ataraxion | One

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One | video

[She fiddles with the communicator, almost impatiently, until she finds out how to record and broadcast a video. And then it's recording and those that watch are greeted to a teenager and she's holed up somewhere that's hard to place.

Screw you all, she's not leaving herself open or anywhere you could hunt her down.]

I want to talk to someone called Elrond. About the woman Galadriel.

[That's it. That's the message.]

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[Hanna watches him for a moment, clearly suspicious. She's suspicious of everyone though. At least for now.]

Can you give me reason to trust her? [Preferably more than one.]

[His expression softens a little.]

I can give you many reasons, dear child. May I ask what brought you to me?

[She almost objects to being called a child but that's not important right now.]

She mentioned you and that you could give me a reason to believe that she wouldn't raise a hand against me.

[He's almost amused by that. Vouching for Galadriel is not something he thought he would be doing today.]

The Lady of Light would not raise a hand against anyone without very good reason. Will you give her reason?

[Evenly:] Only if she gives me one. I don't like to hurt people.

[But that hasn't stopped her.]

In that, you and she are alike.

We're not alike. I'm... a freak and I'll still hurt people if I have to.

[Freak is a word he's learned here; that she calls herself that twists something in his heart.]

And so have I and has the Lady. Should I tell you of the wars we have fought? Of the foul creatures -- orc and Men alike -- that have fallen before my blade? We live in uncertain worlds. That makes no one a 'freak.'

I cannot tell you that the Lady will never raise her hand in violence. I can tell you that it would never be unwarranted.

['It does though,' she wants to say 'when people create children for that purpose.'

But she doesn't. Hanna just listens and tries to let the words sink in. They've hurt and killed people too and that's hard to imagine. Although, it's probably equally hard for anyone to imagine Hanna in the same light.

A part of her is still skeptical though, it will be for awhile.]

That's exactly what I needed to hear, I think.

[He nods.]

You have leave to ask any question you wish, Hanna. I will answer.

I'm not sure what else to ask. I actually hadn't thought beyond that. [Well, she knows what she should do but...] I suppose I should apologize to her.

Then perhaps you would like to simply speak? I am at your disposal. [He lets himself smile.] It is not necessary, but she will appreciate the gesture.

Can you tell me about where we are? Why we're here?

I do not know much of the Tranquility beyond this: you must be alert and you would do well to forge alliances [friendships, he means] where you can.

[Excellent choice of words.]

I will remember that. And I'm always alert, my father taught me to think on my feet. Even when I am sleeping.

Then he did well by you. [Not that he knows exactly, but he would rather they keep speaking, just so he can learn a little about her.]

He did. He taught me everything I know, how to hunt and fight, mathematics and writing. Everything.

[And yet still not enough.]

You respect him. It seems well-earned.

He's all I've ever had. Of course I do.

[She can't see any reason not to. Even for his lies. Lies told to protect her.]

Then you have been blessed. [He knows there's more -- there always is. But she speaks well of him and that's usually enough.]

I like to think so. [So much more but she's not quite the type to talk about it so freely.]

[He nods, expression soft. It's good to see that she at least has that. (Or had, as the case may be, since there's no way to tell what happened in her world and it's unlikely he is on the ship, the way she speaks.)]

Have you need of anything, you may call upon me, Hanna.

[That's not entirely expected. Hanna isn't used to help or offers of it if she needs anything. She smiles though.]

Thank you, I'll remember that.

[Remember but probably not bother him, or anyone else, unless she absolutely needs it.]

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