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.

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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?

[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]

[It saddens him that he doesn't have to ask why: why they'd run and scream, or why they'd try to eradicate him, whether or not he'd done anything. He looks different, he is different, and the sad truth is that for too many people, that would be enough.]

No one deserves that.

[kamiizumi]

It is what it is. Ninja live in the shadows, we just have a few more reasons to stay there.

[servant]

Ninja? I thought you were a mutant.

[Who just happens to look like a turtle. Possibly young, it's hard to tell.]

[kamiizumi]

I'm both, sorry. A ninja is a warrior trained in the specific discipline of ninjutsu. I need to remember not that everyone is going to recognize the word here.

[servant]

You're a warrior. That's amazing. [He smiles a little bit.] I'm Merlin.

[kamiizumi]

Mostly, it's just hard work and a lot of practice.

[He's never thought of himself as anything amazing. Just dedicated.]

Leonardo, nice to meet you.

[servant]

From dusk to dawn? That's how the knights do it.

[But maybe ninjas are different.]

[kamiizumi]

Train through the night, sleep by day, mostly. Night's a better time for us.

[...us as in mutants? Us as in ninja?

Both, probably.]

[servant]

Because it hides you?

[kamiizumi]

Exactly.

[No particular emotion to that admission. Just the facts, sir.]

[servant]

There has to be hope, though. Maybe someday, if the right people knew about you?

[kamiizumi]

I've met a few good people, and I'm glad for them. If nothing else changes, that's enough for me.