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[ This is really weird to hear, because he already knows all of this. He didn't hold it against her, because something magical (?) was in control of her heart, and in a sense, in control of her mind. ]
Maybe. You weren't listening very well, but I already know it wasn't your fault. I knew that at the time. ...Is that what this is about?
[ duh, merlin ]
Maybe. You weren't listening very well, but I already know it wasn't your fault. I knew that at the time. ...Is that what this is about?
[ duh, merlin ]
[ The light seems to poof into thin air as she gets close enough to see him, and instead he switches the ball to a light that fills up the area.
Granted that's also when the noises get louder, rattling against the so-called walls. Merlin only turn turns around in time before something leaps out at him, managing to duck just in time. ]
Watch out!
Granted that's also when the noises get louder, rattling against the so-called walls. Merlin only turn turns around in time before something leaps out at him, managing to duck just in time. ]
Watch out!
Of course. [ Her look turns plaintive then, sad and a little wistful. She can't imagine anyone else is thinking about much besides the ordeal anyway. ]
What... else could I be talking about? Are-- You're okay right? How is... [ shrug ] How's everything with you?
What... else could I be talking about? Are-- You're okay right? How is... [ shrug ] How's everything with you?
No, I don't mean that. Just... [ He frowns, and sort of nods his head towards her face. ] The sad look. Is that what's upsetting you?
I've been fine since I got back... you don't need to worry.
I've been fine since I got back... you don't need to worry.
[ He's quiet for a moment, until he reaches out for her arm, rubbing the side gently. ]
Come on, let's take a seat.
[ With that hold on her arm he turns her gently towards one of the stalls, clearly visible to the bar and lets her sit down first. ]
I can't say I thought much differently, even if I was already warned. How are you holding up?
Come on, let's take a seat.
[ With that hold on her arm he turns her gently towards one of the stalls, clearly visible to the bar and lets her sit down first. ]
I can't say I thought much differently, even if I was already warned. How are you holding up?
[ It's a gesture she appreciates, even as the warmth in her heart makes her shiver because of its unfamiliarity. ]
I'm... all right.
[ She feels like a robot coming back to life. Or something. Some cold, icy thing being thawed in spring sunshine. Rapunzel smiles but nevertheless curls up at the far end of the booth, knees pressed to her chest, hair like a curtain around birdlike shoulders. ]
Just sorry. Like I said. You're sure you weren't... hurt in the long term?
[ EMOTIONALLY OR PHYSICALLY TBH ]
I'm... all right.
[ She feels like a robot coming back to life. Or something. Some cold, icy thing being thawed in spring sunshine. Rapunzel smiles but nevertheless curls up at the far end of the booth, knees pressed to her chest, hair like a curtain around birdlike shoulders. ]
Just sorry. Like I said. You're sure you weren't... hurt in the long term?
[ EMOTIONALLY OR PHYSICALLY TBH ]
[ Okay, that kind of posture isn't good enough. Instead of slipping into the seat opposite her, he sits next to her.
At first he presses his hands onto the table, then slips them down to his knees as he leans back. He bites his lower lip, letting out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding when she finally speaks. ]
Stop blaming yourself. You don't need to.
[ That same hand that had led her into the booth reaches out to pull her over now, pulling her into a half hug. ]
I'm fine, see! As fresh as a daisy.
At first he presses his hands onto the table, then slips them down to his knees as he leans back. He bites his lower lip, letting out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding when she finally speaks. ]
Stop blaming yourself. You don't need to.
[ That same hand that had led her into the booth reaches out to pull her over now, pulling her into a half hug. ]
I'm fine, see! As fresh as a daisy.
After that?
[ It's supposed to sound curious, validating, and genuine, but... suddenly her guilt stretches and flexes outwards. Why is everyone so okay with this? Why is everyone okay with what she's done - with what they've all just been through?
Instead, the question comes out snappish. ]
You'd have to be crazy. Seriously crazy, Merlin, to be fresh as a daisy after starving and fighting monsters for four days.
[ It's supposed to sound curious, validating, and genuine, but... suddenly her guilt stretches and flexes outwards. Why is everyone so okay with this? Why is everyone okay with what she's done - with what they've all just been through?
Instead, the question comes out snappish. ]
You'd have to be crazy. Seriously crazy, Merlin, to be fresh as a daisy after starving and fighting monsters for four days.
[ He indicates to someone behind the bar that they need a drink, not specifying what (which could be disastrous, but Rapunzel probably needs the liquid right now) and instead rests his head on top of hers. Mostly so she can hear him, but can't see his face for this.
His voice is soft when he speaks, quiet and solemn so hopefully she can hear the gravity of this. ]
Once... Arthur killed a unicorn and a curse befell Camelot. We were without food and water for... a while. I spend most of my life fighting monsters of magic, fighting people, sorcerers like me but not to keep Camelot safe. Some people... I imagine like you, probably haven't had to deal with any of this before but.
It's my life. It's my destiny. It's who I am.
