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[disfavour]

Humans! [ Good, now that he has your attention. ] There is a sickness aboard this vessel, a Dark Beast that harbours rot and the ruin of any that approach it. I, myself, suffered injuries that have now healed. It is a skilled foe that walks in shadow, a warrior of the forsaken. It does not bleed when wounded or hesitate to give harm and it will kill you, should you be fool enough to challenge it. Unless, of course, it decides to keep you alive for sport — those mortals who deliberately put themselves at risk do so at their own peril. If you believe you are strong, I am here to tell you that you are not. Keep your corpses to a minimum. 

Specifically: it carries a great chain that burns like embers, knows your mind and moves at incredible speed. Thranduil is aware of this demon, as are all those of Elvenkind aboard. 

[ Nuada, who brings the network this message from the corridors where he is patrolling, peers into the camera with wolflike gold eyes. You may have seen them around recently, instead belonging to one massive six-foot hound. ]

To those who are not human, I say this; stay with your brothers and sisters, send word over a secure line if any of you are attacked. All manner of Aes Sidhe, from my world or not, are my concern.

[ What else? His manner eases ever so slightly, as it is wont to do between comrades. ]

Loki — we must speak concerning the forging of your weapon. It is time to take up arms worthy of your skill, my friend.

Comments

[disfavour]

[ An amused slant takes his lips before he straightens it out. ]

Yes — I suggest you hide. [ And he sobers properly. ] Killing that which barely bleeds and owns such sheer strength of will is not something you need concern yourself with, not unless you own an ancient might to parry such blows.

[ To answer the last question, it takes a moment of inward debate before he amends the original statement hinging on the tip of his tongue. ]

If one were born in the image of the humans that massacred my people, that is distinction enough. [ MOVING ON — ] You beg quite the introduction. What is your name?

[onetouch]

[ hm. all strange, but that's starting to feel commonplace here. if it hadn't even before that (it had). ned's demeanor flips, and he tries for a light if still nervous smile. ]

I'm Ned. The pie maker.

[disfavour]

[ He's used to feeling the grandness of his own blood, so he simply gives a well, then nod. ]

You own far more smarts than the majority of the security team, Ned.

[onetouch]

I don't tend to rush into situations I know nothing about. Unless - I have to. [ i.e. unless his girlfriend's in danger because she tends to do that rushing thing a lot in compare-- ] I'm sorry. About your people.

What's your name?

[disfavour]

Nuada, Silverlance. I would unload an entire spiel of titles but they are no longer well-known amongst humans.

[ Never mind whether he accepts Ned's condolences or not; he keeps that to himself and the irony it smacks of, too. ]

Here, I have sworn into the service of King Thranduil.

[onetouch]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Nuada. [ he nodded with as much respect as he could muster, since apparently he was supposed to be currying favor with this guy. he really didn't know anymore. ]

King... I've heard that name before. [ though he didn't know where from. ] He's been here longer than you, yes?

[disfavour]

Far longer, yes. [ He almost comments on the striking resemblance between Thranduil and Ned, but finds it a rather pointless endeavour. It can serve to surprise the both of them sometime if they aren't already acquainted.

There are times where Nuada feels his age. One of these is when a human (Ned, currently, though Jon has been having this effect too) is consistently well-mannered. It strikes an old chord in him that has been long buried, back from the days when mortals would honour the Aes Sidhe and find patrons in elves that took their gentleness to heart. Nuada isn't certain he enjoys being reminded that such humans still exist. For now, he doesn't begrudge Ned what he cannot know, and merely makes an effort to remain ... civil. (Nuala is surely applauding, wherever she is.) It's all a matter of Picking and Choosing humans, the prince is beginning to realise, with some far more tolerable than others.

There's no escaping them on the ship, after all. Not for long. ]

How long have you been in residence here, Ned?

[onetouch]

I've not had the honor of meeting him yet. [ but soon, surely. since his other facetwin abandoned him, wow!! ]

How long? Oh. Well... That's matter for some debate, probably. Of what I can remember? Nearly five months.

[disfavour]

You may find you have more in common than you thought.

[ Nuada will just popcorn.gif at them the whole time, he totally wants to be there. ]

Five months is a long time. Were you a pie maker before you arrived or did you pick up the profession here out of necessity?

