dragonspeak | Merlin's bracelet // IC Contact (Old)

Merlin's bracelet // IC Contact (Old)

Arthur, you can't be serious. Oh, come on--ow!

[Merlin's voice, slightly muffled because of the distance at first, is much clearer when he speaks again
after a few seconds, though he sounds anything but cheerful. If anything, he sounds sullen.]

It's Merlin. Sorry I missed you. I'm probably at the hospital or... [here, he pauses,
then continues like the words are being dragged out of him in the most painful manner possible.] Or being useful for my amazingly skilled, patient, and forgiving master instead of
dallying about and picking flowers like the girl's petticoat I usually am.

[A pained moment of silence.]

Leave a message for me here and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

[Click]

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Sounds complicated. [Merlin chuckles.] So you have to move while kicking a ball about? You'll have to let me watch the next time you're playing "soccer".

[He pauses outside of a bakery.] Mind if I stop in here for a second? I was going to buy something on the way home from the hospital. [His lips curl into a smile.] I'll even get you something - do you like apple turnovers?

I think I might sit out next time. [She manages a small, rueful smile.] Roxas wouldn't mind more people, though, but you'd have to be ready to get talked into playing.

No, of course I - Merlin! You don't have to buy me anything! [She blushes even more deeply.]

[Her protest seems to fly right over his head, and his cheerfulness increases as he makes the purchases.] What? You love the turnovers? Should've said something earlier. [The bell on the bakery's door makes a jingling sound as it closes behind him.]

So, you didn't like this "soccer" game? If you're sitting it out, I'll just keep you company. [He makes a face.] I'd only ruin it by tripping over the ball every time.

Merlin - ! [She makes a face.] I'll pay you back for those. I don't need gifts just because I'm hurt.

Well, I knew I didn't like it, but Roxas was so excited. I wanted to give it a chance again for him. I guess I proved that it's not the game for me.

[Oh, Nakama. Your protests only make Merlin resolve to show her how friendship works--for him, at least.]

What if I bought them for you because I wanted to? You don't need to have a reason to give a friend a gift, you know. [His smile gains an embarrassed, shy edge.] It's...nice, being able to get things for others.

[... oh. She's made a mistake.]

Well, thank you, Merlin. That was nice of you.

[Ahem. He clears his throat.]

Anyway, look sharp. I'm at the welcome hall already!

[And sure enough, he's stepping into the kitchen not too long after he says that.]

Oh! [She spins around, still wearing amusingly oversized boy's shorts tied at the waist and a loose t-shirt, and smiles at him.] Hi, Merlin. That was quick.

Never wait to help a friend in need!

[With a cheery smile, Merlin sets the pastries on the table and walks right over to her.] All right, let's take a look at that wrist.

[She slits the sports tape with a kitchen knife, carefully peeling it away and revealing a fat, bruised left wrist. Definitely a sprain, and not a very pretty one.]

I can't move it really at all. It hurts too much.

[You get some disapproving clucks of the tongue as he gently turns her wrist in his hands. A spark of healing magic from his hands to hers, and he watches the swelling and bruising dwindle away until her wrist is back to normal.]

Good as new. [He lets go of her, smiling.] So that was from "soccer", huh?

You're getting really good. [An approving nod as she wriggles her wrist this way and that.] Thanks, Merlin.

Yeah, I tripped over the ball and fell forward, came down hard on my one hand. Roxas wrapped it for me so I wouldn't make it any worse before I could get it healed.

No problem. I'm happy you called for me.

[Now that Nakama's all healed and well, it's time to move onto something else. If anyone in Camelot had seen the expression taking over his face, they'd prepare themselves for some mischief.]

Sooooo. Roxas. Blonde hair in tufts like this? [Merlin tries to get the image of Roxas' spikes across with some vague gestures at his head.] In Freya's house?

He's nice. It sounds like you two are getting along pretty well, if you're willing to try a sport like that for him.

Yeah, that's him. He's a... [She pauses, remembering their promise and suddenly smiling brilliantly.] ... my best friend.

Huh. [Merlin leans against the counter, curious, as expected.] Best friend already? That was quick.

[...but he's not going to let you off the hook that easily, either. Sorry, Nakama.] You were going to say something else before.

Oh, I was just going to say 'a friend of mine'. But then I remembered we agreed to be best friends. [Glowing.] I've never had a best friend before.

[All right, she's off the hook for now. Maybe.]

It's a nice feeling, isn't it? [He tilts his head back, smiling.]

It's... hard to believe it's real. I never would've dreamed just a couple of months ago that I'd have a best friend. That was something for other people, not me.

It's for everyone, if they find the right person. Just like love. [He reaches out and touches her shoulder.] You're a good person, Nakama. You deserve to have a good friend, too, you know.

Just like love... [She looks distant for a moment, then smiles sadly.] Someone for everyone, right? I don't know if I believe that, but I'm glad people do.

[Then she blushes a little, looking away.] There's a lot I haven't told you. About why I had so few friends at home. It doesn't seem to be such a big deal here, but I'm still scared of telling people.

[There's a hint of self-deprecation in his own smile.] I believed it before, when I first got to Camelot. Love's great. Brilliant, even. It just doesn't always work out the way you want it to.

Anyway. [He gives her a gentle nudge, looking at her earnestly.] I like you...a lot. I'd like to listen, if you need an ear. [In that moment, he shakes off the remaining shadow over his smile, brightening into something playful again as he tugs at his ears.] It'd just be a shame to waste these huge things, you know?

I don't think I've ever been in love. [Very seriously.] I guess I'm too young. I've had a crush, sure, but I've never been in love. The only person I love is my mom.

And that's... what I have to tell you about. My mom. We weren't very popular back home, because... she had a job that most people don't respect. They thought it made her a bad person, so she must have raised a bad daughter. Parents told their kids to stay away from me, and we got yelled at in the street.

[Folding and unfolding her hands in her lap, bracing herself for the judgment. Merlin is from a much earlier time, after all - was their attitude more lax, or more draconian? She has no way of knowing.]

Merlin, my mom's a prostitute.

You said it already--you're still young. Just because you haven't been in love yet doesn't mean it can't happen.

[Then his brows draw together in consternation. What did Nakama mean--oh. Oh.] You mean...like one of the mistresses you find in a brothel?

[He's surprised...or maybe not too much. Nakama's always been skittish about making friends, and this explained why.]

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