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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[Her surliness would accidentally net Lucifer so much custom.]

An hour sounds reasonable. I will meet you there.

[At the appointed time, she found a pleasant spot to sit and reflected on some of the conversations she had had, such as those with Merlin before, with Conan and with Castiel. The latter's motivations and nature were still more than slightly disconcerting to her at times, but he had brought up valid concerns that she wanted answers to.

Besides, since the two had last spoken, Samantha had made enough discoveries about this place to be certain that any escape or revenge on her captors would be a long and somewhat arduous project. She would likely need help, which was ranklesome in and of itself. She was really not comfortable being around people. Still, she had to start somewhere, somehow. And, so, now she watched curiously for Merlin's arrival.

In the back of her mind, she felt rather amused at his parents' name choice. Naming your child after the great arch-wizard of so many myths was a good way to be sure they studied the old ways. It was also a good way to get their ass kicked in school. In the end, however, it was just a name.]

[With the number of times he's walked the same path, the route from the house to the Baldr park has become familiar, recognisable. Even while lost in his thoughts, Merlin finds his way there in no time, lingering by the lake for a moment.

Samantha, the new Traveler who reminds him so much of Freya. She might not have specified what was making her so frightened, but everything she said about the lack of control and protecting others from herself spoke of a power that she had. One that Merlin doesn't know will work here or not. It's a hope that whatever Samantha is struggling with, Asgard's strict hold on their original powers has kept it at bay, just like it did with Freya's curse. Convincing Samantha of that, however, would be difficult.

The foliage under his feet rustles as he passes over them. Merlin stops at the edge of the garden, spotting the red hair and raising a hand in greeting.]

I'm here. You haven't waited long, have you?

No, not terribly.

[She motioned towards a spot a short distance away from her. She seemed to have chosen a small enough bench where she could see around easily and he could sit on an opposing one without being too close. She was capable of letting others touch her or be close, but it was uncomfortable, something she usually avoided. Her tail flopped almost lazily while she took in the sight of him. Ungainly, furtive, and above all, young. It was one of the things that was most dawning upon her about this place.

The gods picked them young.

She'd seen adults here, full grown men and women like Uther. However, they were seeming more and more like the minority. It was a bit like a children's action series, where the heroes were all young adults like them. The reality was a bit sadder in its own way.]

So... I've been giving this more and more thought, and I think that I want to try and help other people.

[For a second, Merlin's eyes drift to the tail, then flicker back to her horns in recognition. He'd seen the horns before, but not the tail, though it just adds to his hunch--she might not be human, but a creature of magic, or maybe it's a spell... Merlin stops his speculation from getting out of hand. Guessing at her troubles is no use if she doesn't want to confirm them for him.

His thumbs tuck into the pockets of his trousers while he finds the place--a bit from from her, he notices--Samantha had gestured at.]

You mean with resisting the Body Control ability, yeah? How'd your talk with Conan go?

Reasonably well. He's got a pretty good head on his shoulders for a little kid. The main issue I have right now is being certain that there's someone to control me, in case anything goes wrong. I'm not really sure I trust putting the same power against itself, especially since I don't know if we can control other peoples' powers through it. If we can't, then just because my body was controlled wouldn't mean that I couldn't still use someone else's at the same time.

Which, come to think of it, might be something you want to be sure of either way. I don't know how much people know about these powers that they give us.

[She sighed a little and glanced away, scratching at the back of her head uncomfortably and then nodded. She might as well explain at least a little bit, if not everything.]

You... were wondering why I was so concerned about having someone who could stop me. I'm half demon, Merlin. I don't know if you have that sort of thing in your world, but I think the old term was Cambion. The demonic half of me, well, this is the sort of thing that it might actually do on its own.

[Merlin just nods a bit, trying not to react to the "for a little kid" part.] I'm glad you think so, too. Conan's been here since the beginning like I have, and he's one of the most reliable people here I know.

[The rest of it, Merlin listens to carefully, some surprise on his face when when reveals her demon heritage. That would explain why she wasn't reassured by Freya's luck the first time; it isn't a curse she's worried about, it's something that's actually a part of her.]

You're worried your demon side will affect you? [Merlin pauses.] Can I ask...what happened in your world? So I have an idea what we might be dealing with.

[She'd apologize if she knew, but the difference in she and Conan's age was pretty apparent, and it was still steaming her hide that he was being forced to be here in the first place. He was obviously brilliant, but ... he was just a kid. He didn't need to be in a war.]

