OPEN RP POST

[elfoflight]

Pretty straight forward. You have an idea you want to play out with Finarfin, throw up a starter or plotting comment and we'll go from there. Haven't threaded with me before but want to try something different than how you found this journal? That's fine too! I'm always open to new RP partners. If you have questions, feel free to shoot me a PM if you're more comfortable that way.

Comments

[elfoflight]

In all honesty, he was waiting for her to lash out at him. At the situation. At anything and everything. He knew his wife, and treasured even her fury.

"No, it does not," he quietly agreed. "And accidents do happen."

France heard and understood that hesitation, and raised a hand to once more slide gentle fingers through her hair. Playing with silver strands that he'd missed dearly.

"These days, we are mostly conserving our history. The arts. Rebuilding and building anew. The monarchy has been abolished," there might have been a bit of a shudder that ran through him at that and he had to pause for a moment before continuing. "We do a lot of trade, and mingle with other cultures." And there was a bit of a wry tone there. Clearly a story was hidden within simple words.

"Ah, but I will have to take you around Paris, and Versailles." The fondness in his voice was obvious. He really couldn't help but love them, being what he was.

Then he shook his head as he remembered one thing that, if left unsaid so early in their conversation, would get him into a heap of trouble. "I should tell you that Makalaure never sailed, and has yet to Fade. Though he has begun to, he continues to wander here and there. He knows what I am."

good. call. ara.

[swanmaid]

She leaned against his hand, sighing. Accidents did happen, she knew that much. She knew they could cause wars when one wasn't careful too. This was Arafinwë though and he was wise, wiser than many, and could prevent them often enough. Otherwise he was a skilled warrior, she hadn't followed him to Middle Earth during the War of Wrath but he'd returned. He'd survived it.

"You keep busy then." She saw the shudder and reached out herself to cup his cheek, comforting him. He'd been a monarch too but she didn't point that fact out. Pleasant things, she wanted to try to focus on the pleasant.

"I will go anywhere with you, you know that." A little smile. And she wouldn't mind being shown around. Eärwen hadn't really seen much as she searched, a lot blended together to the point that she'd really only kept track of what country she was in rather than any individual or interesting landmarks. And he would be with her, things always seemed brighter with him with her. That and anywhere that he seemed to speak of with fondness, even if it was so foreign to her, would be worth seeing.

And then his latest piece of news. It had her freeze in place for a moment, staring at him. It wasn't something he would joke about, she knew that much. He would never joke about their nephew.

"Makalaure lives?" Beginning to fade though- "We cannot leave him to wander."

ahaha yeah sob

[elfoflight]

For all that he was wise, he still had a boss. Someone to answer to, so he could focus on other things than just one aspect of the running of his land and people. And there was plenty for him to do.

And France had been a mighty nation. Once. But England had often been stronger and definitely bigger. When she could read the languages of this world he would have her read all the accurate history books. Even if some didn't put France in a very favorable light, and others would tell her things... she wouldn't really like.

Such as his marriage (since abolished) to England for a time. He'd been desperate, and there had been no other real choice. It was that, or die.

And she would be told, no doubt, how he flirted and romped with anyone he could. Those... would not be good days for him. Any elf would have trouble fully understand the reasons behind such tellings.

"Very," he answered wryly. The hand cupping his cheek earned a soft sigh and he leaned into it. Grateful for her presence. He smiled softly in return. "I know," was the murmure. She'd already proven that.

France grimaced at her reaction to that news and he shook his head a little. "He refuses, beyond a few days at a time. I had to push to get him to agree even to stop here whenever he was within my borders. You know the Oath. He fears for my safety." Sound familiar, Eärwen? "He is as stubborn as ever. But weary and heartsick."

[swanmaid]

They would be bad days for both, with no guarantee that she would even want him to touch her very much after the revelation that he'd be married again or that he'd been flirting with others. The shock would wear off, in time, but immediately after she would learn of it would be the hardest. There was nothing they couldn't get through though, that she had always believed. And would continue to believe.

After all, how strong could their marriage really have ever been if she couldn't find a way to accept what he'd been forced into? The marriage customs of other races were nothing when compared to theirs.

"Then he needs to be with his family." She understood the wariness. And she was grateful that Maglor worried for her husband but they were strong when together and they knew what they should and shouldn't do if a time ever came that his Oath forced him into action.

Very slowly, almost experimentally, she leaned in towards him. And then gently kissed his cheek, beside his lips. She was unable to resist making a face at the facial hair though.

[elfoflight]

And he would deserve all of it. He'd wait. Forever, if that was what it took. There were things France was not proud of that he'd done. There always would be. But he'd never touched another. That much, he knew England would back him up on, if the other nation's word meant anything. If it would even be necessary.

