Just Outside The Main Gate, Saturday Morning

[bitchprince]

Much like the previous day, Saturday found Arthur venturing back down to the barricade. It was early, the sunlight was yet shallow and leaning towards overcast, and only the first warbles of birds became evident as he slogged at the thing.

At least it had remained intact overnight. He was in full armor yet again, with shamelessly modded Merlin at his side. He'd stayed quiet opposite the boy most of the time, barring talk of strategy. The magic was something that'd have to be discussed again if they managed to survive this whole mess.

He climbed up so he could take a quick survey of the town. Watching the still forms lumber about, he felt a chill settling in his bones. There was only one word he could use to describe it.

"Bugger," he muttered, succinctly, and ran a hand through his hair. Sometimes, he had a knack for brevity.

[[ open post, second verse same as the first ]]

Comments

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"Morning," Dinah said as she headed toward them. She looked still sleepy, but she smiled when she saw Merlin. "Anything new happen?"

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Dinah." Merlin looked about the same, but he was used to sleeping hard when he could. "Not that I know. They're all... still down there."

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah sighed. "You guys caught Radio last night, right? I didn't dream that it was people claiming to be animals, talking about a voodoo priest?"

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"I listened to it," Merlin replied. "I just... wasn't sure what to make of it."

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"Yeeeeah," Dinah agreed, sleep deprivation and confusion being only part of that reaction. "Turtle said people would be researching. Maybe they'll figure this out?"

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Where are they doing that?"

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"Library, I think?" She couldn't remember if Turtle told her that, or if she heard it on the Radio. "Tony was using his laptop for stuff on the 'net, so I guess anyone could be doing that, too."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"I didn't know the library had all that there..."

He would have to go more often.

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah nodded. "I'd go nuts if I had to stay in and read a book, but it's probably how this'll get solved, so." She sighed. "Are they waiting for something, do you think?" Then, more quietly, "Have you done this before?"

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"A siege?" Merlin nodded. "Once. Back home."

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"Did it turn out okay?"she asked, then smiled. "Well. You're here. It must've."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"We made it out alive." Emphasis on 'we'.

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah caught the emphasis, and winced. "Sorry." She shook her head, thinking of New Gotham. "I wish we had more police on the Island. Or that we could call for more help? But I don't even know who we'd ask."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"We help ourselves," Merlin replied, nodding firmly. "It's like the harpies."

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"Yeah?" They had dealt with that though, hadn't they? "Yeah." Sort of. "I don't guess we could leave now if we wanted to." She frowned. "They better not leave the Island either! Although I guess the police in Baltimore could handle it."

Or, well. Not. Widespread panic, anyone?

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"We will stop them before that," Merlin said with absolute certainty. Even if it took his last breath, he would.

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah kinda loved him for that. "Okay. Okay! Yes. Exactly." She took a breath. No thinking beyond what was right there. No catastrophizing.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin put an arm over her shoulders. "We'll all make it."

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah leaned into him, nodding and hoping her expression didn't give away that she was still rattled. "We will."

And get everyone else back. Maybe?