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[bythewaves]

There's a creature here who killed my friend, and injured my brother. I don't know what it calls itself, but my friend describes a woman with eyes as black as pitch.

[ His eyes are far too bright to be human, a feral fire lit behind them ]

Have a care for yourselves, for it has, apparently, killed at least once and tried to do so more than that.

[ And then almost absently ]

Findekano, my king, I ask your blessing on my hunt.

[ And you know, permission to torture and play with his prey but he won't say that aloud ]

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[bythewaves]

Let it come. [ Maglor's eyes flash with the same feral light as during the Null invasion ]

We know it is here, now.

[ And if it comes for them again, Fingon will have no issues in them killing it again, so bonus! ]

[claritatis]

[Ah.]

Would you devote the rest of your time here to only killing this demon? [He understands. He does. But here he is, trying to apply logic to a situation, to an elf who already looks too far gone into his ideas of revenge.]

It might not only come after you when it returns. At least think of the others your actions might affect.

[bythewaves]

There are worse ways to spend one's time.

[ He shrugs ]

The people I love the most are far deadlier than I - so I would, in some ways, rather like to see it try.

[claritatis]

I'm speaking of everyone, Maglor, not just those you know who could hold their own against such a creature.

[There's a certain tension in his voice now, both a worry and a disbelief that one so wise in so many ways could be so blind.]

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor pauses, something flickering in his eyes ]

If we gain it's attention, it won't turn to others. [ He points out ] That will spare the others, also.

[claritatis]

You can't know that.

[Ignis shakes his head. Oh, how he understands that drive, that burning need to protect the person you care for most, but...]

You don't know where its attention might turn, and if the lives of others are only collateral damage in your wish for revenge, you are not the person I thought you were.

[bythewaves]

[ A frustrated growl ]

And what of Margaery? She doesn't feel safe, any longer. If we can draw it's attention away, so much the better.

I need to keep my people safe, Ignis!

[claritatis]

Your people are not the only people here, Maglor!

[It's unusual for Ignis to raise his voice. He knows it, too, and gathers himself immediately in the aftermath, his jaw tensing.]

Would you wish the wrath of this creature to be turned on all of us for her sake? Would she?

[bythewaves]

But mine have been hurt.

[ Maglor hisses - not angry with Ignis, but clearly frustrated ]

I need to keep them safe, Ignis. How can I do that unless it knows that there are those here who can stop it. Margaery can't sleep, she feels unsafe. She has asked me for it's life, Ignis!

[claritatis]

Its life isn't something you can give when it will be back again within days.

[Revenge just can't work that way here, and all it would do would bring Maglor down to the same level as the very thing he sought to stop.]

You will keep no one safe with rash actions. I'm not asking you to not be angry. I'm asking you to use reason.

[bythewaves]

I can give her it's death. [ He says grimly ]

It's little enough, but Ignis, she isn't sleeping, and this favor I can do for her. It needs to understand Ignis, that there are people here both able and willing to punish, should it cross that line.

[claritatis]

You can give her a temporary reprieve from its presence, not its death, and in doing so risk raising its anger against all of us. There are children here.

[He shakes his head. They're talking in circles.]

Do you truly believe that a creature such as this could be swayed by the prospect of being punished? You could risk the lives of everyone. That is no favour.

[bythewaves]

Then tell me what to do!

[ Maglor snaps, agitated ]

THere is only one thing I can do, Ignis. Only one. I cannot let this assault to me and mine stand.

[claritatis]

There are other ways, and better ways than what you propose. Death is not a permanent solution here.

[Not even killing the same creature over and over again. The demon already summoned beasts to attack all of them.]

You are far older and wiser than I am. If this is the only thing that you can think to do, then all I can answer with is my disappointment in your lack of restraint.

[bythewaves]

Oh Ignis. I'm in the wrong branch of the family to be considered wise.

[ He draws a hand across his eyes wearily ]

I must do something. Even if Curufin did not care - and he does - Margaery needs me to act.

[claritatis]

I suggest that you think very hard about what Margaery truly needs before you do anything at all, and the consequences that you may unleash upon all of us by provoking this creature.

[His voice is hard - not unfriendly, but certainly cool.]

But I can see that arguing with you can change nothing. You will do what you will.

[And with that, Ignis hangs up.]