France let his arm around her tighten a little, pride and love for her just growing - if that was even possible. His lips twitched a little, eyes closing as he let out a quiet breath. "Then I expect you, of any and all, could convince him where he belongs."

The kiss to his cheek had his breath catch and heart leap, even if the face she made threatened to have him laugh. It was a step forward. His lips twisted ruefully. "You will not have to deal with that past today," he promised. It was a little thing to give her, and it would freak his fellow nations out. Worth it.

[swanmaid]

That much would be a comfort to her. More than she'd admit at first but a comfort all the same and it would help them get back to where they should be. And she wouldn't be able to abandon him when that time came, it hurt to much and things felt right being with him again.

"We both will." Together they would be able to do anything. They'd raised their children well together and their nephews mostly always listened to them as they'd been growing up. Surely he would listen now if they both insisted he stay. At least until a time that they were sure he'd be alright, however long it took.

Even though he didn't laugh, she couldn't help but laugh a little herself at his promise.

"Good. It feels... wrong." Too scratchy, itchy, foreign. She did reach lightly to brush the back of her fingers across his cheek though, properly feeling the hair there and making another face.

[elfoflight]

If he could make her comfortable in any way, he would. It felt far too good to have her back with him again for him to want to chase her away. France smiled brightly at her laugh, leaning into her hand once more.

She made the best faces. Reality could be better than fantasy and memory. Maglor would recover. However stubborn the elf tried to be. He'd even go to England if it would help.

"I can remove it right now, if you wish it?" He had the needed supplies for a clean shave, even if he hadn't often chosen to use them.

[swanmaid]

"So long as it is no bother to you." It was something she would appreciate. The only time she'd seen hair on anyone's face was Cirdan and even that had seemed strange. No other elf before him had hair on their face. Artanis had told her of how Men grew hair on their face, though it had done nothing to really prepare her.

"I can help." She offered lightly, not really willing to let him out of her sight just yet. Eärwen had just gotten him back, she couldn't bear to step away now. She needed him close.

[elfoflight]

"It is no trouble," he murmured softly, mirth clear and bright. France could only imagine the other nations' reaction to realizing he wouldn't be regrowing his beard this time.

He smiled and pulled away to stand, gently tugging her to her feet. "You are always welcome to." At least to watch.

[swanmaid]

It was easy to draw her to her feet and she instinctively moved to his side, settling against him without placing her weight on him. A part of her was still tired, so tired, but being near him gave her life and energy again. It felt good. He was all she needed.

"Lead the way, beloved." Softly and in Quenya. It was easier to slip into Quenya for the moment, the languages of this world still feeling heavy and unwieldy on her tongue.

[elfoflight]

He slipped an arm loosely around her waist, holding her close as he guides her down the hall to the spacious master bedroom with the en-suite bathroom. He kept to Quenya as well, though was already planning just how to teach her French then other languages she would need to know.

It was with reluctance that France released her then and turned to get started. Pulling out the shaving kit, which likely looked quite strange to her. The shaving cream was applied first before he set to scraping the hairs off.

[swanmaid]

It was hard for her not to look around in interest, leaning against him as he led them to the bathroom. It was so different, everything was. It would take her so long to adjust but she knew he would help. Once he let go, she settled close by and watched him quietly.

The shaving kit was strange to her which made it better that he did it. After she just slipped back to his side and reached to run her hand across his cheek.

[elfoflight]

She was welcome to look around anywhere. Now that she was there, back with him, he would let her do anything. He sorely doubted he'd regret it. France was more than happy to introduce her to everything.

Teach her about who he'd become, along with what. It only took him a couple minutes to shave the beard off before he turned back to her and leaned into the hand she brushed across his cheek. He smiled warmly, reaching out to hold her again. Gentle and full of hope and love.

[swanmaid]

"Much better." She said softly, fingers still brushing across his cheeks. "Perfect but you always were. The only person who the Swan Maidens temper would cool for."

And then a kiss to his cheek, a smile, she needed those physical reminders that he was there. Eärwen wrapped her arm around his, leaning against him and glancing at their reflection. It was strange to see the change in his height still, she almost laughed. A very short, stifled, giggle bubbled up though.

"Show me your France. Show me what has kept you away so long."

[elfoflight]

His smile brightened, filling with fond laughter though it did not escape to be verbalized. France wrapped his arms around her in return, leaning against and around her as best he could. "I knew I could only love you the moment I saw you. And that has stayed true, even as changed as I am."

And he couldn't help but laugh as well, even if he knew her giggle was at his expense. He tightened his hold on her, lifting to spin her around. He was still strong - stronger than he'd been as an elf, in fact. "Yes, I will show you all that there is to see. Not all at once, but you will see it."

[swanmaid]

"And I could only ever love you. My dearest Arafinwë. King of my heart." She said softly, closing her eyes to just savor this moment. That was all that was truly important to her. It was still him, more or less.

