Managed it, yes. Managed it without looking like an utter fool? Less likely. [Maedhros keeps his tone light and jovial but there is a visible tension on his face. He knows he can't postpone the conversation of what happened forever, but that does not mean he dreads it any less.

The worst is he knows he does not need to dread it. He has nothing to feel shame for... and yet still he does. Still he feels as if there is a stain that's been put upon him by it.] Tyelko, the little rat, had assured me the stag had agreed to it. Turns out it most assuredly had not.

[Maedhros turns his face towards Fingon before he awnsers with his own mind. Bitter tears welling in his eyes.] I... they... they hurt me. They took what wasn't theirs to take. Bent me to their whims whenever they felt like it. It hurt so badly, Finno... it still hurts.