[Video]

[swiftlet]

[Swift is, let's be honest, not great with using this thing. It feels clunky and unnecessary, but it's what he's got to work with. Not everyone is a har, so he'll learn to live with it. Maybe eventually he'll even get good at it.

As it is for now, when the video starts he's glaring at the screen and it catches the tail end of a curse before he schools his face into a more neutral, perhaps diplomatic, expression.]

As I understand it, Seel har Parasiel has been here for quite some time...alone, let's say. [Unsupervised. He means unsupervised. He hasn't had a proper babysitter.] I would like to take a moment to apologize personally if he's been incorrigible or stubborn or plain mean. I don't know all of what he said to everyone, but I'm hoping it won't be a problem for much longer. [It will still be a problem for a while until Seel gets used to having Swift around again, and he knows that. He's at least prepared for it. This by itself is going to cause a fight.]

If you are having problems with him, please don't hesitate to contact me and I'll make sure it's taken care of. Once again, I am very sorry and I'll do my best to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Comments

[swiftlet]

I always do.

I'm certain. It will take time to return to our old rhythms, and I know that. It still isn't an excuse for him to be awful on purpose.

[bythewaves]

Has he been awful to you then?

[ Maglor tsks ]

He really does remind me of my brother. [ He murmurs ] Ai, but the road ahead of the two of you is a long one indeed, I think. Remind him of what I told him, if you like.

If you want to think you are better than them - prove it. Do not hate.

[swiftlet]

Sometimes. He doesn't discriminate. It's part of who he is. He doesn't mean to, it just happens.

Thank you, I will. It would motivate him, I think. Although I suppose we'll see how well "do not hate" goes.

[bythewaves]

I am sorry - I did not realise he was that unbalanced.

[ He sighs ]

Hate is a comforting blanket, for some. An easier emotion than forgiveness or kindness. I hope for your sake, as well, he suceeds.

[swiftlet]

It's alright. I love him regardless, even if he gets angry or I have to reel him back in.

[He's just used to it by now, that's the sad truth]

So do I. I keep hoping he'll be better. And maybe he is better now than he was, but there's always something, just underneath, where I can't get to.

[bythewaves]

You might be too close. [ Maglor suggests ]

It can be hard, when you love someone dearly is ... not right. It's easy to ... miss things. But here, at least, you will have aid, if you need it.

[swiftlet]

What do you mean?

I appreciate the help, but I think I'm still confused.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor sighs softly, and his eyes are very old ] When...you love someone, when you devote yourself to walking in their shadow, to support them and to counsel them, to be their eyes and ears and right hand...you...get too caught up in the helping and...sometimes...you miss things. Yoh can't...or won't...see the hurt and the wounds that they hide from you because you don't know to look for them.

[swiftlet]

That sounds far more like Seel than it does me, but I suppose I see your point.

[bythewaves]

It might be him as well, you know. It... can often be that way.

[ Maedhros had not seen, how much Maglor had needed him, any more than Maglor had seen how little Maedhros had left to give ]

[swiftlet]

[Sigh]

I don't want to lose him. Regardless of how he is or could be.

[bythewaves]

In the end, that will be between you and he. But take the advice of one who has been too close - take a step back and consider carefully what you can and cannot stand to lose, and more, what he can and cannot lose. If not, you stand to lose everything.

[swiftlet]

I already have. I've made my decision. Though I thank you for the advice.

I'm sorry, I don't think I caught your name and you already seem to know mine.

[bythewaves]

Ah - rude of me, my apologies! Maglor, at your service.

[swiftlet]

That's alright. I would tell you I'm Swift, but you knew that already.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor smiles wryly ]

I'm afraid you came to this city with a disadvantage in that regard - Seel has not been shy about speaking of you! So I think more folk will know your name than otherwise.

[swiftlet]

Should I be flattered or worried?

[bythewaves]

Neither. Both! [ He laughs softly ]

It all depends on what you think he has been saying of you, I suppose. But if he has been less than flattering, it was not to me.

[swiftlet]

I'm sure he was very polite. At least as far as I'm concerned.

[bythewaves]

He was. He clearly missed you, also. He fears to lose you, I think, not that I doubt you'll ever get him to admit that!

[swiftlet]

He's said as much to me already. And I'm afraid to lose him too. I doubt as we ever will, but I suppose I'm not so sure about what happens here.

[bythewaves]

This place? Hadriel will play with your emotions, at times, but those times are only passing. So long as you remember that... hurts can be patched, after.

[swiftlet]

What kind of hurts?

[bythewaves]

Anything and everything, depending on what those who brought us here are up to. They feed on emotion, any emotion, the stronger the better.

[swiftlet]

Lovely. And here I thought I might be left alone for a moment. [Not really. He never expects that anymore.] How can anyhar prepare for that?