sortileges |

He has ... some good qualities, I suppose. [ (eyeroll) ]

Guinevere is Morgana's maid. Lancelot is... [ He bites his lip, looks down at his hands as he clasps them. ] ...a dear friend. An incredibly honorable, honest person. He left the city. We found him again, but he isn't allowed back to Camelot.

[ He's clearly upset by this, honestly. ]

I doubt that will change until Arthur becomes King. Lancelot deserves to be a knight. He possesses every quality a knight should have, but because he wasn't born of noble birth it's impossible. I forged a certificate for him but... [ He takes a deep breath and just shakes his head. She should get the message. ]

[ her eyebrows twitch at the mention of forgery. surely circumstances back then were different, but where she's from, forgery is not to be taken lightly. especially in the court of law. and she's immediately reminded of professor means, one of the people she despises so much. but his reasons for falsifying evidence is different, though. it was for his self-gain.

merlin, on the other hand... his intentions seem different. ]

That's not right. [ she can't hide it. she's just not pleased with it. ] But I'm sure you meant well. Especially if he really deserves to be knighted.

[ He recognises it, of course he does, but this is one thing they will probably never agree on. ]

And it's right that he can't protect the Prince he wants to protect just because he wasn't born with more privileges than someone else? What about that is just?

[ uh huh ] I know it was wrong. But. It isn't fair.

[ she can't say anything now, so she thinks of ways to change the subject. she'd rather not argue with him over this. and actually, she'd rather not argue with him, of all people. he has a good heart, and that's what's important. ]

I'm sure Arthur will do something about it when he becomes king.

[ there???? was that good enough???? ]

[ It is for the right reasons, and it isn't as if a fair trial even exists in his time. There are only witness accounts, and he's seen first hand that a witchfinder used eyedrops to give women hallucinations of magic to get persecutions. To get paid. Disgusting. ]

I believe he will.

[ He goes quiet for a moment though, and he's just... sad. He can hide behind a million smiles, but it doesn't seem fair to do that now -- not when he can explain it. ]

Sorry. It's just. Lancelot is the only friend I have who knows the truth now. He knows my secret. Other than Gaius, I mean, but most of the time Gaius just tells me off for using magic.

[ no wonder lancelot sounds so important to him. she can't say she knows how it feels to have a friend like that, but she is literally empathising with him this very moment.

her hands make way for one of merlin's, and she cups it with both of hers. some tears fall down her face, feeling guilty and upset. at what, even she doesn't know. she's only crying because his sadness is resonating in her heart. ]

Don't apologise, Merlin!

[ He isn't close to crying, not like she seems to be anyway. He's just lonely. That's what it boils down to. Even if here he can surround himself with people who don't mind magic, or are even amazed by it, the fact remains that back home it's entirely different.

He never intended for Lancelot to find out, but there isn't a more worthy person. ]

I didn't mean to upset you as well, idiot... [ It's said softly, he pushes for a smile, but it aches. It's like how he wishes he could tell Morgana the truth. Let her know she isn't alone, because he knows how lonely she must be too but he shouldn't trust her. Kilgharrah's words are too firm on that. ]

I shouldn't have brought it up.

I'm not upset! [ yes she is, though... she also feels the loneliness he feels. damn her empathy... ] And don't call me an idiot, idiot.

[ she's a princess right now, and you're supposed to show respect! she smiles and wipes her tears with the back of her hand when he says he shouldn't have brought it up. ]

It's fine. You can tell me anything.

You're a terrible liar. [ Like he's one to talk... He flops sideways when she says that though, resting his cheek on his arm with almost... sulky expression? Amazing. ]

Not if it makes you like this.

[ Merlin it doesn't work that way....... ]

[ her sad expression turns into a pout and she pokes him on his cheek once. cheer up, sad koala. ]

I've always been like this. When people feel a strong emotion, I end up feeling it too.

I knew you could read it, but... [ Now he's just frustrated with himself. ] I'm just going to have to make it up to you, aren't I?