[ He gives her a little squeeze. ] So stop worrying about me, and worry about yourself.
His voice is soft when he speaks, quiet and solemn so hopefully she can hear the gravity of this. ]
Once... Arthur killed a unicorn and a curse befell Camelot. We were without food and water for... a while. I spend most of my life fighting monsters of magic, fighting people, sorcerers like me but not to keep Camelot safe. Some people... I imagine like you, probably haven't had to deal with any of this before but.
It's my life. It's my destiny. It's who I am.
[ He gives her a little squeeze. ] So stop worrying about me, and worry about yourself.
[ If anything this - his warmth, which, unlike hers, comes from a power completely aside from magic - serves only to increase the ache in her chest. She won't let herself cry or show anything other than frustration through her bitten lip, but Rapunzel does curl slightly towards him. Fuck it. ]
I don't want that. I'm - I'm tired of being the one people worry about and have to protect! Even out there, do you know what I did? I was invincible, Merlin, and I still messed things up for people.
Without Pascal, I probably would've let you die. [ And this, she knows, is going to sound so silly and shounen but-- ]
...I want to be stronger.
[ ...Thoooough maybe not: ]
I am stronger. If you're crazy then I am just as crazy as you.
I don't want that. I'm - I'm tired of being the one people worry about and have to protect! Even out there, do you know what I did? I was invincible, Merlin, and I still messed things up for people.
Without Pascal, I probably would've let you die. [ And this, she knows, is going to sound so silly and shounen but-- ]
...I want to be stronger.
[ ...Thoooough maybe not: ]
I am stronger. If you're crazy then I am just as crazy as you.
[ the cosplay cafe usually has customers even at night, but for some odd reason, nobody's visiting. it isn't so bad, though, because they've been so busy the whole day that this break is just what they needed. the downside to it is that athena and merin are closing and that there are a couple more hours to waste until they can actually leave.
she looks at her reflection the window, biting a scrunchie while she pulls up her hair into a ponytail. today was a regular day in the cafe with no specific themes, so they were all wearing maid and butler uniforms. her hair's been down the whole time since the customers seem to prefer it that way, but now that nobody else is around, she puts it up.
then she turns around and grabs a piece of paper from the counter and crumples it into a ball. this is so boring. and the kitchen staff are all aliens who don't talk cerealian, for some odd reason. so she can only ever talk to merlin.
she throws the ball, aiming to hit his head. ]
I'm soooooo bored.
she looks at her reflection the window, biting a scrunchie while she pulls up her hair into a ponytail. today was a regular day in the cafe with no specific themes, so they were all wearing maid and butler uniforms. her hair's been down the whole time since the customers seem to prefer it that way, but now that nobody else is around, she puts it up.
then she turns around and grabs a piece of paper from the counter and crumples it into a ball. this is so boring. and the kitchen staff are all aliens who don't talk cerealian, for some odd reason. so she can only ever talk to merlin.
she throws the ball, aiming to hit his head. ]
I'm soooooo bored.
No one is invincible. [ He murmurs back, voice quiet. ] And I already told you that I don't die that easily. I've been poisoned, I've been beaten, chased, and tricked, I've made decisions that will probably create chaos in the future because I believe people can change. I want to hope that it won't come to light, even if I'm scared. I've starved, thirsted for water, I've offered my own life for Arthur's--
[ His voice cracks a little, before he continues. ]
--I've taken a life for my friends, fought against a dangerous sorcerer that tried to take over my body, I've caused the death of countless of others by leading Arthur to a group of people who practiced magic for good because he believed Morgana was kidnapped...
Stop. Blaming. Yourself. No matter what you did, it's no where near as bad as what other people have done to me before--or what I've done to them. I'm not saying that you have to be protected, you cabbage head. [ YEAH!!! ] I'm saying that you're making things worse for yourself by trying to take more responsibility than you need to.
If you want to get stronger, then do it. Learn to wield something, because you'll probably need it here. [ He pulls back to press his hand under her chin, getting her to look at him then. ] You are strong, you don't need to prove anything to me.
[ His voice cracks a little, before he continues. ]
--I've taken a life for my friends, fought against a dangerous sorcerer that tried to take over my body, I've caused the death of countless of others by leading Arthur to a group of people who practiced magic for good because he believed Morgana was kidnapped...
Stop. Blaming. Yourself. No matter what you did, it's no where near as bad as what other people have done to me before--or what I've done to them. I'm not saying that you have to be protected, you cabbage head. [ YEAH!!! ] I'm saying that you're making things worse for yourself by trying to take more responsibility than you need to.
If you want to get stronger, then do it. Learn to wield something, because you'll probably need it here. [ He pulls back to press his hand under her chin, getting her to look at him then. ] You are strong, you don't need to prove anything to me.
[ While she is behind the counter, he's sitting at one of the tables with his CereVice out (true professionalism right here). Normally he'd be more careful about it, but it's an empty night and even after peeking outside he can't tell why. Maybe it's the day of the week? Maybe it's because people are in a similar situation to them and got their money swiped. He doesn't think the aliens would have that issue though so...
