futurology | video | username: merlin

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video | username: merlin

[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.

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Nonetheless, past built resilience to lofty quarters does not grant you immunity to the harsher toils of winter, I would assume.

[winter is known for wreaking havoc on a person's emotional state, all the more so here in Chantes without a Sun to brighten one's mood. Merlin has always appeared rather chipper throughout past interactions, so she's curious to learn if something has happened more recently to cause this rather uncharacteristic moping.]

I am certain there is not a soul alive who has not felt as much at one point or another.

[their fellow ALASTAIR recruits, especially. are they not all simply trying to find stable ground to put their foot on as they work toward some idealistic notion of a brighter future for everyone here? none of them really belong here, ripped from their home worlds and tossed into the fray of rival goblins and humans and expected to find their place among them. in truth, if any group of people are to be considered outcasts in the truest sense of the word, it would be them.]

What brought this on? This line of thinking... Are you homesick, perhaps?

It's alright.

[Merlin smiles at her concern before whispering to his palm. There are flames dancing in it when he holds his hand up.]

I can make a fire if I get too chilly.

[It's a return to his more normal self - as normal as he ever gets, anyway. But his grin softens before he speaks again.]

Maybe.

[Definitely. But he wouldn't say that that's the only thing.]

I was just thinking that we wouldn't even be needed here if people weren't so afraid of anyone who's different.

It is natural for people to fear what they do not understand. If something can not be explained to them in a way that is commonly acceptable, they have a habit of either shunning it's existence, or damning it.

[in Saber's case, it was a combination of the two. for a king who could not understand human emotion was quick to shun herself from others, who in turn damned her for her inability to provide her country the ruler they desired. she was only accepted by them so long as she fulfilled that role, and as time dragged on the weight of the crown simply became too much for her to bear.]

Is it really natural though? Maybe they're taught to fear when they don't have to.

[He's starting to sound like a Druid...which isn't a bad thing.]

I've met different kinds of people ever since I came here. People who look different, or who can do different things. It's amazing.

That may well be the case, but were it not fear instilled into them, then some other human emotion would take it's place. Be it jealousy, hatred, or admiration. Those of us who are different will always be set apart from the rest in one way or another.

[magical powers, race, appearance.... these sorts of things will always be a dividing factor among living things.]

Perhaps you have more of an open mind because you, yourself, are different. As someone who considers himself an outcast, you do not let such things influence your opinion of others.

You're probably right. I still have hope for my own world though, for Camelot. I believe Arthur will be a king who can bring everyone together, regardless of who they are.

[He would feel even more confident of that if he knew that Arthur had Gwen by his side. Merlin can't imagine a more gentle, accepting soul.

He lapses into silence for only a few moments before giving her a bashful smile.]

I guess you were right about something else too. I am feeling a little homesick.

[Saber's gaze falls away, drawing her knees to her chest as she cradles her chin on top of them. truthfully she feels a bit guilty about hiding her true identity from him, but would it really do him any good to know?]

The weight of the crown is far heavier than one might be lead to believe. Only the king can shoulder it... and yet at times it proves to be too much for any single man to bear. To accomplish such great feats, is much easier said than done.

[she would know, she tried, and ultimately failed. despite devoting her entire existence to the prosperity of her kingdom, in the end the very thing she worked so fervently to protect is what destroyed her. but maybe it won't be the same for his King Arthur? perhaps history need not always repeat itself across different dimensions. there could still be hope for his Camelot.

she looks at him again, a small sorrowful smile tugging at her lips.]

You are a faithful servant, Merlin. Truthfully, behind every great king are his loyal subjects, without whom he could never hope to successfully reign. You will return to Camelot, and the kingdom will prosper all the better for it.

No. [Merlin says it without thinking, rejecting the idea so instinctively that it's like Gaius tapping someone's knee with that little hammer of his.] Arthur will never have to do it alone. I'll serve him for as long as I live, and part of that is doing everything that I can to help him.

[There is no other point to his magic, to his very life. He makes it into the stories, he knows that now even if it confuses him. He'd be happy without all of that, as long as Arthur becomes the greatest king ever known, a king of legend.

But he has no intentions of letting him do it all on his own. Merlin ducks his head at her praise, but not before the smile appears on his lips.]

It's something I must do. But I know Arthur. He'd want me to help as many people as I can while I'm here.

[it's all very... honest, he's speaking from the heart and she can tell he truly means every word. it only fills her further with guilt over the fact that Merlin would so openly sing words of praise and devotion to his king to someone he considers a complete stranger. meanwhile she continues to withhold information she knows to be pertinent to him and his interests.]

You speak with great certainty behind your words. Pray tell, what is it that urges you to believe so resolutely in Arthur's capacity as a ruler?

[she wants to know... is there something more to this Arthur Pendragon? does he possess something she lacks? something that perhaps makes him unique compared to her own legend?]

Oh, lots of reasons, really.

[Merlin looks happier as he begins to list them, another display of his sincerity. This is a loyalty that has as much to do with friendship as it does duty.]

How many princes would risk their lives to save that of a simple servant? How many would defend villages that aren't their own? Arthur is a proud man, but I've seen him swallow that pride for the sake of his own people.

[He looks up at her.]

Arthur is the greatest warrior I've ever seen. No one can match him when it comes to the sword. But he's also brave and compassionate. For all his failings, he's a great man, and that's what will make him a great king. I might complain, but serving him is no true hardship.

[Merlin stops talking abruptly, which is strange in its own right.]

Uhm. I'm not besotted or anything. It's just, you asked.

[she listens intently, quiet as she allows him to fully express all that he desires. it's touching, really, to hear Merlin speak so highly of this 'other self' of hers with pure admiration and an unwavering fondness. and not just because he's the prince, but because of who he has shown himself to be through his actions and because of what he stands for.

once Merlin finally finishes- and adds in that last part about him most certainly not being infatuated, for good measure, she closes her eyes with an small smile, an amused hum vibrating in her throat.]

Thank you, Merlin...

[a pause, and then belatedly she adds:]

-for appeasing my curiosity and sharing your true thoughts with me.

Uhm, you're welcome.

[He has so many stories he could share, would willingly do so. It might be bittersweet, but he has faith that he'll return to Camelot and his destiny. That helps him through the worst of it.]

I wish everyone had a chance to meet him. It would drive him crazy to be away from Camelot for this long, but I know he would like you.

[her brows raise at that last part, genuinely surprised by his decisive choice of words. He knows Arthur would like her--]

What makes you say that?

Because you have that air of nobility - I don't mean that in a bad way.

[Because nobility isn't always good. Sometimes they're pompous and arrogant and back-stabbing. She's more proper, someone who's equal parts respectful and worthy of respect.]

He'd also appreciate your fighting skills - he knows the discipline that goes into that. It isn't easy. He's trained since birth, I'd wager that you've done much the same, haven't you?

[quite the perceptive little sorcerer, eh? that much will likely always reign true for any Merlin no matter the universe they hail from. she won't comment on the ~~spot on~~ assumption of her nobility, but she will attest to the matter of her combat skills.]

Indeed, I have. Perfecting the art of the sword was essential for me.

[just as it was for Arthur. they could not hope to rule a kingdom during such times otherwise.]

I believe it is a fair assessment to make; that to meet with him would prove to be a rather interesting affair, at the very least.

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video | username: merlin

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