He's definitely reliable, I'll say that.

[The other part, though, was not something she liked talking about, and it was written all over her face.]

Cambion is a term for someone who's the child of an incubus or succubus and a human. They don't have the same control over their nature a human or a demon does, since they're two things that don't belong together, basically like a bastard step-child of two worlds.

Sometimes, Merlin, I'm basically a succubus, a sexual predator. I 'feed' off of people doing, or being forced to do the most perverse, twisted things, and that part of me's pretty much a monstrous, twisted witch that will do whatever sick thing that comes to her mind right then.

Have you ever had a random flash in your mind, where you think 'what if I ...' and then laughed that it was silly, and a little scary and forgot about it? That part of you that forgets things? Demons don't have it. I, when I'm like that, definitely don't have it.

[Even though she explains, Merlin still shakes his head, a frown on his face.]

It's still not your fault, what you are. You said it yourself--you can't control it.

[Merlin steps closer, gaze serious and considering as he studies her.]

But it's not sympathy you want...it's a way to keep yourself in check, isn't it? That's why you were so interested in talking to Conan, and for someone to keep an eye on you if you lost control.

No... if I could have that... I would have had it a long time ago. I'm not giving up. I've heard about magic herbs here, and I plan to get them, to look for some sort of cure or control. It probably won't work, but I'll still fight myself.

But, in the meantime, I can't stop being me... so I want to find ways to safely help others protect themselves from me.

[She looked at him warily as he approached, but remained calm, carefully avoiding tensing too much. Closeness was hard for her right now, especially with this topic on hand.]

[He knows she kept a distance between them out of caution, but hopefully the few steps he took toward her would show he really isn't afraid, even knowing all this. That he wants to help despite what she's telling him. Wants to help because of it, even.]

Magic herbs? [Merlin prompts her gently. He didn't miss the way she looked him when he moved closer.] There's the healing that I know of, but not any herbs. Who'd you hear it from?

Something I've picked up recently. Local apothecaries. I'm working for Doctor Watson, and when I went shopping, I heard about them. You can get a license for them over in Utgard. I've got a test in a bit to make sure I can handle them.

[She tried to run her hands through her hair, sighing and looking up. She let him get a little closer, though the tension didn't leave her easily.] They're not as powerful, but I've heard about herbs that help with curses. Might just be superstition, though.

Utgard, really? [It's something he'd be interested in looking into himself. He might not have as much knowledge as Gaius when it comes to herbs, but it wouldn't hurt to investigate.]

It's lucky that you heard about them. And who knows? They might be more effective than you think. Some plants here have a...magical quality to them.

Those are the sorts that I think they're willing to sell. We'll see what can be done with them, but I'm not going to bank on them until I know for sure. I'm glad, though, that I got work with Doctor Watson. It's helped me know about this chance. I'm not the sort who gives up easily.

I shouldn't think so. You seem like the resilient, stubborn sort, and if Doctor Watson can help you, all the better.

[Merlin gives her an encouraging smile.]

You called me out here for something, though. What did you need to discuss, other than that?

Mostly just to try and set things up. Maybe to talk. I'm not really sure how to deal with being a ticking time bomb, when I'm actually surrounded by people like I am here.

It may not be my fault, but I'm a danger to everyone around me.

Maybe. But you're willing to work on it to keep everyone else safe. That says enough to me.

[Merlin fiddles with his sleeve distractedly.] We'll figure something out for you. Did you tell Conan the same thing you told me?

Just about. If there's anything I've missed, I'll make sure to get it to him soon. Do you have any specific questions? I could imagine there might be a few.

Well... [She's right. There are a few that he can think of immediately.]

Why don't we start with the things you've already tried back home. Maybe even here.

Modern medicines were basically useless. I couldn't get them consistently, but most of what's used to medicate psychological problems didn't have any effect on me when the blood boiled. We never got to magical potions or alchemy, which I'm going to try here, but that's because it was hard to get those reagents where I was. Meditation stopped working in late puberty.

Seclusion was hit and miss. My father used to find ways to force me to interact with people, so it rarely worked consistently. Avoiding getting aroused did reduce the problems, but it didn't help with the unpredicted flare ups.

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Merlin's bracelet // IC Contact (Old)

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I am so so sorry

heh, no worries. If figured you were out of town.

out of town mentally, yep

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