Infighting Week Four

[animusmods]

Characters: any character participating in the Infighting event
Setting: pods, week four of the event
Format: any
Summary: All week four Infighting event threads should go in here, to keep things organized.
Warnings: horror, trauma, experiment results, impossible geometry, cabin fever

[Week Four Information]
[Week Three]
[Week Two]
[Week One]
Dax's Pod
Riki's Pod
Jason's Pod
Event End

Comments

[sageprincess]

[...

...

...

...

Zelda drops her "prize" on the floor, stomps on it for good measure, then makes her way to stand near the elevator.

Goddesses she wants out of this place.]

[keeps_count]

[He watches Zelda silently and goes to join her before long. The effects this game of theirs had on her tugged most at his heart. The elf stood beside her and offered her a piece of Lembas, not asking questions or saying anything.

He was sure that if there was anything she felt needed to be said, she'd say it.]

[sageprincess]

[If nothing else, she's not feeling numb or empty anymore. No, just thoroughly unamused. Thanks, Ruana. Really.

With a still tense and clenched jaw, she glances over to Legolas as he takes his place next to her, eying the bread with just a bit of wary curiosity.

She doesn't really trust the food, but well. There's no real point to poisoning them now, and Legolas is eating it besides. She takes the offering with a small nod.]

Thank you.

[Her voice is quiet and curt, but she doesn't mean and disrespect, honestly.]

[keeps_count]

You're most welcome.

[He didn't see much reason for them to poison any of the food at all, and he was sure he'd taste the change in the Lembas if they had tried. Although, he was curious as to how they had gotten it. The recipe was shared with precious few outside the Elves.]

A single bite is enough to feed a fully grown Man. I'm not sure that matters here, however.

[Legolas doesn't make any comments about her being curt. They all have a right to be, especially Zelda and the other so-called winners of this week.]

[sageprincess]

Since this past week has proven that we do not need to eat should they will it, I am quite sure it does not.

[There is no question who she means by "they," obviously, by the way the word comes out sharp as a barb. She stares at the Lembas in her hand, turning it this way and that to inspect it. Anything for a distraction.]

... That is an interesting quality, however. Almost miraculous, from my perspective.

[keeps_count]

[Oh yes, there's no question. As light a mood as he's trying to keep, his face does harden just a bit at the mention of them.]

It's a recipe that we Elves hold and very rarely do we give it to outsiders. It can be kept fresh for many months, so long as it is wrapped in leaves. Custom dictates that only women bake Lembas but here... it's likely not a custom these people are upholding.

[He looked around for somewhere close by that they could sit, so Zelda could flee to the elevator as soon as they were ready to go but settled for just sitting against the wall.]

I apologize for sitting without you. I'm surprisingly worn out from the month.

[sageprincess]

[And that's all very interesting, honestly, but... she still doesn't quite have the spirit for keeping up with idle prattle. So she simply nods, taking a small bite out of politeness (she's not that hungry, needless to say), her eyebrows raising just a bit as she realizes she feels like she ate a full course meal. Huh.

As Legolas sits, however, she slides down to join him.]

Is it really so surprising? We have all been through a great deal.

[keeps_count]

[Elf/Maiar food is just fantastic, isn't it? Legolas could survive off this indefinitely as long as he thought back to the food Eowyn cooked.]

A bit. Elves are usually much more resistant to extremes of nature, illness and disease. I endured worse during the War of the Ring, over a century ago.

[Oh Ilúvatar, he was exhausted.]

[sageprincess]

[Alright, as odd as it is to be reminded that she's speaking to someone millennia older than her, she can't stop the hint of concern from entering her voice.]

... Will you be all right?

[keeps_count]

I will be. Perhaps once I actually sleep. It's been a long time since I've slept, merely regained my energy by relaxing.

[He gives her a small smile.]

[sageprincess]

I see.

[She's not fully convinced, but she can hardly judge what an Elf does or does not need.]

If there is anything I can do to help once we return to the Tower, do not be afraid to ask.

[It's the least she can offer, really.]

[keeps_count]

Thank you for that, Lady Zelda. I extend the same offer to you. I'm sure one of Mirkwood's warriors would be of great help in this tower.

[Fear was one of the last things he was feeling or would be feeling unless for others around him. Particularly regarding asking for help. He was certainly old enough to know when to ask for it.]

[sageprincess]

[And in the first time in a week, she smiles, though it's small and rather sad.]

Ah, I do not know the reputation of Mirkwood's warriors, but I do know that any skill is valuable in this place. Your offer is appreciated.

[keeps_count]

[Even a small smile is good right now. They can work on making it less sad once they're back in the tower with friends.]

I'll also make sure I'm available if you simply need a should to cry on or someone to talk with.

[sageprincess]

[... A-ahaha, this conversation got embarrassing quickly.]

Oh, I... I appreciate the offer, but I do not think that will be necessary.

[Despite everything, she's still young and prideful and still not completely okay with allowing others to see her when she's at her weakest if she can help it.]

[keeps_count]

[He'll just chuckle softly, because her youth. It shows.]

Perhaps just to talk to then.