video | un; sieglindesullivan

[grunehexe]

[Here we have one exhausted little witch, sitting in an absolute mess of a workshop that is halfway through being sorted for their days-away world shift. Despite their "victory", she looks quite serious.]

Though I know many of you may be reveling or preparing for our departures, allow me a moment of your time for a few points.

Firstly, for those who are yet focusing their efforts on repairing this city and the relationships of its people, I have been conducting research in tandem with Doctor Wells that proves beyond doubt the inbreeding of this worlds' peoples goes beyond those who are first generation born of mixed parentage.

The evidence is in the blood- [A few drops on thin glass slides, which she helpfully shows in her small palm] even those who purport to be wholly human or goblin. If you can assist in disseminating this information to those in position to potentially use it after we are gone for the purpose of peace, it would be appreciated.

[She pauses, brow furrowing slightly.]

- I believe he may have been transferred, but also, if you encounter Sebastian Michaelis, do notify me.

[But she rushes through that one, into the last thing she has to say, gesturing to a large collection of vials, herbs, and salves on her desk.]

I can only carry so much, and there is no guarantee that the next place we travel to will be one that is home to the plants and herbs I am familiar with as this place is, so if you are in need of any medical aid or herbal remedies, do ask for them presently while I still have time to harvest and prepare things.

Consider this a gift from the Green Witch.

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[servant]

So in the end, it's almost like they were fighting themselves.

[Merlin looks sad for a moment. But what's done is done, and hopefully her discovery will help the people moving forward.]

I can help you carry, or harvest. What do you need me to do?

[grunehexe]

Over superficial reasons that did not extend beyond skin or shape... But perhaps that is what people always do.

[To lepers, to the crippled, to witches...]

Harvesting is my priority... There is no guarantee the next world will have this same variety of plants, so it is best to take what we can now, just in case.

[servant]

Right.

[He nods firmly, but after a moment passes a little smile starts crossing his lips.]

When we have time, I have something to show you.

[grunehexe]

- Depending on what it is, I could make time... ?

[Let it never be said curiosity killed the cat]

[servant]

Do you remember me telling you about my magic book?

[Merlin's slowly, casually reaching off-screen. Then he's suddenly holding the large, leather-bound book up in front of him.]

I've got it!

[grunehexe]

[How fast can a little girl's look go from curious to awe inspired? This fast.]

The grimoire you were learning spells from? ALASTAIR sent it to your side?

[servant]

[That look delights him more than anything else has in awhile.]

It seems so! I already had most of them memorized, but it's nice to be able to show someone instead of keeping it hidden all the time.

[grunehexe]

And you would show it to one such as I?

[This might be the Merlin's spell book! The actual- flemflkdnf her brain might just break from excitement]

[servant]

I thought of none other.

[Her excitement is a reminder, the very same way that he felt when Gaius first gave it to him.]

But it won't spoil, if there's other things that need doing...

[Merlin, please.]

[grunehexe]

Oh, no, I do believe other things could wait... yes, in fact, I am most sure of that-

[She still has the capacity for this sort of childish enthusiasm, no matter how mature she could act in other instances, trying not to... bounce in excitement.]

[servant]

Well, if you're sure. I certainly have no objections.

[grunehexe]

I shall clear a space at once! Rest assured, I shall not let your grimoire be dirtied-

[She's made a lot of messed in that workshop...]

[servant]

I'm sure there's a proper cleaning spell somewhere in there.

[And Merlin wasn't the neatest keeper himself. He hurries back to her workshop, the large book under his arm.]

Sieglinde?

[grunehexe]

I should love to learn it!

[She should love to learn anything and everything, that had always been a blessing and a curse- one ALASTAIR had recently fueled with a special gift of her own.

She does clear a space on the workbench by the time he arrives, just barely, moving the last of her bundled up notes.]

It is open- !

[servant]

[Merlin peeks his head in first, the rest of him following soon after. He smiles and holds the book up before placing it on the workbench, opening it with his magic to some random page.]

It's really beautiful. So much would've been lost if Gaius hadn't collected it on these pages.

