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

[servant]

It is?

[The surprised look on his face is quickly replaced by a much more pleased one. Arthur normally jokes about him being a coward - which he's not. But actually being called brave is nice for a change.

But then his face falls a little.]

Erm...how big is this kernal?

[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.

[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.]

[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;

[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

[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.

[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.

[sunderings]

All things are comprised of both dark and light. Just as those belonging to the Order of this realm seek to find a place for themselves within it, so too have they committed most grievous crimes to obtain it.

And in my own realm, in my Kingdom, to establish peace and equality both, it was necessary to do away with all those who clung to the old ways and their terribly draconian ideals.

[ Do away with by any and all means, he doesn't need to say. ]

Leading by example is quite the ambitious goal, in any case. One must either be naive enough to believe that they are just and they are true, or they must boast both skill and charisma beyond compare, enough to make all those that would follow them champion their cause.

[sanicspeed]

Some do, some don't. But I don't know how I get around telling people lies about it all the time. I really don't.

[servant]

I know the feeling.

[Believe him, he does.]

Does anyone where know?

[sanicspeed]

...one or two. One of them doesn't count at all, though. Complicated story.

[bougy]

Oh, of course, how else would they know who they are, if they didn't know who they weren't? Maker forbid they actually have to think about it. ( she's smirking; as if she's one to talk. )

And, well, I like to think that they're more unhappy than outcasts are. Sometimes being on the outside isn't so bad. Especially if you have your family. Or friends.

[digophelia]

I'm glad that you agree. Please, don't lose sight of that; there are stories about you as much as King Arthur.

[ She's glad for that; as cynical and dark as she can be, Alice can be supportive. ]

My home was Oxford.

[servant]

I wouldn't mind lending an ear, as long as you promise to give it back.

[Sorry about him, Barry.]

I'm Merlin.

[servant]

Have you every felt that way? [He blinks, worried that came across as an accusation rather than curiosity. What he doesn't seem to realize is that it might be too personal.] I'm not disagreeing with you. Having your friends and family make everything easier to bare.

[sanicspeed]

Merlin? Like...King Arthur's personal mage slash counselor Merlin? ...just making sure.

And uh...Barry Allen, at your service.

[servant]

Alright.

[Merlin gives her a nervous little smile. That's still amazing to him. He does so much of his work from the shadows.]

Was it at least a nicer place?

[servant]

Uhm. Sort of. [He rubs the back of his head awkwardly.] He's still Prince Arthur to me, and I'm less his counselor and more his manservant.

[The "personal mage" part, that's pretty much true.]

It's nice to meet you, Barry.

[grunehexe]

In that way, yes.

[She hums a bit thoughtfully, chin in hand.]

I always imagined the outside world would be something like this place- without... The goblins, of course, but.

[bougy]

( she actually pauses a moment and considers it: it's too heavy not to. she's aware, in a way, that he's probably a bit concerned about offending if he's going out of his way to say he doesn't disagree, but she's not particularly concerned at the moment with putting him at ease. she's just being honest, and maybe a bit earnest, as she's assuming he's being about such a close thing. )

I'll tell you this: being outcast made my life, and my family's life, a lot harder than it had to be. Maybe unfairly so, but that depends on who you ask. But it's not like we had a choice. You see, there's magic in my family. ( as if that explains everything. ) By rights, my father shouldn't have had the kind of life being an outcast allowed him.

[sanicspeed]

Same, really!

And uh, I feel like I'm cheating a bit since I know that so...I'll tell you something about me. But it has to be private.

[selfimage]

Yes, the dragons. Good at causing an apocalypse, aren't they? Both they and Michel seem to have that in common.

[ there's an exasperated sigh that comes from his lips and a faint, non-committal shrug of his shoulders. ]

It's too bad of the world scenarios aren't in the job description; I'm sure I'm not the only one who has it on their resume.

[kamiizumi]

On an individual level? Usually just running and screaming.

But if we were common knowledge, I'd guess they'd try and either get us back into labs, if they could manage it...or just wipe us out, if they couldn't.

[servant]

You know what's worse than goblins though? Trolls.

[He makes a face at that.]

How're you liking it?

[servant]

I'll keep any secret you want to tell me, I promise. But...you probably shouldn't say it here.