prefer, or the beginning of it, or your begetting-day. Would you rather quibble about details than drink mead?

video »

[disfavour]

[ Some time after his meeting with Fili is concluded and the necessity of finding out what is going on is over, Nuada retreats to a dark corner of the ship where few, if any, happen to tread, and sets to work browsing the network. Resenting the humans' technology is all very well and good but it won't get him very far, so for now it's best to keep to himself ... until he hears a name that stirs his interest, mentioned by his new dwarven friend, unable to resist answering the Elvenking's call. It's an absolute novelty, given there have been no others that dared call themselves that or oppose his father in living memory. This is another ruling body entirely.

Perched in the rafters with the pipes, he pauses a moment before flicking immediately to the video setting. He isn't a fan of making enemies unnecessarily with any fae, it's just that he left something of a mess in the oxygen gardens earlier where he collapsed and, recent events in his life aside, they bear no importance in the here and now. If this Thranduil really is elvenkind as Fili mentioned, Nuada doubts he'll have missed much going on in his domain, shared or no.

He'd rather not anger two kings in as many months, in short. ]

Ur Mòrachd, Thranduil. I would meet with you before your festival begins, if it please you. [ Nuada turns out of the shadows, letting the light from far below illuminate his features. ] It has been brought to my attention that I have trespassed upon you and for that I wish to beg your good favour in person.

[ Beg being relative. Requests are rarely made of kings; his father taught him that, along with all the creatures with whom he has needed to forge alliances on Balor's behalf over the years. It's a formality, albeit a sincere one. If someone went trampling through the Bethmooran forests, back when they still stood, a simple audience would have been the least of their worries — by everything suggestive in Nuada's demeanor here, he doesn't look as if he would be surprised should Thranduil demand his head as recompense without bothering with his excuses. ]

Will you have my name?

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[elvenking]

[Thranduil and his people generally would prefer being left alone to bothering with pleasantries with foreign nations they don't need, so his first instinct is to start explaining how this is not his realm and Nuada can do whatever the hell he wants.

Then he thinks differently.

Despite having few strong foreign relations (being surrounded on most sides by orcs and the Necromancer will do that to a kingdom), this is one sort of relationship Thranduil knows very well how to handle. At this moment, Nuada is respectful. At this moment, Thranduil is the one in power, and there are precious few such relationships aboard this ship. It makes this old veteran feel safer.

He allows a sufficient amount of time to pass, pretending to think, then he gives a slow nod.]

[video]

[summerlord]

[Actually using this thing. What is this madness?]

If this mead is anywhere near as palatable as what you poured for me, it will be a fine celebration indeed.

[video]

[elvenking]

This batch is very good. As always, the more one drinks, the better it is.

[video]

[wigs]

[Effie is all smiles when she pops up on the video screen. The bright colors of her makeup and clothing might actually be a little offensive to someone used to the mute (not blinding) shades of nature.]

Oh, thank goodness someone's hosting a party. You can definitely count on my attendance.

[video]

[elvenking]

[What the hell.

Is it human? He's trying to figure that out for a moment. If that hair is real, or the coloring over her eyes, or...dear Elbereth, the protrusions from her chest. It's like they don't move.

His face is totally neutral, but it takes him a second to respond.]

Pleased am I to hear it.

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[puppydogeyes]

It's winter.

[She knows, he just said, but the jump hasn't been good for her and she's feeling ornery enough to argue. Especially when she also knows he's another memory swap partner she never bothered to track down.]

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[elvenking]

Then celebrate winter, if you prefer. It would do you good.

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[mansuetus]

seasons mean very little with such gioia di vivere!

[ aka Lucrezia Borgia is looking rather pleased, all pale blue silks and gold ringlets. ]

Let it be summer today and let us will it to be winter tomorrow and spring the day after that! in such a ship with no season, the season can be what we wish it to be, can it not, my Lord??

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[elvenking]

I knew you would understand, dear one. When shall be your next birthday?

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[tumbleweeds]

You like your parties.

[ jaye you're like 30 feet away walk over there jfc ]

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[elvenking]

[He looks around for her and peers at her from around a tree.]

Is this necessary?

[video]

[childofthemoon]

[Ruby's going to make a very uncultured impression in 3... 2... 1... but really, she's all for some merrymaking. She could use it, personally, and has the suspicion that pretty much half of the people trapped on this ship could use it, too. Not that she has much to offer in terms of... well, anything, really, but she's always happy to help... if anyone wants her help. Gotta try, right?]

If you need a helping hand, I've worked as a watress in my grandmother's diner for years. Meaning, I have no talents or skills to speak of, but I do a decent enough job serving food and drinks.

[video]

[elvenking]

That is indeed a skill, and one we could use at that.

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[leaps]

What do you need Eric Northman for?

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[elvenking]

That isn't your concern.

[Sorry he's short, Sulu. Sensitive topic.]