[grunehexe]

[Sieglinde is quick to scramble awkwardly back up into her chair after greeting Merlin and moving the sheaf of notes, abject wonder on her face as she beheld not only the book itself, but the way his magic opened it up, revealing what was to her one of the greatest treasures of all.

New spells. New magic. The compass attached to the chatelaine around her waist was going crazy, the arrow spinning to point strongly between the book and wizard both. Though she instinctively just reached out to grab it, Sieglinde remembered her manners at the last minute (and the caution one should exercise when handling magical objects that weren't yours), pulling her fingers back but shooting Merlin a look that asked for permission.]

Your teacher compiled all of these spells by himself?

[servant]

Yeah. He studied magic himself for a time. But then Uther had it banned. [He grows somber at that. He didn't just have it banned, there were executions too. Gaius only escaped it because of his friendship with the king and recanting.] He took a great risk to his own life by keeping it.

[Sometime he wonders why he did. He didn't at the time that a young sorcerer would come into his life. Merlin looks at her face for a moment, trying not to smile before pushing it in front of her and granting that permission.]

There's more than spells. The's information about all sorts of magical beasts and too. Herbs, everything.

[grunehexe]

[It was a phrase that brought a similar, somber expression to Sieglinde's own features. After all, she'd told him her own story- part of it. Witches driven into the forest to hide from persecution in the outside world.

Nothing good came of such things. She knew.

But he offered the book and she laid hands upon it, unable to remain depressed when she could flip through the pages, fingers smoothing reverently over diagrams and words, eyes large as saucers. This was the spellbook that taught- was teaching- Merlin...]

May I study from this book as well? - When you are not, of course...

[servant]

Of course.

[So quick with the answer, Gaius would most certainly disapprove. But he probably wouldn't approve of most of the things that Merlin's done during his time with ALASTAIR.]

As long as you promise not to try any spells that are too dangerous. At least not by yourself.

[grunehexe]

Of course, of course... !

[She could be reckless, but she didn't feel a need to practice dangerous things alone if there was someone near who could assist. Already she's excitedly looking through the pages, gaze torn between the spells and Merlin himself.]

Where do you recommend I begin?

[servant]

Hmm.

[Merlin hums, biting at his thumbnail as he thinks. There's no shortage of spells on the many pages, that's for sure. But there's other things too. Magical beasts, herbs, stones...

He snaps his fingers.]

What about a spell to unlock doors. That shouldn't be too dangerous. It might even come in handy during. It isn't very fancy, though.

[He adds, almost apologetically.]

[grunehexe]

That sounds quite useful- I could have used such a thing in the past!

[She certainly wasn't opposed to starting with things that weren't fancy, especially when it came to learning the magic of a world potentially removed from her own. Thankfully, though, the tongue of the Britons was hardly new to her, and the method of spellcasting wasn't so different from what she'd been raised on herself.]

Let's see, let's see...

[Too enthusiastic for her own good, perhaps, she's already flipping through to find this spell to unlock doors.]

[servant]

I think it's back there.

[Merlin holds his hand over the pages, seveal of them flipping back rapidly.]

Here we go.

[Merlin places a hand on the page before running back to the door, making sure that it's locked. It clicks open with a single word.]

Tospringe.

[grunehexe]

[Once Merlin points out the page Sieglinde takes it in, starting to read through but distracted by his motions- and it's better to watch in person, so she puts her attention there, wide-eyed and excited as she watches the lock spring open with only a single word enchantment.]

How fast! A single word!

[Her own spells had been phrases at their shortest, accompanied by potions or other concoctions, so even something as simple as unlocking a door was impressive by her standards when it came at only a word, her gaze torn then between Merlin and the book.]

Is it merely the word itself which does what you require, or should one picture something mentally...

[servant]

There's many spells that will bring similar results, by why not go with the easiest?

[Merlin walks back to her side, smiling to himself. He wonders if this was how he looked when he first started studying the book. He thinks it's probably so.]

The incantation's important - you have to get the words perfect. But it helps to visualize what you're trying to get the magic to do.