ataraxion | ♕ 7th - video

( now that she's had some time to recover from the outbreak of "plague", elizabeth deems herself presentable enough to appear to the ship as a whole. she might have pinched her cheeks a little to inject some colour and done her hair up in ribbons to look her best; but she has done so for more reasons than simply to flatter her pride or vanity. her smile is sweet and gentle, though it does not reach her eyes. her gaze instead is quiet and thoughtful, because this is a tremendously bittersweet occasion for her. )

Greetings, Tranquility. Within the past several months, we have all suffered and lost many who are and will ever be dear to us. Far too much to be borne by anyone within the realm of reason. Yet we have, and I daresay grown together as a community as a result. That gladdens me a great deal.

Each day we have is precious. We know not when the next bout of unpleasantness may strike upon us, nor when any of us might vanish from this ship, returned to our homes. While things are peaceful, I would celebrate that fact. That we are here and alive, and in the company of those we have come to care for. Some of you are as dear to me as members of my own family.

( ok, the sappy part is done with. her eyes light up with good cheer now. )

Thus, I invite all of you to a feast held within the kitchens of the first floor, four days hence. It will do us good, I think to feast and be merry together.

I will need some aid in this endeavour, though, should any of you wish to lend a hand in acquiring foodstuffs and preparing the meal itself. I will both owe you a favour and be eternally grateful. Also, should any of you wish to have a specific dish at the table, please do share the recipe for it with me if you know it.

What say you?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I think it a charming idea and I would be glad to lend my hand.

You have my thanks! I would like to combine our knowledge together, so as we might offer a variety even if there is not a great deal of food to prepare it with.

It might seem silly, but I look forward to all the new recipes I aim to learn as much as the ability to plan a proper meal for the first time in ages. To that last effect—I would be most happy to defer to you, in that regard.

( it is a little daunting to plan a meal when she has no idea what kind of food the people attending are used to eating. )

[A laugh] I daresay it has been even longer since I have turned my attention to such a task! But, fortunately, Elven memory is not tarnished with time. Between the two of us, I am certain that we will manage.

[So you ask the elf for help. Good thinking, Lizzie.]

Of that I have no doubt, Galadriel. ( she beams at her, proud to have managed to use her name for once. )

Know you if there is a good deal of fresh vegetables, herbs and fruit to be found in the gardens this week? There is a small bounty in the small plot I am tending, alone. So I have been optimistic that there will be more than enough to prepare a large meal with.

[And she grins back, equally pleased to hear her name without title]

Oh, we have vegetables and herbs a plenty, do not worry on that account. Meat may be more scarce, but we will work around it.

( she can't contain her smile now, as she regards her mentor with pride. )

I have faith that together, we shall create a meal that will be remembered. And if we might sing together afterward, I would be both humbled and honoured.

I should like little better. Have you given any thought to the selection of music?

I know no other music than that of my era. I had selected pieces from many different countries, but I was wondering if you might teach me some songs from your homeland.

One from my homeland, perhaps, sung in Quenya, and one from my adopted home, sung in Sindarin. Would that please you?

Yes! Your voice is so very beautiful, Galadriel. It is a grand honour indeed that you do us all.

[A soft laugh] You praise me far too highly. You should have met my eldest brother or my cousin, little one, if you think it is such an honor to hear me sing.

No less than you deserve! ( her features turn gentle. )

Would that I could have that honour. Though I wonder if they might agree with my opinion.

They might. [A dismissive handwave] But you know, I am sure, that the youngest child is often the subject of such doting. Their skill far surpassed my own; Maglor was, perhaps, the greatest bard my people produced and my brother, Finrod, had a voice so fair and sweet that it was his music that won the trust of the first Men.

( she thinks of her sister bridget, the youngest of her siblings; and also destined for a life sequestered away in an abbey somewhere, and feels a pang of guilt. not every youngest child is subject to such dotage; and they should be. if or when she returns home, she will see to it, in fact.

lizzie smiles quietly, nodding her head in silent agreement, however. )

Perhaps. My younger sisters excel in areas I do not, for certain. ( her eyes soften. ) Would you tell me more of them?

I gave you their names in Sindarin, for those forms are usually simpler for most. But Finrod- or Findaráto, as he was to me- was my eldest brother but closest to me in spirit. He was a man full grown at the time of my birth and you would think that he would have tired of a bold little girl following him about. But if he did, he never told me of it. As I grew older, he became one of my dearest friends.

[Maglor, she's less eager to talk about, so she'll shift the focus to her brother for now.]

That is good! An did he teach you how to play as you grew? ( she softens her expression. ) Having much older brothers is somewhat you and I have in common.

My mother had been wed and widowed prior to meeting my father. Richard and Thomas were already half-grown when I was born. Yet Thomas has always doted upon me in his fashion.

( she doesn't mention richard further. he was dead, most definitely at the hand of her uncle. )

He did- and he taught me many other things as well. I owe my knowledge of swordcraft as much to him as to my father.

[And Galadriel catches that Richard's name was dropped from the conversation. She won't ask, perfectly able to guess at the reason.] As well you deserve. What is he like, your brother? You have spoken little of him.

I confess, I am astounded that they would teach a woman to defend herself. It is incredible, and far beyond what even my father might have thought to do for me. You are fortunate, indeed.

( she tilts her head, smiling faintly. ) I had four brothers, once. Two were given the name of Richard, one being the son of my mother's first husband. They were both good and kind to me from the day I was born onward. And loyal first to my mother, I think before even my father, the King. Both were brave and kind.

The younger too, ah. I miss them the most of the four of them, to be honest. Edward from what I know grew to be a serious and noble youth. He was sent away to be fostered in another castle when he was still toddling about, and so I knew him little, other than accounts from my mother's brother whom raised him. But little Richard, or Dickon as I called him was a little ray of light.

Bright and curious, and able to charm anyone he met. He was very much fond of reading, as I am, and we would read and play music often together. Other than my sister Mary whom was taken from us by illness, he was my favourite sibling.

In this, our peoples differ. While it is rare for women to take up arms, it is nearly such an astounding thing as it would seem to be among your people.

[And she can't help but smile throughout the whole thing.] They sound wonderful. I, too, had four brothers, once: Finrod, Angrod, Aegnor, and Orodreth. Some day I will have to tell you the tales of their exploits, for they were all great leaders of our people.

The women among your people are fortunate, then. In that, perhaps I am a trifle envious. For while I do not prefer to do so myself, it is useful to have the skill, should the need arise to defend myself. And the knowledge.

( and she's acquired some of that here, but here family, people and the church would all have a collective fit. one more sin to tack on to the list she's committed since arriving here. wouldn't you know, she is not in the least bit ashamed. )

I would not mind hearing one such tale now, if you are not pressed for time. For I am not, and indeed, rather am most curious.

♕ 7th - video - feast of plenty

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