When that thought is swirling around in his head Athena throws the ball of paper, only he can see it zooming over out of the corner of his eyes. He tilts his head, eyes flashing so it stays suspended in the air for a second before dropping down into his hand that reaches out for it. ]
We already finished all the tasks, what else can we do? [ Then he throws it back, attempting to hit her on the head this time. ]
When that thought is swirling around in his head Athena throws the ball of paper, only he can see it zooming over out of the corner of his eyes. He tilts his head, eyes flashing so it stays suspended in the air for a second before dropping down into his hand that reaches out for it. ]
We already finished all the tasks, what else can we do? [ Then he throws it back, attempting to hit her on the head this time. ]
[ fortunately, her reflexes are ace and she catches that ball before it hits her. she wants to throw it back but remove the creases of the paper instead and starts doodling on it.
but it can only entertain her so much.
she drops her pen on the table and starts laughing. she'll never say why, though. it's a dumb idea, to roleplay customers. ]
Oh man, oh man— [ she can't hold it back anymore. ] I thought of the stupidest thing!
but it can only entertain her so much.
she drops her pen on the table and starts laughing. she'll never say why, though. it's a dumb idea, to roleplay customers. ]
Oh man, oh man— [ she can't hold it back anymore. ] I thought of the stupidest thing!
[ He resumes texting some random unfortunate person when Athena starts laughing and he looks over at her as if she's crazy. (She is though, tbh)
It's then that he shoves the device in his pocket and moves over to the counter instead, tapping his fingers on the surface. ] Go on.
[ He twists the paper around to see what she's been drawing, wondering if there's some sort of clue on there. There isn't. Not really. ]
It's then that he shoves the device in his pocket and moves over to the counter instead, tapping his fingers on the surface. ] Go on.
[ He twists the paper around to see what she's been drawing, wondering if there's some sort of clue on there. There isn't. Not really. ]
Edited 2016-02-28 14:23 (UTC)
[ she is not crazy, excuse!??!?!
the doodle really gives no clue on what her idea might be. it's just a drawing of an empty courtroom. she really misses home sometimes. ]
We could pretend one of us is a customer. [ she says, trying not to laugh as she talks. this is clearly a very good idea. ]
the doodle really gives no clue on what her idea might be. it's just a drawing of an empty courtroom. she really misses home sometimes. ]
We could pretend one of us is a customer. [ she says, trying not to laugh as she talks. this is clearly a very good idea. ]
[ a little.........
He smooths out the paper while she talks, hands stilling at the corners when it sinks in. Then he looks up at her. ]
...What? [ Is she really suggesting that they do this here? What if they kitchen staff walk out and judge them for this?? (Does that really matter though -- ) ]
He smooths out the paper while she talks, hands stilling at the corners when it sinks in. Then he looks up at her. ]
...What? [ Is she really suggesting that they do this here? What if they kitchen staff walk out and judge them for this?? (Does that really matter though -- ) ]
I know!
[ athena, you're not explaining anything. but yes, she ends up laughing again. she's had many "bright" ideas before, and she definitely stood by them. this one is not one of those ideas. ]
It's funny, though!
[ athena, you're not explaining anything. but yes, she ends up laughing again. she's had many "bright" ideas before, and she definitely stood by them. this one is not one of those ideas. ]
It's funny, though!
[ He picks at the corner of the paper, twisting to lean his side against the counter, elbow resting on the top. Slowly, he asks: ] Who would be the customer and who would be the... server?
Wow, you're up for it?
[ consider her impressed. and it's at this moment that she forgets all about her dumb high school crush and just concentrates on having fun. ]
Do you know how to play rock, paper, scissors?
[ consider her impressed. and it's at this moment that she forgets all about her dumb high school crush and just concentrates on having fun. ]
Do you know how to play rock, paper, scissors?
Edited 2016-02-28 14:47 (UTC)
I'm up for anything-- [ Take a tip from Gwen, Merlin, and don't say things that sound Suspicious. ] It's not like we've got anything else to do here.
Rock, paper, scissors? [ That's a no. ]
Rock, paper, scissors? [ That's a no. ]
It's a game.
Rock, paper, scissors, [ she says as she moves her fist up and down twice. ]. Rock beats scissors, [ her fist remains clenched. ] Scissors beats paper [ she extends her index and middle finger. ] , and paper beats rock [ and then she opens her hand. ].
It's easy.
Rock, paper, scissors, [ she says as she moves her fist up and down twice. ]. Rock beats scissors, [ her fist remains clenched. ] Scissors beats paper [ she extends her index and middle finger. ] , and paper beats rock [ and then she opens her hand. ].
It's easy.
Alright. That makes sense. [ He copies the motions with his own hand to memorise them, careful that he doesn't mess it up. ] Do we just...? [ He makes a motion with his hand, flattening it out like the paper one. ]
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