[ Thankfully not by stuffing cake into her mouth. Today is a Grown Up Day. (maybe) ]

Why do you have to make up for it?

[ she's seriously perplexed now. ]

It's not like you could control what you're feeling.

[ haha... hiding one's emotions is totally possible. athena would know. but merlin doesn't seem like anything like the phantom. his emotions are real and raw, and that's something to appreciate. ]

This. This was supposed to be a fun activity. [ Supposed to be. And really, she's still...

Yeah.

But he also has no idea why it's so important that he feels everything like he does anyway. He manages to suppress it most of the time for her sake, because she keeps getting worried. ]

I want to, if that's what happens when I don't. [ Though-- ] I have a better idea though.

[ He checks his watch, notes the time. ] Why don't we switch now? You can be the customer instead.

It's fine, [ she says as she pulls up a smile. ] I'm fine, see?

But if you want to switch now, we could do that. I should probably get changed first, though.

[ at least, that's what she thinks?? though she's cool with wearing the dress while they keep playing pretend. no biggie. ]

Showing me a smile doesn't necessarily mean you're fine. [ He stands up then, leaning with his fork to take one final piece of cake. ]

I'll be back shortly. You can... keep that on a little longer.

[ He turns on his heel and starts walking to the back, sending a smile over his shoulder, along with: ] It looks good on you.

[ heh.. heh heh... she feels like she just won the lottery with that statement. and it's good that he's gone to the back now because she covers her hands with her face and lets out a squeal. ah...

her tea's gone cold, which makes the taste a bit unpleasant, but she finishes what's in her cup anyway. she can eat some more cake later. the tea is helping her calm down a bit.

she's never felt like this before. ]

Edited 2016-02-29 02:47 (UTC)

[ He doesn't look back once that is done and instead speeds up to get to the back. He saw a few items in the back before, mostly because there weren't quite as many for guys--at least not until he joined anyway. A few more had been added since.

The chain mail is actually just made of plastic, but it'll do for this kind of purpose. He tugs off the jacket he's wearing first, using the hanger (for once) and then pulling off the shirt to put them on the rack together. It's only been worn today, so it can handle one more day before being washed. He pulls on a light shirt first, much like the ones he wore before coming here but in white. He tugs on the chain mail next.

It's a long process until he has most of the parts, and it's awkward because he knows how easily this would snap. Gwen would be mortified at armor being copied like this, he's sure.

The final touch, however, is the cloak. It takes concentration, but considering it was the wrong colour and didn't have the crest of Camelot, he changes it with magic, pulling it on after. He digs around for a crown, pulling on a belt and a fake sword soon after. Finally--it's all complete.

When he looks in the mirror it looks weird, but that's because he knows what it should look like.

When he walks out his right arm rests on the hilt of the sword, the left swinging freely at his side. He mimics how Arthur walks, all confident and a little arrogant, actually. ]

[ she's never seen merlin look so princely and regal before, so this is definitely a first. and while she's not entirely speechless, she's absolutely stunned. not to mention, he looks like her doodle that she sent him a few weeks ago! how cool is that?

a smile escapes her lips, and she can't even hide it even by covering her hand. this is too... amazing.

he's amazing.

and once he's close to their table, she gets out of her seat and bobs a curtsy to him. ]

Fancy meeting you here, Sir Merlin.

[ oh god, she can't hold it in. she snickers. ]

[ She's probably the only person who ever will, let's be honest here. His mouth twitches as if he wants to smile when she moves to stand, giving a small curtsy (not something the ladies do either, but nevermind, he'll keep that tidbit to himself) ]

My lady. [ She probably doesn't expect it when he drops down to one knee in front of her, cape swooping out behind him to land in a pool of red on the floor. His head bows and his hand reaches for hers. ] It's an honor.

[ Hopefully no customers do walk in and see this display... it's more embarrassing with her than if he'd have to do it to a stranger. Even more so when he pulls her hand closer, his head still lowered, and breathes deeply. She can probably feel his breath on her skin, before presses his lips against the back of her hand. The kiss lingers, soft, gentle. ]

How might I be of service?

