two >> audio/action

[awaitingalbion]

[The sound of a throat-clearing cough.]

Can anyone tell me about a blue-haired girl who calls herself a soldier?

[But earlier this day--before he makes the voice post--Merlin is out picking up fresh ingredients for Arthur's evening meal. He is in the shop, picking through some vegetables. He looks...confused.]

Comments

[action]

[regisquefuturi.livejournal.com]

[He wanders over by the nearby window and leans on the wall there, looking outside.]

No, she doesn't.

[action]

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

You're not actually taking her seriously, are you--Arthur?

[action]

[regisquefuturi.livejournal.com]

[He keeps looking out.]

Tell me, Merlin: what is the duty of the royal family? I'm sure that even someone like you would know that much.

[action]

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

[He looks...unsure. What's the right answer? More importantly, what's the wrong answer. He wants to avoid that one.]

Well--err--the royal family? [Sigh.] I suppose it's to be royal and to keep an eye on the kingdom and...[oh wait what was it that Arthur told him that one time?] ruling by serving! [Pause] Right?

[action]

[regisquefuturi.livejournal.com]

And how [He glances at Merlin at that] can someone do that from here?

[action]

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

[You at least have one subject, sire~]

We'll just have to find a way back.

[action]

[regisquefuturi.livejournal.com]

[He doesn't much think of Merlin as his subject, really. Merlin's just his incompetent servant. He's quiet for a long time before saying:]

There is no value in a king - or prince - who has no people. That is merely an empty title. And yet [He pushes off from the wall with the intent of returning to his room - or going somewhere, at least, that Merlin is not.] it is preferable to one who abandons his duties altogether.

[Even he's not entirely sure if he meant to refer to himself or some hypothetical example with the last sentence.]

[action]

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

Being kidnapped is entirely different from abandoning them, Arthur.

[action]

[regisquefuturi.livejournal.com]

[He's not going to answer that as he crosses the room. Really, he's said too much already..]

[action]

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

Arthur. [Merlin begins quietly, shifting from his place on the sofa (which was kind of an odd piece of furniture anyway) to stand...well...still a ways off from the prince.]

Sure, we may be stuck in this place. And there's no way of knowing how long. But that does not mean that you can't do some good while you're here.

[action]

[regisquefuturi.livejournal.com]

[He doesn't even stop as he leaves the room.]

Be sure to fetch some blankets before night falls; it's freezing already, and it'll only get colder.

[action]

[awaitingalbion.livejournal.com]

[He deflates in place, eyes crinkling shut.] Of course, sire.