VIDEO | USERNAME: HAWKEYE | FORWARD-DATED TO DEC 4TH

[futurologists]

[The username suggests it should be Riza's face appearing in front of you, but it isn't. It's Arthur's — you may have spoken to him, if you attended the Order meeting, but if you haven't, he still looks very familiar. He's been at the scene of nearly every shocking event, decidedly un-shocked. There's a reason for that.]

Hello. My name is Arthur, and I speak to you today representing the Order of the Chimera. I've tracked down one of your own who has graciously allowed me to contact you all.

You're likely aware that some of your people are being detained by the guard on charges of treason. This is due in no small part to the Order meeting they were present at. My people have been taken, too. I understand you may oppose the Order, but in this instance, I believe it would benefit us all to work together to free them.

[He pauses for a moment.]

If freeing your companions isn't motivation enough, my brother is in custody as well. Although I hear the guard has invented a barrier to absorb magic, I have no doubts he will eventually escape. However, the longer he is kept, the greater his retribution will become. [Gravely:] If you value the safety of the people of Chantes, or even your own, I suggest you join the cause.

There is little time. We infiltrate the prison tomorrow, regardless of the risks. I assure you the damage will be much greater should Michel grow even angrier.

[OOC NOTES: Feel free to comment around, threadjack, etc. This is meant for characters to be able to plan! Thank you, strictdiscipline, for helping us!]

Comments

[defenceless]

Nor am I. Do you know anything about the Order? I'm new, but that's no excuse to stay uninformed when it comes to this guy.

[servant]

I would say that I'm sorry you arrived at such a bad time. But honestly, this entire mission has been a bit of a mess.

I wasn't at the meeting where the arrests happened, but from what I've heard, they're responsible for the sun's disappearance.

[defenceless]

[She scoffs, but it's more a lighthearted sound than anything criticizing him.] I didn't really expect a good time.

[That would be a rarity.]

What... Who? The Order is? Michel is?

[servant]

The Order. They have both human and goblin blood, so neither side fully accepts them. But that can't excuse their actions, can it?

[defenceless]

Right, they're mixed, and no, of course it can't. I wonder how they were even able to manage a feat like extinguishing the sun in the first place.

[servant]

It's not like any magic I've ever heard of it. It has to be dark magic, it's too unnatural.

[He suddenly remembers that she's new, and they're on the same team, and that calls for an introduction.

Because it never stops being fun.]

Oh, I'm Merlin. It's nice to meet you.

[defenceless]

Literally "dark" magic in this case, huh...

[To be truthful, she's not too sure on if it's evil magic, herself. But she lets the thought leave her.]

That's what it said; that your name was Merlin. Do you mean you're the Merlin, from Arthurian legend?

[servant]

[Merlin laughs aloud. "Dark" magic. It's a pun, he gets it! But it fades off with her question.]

I'm not sure. Apparently there's a few of us out there. [Some old.] I'm Merlin, and I serve Prince Arthur, and the druids spoke of legends, so it's possible.

[defenceless]

Yep, you sound like the one. —Or one of several, anyway. [Can he tell that Rin doesn't sound that surprised?] Are you familiar with the Holy Grail War?

[servant]

I've heard of the cup, but. [He looks confused at the rest of it.] There was a war for it?

[defenceless]

So that's a big no.

[She doesn't bother explaining it! How polite she is. But if he asks for more information, she seems liable to give it.]

Still, that doesn't mean much. You are... exceedingly skilled in magic, right?

[servant]

Well, I don't know if I'd say I'm exceedingly skilled.

[Gosh. His ears feel hot, and he's suddenly grinning.]

But I suppose one could, if they wanted to.

[defenceless]

[You're famous, Merlin.]

I'm a magus, myself. Not nearly as powerful as you, I bet, but magecraft is my inheritance.

[servant]

There's so many people with magic here.

[He laughs, hands briefly going to the top of his head.]

It's brilliant. Does that mean it runs in your family?

[defenceless]

Mmhmm. For generations, my family has focused on advancing their magical talent. The achievements of the past are given to the future heirs, and thus the study of magic continues.

[servant]

So your children, and your children's children. They'll just keep getting stronger.

[But for what? Merlin blinks.]

Do you use your magic for this war you mentioned?

[defenceless]

Ideally, yes.

[Just as she inherited her family's magical legacy from her father—and it is an actual, physical presence inscribed into one of her limbs—she will have a child someday and pass the same legacy on to him or her.]

... Though magic necessarily allows you to live and fight against your enemies, the Holy Grail War isn't the only reason why I've developed my skills. There are goals that go beyond the Grail itself. Magi are always searching for distant things, aren't they?

I'd think you should understand.

[For example, her family, the Tohsakas, still search for the root of all existence.]

[servant]

More than you can imagine.

[Actually, she probably can imagine it.]

I've wondered about the purpose of my magic for most of my life. I always hoped it was for something greater.

[defenceless]

[True, she has a good chance.]

You mean you don't already know? I would have guessed someone like you determined his purpose a long time ago.

[servant]

I know it now, but not for most of my life, no.

[Only a couple of years, which he doesn't think counts as "a long time ago".]

Honestly, it took a dragon to tell me.

[defenceless]

... That sounds like an interesting story. You should share. Dragons are long gone in my world, now—we have to find our purposes on our own.

[servant]

There's only one left in my world. He was kept chained beneath the castle, and called me there to tell me my destiny.

My magic is meant to protect Arthur, to make sure he becomes king. Only...I'm not there to do so right now.

[defenceless]

[Rin pauses to let it sink in.]

It is reasonable, that it worked out that way. Merlin is the famous wizard associated with King Arthur, after all.

[Though if she were him, she might be slightly miffed with the prospect of the lifelong purpose of her magic being to protect someone. It's funny how that works out.]

I'm sure it's fine that you aren't there, though. I would assume ALASTAIR sends us back to the same point in time from when we left.

[servant]

You think so?

[Merlin hadn't really considered that, but it is reassuring.]

[defenceless]

Well, I think so... but I don't know so...