oo1 ★ video ★ seelie + unseelie

[serving]

( Through the locket Merlin looks a little ... well, weary, if we're honest. It's not necessarily the same weariness of a young man who's been put through his paces physically (even though the recent rescue mission took it out of him), rather the slightly greying skin tone that indicates late nights, hard floors, and an over-active imagination. The only problem is that this time it's not his imagination that's to blame: it's everything else - it's this reality - that has him unable to stay still. Call it an over-abundance of nervous energy ...

That's actually only got worse since finding Arthur and Lancelot. Merlin's not exactly unused to having strangeness heaped on him but he's still uncertain about the whole thing: Lancelot died the last time he saw him, for starters, and yet here he is with no memory of it. It doesn't add up, and a simple "well, it's magic" isn't good enough for him. Merlin needs answers. He also needs to find out if only the three of them crossed over to the new realm, but asking the network seems too dangerous. Drawing attention to Guinevere, for example, if Morgana is lurking in a new and improved forest hovel, is exactly the opposite of what he wishes to do. Better handle this one with a bit more subtlety.

Still. His niggling doubts haven't kept him indoors on such a pleasant day - not least because outside he feels a little less like he's under scrutiny from every angle. It was the same in Camelot, he realises, if not for slightly different reasons, although he supposes the punishment for discovery may very well end up the same. He hopes not to find out. From his surroundings it should be clear that Merlin's ventured into a patch of thin woodland, and right now he's knelt over a frothy-flowered cluster that looks a lot like a yarrow plant.

He peers into the locket for a moment (as though uncertain it's actually working). )

... Hello?

( He frowns, then taps it a couple of times, before deciding that he may as well continue. He angles it so that the "yarrow" is in view. )

Does anyone know what this is? I'm looking for yarrow, but I'm - um. Not really familiar with what's poisonous and what's not, here.

( The physician's bag he's wearing over his shoulder slips forwards into view - Gaius' bag, for the Camelot bunch, who should be able to recognise it immediately. He'd been out collecting dock leaves when he'd been whisked away to the Drabwurld, and as Arthur had put it, he may as well go on and make himself useful. The locket moves over it slowly, getting a few different angles, before turning back to Merlin's face, where a self-deprecating smile has replaced the sceptical expression of moments ago. )

It doesn't look poisonous, but ...

( Hey, he doesn't look like an immortal warlock. )

Always better to be safe than sorry? And I don't want to end up giving someone a rash.

( But his smile grows broad at the thought of Arthur rubbing an itchy rash into God knows where. Come on, that's funny! )

... Accidentally. Anyway, let me know if you have any ideas; I'm all ears.

( He really does set himself up for the teasing, doesn't he. Merlin offers a little nod before the locket cuts off - and if he didn't give his name? Well. He's beginning to think that, at least with this crowd, a little namelessness might save him a lot of trouble. )

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video.

[serving]

( What is it with these rugged handsome types and making sure he's safe? Honestly. )

I'm stronger than I look?

( He grins, not least because it's true, but he's not sure Killian will ever finds that out first-hand. His magic is strictly under wraps, as it's always been. )

Anyway, you don't need to worry: I didn't get very far and I think Hermione's coming to help me in a little while.

( And he'd never encourage anyone to join him in anything he thought would be dangerous - regardless of gender or magical ability. He's a bit of a lone wolf when it comes to fighting nasties. So much so that he even gets annoyed when Arthur goes off to fight them instead of him, and he's the finest Knight in all of Camelot. )

Better?

[pillager]

All strength and no wits, then?

[ He says this with a grin, though Merlin's words do little to reassure him. Merlin's struck him as the impulsive type-- he reminds him of a young Baelfire, actually. ]

Hermione. A friend of yours?

[serving]

Actually, Arthur would tell you I'm lacking in both.

( He chuckles under his breath and scratches the back of his neck for a moment. )

I think so? We only met recently, but - she's been a great help since I arrived here.

( Merlin can't really afford himself the luxury of friends, but he's happy to entertain the possibility for the sake of keeping up appearances. Besides, it's good to pretend. Sometimes his destiny leaves him feeling horribly alone. )

And she doesn't think I'm witless.

( Yeah Hook, yeah, see some people are nice to strangers. Baw he's only teasing though, and he laughs lightly. )

... I hope.

[pillager]

You know mate, I'm really not getting a good impression of this Arthur fellow.

[ Every bad thing Merlin says about him sounds affectionate, and while he's mostly joking, he at least sounds like an interesting guy.

He laughs. ]

Of course she doesn't. You may as well be two peas in a pod if she's going to meet you there alone.

[ But he's learned not to underestimate women. Oh, he's learned that lesson real good. So the important question is-- ]

Can she fight?