video | username: merlin

[servant]

[It's the first time that Merlin's broadcasted a video of his own, normally content to just poke his nose into others. He's sitting at a table, chin propped up on his fist, the universal pose of Deep Thought.]

I've been thinking a lot lately. [And that would be the point where Arthur would inevitably have something to say about that. It feels...odd, being able to continue without interruption. And not in an entirely good way.] About the humans and the goblins, but mostly about those who found themselves caught in-between. It's difficult, living your life in secret, wondering where you fit in, if you fit in at all.

[He's getting that wounded bear face again, a long expression with sad round eyes.]

I'm not trying to excuse anything terrible that's been done. By anyone. I was only wondering if anyone else knows what it's like to feel like an outcast.

Comments

video; un: deathweaver

[respired]

Yes. Keeping my status secret was never an option, either. I was marked for exactly what I am.

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[servant]

Who was it that marked you? And...uhm [at the risk of sounding rude] what would that be?

VIDEO. UN: LOKI

[selfimage]

[ there's no way that he's going to humor that feeling of being an outcast, his name carries enough of that in itself. ]

There's always a reason for terrible things. There's something about riots and those unheard to heed. No one likes unnecessary violence, unless it comes with a few nice explosions ... [ that last part is a bit more to himself. ]

[servant]

But is it always a good enough reason? Here, for example. Where do you draw the line?

video | username: saber

[invisiblade]

["I've been thinking a lot lately" a dangerous pass time, for certain. at least, Arturia always found herself cringing whenever her Merlin would start off conversation with such a statement. but the words that follow catch her off guard... living one's life in secret, it's a concept that hits all too close to home for her. however, she's quite surprised to hear him talk about it as though he were referring to himself. she never knew her court magus to be shy about what he was, so she'd just assumed it would be the same for this other Merlin.... but perhaps, that is not the case?

it takes a bit of time, due her being technically challenged, but Saber eventually manages to get her enchanted bracelet to broadcast video of her in response. she's tucked away in the privacy of her hotel room, a plush throw tossed about her shoulders as she rests nearby the fireplace to keep warm.]

Your chosen topic of discussion reads rather melancholy, Merlin. Is it the cold weather that's responsible for this disheartened atmosphere, or is there something more pressing on your mind?

[servant]

[At least she gets a smile out of him. And something about her gentle chiding...it makes him think of Arthur. He never liked the gloomy look on his manservant either.]

What, this? No, my room back at the castle was drafty. I'm used to it. It's just something I've been wondering about for awhile, because I can relate to it.

video; username: butterfly

[digophelia]

I've gotten used to it, a long time ago.

[ It's more of a comment she says to herself. ]

But that doesn't matter, what matters is setting things right for both goblins and humans.

[servant]

You too?

[He's definitely surprised by that. Merlin doesn't know her that well yet, but she'd seemed nice, like someone he wouldn't mind having around.]

I'm glad to hear someone say that. It can't be just one or the other, that won't solve anything.

video | un: leonardo

[kamiizumi]

[Usually, Leo's stuck to text or audio; it's easier to keep things on track.

Still, it's relevant here, so here he is on camera, for once, sitting lotus position (decided this was worth bailing on meditation, apparently).]

There are maybe fifteen mutants, as far as we know, in my world. Other than that, it's humans who mostly don't know we exist.

[Good reasons to live in a sewer.]

[servant]

[Merlin's surprised, but he tries not to stare. And once the other starts to speak, the urge to passes.]

Mutants? What do you think they would do if people did know?

video

[viscontree]

You're right. It's difficult to live away from others.

[Memories of the past resurface and he frowns. Oh boy, he can really relate to that.]

As for your question, I would say I understand your feelings to some degree.

[He's just leaving at that for now. Julius is purposely choosing to be vague, but he will talk more later.]

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[servant]

[You can't judge a book by its cover - Merlin's something of living proof of that old saying. But he does take a closer look at him, like he's trying to figure out what it is about him that would make him an outcast too.]

It seems like it's something most of us have experienced, in one form or another.

video; un: sion

[sunderings]

You speak from experience.