[ Everyone has their uses, from a prince to a scullery maid. Nuada also, shockingly, has the manners to carry any conversation that he pleases. ]

[onetouch]

[ he makes a mental note to keep an eye out for this ~thranduil~ ]

Next to two years, five months felt like the blink of an eye. [ and yet when he sat there and counted five months did seem longer when he was stuck in space. but pie. pie makes him smile, even next to such dreary topics. ]

I've always been one. Well. For twenty years, plus two and add five months. [ rather like a baking equation, isn't it? ]

[disfavour]

[ It is, funnily enough. Nuada is very mild when talking with Ned; it's sort of like chatting to a puppy, there's no immediate threat in sight. ]

Where I come from, if the Ae— if an elf bakes for a human and the mortal eats the offered food, it's a sign that they have been claimed. [ Cake Rules, those actually exist. ] A long time ago, your kind were stolen by mine to our lands in this very fashion.

[ ... That sounds a little weird and daunting in retrospect but, well. It's sort of relevant. This is a conversation, after all. ]

[onetouch]

[ ned opens his mouth to say something to that, then shuts it again. slavery by way of baking? he supposes he can dig it. since he's the baker and not the... bakee. squinty eyes all around though. ]

I'm sure my pies have never claimed anyone, except maybe their stomachs. [ and then there was that one time... a story for another day, surely. ] And their hearts. Baking is a very hearty practice.

[ when done right, in any case. ]

[disfavour]

[ This conversation about pies and cakes could get super deep and that is just fantastic. Also, brb, Nuada has to exert enormous self-control in imagining Thranduil saying Baking is a very hearty practice! with that much verve. ]

Have you ever made leprechaun pie? Minus actual leprechauns; I knew a troll once who tried that and it turned into a very sticky business.

[onetouch]

...I mostly stick to the fruit sort of pies, though I have been persuaded to make a meat pie on occasion. I'm what you might call a pie-purist.

[ no one calls it that but ned. ]

What is in a leprechaun pie, if not leprechauns?

[disfavour]

I'm no expert — [ it's rather outside his forte, needless to say ] — but from what I recall of the last time I ate it, there was chocolate, marshmallows ...

[ Have you ever heard and elf say marshmallows so seriously before, Ned? Now you have. ]

Wafers and something green, minty. Alcoholic.

[onetouch]

I've made alcoholic pie before. [ oh has he ever. ] Is it your favorite kind? I could give it a shot, if you'd like.

[ he's quite serious about this too. ]

[disfavour]

How forward.

[ The way he glances at Ned is weighted and steady, though it's merely a tease. He's having such a tiring day, why not amuse himself however he can? No reason not to. ]

[onetouch]

[ he actually laughs. it's abrupt but clearly mirthful, and he shakes his head to cover just how much he's enjoying the conversation himself. perhaps he's just starved of attention. ]

I get that a lot.

[disfavour]

[ The indulgent smile is left in place as he nods gratefully. The humans that argue and bluster against Nuada have no place in his estimation, but (capriciously as any of the Aes Sidhe, right down to the smallest fairy) it's the small gestures that hold weight with him. ]

I would be glad to try your fare, Ned. Where can I find you aboard, if I have a mind to seek you out?

[onetouch]

My number is 22-09 if you ever want to contact me. For pie purposes or - otherwise. Hopefully I'll have my own space set up for baking... soon.

[disfavour]

I will.

[ For pie purposes or otherwise. He doesn't give his own number largely because he prefers to be the one holding all the cards, so to speak. ]

If you ever look for me, check the gardens or the forge. Someone there will know where I have gone, in all likeliness.

[onetouch]

I find myself in the gardens frequently of late, maybe we'll run into one another there. Though until this beast passes us by, perhaps I should seclude myself and my dog to the room.

[ for all his nervousness, he doesn't sound too concerned. ]

[disfavour]

You have a dog?

[ Oh, he likes those. ]

Where on earth is everyone getting these pets from ...

[onetouch]

Mine came from home. [ his first home and not his second. he held back the sigh. ]

I'm sure he'd like to meet you, too.

[disfavour]

Are you busy now?

[ Doubtful, but he asks to be polite. Nuada himself is simply patrolling the lofty corridors. ]