fandomhighdorms | Roof, Tuesday Afternoon

Entry tags:

Roof, Tuesday Afternoon

It was raining food. There was something terribly wrong about this, but Merlin hadn't quite been able stop himself from the childish urge to pick one of the bits up to pop in his mouth.

So that may be why he was outside with a bowl.

Cleaner that way, right?

[[Open roof is open!]]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

It was raining food. Leto felt that should be considered odd, and he had been curious enough to make it up to the roof.

Once there, he regretted not having found this place before. The sense of overview reminded him of what he felt up on a rock by Sietch Tabr, even if the landscape was quite different.

Of course, Merlin was here catching food. Leto approached, until he was standing next to him. There was no one else around, and so perhaps a good time for a conversation.

He smiled. "Good afternoon."

Someday Merlin would learn better to mind his surroundings. But today was not that day.

And he'd been distracted by delicious food, so it was hardly his fault.

"Leto," He jumped a little at the greeting before hesitantly offering the half filled bowl. "Would you like some?"

Leto eyed the contents of the bowl. "Thank you," he said, accepting the offer. As he had a question he expected not to be appreciated, politeness never hurt.

For the same reason he turned to his ancestors inside, particularly one. He needed a Truthsayer. And although The Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam could never give up her prejudice against the Pre-Born, she would be useful. Leto fell silent, standing quite still, opening his mind to her.

Merlin remained oblivious to this, instead just watching as the cereal fell. "Do you think this is a common occurrence here?"

"I haven't been here long enough to know for certain, but I suspect that it isn't common," Leto said. "But probably less rare than in many other places."

He turned to look at Merlin. "I need to ask you a question."

"But it would be fun," Merlin said, looking a bit happy at the thought of that. No one back home would believe him if he told them about this, of course. But it would be fun to see their faces when witnessing it first hand.

He frowned at the last bit, turning back to Leto. "Alright," He said, maybe a touch wary.

"Are you a sorcerer?" Leto asked, his great-grandmother strongly present in his mind to evaluate the response.

Everything seemed to freeze for a moment. Like when he used his magic sometimes, but he could still see the cereal fall so he knew it wasn't.

Merlin looked away, laughing a bit at that as if it was ridiculous. "I'm a servant, Lord Leto."

"I know that," Leto replied, smiling. "But that is not a reply to the question I asked."

"Why are you asking me this?" Merlin asked, glancing over at him only once before forcing his attention elsewhere.

"Something I heard," Leto said, looking out over the island. "You know I can force you to answer, but I won't. Why won't you answer?"

Merlin's jaw set in place at that threat. He did not like being forced into something.

"You know why, Lord Leto."

"I know why you can't in Camelot." He turned his head again and smiled at Merlin. "You also know that declining to answer leads me to certain conclusions."

"No more than answering would," Merlin said, calmly placing the bowl of cereal onto the ledge of the building. "What do you want?"

"A no is so much easier than a yes," Leto replied. "I want the truth." After a short pause, he added, speaking with the resonance of Voice: "I will not tell Arthur."

This was true, of course, and not merely for Merlin's sake. He didn't wish his friend to be burdened by more difficult choices.

"Do not do that." It set his teeth on edge. "Why do you want to know?"

He couldn't tell Merlin of the legends Alice had told him, as that might cause paradox. It seemed unfair to mention Alice.

"Someone told me you are a sorcerer," he said. "I prefer knowing the truth rather than rumours."

"And you thought to simply ask me. Knowing full well the danger it would place me in when I return to Camelot." There was no if there.

"What danger?" Leto said. "It will only be dangerous if it reaches Arthur. Here, no one else is concerned."

"It's not that simple, Leto," Merlin snapped. "This is not my home. I am not going to stay here!"

"And that puts you in danger? Are you afraid that being used to not hiding will make you less careful when you return?" That trap might be to obvious, but it was worth a try.

Merlin turned to face him, trying to keep himself calm. "Why are you doing this?"

"Because I want to know the extent of what you are capable of. What anyone around me is capable of. And magic or no magic makes a huge difference." Leto looked at Merlin. "And I want to know what would make you take the risk to use it."

"Then you'll have to live with the mystery," Merlin replied, balling his hands into fists.

"Merlin, I'm not going to hurt you," Leto said. "Or Arthur. What is the danger?"

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 1 of 3

Roof, Tuesday Afternoon

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB

Re: NFB