[ Well if getting ready and seeing her having cheered up didn't improve his mood, this definitely did. He wants to laugh at himself right now. ]

[ hah... ha hah... it's REALLY CONVENIENT that widget isn't on her neck right now, because if it were possible for the necklace to show heart eyes, it probably would. athena's eyes, on the other hand are focused on merlin, and it's then that her hand starts shaking.

she knows why she's being like this, but at the same time, she can't understand why she's suddenly frozen on the spot. it's as if her brain has short-circuited and needed to be rebooted. she could feel everything but them spin.

and before she knew it, her bright eyes were sparkling. this. this is too much. she's completely astonished, dazzled, and most of all, tongue-tied. ]

I'm— [ she doesn't know what words are, anymore. ] Merlin. [ she takes a deep breath and clears her throat, though her entire body continues to tremble slightly. her face is beet red, and she feels the need to sit down. her heart flutters like the wings of a hummingbird, and she literally doesn't know what to do.

merlin may have to help her regain her bearings now. why is he so dumb!!! ]

[ It's the silence that gets him to look up first, still on the ground, still holding her hand close to his mouth. The look on her face definitely isn't bad, so he doesn't panic. In fact, a slow smile starts to form on his face as he can feel the tremors in her hand and her eyes burn into him more than he expected.

Her skin is flushed, but other than that he doesn't have any further signs of what she's thinking. ]

...Athena? [ Is what he says instead, pulling himself to stand. His hand reaches for her chin, tilting her head up to look at him. Did something happen? Is she...? ] At a loss for words?

[ yes, she's definitely at loss for words.

she nods slowly, eyes still fixed on him. ]

You look amazing.

[ then she blinks. did she say that out loud? she only meant to think it. and it's then that her cheeks grows absolutely red. her expression changes; her brows knit together and her mouth opens to wince, and she huffs out a laugh. ]

I didn't say that.

[ Oh.

Oh.

Damn. ]

Ah. [ Now he's at a loss for words. He can't even swallow, his throat feels dry. He looks down at his hand, still clasped gently around hers. ] You definitely said that. [ His voice is croaky, like he has a frog stuck in it, but he definitely wouldn't cast that spell on himself.

It's just nerves. ]

I'm glad you chose this today and not a day when Ai or the others were here. [ He's embarrassed, and really they're lucky no one came in to try and rob them given the bubble they're caught up in right now. His voice goes quieter, only just audible: ] But I don't want to forget this moment. No matter what.

[ forget about this, athena. just forget about i— ]

It was Widget, not me.

[ ace excuse from an ace attorney.

but that does calm her down a bit, and she clears her throat again so her voice is clearer. she sways the hand that's entwined with his just like a little kid would with her parents. only, you know... merlin is definitely not a parent, but somebody else entirely. ]

It's not like I would have gotten an idea like this if the others were around. We'd all be chatting talking about all kinds of things then.

[ her voice grows softer again, as she's ashamed of what she's saying. ]

... We can take a picture together, if you want. If you don't want to forget.

You aren't wearing Widget, remember? [ Because he certainly does. His eyes dip when he says it, zooming straight back up to her face because he shouldn't be staring at her shoulders like a creep.

Instead he quietly squeezes her hand gently, twists his hold to entwine their fingers together. ]

Can we do that? [ He doesn't comment on her reasoning for this idea of this, mostly because that definitely wasn't a complaint from him. It's more that since she walked out wearing those clothes his heart and chest have been doing weird things. Even his stomach is churning a bit. It's enough to keep down, but it isn't easy. He's just 100% avoiding putting words to the feeling. ]

lancelot [wails]!!!!!!!

u thirsty

my love for lancelot can't be tamed....

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jumps off a bridge

THROWS UP ALL OVER AGAIN

shaking and crying

commits seppuku

fights a lion in a tournament and dies

kisses you back to life

(blushes)!!!!!!