For Daddy and Uncle

[ringsmith]

It's midmorning, and wandering somewhere between the forge and the cliffs is a lone, meandering figure. Celebrimbor doesn't seem entirely steady on his feet, his eyes are vauge and at times he starts and stares at things that aren't there. Sometimes he loses track of what he's doing and stares into space for a minutes before shaking himself out

Comments

[thenotsofair]

Well. It is a futile exercise in self-discipline that is really not doing any good and probably not helping. However, since discovering that his phobia of this place hasn't left, has perhaps intensified, a certain uncle is making himself walk there every day, just because. Doing things like that is fun.

However, he was not expecting to see a nephew, and almost flinches. He hasn't seen a nephew since Curufin got here. How much might have changed? What if Celebrimbor disowns him again? However. --"Celebrimbor- --what are you doing here?"

[ringsmith]

Celebrimbor freezes, startled, staring like a half wild thing uncertain whether or not to flee. Hesitantly he takes a small step toward his uncle but then freezes again, eyes still wide and confused. He's still having a difficult time determining what's real.

[thenotsofair]

That look. Tyelko winces, slightly, looking pained, uncertain, and almost steps back himself, but stays very still instead, not sure what - what's wrong, but there's definitely something. Something very wrong. And he's not letting himself think about what because nephews being in Morgothclutches is not okay.

"--it's me," a little hesitantly, though. Not sure what's the right thing to say. Stupid. Why didn't he go and talk to him right away?

[ringsmith]

He flinches a little, but at least he's not bolting. Is it? Or is it one of the illusions? The illusions claimed to be real, too. They felt real. He hates it. And he is very confused.

[thenotsofair]

His expression spasms a little. "Eru..." No. Damn. He tries to think clearly. "It's me," he tries again, "Really me. You shouldn't...be here."

[ringsmith]

His eyes flick over their surroundings briefly before returning to stare at his uncle, he's very slightly less skittish with Tyelko than he is with his father. He's pretty sure though that this is where he's supposed to be...this is where it was, right? What was it again? His expression becomes increasingly bewildered as his mind wanders away from the issue at hand.

[thenotsofair]

Slightly, Tyelko notes, because he likes beating himself up about things. Slightly. --"Celebrimbor, focus, look at me," Taking another slow step, though he keeps his hands visible and perfectly harmless, trying to think - augh - what would have helped him. "This is not a good place. Come - back with me. Where's Lydia?"

[ringsmith]

His attention is successfully pulled back toward Tyelko, cringing back a little but stabilizing slightly and glancing reflexively toward the mansion when Tyelko mentions Lydia. That's where she is, asleep because it's daylight, he wouldn't have been able to sneak out here if she was awake. Of course, if she was awake he probably wouldn't have wanted to go out. He's still not exactly there, but at least he's not backing away?

[thenotsofair]

Oh - right. Daytime. He's never seen her out during the day, and - well. We're just going to let that go. "Please," he says, a little more quietly, wondering how...bad it is. Wishing he dared ask someone for help. But of course his options are basically Galadriel and wouldn't that be several kinds of awkward. "What are you looking for?"

[ringsmith]

He puts a hand to his hip where a loop on his leather apron would hold his hammer if he was working. His eyes scan the ground again for a few moments. "...Mm....my hammer...." His voice is small and quiet, wavering and almost timid.

[thenotsofair]

Tyelko frowns, slightly. "...oh. Will you let me help you look for it, at least?" He doesn't know how to get Celebrimbor home otherwise. He doesn't know much. Woefully useless, yaaaay.

[ringsmith]

He's surprised by the offer and after a few moments of silent surprise he nods slightly, cautiously. Would an evil illusion offer to help find his hammer? Probably not. Would it? But he wants his hammer...

[thenotsofair]

No, it would not, insists meta Tyelko. But he's not here, and well, it helps to be doing something. At least. "All right. Where have you looked?" Brushing his hands off and getting his focused face on. Hammer it is.

[ringsmith]

"...Cliffs..." It comes out quiet and cracked. "It....the cliffs..." It's not exactly an answer to the question. He thinks it may be near the cliffs, but he hasn't gotten there, yet.

[thenotsofair]

This...hurts, kind of. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea. But what else is he supposed to do? "You've looked over by the cliffs, and it's not there?" Just trying to stay calm and grounded and - well, real. It might help? He hopes.

[ringsmith]

He gives a jerky headshake, trying to force his thoughts into order. "....I was...near the cliffs..." He seems kind of terrified at the thought of going back there.