Video/Action; pretend this was posted at a normal hour

[inafadingcrown]

[The video feed flips on, focusing (after a few seconds of jostling around) on Galadriel, sitting on the steps of the Initiative Hold, her sheathed sword beside her. Having just finished training, she’s attired appropriately, wearing a simple dress and with her hair braided and wound about her head- displaying those pointed ears quite prominently for those who might have missed them before.]

I grow weary of the constant grey here. It is overlong since I have heard a running stream or seen the sunlight filtered through the forest canopy.

Tell me, those of you who have journeyed outside this city: does greenery yet remain in this world? It would do my heart well even to hear of it.

Comments

[latkje]

No, call me whatever you like. Who am I to keep you from believing in the nobility of strangers?

Well met, Lady Galadriel.

[inafadingcrown]

[She chuckles again.] I would not say that I believe in the nobility of strangers, so much as erring on the side of caution.

It is a pleasure.

[latkje]

I think that real nobility doesn't care what you call it.

[inafadingcrown]

Then I would say you have not spent much time among nobility. [They can be a prickly bunch!]

[latkje]

I have, actually. [ He's not lying. ] I don't think true nobility cares much for blood, either.

[ Then he chuckles. ] But back home, saying so would be treason. You're to be admired for your restraint.

[inafadingcrown]

You speak of nobility of a different sort, then. The two are not always found together, that I well know.

[She chuckles a little in turn.] My restraint? I know well my titles and my bloodline mean little to most here and I am not so eager to invite conflict as to insist on proving their worth. I am content to stand on my own merit, if need be. [Say what you wish about Galadriel, she's very sure of herself and of her own abilities.]

[latkje]

[ His favorite words are the ones that mean more than one thing. ]

I never doubted you, milady. Titles and bloodlines mean a great deal to those who bear them, and why shouldn't they? What are we but where we've come from?

[ He breaks off. ]

I didn't mean to get philosophical. My wife says I spend too much time talking, and that's why I'll never amount to anything.

[inafadingcrown]

Your wife underestimates the power of speech. Words have a power of their own, when wielded properly.

[latkje]

I think she just finds me more charming when I'm quiet.

[inafadingcrown]

[Another little laugh] Fair enough. Sometimes I wonder if my husband does not wish his wife were more inclined to hold her tongue.

[latkje]

A held tongue is nothing I'd want in a wife.

But you're right. Words have power.

[inafadingcrown]

All things in moderation, as they say.

It is a subtlety too few appreciate.

[latkje]

But that's the point of subtlety. It's easy to overlook.

[inafadingcrown]

[A pause and then laughter]

You are not wrong. Mayhaps it is better to say I think more would profit by its use.

[latkje]

[ He smiles. Nash likes to be funny. ]

More would profit, but would we notice?

[inafadingcrown]

[She certainly finds him so.]

Oh, I think we should. [Congratulations. You are now on her list of clever people.]

[latkje]

[ Hooray! ]

I guess it would give me more opportunity to enjoy my own cleverness.

I never get tired of that.

[inafadingcrown]

Something else we have in common, then.

[latkje]

Oh, well. If you want to know a secret, I've never thought of myself as common.

I bet you haven't either.

[inafadingcrown]

Is it so obvious?

[latkje]

If it helps, I think very little about you is obvious.

[inafadingcrown]

I do find that more pleasing to hear.

[latkje]

I thought you might.

[ You're so much nicer than his terrible wife. ]

[inafadingcrown]

[Depending on the person. Always good, only sometimes nice. You know how it goes.]

And so we have returned to the subject of subtlety.

[latkje]

I always seem to.