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[starrydome]

It's been a long night and there is still a while yet till first light. But he cannot abide opening any more chests with old treasures - and memories, let's not forget memories - tonight. So he has gone here instead and has settled down close to the fire, a mug of mulled, spicy wine at hand and a slightly distant look in his eyes.

Who knows, he might be sleeping.

He wouldn't mind distraction. Anything to take his mind off the neatly ordered piles of notes, maps and lists, left over from The Last Alliance.

Comments

[u2642]

His rest might be interrupted by a burly man who's examining the fireplace mantle and stonework in a very familiar way.

[starrydome]

A blink - and he is all there, looking at the stranger inspecting the mantle.

"It is a well-built fireplace," he offers. As a conversation starter.

[u2642]

"Yes, very well built." the man replies not bothering to look up. It's almost as if he's looking for a secret catch of something.

[starrydome]

Elrond studies him with interest.

He reaches for his mug and takes a small sip, the light of the fireplace reflecting in the silver embroidery on his sleeves and the thin strips of metal covering the leather vambrace covering his forearm.

He is not in the habit of wearing them, but they had been in one of the chests and he had slipped them on. Uncomfortable as they were, he had more or less forgotten them.

Perhaps, he is looking for a secret compartment. But what would one hide so close to the fire?

[u2642]

After a few more seconds the man stands with a sigh. "Oh well, it's gone."

He turns to Elrond with a smile, "I left my mark here a long time ago but I guess the management didn't like it."

[sunbaked_baker]

Let's see if the human baker is quiet enough to sneak up and set a small plate holding a cinnamon roll onto the table next to Elrond's wine. Without being noticed.


...curse those squeaky floorboards.

[starrydome]

The eyes go from distant to piercing in an instant - and then he smiles.

"Sunshine. It is good to see you again."

[sunbaked_baker]

Rae grins, wry. Of course she got caught. She's about as good at sneaking as she is at lying (i.e. not at all).

"It's good to see you, too," she replies, setting the cinnamon roll down. "Sorry if I disturbed you."

The apology is given with the slight questioning tone of one who saw the faraway look in Elrond's eyes and felt, perhaps, that he might want to be distracted from the thoughts causing it.

[starrydome]

"You did not," he says, before sniffing the air appreciatively. "I was merely remembering things that happened a long time ago."

[sunbaked_baker]

Rae's solstice gift from him was a breadcloth older than her world's recorded history.

So when he says 'a long time ago,' she believes him.

"Good things, I hope," she says, gently, with a tilt of her head. Rae will listen, if he would want to talk about them, but won't press if he doesn't.

[heartofthedream]

"Penny for your thoughts," says a very soft voice. Even though today she has found blue jeans along a thick, sapphire, cable knit, sweater, she walks around barefoot. And her eyes, bright and endless, are very much the same.

[I hope you don't mind, even if you've left for this night?]

[starrydome]

He blinks - and looks at her. "Old wars," he says. His mind had slipped down elven dream paths. Her voice had pulled him from the funeral pyre of his king - and he was glad it had.

"How fare you, Jean?"

[heartofthedream]

She took a seat on the corner of one of the couches, curling her legs to one side and tucking her feet under her. "More here, than there today. And you, among your old wars?"

[starrydome]

"More or less," he answers. "I had, in fact, just reached the end of one."

He sounds tired. Sad.

Then he smiles at her. "I am glad of company."

[heartofthedream]

Jean considered him, holding for a moment. "I am glad to provide the distraction then."

[forgottenmotley]

The Fool leans on the back of the couch and makes a completely and utterly non-subtle attempt at looking at Elrond's ears. He doesn't touch them. He just stares at them.

Obviously.

[starrydome]

It makes his skin prickle, just a little. But he is used to curiosity. Even in his own world.

So when he turns his head and catches the watcher's eye, saying, "Yes?" he doesn't sound put out. Only a little cautious. After all, he does often get accused of all manner of things here at Milliways. At least by proxy.

[forgottenmotley]

The eyes that meets his are a pure amber and the smile is pure mischief.

"You're an elf?" he asks.

[starrydome]

"Yes," Elrond answers, readily enough. "I have both Elves and Men among my ancestors, but I have chosen to be counted among the Elves."

He is always willing to indulge curiosity. Especially here.

[forgottenmotley]

"Can you do that?" The Fool asks tilting his head just a little. As he does so bells ring faintly from somewhere. "If you are both an elf and man shouldn't you be counted among both? How can you just be one if both are in your blood. Isn't that like denying part of who you are?"

[hey35andholding]

Clementine hasn't seen Elrond in awhile; the array of maps are fascinating to others, but Clementine's already got her course mapped out.

She inhales the aroma of the spiced wine and sighs. "I didn't get to see you over the holidays, how've you been?"

[starrydome]

She gets a warm smile in greeting. "Well enough, Clementine. How fare you?"

[hey35andholding]

She seats herself. "Pretty well. Thinking too much."

[starrydome]

"Is something troubling you?" he asks, clearly indicating by both tone of voice and the way he holds hois body that he is very willing to listen, but that she is free to not tell him anything at all as well.

Perhaps she is troubled by the child that was once a possibility? Or she has had a tiff with her lover?

[hey35andholding]

Clem plays with the diamonds glittering upon her wrist, then leans on her right wrist. "It's all about my love life. You don't care if I blab about that?"