EP - Second Age

[starrydome]

 It's a different Elrond entering the Bar today.

He is wearing full armour in the colours of the High King. He is younger. And he is looking grim.

They have just received word from Eregion. They had been right about Annartar, who had called himself Lord of Gifts. They had been right, and Celebrimbor had been wrong. Wrong and mislead.

His pace is fast as he walks through the door (headed for his own rooms to pack a few things before the army sets out) and then he stops.

Sorcery!

But no. He remembers this place. Dimly. As something out of a dream.

You are safe here. And time does not pass at the other side of the door. 

He does need time. 

And yet he doesn't move. Then he was a frightened child. Now, he is the herald of the King. 


(ooc: Mun is headed to bed soonish, but will pick everything up tomorrow - the war about to begin is this.)

Comments

[battle_butler]

Alfred is sat at the Bar, when he sees the man (or, not man?) come in.

That the expressions that flicker across Elrond's face include recognition, informs Alfred that this man is not new here, yet his stance suggests otherwise.

Alfred gets up, his glass of whiskey in his hand.

"Good afternoon," he calls. That being what he judges the time to be. Others may judge it otherwise.

[starrydome]

Elrond shifts his attention to the man calling out a greeting.

His eyes do not look like those of Mortal Men. They are brighter and deeper and older.

He nods in return and says, "Well met," in a clear, melodious voice that sounds vaguely British, only not really.

"I have been to this place before. A long time ago. Does it still hold true that time halts its flow while one is here?"

If not, he is returning home at once.

[battle_butler]

"It does."

Alfred's voice still holds his British accent. Even after all these years in America (What's it been? 30 years, now, he'd guess).

[starrydome]

If you look closely, you can see Elrond's shoulders lower. Just a fraction of an inch.

"That is well," he says. "Then a small break here will not matter."

He walks to the Bar, treading softly despite the metal encasing his arms and torso, and his heavy riding boots.

"Elrond Half-elven," he says, by way of introduction.

[battle_butler]

Alfred notes the relaxation of the shoulders.

"Alfred Pennyworth, at your service."

"Though, I think Bar will be doing the serving today," he adds with a smile.

[starrydome]

" I remember," Elrond murmurs, resting one hand on top of the polished wood, after having removed his gloves.

He asks for a glass of wine and a jug of water. The wine is carefully inspected and cautiously sipped. Seemingly satisfied, he tops the glass with cool water.

[battle_butler]

No one checks the water these days!

If Alfred wanted to, he's quite sure, he could kill the entire board of Wayne enterprises, simply by slipping something in the water at one of their meetings. He doesn't, of course, because then he'd have to let a bunch of other members in instead.

"You're preparing for war, Elrond Half-elven." It's a statement, rather than a question. Elrond lacks the worn, exhausted look of one who has been at war for some time.

[starrydome]

Water tells its secrets, where wine hides it. At least to the Mariner's Son.

"I am, " he replies. " We will ride out ere noon. "

[battle_butler]

"May I ask who with?" It feels politer to inquire that way.

Alfred never read the Silmarillion, though, he should possibly go back and try it some time. He did read Lord of the Rings though...

[oldsugartooth]

Caius is seated at a table not far from the entrance, going over the latest edition of The Common Tongue. It helps to know the la

He sees the elf enter the Bar. He doesn't know him, but he knows full well what a soldier preparing for war looks like. He raises his hand and extends an Imperial salute.

"Hail and welcome."

[starrydome]

Elrond returns the greeting with a small nod and a "well met".
He moves lightly, despite the armour, and as he isn't wearing a helmet, his ears become visible as his hair moves.

Leaf-shaped.

[oldsugartooth]

"I can't say I've seen an elf come in here before," Caius says.

Or half-elf, judging from his skin. It's a good deal less bronze than an Altmer's. Unless, of course, he's from somewhere else.

"From where do you hail?"

[starrydome]

" I have been here before but it was a long time ago," Elrond says. " And I hail from Lindon in Middle - earth. The city of the High King."

[oldsugartooth]

"I do not know it," Caius says. "Which means we are probably from different worlds. I come from Balmora, on the isle of Vvardenfell. Though I was born very far from it in the Imperial City of Cyrodil."

[starrydome]

"And I have not heard of your city, so I would say that you are correctin yyour assumption," Elrond agrees with a small smile.

[oldsugartooth]

"Well, as pleased as I might have been to see another from Tamriel, the charm of this place has always been the pleasure of seeing new faces from strange worlds," he says.

He bows slightly. "And it is a pleasure indeed. My name is Caius Cosades."

[starrydome]

"I am Elrond Half - elven," Elrond replies , returning the light bow.

[souffle_girlek]

(OOC: And of course Glor is ICly busy conducting a tour for a young human baker in the re-forged kingdom of Arnor - he's gonna be so pissed. :D)

So yesterday, it was a man with a sword, but that actually didn't turn out that bad.

Today, it's a... mmmm. She's not sure, but she can certainly appreciate the style. Anyway. Armed. And here she is, nearly barreling in to him.

(This is totally going to give her a phobia about doors.)

So she squeaks, but it's totally in a mature and emotionally competent fashion never mind he's at least half again as tall as she is. In heels. Just... so not fair.

[starrydome]

(ooc: hææææ)

He quickly moves to put a steadying hand on her elbow.

"My apologies, " he says in a pleasant voice as if it was indeed his fault she barged into him.

[souffle_girlek]

She feels a trifle like she managed to step into some strange time loop, and crinkles her nose at him.

"For?" Being gorgeous? He clearly can't help that.

[starrydome]

"For making you stumble?"

He hides his amusement well.

[souffle_girlek]

"Well, could just be I'm naturally clumsy," (which isn't entirely true, or she wouldn't have gotten a job on a starliner) "Or I'd tripped before you got here and stumbling was a natural progression from that," (which isn't true at all) "Or there was an earthquake just before you came in," (Which is ridiculous), "Or any number of things," (Really, Oswin?) "So the odds of me stumbling over you are quite slim in comparison and thus there really isn't anything to apologize about at all and," (Shutting up.... now) "... that's all, really."

[starrydome]

Hiding his amusement is getting more difficult but he manages. Court training is good for something it seems.

"Still, it would be impolite not to apologize given the proximity. "

[souffle_girlek]

Oswin opens her eyes wide in mock-shock at his words, though there's a grin tugging at her lips.

"I'm not certain if I should be flattered or insulted." She teases as default, even if the fellow is built like a tree and armed and all the rest.

[starrydome]

"Elves are said to be proud and unbending," he replies. "So, the former?"