[ It isn't a question, for Merlin himself hasn't left room for it to be one. ]

Tell me, then, how is it that you would peaceably carve a place for yourself in a world which would reject all that you are?

[ His interest is genuine, just as his smile is distinctly empathetic, but more than that his golden eyes seem to ask: just what sort of person are you?. ]

[servant]

[Merlin presses his lips together, offering a brief, sheepish of smiles. He didn't leave any room for doubt, did he.]

Oh... [Merlin bites at his thumbnail. It's a direct enough question, but he knows that the answer isn't so easy.] By example. I would try to prove that all the terrible things just weren't true.

video; UN: red streak

[sanicspeed]

How do I say this...? I don't really get the part about humans and goblins but I do know what you mean about the secrecy. It's weird, let me tell you. Thankfully, I've had good friends so I can't say I've ever felt alone and useless.

[servant]

Do any of your friends know your secret?

video; un: Hawke

[bougy]

( is he speaking from personal experience? it seems to her, pretty obviously, yes. it's not the best period of her life but at least during the exodus she wasn't alone. she speaks with a measure of humour in her tone: ) What kind of an outcast? There are a lot of things to be cast out from. People really do seem to enjoy sorting themselves into exclusive little groups.

[servant]

Uh...the unhappy kind?

[That's a terrible answer, Merlin.]

I wonder if they always enjoy it. Maybe sometimes it's from necessities. Birds of a feather, that sort of thing.

video; username: baaaan

[perma_banned]

[There was a hum on Ban's part. It was a rare sober moment for him. He may have had a bad day and drinking wasn't an option--for the moment.]

I'm sure a few people could tell you what it's like to feel like an outcast~.

[He wanted to say, 'Typically, outcasts ask that sort of question', but Merlin had done right by him in the past.

He didn't feel like teasing.]

Buuuut, part of bein' an outcast sounds like you wouldn't be able to find camaraderie~. So, you might be askin' the wrong fooolks. Tons of ALASTAIR's soldiers bond together real easy.

[servant]

Yeah, seems like a lot of people have experienced it, one way or another.

[Merlin isn't sure if that's reassuring or just sad.]

Maybe that's why. Maybe we're all just a bunch of outcasts. Would that be so terrible?

[He actually grins at that.]

video | un: beloved

[dailydouble]

What does that make you, then? An outcast commiserating with other outcasts?

[ Despite his words, Ahad doesn't look entirely unsympathetic. He knows what it is to be rejected, whether it be by family or other, less closely related groups. ]

[servant]

Probably. At first anyway.

[Merlin tilts his head at him. His expression has brightened somewhat.]

I feel a bit better about it now that I know I'm not alone, that none of us are. I just wish we could put that to use here.

video;

[evenslimmer]

Where I come from, we have a whole group of people the rest of society considers outcasts. Mutants.

video;

[servant]

That's the second time I've heard that word. [Though it sounds like his world has a larger number of them.] Why are people so afraid of mutants?

video

[ninmu]

But you are a human.

[ philosophical thought isn't really Melan's strong suit. The odd-looking android on the other end certainly looks like he'd be an outcast in this town, but he makes no mention of his own status, peering at Merlin curiously instead. ]

video

[servant]

Uhm...last time I checked?

[He grins a little. This is less Merlin being a smartass and more Merlin having a weird since of humor.]

But I guess I can't say that I'm a normal one.

video | username; sieglindesullivan

[grunehexe]

People with powers and abilities are either worshiped or reviled, are they not... ?

[That's how it always seemed to be, in the stories and the tales.]

Many of ALASTAIR's recruits possess them... so perhaps many of them know.

[servant]

Seems that way. What's worse is that sometimes those people start to believe them.

[They start thinking that they're a god or a monster, and they act accordingly.]

None of us are from here, so I guess we're all outcasts in our own way.

voice; un: h.wells

[hsalf]

I think there isn't anyone alive who hasn't felt excluded or outcasted at least once in their life. Often for the silliest of reasons. It's a painful feeling.

[servant]

It's looking more and more that way.

[It's surprising, and Merlin wishes he could ask Arthur if he's ever felt that way as the real test. Not that he expects the prince would be truthful with him.]

But once you realize that, it's better...isn't it?