there are tall elves and small elves, nice elves and... (introduction)

[mostcraftiest]

Damn fools. Fools, all of them! If they think they will last an hour under that fool Orodreth - well. A slight change in plans only. Though the desertion of his own son - that stung, a little. He should have been firmer with the boy. Spent more time with him here, perhaps, rather than leaving him to tinker in his smithy at whatever little projects

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[elven_irs]

Here's a freshly rested brother from long vigils with other broken brother. He'll catch sight of Kurvo, sigh heavily, go on to greet him nonetheless, because he's still a brother.

"Was wondering when you'd get there," he says, as casually as possible.

[mostcraftiest]

Kurvo looks up, blinks, and then frowns. "You're far from Thargelion," deceptively mildly. As always with this particular brother, he is well on his guard, not quite wary, but aware that he has to be a bit more careful here. "I'm pleased we didn't go there, then, to find you departed. That would have been...disappointing."

All traces of disorientation wiped away, and most of the annoyance as well.

[elven_irs]

"I'm sure I would have been disappointed to miss you too," though you never visited, you don't care about me, heh. "You're far from Nargothrond, before you ask. And possibly not in Beleriand at all, so give up the act, Kurvo."

But he takes a couple steps his way, finds a smile, offers an arm clasp.

He's still a brother, despite everything.

[mostcraftiest]

...that does catch him off guard, the way Caranthir's bluntness always does, but he finds a flicker of a slightly dry smile himself, and does return the arm-clasp, sincerely enough. For him. "And just what do you mean by that, brother?" Not letting go just yet.

[elven_irs]

"Contrary to you, brother, I don't play with words. I meant exactly what I said. This is not Beleriand. Possibly not Arda, but I have no way of verifying that. And you know me well enough to tell that I'm not lying."

Or that he doesn't lie in general, is the implication. Contrary to you, again, sweet brother, is the other implication. "But be welcome nonetheless."

Because a brother is a brother, damn it. Even the most detestable one of the gang. And suddenly, oh... suddenly, Caranthir feels like running to go see Turco, and -- he's not sure what, but hugging him, or something.

Before Kurvo splits them asunder for good, again.

[mostcraftiest]

His slight smile doesn't quite have barbs. "I know you well enough to tell little, Carnistir. It has been years." Though still... "And how did you come here, then? I heard nothing of your - disappearance."

He catches that implication, but is going to pretend he didn't. It bothers him, a little, but lesser people never understand the necessities of trickery. Especially this brother.

"But I appreciate the welcome."

[elven_irs]

"Just as you did," Caranthir replies, shortly. Too early to bring up the fact that he came here after the Dagor Bragollach, since he doesn't know exactly where his brother was before he arrived. Which brings him to ask... "so, where were you, before this hellhole brought you in?"

Caranthir isn't going to pretend he's entirely happy to see the brother, though it's never been that way between them. They know where they stand, they know who the other is, and they've always managed, somehow.

Bottom line is that Curufin is a brother, one way or other. End of story.

[mostcraftiest]

It is, unfortunately, a bit more complicated than that for Curufin. There is some loyalty there, yes, more than toward anyone outside their family - but he doesn't trust Caranthir, is wary of his temper and the fact that it can't be manipulated, leery of the fact that his beloved father cursed about Cara well and often.

"As I said, on the way to Thargelion. Nargothrond appeared to prefer the hand of that imbecile Orodreth. I didn't think it worth trying to argue with their folly."

[elven_irs]

"Damn Finarfinians aren't worth our breath," he concedes - in that, at least, they can agree. He never did like Galadriel, has little love for Finrod, and is going to vehemently talk agains Angrod for reasons of his own. "Which I should mention. They're here. By the way."

You can't count on Caranthir not to bring up such things - he's too straightforward for that.

[mostcraftiest]

His mouth twitches, irritably. "Of course. I should not have doubted it." Everywhere they can interfere...well. He's handled one of them once, can do that again if he has to. Artanis might be a little harder.

[elven_irs]

"Ha well. They've been helpful, so maybe you'll find the situation tolerable. Besides, they're easily avoided, all three of them." Unfortunately, er, Angrod is TOO easily avoided, if you ask him.

[mostcraftiest]

"Helpful." He snorts. "Why do I find the credibility of that dubious? When have they ever raised so much as a finger except to interfere where they are not needed?" Aww, Cara. You're pretty much adorable.

[elven_irs]

"You're so twisted. Why don't you shut up a minute, including in your head, and listen to what I have to say, Kurvo? Just this one in your Valar-damned life, listen to a little brother. Alright?"

Patience, we no has it.

[mostcraftiest]

He is truly surprised, though really he knows he shouldn't be. Then he blanks his face again. "Little brother, if I didn't know better I would guess that you were irritated. Very well, go ahead." What is it now sighsigh.

[elven_irs]

"Was about time." Damn it. He takes a moment to savor the silence. "Here. Is not Beleriand. There's two things. The first is that this place has no concept of death - as in, it's temporary --" and he assumes the brother will want to talk, and he'll bark, "shut up, I'm not done. The other thing is that the Enemy is here, and is taking sadistic pleasure in tormenting us. We've done battle, here, but without an army. If you take two minutes to think in pure, practical logic, you'll realize that having someone like Findarato or Artanis on your side is actually a good thing. If you can make sure that they don't go off and do their own thing because you managed to piss them off."

[mostcraftiest]

Curufin's expression darkens precipitously, but at the mention of Morgoth - well. "The Enemy is here and you are doing nothing?" And at the second, he nearly tosses his head in disdain. "If they would even do anything. It is their own family, always, that concerns them, not ours. We look out for ourselves." His mouth thins. "I have no personal problem with Findarato." Which he doesn't. That getting him killed was purely political. He literally feels nothing about it.