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]

Hmm? About what?

[Playing dumb or just dumb. Choose a side.]

[perma_banned]

[He could tell. Ban snorted.]

You're a good enough kid. So, lemme tell you something.

[The fact that Merlin was even admitting to being an outcast was an oddity. Someone as good natured as him couldn't have possibly been one, in Ban's experiences.]

Whatever it is that makes you feel like an outcast--something tells me the folks ALASTAIR recruited won't think twice about it.

[Was he a demon or a criminal? Ban was dead sure whatever secret Merlin held would be small news to the group.]

[servant]

I like you too, Ban.

[Merlin grins. And he's right. The more he talks to his fellow recruits, the more Merlin hears familiar stories.]

Oh, I made something for you.

[perma_banned]

[Ban had been smiling at that--wanting to tease Merlin for thinking highly of himself--When Ban got blindsided.]

Wait, you what?

[servant]

I made something for you. It's late, but it's hopefully it's still in the spirit of the holidays. Would you like to see it?

[perma_banned]

Oiiii, braaat~. Don't go outta your way to give a crummy thief a gift. You know what kinda waste that is?

[servant]

Wha- you're not a crummy thief, you're my friend. Anyway, I hope you like birds.

[Because he's bringing a paper one out of his pocket.]

[perma_banned]

[Of course, Ban said nothing in response. He stared, jaw slightly open while Merlin pulled the paper from his pocket.

Ban was successfully stunned into silence.]

[servant]

[A victory he wasn't even aiming for.]

Bebiede þe arisan cwicum.

[Merlin whispers the words, his eyes turning a molten gold before the paper bird becomes a real bird.]

There we go! It's a merlin!

[He thinks he's clever.]

[perma_banned]

[It was tough to miss the use of magic. Not only could Ban see it in Merlin's eyes, but across town--Ban could even sense it.

He lifted a brow before grinning, a chuckle escaping him despite his earlier bout of silence.]

I appreciate it, Merlin. 'Course, I don't recall teachin' you that kinda magic.

[servant]

[Merlin grins, pleased with himself and Ban's reaction.]

No, that's all mine. I never did master the card tricks.

[perma_banned]

As if card tricks were worth learnin' for a guy like you~.

[There were definite similarities between the Merlin he was looking at and the Merlin he knew from Albion.]

You could be a court wizard, for sure. Kings would pay quite the sum for someone as handy as you, even if what ya' did was only an illusion. If you made a real bird, yep ♪. You'd be a real commodity.

[servant]

Oh, the kings where I'm from would be more likely to put a bounty on my head.

[The smile remains, but it's sadder now.]

Anyway, I'm not looking for riches. And mama birds are probably better suited at making little birds.

[perma_banned]

Old fashioned kings like that're still around where you come from~? Haven't heard of a magician being hunted down in aaages. Not even in the shitty parts I come from.

[Ban noted the expression, still smiling.]

Just means you haven't found the right king, yet~.

[servant]

Yeah.

[It's a relief when he thinks of it that way. Obviously, things can change if they've changed in Ban's world.]

Yet.

Why did it come to an end though? Do you know?

[perma_banned]

Hell if I know. [It was the truth. Ban had always heard obstinate kings like that were just crazy--superstitious and incapable of finding good in magic users.]

Far as I know, I imagine they just died out and their successors were more reasonable.

[servant]

[Let Uther die so that Arthur's reign can begin. Merlin's been told that almost verbatim.]

Yeah. That makes sense. I guess some people with that much hatred and fear in their heart just can't be changed.

[perma_banned]

Humans in general don't really change. [It was just a common rule of people in general.

There were some who were meaner than others, but generally--most were just hateful for the sake of it.]

If they don't hate one sorta person, they'll hate another~. It just means magic-users aren't their main concern, where I come from ♪.