(Text)

[handofsilver]

I have a thing to ask; a thing that is not acceptable in my world, but it is part of my story and I think I must acknowledge it. I have noticed that other residents of Hadriel share half of my inclination, at least, and I must ask:

Is it possible for one man or woman to be attracted to both genders? I mean no offense. I admit that my first love - unrequited - was female. My wife was surely female! But there was a male...briefly...though he was naught but a monster seeking to ravage the world.

Comments

[handofsilver]

That would be cowardly. I have made my bed and I must lie in it.

[hasadoctorsnote]

Why do you think dying is cowardly?

[handofsilver]

Staying here, away from my death, would be cowardly.

[hasadoctorsnote]

If you know you're going to die as soon as you go back, why not make the most of the time you have here? You said your time here was a blessing. That doesn't have to end as soon as the Door opens, if there's a way for some people to stay here and some people to go. In the end, it's your choice, but if you have the opportunity, why not do a little bit more with your life if you can? [All things must die and Nico doesn't think it's right to cheat death forever but... taking a little bit of time to put things in order before you go, he doesn't see anything wrong with that, if you have the chance to do so. But maybe this guy is at that point already where he's ready to move on.]

[handofsilver]

There is not much for me to put in order. The family members that reside here with me are dead. They perished before me. Once I succumb, I will be joining them in the Halls of Lord Námo. There, I hope to heal for the injuries to my spirit have been greater than my body.

(And he bears brutal scars from the torture.)

[hasadoctorsnote]

I take it these Halls are your world's equivalent of the afterlife?

[handofsilver]

For the souls of Elves, yes. Mortal souls go elsewhere.

[hasadoctorsnote]

Interesting. Do you know what either place is like?

[handofsilver]

I know something of the Halls for the Elves, at least. It is a place of healing first and foremost. Once Lord Námo decides a soul is whole, he allows it to be reborn - usually on Valinor.

[hasadoctorsnote]

What's Valinor? [He wonders if it's anything like the Isle of the Blest.]

[handofsilver]

The land of the Vala. Lord Námo is but one of their lofty number. The Elves originated there - many remain, but many more traveled to Middle Earth to face a new land.

[hasadoctorsnote]

What are the Vala? [Yet another term he's not familiar with.]

[handofsilver]

The supreme creations of Eru. They are our guardians, our guides and the creators of the beauty of the world.

[hasadoctorsnote]

Sounds like some parts of our worlds are very similar, compared to others.

[handofsilver]

Which makes me believe Eru might take other forms.

[hasadoctorsnote]

Is Eru one person or a group of people?

[handofsilver]

He is Arda's deity; he is one presence.

[hasadoctorsnote]

Ah. I don't know about one singular god, there might be, there might not be, but where I'm from, there are also gods like... like the gods here. Powerful beings beyond anything we can do but not all knowing or all seeing or anything like that.

[handofsilver]

Do you share the same gods that your - partner? - spoke of? Including the one that turned into a cow to rape women?

[hasadoctorsnote]

[For a moment, he has a bit of confusion about the word 'partner', but then he talks about a cow and women and... yeah the cow sounds like something Zeus did and would do, so 'partner' must mean Will. The word brings a bit of a flush to his cheeks, but he forges on ahead anyway, cringing a bit as the other guy describes one of the myths from his world.] Yeah. They're... Most of them are not the best role models by a long shot. A very very long shot.

[handofsilver]

(Celebrimbor does not know preferred titles, though he senses something romantic between the two.)

I think you can improve upon them exponentially! You should not be blamed for the mistakes of your parents.

[hasadoctorsnote]

[Those last words suck the breath out of him for a moment, and when he does answer, he's more quiet.] ... Yeah. Exactly. People shouldn't be judged based on who their parents are.

[handofsilver]

I can give you that much, friend. Your parents mean naught to me; it is you I wish to know.

[hasadoctorsnote]

... Thank you. [That means a lot to him.]