[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]

If nothing else I certainly hope it does.

[bythewaves]

It will. [ Maglor says matter of factly ]

It always does. Of course, one may not live to see it - but that does not mean it will not happen.

[swiftlet]

I'm not sure I really like that answer.

[bythewaves]

It's not an easy one to hear. But it's an honest one, I think.

[swiftlet]

I can appreciate that, I suppose, only...it leaves all sorts of possibilities I'd rather not consider.

[bythewaves]

I suppose it does. [ Maglor sighs softly ]

But there really is no way of knowing - but when you are as old as I am... you learn to trust, some things.

[swiftlet]

I don't know if I could ever be that certain.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor smiles a little sadly ]

Live long enough...

[swiftlet]

How long does it have to be?

[bythewaves]

That, I cannot tell you. My cousin Finrod never seemed to have trouble believing, even though he died before his sun could rise, but he was like that, a light for the rest of us. For myself, I think I am only learning it here.

[swiftlet]

I like this less and less.

[bythewaves]

I'm sorry, Swift. There are no easy answers, to this sort of thing.

[swiftlet]

[Sigh]

I know. I suppose I don't have to like the wisdom to accept it.

[bythewaves]

Wisdom is sadly too often bought with pain and time.

[swiftlet]

So I've noticed. It must be because the lessons stick longer that way.

[bythewaves]

I suppose so - although it makes it no easier to bear!

[swiftlet]

No, it certainly doesn't. I just wish it didn't hurt other people too.

[bythewaves]

We all wish that. But tragedy and grief never visit one person alone, I fear, but spreads out to touch us all. We don't live in a vacuum, after all.

[swiftlet]

I know that, but...maybe it would be easier if we did.

[bythewaves]

Easier? Oh, I do not doubt that. But it would be emptier too. The heart needs companionship, or it withers.

[swiftlet]

Innocent people wouldn't have been hurt on my account.

[bythewaves]

Innocents will get hurt no matter what you do. The only question is if you will protect them, or no. Limit the damage - sometimes, that is all you can do.

[swiftlet]

That isn't comforting.

[bythewaves]

I fear there is very little about such things that are.

[swiftlet]

That doesn't mean I have to like it.