ataraxion | 001

Entry tags:

001 - video

[Ori is having a bit of difficulty working his 'smartphone'. There's a bewildered dwarvish face on the screen, face screwed up in confusion as he tries to fix it. A jumble of confused letters appear on the screen and his frown deepens. Finally, the screen clears to just Ori's face, young, pale, his braids messy and his beard unkempt.]

I-I think I'm lost. [His voice is pitched high with nervousness, his stutter more prevalent.] S-something is f-following me, I keep seeing...shapes and f-faces and things in the m-mirror.

[Ori's voice cracks, dropping to a whisper. His eyes are glittering with moisture.] I-I just want t-to go home. I d-don't want to die, I don't want anyone to die!

[The screen suddenly shifts and it becomes apparent that the young dwarf has thrown it across the hall. There's muffled sounds of crying for several minutes before it finally shuts off.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[There's another deep breath and Ori nods even though Fili can't see it.]

Y-you're right, of course. [There's a long pause, but when he speaks again his voice is a little more even.] I-I think I can find it.

Good. Good. I want you to come to the forge, Ori, and we will sort through this, you and I.

[Fili's voice is an anchor to him, calming his nerves and helping him think. Ori bites his lip and nods, continuing to walk.]

Do...do you think that d-demon Nuada saw is st-still around here someplace?

[Does it like the taste of frightened dwarf?]

[He is, and Fili has made a pact with him.]

No, no Ori. I am sure you are safe from whatever that was.

[Ori takes a deep breath.]

Y-yes, I'm sure you're r-right.

[Fili knows best. Fili is king here.]

Still, it would be good if you and Kili tried to stick together, in the halls.

[Ori hesitates.] ...What about you?

I will be fine. I'm the King of Erebor, remember? Who would dare cross me?

It..it doesn't seem like titles matter t-too much here, Fili. [His voice is very small.]

It still matters to some, here. [It matters to the person Ori is worried about.]

O-of course. [His tone is apologetic.]

I'm not far, I think.

Well I will find you a cup of mead for when you are here.

Oh, th-that sounds nice. [Ori smiles to himself.]

It does, does it not?

[Yes, this is bribery.]

[Ori doesn't bother answering over the device; he's nearly there anyway. He pushes open the door to the forge just a few moments later, stepping inside. He still looks too pale, eyes red from his earlier fit.]

...Fili?

In the back.

[Fili is working on the pieces of a sword, gesturing to the nearby seat and the small flask next to it. Both for Ori, of course.]

[It's a relief to be somewhere semi-familiar. Ori never spent much time in the forges (Dori insisted they were too dangerous), but it was a place that felt less alien than the rest of this ship. He smiles gratefully at Fili and sits down, watching him work. The flask he considers for a few moments before taking a long drink, a little more than he usually allows himself, but he's been frightened and there's no Dori here to tell him not to.]

Th-thank you.

[Fili smiles, glancing over at Ori occasionally.]

Think nothing of it, lad. We have to look out for one another, do we not? I'm just glad I'm here so that I can be the one to do so.

[Ori smiles brightly at him, still looking a bit pale and shaky, but much better than before. He takes another swig from the bottle.]

I-I'm glad you're here too, Fili. You've always kept an eye on me, e-even when you didn't need to.

[He takes a deep breath.] Which...reminds me of something I wanted to speak with you about.

Well I like to think we look after one another, do we not?

[He stops his hammering, looking over at Ori, an eyebrow quirking.]

And what is that?

Oh yes of course!

[Ori hesitates a little, twisting his sleeve in between his hands.]

I just...I just wanted to tell you that...I know you're king here and um...well...if you'll allow me, I wanted to...to swear my allegiance to you, like I did to Thorin when I first joined the Company.

[Fili hadn't even thought if that, truly--but the moment he hears it, he likes the idea immensely. One of his hands goes to touch his tunic, gripping at the Arkenstone underneath.]

I would allow you, of course. I would gladly accept your fealty.

[Ori smiles and nods, getting up from his chair and setting the flask down if only so he can kneel in front of Fili.

The traditional words are exchanged, oaths made, and when Ori stands again, he's sworn himself to his king. His cheeks are a little pink, but he's pleased with his decision.]

I won't let you down, Fili.

I never thought you would, Ori.

[Fili smiles, reaching out to squeeze Ori's shoulder.]

As long as you try, that's what truly matters.

[Ori smiles as well and nods, a determined look crossing his face.]

You know I will.

001 - video

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)