The twirl made her squeal and laugh and reach to tangle her fingers in his hair. She needed this, more than she realized. This simple gesture. So she leaned her head down while still in his arms and kissed him again.

"We have time. More than enough time."

[elfoflight]

He knew. Oh, how he knew. There'd never been any doubt before she'd come after him, but even now... No. There simply was no one else for him. France felt himself fall in love with her all over again.

The laugh was precisely what he'd hoped to hear, finding he'd missed it in the core of his being when he heard it again. Felt it melt his heart as she leaned in to kiss him. He pulled her closer and returned the kiss without hesitation, and even when it ended he pressed their foreheads together.

A playful smile grew, touching his eyes. "Yes." And impulse had him tilt his head to capture another kiss before pulling away.

"Now come, beloved. There are a few things I would get for you before we really get started." Clothes befitting his love, his dearest friend, so that she would meld in with the crowd and they could slip unseen. Even her silver hair wouldn't attract too much notice.

[swanmaid]

Being held by him, the touch of their foreheads and the extra kiss he stole, everything felt warm and right. It felt like when they had first been courting, so many stolen kisses, visits at midday just so they could hold onto each other. Simple gestures in an easier time, a much easier time. Perhaps it wouldn't be as simple this time but they would manage it. As they had managed everything else.

"Get for me?" She questioned, a silver brow rising briefly. "You do not have to get me anything."

Although, Eärwen would admit that her clothes most definitely stood out. And between the clothes and her general appearance, a change might do her, and him, at least some good while out and about.

[elfoflight]

And he would - he'd court her all over again. Because he knew he was different than he had once been. He wasn't the elf she remembered, for all that he was all at once. She deserved nothing less than the best of him, for all that she'd always managed to see all of him as well. He knew there were still blocks ahead of them, but he trusted they would get through them.

France grinned at her and gave her slim waist an affectionate squeeze. "I want to." He would focus on a wardrobe for her at first. Little gifts later would start showing up, when she wasn't watching.

[swanmaid]

She leaned against him, content to let him squeeze her and she still felt as if they shaped comfortably together. Eärwen of course shared his confidence that they would get through any trouble.

"You are too sweet. Too good to me, even after all these years." And the lady didn't want to inconvenience him so soon after their reunion. Didn't want him to spend money she wasn't sure whether he had or not. Eärwen had always had trouble refusing him anything though, one way or another, whether she was on the receiving end or he was.

[elfoflight]

He released one arm from around her to reach up and gently brush silver hair from her face, then cupped her cheek and let his thumb brush tenderly over her soft skin. "You deserve the best I can give. Always have." And always will.

It was hardly an inconvenience. It could even be good for him! Cut down on things he didn't really need, because the one thing he'd been missing was with him again.

Yet he found he was eager to show her around, and finally stepped back only to reach for one of her hands. It was hard to not hold onto her, not for a while, and he saw no immediate reason not to. "The time to walk the streets is best about now."

[swanmaid]

It would be hard for her to imagine him filling the empty space in his heart with things but he was different now. And she was still trying to come to terms with that fact. At least he was still charming, that helped. And kind and full of love.

"If you say it is, I believe you." His hand received a light squeeze in return, fingers slipping between his comfortably before she leaned back against him again, head resting on his shoulder. She would have endured crowds to explore and learn about France with him, exhausting as crowds tended to be for her these days. At least she would have him with her to keep her from falling asleep if it had been too much.

[elfoflight]

Nothing could replace her for him. France, the Nation, tried - hard. But even the heart of the nation was showing signs of the ache in his heart. Now, though, perhaps that would change and Paris would heal and regain it's former beauty and glory.

Her leaning against him like that had him pause and he slipped an arm back around her. "Perhaps tomorrow would be better," he murmured. "Tonight we can stay here. Rest. And in the morning before too many are out, I can show you other things."

[swanmaid]

"No, it is alright. I want to go tonight." She said as she shook her head. Tired as she was from her long search, being with him gave her energy. Enough that she was willing to go out and about rather than rest. Besides, she figured there would be plenty of time for rest. Especially after they'd been about awhile, long enough to get hungry and tired.

"We have missed so much time together, I want to do everything I can with you. I do not want to waste even a moment." Every moment was precious and would be treated preciously.

[elfoflight]

Understanding lit his eyes and twitched his lips and he needed no other reassurance than that to start leading her outside. "No moment can be waisted when you are with me." It just wasn't possible. Every second he could see her smile, or even glare and pout, was worth it.

But if she fell asleep on him, he'd laugh (to himself) and take her home. He'd take care of her, as she deserved.

Once outside, he held onto her just by holding her hand, fingers entwined just as their hearts were, though kept close to her side. He started for the Seine, for the water that ran through Paris. "There is water everywhere, even in modern cities."