Day 11 Catfish - everybody else!

[voidtreckermods]

Evacuation

Once Rath and Voidtrecker volunteers go off to Blue Mountain the rest of the scientists get ready for the final evacuation off planet.

Earthquakes are regular enough now that it seems strange when the earth is not shaking. It makes it difficult to pack the last of the equipment, get the final lindusi into their containers and start boarding the shuttles.

They need help everywhere, people to ride with the lindusi, others to keep the evacuees calm. Others to carry equipment and load shuttles. People to keep children occupied and out of the way. Slowly but surely the shuttles are loaded and the journey begins.

Space Station

There are scientists and guards waiting at the space station to help unload, lindusi need unloading and taken to containing pens. People need reunited with those that evacuated before them and registered, in an attempt to make sure everyone is accounted for.

The Voidtreckers may do what they like once the work is done, a time to relax after a job well done. Or to fret about those who are still on the planet.

In the control room there is an attempt to keep radio contact with the group on the ground, but as the planet destabilises more it gets more difficult. Signs show that the planet has mere hours before it can not sustain human life anymore.

But the scientists seem to have some faith that these void warriors are up for the job.

Comments

[castintoflames]

He makes a soft, low sound at the answer. While it is the truth, it isn't comforting. Fëanor and Curufin might stay until the final second and then -

Bringing a finger to his lips, his eyes unfocused, he wishes, not for the first time, that he had foresight.

"Tony is like Atto. Curvo is like Atto." therein lies the problem, "They need someone like Ammë."

[seawanderer]

All things he also already knows, which...Yep. Is the problem. Maglor watches his brother closely.

"We all need someone like Amme." If not Nerdanel herself. "Promise me one thing, Nelyo."

Because he knows his stupid big brother. "Do not go down to the surface now to look for them." Because that would likely mean losing him to fire all over again.

[castintoflames]

His thoughts must be glaringly obvious. Maedhros flinches at the promise his brother wishes to extract from him. Closing his eyes tightly, he tries to ignore the flicker of flames behind his eyelids.

"I wouldn't make it in time." his voice is quiet, desperate, "I wouldn't know where to look."

Yet he would go nonetheless.

[seawanderer]

This is something that's been plaguing them since Maedhros' arrival. Unshakable, no matter how hard they both try.

Maglor can't forget. And this threat...he feels something in him starting to unravel again and hisses, "Promise me."

[castintoflames]

The words are like a whip, stinging his nerves and forcing him into action. Or inaction, actually.

"...I promise." though said promise is not easily made nor will it be easily kept, "They must return on their own."

While they wait and feel old madness coming to call.

[seawanderer]

His breath shudders out. He knows what making it costs his brother, but...he can't...Not again...

Maglor sways a little before stepping over to wraps his arms around Maedhros. "They will. One way or another."

[castintoflames]

The contact reminds him to breathe and he shakily wraps his arms around his brother, resting his cheek against his brow.

"I would rather they be solid when they join us." he fears the sight of their father's fëa.

[seawanderer]

Familiar arms around him has him burrow into his brother, holding on tighter and tighter.

"They don't listen like you do."

[castintoflames]

He laughs sharply, holding the back of Maglor's head with his good hand.

"And I don't listen as well as I should."

[seawanderer]

Maglor nuzzles his brother's chest, fingers twisted in the fabric of Maedhros' Void uniform.

"...We are Feanorions." Which really does explain all.

[castintoflames]

"Products of an oft times mad genius and a wise sculptor." he finds a place for them to sit, holding Maglor against his side, "Kano... We must carry on, no matter the outcome."

[seawanderer]

"And raised in relative peace where we got into far too much mischief."

Much better. He presses against his brother's side once they're seated. Maglor huffs out a breath. "Remember your own advice, Nelyo."

[castintoflames]

"Children that are loved are raised thus." Maedhros has no apologies for how they spent those wonderful years, "What awaits me in the Halls will keep me here."

He isn't eager to be dead; to have failed so utterly.

[seawanderer]

Neither does Maglor! But they can't go back to that innocence.

...Maedhros deserves the light smack, in his opinion. "There is no guarantee. But nor should you tempt being sent there by dying here."

[castintoflames]

He accepts the smack and stares at Maglor inquisitively. There is no guarantee? Of what? Is his brother hoping his death could be undone?

"At the end of Arda, you and I will meet again."

[seawanderer]

That earns him a glare! Maglor might be something of a dreamer when not paying attention, but he knows better than to believe such a death can be reversed. "Do not spend this second life of yours unless you know for a fact it would do good. I would follow you to it, and I do not wish to die for nothing."

[castintoflames]

"Your terms are harsh, brother mine." he can't help feeling affection for the other, however, "If my life sustains yours, I will live stubbornly for centuries to come."

Maedhros kisses his cheek to seal his promise, treating him like an Elfling. But why shouldn't he?

[seawanderer]

"They have to be to get you to listen," he huffs stubbornly, but panic and fear and anger ease at the words and slowly he relaxes. Maglor rubs his cheek against his brother's shoulder. "If I'd known that, I would have told you boldly before we got the thrice-cursed jewels."

[castintoflames]

"I need the truth put into words. Don't presume I understand the obvious." he rocks Maglor soothingly, sighing, "The jewels have an ill effect on us. Parts of us might indeed be impure - unworthy of them - but not every inch of us."

[seawanderer]

The whirlwind of emotions and strain of the last couple days are taking their toll and Maglor slowly goes limp in his brother's arms, letting himself be rocked.

"...I will try to remember that, Nelyo." He snuggles into his brother's arms. "We are family." Which in itself isn't impure or unworthy!

[castintoflames]

"We are." Maedhros peers down at Maglor's face, brushing back the dark strands of his brother's hair tenderly, "Of all the things that have caused me pain or shame, that is not one of them."

He is proud to have so many bright brothers. He is proud to be Fëanor's son.

[seawanderer]

Of course he hasn't let himself really rest since this whole thing began. There's not been time! And don't ask when his last meal was, he doesn't remember (mostly because it's not important enough to him just yet to remember something so small).

But the tenderness has him humming softly. "Our family is ours," he murmurs with just a hint of pride. "Even when we're fighting, we love each other." He glances up at Maedhros to make sure his stupid big brother knows he's included in that statement.

[castintoflames]

When have they had time to sleep? To meditate? Maedhros can feel the knots in his chest and his stomach, denying him rest and sustenance. Maglor must be feeling the same way. They will be able to tend to both once their family is returned.

"And you are my little brother." he hears the pride and he smiles softly, "I have never had a fight with you that came close to eliminating my love for you." he meets that penetrating gaze, chuckling shakily. Yes, yes, he gets the message.

[seawanderer]

And not before. But Maglor makes a mental note to make something special for Ignis and Kaito for making him get on a shuttle so he could help Maedhros.

"Even when I'm technically older than you now." Because bratty little brother. He manages even to smile when he sees the recognition in his brother's eyes, and snuggles just a little closer. "We never will." Because this love can't be destroyed.

[castintoflames]

They are surrounded by thoughtful people. Maedhros never thought he would encounter such a group. He certainly isn't worthy of them.

"It doesn't matter." he taps Maglor's nose with a single metal finger, "I was there for your birth. That makes you mine to protect."

And it has nothing to do with Maglor being adorable.